Woo-hoo! Spending less money on trinkets, blinkets, and shineys nets you more money to pay on debts and necessities. Sound obvious? Yes, it is, but some of us have to consciously remember WHY we are spending less money on stuff like cups on ice tea from a convenience store so that we can some day be out of debt. I have been consciously thinking about this lately and instead of buying iced tea every day, I have been making my own in a pitcher and drinking that. I also bought a 12 pack of sparkling seltzer water and added lemon juice and stevia for a refreshing, non caffeine beverage. Anyway, I am sending an extra $5.00 to cc #1 just because I have funds to do so due to less spending on stuff.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4722.02

cc #1 extra payment $5.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4727.02

Hi, everyone. I get paid tomorrow. I have already allocated funds for 1/2 of the mortgage and written out checks for a savings deposit, the trash bill, and the water bill.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4552.02

$40.00 Regular Savings Deposit
$5.00 AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit
$5.00 Escrow Savings Deposit
$23.00 House Savings Deposit
$22.00 Car Savings Deposit
$75.00 cc #1 payment

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4722.02

Hi, everyone.

I just got some great news yesterday and I thought I would tell you all about it as a caution to be aware and ask questions. I recently had some lab work done. I have health insurance that comes with a "lab card" that is supposed to insure, in most cases, that I don't have to pay a bill. There were a large number of tests run, but I was still surprised to get a bill of $107.00. I called the lab testing company to inquire if they had a list of tests that are covered so that I would know in the future if a certain test was run, I would have to pay for it. The person said they do not have a list, but asked what the problem was. So, I told her about the lab work and my lab card, which she asked me to send to her, which I did. One clue is that the name of insurance company listed on the bill was not mine. That was forwarded to billing and they fixed it straight away and said they had gotten incorrect billing information from the collection facility. Anyway, this is just a note to all of you that if you get a bill that does not seem right, ask questions. Woo-Hoo! I feel fantastic.

Hi, everyone. It's a day off, heck two days off, for me, but I still got paid today, so more dollars are going to savings, debt, and retirement. I have already allocated for 1/2 of the mortgage payment and car insurance.

Old 2015 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4392.02

$40.00 Regular Savings Deposit
$20.00 Car Savings Deposit
$20.00 House Savings Deposit
$20.00 AAA/Car Tax Savings Deposit
$20.00 Slush Deposit
$40.00 cc #1 payment

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4552.02

Hi, everyone.

It has been quite a week at my house. Our air conditioner is finally functioning at peak capacity. It turns out the reason why the fan kept running all the time even if we had it turned off is because of two reasons: something called a relay was malfunctioning and a wire was hooked up wrong. Anyway, it's all fixed now. The weather has been rather cool here this last week, so we have not had the A/C on for at least four days. And because we have our new windows, we have had the windows open that entire time. For the last five years, we have not been able to open windows on cooler days because the windows did not open at all.

Also, today the deposit for my rebate from mrrebates came in and went right back out to cc #1. Woo-Hoo! So, here is my updated 52 Week Challenge Balance.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4381.58

mrrebates deposit $10.44

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4392.02

This brings the balance for cc #1 to $4496.78.

Hi, everyone. I got my Pinecone deposit today and my husband got his check, so here is the update to the 52 Week Challenge.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4309.10

Husband's payment to cc #1 $67.48
Pinecone Deposit $5.00

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $4381.58

This brings the cc #1 balance to $4507.22.

I also got an email from mrrebates about my rebate of $10.44 being available. So, when that arrives in the bank account, I will send it to cc #1 also. Woo-Hoo!