I've been thinking about how to save more money. I would like to do a no spend month but I think that this is not feasible especially with little ones. What I will do instead is to really think about a purchase before I buy.

Ask myself these questions:
Do I really need it?
Do I have something I can use at home instead?

I'm really debating buying a laptop. I know that I could really use it for school work, especially when ds doesn't want to sleep anywhere except my arms. I am taking 2 internet classes and both rely heavily on computers. I would rather not spend the money as much as I could use one. I think for the time being we will wait. I will need Office 2007 and that will be at least $200 so it may be best that I do not buy one. Maybe after we get income taxes back. There may be some good sales then too.

I think staying home saves us quite a bit of money. We don't buy much and we don't end up spending money on food. I want to start shopping by myself (or with one kid only) beginning next week. Hopefully they will have some good sales. I've heard that there will be a lot of coupons in this week's paper - so hopefully they will be good ones.

Clearane

It is now winter clearance time and I am finding awesome deals not only for the little ones but also for our 9 yr old. I know that what I buy now cheap helps us later. I got so many clothes last week for them for little money that it is almost crazy how well I did.
Here's some highlights:
pair of sandals for me 1.40
socks for me - 9 pairs total 6.00
ds (7 weeks)
size 12 mos long sleeve shirts 2.00
summer shirts 1.00
sleeper size 6-9mos 3.00
summer jumpers 2.50
winter pant set 3.00
dd (17 mos)
2 dresses (2T and 3T) 6.00 each
shorts for this summer 1.00
shirts $1-$2
ds (9 yrs)
zip up sweatshirt $7
turtleneck $2

Will be going back to Kohl's after the 14th when Raychel and Ryan find out what they are having. Buy the baby a few things cheaply.

trying to keep it all together

Been struggling lately to get things done lately. Mostly because baby doesn't like to sleep in bassinet. :( Would love to be able to get stuff done but it's just not happening. Right now he is in my arms sleeping while I'm on the laptop. I have a feeling this is going to come in very handy especially when classes begin.

Dh starts a new job tomorrow. He goes in at 7 am. Hopefully he will be able to wake up in time. I'm sure he will.
He will be taking somewhat of a paycut, but it will allow him to take classes towards his associates degree. Once he is trained he will be working weekends, so if need be I could always go back to work - though i don't see that happening anytime soon.

I will be working on a new budget since dh will be making less - mostly because no OT. I just need to find the time to do it.

My new years resolutions:

1. Lose weight :
- my goal is 5 pounds a week.50 pounds total.
2. Make dinner at home - allow eat out day a month
3. get organized

Article recapping the strike that has plagued our lives for the past half year.......


D-R workers make headlines in '07
Published: Monday, December 31, 2007 8:38 PM CSTE-mail this story Print this page
Editor's note: This is the final installment in a look back on the top seven news stories for 2007. Today's edition focuses on the strike at the Dresser-Rand Painted Post facility.BY Sarah Grossmansgrossman@the-leader.com

PAINTED POST More than half of the 415 employees who walked out of Dresser-Rand's Painted Post facility are now back to work, but the struggle between the union and the company is far from over.The effects of the 16-week strike and the subsequent process of getting union members back to the factory floor continues. And its effects are far reaching.“A work stoppage of this magnitude has a direct impact on the employee, employer, and community,” said Dan Meisner, director of Human Resources. “Nobody wins in this type of situation.”

Striking members stood outside the facility from Aug. 4 to Nov. 29 while their families stressed over bills, unsure of how long the strike would last.“When (salaries and overtime) get taken away and members are forced to live on unemployment, that will have an effect on families,” said Steve Coates, president of the Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine, and Furniture Local 313 union. “They will pinch pennies and kids won't get everything they want and the community suffers as well because there isn't any money for anything.”As for the company, D-R estimated the work stoppage cost $20 million in the third quarter. Also, D-R pulled its application to the Hornell-Corning Steuben County Empire Zone that detailed plans for a $3 million expansion that may have led to 50 new hires.

But even though the picket signs are no longer visible, many struggles remain.“This experience has destroyed the relationship between the company and the union,” Coates said. “It will take a long time to heal.”Recently, the National Labor Relations Board ruled that eight of the union's 11 claims that D-R committed unfair labor practices were insufficient. As a result, members who have not been called back will have to wait until the company finds positions for them. Union members are given preference.

However, Meisner said some members could wait years before positions reopen. The company is currently operating close to pre-strike employment levels and continues to assess its needs on a daily basis, he said.In the mean time, the union's leadership is still seeking a more suitable contract for its members.“We plan to continue the fight and to maintain what we have and get a fair agreement,” Coates said.

Employees currently working at the plant are subject to the terms of the company's last proposed contract which is similar to one voted down by 93 percent of the union membership on Aug. 3.Negotiations will likely be renewed after the first of the year, Coates said.He also remained positive about the results the strike had on the union's membership.
“If anything, the company has made this union stronger,” he said.He explained that the company's goal was to divide and break the union. However, members did not want to throw other members “under the bus” and stuck together. In the end, only 13 of its 415 members crossed the picket line, he said.“Members who have gone back to work continue to support the others and are willing to continue to try to get a fair contract for everyone for as long as it takes,” said Glenn Painter, chief plant steward. “The Local 313 is recognized by the International as one of the most united unions.”