A Monsoon 4th of July in McPherson, Kansas
Finally. Oh, how I’ve missed you all! We logged almost 2000 miles in ten days between Ohio and Kansas. It did rain over the 4th of July, effectively canceling my sister’s Independence Day Bash. 
We did, however, manage to set some money on fire light some fireworks at my parent’s house in between bouts of Monsoon Showers. We weren’t the only ones waiting for a break: their street looked (and sounded) like a verifiable war zone. For those who did not keep up with the comments on the previous post, our final tally for the 4th of July…
Neighbors Watching the (very smoky) Fireworks Show
Neighbors Watching the (very smoky) Fireworks Show
Fireworks: $40.80
John bought the fireworks the day-of and took advantage of many discounts. For more tallies and quote$ and to see how others celebrated (or not) this crazy American holiday, check out the comments on the previous post. I especially found it interesting how many people commented that their towns canceled their fireworks’ displays because of budget constraints.
Total Cost of Our Road Trip:$642.38
This includes everything. The breakdown:
- Donuts: $8.78
- Fuel: $304.41 (Good news — Our van did not break down on this trip!)
- Fast Food: $79.42
- Coffee/Drink Stops: $16.13
- Booze: $36.45
- Pizza Delivery: $33.96 (the only meal we paid for at my parent’s)
- Braum’s: $7.58 (Anyone traveling through this part of the Midwest must experience some Braum’s ice cream.) (Unfortunately this transaction did not include any ice cream for me.)
- Wedding (and Shower) Gift: $75
- Sunglasses: $15.15 (because John thought he lost his.) (Now he has two.)
- Flower Girl shoes: $10 (because I forgot to pack these for Olivia)
- Four tickets to Toy Story 3D: $35.50
- Two tickets to Knight & Day: $20
We were appalled at how much it cost us in Kansas to go see a movie. I mean, Kansas. That figure for Toy Story? That was a matinee. Which included the 3D glasses, but still. We’ve grown accustomed to military discounts which not only apply to the ticket cost but also throw in the 3D glasses for free. We weren’t able to get a military discount at either theater we went to, in my small hometown or in Kansas City. Hmph.
The Cost of Not Communicating
We didn’t do very well this trip on packing food for the trip and cutting corners on eating in general. Never mind the booze. (We didn’t drink all of that ourselves, honest.) (And none of it while we were driving.) I also blame my dear husband for not communicating with me as the reason for a good chunk of the change above. The day we left, I was going about getting ready and thinking I had all the time in the world, when I overhear John telling Peter to go get his shoes on.
Me: “Why? We’re not anywhere near ready.”
John: “We have to get going, we have a showing in 20 minutes.”
Me: “Wha…?” And you did not mention this why? I continued to make known my displeasure at this apparent oversight as I ramped up my speed and ran around the house and started throwing things in bags and in the cooler and in the car. I wasn’t packed. The house wasn’t ready. Lunch was not ready to take with us.
I was not happy.
Instead of making sandwiches to go, we ate at McDonald’s. I also forgot Olivia’s shoes. Her cute-cute, like-new sandals that I had found at the Thrift Store. The ones she was supposed to wear as a Flower Girl in my cousin’s wedding. And I totally blame my husband. Somehow, he thought I knew about the Showing, even though he was the one who answered the phone when they scheduled it. Obviously, he holds my mind-reading skills in high regard. And has no idea what all is entailed to get a family of five out the door for a road trip. Or he might have noticed that we weren’t anywhere near ready.
Now granted, I could have been more ready than I was. I was moving slowly. Very, very slowly. Acting like we didn’t have 600 miles ahead of us to drive that day… All the more reason to cue someone that I might not be ready to head out the door anytime soon? At least not in the next 20 minutes? Perhaps? Yes? Grrrr.
Ooh, just typing about it is getting me all worked up again. And I’m actually totally over this. Really. Love you, babe! “We just need to work on our communication.” (Name that movie.)
Cash has been de-throned.
Cash has not been King around here. In fact, it made nary an appearance in June and not one at all in July. I have more thoughts on this which I’ll explore more (hopefully) tomorrow, along with the update on our debt. (Hint: still not very exciting.) Suffice to say that the lack of cash spending has been more due to neglect on my part rather than an intentional omission. However, I’m not sure that cash (rather than debit card) is the best way for us to go — at least not completely…
But we are desperately needing some His and Hers Blow Money again. See those Coffee/Drink Stops up there? Hello, Discretionary Funds? I’m tired of you nickel and diming me with your debit card while I’m trying to keep up with logging our daily transactions. Especially when I’m not on the computer so much because I’m traveling. It’s just too much to keep up with. And yes, I realize I’m dangling my prepositions, but you have to realize how overwhelming it can be. It feels like when my kids throw perfectly clean clothes into the hamper along with the dirty ones, effectively requiring them to be cleaned once again. It’s just not necessary. I knew you’d understand.
And I promise to try to make more sense tomorrow.
More from Jolyn
Yakezie Posts
- 4 Ways To Reshape Your Views Regarding Money By Shawn Watson
- 100 Words On: The One-Armed Bandit’s Armless Cousin By Len Penzo
- Choosing a Career: an interesting Paradox By bigcajunman
- Frugal Anniversary Gift Ideas That Will Win Her Over By YFS (Staff Writer)
- What Do You Do If You Really Cannot Afford Regular Health Insurance? By jacob@mypersonalfinancejourney.com (My Personal Finance Journey)
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
“We have a showing in 20 minutes.” Now, that them there is fighting words! I think wars have been declared on far less…just saying. He has read so many war books I bet he could tell of just such a case.
Very funny post…:)
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I think your budget was pretty good for that many people and the length of time. Too bad about the rain on the 4th.
My brother shot off fireworks at my mom’s farm (in Kansas) one year which started a fire in the wheat fields across the street. Fortunately, the wheat had already been cut!
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jolyn Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Yikes!
So, did you have a wonderful time at the Summit? I am so wishing I could have been there!
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Welcome home! I’m planning a little (solo) trip back home to see the folks – and have my ‘mad’ money stashed away for spending. I’ve been saving a little bit from each week for a while now, and feel pretty comfortable with my cache.
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So close and yet (say it with me) so far :C
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We have fallen off the cash wagon the past 2 months too. Is summer the problem? I’m slightly terrified, Ken has quit his job to go back to school and I don’t know where or when our income will come from in September.
Good job keeping track of the traveling spending.
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jolyn Reply:
July 17th, 2010 at 11:55 pm
I could blame it on summer. I could blame it on adjusting to my husband coming home since I started the cash system while he was gone. Who knows?
Yikes! Will he still be working part-time? I imagine the school will be a good thing, at least long-term. Hopefully your blogging will start bringing in the big bucks, eh?
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So good to have you back! I so totally understand about the blow money. If I don’t have it, I feel so guilty about spending anything on anything. And I get judgemental about his spending as well. This was something we discussed before we got married. We just don’t always practice what we preach.
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jolyn Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
So true. And even if I’m not being judgmental he thinks I am, so I might as well be.
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Sounds like a wonderful family trip….and really, would it be a family trip without a few glitches? lol
When we gather as a family, those car trips are one of our most common ‘remember when’ stories we share.
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jolyn Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 6:00 pm
Oh, yes, Jolie. I think I’ll be remembering this one.
Btw, I just saw my cousin’s little girl for the first time, who’s named “Joely”. Love that name!
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Braum’s Cherry Limeades are Delish too! Braum’s come to Houston, TX. There are some OK/KS transplants that miss you.
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jolyn Reply:
July 16th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
If I remember right, Braum’s is in Wichita Falls, Texas? So it just needs to make its way a little farther south…
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