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

Lost another 1.4 lbs this week on WW! Now at a total of 13 lbs lost!

Deposited some rolled change I had. Adding it to the $20 Challenge/UF account.

I have to say,it was great having the cash for Vegas, and I'm actually excited about seeing my balance in the savings grow again! What a great influence all of you have been on me!!

$20/UF Old Balance: $52.43
CITB deposit: $9.50
----------------------------
$20/UF New Balance: $61.93

BF had a jar of change he brought home with him from Vegas last week. Whoo-hoo!

Quarters $8.50
Dimes $.60
Nickels $1.00
Pennies $.26

and I already rolled $9.50 which I am taking to the bank today.

I tend to do more in donations for the community around the holidays. I know the community needs help all year, but for some reason, I, like a lot of people, tend to do a lot of it now.

Went grocery shopping yesterday and while I was there I picked up a food package. These things are great. They are prebagged packages of nonperishable food that you pick up and buy, and then the grocery store delivers them to families in the community for Thanksgiving and/or Christmas dinner. You can get $15, $10 or even $5 packages, so you can help out even if you don't have a lot of extra money. I grabbed a $5 one yesterday, and will grab another one next time I am at the store.

Also, today, while out holiday shopping, I was in the bookstore. Literacy is abig issue for me since I love books and words so much, and it breaks my heart that I live in a city where I am an exception because I have a college degree. Over half the population of this city cannot read or write above a 6th grade level. So, when something comes up for literacy, I always donate.

Anyways, at the bookstore they have this program where you pick up a tag, and it has girl or boy, and the age range of the child on it. Then you pick out a book for that child, buy it, and the bookstore delivers them to children from child and family services. My kinda program. So, I grabbed 3 tags, and picked up 3 books to donate. Total: a nice low $17.97 and I get to help give 3 kids some awesome books for the holidays.

Total 2007 Donations: $107.97

PS It has come to my attention that these Donation posts could be seen as me bragging, saying "Look how much I donate, nah nah nah..." It's anything but that. I see these posts as ones where someone can read them and get ideas on how to help those in need for a small amount, even if they don't have a lot of extra money. No matter how bad off I am financially, I try to remember that at least I still have food, clothes, and a home. Not everyone is so lucky. I just want to pass these ideas on to others who may want to help, but feel that they don't have a lot of money to do so. *hugs*

Finished up some more shopping today. Mums is now done, and so is my friend L. I really would like to find one more small thing for Dads; maybe some Lindt candy; he loves that stuff. Then something small for my friend A (she is moving into her 1st house one Jan 1st so I want to get her something for the house) and I am done. I think me and the BF are going to skip presents for each other this year. We had a great vacation together and splurged a little there, so we are happy. Besides, all that matters is that we are together.

Old Total Holiday Gifts: $56.49
Spent this week: $64.99
---------------------------------
New Total Holiday Gifts: $121.48

Well, Vegas was FAB! Now that I am back, however, I am unsure of what my "Vegas Savings Account" should become. Maybe now it should be holiday gifts.

There is a huge issue with my unemployment bennies (will post more on that later) so all the money from the freelance jobs I thought I could put towards holiday shopping now has gone to everyday expenses and bills. Not happy about this. But at this rate I am almost done holiday shopping. The Boy and I have been talking and with the way finances are right now, we might not do gifts for each other this year. Maybe something small, but nothing like normal. Other than that I am about done. Sis is done, BIL is done, one more small thing for Dad(some candy he loves). Still need to do my 2 friends L and A, and Mums. L and A will be small gifts, as they understand I am poor and not working, and so will Mums.

Hmmm, I do really want to get my CC debt gone asap. Maybe what was before Vegas can now be a holding place until it comes time to pay my bills each month.

And then there is the most likely moving fees we will be having in the next 6 months or so. Ugh. I have a headache.

For now we'll call it the Undetermined Fund.

Undetermined Fund Old Balance: $47.00
Half.com DD: $5.43
---------------------------------------
Undetermined Fund New Balance: $52.43

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

I know the whole point of saving up for something special is so that when you have enough, you can get that something special. But, I gotta say, it is faily depressing seeing my Vegas savings account go from a little over $1,000 to $47.00 I can't wait for Vegas, but *sigh* that account looks empty!

While I was waitin to meet up with one of my friends last night, I was poking around in the bookstore. I found a book I think my sis will love. And it was on major sale! Originaly $14.99, marked down to $3.99, then an additional 50% off! After tax it came to $2.09 Yay.

Old Holiday Shopping Left: $359.20
Sis book: $2.09
-------------------------------------
Holiday Shopping Left: $357.11

Very similar to the Mass Police Association I contribte to is the Mass Volunteer Firefighters Association. With being out of work, I couldn't make a big donation, but I did do a small one. I feel bad it is not more, but I figure I can do a bigger one when I get working again.

Nov. 13th Donation: $11 to MA Volunteer Firefighters Association

Total 2007 Donations: $85

I wish this number here was bigger, as well. I haven't done a lot this year. I will do Toys for Tots for the holidays, as well as buying meals for underprivledged families for the holidays. I am also going to do a holiday gift package to some of the military people still overseas.

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!

It's official! I hit $1,000 for my Vegas Goal!!!

Right now I have $$680.62 in my checking account, and $319.38 I am waiting to clear in my checking account. As soon as it does, I am withdrawing that $1,000 and we're off to Vegas! I can't believe we leave in less than a week!!! I'm so excited!

And I can't believe I manages to save $1,000 so quickly! Thanks to all of you or your fantastic advice and encouragement! You all rock!!!

I'm waiting for these transfers to clear in my bank account. Once they are clear, I can add them to the Vegas fund:

Freelance project #1: $139.38
Freelance project #2: $159.69
Freelance project #3: $159.69
----------------------------------
Total: $458.76

Also, tomorrow I need to transfer some $$ from paypal into my bank account. Sold more of my Dunny Bunnies, so that will be another $30.

Well, I just won 3 items on eBay for my BIL for X-mas. He wanted tie tacks, and I found 3 really cool ones: a grim reaper, a skull and crossbones, and an iron cross made out of spiderwebs! Very cool! They all came from the same seller, and there was FREE s/h. I love that! Total spent: $18.25

Holiday Shopping Total: $377.45
Spent already: $18.25
---------------------------------
Holiday Shopping Remaining: $359.20

So, if everything works out the way it is supposed to, it looks like this freelance work will give me $377.45 for Holiday Shopping. I can so do this! My first cash-ever Christmas! I'm so excited! That added to the $36.15 I have already spent on gifts will give me an overall total of $413.60 for everyone. Here's who I am buying for:

Mums
Dad
Sis
Brother in Law
The Boy (aka my boyfriend)
Best Friend L
Best Friend A
Jazmin (Mums and Dads doggie)
Presley (Sis' cat)
Wolfie and Solstice (out cats)

and I think that is it. We don't exchange gifts with our extended family, and all my grandparents have passed away a while ago. And yes, we exchange gifts for the pets.

Holiday Shopping Total: $416.36
Spent already: $36.15
---------------------------------
Holiday Shopping Remaining: $377.45

Finished up and sent it in. Also sent in my invoice for $175. After the company fee gets taken it, it will be another $159.69 for Vegas. I see the $1,000 mark getting hit before next Monday!!!

Another pound that is! Lost 1 lb this week. Down 11.6 pounds! Yay me~

Half.com payment...love them!

Old Vegas Total: $696.36
Half.com DD: $42.33
--------------------------------
New Vegas Total: $738.69

WHOO-HOO!!!!!

Got my first of the 4 freelance payments this morning. Waiting for it to be transferred into my checking account. As soon as it is, I will then transfer it to my Vegas savings account.

One thing we decided to do is take whatever is left over from Vegas and put that towards holiday shopping. I'm sure there will be some left over, as we are going to try to be "good", and the leftovers plus the other freelance payments should be enough for the holidays. I'm so excited; this will be the first year EVER that I haven't used me CC for holiday shopping. Go me!

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

I collect these vinyl toys called Dunny's. They are from Kid Robot and are bunnies with bizzare outfits and personalities. (You can see them at www.kidrobot.com). I love them. Well, I have several duplicate from the Azteca set, (you buy them in a blind box so you never know which ones you are getting) so I made a lot of 7 and sold them on ebay. The profit is going into the Vegas fund!

Old Vegas Total: $650.36
Ebay sale: $46.00
----------------------------
New Vegas Total: $696.36

Only 11 more days!

Old Vegas Total: $628.86
Cash In The Bag Deposit: $21.50
------------------------------
New Vegas Total: $650.36

Yay! Everything for the 4 freelance jobs are finalized. Just sent of all 4 contracts to the buyer. I will be getting on project tonight to start, then 2 more this week, and one next week. After paying fees to the company that organizes all this for us, I will be making $638.75!!! I'm so happy! I won't get it all before Vegas, but I will get it all by the 1st week in December, which means I have money for Christmas Shopping. I can't tell you how much of a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I was stressing big time about $$ for the holidays.

And, now I don't feel guilty for not looking too hard for a FT job before Vegas. Ijust couldn't imagine getting a job then telling them I need the next week off for a trip. But now I have work to keep me going til the end of the month.

Happy happy!

Spending yesterday was great: picked up the newspaper, bread, ginger ale for my tummy, and some sacks for my BF and spent less than $10. Yay! Not much planned for today. Got some errands to run: deposit at the bank, stuff to mail at the post office, that kind of stuff. Nothing too exciting.

Oh, but it looks like I am going to be hired to do 4 freelance projects this month! Yay! Should bring in about $600 or so.

Yesterday was my cousins wedding. Unfortunately I was sick, so we went just for the ceremony, then came home. Hated to miss the reception, but there was no way I would have enjoyed myself anyways. Came home and crashed. Spent $30 on chinese food. BUT, both me and my BF had dinner from it, and we both had leftovers for lunch today. 4 meals delivered to our house in a tropical storm for $30? Very nice indeed.

Today we are both just hanging around the house as neither of us feels that great. I need to run out to pay our rent for November and pick up the Sunday paper to look at the jobs, but other than that, we are staying in. I am hoping to only spend $2 for the paper today. Maybe some bread and milk, too, but that is it. Less than $10 for sure.

I got my $50 rebate check for the phone the other day, plus I sold one ebay item for $40 and another book on half.com, so I should be updating Vegas soon. Just waiting until I get to the bank and deposit the check first. Also waiting on the half.com payment (should be next week) and the paypal payment from the ebay item. Also, I have over $20 in my CITB that I will deposit when I hit the bank. Looks like another $120-140 to be added in over the next week or so! Yay!

Went to Walgreens tonight with The Boy to get some hair dye. I have naturally red hair, but sometimes I ache for a change, so I got a 28 shampoo dye that will wash out. As we were looking at the dyes, an employee came up and asked if we needed help. We thanked her and said we were all set. She said when we were ready to go to her register. We thought nothing of it.

BUT, we did go to her register when we were ready to check out, and she said "I have a coupon for that." Then she pulled out a box of coupons, and sorted through them until she found the one for the brand I was buying. She scanned it and $2 off! Yay! How nice was she???

I've never had a cashier do that before. I don't know if this is standard practice for Walgreens (we don't go there much) or just something the girl was doing to be nice. Whatever it was, we thanked her several times. We will definitely go back there before we go to CVS anymore.

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*

As some of you may know, I am a very large girl. My highest weight was 350 lbs, and I wear a size 28. At the end of September, I decided to join WW again. My goal at that time was to loose 10 lbs before I went to Vegas. I started WW at 345 lbs.

Well, I am very proud of myself to share: last night at Weigh In I was down 2.8 lbs for the week for a total of...
10.6 lbs!!! YAY ME!

Even though this is a finance forum, you all have inspired me. Seeing how dedicated you all are to fixing your finances has not only encouraged me to do the same, but it has also given me the encourgaement needed to manage my weight. Thank you all!

PS My new goal is a total of 20 lbs lost by Jan 1st.

Vegas is only 20 days away. I really was hoping to hit $1,000 before we go. In addition to food and fun things we want to do (and I am very happy to hear most things are cheap in Vegas), we need enough $$ to ship back the rest of The Boys bellongings. And whatever is left over is going towards Christmas Shopping.

So, 20 days and almost $400. Eeek! I know I have about $35 coming in from half.com soon, as well as about $10 from ebay. And hopefully I will get my $50 phone rebate before then. I wanted to put that $200 from the tarot pary into it, but I needed that for regualr bills. Ugh.

Besides ebay, half.com, and more freelace work, anybody have any ideas?