Our taxes are done. We thought we would owe since Jose was paid on a 1099, where they don't take taxes out of your earnings. We were setting aside 25% of his check that would go towards taxes. It was surprisingly positive news though, we got a nice return, plus all the money we had saved up. We treated ourselves to a dinner date at Two-Bit Street after hearing the good news.
It's hard not to go spend crazy, we already have a big list of all the things we want to do with the money, but there must be something wrong with me because I feel so guilty spending it. I remind myself of my grandma, who grew up in the depression, she has the money now but won't spend it. Blahhh, I shouldn't let it take over too much of my thoughts, because remember my new years lifestyle change for 2013 was to not make money such a big deal. It comes and goes...I just like being smart about it. Control freak!
I finally did it! I’m free from Comcast. Awhile back these
two kids came to our door offering us a better package, being the sucker that I
am, I went with it. Apparently they didn't process it right and my bill was
messed up for 3 months. It was all very annoying so I got them paid and said
cancel that shit. I feel good about it and made up this wonderful thought cloud
of things we’ll have more time for. I’m not sure how long it’ll last but my husband
agreed to be cable free for a month. We haven’t decided about the internet yet,
because I might need it to do homework.
Today was the day for our quarterly bonuses at work. My last one wasn't exceptionally great, so I wasn't expecting anything different this quarter, especially because there was talk that it was going to be even less due to some fraudulent activity that occurred. I really think the rumor was more of a scare tactic, but who knows. Anyway, we all got emails this morning linking us to our online pay statement. I logged on, but quickly exited without checking the statement. I am the type of person who likes to be surprised. I was the child that didn't want to peeked at my Christmas present. To make the day special we got to wear jeans and meet in the conference room for donuts, fruit and our checks. My boss was prepared with sincere appreciation and stats for how well our department performed this quarter. Little things like that make me admire the man. Things have been different with our finances since Jose got laid off for the winter. We expected an unemployment check, but come to find out he isn't eligible until January. We'll make it on my income and rental income, but this time of year we tend to spend more durning the holidays. I've continued to set aside tuition money, travel money for Thanksgiving in Cali, money for tires, and money for Jose's birthday so that doesn't leave much for our first world luxuries which mostly include lunch and theater popcorn + movie tickets. I opened that check and felt blessed and relieved. I know I shouldn't worry about money so much, I'm glad Jose helps me understand that. Now I'm ready for a little Christmas shopping. Both sides of my family decided to draw names this year. I can't wait to see who I get and of course I don't want to know who gets me because I look forward to the surprise. Thanks for reading my 100th post.
I find the dynamics of loyalty among family members very interesting. I only have one brother so growing up he was usually the first to know my secrets. Now that our family has grown making a total of 7 siblings/sibling-in-laws and 4 parents/parent-in-laws, alliances have been shifted. One unspoken rule that I follow is that if someone tells you something it is not your place to tell everyone else until that person is ready to share the information.
When one of the siblings had their first unplanned teen pregnancy. I was honored that I was told before anyone else in the family, but knowing and keeping it from everyone had me on the verge of insanity. I was seriously going nuts keeping a secret from my partner, but my loyalty to the sibling was more important; it wasn't my news to share. So when it happened again five months after the first baby was born I asked if it was ok to tell my partner.
I used to visit a sibling in lock up once a week. Conversation would hardly slow and before I knew it our forty-five minutes were up. We would talk about everything in a safe space. There was an unspoken establishment of loyalty. I was told things that disturbed me but I felt like whether they were secrets or not I shouldn't blab my mouth and tell other family members. I think this was a good lesson for me to be less judgmental and just listen because sometimes the best way to work through a problem is just to let the person talk it out.
Another example that doesn't include me being loyal, but me being of out of the loop was when my husband knew that one of the siblings who owed us money lost their job. Conversation went on as usual until I found out on my own. I didn't feel betrayed in anyway, rather, I admired the loyalty that was respected.
The hardest alliance for me is the one between siblings and parents. For example we've done several jail-bail outs which have turned into a one-time thing because that's an unexpected dip into our savings that doesn't always get paid back. I've kept them a secret, but usually my parents know when I'm keeping things from them. I just tell them that I can't talk about it. If they want to know ask the person directly, after that we are free to discuss and problem solve. The only exception I would make is if someone were in danger.
Dr. Lynne Durrant, one of my professors, said that dysfunctional families seek to maintain homeostasis creating their own functionality. I feel like that's what we have created, among our dysfunction is something that works for us. This is such an interesting topic to me that I'd like to hear how you and your family have established boundaries regarding loyalty or any other family dysfunction that functions. Leave a comment or link your post below.
The time came for me to say goodbye to my beautician. She's done some vibrant transformations on my appearance. I went from dark brown, virgin hair to red and black.
The most striking service I got was eyelash extensions. She would always mention them to me, but I never wanted to do it because of the cost and I was worried that it would ruin my natural lashes. I finally gave in last November when she ran a special for $80 instead of the usual $150.
This sounds so vain but I didn't want to give up the eyelashes. I really like them and it feels good to be pampered and chat for a bit. She was right it makes the most difference to your appearance and it was very low maintenance which was perfect for me because I don't wear make-up.
The number one reason I decided to call it quits is because it's $40 every two weeks . I always said I'd quit if we had a change in income. Although we can still afford it we came to the decision that we would cut out two unnecessary expenses, eyelashes and the supersonic car wash pass for an extra $105 that can go towards savings and tuition.
Jose and I finally did our taxes today at Casa Castillo. I didn't want to put it off until the last minute, but I was in no rush to do them either because I wasn't expecting anything back. Jose started being paid on a 1099 in October, where they don't take out any taxes. We've been setting aside 25% of his check for taxes, which amounts to a big chunk of change. We walked out with a return which was a nice surprise. Jose and I often differ on finances. Thanks to my mother and grandparents I'm stronger believer in saving. I had a personal finance class in high school where the teacher told us you should always pay yourself first, meaning setting aside 10% of your check as savings. I've been doing it ever since, so about 7 years. I've recently started doing 15%. It's so exciting to have so much money saved, plus a little return. Jose stared listing off all of the things we could buy, and I just cringed because I don't want to spend it. LOL. I guess we have to find a happy medium. I agree that we've worked hard for our money and deserve to buy ourselves some thing nice, but not blow it all. We were laughing about how when you're younger and you get a $1,000 return you think that it's a lot of money, but now it doesn't seem to go all that far. My opinion on a tax return is you should first use it to pay for things that are pressing and need to be taken care of. Next, you should probably pay back anyone who has done you a favor, because keeping that good credit is always helpful if you're in a bind and need to borrow again. Then, pay off some or all of your debt. After the important stuff is taken care of go ahead and spend it on a want. The number one thing I've been wanting is to finish up the outside of our house, which includes gutters and soffit. We've put it off long enough and it is necessary to maintain our home. It will improve the appearance and hopefully help with the basement flooding. What are you opinions on tax returns? Anything fun you plan on buying?
I've lost all ties with religion, but haven't lost my spirituality or love. I am continuously overwhelmed by how God has always supplied for Jose and me, never letting us go.
My last year of college I felt stuck at my job working the graveyard shift. I would go through periods where I felt like I needed to get out of there because I was exhausted and grouchy. It seemed like no matter how many applications I filled out I never got called for an interview. I couldn't understand why some of the places I was completely qualified for didn't even give me a chance. I stuck it out for a year before a position opened in the loan department at the bank I worked for. After three interviews they finally chose me. I was excited and grateful that no other employer called me back. If I would have left the bank I would have missed this opportunity. A new path was beckoning.
Three days before I started my new job, Jose quit his. I was happy for him. He always said he couldn't work construction forever. It was hard on his body, no benefits or chance for advancement, but he could never bring himself to break away from that paycheck. I'm glad they finally pushed him to quit. At the time I think I was in denial and didn't want to think about how life was going to change without all of Jose's income. His plan was to get a new job within a week, but I knew better. He hasn't had to look for a job in five years, and even then he got hooked up with the job, never having to apply or interview.
Weeks passed with no calls back for any jobs.
We started cutting back on eating out, going out and shopping. Ohh how we miss Wing Nutz. It made us realize how comfortable we were spending; however, cutting back is not hard when you have to.
I started to apply for part-time work. We picked up some one night jobs stocking paint at Walmarts in the area just to have some back-up money. I ran into Joann Fabric and Craft for some supplies and noticed they were hiring. I applied, interviewed and was offered a part time job. Jose wasn't as excited as I was and didn't want me to accept. I believe that good things happen because of our choices and taking the opportunities presented to us. Of course I thought about how crappy it was going to be working 8 hrs then going to work for 4 more and not having weekends off. With minimal responsibilities(no children) and time sitting around bored at home I couldn't turn it down. I tried so hard to find a job when I worked graveyards but I was never presented with that chance because it wasn't supposed to happen. Being offered this job was happening because it was the way things are supposed to go.
I've worked at Joann's for a few days now and like that it is keeping me physically active. Also I found out I get a discount and can attend any of their classes for free. I think that's pretty cool.
Jose started school a few weeks ago to get his CDL. It is so nice to see him happy and learning. He should finish up in two more weeks. Then he's off. Starting out as a truck driver involves long haul driving, being gone for three weeks at a time. Now I'm thinking it's a good thing I have a part time job so I stay distracted from missing him.
Adjusting to a new means of living, spending more time in than out, and knowing that we soon will part has brought us closer together. This whole truck driver world seems so interesting. I work at a bank for truck drivers and soon my husband will be one.
Now back to addressing what I meant in the first paragraph by God supplying for us. There are two songs that I played everyday just to remind myself that it was all going to go how it should, and be okay.
I got my Loan Processor job-more money, better hours.
Jose being able to go to school.
$100-Last November my uncle got laid off. Jose has always been such a good hearted, giving man. He gave my uncle $100 to help him out, never asking or expecting to be repaid. Well a few weeks after Jose quit my uncle showed up and gave Jose $100. Someone is definitely up there loving us because that was definitely going to come in handy.
Part-time job opportunities
Loving, supportive family
Being able to rent our back house
Nice savings account balance
Bonus at work
Sold rims
and the list can go on and on...
but I would like to get to my final thoughts. Making good choices will land you in good places. When things start going wrong it's necessary to evaluate what you're doing that is bringing you down and get away from that. Stay away from buying because you "want" or buying more than you can afford. It's important to save money because you never know when your nice paycheck won't be coming in anymore. Most important don't forget that God will always give you what you need.
