So I just took a look at my goals for 2007. I am really sucking right now. LOL

GOAL: Save $3,000 in EF. How much do I have now? Less than $75

GOAL: Pay off all CC's, CC fee, and car
How is that going? 2 CC's left (almost $4500).

GOAL: Pay Mom back at least $5,000.
How much do I still owe her? $15,000
Yup, not a penny paid back yet.

Kinda depressing. I knew the new job and pay cut would hurt, but didn't think it would hurt this much. *sigh*

Made a donation today to a co-worker. She is doing the American Cancer Societies Relay for Life. It's a cause I like to support, so I wrote her a small check.

May 30th Donation: $10 to American Cancer Society
Total 2007 Donations: $49

Well, The Boy is no longer at the job with the tips. Too bad, cuz it was some good change. Anyways, still tracking my regular change. Rolled a bunch and deposited almost $30 last weekend, so my totals are low again. But that just means more fun building them back up!

May 30, 2007
Dollars: $0.00
Quarters: $6.25
Dimes: $2.10
Nickels: $1.10
Pennies: $0.84
Vouchers: $1.10

TOTAL: $11.39

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

My digital camera is dead. It's kinda OK, as I've had it about 3 or 4 years, and electronics tend to burn out around me very quickly (my aura and such).

So, I have found a new one I want. Everything I want in a digital camera, plus a little more. Good price, too. On sale for $130 at Target. But I am trying so hard not to buy it.

I keep telling myself it's a want, not a need. But then part of me says, yes, but to continue to sell things on e-bay, a digital camera would be best. So, is it a want or a need?

Took my $ bills and rolled coins to the bank this morning. Total will be added to my $20 Challenge Account.

Old $20 Challenge Total: $30.99
Cash from the bag: $29.50
--------------------------------
New $20 Challenge Total: $60.49

More big tips from the Boy! YAY! Was able to roll some more change. Can wait to deposit it and add it to the EF account!


May 23, 2007
Dollars: $6.00
Quarters: $11.25
Dimes: $11.20
Nickels: $2.80
Pennies: $2.04
Vouchers: $1.10

TOTAL: $34.39

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

The Boy came home from his first day of work with a cup FULL of change! He earned over $11 in tips (he works at a coffee shop) and over $7 of it was all change!

Plus, did more cleaning and found $2 on the floor under a pile of dirty clohtes.

Added it into the Bag!

May 23, 2007
Dollars: $6.00
Quarters: $10.00
Dimes: $8.50
Nickels: $2.15
Pennies: $1.50
Vouchers: $1.10

TOTAL: $29.25

Now that I have a bunch of coins rolled, I can take them to the bank on Friday. It will put approx. $24 into our EF.

FINALLY was able to take some $ I earned selling a book and put it into the ING/EF $20 Challenge account. That poor thing needs some life breathed into it!!!


Old $20 Challenge Total: $21.87
Interest earned: $.39
Half.com money deposited: $8.73
--------------------------------
New $20 Challenge Total: $30.99

Whoo-hoo!

LOL

Ya know that espression, "When it rains, it pours"?

It's like a fucking monsoon over here.

Found a bunch of things to put on ebay. Ebay is giving me issues. Went to take pics of my items, new batteries in my digital camera...camera is dead. Think it's dead dead as in I need to BUY a new one.

WTF???

Grr.....

ok, i'm done bitching

Found $0.75 while I was cleaning. More cash in the bag!

May 21, 2007
Dollars: $4.00
Quarters: $6.50
Dimes: $5.60
Nickels: $1.45
Pennies: $1.05
Vouchers: $1.10

TOTAL: $19.70

We save all our spare change in a large manilla envelope. We have banks and jars and containers, but for some reason we throw it in there. Don't ask why. I have no idea.

Anyways, I want to start keeping track of it since I don't deposit it until I have a full coin roll. Meaning unless I have $10 in quarters in there, all those quarters sit and wait. Every once in a while we try and throw in a dollar or two. And when I recycle cans and get those vouchers slip, they go in there until I get to the customer service counter on a trip to the grocery store. When there is rolled change, it goes into my $20 Challenge account. I never really know what is in there, and I'd like to get an idea.

May 21, 2007
Dollars: $4.00
Quarters: $6.50
Dimes: $5.00
Nickels: $1.35
Pennies: $1.00
Vouchers: $1.10

TOTAL: $18.95

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

*sigh* Spent a good chunk of money at CVS today. But it was on need things, not wants, so that is OK.

Vitamins for The Boy - he's not used to damp weatehr (he's from Vegas) and he's not been feeling very good lately so we're hoping this will help out.

Vitamins for me - a new one, on sale for only $6, that helps with weight balance as well. Hey, I'll try anything. Plus I needed more vitamins.

Face wash - been out for a few days now, and acne like mine is ok for a 14 year old, not a 29 year old.

And finally, the most important of all: my birth control pills.

Spend about $35, but all in all, the items we got were needed.

One a diet note, I did OK today. I'm getting better about portion sizes and choosing healthy foods. I am starting a new 6 month program via my health insuranc and when I complete it, I can either contine doing it for no charge, or opt for weight loss surgery and they will pay for the entire procedure.

It's hard for me to really focus on one thing, like getting finances under control. It's so much harder trying to do two things. But, right now one does not come out more important than the other. They are both equally important, and need attention ASAP. Let's just hope by losing weight, I'll eat less, therefore spend less money at the grocery store each week.

Things I Can Do to Spend Less Money:

1. Cancel Netflix (we don't watch a lot of movies in the summer).

2. Cancel Website and e-mail I pay for (Yes, I have 2 e-mail addy's. Not anymore).

3. Eat breakfast at home instead of stopping for a bagel each morning at the DnD.

4. Make coffee at home every day instead of stopping at DnD.

5. Unplug all electionics, lights, etc we do not use at least once a day.

6. Start clipping coupons.

7. Keep up with regular oil changes in carso my gas milage is better.

8. Clean out my car (needs it big time) so my gas milage is better.

9. Consolidate trips in the car so I use less gas.

10. Plant mostly veggies in the garden this summer instead of flowers like last year.


Things I Can Do to Make More Money:

1. Freelance as much as possible.

2. Yard sale

3. Stuff on half.com and e-bay

4. Yardwork for Mums (This will nt make money per say, but it will be work towards paying off my debt to her).

WHOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My BIG freelance check just came in todays mail!

Over $1,000!!!!!!!!

We needed this SO badly this week. I'm so excited. First, we pay off the rest of the car. Then the fee to the credit company. Then some goes into savings and the rest goes onto the Big CC balance.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!! Feel like such a weight is gone!

Let's do the tally:

$1,080.00
- $194.46 (car)
-----------
$885.54
- $394.28 (Credit fee)
-----------
$491.26
- $150.00 (to EF)
-----------
$341.26
- $300.00 (pymt to CC)
-----------
$41.26 (for fun stuff)

Yes, yes I definately like that.

I'm trying to list 2 dresses on e-bay and the damn thing is giving me issues. Had a crappy day today, I don't really need this now. Of course, worried about money. We have about $75 to get us to next Friday. Not bad, but we need groceries, my car is severly ovedue for an oil change, and I will have to fill my car up twice between now and then.

Grrrr...

On the plus side, 2 of my other 3 auctions sold on e-bay. Mailed those out today. Looks like that will be an extra $30. YAY! Now, I really want to put it on the CC debt, but we may need it for necessary things (like groceries or gas in the car). It's frusterating. When I find a little extra money here and there that I mean to use for debt, we always need it for "everyday" things. I guess that's why I'm so in debt in the first place.

The ONLY comfort I get from it is that at least we aren't getting further in debt with these "everyday" items b/c we do have that extra $20 or $30 popping up now and again.

*sigh*

Will it ever end???

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

My best friend walks in the Relay for Life every year. It's a local fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. (Her Mom had breast cancer. She is a survivor, thank Goddess). I've been best friends with her for 16 years, and for some reason, she's never asked me to make a donation. I always wondered why...

but this year she did! YAY! So, I made a $25 donation to her for her fundraising. And Mums and Dad, being the kick-arse people they are, are also going to make a donation for her. She's like family, after all.

I'm so happy we could help her this year!

May Doantion: $25 to American Cancer Society
Total 2007 Donations: $39

I've sold 2 of the 3 auctions I listed on eBay. The one that didn't sell, I'm not too worried about. I can put that in the yard sale. So far, I have made about $30 (before shipping fees, whch will be about $8). I'm happy with an extra $20!

What makes me sad is this: before everything extra from eBay, survey checks, half.com, etc went into building up my EF. I decided to put it instead towards the debt, because it is really bothering me. Once the personal debt is paid off, I can star building the EF again.

However, money has been so tight the last 6 months, I haven't even been able to do that. Every extra penny is going towards everyday living. groceries, or gas in the car, non credit card bills. *sigh* It's just frusterating. Two of us living on $27,000 a year is very hard.

Luckily The Boy got a job and starts on Monday!! YAY! It won't be a lot of money (it's only part time to start at minimum wage, plus he has child support payments to come out of it), but hopefully it will give us a little extra. Even enough for one bill a month would make me happy right now.

This adult thing is hard.

I've got a freelance project I am working on and it is sooooo borrrring! The money is good, though. About $350 for 14 or 15 hours of work. And, if I get motivated and finish this up quickly enough, it looks like I can grab another 14 or 15 hours or work for the same project. $700 could be a HUGE help with bills right now. Problem is, I have to get part one done before I offer to do part two.

Let's see, what can I do with $700?
*Pay off my car AND my CS fee!!
*Pay HALF my LB bill!
*Put a big dent in my AT&T CC bill!
*Pay about 1/4 of one of my student loans!

OK, this is good....
anyone else wanna help?

What can I do with $700?

What ould YOU do with $700??

OK, I did it. I sucked it up and honestly looked at my debt. I have a new, updated as of May 1st debt tally. It's BIG. Here we go:

PERSONAL DEBT:
Car: $389.46
CS fee: $394.28
LB CC: $1,271.91
AT&T CC: $3,463.96
------------------
$5,519.61

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

MUMS: $15,000

TOTAL DEBT: $87,475.65


Ouch.

I've done good on eBay in the past. Sold my old MP3 player, some collectibles, etc. I just put some new stuff on there. 2 WWF Wrestling action figures, a lot of Strawberry Shortcake items, and 2 Vintage Strawberry Shortcake dolls. I also have 2 dressed, brand new I never wore, to put on there. Hopefully his will bring in some extra cash to put towards the debt.

Also still planning the yard sale, but had to push it back a few weeks. Hopefully it will be 2 weeks from today. Got a ton of stuff for that and finding more every day.

Now that the car is almost paid off, I'm experiencing what I call PAID OFF EUPHORIA. I'm loving this feeling of clearing up debt and I'm looking forward to doing it more!

So, thought my car had about 4 more payments left on it. I owed about $800. This totally rocks, since I got the car in 2001 and have been paying on it for the last 5 months. We could use that extra $200 a month after the car gets paid off.

But....

I WAS WRONG!!!!!!!

Called to get my actual balance and its LESS THAN $400!!!!!!!!

KICK ARSE!

Turns out I only have 2 monthly payments left (May and June). I put $200 a month on it when I can, but the actual monthly payment was less than that. Had no idea!

So, it looks like next month will be it and then the CAR IS OURS! I'm so excited! Not only will the extra money be great (going right towards other debt) but this is my car, all paid for. It's about to hit 100,000 miles and is about 7 years old, but god damn, I love that car!
I called