Progress update (not good)

 So here's an update.

I'll write this as if someone cares.

2022 has been one of the hardest years I have ever experienced. Here is a part of a journal entrie that explain what has happened.

"Sunday June 12 2022

Ugh. Where do I start. I've been thinking of a first line to this journal entry. There's many so I'm going to use a few that came to my mind and you can use whatever you would like.

1.Well we were suppose to be in Washington today for ◼️◼️◼️ homecoming but gas prices and finances have killed those plans

2.What a week, there's a lot to do in the yard because of the ◼️◼️◼️ breaking later this month. I'm trying my  best to balance my time between the two projects.

3. Man it sucks not having money.

4. So both cars broke down this week."

This is not the hardest trial I have had this year but it does affect alot. Money not coming in causes a lot of stress. We were off of food stamps. We were making it! Then gas prices increase, car problems occur and your out of a job when your job requires your car. I even bought a second car and BOTH cars broke down within a month of each other!

The first car that broke was my wife's. The transmission wouldn't engage. Unfortunately with everything increasing in prices, used car parts have gone up to 4 times the price they were 2 years ago. 

 

While doing my best to fix that car, I tried working only to cause more issues with my other car! It continually kept overheating. Not knowing it then my head gasket had a leak which caused more heat and more pressure into my coolant system. My radiator, plastic housing, plastic pipes, and several gallons of coolant was waisted. Not to mention the battery and other parts that needed to be replaced all the while not earning the income to replace them.

A while back I've posted several times about tithing. Last year I sent nearly 3000 dollars in one check at the end of the year over paying what I actually owed. This year I am not even kidding when I say this. I haven't paid a dime and I am so far a full tithe payer. Now to put this in perspective, I can earn 18,500 dollars before even having to pay tithing. Why? 

I consider my house an investment. All payments, upgrades, fixes are tithing exempt UNTIL I either sell it or pay it off. At that time tithing will be paid.

The other major thing that happened was my daughter required surgery AT THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER. With no money, 2 vehicles broken, summer was completely ruined. We did do some camping but honestly it's been bad

And my dad died. I'd rather not talk about that.

Worst year ever. That's for sure.

Oh and before posting this I have had major dental work too. One tooth costing almost 2 grand to fix!

No wonder I'm poor.

I joke with my wife, my prayers have been answered with a "NO" stamp lately.

I wonder if a reverse prayer will throw off my guardian angels.

Me-"God. I don't want to win the lottery this weekend."

God-"No"

I win.

Oops….

Protect those dollars! Savings tips on beverages.

I forget to post this. A little outdated due to Joe Bidens Inflation crises but still some good info.

Protect those dollars!

Here's another fine tune your finances tip.

Today I went out and bought a couple of 20 oz soda's and grabbed a couple of lottos. Haven't done that in a while but after a week of making over a grand in gross revenue , my biggest pay in a while, I decided to treat myself and my wife.

Someone reading this will probably be like "I buy 20oz sodas all the time. What's the big deal?"

Well you're driving up food cost for one and 2 your not thinking 4th dimensionally.

First of all my drinks rang up higher than they should have costing me nearly 5 bucks for 2 sodas, (should have been 3.33 before taxes) an issue I should of spoken up about but didn't, and 2 this when issue could have been avoided had I simply planned ahead.

Guys I'm sorry but we are freaking paying way to much for instant unplanned gratification. Not to mention being overtaxed for these same gratifications, Drinks are one of many things that is eating away at our paychecks! It's something most of us don't even think about. When we are at a drive thru we order a combo for 9 bucks when with a coupon and some planning could be half that price or lower. When something rings up wrong at the register, we ignore it saying we won't buy it again next time. You're at a sit down restaurant, you order a drink not even caring about the cost. Be more attentive protect those dollars! When you think fourth dimensionally you realize if you don't shut off your spending habits, your future dollars, are being wasted. Those vendors are stealing your future holdings.

Heres a few suggestions that will save you a ton on those drinks.

#1 be more attentive to what you are paying. Don't ignore it. If you don't agree with the price your paying be prepared to find a different price, find a different product, or simply cut back and go without.

#2 Pack a cooler! Today's current prices for my favorite drink, coke, is this. (Or Pepsi)

McDonald's 1 dollar

Taco Bell 2.29

Cafe Rio 2.69

Jimmy John's 1.99

Wendy's 2.79

Burger King 2.89

Subway 2.49

Texas Roadhouse 1.99

Walmart 12 oz 39 cents a can!

Sam's club 12 oz 38 cents a can!

Walmart 16.9 oz 64 cents each!

Sam's club 16.9 oz 54 cents each!

How long does it take for a cooler with ice to produce an ice cold beverage? A half hour.

Over time this truly does add up to hundreds of dollars saved and less taxes paid!

Every trip small or large my wife and I pack a personal cooler with our favorite drinks. Whenever we are ordering from a drive thru we hardly ever order drinks.

3.Try different brands! I for one love to explore other flavors. In Arizona we had Bashas quarter pops. Up here in Utah it's Shasta. I still occasionally get a 12 pack of Sam's Choice. At the dollar store it's Stars n stripes (not available in a can)  some of my best and not so good memories are with non brand sodas. When I was dating my wife I spent a week with her when we were dating long distance, and Sams is all I could afford. I remember a particular week when money was so tight we couldn't spend a dime. I still bought a 52 cent 2 liter from Walmart. I swear that lasted till our next payday. I would seriously just take a shot of it every meal. 

Right now as of writing this a can of Sam's is as low as 22 cents

#4 BONUS. For The penny pincher.

This is one of those suggestions I am heavily considering myself. It takes a little more determination and goal in mind. What sacrifice are you willing to make to obtain your financial goals? For example lets say you have a goal of taking a vacation to Hawaii. What is holding you back? Time off and finances right? Look every dollar counts. It's amazing when you start budgeting and cutting back what you can accomplish. So for the penny pincher here's my suggestion. Buy the cheapest off brand soda you like. My personal choice. Big K Cola Oh.

The closest soda to coke zero. Cheapest option, 2 liter bottles at a whopping 69 cents. This makes a 12 oz can equivalent 12 freaking cents. I personally would save my glass store bought jars that once held pickles or spaghetti sauce, clean it out real well and pour a few glasses very carefully when the glass and soda are cold to minimize carbon loss.  Put a straw in it your golden. The cheapest satisfaction money can buy.

And that is it guys.