Money savings

I checked in with ATT, my cell phone carrier. I was racking up roll over minutes. No crisis's to use up my time. I was texting more so I wanted to make sure I wasn't going over my 200 text a month limit.

I was doing great. By the end of the call I had saved $30 a month or $360 a year. That just paid for our anniversary weekend. That is with three lines. One for Grandma and one for Riley and one for me. Eventually I will add Trevor. But he wont get a phone for a while. Right now he borrows Riley's as needed. Trevor cant even keep track of his ID card he needs for school every day.

The guy on the phone reminded me of my nephew. He tells me during the course of our hour conversation that he builds computers for fun. He is very chatty and friendly. I had blocked out a lot of time for this call as I have talked to cell phone companies before and they just take a lot of time to resolve any conversation. I could be pleasant and not rushed. As a result I got to keep a huge chunk of my roll over minutes even though I am down grading my package. I also got a refund for this month in credit. It was worth my time and being patient over the phone. I ended up with a lot more than I would have if I had rushed or bullied. It was a reminder that Patience rewards itself.

If only I could be that patient with my family.

Riley is now vacuuming the house as his new favorite chore. I don't know if it is truly his favorite. But he gets his lunch money and I have been firm about it. Vacuum and you get your lunch money. He doesn't do a great job, only once over any area. It probably needs three times. But getting vacuumed at all is a huge achievement. If it gets done every week, that is more than it was doing before. I point out a new zone each week.

First week he did the living room. This week he added my bedroom and bathroom. Who in their right mind puts carpet in a bathroom? It is just another project for me to tackle. Trevor's carpet comes first though. Especially since I already have his flooring. I just need the furniture moved out to get started. Next week I will add the front hall to Riley's list. He makes $20 for vacuuming so he can eat off campus at school. Burgerville charges $4 for a large milkshake. I will be interested in how much Riley weighs when we see the doctor in December. At least at Burgerville they use fresh fruit in their shakes.

I wonder what Trevor will do when he gets to high school. One milk shake will not hold that boy all day. Trevor said he would mow the lawn after school today so he could get some money also. I told him tomorrow is my day off. If he doesn't do it today, I will do it tomorrow.

OoPs, garbage day. I had better check to see if Trevor put the cans out on his way to the bus stop. Today I match socks. I got all the socks washed and now I see how many I can make into matched pairs. It amazes me how many I can not match up.