FINALLY got my taxes done today...I know, I'm a slacker. All in all it worked out good: I am getting a return of $196! Yay! My fee to HR Block was really high, but it is OK since I had so many forms and so much paperwork that I know I never could have done on my own. So, the HR Block fee comes out of my Saving for Taxes account, and I don't have to take any out to pay taxes (which is what I had originally started it for). When I get my refunds, I will pop those back into the Taxes savings account. Now that my taxes are done, I will have to think about what I want that savings to go to; and what i will be saving for next!!

$20 Tax Old Balance: $513.13
- HR Block Payment: - 270.00
-------------------------------------
$20 Tax New Balance: $243.13

OLD ATTCC: $3,149.32
Fees: $174.98
---------------------
New ATTCC: $3,324.30

OLD ATTCC: $3,324.30
Payment 3/5: $200
---------------------
New ATTCC: $3,124.30

So, it looks like we will be getting an extra $1,100 in March! Yay!!!! Great timing, too, with the move! I have already budgeted it all out:

$200 for the move (truck rental and treating friends and family to dinner afterwards)
$100 extra to LBCC
$100 extra to ATTCC
$100 extra to grocery budget (after the move, we will need to restock basics)
$100 into the $20/Taxes account to replace the $100 I had to steal out of it for groceries this week
$100 for new apartment things (dinning room rug, computer desk)
and the big one...$400 to the EF!!

I am actually excited to get the $1,100 so I can start transferring it around! Who knew paying bills and saving could be so much fun?

Already paid my CC this month (put $300 on it!) but I decided to throw an extra $15 on it. I did this a couple of days ago. I know I had a good reason for it at the time, but now, I can't remember it. Oh well. Every little bit helps!

OLD ATTCC: $3,164.32
Payment 2/12: $15
---------------------
New ATTCC: $3,149.32

Time to pay the CCs again. But making this fab salary definately helps take the sting out of it.

OLD LBCC: $1,222.66
Interest: $25.56
--------------------
Balance: $1,248.32
Payment 2/2: $100
--------------------
New LBCC: $1,148.32


OLD ATTCC: $3,380.28
Interest: $84.04
---------------------
Balance: $3,464.32
Payment 2/2: $300
---------------------
New ATTCC: $3,164.32

Since I don't get paid until the end of the month, I still can't put anything major on my CCs. I can't wait til I cam slap a $300 payment on each next month!! But until then, here is my Jan payments.


Old LBCC Total: $1,177.07
PLUS Finance Charges: $22.59
PLUS clothes for work: $123.00
------------------------------
LBCC Balance: $1,322,66
LBCC Payment 1/12/08: $100
------------------------------
New LBCC Total: $1,222.66

TOTAL PAID OFF: $277.34

****************************************
Old ATTCC Balance: $3,282.83
Monthly charges: $92.45
Small payment $5
-----------------------------------
ATTCC Balance: $3,380.28

Paid off: $119.72

Sat down to pay all my Jan bills tonight (except phone, cable and LBCC; they come at the middle of the month). After I was done, I had $317.24 in my account, so I added $25 plus the $17.24 (a total of $42.24) as an extra payment onto my ATTCC.

Yay me.

New ATTCC Balance: $3,335.07
Extra Payment 12/23: $42.24
-----------------------------------
New ATTCC Balance: $3,292.83

Paid off: $207.17

I am so angry right now! I opened my CC statement and it said I had $114 in purchases! NO! I had $39.95 for my monthy WW fee. The rest was all interest! $75 in fricken interest! AND my interest is down almost 10% from what it used to be! No wonder I can never get ahead on this! I mean, I always knew it was ridiculousy high interest, but I guess it never sunk in b/c I was always using my card. But now that I use it for WW ONLY, it is really hitting me! Time to cancel that from my CC! No more purchases with the CC AT ALL!!!

This means that before I had a total of $139 paid off it, now it is down to $64!! And that is after paying $235 on it last month! God, that is disgusting the way they rip you off! Unless I can get a 0% interest or can afford to pay it off ASAP, no more CCs for me. I'm done with them!


Old ATTCC Balance: $3,360.12
Interest: $74.95
Monthly WW fee: $39.95
-----------------------------------
New ATTCC Balance: $3,435.07
$20/UF Payment 12/14: $100.00
-----------------------------------
New ATTCC Balance: $3,335.07

Paid off: $164.93

My BIG student loans are on deferrment right now, thank Goddess. However, I do still pay the small one. It is $120 every 3 months, so it's not a problem to handle. Made the last payment for 2007 today. Only 4.5 years left paying on it! HA! Eventaully, I want to send them some extra each month, but the way they do it, is they don't take that off the principle, they "apply" any extra you send them towards the next payment due. Boogers.


Old UMD 2 Balance: $2,315.76
Decemebr 2007 Payment: $120
------------------------------
New UMD 2 Balance: $2,195.76

STUDENT LOANS:
RWU: $26,475.41
UMD 1: $38,044.87
UMD 2: $2,195.76
-----------------
$66,716.04

When I was calculating my current balance for my ATTCC, I totally forgot that my monthly membership to WW gets charged on there. Grrrr... So, my balance is actually $39.95 higher than I thought.

Old ATTCC Balance: $3,320.17
Monthly WW Fee: $39.95
-----------------------------------
New ATTCC Balance: $3,360.12
PAID OFF: $139.88

All of a sudden, I am almost panicky about carrying CC balances. I don't know why. I mean, yes, I've wanted to get rid of this debt for a while, but all of a sudden, it's like an urgent need to get rid of it. I guess that is good, right?

So, I made some small payments today. Well, one small one to the major CC and then the regular payment for December to the other CC.

This is a good thing, this is a good thing, this is a good thing...

Old ATTCC Balance: $3,345.17
Payment 12/4/07: $25
-----------------------------------
New ATTCC Balance: $3,320.17
TOTAL PAID OFF: $179.83


Old LBCC Total: $1,218.45
PLUS Finance Charges: $23.62
------------------------------
LBCC Total: $1,242.07.45
December 4th payment: $65.00
------------------------------
New LBCC Total: $1,177.07
TOTAL PAID OFF: $322.93

Had a brief moment of panic today when I realized that

1. I still owed like $25 on the CC for the minimum payment this month
2. If I didn't pay more than the minimum, the finance charges would bump me over the limit and then I would have another $40 Over the Limit Fee, too.

Crap.

So, sucked it up, realized there will be NO fun for the next month, and added another whopping $60 onto it. Let's just hope our groceries last us a bit and I get working SOON!!

Old ATTCC Balance: $3,405.17
Payment 11/29/07: $60
-----------------------------------
New ATTCC Balance: $3,345.17

TOTAL PAID OFF: $154.83

Payment on the ATT CC today. *sigh* I wish I was still on vacation!

Old ATTCC Balance: $3,480.17
Payment 11/27/07: $75.00
-----------------------------------
New ATTCC Balance: $3,405.17

Old LBCC Total: $1,317.74
Last months payment: $65.00
Finance Charges: $25.71
------------------------------
New LBCC Total: $1,278.45
This months payment: $60.00
------------------------------
New LBCC Total: $1,218.45


Can't wait til I hit under $1,000 on this baby!

Finally made it to the bank to deposit my refund check from my cell phone. I was going to put the $$ into Vegas, but then I remembered what I told myself when I got the phone: I'll put it on the CC and then use the refund as a CC payment when it comes in.

As much as I would have loved another $50 for Vegas, I need to start being responsible and an adult and focus on paying off this CC debt.

Old CC Total: $3,482.50
Refund Payment: $50
-----------------------
New CC Total: $3,432.50

Transferred the money I got from the refund on The Boys b-day gift to my CC as a small payment. Want to hear something sick??? In 1 month I made a total of over $700 in payments to my CC. I am only $60 under the limit. UGH!

That's how bad I got again at using it. I just don't learn my lesson, do I? This MUST stop. After Vegas, it's getting dumped in a bucket of water and frozen into a block of ice in my freezer. (I say after Vegas, b/c for the car rental, even though I already paid for it, they told me I had to have a CC w/ $200 worth of room on it in case I got into an accident while driving.)

So, here is my new CC numbers:

Old ATT Balance: $3,480.25
Refund payment: $37.70
------------------------------
New ATT Balance: $3,442.55

*sob*

That is my new motto re: paying down debt right now. EVERY PENNY HELPS!!! If I say this to myself enough times, will it come true???

Old ATT CC Balance: $3,605.02
Payment 9/14: $50.00
Payment 9/28: $150.00
Payment 10/01: $20.00
------------------------------
New ATT CC Balance: $3,385.02

Damn it feels good to see those numbers go down!!! Now, let's keep them going down, and not up!

...right out the window to bills. *sigh* It's so frusterating. $120 for a student loan. $70 to LBCC. $65 to ATTCC. $160 for the phone/internet bill (this was for 2 months though, so that isn't too bad). $56 for cable.

And boom! Over half my paycheck is gone. I need to make more money!

Yes, I know..., it's been MONTHS!!!! And still, I haven't really made much progress...

ATT CC
Prev. balance: $3,468.38
New charges: $142.65
Payment 8/31: $250
--------------------------
New balance: $3,361.03


LB CC
Prev. balance: $1,149.30
New charges: $188.96
Finance Charges: $25.47
Payment 8/17: $100
-------------------------
New balance: $1,263.73


CC DEBT TALLY TOTAL: $4,624.76

Our kitten Wolfie had surgery about 2 weeks ago. She is still healing, but we noticed her wound was opening up. So we brought her to the vets today. Luckily, she is OK, and they said just to put a sock over her belly until it heals. Sheesh, talk about scary!

While we were there, we got her the last of the 3 shots she needed. So, now she is all up to date until next March. Yay!

Pet Care Spending: $54 for checkup and shots

Transferred some paypal money onto my ATT CC for a payment. Also made a payment onto one of my student loans this month. It’s slow, but at least I’m not moving backwards!



DEBT TALLY
CC Activity:
ATT Prev Balance: $3,348.42
Finance Charges: $120.89 (ouch)
Payment (today): $54.06
NEW BALANCE: $3,415.25

Student Loan Activity:
UMD 2 Prev Balance: $2,436.76
Payment (today): $120.00
NEW BALANCE: $2,315.76


PERSONAL DEBT:
Car: $0
CS fee: $0
LB CC: $1,096.45
AT&T CC: $3,415.25
------------------
$4,511.79

STUDENT LOANS:
RWU: $26,475.41
UMD 1: $38,044.87
UMD 2: $2,315.76
-----------------
$66,836.04

Other: $15,000

TOTAL DEBT: $86,374.83

Today was a great money day. As I mentioned, I took today out o work to get some things done. And I got some things done, let me tell you!!

And here's the good money stuff:

1. Went to buy tp for the house. The kind we usually use is $3.49 for a 4 pack (I know, expensive, but I have a sensitive toosh). They have a new one out, better for septic tanks, same price. But, there was a $1 coupon for it! Yay! Saved $1.00 Adding that to the $20 Challenge/EF.

2. While I was at the grocery store, I turned in all our soda bottles and cans, plus cashed in 2 old soda can vouchers I had sitting around. $5.05! $5 goes into the $20 Challenge/EF and .05 into our Cash in the Bag bag.

3. Finally deposited my freelance check. Then came home and immediately transferred that same amount onto my CC as another payment.

4. Mailed out 2 of my last 3 ebay items. Still waiting for payment on one. As soon as I can get into my paypal account, I'll transfer that money straight onto the CC as well. (Having issues with the paypal account lately).

$20 CHALLENGE/EF
Old $20 Challenge Total: $60.49
ING Interest: $.09
Grocery Savngs: $1.00
Bottles and Cans: $5.00
Bills from Cash in the Bag: $14.00
--------------------------------
New $20 Challenge Total: $80.58


CASH IN THE BAG
Dollars: $0
Quarters: $8.50
Dimes: $3.30
Nickels: $1.30
Pennies: $1.05

TOTAL: $14.15


DEBT TALLY
CC Activity:
ATT Prev Balance: $3,406.83
Payment (today): $58.41
NEW BALANCE: $3,348.42


PERSONAL DEBT:
Car: $0
CS fee: $0
LB CC: $1,096.45
AT&T CC: $3,348.42
------------------
$4,444.87

STUDENT LOANS:
RWU: $26,475.41
UMD 1: $38,044.87
UMD 2: $2,435.76
-----------------
$66,956.04

Other: $15,000

TOTAL DEBT: $86,400.91

Although I try to save up as much towards extra payments on the CC’s, the big payments really come on paydays. So, two more CC payments today: $100 on the LB CC and $215 on the ATT CC. Plus, another $58 to the ATT CC after the freelance check gets deposited tonight.

CC Activity:
LBCC Old Prev. balance: $1,171.91
Charges (interest): $24.54
Payment: (last week): $100
Prev Balance: $1,196.45
Payment (today): $100
NEW BALANCE: $1,096.45

CC Activity:
ATT Old Prev. balance: $3,347.10
Charges : $274.73
Prev Balance: $3,621.83
Payment (today): $215
NEW BALANCE: $3,406.83



PERSONAL DEBT:
Car: $0
CS fee: $0
LB CC: $1,096.45
AT&T CC: $3,406.83
------------------
$4,503.28

STUDENT LOANS:
RWU: $26,475.41
UMD 1: $38,044.87
UMD 2: $2,435.76
-----------------
$66,956.04

Other: $15,000

TOTAL DEBT: $86,459.32

Whoo-hoo! Got another freelance check in the mail yesterday. Another $50 will be going onto the CC as soon as I deposit it on Friday!

I had a webpage that focused on my teaching, writing, and tarot readings. I also had an e-mail with it. However it was costing $11.95 a month, and I haven't really touched it in a year or so.
So, I cancelled it.

Also cancelled our Netflix. With those new Kiosk movie rental machines popping up, you can rent a movie for a buck for a night. Much cheaper than the $15 we were paying every month for Netflix, since we don't watch 15 movies a month.

Cutting some of our extras, but I feel OK with it as does The Boy.

An extra $25 or so a month can go towards debt or saving for something.

Ahhhhh, the frugal life.

Just put another payment on the big CC. Paid $100, but somewere in there I missed $.65 in a finance fee or something, so only $99.35 went towards my debt balance. Slooooooooow going, but hey, I didn't build it up overnight, either. OK, it took a few bad months, but tis OK. It will get paid!!!


PERSONAL DEBT:
Car: $0
CS fee: $0
LB CC: $1,171.91
AT&T CC: $3,347.10
------------------
$4,519.01 (Down $1,000.60)

STUDENT LOANS:
RWU: $26,475.41
UMD 1: $38,044.87
UMD 2: $2,435.76
-----------------
$66,956.04

Other: $15,000

TOTAL DEBT: $86,475.05

With that big freelance check I got last week, I did something FAB today. I paid off the balance left on my car AND on the CS fee!!!

Whoo-hoo!

It feels amazing to have 2 of my 4 personal debts paid off! And even better, that's almost $300 a month towards other debt now!


PERSONAL DEBT:
Car: $0 PAID IN FULL!
CS fee: $0 PAID IN FULL!
LB CC: $1,171.91
AT&T CC: $3,476.45
------------------
$4,618.33 (Down $901.28)

STUDENT LOANS:
RWU: $26,475.41
UMD 1: $38,044.87
UMD 2: $2,435.76
-----------------
$66,956.04

Other: $15,000

TOTAL DEBT: $86,574.137

UPDATED 5/23/07

Right now my checking account is in the negative until that big check clears (tomorrow). Goddess, I hate that. Anyways, I checked my ATT CC and saw that there were a few small charges that just got on the statement. I also paid $30 onto it today, which will actually go through tomorrow. The $30 was money I got from eBay auctions. Yay!

Anyho, due to the other charges, my debt tally balances have changed. Here are the new ones:

PERSONAL DEBT:
Car: $194.46
CS fee: $394.28
LB CC: $1,171.91
AT&T CC: $3,476.45
------------------
$5,207.07 (Down $312.54)

STUDENT LOANS:
RWU: $26,475.41
UMD 1: $38,044.87
UMD 2: $2,435.76
-----------------
$66,956.04

Other: $15,000

TOTAL DEBT: $87,163.11

UPDATED 5/21/07

Made some payments on the AT&T CC ($125), the LB CC ($100) plus my car payment ($195). Slooooooowly coming down, but hey, it's a start, right?



PERSONAL DEBT:
Car: $194.46 (only 1 more payment!!!)
CS fee: $394.28
LB CC: $1,171.91
AT&T CC: $3,352.46
------------------
$5,113.08 (Down $406.53)

STUDENT LOANS:
RWU: $26,475.41
UMD 1: $38,044.87
UMD 2: $2,435.76
-----------------
$66,956.04

MUMS: $15,000

TOTAL DEBT: $87,069.12

Had to take $100 out of the EF to put on the CC. *sigh* I really do hate credit cards.

Old $20 Challenge Total: $121.87
Withdrawl for CC payment: -$100
--------------------------------
New $20 Challenge Total: $21.87