Payments

Decided finally what to do:

Paid $640.55 to Am Ex -- paid new charges, interest and $200 on the balance.

Paid $553.06 on MC - paid new charges, interest and $100.00 on balance.

I still have $300 cash to deposit and next month is a 3 pay period month which is so nice.  The third check no insurance is taken out so should be around $1000 instead of $600.  Can't wait.

This month's debt goal is to get below $30,000.  I will need $2301 paid to do this.  It can happen but I need to sell some things, be real frugal and just put everything to debt.

Financial Friday

This week was productive.

* Balanced checkbook.
* Transferred $600 from Ally to checking
* Transferred $300 from Credit Union to checking
* Transferred $400 from savings to checking.
* Am working on determining how to split up money for credit card payments.
* Am working on listing school books on amazon, on my Etsy account and putting some stuff on E-bay.  Also we have a local trading post on Facebook that people seem to be doing very well selling items...so will try that too.

Started working out at the gym tonight, walked 3 miles.  Membership is free because as a benefit from where I work.  Working up to a half marathon in September.  I have a long way to go, lot of walking, lot of losing weight before that is going to happen.

Financial Friday

Not much this week.

Submitted my receipts for my Medical Reimbursement Account.  Need to sit down with the family and figure out how to spend the rest, who needs dental appointments, who needs glasses before the end rush to get the money spent.  My portion was about $80.00.

Won $41 at the casino.

I ended up sick so didn't do much of anything except work and sleep.

Financial Friday

What a phenomenal week.  Things kept going well....will try to keep them going.

3/27 - Transferred $62.00 from paypal to checking.
3/27 - Paid $200 for Haiti trip.
3/27 - Paid AmEx $704.46
3/27 - Paid MC $236.63
3/29 - Deposited a portion of my tax return $1900.00 (we used a portion for home improvement, this was the balance that was mine).
4/1 - Deposited $180.00 ($40 son taxes I fronted him; $140 in cash won at casino)
4/2 - Paid MC $800.
4/2 - Paid AmEx $1000.14
4/2 - Purchased Bountiful Basket food $59.50
4/4 - Paid MC $600
4/4 - Paid AmEx $600
4/5 - Payroll


Balances will be updated.  So excited with the progress this week.

Financial Friday

Trying to pack for trip, leaving on Sunday, cannot wait.  Haiti here I come.  I am hoping for a life changing experience, probably have put too high of expectations.  I want to make a difference. Am having a little bit of restlessness.

Anyway money $$$$$.

Paid $300 on Mastercard.  I want to be at my goal of 8700, but I have used this card for a few items for the trip so in actuality I am not going to update the tickler bar until after I get the bill and pay for any charges made this month.

Paid $367.18 on American Express.  Weird number I know.  I charged $167.18 on this card and will not be charging anything else.  Will pay off what was charged and a little extra.

Worked 1 hour of overtime.

Didn't hear from the job I put an online application in for (hate those) ...so very random if you get selected.  But, am going to put in for a promotion where I am currently working.  If I get it I dread telling my boss, like will be so sick and unable to sleep dread it.

This paying off my credit cards is going slow.  There is a big job fair on 04/03 for a new grocery store in town.  That is where I am contemplating getting a part-time job.  $12.50 for cashiers, not bad for part time.  I will get tired but I need to get moving on these debts.  It was so much more fun to buy the stuff than it is to pay it off.  Plus there are things I want to purchase with cash once the debt is under control/paid off.

Only one book on e-bay sold for $34.00, greatly disappointed but my husband is right that it is not the right time. Will try again at the end of the summer.   Huge yard sale coming up this summer too, 1/4 of the garage needs to be cleaned out.

Now the big dilemma is how much knitting to take.  Will I even get the needles on the plane.  We have a 4 hour layover one place and 9 coming back.  If I have nothing to do I will shop which is not a good thing.  So a book and knitting to occupy my time will definitely help.

Financial Friday

This week is a bit of a downer.  I wish people on e-bay would bid.  I have about $600 in textbooks listed, a lot of people looking but no one bidding.  I'm sure they will wait until the end but it is a little frustrating.  I am hoping to sell at least $300.    If they don't sell I will put them on Amazon or something like that and just let them linger.

I got 4.5 hours of overtime this week which is wonderful, probably will next week too so that will help tremendously on the next paycheck.

Got paid this week.

I deposited my son's tax return, I had fronted him the money.

I have taken over my daughter and son-in-laws savings accounts since they are too irresponsible.  They now have $5700 saved since I took it over about a month ago.  I am also making them start paying me back ..... so this paycheck had them give me $50.  Her husband is all for it, my daughter is not too excited about this arrangement.  They would have nothing if I didn't do it and they would never move out which is the ultimate goal.

Goal this next week is to pay out the $250 (son and daughter $) and also portion out this paycheck.  I just need to decide how much goes where.  Also need to get out cash from savings for my Haiti trip.  Leaving one week from Sunday.

To Do Sunday

I have decided to change my weekly to do list to Monthly.  I have great weeks and then not so great weeks.  Maybe if there is not so much pressure each week it will work out better and I won't feel like such a dismal failure.  It is at least worth a try.

Am really trying this month to sell some of the items on my shelving unit.  Then hopefully in May have a yard sale and clean out the garage.  There is so much to do and it is so easy just to waste time and pretty soon another month is over.

Financial Friday

Excellent week financially.

1. $40 won at the casino.  You will never hear when I lose because I don't play with my own money.  My husband gives me $40, if I lose it that is fine, if I win I have to pay him the money back and I get to keep the excess.  It is a total win for me.  He likes going to the casino, I go because he wants to. If it wasn't for him wanting to go I would never go.  What a huge waste of money.

2. My son's $200 federal tax return came so he can sign that over since I gave him an advance on it.  That will go directly to credit cards.

3. Payments were made on both credit cards this week -
          $340.13 to MC new balance: $8900
          $375.97 to Am Ex new balance $26540

4. Have listed a book to sell so hopefully that will go.

5. Applied for a different job....not totally qualified but maybe they will take a chance if the perfect person doesn't show up.

6. Had a meeting on my Haiti trip.  Because of donations and fundraising our trip expenses at this point are going to be under $200.  Our minister is pretty sure there will be other donations to cover that, what a blessing.

Other than that which I think is good. Anytime the balance is going down on the accounts it is a good week.

Goals to achieve financially in March:
1. Have MC balance at $8700. (may use the tax return to pay on this)
2. Have Am Ex balance at $25900.
3. Decide if I am going to continue with my cell phone plan.  I hardly use my phone and need to look into a prepaid or some other type of phone.  My son is on my plan also and he hardly ever uses his phone.  It is $115.00 monthly that seems like a total waste of money.

The coordinator in Haiti has certain things, wants so to speak, for the mission groups.  This time on the list is teaching 4-5 older kids at the orphanage to knit.  How could that be more perfect?  Right up my alley although I have never taught anyone how to knit so may need to practice.

Cleaned out the freezer today, what a waste of money.  Threw a bunch of old vegetables out that were very freezer burned.  I really thought I would like a chest freezer but I really prefer an upright.  It seems to me an upright is so much easier to find what you have stored.  This summer I think I am going to sell the two chest freezers we have and buy a nice upright.

Financial Friday

This week was super unproductive.

02/16 - Won $30 at the casino (husband's money)

2/22 - Bid on some used stuff from work.  Really don't care if I get any of it but definitely have people who can use older computers, a file cabinet that was never used and my son-in-law wants to write a book on a typewriter, so I bid $2.00 on one.  Like I said I really don't care if I get any of it, nothing necessary but in total if I win everything it will be less than $20.

2/22 - Worked a 40 hour week, no overtime :(

2/22 - Got paid with 3 hours of overtime from the last two weeks :)

I am still waiting for my Mastercard bill before I make my payments.  I need to cover both minimum payments and then decide what to do with the extra.

Gave my son an advance on his tax return money.  He owes me $200.00.

Also today made my son go apply for a job.  He goes to college full time and is doing very well but he can still put in some time for a job and stop whining about having to watch his money.  He has a nice sum in savings but I won't let him have it, mean I know.  If he had access he would piss it away, doesn't really have the concept of eating at school for free (already paid for) versus going out for a pizza which would taste so much better.  If he wants to go out, he works.

Tonight will make a desert for a funeral tomorrow.  A good friend from church, her mother passed away this week, sad week.  Tomorrow will be hard.  I'm glad I can help.

Am looking at a possible new full time position.  I would continue working where I am for as long as I can keep it up.  The combination of the two would be most advantageous in keeping this bill paid off much quicker.

Financial Friday

My Friday blog posting is boring although probably the most exciting for me.  Financially this week was really good.

2/10 - Went to the city and went shopping (this was not good other than I used my debit card and really didn't spend over $200.00)
2/11 received withholding error from work $417.00 ($400.00 in checking)
2/12 - Extra payment $500.00 to American Express
2/12 - Won $11.00 at the casino (only gamble with husband's money)
2/12 - Received notice of payment due on Am Ex ($286.12 interest :(  Credit card payment is out of next check on the 22nd for both MC and Am Ex).
2/15 - Extra payment to Am Ex of $400.00 from withholding error.

Final customer on 4th book sold on E-bay has paid so will get that mailed tomorrow.  This weekend will be busy listing more items, a large volume.  Also I have decided that to really get going on this goal and get these two credit cards paid off I need a part-time job.  My dilemma is to figure out if I should get one now or wait until mid April.  My thinking is I will be gone 10 days in March and a week the first of the month in April.  I hate to take a job, even though they would know up front upon hiring, and then miss time.   I need to decide by Saturday a time line.

Does anyone out there know a good tickler to use for keeping track of balances on credit cards?

Yarn Along and Reading

Still working on the same book, Minding Frankie.  Just not into reading as much as I am enjoying knitting.  Maybe it is a weather thing, maybe it is just a I like to knit thing.  Who knows.

I am trying to get my finances into check.  Love to spend money and even though I realized that I was spending more than I should I chose to do nothing about it and ended up having a balance much higher on my credit cards than I should  have.  In my efforts to not spend money I am knitting from my stash and pulling out older projects that are WIPs.  I wish I was monogamous with my knitting but I'm not.  There are always at least 4-5 projects going at a time.

The project that I have decided to try to complete is a Kaffe Fassett scarf I started a very long time ago, maybe 5 years even.  It is made out of Kid Silk Haze, is fun to knit with but with this pattern you use two different colors and there are many color changes.  I started this as a new knitter and did not weave in the ends as I went.  Now I am maybe 1/4th of the way done with the scarf and have a zillion ends.  There is a border on the scarf so am going to incorporate the loose ends into the border and secure them that way.

The colors are beautiful.

Can you see the haze of the yarn?

This is supposed to end up being 60 inches.  I obviously have a very long way to go.  See those loose ends.  I tucked a lot of them under the scarf.

Pattern:  Earth Stripe Wrap
Yarn:  Kid Silk Haze

No one does color better than Kaffe Fassett.

Check out Ginny every week for her Yarn Along.  Wonderful inspiration.  There are so many talented people every week that post their projects.

Sunday Goals

It is so easy to get distracted.  We went shopping today.  For us to go shopping based on where we are located, the bigger city is 2 hours away.  So when you go shopping, you plan and you shop.  Groceries are so much cheaper when we go to the bigger city and what is available makes you take advantage of the opportunity.  We were driving around going to Staples and a little Fiat 500 was sitting in the lot.  It was so cute, I got so excited we went and looked at it.  Of course it had to be in the perfect color, red; 2012, current; and only 5,000 miles.  You know how you get so excited you don't think logical.  Logical says you are not getting this car, emotion says "oh it is just so cute".   So after thinking, mulling, working numbers, trying to talk myself into it ....I finally talked myself out of it.  Maybe next summer but right now it is the credit cards and only the credit cards that cash is getting thrown at.  I hate when I lose focus.  My husband doesn't help with comments like "it is the perfect car for you".  Yes it may be the perfect car but the timing stinks.  So I'm over it, yeah.

This week has some very specific goals:
1. Decide what I am choosing as my Lent discipline.  I have never really given serious thought about giving something up for Lent as a means of building discipline. This year I will, but I want to decided to either do something or give something up that is going to make me work at it, not just doing something that has no meaning or challenge.
2. Finish the fingerless mitt for my sister-in-law.
3. Finish a knitted frog.  This is one of those projects that has been on my list forever.  I have two arms, the head and sewing it together.  It will take one night to finish it up.
4. I sold four books on E-Bay this week, they need to be mailed.
5. We stocked up on groceries, I need to put them away and reorganize our pantry, it has become a mess.
6. List all patterns on E-Bay.
7. List 3 books on E-Bay.
8. List 3 skeins of yarn on E-Bay.
9. Knit 25 rows on scarf (check on Wednesday, I'll post a picture).
10. Send in Menard's Rebate.

I am motivated to continue to make a little money from E-Bay but also continue to get rid of items.  It is nice to see a little more space where there used to be something I no longer had a need for.

Debt Irritation

You know the dumb part of debt besides the fact that you are in debt, is the amount you pay for the privilege to be in debt.  Between my two credit cards I pay $13.81 per day (based on 30 days per month) to be in debt.  That works out to $20.72 per working day per month (based on 20 days per month).  I have to work two hours per working day just for the privilege of owing someone money.  When you figure it out like that, how foolish was I.

Keep in mind when I write I am only talking about my personal situation not making judgments on anyone else.  We all have our own story.

Right now I am irritated with myself and need to get my butt moving to get this paid off faster.

Financial Friday

This week was boring in financial news.  I did not list anything with e-bay to make extra money but did work a little overtime so that will help.

I bought three sodas this week for a grand total of $3.75.
1/29 $9.85 for food (supper)
1/30 $2.00 for food

I also put $40.00 into my envelope for the month of February for my spending money.
Balance is $46.15.  I really like following Dave Ramsey's program.  It makes sense and is easy to work.

For any extra payments this week I am putting $200.00 onto my Mastercard.

One good thing financially this week is I found out that where I work provides the Hepatitis B vaccine series and a tetanus shot for free.  I need both of them for my Haiti Trip.

One bad thing this week is I committed  to paying $1,000 to tile my laundry room.  I know I shouldn't have but I really want it done, it would be the only area on the first floor that we have not put down hardwood or tile.  It looks really bad.  This week I will give my husband $300.00 to apply to that balance.

At this point I either want to get going on E-bay sales or try to figure out a way to work a part-time job for some added income.    My head says it is easier to work a part-time job but I really still want to get rid of all this stuff I have.  This summer my daughter and I are also going to have a yard sale.  About 1/4 of the garage is full of stuff to get rid of.  It is overwhelming and wasteful.

I am so glad it is Friday, has been a long cold week.  Yesterday was -18 today should be in the 20s, a heat wave in comparison.

Sunday/Friday Post

Why do I feel so unmotivated.  My goals for the week are still going to be the same as last week for the third week in a row.  Need to get off my butt and get going.  About 1/2 of the shirts gone done, but the goal was not achieved.  Truly I am motivated in the big picture, it is the day to day that I can't seem to get going on.

Financials for Friday are:
 1/20 - Auto Gas $46.05
1/20 - Supper - $20.62
1/21 - Soda - $1.25
1/23 transferred $50 from Paypal into checking.
1/24 - groceries - $$$ forgot to record it.
1/24 - Kum & Go - $9.87 food for son-in-law and cough drops
1/25 - Payday !!!!!!!!!!

All my credit cards payments are due so will make those this next week and then figure out what extra I can put to them.  A charge came through on my Mastercard for $294 which I thought had already cleared, it is legit, a hotel bill from our daughter's wedding but all the other charges from the wedding cleared I guess I assumed this one had to.  So that is a little higher than I would have wanted but such is life, it will get paid.

The husband and I went away for a mental health break from the rest of the family.  We are trying to be supportive but it is difficult.  Honestly I don't know how multigenerational families did it for years on end.  We are coming on the end of our first month and it has been difficult.  We will continue to make it work, for my daughter and her husband to get in a better place we have to have patience.

Sunday To-Do List

Well last week was for the most part disappointing in goal achievement, so all the goals stay and I am only adding a couple.

This is my biggest project this week.  I let my ironing pile up, then it is overwhelming, but I have to get through it and this week is as good as any.  So #1 on my list is getting this ironing done.  I would bet there are at least 50 shirts in the pile.  I did 12 already today, it is looking better, but still way to much. When looking at this I also have feelings of what a waste, why the need to have so many.  These are all my husband's shirts except for perhaps 1 or 2.  Maybe if I bombard his closet with ironed shirts he will stop buying them....honestly I doubt it but it is worth a shot.

One goal that was nice to get done was the magazines on my desk.  It went from this:

to:

So much nicer.  I have learned that when I go through magazines any more to tear out what I want to read if I don't do it at the time, if I want to look up something on the internet or make a recipe, pull it out and get rid of the magazine.  These magazines have been there for probably a year, they looked bad but were not in the way.  I have many of these little "projects" i.e. stacks or boxes of stuff, tackle one a week and they will all eventually will be taken care of.  Looking at the picture the eyes looking at you are kind of weird, I want to try to do the make-up like she has it and it is a reminder to me.  I should probably put it somewhere else, kind of creepy.

Financial Friday

This is the post I dread, the confession post.  I have a great job, not a job I love but a great job and I make decent enough money for my education level.  For the level I spend I should be at a doctorate level.  So in that vein I have debt, enough debt that it makes me nervous with the economic conditions as they are, it makes me irritated that I feel I have lost control and every month when I get the bill and look at the interest I get angry at myself.  So here goes.

Debts:
American Express - $28,000.00
Mastercard - $9,750.00
Christmas money to deposit - $300 or 350.00

Money available:
Reimbursement credit card - $1.56
Victoria Secret Gift Card - $22.18
Coldwater Creek Gift Card - $42.51
Target Gift Cards - $15 and $50.00
Starbucks Gift Card - $5.00 (So I can use the internet if needed)
CVS Bucks $3.50
Staples Rewards $23.50
Cash - $43.00 (misc)
Cash $40.00 (budgeted)
CU Savings - $15.33
X-mas Club - $150.00
Savings - $213.74
Checking - $381.14
Ally Savings - $376.08
CU Savings - $149.72
Paypal - $51.47
CU Checking - $213.22
ING - $62.65

Money Owed:
Daughter $1,869.50
Son $697.00

Obviously some of the savings accounts need to be consolidated, some of them are used for various purposes.  The CU checking is so my mother can transfer money to me.  That is how she handles my children's birthday and Christmas gifts, then I just write them a check or get cash.    But some of the other accounts I either need to consolidate or withdraw the cash and pay on my credit cards.

Since the start of the year I am giving myself $40.00 monthly spending money.  The $43.00 above is misc cash that I had.  I am not including it in the budget (I know probably wrong way to go right).  So far this month (since the totals were gotten) I have spent $1.50 on a soda.  As soon as I put the money in the machine and hit the button for the soda I kicked myself.  It was a waste of money plus I am trying to cut out coffee and soda from my diet.

I am realistic enough to know I will not get this all paid off this year, but 50% would be a great start.    If anyone leaves a comment please encourage, give advice don't scold or demean, I know it wasn't a smart thing to do, I don't need to be reminded.

In my goals starting next week I am going to start aggressively selling some books on Amazon and other things either through Etsy or E-Bay.  There is the possibility of a part-time job I can do from my home also which would make a huge difference.

I will be getting paid today and will probably pay another $750 on the Am Ex and $250 on the MC.

Never settled

My head is going to explode. As soon as I think we are settled somewhere my husband is looking at another job. If we move again I told him this is it, the last time. I want to settle, plant some trees, grow roots, develop friendships, have my children feel they can move close to me and I won't move away.

Year 1 (2011) Plans:
1. Purchase a farm vehicle (small pick-up).
2. Plant fruits/vegetables:
    A. Raspberries
    B. Strawberries
    C. Apples
    D. Blueberries
    E. Juneberries.
    F. Red Rhubarb
    G. Asparagus
    H. Kiwi bushes.
     I. Peach trees (?)
     J. Pear trees (?)
3. Take two weaving classes.
4. Pay off American Express.
5. Save to $38,000 in 401K plan (Current approx $30,000).
6. Save $2,000 in Online Bank.
7. Save $1000 in local credit union (emergency fund).
8. Plant garden.
9. Purchase property.
10. Get rid of 360 items.

That is it, year one, the foundation, the start. This is certainly doable as long as I stay focused. Tomorrow I need to start my 401K deductions again.

Had a lovely weekend. The weather was mild, in the 60s and breezy. I'm working on getting some of the stuff done around here that never seems to get done. Cleaned the garage doors and the light fixture in the kitchen. Tomorrow D, J and I will go shopping, pick up a few items. Went to an estate sale this weekend which was fabulous. I got a $160 pleater for $7, some yarn, origami papers and American Girl patterns. It was great fun. D got a manual typewriter. For some reason she loves manual typewriters. It came with a cute little desk. We found some books and building toys for J.

Roasted a chicken for supper, it was yummy and will have leftovers potpie or Enchilada's on Tuesday. Also made brownies and applesauce muffins which are really good too.