i've been thinking about blogging more. lately (as in the past year +), it's become a place for me to keep my lists of things to do and things to try to do. not that anyone really reads it anyways, but i liked it better when i wrote about more than just lists. although being able to strikethrough what's being accomplished as it's getting done and seeing it on the screen can be quite satisfying...

so, yes. i cancelled cable & turned in the equipment last friday. i am seriously considering dropping internet too. it's still a time suck. do i really need it? m-f 8-5 i'm at work with internet access, so i'm able to pay bills online and check personal e-mail if i need to. i just feel like going "off the grid" so to speak...reading more, getting more done. something to think about for sure. they did drop my payment down to $30 after taxes/fees, so it's better, but $0 would be even better. ;)

last friday - sunday i went down to emerald isle to see my BFF adina. it was fun - great to see my little one! and i'll be headed back in september, after labor day. she won't be able to get any more weekends off this summer and i'm not really good with tourists...boys were cute, we went to the beach, i bought gifts for my grandma and sister's still-in-the-oven-cooking baby, AND found a new tasty alcoholic beverage: cider and blue moon, with or without the orange slice. it's right smooth! :) i did drink more alcoholic beverages, over a longer period of time, than i have in at least 3 months. ...if my 21 year old self (heck, even 26!) could see my 30 year old self now! lol.

this is a pretty light week. i got my taxes mailed yesterday - sent them certified just to be certain. should get a return from both state and federal - although the state return is < $10!, thankfully if my math is right, i'll get much more than that back from the feds. i'm trying to decide if i should hold it and pay my car insurance in june, in full; or, use it to pay a chunk/almost pay off my credit card. it's a toss up because i really enjoy not having a monthly car insurance payment. plus, if i cancel internet too then i'm only down to 4 payments other than rent. and once my credit cards are done, then i'll be left with 2: cell phone and power, combined $130.00. that would be awesome!!

it all wraps back around to money. and i apologize. if you must know, i'm also struggling with my romantic relationship but it's just easier to talk about money (if my 26 year old self could hear my 30 year old self!)!

take it easy...

i did it! :) i've been stressing over cable for more than 6 months and now the stress has ceased! first it was whether or not to get it or not, since i had previously been living with free cable (in the same building, which was weird). so i decided to get it. but after 6 months of paying up to wahzoo for cable and internet, i finally pulled the trigger. i'm going to be off on friday anyways - setting out for a girls' weekend - so i'm free to turn in my box/remote/etc. i was going to ditch internet too...since their basic is so reasonably ($15.00 + tax/fees) and without my bundle, my internet (only one step above basic) would've been $40+...but the rep brought my after-tax/fee payment down to a "reasonable" rate. i'm very excited.

next step: buy a digital antenna for ~ $30. :)

in other news, tax day is in a week. i'm halfway-ish done. i'm also planning on mailing them out on thursday/friday. and it would appear that for the first time in YEARS, that i should get a little chunk back. i was just hoping to not have to pay more this year, so a refund was unexpected. and that's just federal, so far. :)

happy tuesday..hope you're not as tired as i am!

april 2014

palm sunday 4/13

good friday 4/18

easter 4/20

earth day 4/22

 

gun range 4/5

get my hair done! 4/5

off work! 4/11

girls' weekend 4/11-13

my grandma's birthday 4/18

 

presentation to town council 4/3

p/u rezoning signs 4/4

wynngate hoa meeting 4/8

easter egg hunt, county greenway technical committee meeting, count recreation advisory committee meeting, planning board...all 4/10

 

- be on time (8:00)
- hoard my time -- summertime's coming!
- save $20/week ($100/month) -- put in money drawer
- sizeable payment on acct (+/- $150)
- returns: anthro (do i really NEED 3 pairs of black linen pants?), sears (exchange tees)
- mail my tax returns (due by 4/15)- bag & tag items to donate
- take donations to goodwill, durham rescue mission
- dry cleaners
- diy wreath for front door (spring/summer) i got the felt & yarn(!!)
- diy curtains for bedroom
- redo gallery wall in entry
- adjust art placement following furniture rearranging from march
- take remaining out-of-season wares and decor to m/d's

- #1 thing to accomplish this month?! CANCEL cable & internet...highway robbery i tell ya! i'm reluctant to cancel internet but since it's a bundle, my after cancellation rate would be $40/month which is ridiculous for 2nd to the bottom internet. i did it!...hooray!