We had a fabulous time visiting family. I was able to attend 2 class reunions (1 was the class I grew up with from preschool thru 9th grade, the other I went to the last 3 years of school). Was so nice to catch up with everyone. One of the greatest thing was that our 15-pass van got better than expected gas mileage - 14.5 mpg. I was expecting that gas was going to cost $175-200. It was under $150.

My great-gramma was released from the hospital while we were there and we were able to visit with her each day for 3 days. She really is something else! One tough lady.

Glad to be back home and get back on the road of paying off debt. Time to get some things listed on eBay and Craig's List. Had a paycheck today and paid $100 toward medical. Not sure if we can afford to pay toward the credit card or not.

Next week we're getting the air conditioning looked at in the car. One of those wants (not a true need), but would sure appreciate if it was working.

Glad to be back here and look forward to catching with everyone's blogs!

Well, it wasn't what I was hoping for, but it was still a good rummage sale. My friend and our kids made a little, and my total profit for the day was $441.

We opted to not run an ad for the sale and run a one-day Sat sale. We basically got the people driving past our house, probably not anyone from the major intersections.

I was surprised that we didn't see more people interested in the baby girl clothes. We have some really nice stuff, even some new with tags.

All-in-all, I'm going to try to be content with what we made. We're thinking about putting out the signs on Wednesday (4th) since our town has hundreds that show up for the parade.

I'm also planning on selling several items on eBay in the near future (vintage 1/2 gallon aluminum cans, Leap Pads and accessories, and maybe even "lots" of the baby clothes).

Our trip next week is paid for, plus some to throw at debt. I'm thankful!

I'm tired of watching/worrying about every bite I eat. I'm tired of watching/worrying about every dime I spend. Grrh! LOL I guess I'm in a mood today. Call it pregnancy hormones! My poor family.

I want to eat what I want to eat and not worry so much about what the scale says. I have things I need to sell on eBay, yet am having the hardest time doing it.

How do you all get over times like this???

Getting ready to bring about 40 boxes (WOW) to today's homeschool used book sale. Dh keeps asking where we got all these books. ~smile~ I'm so excited to make some more $$ to apply to debt!

My goal is $500, which I don't think I'll have any problem reaching. Especially since I'm nearly 1/5 of the way there! (See sidebar.) My DREAM is $1,000 - that may be a reach. However, there's always eBay for whatever doesn't sell at the book sale.

I am also working the book sale from 11am - 11pm. Yikes! Hoping that I'll make it without collapsing (since I'm 6.5 months pg).

Also had another paycheck to apply a little more toward debt. I just keep saying to myself, "Slow and steady wins the race." Helps a little to keep me patient while the debt slowly goes down.

Blessings!

Our state homeschool association is having their annual homeschool convention next weekend. Each year they offer a used book sale and items generally sell very well there. I am SO hoping that I'll be able to sell enough to pay a nice chunk on our debt!

We've been ruthlessly going through our books (curriculum, reference and reading) to weed out what we wouldn't absolutely need if we end up in China next year. Yesterday we got 8 shelves weeded down to 3.

As we've been pricing items for the used book sale, I've been putting items on eBay that sell better there. It is so nice to have several items up for auction and more ready to go!

My GOAL from the sale of all of these books is $500. I'm actually hoping for more, but that's the least I hope to walk away with. I'll have to post totals as they come in . . .

I went to my cousin's wedding at Mackinac Island on Mother's Day weekend (with 2 friends) and had all the $$ that I needed for the trip without having to dip into our regular budget. Cool!

I saved coins (and sometimes dollar bills) in an old food jar. I sold a few things on eBay. I redeemed a grocery rebate on my debit card. I took advantage of the PayPal bonus that was offered in April(?). And then to top it off, my sweet mother-in-law sent me a check toward the trip.

This money paid for 2 nights in the hotel (we didn't stay on the island), gas to get there and back and food (we also brought a lot of food and there was a breakfast at the hotel). The money that my mil sent allowed me to have enough to take a carriage tour of the island and to bring fudge home for the family.

All in all we had such a fun time! We relaxed, looked at shops and we were able to sleep so well without little ones. However, I was very ready to get home.

Now to start saving for next year's homeschooling purchases . . .

Once again I was only able to apply $100 to our debt this last paycheck. I get frustrated with this, because I'd like to get it paid of so much quicker.

I did pay $50 toward medical bills (pre-baby deductibles). It's nice to start paying toward that already, but it takes away from paying off that last credit card.

If we're going to pay it off before the end of the year, that would mean selling $200+ on eBay each week! I don't think that's going to happen.

So, I guess we just keep chipping away at it and trust that it will be gone eventually.

Because I'm able to stay at home with my children, people think I have "all the time in the world" to accomplish all that they would like to do if they could just stay home, too.

However, there are meals to prepare, laundry to do, 5 children to homeschool, diapers to change, a 2 yr old to potty train, and the list goes on. Believe me, I'm not complaining! It's just very hard sometimes to find the time to do all that I'd like to do. This includes listing items on eBay. We rely on this extra money to help pay on our debt or fund trips to weddings, etc.

Today dh took the little ones outside and I was able to list 3 items on eBay. Woohoo! LOL Sometimes I get pretty excited about the little things.

I'm hoping that the items that I've listed today will help to finish funding a trip I'm taking to my cousin's wedding on Mackinac Island, Michigan. I won't be staying on the island, but the wedding will take place there. This is so fun for me, because I grew up in the UP of Michigan but have NEVER been to Mackinac Island before. Two friends are coming with me, so it should be a very fun girls weekend!