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After much consideration, this year, we decided to transfer the kids into a new school. They will be starting school sometime next week. So of course, everthing is due ... tuition, material fees, etc., and I just spent a few $$$ on their new school uniforms.

The good news is that this school's tuition is less than the old school. Although I wish I could place my children in a public school (it would save us a lot of $$!). But the reality is that the public schools are not the very best in our area. It's too bad. Another choice would be to move to a better neighborhood (with good public schools) which means buying a new home and paying more $$ on a mortgage. Unfortunately, we can't afford to move at this time.

It just amazes me how, little by little, money add up! Everthing is getting more and more expensive. The more money you make, the less money you bring home and the more bills you have to pay.

My hubby has been involved with a not-for-profit organization and hasn't been at the office. He had to take too much time off this summer to help the organization. And because of this, his income had only been trickling here and there. I recently got a raise at work. I'm very grateful for it, but it's only enough to cover the raise in healthcare benefits. So my paycheck still comes out to pretty much the same amount as last year.

My son's birthday is coming up this labor day weekend and I'm not ready for it. As a birthday present, he wants (and I mean really wants) to go camping and fishing!

My son has been wanting to go fishing for along time now. He even went on the Internet to look up places to go camping. It would be great, if we had the camping equipment or an RV. But we don't. We also tried looking into renting a cabin, but again, it all takes time (driving distance) and money. And unfortunately, our only working vehicle is not in a state to drive too far.

Now that the baseball season is over and my hubby has a little time away from the organization, he is now working hard to catch up at the office. So it makes it even harder for him to take more time off. Being self-employed means no money comes in if he's not at work.

So how are we going to manage this? Will he make the time? Will we be able to afford a mini-getaway?

I don't know. But I certainly hope so. It would make my son a very happy camper!