I'm so excited. The garage looks great and the insulation should make a big difference in the living room and kitchen. Only bad thing is the garage door opener will open but not close with the control - may have to pay to get it fixed - my contractor is my neighbor. He also put new filter stuff in the swamp cooler so I'm set to start summer.

I also got 2 days of overtime which translated to $450 dollars which will go towards tiling the bedroom and bathroom.

And so far I can take one pack of insulation back to Home Depot for a refund.

I saved $800 last year in utilities from insulating the attic. I put that money toward the garage project. So far I've spent $170 on insulation, $560 on drywall work and $300 on the installation of the insulation and the work on the swamp cooler - So really my out of pocket expense so far is $230.

And the dogs only ran away 6 times while they were doing the work. The little stinkers.

I have been spending between $20 and $40 a week on groceries, but Sunday night, I didn't feel well and waited till the last minute and spent $56 at Trader Joes and another $15 at Staters. Yipes.

On the other hand, it was more healthy stuff than I usually get.

I am going to use it to pay my state tax ($30) and then part of it will go toward insulating the garage (which is a huge heat source in the summer).

I stuck it all in savings $3690, in my emergency account, so I am less likely to want to use it on wild purchases.

Happy Dance!

$3,600 back on my federal taxes. I am so pleased

Got my April mortgage payment already set up and paid some of my March bills already - they mailed the bills early.

Whenever I don't spend all of what I budgeted for utilities and monthly costs, I put the extra money in my Emergency Unemployment Fund - and this month I had 80 to put in that fund. I'm also spending less on food and restaurants, so I hope to see some savings in that category too.

Purchased a new computer and got a Best Buy Master Card - it lets you pay over time with no interest and I just mailed my first payment of $340 (Computer was $780). I should have just put it on another credit card where I get money back, and I find myself nervous not having paid the whole price in cash. My inner frugalista alarms are going off.

Paid last month's credit card bill late and called and Citi forgave the late fee. The only money I have spent on this card is the $3.82 in interest I just paid.

Puppies broke into the bookcase and ate bird books - Maybe they are bird dogs. Pictures of North American Birds were tossed all over the backyard. The puppy is getting longer and is such an affectionate creature when she's not trying to eat shoes, books and bedding. I love her to pieces.