CAN YOU PAY MY BILLS.....?

I actually did it. I cut the internet off in the house. I cut the cable channels back to basics...we only have channels 2 - 99 now...and I downgraded the telephone. We have basic phone service for $11.00 a month. I'm really going to miss the caller ID feature, but I just won't pick up the phone. Verizon wanted to charge $9.00 extra a month for caller ID. The nerve. It wasn't until we cut down that I finally realized how much money was being GIVEN away. Our phone has an answering machine on it, so we are using that. I use the internet as work......sssshhhh......to pay bills. I ONLY had the cable so Little Kwyne could watch NICK JR. But, I had to ask myself....does she pay any bills around here? HELL NO!!! (haven't stopped cursing yet, obviously)...so OFF went the cable. Heck, by the time I get the kids to bed, eat, work out (yeah, I said it) Im ready for bed anyway. TTFN

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to all and to all a Good Night. I hope God continues to Bless us all throughout theupcoming year. If you got up this morning...you are Blessed.

A little update:

I THINK I found a church. More on that later. I have gone a few times and I really really enjoy the sermon. So much so, that I go to the early service. I actually can't wait to get up on Sunday.

I started reading THAT BOOK.....The 48 Laws of Power. I actually made it to Law 24 while I was getting my hair braided. Somethings apply to me at my job, others don't. But I guess that is with everything in life. Use what you need.......throw the rest in the recycle bin. LOL

WOW WOW FOR WORK

I am so grateful I have a job to return to.  Im due to go back on December 1.  I know I just had a baby, but Im ready to kill somebody from being stuck in the house. Plus, Im ready to get a paycheck and start paying these bills off.  Plus, christmas is coming...FA LA LA LA..( u no how it goes

I can't believe we have a BLACK President (elect.)  Dam...I feel like putting WE SHALL OVERCOME as the background music of this blog.  LOL

Anyhoo...Im glad I decided not to start doing any of these things until November 28th.  That gives me 2 (plus) weeks to get my mind right.  I did not have any coke sodas in the house yesterday and I was ready to kill somebody.  I ended up drinking a diet coke we had in the house for guests.  I was having withdrawal symptons.  So, I had 4 today to make up for it.  

BIRTHDAY WISHES

My birthday wishes for my 40th are as follows:  

1.  To have -0- balance on all my (and hubbies) bills.

2.  Im getting a SUBURBAN...that's right you read it.

3.  I want a blackberry...that way I can keep track of all the playdates, dance recitals, meetings, holidays and travel dates.

4.  I want my OWN apple computer (laptop of course)

THANKS BABE

#1. WILL YOU GO WITH ME?

My husband and I are getting our date night back on track...ASAP.  With two kids we have to start making time for each other just like in the beginning.  Remember how relationships USED to start with those famous words?  WILL YOU GO WITH ME?  

#2. DE LA SOUL

It's just ME MYSELF AND I.  Take time out for me, myself and I to do absolutely nothing.  I went to this seminar recently and the first question asked was "What would you do if you had all the time and money in the world."  My response, "NOTHING."  Everyone else said "travel." 

I want to go to the spa and have somebody work out the stresses in my back and neck for me, while I do NOTHING.  (maybe snore)

#3. EARLY TO BED AND EARLY TO RISE

WAKE UP!!!  Get up in enough time to have time to do nothing.  Does this make sense?  Im going to give myself time to have a cup of tea and watch the news before getting dressed and going to work.  WEEKDAYS ONLY!! 

#4. QUARTERS AND NICKELS AND DIMES OH MY

Wrap up the change in my daughter's bank and finally finally take it to the bank for depositing.  It's sitting in here room NOT gaining interest.  Just sitting there.  Maybe I can turn that into a drinking game and get my friends and family to help.  The more the merrier.

#5. SORORITY SISTERS

Financial and Active in 2009.....NUFF SAID! 

#6. ALEXIS AND AMARI

Im going to visit my Godkids this year.  I don't know how or when, but Im taking the kids to meet their Godsisters.  Alexis and Amari are not related which is going to require me to take two trips, but I think it will be well worth the trip.  I want to reconnect with them and be apart of their lives.  I want to be the "COOL AUNTIE." 

#7. TEA TIME

More like tee time anyone.  Im taking up golf this year.  Yep, you heard it.  My husband and I are going to spend our retirement in Hawaii playing golf.  

#8. ROBERT GREENE

Mr. Greene wrote a little book called "The 48 Laws of Power."  My husband has been asking, no, insisting that I read this book.  So, on behalf of Mr. Greene and myself....I will read the book.  I am already on Law 4...whoo hoo.

#9. GET PROMOTED

That's right.  Im claiming it for 2009.  If not, somebody's ass is grass!!  Whose ass?  I haven't figured out yet.  But I know somebody better be promoting me this year...dammit

#10. VILLAGE PEOPLE

My family has memberships to the YMCA.  I am actually going to use it this year.  Im going to take advantage of the pool, classes they offer and even the gym.  Why not, Im paying for it.  I

#11. HURRICANE KATRINA

After hurricane Katrina I wondered what would we do if all our belongings were destroyed.  Im going to make copies of all important papers (ie. birth certificates, social security cards, credit cards etc) and put in a safe place.  Haven't actually thought of where that safe place is but I will tell you as soon as I find it.

#12. DINNER FOR 4 PLEASE...

Okay okay I admit...I don't cook.  But I will this year.  At least 3 times a week. That is saying alot for me.  Maybe we will have enough leftovers for lunch the next day.  Can you say HAMBURGER HELPER?  Hell, it's a meal.

#13. AND GOD SAID...

Read the ENTIRE bible.  Im not going to read it in order...I was told reading it backwards gives you a better understanding.  I start my year every year reading the Bible.  Maybe if I read it backwards I can finish it this time.

#14. WITH THIS RING

When I got married, my engagement ring was too big for my finger.  The goal here is to lose weight.  There isn't a specific amount to lose, I just want my ring to be too big for my finger again.  Plus, I want to fit back into my "cute" clothes.

#15 THE BOX

I plan on doing something entirely different and out of the norm for me.  I'm stepping out of the box. Now, I haven't decided what that is, but I will know the opportunity when it reveals itself.  Keep you posted

#16. JUNKIE

Some people will tell you that I USED to be a gym junkie.  I was in there 6 -7 times a week.  My schedule won't permit that anymore, but I am going to get there at least 3 times a week.  

#17. PAY MYSELF FIRST

I think this is self explanatory...I work HARD for my money dammit!

#18. SMALL TIX

Small ticket items to me are the musicals, concerts, comedy shows etc etc.  Not only do you go to the show but you have dinner before and drinks after.  Or at least we do.  These things add up.  

Im still taking my kids to the circus in the Spring, but unlike years past, my family won't be going to every "rising curtain' at the Performing Arts Center this year.

#19. BIG TIX

NO BIG TICKET ITEMS.  This includes furniture (new bed this year),  car (new car last year), or any other thing that would require both signatures.  Unless it's an emergency of course.

#20. BIRTHDAY PARTY BLUES

Learning to say "no" to some of the dozens of invitations my family gets to birthdays, weddings etc.  Not only saying "no" but NOT having to give an excuse as to why I am saying "no."  It's my money and time.  Plus, people are expecting birthday gifts that cost way too much than I want to spend nowadays.  

#21. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

The shooting range is going to be my friend at least twice a month.  I need to take the time and go to the range to keep my skills up.  Did I mention that I am a cop and we only need to qualify twice yearly? Go figure.  I want to get really good at it.  

#22. SHOOTING RANGE

I am finally going to take my husband to the shooting range.  We have a few guns in the house (Im a cop) and he needs to know how to properly use them.  Don't laugh, I know he can shoot it, but I want him to shoot it properly..plus he needs to know how to break them down and clean them too.  

#23. LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

I am going to get a will and a living will.  Not that I have millions to give away upon my demise, but I do have somethings that are valuable to me that I want certain persons to have.  Also, if I get sick, my family needs to know what my wishes are.  Can anybody say Long Term Disability Insurance?  

#24. INVEST

I started investing for my retirement a few years ago.  I will up the ante this year because I only have 8 more years before I can officially retire.  My oh my....what I wouldn't do to be on a beach in Hawaii debt free in 2016.  I think my timing is right.  

#25. NO FRILLS

I am a poster child for name brands.  This year I am going to try the no-frills, store brand type.  Everybody tells me that there is no difference but I am going to find out.  By the end of the year, I will be a poster child for NO FRILLS.  Anybody know any good cheap diapers?  

#26. BUNGEE JUMPING

I know I know yall think Im crazy. I've always wanted to do it, but never had the chance.   My husband might disagree with me, but the insurance is paid up.   

#27. CABLE

I have decided to cut back on the cable.  Do we really need all those channels?  There is nothing on anyway.  As long as we have the History channel, Noggin and TVone..we will be fine.  We only need the cable because we don't have HD televisions.  Thank you Federal Government for changing the viewing possibilities.  Guess what?  This will save me 91.00 a month...WOO HOO! :)

#28. CHURCH

I can't tell you the last time I was inside a church unless someone was getting married, baptised or it was friends and family day.  My mission is to find a church, join, and tithe.  This would require me to have to get up early on Sundays and visit various churches to see which one fits me and my family.    

#29. HAVE A YARD SALE

I have so much sh** in my house that I never use.  I have tons of books, unopened wedding gifts and baby clothes galore.  Need I say more?

#30. GIVE BACK

This would require me to volunteer my time SOMEWHERE.  I want my kids to know that we may not be rich, but we have far more than most people.  We can do our share in helping those who may need help.  

#31. WRITE MY BOOK

I have all these ideas running around in my head.  Time to put them on paper. 

#32. PUBLIC SPEAKING

I am going to take a public speaking course this year.   Terrified I may be...but Im going to take the course and Im going to speak someplace.  Anybody have any ideas?

#33. LIMIT TV VIEWING TIME

Initially I was going to limit my daughter (3yr old) to 2-3 hours a day.  Then I started thinking what about me..so..I'm limiting my tv time to 2-3 hours a day.  I better pick my favorite shows because time will be a ticking.  While I'm at it, my husband is limited to 2-3 hours on the Wii everyday.  

#34. SODA VS. WATER

I guess if I can drink 6 cans of soda a day (yes, I admit to it) than I can drink 6 bottles of water a day.  If  I drink the water I won't have room for the soda.  The point is to cut back on the soda.  Im trying to limit myself to 1 can a day.  OH BOY!!!  What I wouldn't do for some soda right now.  Did I mention that it is 8:17am?

#35. STOP EATING PORK

I am doing this for my husband.  He hates when I eat pork and hates it even more when I give it to the kids.  I know "the pig" is a filthy animal, but it tastes so good.  Bacon, taylor ham, RIBS!!  I guess I could get used to the knock off version...TURKEY.  

#36. STOP CURSING

This one speaks for itself.  I was cut off yesterday and I yelled an "F" bomb.  Problem was that my 3 year old was in the car.  I can't have her repeat that.  I will swear she got it from the kids at daycare.  Plus, Im too pretty to have mouth like a drunk sailor.  

#37 WEEKLY ALLOWANCE

MY weekly allowance is going to be $25.00 dollars. That means those daily taylor ham and egg sandwiches for breakfast from the local deli are going to have to come to an end.  DAMMM!!!

#38. MONITOR MY SPENDING

This is going to be easier said than done.  Monitoring my spending would require me to actually have a budget and put myself on a weekly allowance.  My plans are to go shopping with a list AND COUPONS.  Keep all my receipts and go over them on a weekly basis.  Maybe I will spend my lunch period canvassing receipts.....

Just think, how many times have you gone to the store for 1 thing and come out with 20. I do it all the time.  If I could just stay focused on what Im putting in my shopping cart, I might have more money in my bank account.  

#39. PAY OFF CREDIT CARD

I'm sure everyone can relate to this.  It's about time I got serious about these silly little plastic things.  I think it is very possible to have -0- balances on all of them by November 28, 2009.  I have to stop purchasing things I dont really need.