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in July and we had thought he had only one more to go, but two weeks into his second year, he changed his major from Computer Security & Forensics to Safety & Security Administration. He is still wanting to go into law enforcement (preferably in a federal agency), but the change made the first year of classes useless. We were concerned about the added cost, but it turns out the technical school he attends allows students to make one change of major without changing the cost...even though he will now be there for 3 years rather than 2. That is very good news to our ears!

Tim's job pays well enough that we are able to live on what's left after the bankruptcy payments are taken out of his pay, but we are looking forward to the end of those payments as well. It will be nice to have that extra each pay, though as we were just discussing today, we plan to bank most of it when that time comes. We've been managing without it, so it shouldn't hurt us to put the majority of it into an IRA or some other type of account. The bus company I'm driving for now pays a good bit more than I was making before so that helps, but weeks of full pay are few when you're following the school calendar. I'm still plugging away at my Avon business, too. I'm gaining a few customers here and there and making a few dollars.....or would be if I wasn't stocking up on demos and items on sale in order to offer them at the Holiday Open House I'm having November 5. I printed flyers for it and have been passing them out to customers and neighbors and posting them in stores. I'm very excited about it and looking forward to a profitable day. The next two weeks will be busy for me with pricing merchandise, planning and preparing the food, getting my mom's house ready (I'm having it there), and getting the prizes for the gift drawings ready.

However, until those somedays arrive, we're (mostly me) trying to find ways to tighten the belt without making everyone feel deprived. With the exception of a pizza here and there we haven't been eating out and those pizzas? We generally order them in because if we go to the restaurant it costs twice as much because we have to have drinks and someone will want salad or appetizers. I couldn't tell you the last time we went out to a movie or even rented one. We've been making due with what's on television and rewatching the movies we already own. My one entertainment vice is books. I love to read and usually go through 2 or 3 books a week. I found a couple of readers at work and we set up a box in the lounge where we deposit the books we're done with and borrow something else.

Megan started sr. high this year and has finally found something she is interested in. Agriculture! Our school has a very good program (the only one I know of in the entire county and possibly further). She is in the intro course this year and getting to take a look at all the areas encompassed by agriculture. The new interest is costing us a good deal of money in the form of buying from fundraisers, steel toe work boots, membership dues for Future Farmers of America and official FFA sweatshirts and the jacket. It's a lot, but I'm not about to say no if I can manage it. It is so good to see her actually interested in something at school and because she has to maintain passing grades to stay in FFA, she's doing at least a little better at everything. Besides, she is learning valuable life skills.

We had hoped to use Tim's year end bonus to pay taxes and other bills this year, but will most likely be buying Matthew a car instead. He is going to need it by summer when he will have to move out of student housing because of his age. At this point we're pretty sure he will be moving back home (that should be interesting) and driving to school. There will be an internship at some point as well and we're hoping he will take advantage of a car to find a good part-time job.

I keep poking around on the internet, looking for sights about frugality and have found some pretty good ones if anyone is interested.

Thrifty Mommy (www.thriftymommy.com) is a blog that shares all kinds of information on coupons, sales, special offers, etc.
Dumpster World (www.dumpsterworld.com) is a site that tells you everything you need to know about the world of dumpster diving. I've never done this and I'm not sure that I ever will, but it's interesting to read and it's amazing what you can find if you're willing.
Gas Buddy (http://gasbuddy.com) helps you find the cheapest gas prices in your area.
Classic Closeouts (www.classiccloseouts.com/home.asp) is a site that sells clothes at closeout prices. All the benefits of the closeout stores in the comfort of your own home.
Y.D.F. Daily Freebie Forum (www.freesamplesite.com) is a forum that helps you find freebies.
Totally Frugal (www.totallyfrugal.com/forums/index.php) is a forum about all things frugal.
Saving Advice (www.savingadvice.com) is a site about personal finances designed to help you save money.
And just for fun....you can register with the AC Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel. You'll be put on a waiting list, but when an opening comes up for a family like yours you can become a Nielsen family. They will send you a scanner with which you scan the bar code on ever item your family purchases. You don't get paid, but you earn points that can be redeemed for merchandise. I signed up, but understand the wait can be quite long.

The weather is turning colder. We've had a couple of killing frosts now and will most likely have another tonight. We may also see some snow flurries tomorrow. I am curious to see how we do this winter without the fireplace. I will miss its coziness, but having the extra room is wonderful. We still have to put down flooring, but otherwise the livingroom makeover is done. I translated our love of the Eastern Shore into a room that looks like it was pulled straight out of a beach cottage. It's like being on vacation all the time. Well, not really, but it is a comfortable, friendly room that we enjoy relaxing in.

The new puppy, actually we've had him since May, finally seems to be growing up and learning a few manners and more importantly to do his "business" outside. For a while there we were convinced there was no hope for him. I'm glad he's turning around. He is such a handsome boy and just as sweet as he can be. He's a beagle/basset hound mix and we named him Elvis. He has Scooby's nose a bit out of joint, but for the most part they do pretty well together. I've attached a picture of Elvis. (CLICK HERE)

Well, I am off to read for a bit before bedtime, which comes much earlier with my new job as I have to get up at 4:00. It's awful. I am NOT a morning person...and I don't really think 4:00 should count as morning. It's more like the middle of the night.