An extra payment to one of NT's student loans hit, and $836 went to principal. That means we're at $1649 down, $101 to go on the November debt goal! AS's student loan payment near the end of the month will finish that off.

I was also able to transfer $461.06 to the house/moving fund, and saw that we earned $1.29 in interest recently. That takes the fund balance to $2,194.65!

AS got another freelance editing job, nearly $1000! We still haven't gotten the money from her last one, so I know we won't see this money for a while, but it'll be nice when it comes! I think she said if she does about 7-10 pages per day, she'll get it done on time, so it won't even be a big marathon session of editing.

On the card I opened to get a statement credit when I booked my Va. plane tickets, I noticed they'd already credited me the $100 but hadn't charged me the $69 annual fee! I think I'm going to try and cancel it once my payoff of the balance hits, and see if I can avoid the annual fee. That would be essentially $69 more toward paying for the ticket! Then I would only need about $125 more.

If not, that's fine too, but it would be a nice boost.

I confirmed that my sister will pick me up and drop me off at the airport in Va., and I know my dad will loan me a car and/or drive me around while I'm there, so transportation will be free once I get to Va. NT is going to drive me to the airport using Hourcar, which will only cost us about $10 or $15, much cheaper than a taxi or shuttle and much faster/more convenient than the bus and lightrail. Now I just need to figure out transportation from airport to home once I get back (NT will be at work). I'll ask a few nice friends and offer some gas money for their troubles; if not, one cab ride won't kill me.

Food will be free on the trip (my family will feed me) unless the girls and I need snacks during the flight/waiting at airports. I won't carry a ton since it will be just me with 2 kids, 2 carseats and luggage, so I will purchase snacks vs. carrying them, for convenience.

I guess that's all my news! Grocery budget has been tight and running over some weeks, but we're doing admirably considering. Showing restraint in our meal planning nearly every week, cutting out or putting off things that aren't absolutely necessary. When AA is potty trained and SL off formula (both should happen sometime next year), sticking to the budget will be a walk in the park because we'll be so used to working with much less.

Very excited about Thanksgiving, but I think it will be much less gluttonous than most years. Both because we're trying to be moderate with our groceries and because we're all trying to lose and/or maintain weight. It'll still be delicious and fun, and maybe even better because my menu planning won't be as ambitious as usual.