Hmmm... weird. I tried several times in the last year to access my blog and couldn't. Today, out of the blue, I decided to try one more time and found it right away.

I just recently got a full time job. The money is helpful, but it takes a lot of time! I'm really pleased with the co-workers, boss, whole situation... except it's a very long commute. We had thought of moving, but might just deal with the commute right now. Bad time to sell the house, bad time to move the children.

I have a kid in college, which seems unbelievable. So far, we're doing fine with that money-wise. We had some money saved, but not tons. Kid is 500 miles away, lives in the dorms and doesn't come home too often. Next year, kid is going to be a Resident Advisor, which is rewarded with free room and board. That will save us $1000 per month. Can't wait!

Goals for 2010:
-Increase emergency fund by $2000(Given changes in circumstances, I want fast access to more money...kid in college, more driving, etc.)
-$2000 to my IRA
-$2000 to spouse's IRA
-Raise spouse's 401K contribution to the max (it's almost there, anyway)
-new roof on house (in March--yikes!)
-used car for commuting

Looking forward to checking in more often, now that the blog seems to be accessible. I have no idea what was up with that!

Well, it is a Happy New Year so far!

We've been doing MonkeyMama's idea(from a news story) of walking a MINIMUM of 15 minutes every day. The first day, I found nothing but this beautiful picture. It was a beautiful, sunny but cold day. Crisp, I would say. We walked for an hour.



Yesterday, January 2, we walked for about 20 minutes and found an aluminum can. Yep, I'd pick up a nickel on the sidewalk, so I took it home. I plan to take the cans and bottles for redemption on Monday. I've got a big pile of 'em!

Today, my husband and I each found a beer can. Mine was a Coors Light, and his was a Keystone. The Keystone can had a funny joke about going to a wedding and hitting on a bridesmaid, then discovering it was your cousin. We happily picked up the cans... although it might have looked like we'd taken a beer with us on our walk!

I already sold a book on half.com. I like how they just deposit your profits twice a month. And even better, it was a book I didn't like!

I went to Office Max this morning and got an expanding file thingy to get some paperwork organized. I have good "permanent" filing in a file cabinet, just needed something for the more "temporary" bits that come and go. I saved a couple of dollars, since the item was on sale. I'm putting that in my new $20 Challenge.

Beginning balance of challege: $6.00 (that's what was left in one of my little savings accounts after I transferred everything else) + $13.50 in rolled coins from the coin jar + $2.00 savings today at Office Max = $21.50

I'm going to set my goal at $2000 for this challenge. I have other money going elsewhere, but if I could just earn $2000 "extra" by the end of the year, that would be delightful!

I have a long list for tomorrow since it's my last day before going back to work!