Starting life on a budget!!!

Well, after being here in Florida for 9 months, we got our first proposed tax bill. Since the house was just built before we moved in, it had never been assessed. Well, we were way over assessed and our mortgage is going up almost $500 every month!!! Since we found this out, we have been thinking of ways to save extra money and make some more money.

One of the reasons that we moved to Florida was that the cost of living was supposed to be cheaper. Well, you can buy a house pretty cheap here in Florida. After that, forget it. Homeowner's insurance is the same as what we were paying in NJ, taxes are the same, gas is higher, water and electric are more expensive, there is sales tax on almost everything here, and food is more expensive. And then, to top it all off, Florida pays less!!! Yes, we knew all of this before we moved here, but it is still tough to deal with.

George got a part time job delivering for a local deli but since they are new, they aren't very busy. I am also looking for a second job to supplement my income. I applied at a local Domino's Pizza for a position as a delivery driver. (George used to own a Domino's back in Jersey, so I used to help him out and work for him and I liked delivering.) Hopefully, they will call me soon so I can start making some extra cash!!!

I am also looking for a better paying primary job. I am not having much luck though. I have a fabulous resume (courtesy of http://www.resumebee.com/) and have gone on many interviews. I have even been offered positions but have had to turn them down because either the pay is lower than I currently make or health benefits would cost more and the pay would be the same. I can't believe that with the major nursing shortage, there are so few nursing jobs here. It amazes me!!!

Besides looking for jobs we have also cut costs elsewhere. For instance, we have started cooking more instead of going out, I stopped smoking, and we are selling things we don't need or use on eBay. I have also cut way back on my shopping. I don't buy anything unless I absolutely need it!! And, if I don't have the cash on me to buy it, then too bad, I'm not getting it!!!

So, we'll see how we make out!! I'll keep you posted!!!

2 weeks and still no cigarettes!!!

All I have to say is WOOOOHOOOO!!! I made it!! I have even been forgetting to take the Chantix and I still have no cravings for a smoke. I am so proud of myself!!!

I keep thinking of all the $$$ that I am saving and how much better I feel. It makes me wonder why I didn't do this sooner!!!

My new adventure!!

Since I spend a lot of money on candles (I am obsessed with them), I have decided to try to make them myself. Fellow nestie lisaroo over at Life, Love, & Soap has recently started making her own candles. I like the ones she has pictured in her blog so I am going to give it a shot. I have joined a couple of candle making forums and ordered myself a votive starter kit from Peak Candle Supply. I will keep you posted on my adventure!!

1 week without smoking!!!!

I never in a million years thought that I would be able to do this. I have zero willpower and for me to go this long without a cigarette and not even have a craving for one is a miracle!!! I am so happy and I feel so good!!!

E-A-G-L-E-S...GO EAGLES!!!

Today is the first Philadelphia Eagles game of the season. Hubby and I are uber excited!!!! We are also uber excited because we actually get to watch it. We weren't sure if the game was going to be broadcast here in SW FL. Donovan McNabb is back after having his ACL surgery last November so it should be a great game!!!

Fly Eagles fly, on the road to victory.....

No Chase for Junior =(

So, Junior didn't make the Chase last night. He sure tried his hardest though. It's a shame that his engine had to blow up. Oh well, he is still my favorite driver and I know that he will continue to race hard for the rest of the season.

Next season it will be weird not seeing the red Budweiser #8 racing. But he is on to bigger and better things!!!

NASCAR...The Race to the Chase!!

Tonight is the final race before the chase for the Nextel Cup. I am a huge NASCAR fan and I am obsessed with Dale Earnhardt Jr. I am sitting here watching the race going crazy!! Jr. has to finish first in order to make it into the chase. The other two drivers, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch, who are competing with Jr. for the final spot in the chase need to have bad races. I am praying for Jr. to win this race. I know he can do it!!

GO JUNIOR!!!!

Finally...an update!!

I haven't updated my blog in a while...so here goes!!

August 23rd-28th we went back to Jersey to visit. We had my in-laws 50th anniversary party while we were there. It was a total surprise to them!! We had been planning it for months and we were very surprised that we managed to pull it off. My in-laws were soooooo surprised and had soooo much fun. It was a great night. They got to see people that they haven't seen in 25 years!!!!!

I love the look on my mother in law's face!!!

Celebrating their 50th anniversary really made me think about my future with my husband. I love my husband very much and I can't wait to celebrate our 50th anniversary together (50 years from now!!)!!

When we came home from vacation I started taking Chantix (the pill to help you quit smoking). Since you can smoke for the first week that you take Chantix, my "official" quit smoking date was September 7th. I have not had a cigarette since September 6th. I have smoked for 15 years! I have tried to quit before but have never felt as positive about it as I do now. I am so excited!!! I am very proud of myself for this and am hoping that I can continue not smoking!

Since we just went back to Jersey in August we are not going to be able to go back for Irish Festival. We are sooooo disappointed. I love Irish Weekend in North Wildwood. I am so sad that all of out family and friends are going to be partying it up in a couple of weeks at Irish Fest!!! We haven't missed an Irish Fest in years!! I have been going since I was 17 (that's 11 years)!!! Hopefully next year we will be able to make it.

Still no test date for my clinical exam for school. I hope and pray every day that I will get my test date soon!!

I think I pretty much covered everything that's happened recently =) If I think of anything else, I will definitely make a new post!! I plan to be more diligent about my blog from now on!!!