Tuesday, Am I better off?

     Sluggy aka Deniece (?) from Don't Read this it is boring, is posting a give away, go and sign up, great goodies.  Sluggy asked the question are you better off than you were 5 years ago?  That made me think.  Am I better off than I was 5 years ago?  In most ways I am.  I am certainly better off financially.  I am getting closer to getting out of debt.  I still have bills and some are stupid, but not as many as before.  I think I have better control over myself.  The one money thing I am working on this year is to stop giving so much to my children.  I need to help myself.  I am making them accountable.  The youngest is the worst.  I will no longer give her money, she has to pay it back.  So I am getting better at my worst money drain.

Here are a list of things that are better.

1.  All the kids have graduated from college
2.  All the kids are off our insurance
3.  All the vehicles are paid for
4. Hub's retired and is bringing in more money
5. We remodeled the kitchen
6.  We have significantly reduced our debt
7.  I started blogging and I have added so many good things to my life.

Here are the things that could be better.

1. Mom moved in and this has been hard, but I love her
2.  My health is not always stable
3. I would really like to pay off many smaller bills faster.
4. I need to get more money in a slush fund but right now that is impossible.

     We just got news that D#2's husband finally received his transfer to their home quadrant.  He had been working and living with a friend for the last year.  He comes home on his time off. This has been very hard on them, especially in the finance department.  Maintaining two homes of a sort and commuting and wear and tear on vehicles is getting to them.  Plus having a new baby who will now be turning one.  They also have a sister that will be moving into the bottom apartment of their house. They have a huge house with a private suite in the basement.  As this sister watches the baby most of the time it is just convenient for her to be there.  Our son in laws sister cannot have children and she has always been like a second mother to our grandson.   We love her and I see this as a very good move for my daughter and the baby.

     It is funny that both of my daughters who have significant careers, have relatives that live with them for child care.  Can it get any better?

    We had french dip sandwiches last night with the left over beef and I am going to cook a pot of beef barely soup for dinner.

     Our local Albertsons is having a Monopoly contest and I went through a stack of tickets yesterday while I was watching the news.  I received tickets for a free bagel, a free loaf of french bread, a 5.00 grocery coupon and a free movie ticket.  Score.  I love free.

The machines are calling me, so I am off!

Have a great and productive day.

Kim