Pennies on the Sidewalk

OLD DEBT TALLY:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,399.48 LB CC
$1,678.04 Medical CC
$986.49 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $17,968.09

OK, used the CC again.

Med CC
$1,678.04
+ $274.63 (charges and finance charges)
------------
$1,952.67
- $100.00 pymt 2/3/07
------------
$1,852.67


LB CC
$1,399.48
- $144.59 pymt 2/3/07
-----------
$1,254.41


CC Co Debt
$986.49
- $98.57 pymt 2/3/07
----------
$887.92


OLD DEBT TALLY:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,254.51 LB CC
$1,852.67 Medical CC
$887.92 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $18,799.18

As much as I love savin up my ING/EF account, I think I need to get some of my debt in order. Taking some $ out of it to pay a bit extra on the CC's this month. Cuz really, as much as I love building an EF, what good is it if I have trouble paying my monthly bills???

$20 Challenge Old Total: $736.35
Transfer to pay bills: $200
Interest earned ane: $3.14
-----------------------------------
Total for 2007 Goal: -$160.51
New Overall Total: $539.49

I have decided to track what I spend in Donations. I don't do huge amounts but a little here and there.

Donations for January
$1 to adoption fund at Wendy's

Donations (so far) for February:
$1 to adoption fund at Wendy's
$10 to American Cancer Society Daffodil Days though work


Total 2007 Donations: $12

Payday! As of midnight tonight I get paid (I love direct deposit). But I'm still stressed. About $700 (for 2 weeks, this is take home) and I have to pay $85 for car insurance, $165 med bill, $130 phone bill (grumble grumble), $200 into the EF I borrowed, $100 into the savings for a cc debt auto payment deduction, buy groceries, have enough for gas for my car for 2 weeks, do a donation at work, pay for the football pool at work ($20), and any other bills we get in the next 2 weeks. *groan* I feel a headache coming on. I hope that freelance money comes in quicker than 6-8 weeks (considering my boss hasn't even submitted it yet).

Blah.

Last night the by and I walked around the mall here looking for help wanted signs. He'd love to work in a funky store at the mall, so we checked around and he picked up a few apps. While we were there, I found a penny near the entrance. We walked by the fountain (Yup, we have a fountain in our mall) and I threw the penny in and made a wish. Then I saw another penny on the ground next to the fountain. Also threw that one in (but didn't make a wish...figured it might be someone else's wish and that's just wrong). A little later, we are at the other end of the mall and I found another penny. Then another one. Kept those two. Will throw them into the change envelope for the $20 Challenge Account. See, karma works....I threw 2 pennies into the fountain and got 2 back.

How the hell do I have a $127.00 phone bill????? We don't make long distance calls on it (don't have long distance) and the monthy fee is $40 plus $15 for internet. WTF???? I must have missed a monthly payment in there somewhere. Gonna have to call CS tomorrow and find out.

Then, I got a $170 bill rom when I had tests done in November. My insurance only covered up to $500 of it and the rest is up to me. WTF????

Grumble, grumble, gonna be a bad week $ wise until payday. I can feel it already.

Just took $200 from my ING/EF account to pay for bills. *sigh* This is the first time I've touched this account and I HATE it. Going to try and replace that $ asap, starting with $ from my paycheck on Friday.

$20 Challenge Old Total: $936.35
Transfer to pay bills: $200
-----------------------------------
Total for 2007 Goal: $36.35
New Overall Total: $736.35

Threw a couple of $1 bills into the change envelope this morning. Money is fairly tight so we haven't been spending any cash, hence very little change in the envelope this month. We have been using the cc some. *sigh* Seems like every time we start to get ahead we crash down again. We're going to work really hard to cut out extras next month. Try and start a budget again. I think we're going to do the envelope system for a few things.

Money for bills will stay in the checking account, but at the beginning of each month, or rather on each pay day, we'll take some $ out and designated it.

$100 a month for eating out/toys/buying things we want but don't need/entertainment. We have Netflix for $18 a month, so that will come out of there. If we manage to not spend it all, at the end of the month it can either be rolled over to the next month or put into a savings account.

I wish there was a way to cut down on the amount of gas in the car we use, but my commute is far enough that I have to fill the tank every 3-4 adys. That sucks.

The boy is busy looking for a job still. Not much around here and since he doesn't drive, he either has to be able to walk to work, take the bus to work, or work after I am home at night so I can take him and pick him up from work.

This summer I'm going to reteach him to drive, then maybe we can save up for a cheap car for him. Mine will be paid off in September, so that will help a bit.

What really sucks is that I get depressed and stressed about the money being tight and all I want to do is go spend money to cheer myself up and forget about our money problems. Rather counter-productive, wouldn't you say?

Anyways, today we are going to see a matinee movie. We have had it planned for 2 weeks and have put aside the $20 we need for it. Of course I will feel guilty later today when I think of how else we could have used that $20 (bills anyone?) but we are dying to see this movie, and well, I have no willpower.

Well, we have our checking account. Then my bank savings account wich is really just for paying off the cc debt settlers fee since they direct withdraw $100 from that every month. I have the ING / EF / $20 CHallenge account going. Just openeded an Emigrant savings account. This account is going to be for "fun" things: BF's new glasses, our trip to Vegas, new tattoos, etc. Started it off w/the $1 to open it, and the boy has gotten $180.65 from e-bay sals this last 2 weeks, so that is going into the Fun Account.

Fun Account Total: $181.65

Got a third project to take home with me and freelance on, plus I just got a freelance writing gig to write New Age articles.

Kick arse!

$20 Challenge Old Total: $931.84
DD from Half.com: $4.51
-----------------------------------
Total for 2007 Goal: $236.35
New Overall Total: $936.35

TWO No Spend Days in a row! Whoo-hoo!



I put $1 aside last night for today's anticipated No Spend Day. I wanted a coffee from DnD at lunch, but I didn't want to do the Pull of Shame and pull put the $ I had already put asdie. LOL It really worked!


Total No Spend Days in 2007: 3

I did it! Finally had a No Spend Day. Whoo-hoo! $1.00 into my $20 Challenge Money (when I get some cash...all out right now...LOL).

Total No Spend Days in 2007: 2

So when I got up this morning, I went to the bathroom to pee. The rug on the floor as soaked through and freezing cold. The fucking toilet broke. So, I call the owner (thank goddess we live in an apartment and we don't have to pay for it), and the guy tells me it's not considered a real emergency, so he won't call maintenance out on a Sunday (prob. b/c he doesn't want to pay him overtime or time and a half). He tells me to turn the water off, and someone will be here tomorrow. Then he fucking called me "Honey". I fucking hate that.

So, for today at least, I have a broken toilet, and I'm wicked pissed.

On a good note, going to Mums and Dads house today to watch the Colts - Pats playoff game. Big tradition for me and Dads to watch the game together.

Go Pats!

So I did some freelance proofreading for the company I work for this past week. They are paying me extra outside my regular paycheck to do some night time and weekend at home proofreading. Yay!

I submitted my billing invoice for the work I did last week. $45.43 Not bad. And, bonus, the gave me more freelance work to do this weekend.

It takes about 6-8 weeks for payment, so I'm not going to add this to my Challenge money yet. When I get it I will.

Today is payday. Money is going to be tight these next two weeks, but tight in the no eating out way, not the I can't pay my bills way. So, another $100 on the Med CC. And I haven't used it since my devestating realization.

BALANCE: $1,778.04
Payment: - $100.00
------------------
BALANCE: $1,678.04

NEW DEBT TALLY:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,399.48 LB CC
$1,678.04 Medical CC
$986.49 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $17,968.09

My boss called me into her office this afternoon and asked if I wanted to pick up a little freelance work.

Hell yeah!!

Right now I am an editorial assistant in the art production department, but I am getting ready to move over to proofreading. So to get me ready, my boss gave me a ton of proofreading freelance work to take home with me this week.

The bonus?

I'm getting paid extra for doing it.
I'm getting paid hourly based on my current pay, which just rocks. I won't get rich off it, but hey, every bit helps, right?

I just finied the Automatic Millionaire and I was wondering what everybody's Latte Factor was. If you haven't read the book, the Latte Factor is something you do on an almost daily basis that costs you a bit of money and is unecessary.

The idea is to figure out how much it costs each day, eac week, each month and each year. Then stop doing that thing and instead save that money.

So, what's your Latte Factor?

My Latte Factor is stopping for a bagel and coffee at DnD on the way to work every morning. I spend about $1,600.00 a YEAR doing this!!!!

I luckily have been braking this habit over the last month and now I breakfast and coffee at home every morning. That $25 a week or so adds up!

If only I hadn't been chargng it up more, the CC would be getting so low....*sigh*

Payments since October 1st:

10/10/06 1:20 PM $220.00
10/23/06 10:34 AM $125.00
11/03/06 8:46 AM $103.78
11/03/06 8:50 AM $137.80
11/08/06 2:31 PM $52.00
11/21/06 8:00 AM $100.00
11/27/06 9:43 AM $366.21
12/21/06 6:13 AM $300.00
12/24/06 9:22 AM $200.00
01/13/07 5:01 PM $100.00

TOTAL PAID SINCE OCTOBER: $1,704.27
I still have an $1,800 balance on it. If I hadn't been using it all this time....*groan*

NO MORE!!! This ends NOW!!! CC is for emergencies ONLY! And it is staying aat home where I can't use it,and by emergency, I mean like I can't make rent this month and we're about to be evicted.

This was the wake-up call I needed.

But fuck, I'm so upset right now.

Will it ever go down????

OLD DEBT TALLY:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,399.48 LB CC
$1,878.04 Medical CC
$986.49 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $19,068.09

MED CC
Old balance: $1,878.04
Payment: $100
New balance: $1,778.04

NEW DEBT TALLY:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,399.48 LB CC
$1,778.04 Medical CC
$986.49 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $18,068.09

All week I keep thinking it will be a No Spend Day, then BAM! I get whacked with a surprise purchase. I've gotten in the habit of eating breakfast at home, as well as brewing my own coffee for the ride to work (all thanks to the boy, he's FAB). I also am now taking my lunch every day instead of eating lunch out anymore. Much better for the diet and for the wallet. So, untl I get home at night, it looks good.

And then the surprises.

Last night the filter on the aquarium broke. I'm telling you, these "free" fish are getting expensive. We've already had to replace 4 or 5 fish, plus the heater and now the filter.

Night before, we needed to get a wrist brace for the boy's C. Tunnel. (How do you even spell that???) They didn't have the one we needed at CVS, but we ended up getting shampoo, conditioner anda new bath sponge. Oh yeah, and I found a cool little bag for work. *hanging head in shame*

Monday night we ordered pizza b/c we were so exhausted from dealing with other stuff going on, we couldn't be bothered cooking. *hanging head even deeper in shame*

Sunday we met up w/some friends for lunch out. *sigh*

I'd like today to be the No Spend Day I'm waiting for, but we are just about out of milk, Splenda, my WW granola bars, and fesh frutis and veggies.

Does it ever end???

Just got a DD from Half.com from a book I sold the end of last month. I can't tell you how much this rocks, since I bought the book for $3.00 at a used bookstore!

$20 Challenge Old Total: $902.27
DD from Half.com: $27.90
E-lance verification deposit: $1.67
-----------------------------------
Total for 2007 Goal: $231.84
New Overall Total: $931.84

OLD DEBT TALLY:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,377.10 LB CC
$1,279.62 Medical CC
$1,085.06 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $19,144.28

LB CC Old Total: $1,377.10
Fees and late charge: $122.38
NEW DEBT: $1,499.48
Payment to LB:$100
LB CC New Total: $1,399.48

CC Debt Fee Old Total: $1,085.06
Monthly payment to CC Co: $98.57
CC Debt Fee New Total: $986.49

NEW DEBT TALLY:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,399.48 LB CC
$1,878.04 Medical CC
$986.49 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $19,068.09

So, went out this morning with the boy; went to the post office nd it was closed. Damn; will have tomail those books on Monday. Then we went to the Dollar Store, but couldn't find what we needed. Weight Watchers was closed, so no WW bars for me today. Then we hot the bus station for a local bus schedule and came home. Plans for the rest of the day are: housework, a bubbe bath, and watching a movie we got from Netflix.

Could it be?
A no spend day today?

Interest earned in December, plus money left over from my last paycheck, plus rolled change. A great start to my 2007 Goal of $3,000!

ING Account (aka $20 Challenge) Old Total: $700.00
December interest: $2.32
Extra $ from my pay: $166.95
Rolled Change: $17.00
Spare $1's: $16.00
Total for 2007 Goal: $202.27
New Overall Total: $902.27

I am amazed at the results of my $20 Challenge. I joined this site in August and started the $20 Challenge about halfway through the month. Since August 16th or so, I have saved EXACTLY $700 in my $20 Challenge Account!!!!

YAY!!!!!

No to mention that I've also been building up my regular savings account! I am so proud of myself! I hadn't saved money in an account since I was about 18 or so. And now, becasue of your help and encouragement, I saved $700 in 4 months!!!

My goal fo $20 Chaenge savings in 2007 is going to be.....$3,000!! It will be difficult, b/c there are two of us here and we are living on a smaller budget than last year, but I'm going to work hard to do it.

I'll put money into my $20 Account/EF from sales on e-bay and 1/2.com, rolled change and spare $1 bills, any surprise extras, like refunds, $ I earn from freelance writing, $ I earn from mystery shopping, and $ I earn from surveys.

In addition to this goal, I also have some plans to pay off the rest of my CC debt, pay Mom back (but I know I won't be able to do all $15,000 this year...I'd be happy with $5,000), and save for my savings account, as well as a trip we are planning to take to Vegas, and for a new tattoo.

All that will be budgeted out of our regular pay, though.

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

OLD DEBT:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,377.10 LB CC
$1,279.62 Medical CC
$4,184.40 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $21,645.20

RECENT ACTIVITY:
CC DEBT:
$4,184.40
- $1,478.02 pmt to BoA CC (PAID!)
- $1,566.00 pmt to CHASE CC (PAID!)
- $55.32 mistake W/erlier calculations
-------------
$1,085.06 (fee to Credit Company)

NEW DEBT TALLY:
$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,377.10 LB CC
$1,279.62 Medical CC
$1,085.06 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $18,545.86

Old Debt Tally:

$11,254.08 to Mom
$1,335.40 LB CC
$1,616.16 Medical CC
$4,184.40 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $18,390.04


Recent activity:

Loan from MOM
$11,254.08
+ $3,550.00 (ouch)
--------------
$14,804.08


LB CC
$1,335.40
+ $111.70
-----------
$1,447.10
- $70.00 pymt
-----------
$1,377.10

Med CC
$1,616.16
+ $163.46
-----------
$1,779.62
- $500.00
-----------
$1,279.62


$14,804.08 to Mom
$1,377.10 LB CC
$1,279.62 Medical CC
$4,184.40 CC Debt
------------------
TOTAL DEBT: $21,645.20

Note to me: about $3,000 will be paid to CC debt within the next week.

It's been a hectic month. Holidays. New job (longer work hours plus a longer commute). Being tired (gettin less sleep). Being sick (no Health Insurance right now, either). Spending time w/the BF (I love him so much! ).

I've missed being here. I've been doing OK money wise. Now that I have my first paycheck from the new job I know how much I will be bringing home every 2 weeks and I can create a new budget.

Let's see, what has been going on? Well, had to get the brakes redone on my car. Completely worn out (I drive fast and break hard and late). Didn't cost nearly as much as I thought it would, though. Dipped into the savings account to pay for it, which was so nice! It was a fab feeling knowing I had the $ put away for something like this and that I didn't have to use the CC. Cost about $300, but I was expecting close to $500, so I'm VERY happy.

My final CC agreed to settle! I'll be making a 1 time payment of about $1,500 to them next week, and then poof! GONE! It's a great amount...my original bill was about $3,600, not to mention the fees added on for not paying it these past few months when it's been in negotiation.

Made my last payment to CC #2 last month...yay! And my last payment to CC #3 next week....I'm just about done. I'll be starting 2007 with a good mount of debt, but with a balance on only my Med CC and LB CC. I feel like I still have a long way to go (I owe Mums so much $), but everything has gotten in control and I have a new handle on it all.

Things with the boy are FAB! We've been together just over a month now, living together, and I couldn't be happier. He's eve starting to pick up on some of my frugal ways! HA!

Dream come true....we got a FREE aquarium!! I've wanted one my whole life and a few weeks ago me and the boy were talking about saving up for one. Then, someone at my work announcs he is giving away a 45 gal aquarium, with ALL the equiptment, AND THE FISH for FREE!!!! We jumped on it and it's ours! Unfortunately, we have had to spend a little money on it (heater cracked in the car during trasport and we needed to get an air pump for it) but otherwise it's been Fab! There were originaly 6 African Cichlets, but we lost 4 of them in the move. Since then we have gotten a few more, lost some, and reaplced them. Luckily, the fish are fairly inexpensive, ony about $8 each. Still, it's enough to spend, with the gas money for getting to the pet store included.

Anyways, we now have 1 large Orange female named Lizzie (in honor of Lizzie Borden), one albino HUGE male called White (as in Whitey Bulger), two little yellow babies (Frank and Jesse James) and one blue baby who is one part of the former twosome the Menendez Brothers (we lost the other blue baby this morning). We have since had and lost Jack (the Ripper), Ted (Bundy), Gacy (John Wayne Gacy), and another set of James Brothers. I'm starting to think we cursed ourselves naming them after serial killers and criminals. LOL

Anyways, now that things are calming down around here, I'll be back soon. Merry Yule, Merry Chirstmas, Happy Hanukah, Merry Kwanza, Happy Ramadan, and Happy New Year (and anything else I forgot!)

Got my first pay chec this week from my new job, so I thought I'd throw a little money into the ING/EF. Plus had a DD for books sold on 1/2.com.

ING Account (aka $20 Challenge) Old Total: $647.05
1/2.com DD: $52.95
New Total: $700.00