thank you. I have one friend that constantly suggests I buy things lol “you should buy folding chairs and this cooler backpack if you take the kids to any parades.” It all adds up! I listen and then just do my own thing (I put snacks in my purse and car). I’m months into playing Temu games to win free stuff 😅 I did purchase some items on the site (cheap). My colleague started around the time I did and is taking unpaid vacation (we can’t use paid yet) to see family in another country soon for a big family event. That alone made me think she’s gonna be OK money-wise.

I saw ds for a second at pickup but he didn’t come home with me. Dd is so smart and observant. She says dad says he misses her when she goes to my home but she thinks, “what about Mom? She goes weeks without seeing me. Days and weeks are different.” This is what she told me. I took her to a Vietnamese New Year’s celebration. I froze all night but compromised because she wanted to buy a wristband to access the bounce houses all night and I wanted her to have time to use it. It was her leftover birthday money and the wristband was the only way to use the bouncy houses. We tried pandan waffles and a passion fruit drink. She finally got to try Dippin Dots. I didn’t see much “real food” that I was willing to wait in line for so ending up just eating at home. I have bought shoes for dd a couple times and it’s always a waste. They get lost at xh’s house or she outgrows them without wearing them while she favors another pair of shoes. She came to my home with crocs so I had her try on the boots I had here but they don’t fit. She literally wore them once? I sold my microwave to a colleague and a friend said I was petty for accepting money (she’s going to pay me Monday. I dropped it off Sat). Her microwave died and she asked if mine was still for sale. I offered it for $20. I bought it new for much more. It’s large and 1200 watt. I told my friend that called me petty that I wouldn’t have asked for money if I wasn’t in such financial trouble. My next pay day 100% goes to my landlord. And I have less than $20 in checking. I’m gonna have to use my cc for gas etc between pay days. I think my colleague is in a better place than me financially so I’m not gonna beat myself up. https://youtube.com/shorts/3OVqmFxlRvw?si=2Rrq19XP1sbdDnGL

At least my gym membership expires soon and I got a cheaper prescription and cheaper phone service since the move. I pack a lunch most days/eat dinner at home and watch free streaming channels and library rentals. And of course no more storage rental fees. I’m not sure when I’ll spring for a washer/dryer. Even the used ones I can’t justify right now. No rush. my goal is to get promoted as soon as possible (at least a year before I qualify) but there’s no telling it rent will go up next year.

My pay went up a hair when the entry level salary changed recently… but then my health ins kicked in so my take home pay isn’t any better. In a typical month I get paid twice. Based on 2 checks a month I’m spending approx 53% on rent 😭

No. I can’t even make sense of the error message. I’m asking my friend that worked for the agency and she’s going to inquire for me. Something about if you work for them it’s considered contract work and you therefore forfeit your retirement benefit and they cannot move forward with your application??

I tried to apply for the staffing agency substitute teacher job but it disqualified me because of some retirement thing. So unfair. The pay was $21/hr.

According to one grocery store, no, they don’t go on sale ☹️ lol

Happy Mardi Gras! I hung out by my new friend’s place of business and had a great view and access to a bathroom! I was not late to the parade at all and I left before it was halfway over. These things take forever. Glad I got to taste it and then went home to get warm! It was freezing. Some footage. And my purple laces were in theme 😊 https://youtube.com/shorts/hLrxjmBDcjU?si=11XguPTi6CCMSAK https://youtu.be/IZD-zLzrfDg?si=faZGS2lipxmM8IcY I’m here to ask the real questions… do king cakes go on clearance tomorrow? 🤣

Ok the item was lost and refunded and then arrived lol. The pieces didn’t want to screw in 100% but I think it still functions. Yay for shelving inside my pantry.

I always second guess myself and with the other places they will sit down and look for the best ways to help you get money back, supposedly. I just show up with my paperwork.

I’ve come across 2 options for free tax assistance. Does anyone want to weigh in on their experience/preference? AARP (don’t have to be a certain age to use service) and United Way. I really hope I get some money back this year but not holding my breath. I only took nanny agency jobs in 2023 where the taxes came out (that’s how it was for the church nursery gigs) THANK GOODNESS. yea I’m aware of the free online options but not interested.

The Walmarts I go to most often are often a bit chaotic (busy) and lately neither has a self checkout option (!). Both have been described to me as not good safety wise (I totally believe it). But I go there because the “nice” Walmart is so far out of my way. Unless I’m waiting on laundry at the laundromat after work, I go during the day.

I finally made it to a parade! The intent was to see Muses (7pm)… but the schedule was so far off we had to stand through 2 parades before Muses and after 4 hours on my feet and with the temp drop we left halfway through the parade. There are some lulls between floats and parades. I went with a friend/former roommate. I might get up early to see the Zulu parade on Mardi Gras day but I don’t know. Paid off the IRS (last year’s taxes. Due date is this month). Took a few items to Goodwill and they told me they were just going to throw my handmade kitchen valance in the trash. Sigh. I let it go; it doesn’t work here. Due to my weight loss I needed bras and got fitted at 2 stores and came home with 3 different sizes that fit 🤣 Bra shopping is so stupid. And no, they weren’t even sister sizes. I checked out the mall for the first time. I’ll bring the kids sometime. A local told me I shop at “Hood Mart” and I don’t scare 😆😆 I uploaded some shorts to YouTube from the other night.

Definitely!! She was eating all day.

I applied for a new cc and got approved but it’s only $500. I thought I’d be approved for more.

I’ll DM you more details on the one I applied at. At most, I’d work a couple days a month because my schedule is mostly full. I figured that would help me pay down my cc/bills.

My road is flooded. This weather is wild. Another turbine down apparently. I don’t know if we’ll make it to a parade tomorrow. Dd is eating me out of house & home lol I tried to hang some picture frames today but need picture wire for some. Lazy day.

As time goes by we take on extra tasks at work and I showed interest in signage. I don’t get to make a lot but sometimes there are cases I get to and I love it because I get to use my design skills. I made signs today for the cleaning staff when asked and they really liked my sign. I bring my laptop to work often now so if I need to do something specific in my program I can. A colleague works out at the gym every morning (I thought of joining that gym because it’s by the office) and I told myself hey if she can get to the gym you can get on your bike in the living room lol so today I worked out. I know it takes time to build habits and it might not happen every morning but the days I work late I want to try to exercise before my shift. I’m hoping we can sorta be exercise buddies in a way. Like for accountability. I haven’t heard back from the job app (substitute teacher) and I’m gonna apply for the same type of position through a staffing agency that was recommended to me.

Well ideally I won’t carry a balance but if say I need a car repair I may need the cc and I wouldn’t have the means to pay off a $400 repair job in one billing cycle. I’m going to talk to my other credit union. Their website said I pre qualify for some of their cards. I’m trying to look at the best options (rewards etc).

Credit karma linked me to an offer with Capital one but it was 30% APR

The increase was declined but no biggie. The reason they gave was they want to see you at the same job at least a year. That’s not what I was told months ago when I inquired 🙄

I've considered it, but I'm not sure if I should. Is there a particular company that might be better than others? I had Discover in the past and I don't want to use them again. Maybe a cc with my other credit union? But the credit pull from today will probably mean I'll have to wait a while? My credit score used to be better. The figure they used today was 700.

Ds is avoiding my question about coming this weekend so I doubt he will come. I'm going to take dd to a Mardi Gras parade. My friend is scaring me with all her suggestions. I'm like really? Is it that serious? She's telling me to carry a foldable chair and backpack cooler with snacks. Good grief, I've never done that for a parade. I go with a bag and catch some stuff and leave. My intent is to park near the end of the route in an area that isn't road blocked and just leave or hang out nearby (go eat or whatever) if the traffic is too rough. I thought I had a smart idea, but that might be a fail. I asked to increase my cc limit to help with my utilization score (and as a cushion because it's so close to the max and I'm paying it down slowly but wouldn't be able to do much in an emergency). They are pending decision but said that my interest rate would go up. UGH. So if I'm approved I doubt I'll even accept it... from around 8% to 14%. No thanks. Would have been nice to tell me before the credit pull.

I JUST found a similar item on Walmart’s site. I’m gonna measure and see if I can get the right size. ❤️

They might not be intended to stack but I’m trying to find a way… The vertical poles won’t connect. The tops are black caps and when you remove them there’s just a wide hole. The bottom with adjustable feet have a silver piece that looks like it could maybe handle a cylinder screw type dowel? I don’t know the jargon. I can picture what I want but don’t know what to search. I’d love to stack these to go in my pantry which has no shelves.