I can't believe how fast time flies and how easy it is to quickly forget about posting anything!!! Luckily, I didn't forget to pay any bills!

Since June, all the kids are home from school and I got laid off from work. Bummer about not having a job, but nice to be home with the kids. Unemployment isn't anywhere close to my salary, but at least it's a little bit of $$ coming in.

Two weeks ago, I got a short contract to write some technical SOPs for my husand's company. I am so happy to have decent income again, but let me tell you, it is BORING! By the end of the day, I'm so brain fried, all I want to do is lay on the couch and take a nap. Luckily, I've been able to work from home and only go into the office a couple times a week, so nice! We actually were able to make ends meet last month without dipping into our emergency fund. I'm not sure how we're going to do in August, but hopefully, I can stretch out my contract a little longer. Cross your fingers for me!

The good, the bad, and the budget, week in review.

Good

• Free Nivia sample
• Made hot dogs in a blanket and put a bunch in the freezer for kids snacks/lunches this week (cost = $0.285 each)
• Entered the Pace Hand-Pick & Win contest - Didn't win anything
• Took 5 Surveyhead surveys, didn't qualify for any!
• Completed 2 Suvyehead profiles, earned $0.40
• Entered Kiwi Magazine Sample Pack contest
• Played the Honeynut Cheerios giveaway - Didn't win anything
• Qualified for a free subscription of Shape magazine

Bad

• Lost my job & filed for unemployment

Budget - Under

• Under budget in all categories - It's early in the month still!

I finally got a Menu Plan together for the week! And I even did my shopping today! I'm feeling on the ball - at least I got one thing accomplished for the day!!

Monday - Fettuccine with Creamy Tomato Italian Sausage Sauce, garlic bread, green salad
Tuesday - Maple Honey Mustard Pork Chops, green beans, rice
Wednesday - Chicken Taco Wraps, guacamole, salsa, green salad
Thursday - Leftovers!
Friday - Hamburgers, corn on the cob, potato salad

Saturday and Sunday our youngest daughter has volleyball tournaments all day. Not sure what the plan will be for dinner, may be left overs, hotdogs, top ramen, pizza, etc. Definitely something quick and easy!

A quick review of my week, the good, the bad, and the budget

Good

• Signed up for an Electric Orange Savings account with ING Direct. After 3 debit card transactions, I'll get a bonus of $25 in my account. Enter Reference Code EM257 to get the bonus.
• Sold 1 movie on half.com
• Listed the Lexus for sale on Craigslist (twice)
• Sent in for a free sample of L'Oreal Revitalift and EverPure
• Earned $.60 on Surveyhead - Total earned = $5.80
• Requested my free sample of Garnier Nutritioniste Ultra-Lift Pro Deep Wrinkle Cream
• Finally(!) got an entry for free Mars Chocolate

Bad

• Set up payment plan for State Taxes

Budget - Under

• $125 Debt Snowball
  
• $131 Education / Other, although I have no idea what I budgeted this for
• $58 Groceries
• $100 Pet Care - Need to schedule the dog for his shots
• $15 Miscellaneous
• $20 Entertainment
  

Budget - Over

• $146 Household
• $60 Healthcare
• $31 Mortgages
• $126 Cash
• $200 Gas (Yikes!)
  
• $17 Phone / Internet
  
• $7 Gifts

Just when I thought I had them all paid off!! Now we received a notice for another tax assessment, this time from the State. I didn't realize that when we amended our Federal Income Taxes, that we needed to amend our State Income Taxes as well. I suppose it makes sense. Now we are set up with another monthly payment plan, this time to the State. Just when I think we're starting to get ahead a little bit, add another $374 to our debt.

I seriously need to post more often. I forget what I've got going on for the week and our ups and downs. I need to come up with a better system. Anywho, until then, my hours at work have been cut back to 3 days this week and I don't know if I'm even going in next week. Guess I will file for unemployment and start looking for another job.

We started the refinance of our house last week and the appraiser is coming out on Friday. Hopefully we can get this done before they find out I no longer have a full-time job. My fingers are crossed....

Carrie over at Money Saving Methods posted a great money maker when you sign up for Starz. So I logged on to DirecTV this morning and signed us up! No only do we get 14 new channels, but at the end of three months, I can mail in a rebate for $50! Yay, more movie channels!!!

I must be feeling lucky today, or maybe just hopeful that I'll win a new swimsuit. The gals over at Chic Critique are giving away a Lands End swimsuit!! Comment by 5/16 to win!

Ellen at Thrifty and Chic Mom is giving away a cute laptop sleeve from CoverBee. Stop by and comment to win!

Got you paid off this month finally!! So far we've got an additional $225 to put towards our debt snowball this month!! We're going to get the new carpet paid off hopefully next month!! That would be 2 months ahead of schedule!! I'm so excited!

Now I need to stay on budget this month. NO MORE EATING OUT!