My son's daycare is sponsering a night at the zoo for the kids that go there. Since this is my son's last year in daycare we figured we would go. Free entertainment for the kids. Our zoo is pretty small so going once or twice a season is about it for us. They have gotten some new animals this year so I am excited to go check it out. We are going to eat dinner at home prior to leaving so we aren't tempted to buy all the expensive treats they sell there.

I have been doing very well with the lunch challenge and need to update my side bar to reflect that. I have also been challenging myself to only buying 1 muffin a week instead of my daily treat. I figure this will help both my wallet and waist! I treated myself today to the muffin and boy was it good!

My to do list is growing longer each day. I can't seem to keep up with everything I have to do. Hopefully this weekend I will get some of it done but both days are filling up quickly and it is only Wednesday! 2 important things to do are to switch car insurance companies and our house telephone service.
*Car insurance went up this renewal period which I don't understand as I haven't been in an accident in years. I did notice that the insurance company had an inquiry recently on my credit report. I wonder if that is what made it go up? Still, I don't understand that because my credit is good. Anyways, I am sick of my premiums going up every renewal period so I am switching.
*Home phone service should be switched too. Has anyone tried Vontage? I am considering them because we really don't use our home phone that often yet I am reluctant to get rid of it. They have a plan for $9.99/month which is a lot cheaper than the $32/month I have been paying. If you have had any experience with Vontage, good or bad, let me know.

With those 2 changes I should be freeing up some cash to put towards Visa #1.

Between yesterday and today I had to buy a few things to eat at work. Not so much lunch but snacks because I didn't plan well and was still hungry after eating. Hungry as in I am going to get a migraine if I don't eat hungry. Somedays are just like that. So, I am combining yesterday and today's food expenses into 1 day of not bringing my lunch. And I am considering 1 day as bringing it. So, I am still doing good with my lunch challenge.

I am down to $90 until payday, which is next Thursday. I already have the cash to pay for dinner tonight so I don't have to worry about that. We don't have too much going on this weekend so I am thinking it will be a fairly inexpensive weekend.

I am debating if I should make an additional payment to my Visa with some of the $90. On the positive side it is one more payment and I won't be spending that money on something foolish. On the down side I might need to buy groceries or the kids might need something for school between now and Thursday and I would hate to not have the money. Decisions, decisions.

I have worked out my schedule for next week and will be picking up 5 hours of overtime. It's not a ton but I think it is a good start for me. With the kids schedule and DH's schedule I am surprised I could find the time to do even 5! I am going to shoot for a minimun of 5 additional hours each week.

I am very tired today and have been fighting a headache all day. I am looking forward to the fancy dinner tonight but would be just as happy going home and putting on my sweatpants! Hope everyone has a great weekend!

So I am doing OK with the lunch challenge. Brought my lunch with me yesterday. Forgot it today but am not really eating lunch since this is my early day. I had some pretzels and cookies stashed in my desk that I ate. I can wait until I get home to really eat.

Next month I think I am going to challenge myself to not buying coffee everyday. I am perfectly capable to making it at home and bringing it with me. I always seem to be in a rush and don't make it. We will see how that challenge goes...it will surely be a challenge.

Staying steady with the left over cash in my checking account. Haven't really needed to buy anything this week. I get excited to see the money still in my checking account. Last month I was excited if I saw money after bills left because it meant I could spend it. Now, after working to to change my mindset I am exciting because that is money I can use to pay towards my Visa bill. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you set your mind to it!

Tomorrow night may be expensive. All the women and girls in the family are taking a great aunt out to dinner for her 80th birthday. She didn't want any gifts and arranging this dinner was the only thing I could think of. The restaurant is fancy and yes, expensive. But when I am 80 I hope someone thinks enough of me to take me to a fancy place. I will be paying for me and DD and we will all be splitting the aunts dinner. I think it will be about a 5 way split so thats not bad. I told DD that we are only drinking water with dinner and that I would appreciate it if she picked something off the kids menu. I am bringing $50 to cover our dinners, aunts, tax and tip. I don't think it will be that much but I don't not want to have enough. It will be a nice night of good food and great company.

Anyways, I am proud of how I am starting to look differently at my money. I am going to start working some overtime next week. I think I will put my overtime pay towards my Visa bill and see if I can't beat the year goal I have for myself.

Joining the June lunch challenge and off to a good start!

My goal is to bring my lunch 14 out of the 19 days I am working this month. I am a chronic unorganized mess so this will be a challenge!

I am going to be starting to work some overtime next week so that will be an extra challenge...making sure I have enough food with me for the extra hours. I am sure with enough planning I will be fine.

Today I brought a yummy spinach salad with tomotoes, chicken, and sunflower seeds on it. I also had some nuts and a fruit crisp bar for snacks. One day down, 13 to go...woo hoo!