http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com info@savingadvice.com LittleGopher en-us http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2009/02/14/a-good-day-indeed_48467/ The FAFSA is done!! Taxes last weekend and this thing today - I'm on a roll. Now we'll wait and see...<br /> <br /> My oldest signed up for a registration session for her upcoming fall college classes over spring break in March. I'm off, and my husband may take a vacation day. We might even... Sat, 14 Feb 2009 18:23:21 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2009/02/07/taxes-tires-tidbits-oh-my_48263/ The taxes are done! I e-filed my oldest's federal and will mail out her state - both with refunds. I also changed her withholdings. I used TurboTax for the first time (I'm a long hold-out with the paper and pencil!)and e-filed our federal - we get a refund of all of $50. The state... Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:43:10 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2009/02/01/another-update_48037/ Make that a quarterly one! (Computer issues to blame, and lack of time always!)<br /> <br /> Lots of news at our house...<br /> <br /> The best is that my brothers and I received and divvied up some money from a trust - not a lot, but enough to help out. After MUCH deliberation over how best to make... Sun, 01 Feb 2009 15:03:11 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/11/16/how-time-flies_45161/ ...when you're busy! I check the blogs daily, but it's not always easy to find the time to post.<br /> <br /> As recorded in Fern's No Heat entries, we kept our heat turned off until Nov 7. We're happy to get into November some years, so this was good. It also helped remind us that we can... Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:32:27 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/10/20/monday-musings_44288/ All of our travelers are home. My second girl arrived back on Saturday, after enjoying her time at a church youth convention in southern MN. My third daughter flew in last night from Washington DC. She was a bit nervous about the plane ride (her first!) After arriving in DC, she... Mon, 20 Oct 2008 07:25:17 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/10/15/enjoying-october_44162/ Gosh, where has October gone?! <br /> <br /> We have the most beautiful trees this year - the drive to the school has been wonderfully colorful lately. We went to the pumpkin patch the next town over last weekend. The farmer was saying what a bumper year it's been for pumpkins, and we brought... Wed, 15 Oct 2008 18:22:50 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/10/02/catching-up_43755/ The expenses have been settling down finally, though I did just write one more check for a field trip for my oldest. Back to getting my checks regular, and getting the savings built up again. <br /> <br /> It's been a beautiful fall, but the last few days were very cool. The temps have been... Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:57:16 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/09/21/our-companys-left_43384/ ...we're down to six at our house again. We had such a wonderful visit with my brother, his wife and four kids from Anchorage. Their older two and our younger two are the same ages, and all the cousins had a blast. We had my other brother and wife come over yesterday for a bbq -... Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:49:59 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/09/06/a-bit-chatty-today_42958/ We all survived the first week of school! I did manage to keep on top of all of the papers (my homework as it's called) and the checkwriting (why do I ever think I'm done with just the supplies and shoes!) All fees and forms are complete - my girls are now free to attend school,... Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:01:03 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/08/22/easy-comeeasy-golaying-low_42437/ Boy, the last paycheck just shot of our house, between bills and back to school, coupled with no OT. Hmm, I think we start to enjoy that OT too much, then forget it's not always there.<br /> <br /> Oh well, this is where the 'laying low' comes in. There isn't anything we need, and nothing... Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:31:59 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/08/13/now-a-word-from-my-employer_42145/ Got my job assignment for the coming school year - pretty much the same as last year. I'll be working most of my hours with sp.ed. preschoolers and some with elementary and intermediate school sp. ed. students. How fast this summer has gone...<br /> <br /> My position is under a union contract,... Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:06:49 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/08/12/cleaned-the-freezers_42086/ ...and dinner's in the crockpot. <br /> <br /> On Sunday, I cleaned out the chest freezer and the one on the kitchen frig. I also had to defrost our older model chest freezer. It wasn't too full, so it seemed like a good time for the job. I pulled its plug, and sorted its contents, getting... Tue, 12 Aug 2008 06:49:27 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/08/01/this-that-and-everything_41713/ Not much happening lately. After a little time of spending - final payment on a Washington DC trip for the 8th grader, a sports registration fee, some school supplies sale shopping, etc. - we're in a blessed quiet time money-wise.<br /> <br /> We've been heading to the beach nearly every day... Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:22:51 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/07/21/another-summer-day_41356/ Sent the girls off for their last week of working mornings at the pool. I finished my summer session last week.<br /> <br /> My goal this week is to work through the pile on my desk. Then I'll help my two youngest with their room - clearing out the old stuff mostly. My youngest is slowly... Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:16:28 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/07/18/money-inmoney-outmoney-saved_41262/ I got a check on Tuesday, and my husband got his yesterday. Oh, the ways to spend them!<br /> <br /> After the deluge of recent medical, things have settled down - finally! In a bit I'll head to the grocery for our two week shopping. <br /> <br /> I do have a Target list, and a pack of girls who want... Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:03:53 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/07/17/working-onloose-ends-_41225/ My husband had his eye dr appt yesterday, and he needed glasses. No getting by with drug store cheapies. I told him he was getting old - ha! So another $100, exam copay included. This is the end of our vision care needs, for this year anyway!<br /> <br /> A lot of loose ends got tied up... Thu, 17 Jul 2008 06:35:13 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/07/15/more-medical-spending_41154/ I took my two youngest girls to the eye dr yesterday. The 13 yr old got her first pair of glasses last year, and a had significant change at this exam. So she picked out a new pair. My youngest checked out fine in her exam, and no glasses necessary. On Wednesday, my husband has... Tue, 15 Jul 2008 06:30:53 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/07/09/a-little-side-job-woes_40987/ Yesterday afternoon, I worked on a little side job. Even though I changed positions within the school district, my old place still keeps my mailbox filled and offers me the job of processing their bulk mailings. I get paid by the hour, and it's a quick way to earn a little pocket... Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:30:39 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/07/07/spurts-of-spending_40930/ ...or maybe more like gushes! Nothing too out of ordinary, but still... <br /> <br /> My two oldest and I went to the eye dr today. We all wear glasses, and we all needed new prescriptions (it's been four years on the current glasses, so not too unexpected.) The girls said it's like shopping!... Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:19:11 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher) http://littlegopher.savingadvice.com/2008/07/05/wow-its-been-forever_40864/ All I can say is that life and computer issues get in the way sometimes. <br /> <br /> A little update - I've updated all of my girls ages, the latest birthday just this past week. We have added a new driver as of May. My oldest bought her own car in May, and we added another cheap used car... Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:08:33 PST dhenthorne@frontiernet.net (LittleGopher)