Meal Planning

So, the weekly meal planning thing isn't working for me. I don't stick to it. What I have devised now is a month long plan. It all goes into a binder divided into weeks, and has shopping lists for exactly how much of each ingredient I need. This all works with the plan to start only grocery shopping once a month. As it is now, we go once a week. Most of what we buy, even fresh produce, will last one month in the fridge. Yesterday I went to Aldi for the first time since I was a kid, and I was rather impressed with their selection. Most of the food I picked up didn't contain nasty ingredients you associate with cheap food, and I was able to get a lot of our staples at even-cheaper-than-Costco prices. I stocked up, hoping to get us through a couple weeks while I hash out the last couple weeks worth of the meal plan. I hope to start "officially" with February. One trip for groceries a month will save a lot of money for us. We tend to be impulse buyers, no matter how hard we try. By only putting us in the store once a month, I am eliminating a lot of those impulses. A few items I will still buy from Costco, but I am considering letting the membership slide at the end of this year. I don't feel we are getting as much out of shopping there as I thought we would. We purchase or grow all of our own meat, save lunch meat, I bake our bread. I hope to preserve a lot more produce this year, though we didn't do too badly in that area this year. That leaves snacks and exotics: fruit snacks (a treat around here), popsicles (yes, I could make them, but I have found I am okay with just buying them), dried pineapple. A few toiletries and toilet paper. I order a lot of the other stuff off the internet so, I think we are set. It is just making the plans. And sticking to them. There is flexibility for eating out sometimes, but the goal this year is to pay off some serious debt, which can totally happen if we start being more careful in all areas. Shopping period is an area we let slide a lot. And I don't intend to cut it out entirely, but even little cutbacks make big differences. I will post the February month's worth of plans once I get it completed, and hopefully update as we go.

Tough Decisions

Unfortunately running a farm takes a lot of time. Being a *good* parent takes a lot of time. Homeschooling takes time to be attentive. Everything takes so-much-time. That being said, Dad and I have been talking and it sounds like my 1962 Ford Falcon Station Wagon may be getting sold. I love it. I love station wagons in general and would adore owning a Dodge Magnum with a manual transmission in it, but the money isn't there. It isn't there for my Falcon either, as well as any time to do anything with it, or the storage space to justify it sticking around. That isn't to say I won't have another one someday-because I will. It will just most likely come when Dad gets his 1967 Chevy II-after Papa H passes away. We'll just buy one that is in great condition instead of starting from scratch. In the meantime, I am a little sad, but well too understanding of the fact that we just don't have time. Same problem with my coffeehouse music career (or lack thereof), running an actual CSA instead of a farm stand, and my being president someday ;)

Aaaackkk

Have I ever mentioned how much I hate debt collectors? I mean it. Work at McDonalds instead. I just got off the phone with a woman who was trying to recover a medical debt of ours I do not remember having from four years ago. I have no paperwork on it. I do recognize the agency name as they were the same ones that we had a different debt through (as it worked out the agency, which is a rarity, but nevertheless, was easier to set up reasonable payments with than the ob from hell's was), but the debts they brought up I do not recognize. And I am good about at least making some sort of payment to appease them, but they said they have never been able to make any sort of connection with us until now. So I am exercising my right to get a full detailed report of what it is they think I owe. In the meantime, they lied to me and said they had spoken to my husband and he said we would send payment immediately, which never happened. For one, Dad would never agree to that without talking to me, but he also has no clue where to start in going about doing that. I asked him to verify, and he had, in fact, said nothing. I do not like having to owe someone. I have a feeling this is coming up because of the mortgage we just put on the house to consolidate the LEGITIMATE debts we have. We'll see where this goes.

The D Word

Debt. We've got it. Most of it was accumulated when we had Pony Gal. We were not planning on having a baby for a few years when I found out I was pregnant. Add to that all the complications that ended up costing us more than the average pregnancy, and a militant midwife who unfairly charged for services that were not rendered, we were up to our ears. We then ended up living off credit cards in order to make medical payments. Contrary to what the collection and medical community wold have you believe, they will not really work with you. I was in the midst of ppd, most likely fueled by the trauma and guilt of what was to me my failure in the pregnancy. So, in short, we amassed a lot of debt, just to get by. That is what credit cards are supposed to be for-we were in no way living outside our means for the heck of it. Family was quick to offer to help in watching the kids so I could get a job, but yeah, that wasn't what I needed at all with some serious depression, and the fact that I was incredibly overprotective about Pony Gal, having had to leave her in the hospital for two months and the fact that so much could still go wrong with her state of health. The frustrating thing about that situation was that most of that family was quick to drop funds on other siblings who are constantly in trouble, but were not so much for us. (This has changed with some of them, but there are others who still are rather lopsided in the attention they give to certain children). I didn't want anything free-would have paid it back (which has never been the case with the siblings who were usually getting funds).
SO all of that leads to us moving in with Dad's dad to help with his care, and we end up with the house and farm. We are still paying on all that debt for Pony Gal. We get a new bill paid off each year, but with the economy the way it is, we are kind of nervous. Our credit cards have jacked all the rates, and so what we were getting paid down at a certain rate before has now slowed. Since we own the house outright, we decided to look into a home equity loan. Just to pay off the cards. I am so sick of making out several payments each month. I talked to Dad about several options,and the only one he was comfortable with was going to the jerk of a lender at our credit union. That man will make the richest of folks feel guilty for ever having to ask to borrow money. I was dreading having to go down there, especially since he was already familiar with our situation, and never cared about how/what and such. I came home to my email and saw a newsletter from a farm share member last year who just happened to be an incredibly nice guy, and a mortgage company owner. I shot him an email, and he immediately started working on our case over the phone. Within a day (over the weekend because it was Friday) he had an awesome plan shot back at us, that not only consolidated all those stupid cards (as an aside, every time I tell a cashier somewhere I DO NOT want their stupid card just for 10% today, they look at me crazy. Yeah, just applying for plastic attacks your credit. Our nations understanding of money and credit sucks. Seriously.) but also included the van loan, and student loans so that everything was in one payment, freed up the title in case (yeah, okay we already knew we wanted to) we wanted to sell the van, and threw it all in a low payment, saving us over 600 dollars a month. It does take longer to pay a couple things (like the van) off, but we will have a large amount of money come to us before the loan comes to fruition, and we will be able to pay it off before the final due date. This leaves me much happier-it will basically be a house payment, and no other debt. Our credit needed the boost of clean cards, and we needed the security in knowing that our monthly budget has just gotten a little less snug. We will most certainly be making extra payments to speed the process, but also rest in knowing we can finally start building savings again, and we can finally start paying cash for some smaller "big" items. Not to mention the bills of this house are so much more (in some cases) than our little Colfax number.
That's my shpiel on debt. I was just excited to finally gotten that in order after years of dealing with companies I do not like, and being one of "those" people with the large numbers in the credit card area. And not for irresponsible reasons, but there all the same. On the road to what Dave Ramsey calls "weird". We were most certainly not happy being "normal";)

Moving On

We have been slowly trying to figure just how low we can go on the thermostat before it is too cold to function without being grumpy. That is how our day started-grumpy. Now, overnight isn't too bad as with three of us in bed, and Pony Gal sufficiently bundled, we can slip down to 62 (though with as long as our house is we know that our bedroom is cooler). I thought we could do 65 or so during the day, but I wasn't paying attention when I set the thermostat and it was 62 about mid-morning-which was too cool. Superboy was grumpy, Pony Gal was obnoxious and I was chilled. I threw on the fireplace and cranked up the heat. It is looking like 66 may be our magic daytime number. So far, everyone is happy. I managed to get the hallway painting finished, which I feel great about. Pony Gal and Superboy have been playing well.
On another topic, the TV situation is still an issue. We get channels 8 and 13. Now, I would be fine with two channels-but they need to be 8 and 11. So, the hubby is off to try another setup. We have a giant antenna in the attic, which he will try to rotate a bit this evening. We know we can get all channels if he stands out in the yard with a multi directional dish style antenna. But, I kind of like him in the house, and I am kind of picky about defacing the front of my house, even if we do live the country. He won't attach anything to the roof, so we have some dilemmas. Hopefully the multi-directional will work in the attic and he split the signal so we can get at least channel 11 added to the lineup. Otherwise, I am not sure what we will do. It's not that we can't live without TV, it's the timing. Winter is inside time and we do rely on some daytime and evening vegetating in order to relax.

Yes, yes I am still here

Just busy as ever. Papa H went back to the hospital after being home only briefly. We think it may be blood sugar issues, and have plans to check it for him a couple times a day, plus trying a different insulin. Because I don't have enough to do...but we'd like to keep him kicking to at least 65 (he's 62) so I am willing to try to fit it in. It shouldn't be too much more work, as I am already down there to deliver at least one meal a day. The frustrating thing about this time around is that dialysis should have caught this, and they didn't. They didn't even help when I asked for direction. In the meantime, more drama is most likely popping up surrounding Papa H and his illness as his other son, who is currently his legal power of attorney should something happen, is starting to get antsy. This puts us in a tough position since technically the house is still in Papa H's name. He could do whatever he wanted, like, oh, kick us out, should Papa H be deemed unable to make decisions for himself. This has not happened yet, but apparently certain people are making 'plans'. Dad and I have talked with Papa H, and apparently we need to get his wishes down on paper, because if not, I have a feeling there will be major arguments later. I mentioned the possibility of a nursing home-in the future if it gets to the point where Papa H cannot do anything anymore-and some family freaked and started talking about money that was spent while Papa H's mother was in a home. It shouldn't matter. Papa H has the money, but his health is most important, anyhow. We didn't think that it would be an issue, but it is funny how people change when put in this position.

Can't get a break

So, I have managed to accidentally kill off a good portion of the newest chicks we had (which resulted in my reordering), Papa H is at least temporarily in a nursing home and my grandfather fell the day before yesterday, resulting in his now being in the ICU.
Then, my mom called this morning to say she felt the need to get up at 2 am and then again at 5 am and pray for my kids. So I am on high alert-freak-out mode, have tons of farm work to get done, but pretty much am paranoid about what leaving Pony Gal alone, or using the mower or just driving somewhere may entail. Nice. And, I can't get over it. My mommy instincts kick in so hard I just end up staying home, inside all day. I might get housework caught up, but as for work, not so much. My mom did say she would come over tonight so I can get some done (she was over last night as well), so hopefully that will help.
Oh, and my back has hurt so badly that I can barely pick Superboy up. The chiro really isn't helping any. I think we are going to be taking out a loan to purchase a bed (I hate borrowing money) because apparently Dad's back has been killing him as well, and we hadn't had issues until we switched to a king mattress, which we traded my mom for. I need to be able to pick my kids up and work. So, more money out the window. This on top of $400 for brakes for the van (and we get free labor and parts at cost because of hubby), $300 for braking system for jeep/trailer for vacation, $200 for drive shaft for jeep. And they both need fluid changes. Grrrr.

Finances

This area of our life has always been a battle. I don't know why, but we have such issues keeping up here. Actually, I do know why. It involves my husband's lack of knowing when to stop and not making me feel guilty as heck because I told him no. I know his mother and step father were frugal, and that they way they spent money was more like my family did growing up, but his dad (aka the ogre in the basement) was not, and is not, so at all. It is so frustrating. This has lead to us making up for a lot of debt at this point in our lives as my husband learns how to delay that consumption driven happiness or make due on something a little less shiny. Now this seems ironic since we are total curb shoppers/thrift hoppers/garage sale moppers, but I think he gets a little SAD (the winter blues) and he has a major case of the retail therapy. So all that being said, this weekend, after having seen a bounced check (which totally ticks me off-I work hard to not have this happen but when someone uses the ATM unexpectedly...)we are on a no-questions-asked cash policy with him, and sticking hard and fast to a Dave Ramsey-esque financial plan to get our butts out of debt. I am all for fun spending, but this is ridiculous. You know we stayed home this weekend-even from church-in order to save a little on gas money (from church 'cause the kids were just too cranky to go anywhere)and it was so nice. Granted I was left working on the house, but Dad and I conquered a major task together (more on this in another post). I love working with my husband and he usually likes being gone all weekend and is too tired to do anything during the week, so this rarely happens. In the meantime, I think we can get this ball rolling. I had strategy pseudo-dreams last night-I didn't sleep until early this morning-so I am all rared up to go. I need a white board so I can keep a nice visual tally and hubby can see just where all his money goes. My farm money? It is always separate, and gets used on strictly farm stuff until summer when I know how much needs to be set aside for the next year. Then it is major purchases we have been putting off money.