Yesterday I sold some things to my aunt for a total of $25 and made $14 profit. Since I now have some extra cash, I paid another $20 to the Furniture Store so my balance is $70.xx! I'm so close, it will be paid off next week!!! •••Update: The bill just came and with interest, I owe $73.97•••
I did spend money yesterday on my BF on food and soda, about $5. I'm sure he'll pay me back :)
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Furniture Store is under $100!
I'm so excited that I am now under $100 owed to the Furniture Store! I just paid another $40 that was in my bank account from PayPal (ebay). My balance is $90.63 so I will have it paid off really soon and then can work on my WF card.
Live Music!
I went to a concert last night and it was fun! The best part is that it was FREE!!!! I didn't spend a penny, not one.
On the way home, I was soooo hungry and tempted to get some fast food. My stomach was telling me "yes," my mind was telling me "no." I listened to my mind.
All I spent money on today was to send a fax, it cost me about $1.40.
On the way home, I was soooo hungry and tempted to get some fast food. My stomach was telling me "yes," my mind was telling me "no." I listened to my mind.
All I spent money on today was to send a fax, it cost me about $1.40.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Today's PayPal deposits
Today I had a deposit in one of my bank accounts from PayPal of $46.xx. I decided to put $10 towards oil / oil change for my car and $15.00 towards contacts since the next time I get them I will need to buy two boxes. This leaves me with around $20 to pay something.
In my other, secondary checking account, I had a deposit of $28.xx come through from PayPal. With this money I paid $9.00 (there was some change in my account) to the Furniture Store and $20 to AMEX. So, combining the $9 from this account and the $20 left over from my primary checking account, I paid $29 towards my Furniture Store account since that is the first I want to be paid off.
Tomorrow I should have another $40.xx from PayPal, but since it has been slow on ebay, the days that follow won't have any deposits :(
In my other, secondary checking account, I had a deposit of $28.xx come through from PayPal. With this money I paid $9.00 (there was some change in my account) to the Furniture Store and $20 to AMEX. So, combining the $9 from this account and the $20 left over from my primary checking account, I paid $29 towards my Furniture Store account since that is the first I want to be paid off.
Tomorrow I should have another $40.xx from PayPal, but since it has been slow on ebay, the days that follow won't have any deposits :(
Darn, no sales and a vacation in the near future?!
I think I've jinxed myself as far as ebay goes! The last two days, Tuesday and Wednesday were terrible!! Hoping for a better day.
So Wednesday I almost went to a concert for a friend's birthday, but it turns out that the concert was sold out. Whew! Lucked out on that one ;) Don't get me wrong, I would have LOVED to go, but I saved about $50 so that's what I'm happy about.
Another thing that saved me money was, not going out to a last minute dinner with another couple of friends. I missed their call to meet for dinner and when I got back to them, they had already gone. That also saved me some $$$!
But...they want to plan a trip to Vegas in March! Good thing is that my friend works for the airlines and we can get "buddy passes" for $35 each, round trip. Then we'll split the hotel, go for the weekend and have a nice little mini vacation.
I think I'll have to dip into my emergency fund and pay it back. Not that a vacation is an emergency, but...how can I not go when the flight is only $35?
So Wednesday I almost went to a concert for a friend's birthday, but it turns out that the concert was sold out. Whew! Lucked out on that one ;) Don't get me wrong, I would have LOVED to go, but I saved about $50 so that's what I'm happy about.
Another thing that saved me money was, not going out to a last minute dinner with another couple of friends. I missed their call to meet for dinner and when I got back to them, they had already gone. That also saved me some $$$!
But...they want to plan a trip to Vegas in March! Good thing is that my friend works for the airlines and we can get "buddy passes" for $35 each, round trip. Then we'll split the hotel, go for the weekend and have a nice little mini vacation.
I think I'll have to dip into my emergency fund and pay it back. Not that a vacation is an emergency, but...how can I not go when the flight is only $35?
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
How I used my paycheck
YES! My direct deposit came through today, it was for four weeks even though I normally get paid every two weeks. There was a mix-up so I went longer without a paycheck.
It came to $1242.49 and this is how I spent it:
$275 Rent (My BF and I split it)
$73.34 Car Insurance
$220.00 Borrowed from ING (Amex)
$400.00 Borrowed from ING (trip)
$180.00 Car Payment (due next week)
$20.00 Personal Loan
$50.00 Food
$1218.34
This leaves me with $24.15. The $50 for food will be put aside until I need to use it and I hope I can make it last two weeks!
I've updated the sidebar ---> for the Personal Loan but not the car until it is paid and interest applied. That way I will have an accurate total up there.
Also, I used my WF card to pay for my car insurance but immediately made a payment to cover this and it won't be updated for a few days.
Had some money in another account from PayPal (ebay) so paid the furniture store $25.
It came to $1242.49 and this is how I spent it:
$275 Rent (My BF and I split it)
$73.34 Car Insurance
$220.00 Borrowed from ING (Amex)
$400.00 Borrowed from ING (trip)
$180.00 Car Payment (due next week)
$20.00 Personal Loan
$50.00 Food
$1218.34
This leaves me with $24.15. The $50 for food will be put aside until I need to use it and I hope I can make it last two weeks!
I've updated the sidebar ---> for the Personal Loan but not the car until it is paid and interest applied. That way I will have an accurate total up there.
Also, I used my WF card to pay for my car insurance but immediately made a payment to cover this and it won't be updated for a few days.
Had some money in another account from PayPal (ebay) so paid the furniture store $25.
Payment Calculator
I found an online calculator where you can enter your balance, interest, annual fee and what you want to pay each month OR when you want to pay the card off. It does the rest for you. I know there are a lot of these all over the internet, but this one didn't give my browser any problems...and I like that!
http://www.capitalone.com/calculator
http://www.capitalone.com/calculator
Note to self...pay AMEX and WF back...tomorrow!
Today I put $18 on my Amex card at the Post Office for ebay stuff I had to send. The good thing is that the buyers paid for shipping, not me. I used my card because I get double miles at USPS when I use my AMEX card and I want to rack up those skymiles!! •••DONE•••
Did you know that you can only make one payment to American Express in a 24 hour period? I think Capital One is like that too.
Tomorrow I will pay the card back when transfers are in my bank account. Also, I'm going to pay my WF card the amount of the profit from the stuff I sold on ebay that I used this card to buy. After shipping the stuff, I figured my profit was about $27. :) •••DONE•••
Hoping my paycheck is direct deposited tomorrow!! Can't wait to pay some stuff.
Did you know that you can only make one payment to American Express in a 24 hour period? I think Capital One is like that too.
Tomorrow I will pay the card back when transfers are in my bank account. Also, I'm going to pay my WF card the amount of the profit from the stuff I sold on ebay that I used this card to buy. After shipping the stuff, I figured my profit was about $27. :) •••DONE•••
Hoping my paycheck is direct deposited tomorrow!! Can't wait to pay some stuff.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tasty dinner
My dinner today was a last minute decision. When the BF and I went shopping for groceries a few days ago we bought a package of eight chicken thighs which cost a few dollars. I had plans to make some crock pot chicken.
Anyhow, since I've not been in the best of moods lately I didn't even want to cook. But I did.
I wanted to see if I could make breaded chicken without using Shake 'n Bake. I pre-heated the oven to 400 degrees to get started. Out came the store brand bread crumbs that have been sitting in the cupboard, unopened, forever. Then I pulled out other spices and herbs. I put all the dry stuff in a bag.
In one bowl I added some milk, in another bowl, EV Olive Oil. I pulled out the chicken and dipped it in the oil, then the milk, then put it in the bag of spices/bread. Once I had the four pieces in there, I shook the bag.
The four chicken thighs went onto a cookie sheet and into the oven for about 45-55 minutes. After 30 minutes I lowered the heat to 350.
Mmmmm, mmm, mmm! Sooo good! My BF and I loved it!! He told me to write down what I did so I can make it again. :) We also had a baked potato and (canned) green beans.
Cheap and healthy, I'm happy about that.
Next shopping trip: Rubber oil brush and more EVOO.
Anyhow, since I've not been in the best of moods lately I didn't even want to cook. But I did.
I wanted to see if I could make breaded chicken without using Shake 'n Bake. I pre-heated the oven to 400 degrees to get started. Out came the store brand bread crumbs that have been sitting in the cupboard, unopened, forever. Then I pulled out other spices and herbs. I put all the dry stuff in a bag.
In one bowl I added some milk, in another bowl, EV Olive Oil. I pulled out the chicken and dipped it in the oil, then the milk, then put it in the bag of spices/bread. Once I had the four pieces in there, I shook the bag.
The four chicken thighs went onto a cookie sheet and into the oven for about 45-55 minutes. After 30 minutes I lowered the heat to 350.
Mmmmm, mmm, mmm! Sooo good! My BF and I loved it!! He told me to write down what I did so I can make it again. :) We also had a baked potato and (canned) green beans.
Cheap and healthy, I'm happy about that.
Next shopping trip: Rubber oil brush and more EVOO.
Money ramblings
I made a couple of payments within the last couple of days but haven't updated my balances because the totals on their website have not been updated. I'll check them and see what they are now. ***Not updated yet, I'll update when they are current.
Oh, and I've paid back my WF card about $90 of the $131 for things I bought at the store the other day for ebay. I'll pay more once I know what my profits were on three of them...and once the money is transferred from PayPal to my checking account. Currently, I have less than 10 cents in my account :( and only $14 in another bank account. Tomorrow I'll have more :)
For the last couple of months I didn't pay the Furniture Store. I didn't realize it had been so long and every time I tried to log into my account online I put in the wrong password. Eventually it locked me out.
Well, about a week and a half ago I went to that store and made a payment to bring my account current. Little did I know that only $20 of my $40 payment would go to my balance because they charged me a $20 late fee. It won't happen again! In fact, that will be the first bill to go (in February) when all other bills are paid, since it's the smallest balance.
Once the furniture store is paid, I'll focus on the WF card. Originally I wanted to eliminate the Capital One (1) card because of the balance, but WF charges me a higher interest rate by about 7%. I also like to use this card for things I have the cash for because I earn points with them. -- I'm almost eligible for a $100 cash reward, but I might rack the points until later...I'm undecided on that.
Oh, and I've paid back my WF card about $90 of the $131 for things I bought at the store the other day for ebay. I'll pay more once I know what my profits were on three of them...and once the money is transferred from PayPal to my checking account. Currently, I have less than 10 cents in my account :( and only $14 in another bank account. Tomorrow I'll have more :)
For the last couple of months I didn't pay the Furniture Store. I didn't realize it had been so long and every time I tried to log into my account online I put in the wrong password. Eventually it locked me out.
Well, about a week and a half ago I went to that store and made a payment to bring my account current. Little did I know that only $20 of my $40 payment would go to my balance because they charged me a $20 late fee. It won't happen again! In fact, that will be the first bill to go (in February) when all other bills are paid, since it's the smallest balance.
Once the furniture store is paid, I'll focus on the WF card. Originally I wanted to eliminate the Capital One (1) card because of the balance, but WF charges me a higher interest rate by about 7%. I also like to use this card for things I have the cash for because I earn points with them. -- I'm almost eligible for a $100 cash reward, but I might rack the points until later...I'm undecided on that.
Keep it comin'...
I'm up waaaayyyy too late! Anyhow, I sold yet another profit maker from the grocery store! Sorry, I can't won't say what it is...to help keep me anonymous.
I'll guess that I've made about $38 so far from five of the nine things I bought. That makes me smile. :) Now, I just hope this trend keeps up.
I'll guess that I've made about $38 so far from five of the nine things I bought. That makes me smile. :) Now, I just hope this trend keeps up.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Hope the selling keeps up!
I have officially sold four of the things I bought four days ago at the grocery store! Two of them sold today ;) Right now I don't know the profit made from them because I have to take them to the Post Office for shipping, they're international shipments and for my records, I don't want to guess. Other than that, it was a slow selling day.
My day job is frustrating and I wish I was doing something I actually like. Also, lately I've been feeling like a loser, like I'm letting my employer down which gets me down. It's an awful feeling.
I just want to be debt free and happy with my life and what I'm doing. Right now I'm neither of those.
My battle with clutter never seems to cease either. I try, but I guess not hard enough. I think if I had more clear space, I would feel more relaxed and at peace with things. Maybe not.
How do you keep your spirits up?
My day job is frustrating and I wish I was doing something I actually like. Also, lately I've been feeling like a loser, like I'm letting my employer down which gets me down. It's an awful feeling.
I just want to be debt free and happy with my life and what I'm doing. Right now I'm neither of those.
My battle with clutter never seems to cease either. I try, but I guess not hard enough. I think if I had more clear space, I would feel more relaxed and at peace with things. Maybe not.
How do you keep your spirits up?
Sunday, January 25, 2009
I can see!
The other day I mentioned needing to pay $122.34 to my car insurance. This didn't get done, at least not all of it. I still owe about $73 which I can pay this week. •••DONE!••• No money was transferred to my PayPal over the weekend which sucks, but it will be there maybe tomorrow! I also realized that the balance is not actually due for about another week so I'm ok.
I put oil in my car today too, so that's taken care of. I've decided to add $10 a month to my budget for oil...or an oil change every few months or when needed.
Today I also bought a box of contacts for my left eye since I had four left for my right eye. I've had this "two week" contact in for 26 days. This cost me $27.xx and in three months I'll have to get two more boxes. That means I'll have to budget about $16 each month to cover it from now on.
Wearing contacts for longer than you are supposed to can lead to problems like conjunctivitis. Considering I don't want this or even carry health insurance in case I get it...I'd rather change my contacts as prescribed.
I put oil in my car today too, so that's taken care of. I've decided to add $10 a month to my budget for oil...or an oil change every few months or when needed.
Today I also bought a box of contacts for my left eye since I had four left for my right eye. I've had this "two week" contact in for 26 days. This cost me $27.xx and in three months I'll have to get two more boxes. That means I'll have to budget about $16 each month to cover it from now on.
Wearing contacts for longer than you are supposed to can lead to problems like conjunctivitis. Considering I don't want this or even carry health insurance in case I get it...I'd rather change my contacts as prescribed.
Yeah! Sold more!
Once again I was happy to sell another one of the items I picked up at the grocery store a couple of days ago! This time the profit was better, $9.00 :) Once the money is available in my checking account, I'll transfer it to the WF card I used to pay for it all, including the profit.
Also, once there is money in my bank account, I'll update the totals on the side :) ------->
Tick, tock, I get so impatient on the weekends because money is never automatically transferred to my bank account, either by direct deposit or PayPal :(
Also, once there is money in my bank account, I'll update the totals on the side :) ------->
Tick, tock, I get so impatient on the weekends because money is never automatically transferred to my bank account, either by direct deposit or PayPal :(
More for the budget
Budgets are a good thing, if you follow them. I've always had somewhat of a budget but don't always follow it. I do make sure that all the bills get paid before accidentally spending the car payment on clothes or other fun stuff. That's a good thing. If this wasn't done, I'd be even more messed up, like I was years ago... over the limit, past due, etc.
So, I realize that I need to budget money in for things like contacts, car oil / oil changes, health and beauty items, etc. I'm in desperate need of contacts, but only for one eye. I still have three or four for my other eye. Still, that's going to cost me almost $30 that I wasn't planning on.
Another thing, today I decided to check the oil in my car. Super low! I know this is bad and could cost me my car, but, so far so good. Off I went to buy some oil for just over $11, and that's taken care of. Almost. I'll put it in when I have daylight :)
So, I realize that I need to budget money in for things like contacts, car oil / oil changes, health and beauty items, etc. I'm in desperate need of contacts, but only for one eye. I still have three or four for my other eye. Still, that's going to cost me almost $30 that I wasn't planning on.
Another thing, today I decided to check the oil in my car. Super low! I know this is bad and could cost me my car, but, so far so good. Off I went to buy some oil for just over $11, and that's taken care of. Almost. I'll put it in when I have daylight :)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Sold one!!!
I was happy when I came to my computer today to find out that I sold one of the items I bought last night at the grocery store!!!
The profit wasn't that great, but it sure was exciting ;) and any extra money I make, the better off I am.
The profit wasn't that great, but it sure was exciting ;) and any extra money I make, the better off I am.
Love getting rebates back and more groceries
I was excited today to get a rebate back in the mail I sent out for. It was for a $20 Master Card! No...not a credit card that I can "charge" stuff on with a credit limit and all that, but just a card with my name on it in place of the company sending me a rebate check. It makes things easier for me because I can use it instantly unlike a check that I have to deposit at the bank.
So, I did end up going grocery shopping again and spent $58.72. This got me just about everything I need for a while and my BF spent about $100! He likes to eat lots of junk like potato chips, crackers, frozen meals, soda, etc. so the bill really adds up for him.
For "ingredients" to cook with, we split the cost. It works out for us and me especially since I don't like to eat all that overpriced crap. Can you imagine how much more I would be spending if we were to share the bill and just split it down the middle!? No thanks.
I'll try to not go to the grocery store except to buy milk, bananas and cereal if I run out, everything else should last me a while...I hope!!
So far since I've started this blog I've spent $77.13 at the grocery store. Of that, about $12 went to "personal" items (soap, loofah and lotion...which I DO need).
On the other hand, while at the store, I found a great deal on some items for ebay! Yeah, I charged them...a whole $131.65 worth!! But, I can make about $70 from them. If they don't sell within a month, I'll return them to the store and get my money back.
I've got to figure out how to do this buying stuff to sell on ebay and still get out of debt and manage to keep things in line. I would think that a budgeted amount of money or separate card I could use specifically for ebay purchases would work. When the items sell, I pay the card. I just don't know what is going to work for me. Any ideas?
So, I did end up going grocery shopping again and spent $58.72. This got me just about everything I need for a while and my BF spent about $100! He likes to eat lots of junk like potato chips, crackers, frozen meals, soda, etc. so the bill really adds up for him.
For "ingredients" to cook with, we split the cost. It works out for us and me especially since I don't like to eat all that overpriced crap. Can you imagine how much more I would be spending if we were to share the bill and just split it down the middle!? No thanks.
I'll try to not go to the grocery store except to buy milk, bananas and cereal if I run out, everything else should last me a while...I hope!!
So far since I've started this blog I've spent $77.13 at the grocery store. Of that, about $12 went to "personal" items (soap, loofah and lotion...which I DO need).
On the other hand, while at the store, I found a great deal on some items for ebay! Yeah, I charged them...a whole $131.65 worth!! But, I can make about $70 from them. If they don't sell within a month, I'll return them to the store and get my money back.
I've got to figure out how to do this buying stuff to sell on ebay and still get out of debt and manage to keep things in line. I would think that a budgeted amount of money or separate card I could use specifically for ebay purchases would work. When the items sell, I pay the card. I just don't know what is going to work for me. Any ideas?
Friday, January 23, 2009
Quick grocery trip for basics
I went to the grocery store last night and didn't plan on getting everything I need for a week, just what I need right away. I got milk, bananas and cereal.
Pomegranate season must be over or something because they were out! I wanted one to keep my mouth busy and me healthy :) Instead I bought 2 kiwi's. I love fruit!
They also had a lot of bath stuff 70% off from Christmas so I bought 2 large 26oz bottles of hand soap for $2.39 each. This is good because the bathroom and kitchen are both out. I also bought a loofah for 89 cents.
Oh, and they were having a great deal on Rotel tomatoes. I got 10 cans for 3.70! These can be used to make chili, salsa, rice and other stuff. I kept a running total in my head so I would not go over $20.00 and ended up spending $18.41!!
I'll go shopping with the BF today and get the other stuff we need for dinners to avoid eating out. My breakfast food is very simple, dinners are the tricky part. This week we did really good and ate what we had in the house. Guess it helps when you're broke and CAN'T go out.
I added a "subscribe" button to the right side of this page so if you want, you can add me to a feed! At least I think this is what it is called. Blogging is pretty new to me and I don't know all the fun stuff available.
That's that for now....
♥ A Girl
Pomegranate season must be over or something because they were out! I wanted one to keep my mouth busy and me healthy :) Instead I bought 2 kiwi's. I love fruit!
They also had a lot of bath stuff 70% off from Christmas so I bought 2 large 26oz bottles of hand soap for $2.39 each. This is good because the bathroom and kitchen are both out. I also bought a loofah for 89 cents.
Oh, and they were having a great deal on Rotel tomatoes. I got 10 cans for 3.70! These can be used to make chili, salsa, rice and other stuff. I kept a running total in my head so I would not go over $20.00 and ended up spending $18.41!!
I'll go shopping with the BF today and get the other stuff we need for dinners to avoid eating out. My breakfast food is very simple, dinners are the tricky part. This week we did really good and ate what we had in the house. Guess it helps when you're broke and CAN'T go out.
I added a "subscribe" button to the right side of this page so if you want, you can add me to a feed! At least I think this is what it is called. Blogging is pretty new to me and I don't know all the fun stuff available.
That's that for now....
♥ A Girl
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Time to grocery shop!
I was going to make a small payment to WF via web bill pay when I noticed more money came through in my checking account from PayPal. UNTIL I noticed that the earliest the payment would post would be next Tuesday!
I think I'll hold the extra bit of money and take it to the grocery store. I'm out of bananas, cereal, almost out of milk along with other things. Keeping the house stocked with stuff to make will keep me from spending on fast food or restaurants!
Hope to not spend more than $50!
I think I'll hold the extra bit of money and take it to the grocery store. I'm out of bananas, cereal, almost out of milk along with other things. Keeping the house stocked with stuff to make will keep me from spending on fast food or restaurants!
Hope to not spend more than $50!
Car insurance, ebay and rambling
I just realized today when I went to make a partial payment for my car insurance that I am a month behind. I need to pay $122.34 by Sunday. BUT...this is do-able, since I am waiting for money to be transferred to my bank account from PayPal for ebay stuff that sold.
Today wasn't a busy ebay day, only sold 3 things with a profit of just over $20. It all adds up though and that's what I count on!
I really don't know how long it is going to take me to be debt free. I'm not really willing to live on rice and beans, not go to dinner with the girls once a month, rent movies on occasion, you know, all the things people do when they REALLY try. Been there, done that, didn't last, don't want to do it again.
What I am willing to do is think before I buy, which I've been doing for a while, and have a budget set. I used to buy things just because I wanted them or they were cute. But really, if you asked me right now if I NEED anything...I don't think so. Sure, it would be nice to have a better printer, nicer kitchen knives, um, that's about all I can think of right now...but...I don't NEED them. They are WANTS, and I can live with that.
My clothes aren't really that nice, I don't look for designer brands when I shop, it's not about that for me. I like pretty things, but buying stuff for the label feeds the ego. If I find something that I like and it's well made (name brand or not), it's worth it to me.
The fun thing about selling on ebay, for me, is that I get to go shopping...ha, listen to me, I "get to go shopping," and spend money, but I resell over 90% of what I buy. AND, I only buy things on sale! I feel like this fulfills my desire to shop.
As I mentioned in my last post (I think), if I could only get the stuff I buy listed for sale, I'd be in better shape...financially and mentally! So much clutter gets to my head.
Guess I better get to putting stuff in my ebay store! Good luck to you if you are selling on ebay :)
Today wasn't a busy ebay day, only sold 3 things with a profit of just over $20. It all adds up though and that's what I count on!
I really don't know how long it is going to take me to be debt free. I'm not really willing to live on rice and beans, not go to dinner with the girls once a month, rent movies on occasion, you know, all the things people do when they REALLY try. Been there, done that, didn't last, don't want to do it again.
What I am willing to do is think before I buy, which I've been doing for a while, and have a budget set. I used to buy things just because I wanted them or they were cute. But really, if you asked me right now if I NEED anything...I don't think so. Sure, it would be nice to have a better printer, nicer kitchen knives, um, that's about all I can think of right now...but...I don't NEED them. They are WANTS, and I can live with that.
My clothes aren't really that nice, I don't look for designer brands when I shop, it's not about that for me. I like pretty things, but buying stuff for the label feeds the ego. If I find something that I like and it's well made (name brand or not), it's worth it to me.
The fun thing about selling on ebay, for me, is that I get to go shopping...ha, listen to me, I "get to go shopping," and spend money, but I resell over 90% of what I buy. AND, I only buy things on sale! I feel like this fulfills my desire to shop.
As I mentioned in my last post (I think), if I could only get the stuff I buy listed for sale, I'd be in better shape...financially and mentally! So much clutter gets to my head.
Guess I better get to putting stuff in my ebay store! Good luck to you if you are selling on ebay :)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A Girl in Debt
I got my first line of credit when I was 18. It was for a furniture store and they gave me something like $2,000! WOW! What a feeling!! That day, I used it all to purchase TV's, a dishwasher, microwave, stove, radio and I think a refrigerator. I can't remember anymore.
Once I got that line of credit established, I went to Mervyn's and they gave me a line of $200. From there, I went to more and more places and ended up with cards to Dillard's, Victoria's Secret (yikes!), Macy's, and more that I just can't remember. This was many years ago.
I managed to rack them all up and thought I had things under control...uh huh, right... Over time I was able to pay off most of them. Then I opened up new accounts to other places and acquired new credit cards. You know how the story goes.
Over the years I did my share of transferring balances to cards which offered me lower interest rates which brings me to the current day.
I currently owe 4 credit card companies and the same furniture store. The furniture store was paid off a long time ago for the initial $2,000... as well as many other hundreds I charged over the years.
To add to this debt, I also owe a PERSON. To me, this is one of the worse debts to have. I feel guilty when I owe a real person money rather than some huge multi-billion dollar lender. And then there's the car payment.
So, here's the rundown:
$172.47 Furniture Store (21.75%)
$500.00 Dentist (0%) -- My last payment will be in March!
$966.93 Wells Fargo (17.24%)
$926.05 Capital One 1 (10.41% -- Down from 12.42% on my Dec. statement!!!)
$1,740.00 Personal (0%)
$2,213.75 Capital One 2 (3.99%)
$5,476.52 Car Loan (7.5%)
$12,192.00 American Express (7.99%)
$24,187.72 TOTAL
Once I have paid these debts off, I plan to keep two of the cards: Wells Fargo and American Express. Why? Well, the American Express card earns 1-2 skymiles for each dollar I spend and the Wells Fargo card 1 point for every dollar I spend. I figure I should keep a VISA and AMEX and use what is accepted, such as to pay car insurance, cell phone, utilities, etc. Trust me, after the mess I've been in for YEARS, I do not EVER want to owe credit cards again!!! I would pay the cards as I use them, and only if I have the money available, sort of like a debit card.
Yes, I know that both cards charge me fees, AMEX charges me yearly for having a Platinum card and Wells Fargo $19/year for the reward program which I'm ok with. Normally I cash the points in on the WF card for money!! The reward/point system on the WF card is better than the one tied to my bank account debit card. The skymiles on the AMEX card have come in very handy over the years for flights that I didn't have the money for.
Who knows, maybe when this is all done, I won't want the cards anymore!
Anyhow, my plan is to pay the smallest debt first, that would be the furniture store. Next I plan to focus on Wells Fargo. The dentist will definitely be paid off in March...they charge my card on the same day every month so I have to make sure to pay the CC or it won't go through!
One my dentist bill is paid, then I will have more money each month to put towards the CC debt.
I've recently set up a budget for myself and will see how well I can stick to it.
I work about 30-33 hours a week at my "day job" and do ebay for my part time job. When I receive payments from buyers on ebay, I will apply the profits to a bill that is due during the current month whether it be a utility, car insurance or credit card. I used to have a bit of a different system but am going to try this.
The fees that ebay charges get put into an ING account until they are due, that way I don't have to scrape at the last minute to pay the piper. I love ebay! But hate the ridiculous fees!
I buy things to sell them on my ebay store, so, I need to figure out a way that I can still do this AND pay off the credit cards since I usually use the cards to buy the stuff. It should all work out...if I can just get the stuff I have to sell, listed.
Alright, this is a long first post, and I've covered the basics, I think.
Oh, and I won't uncover my identity. I'm chosing to do this blog anonymously :)
♥ A girl in debt
Once I got that line of credit established, I went to Mervyn's and they gave me a line of $200. From there, I went to more and more places and ended up with cards to Dillard's, Victoria's Secret (yikes!), Macy's, and more that I just can't remember. This was many years ago.
I managed to rack them all up and thought I had things under control...uh huh, right... Over time I was able to pay off most of them. Then I opened up new accounts to other places and acquired new credit cards. You know how the story goes.
Over the years I did my share of transferring balances to cards which offered me lower interest rates which brings me to the current day.
I currently owe 4 credit card companies and the same furniture store. The furniture store was paid off a long time ago for the initial $2,000... as well as many other hundreds I charged over the years.
To add to this debt, I also owe a PERSON. To me, this is one of the worse debts to have. I feel guilty when I owe a real person money rather than some huge multi-billion dollar lender. And then there's the car payment.
So, here's the rundown:
$172.47 Furniture Store (21.75%)
$500.00 Dentist (0%) -- My last payment will be in March!
$966.93 Wells Fargo (17.24%)
$926.05 Capital One 1 (10.41% -- Down from 12.42% on my Dec. statement!!!)
$1,740.00 Personal (0%)
$2,213.75 Capital One 2 (3.99%)
$5,476.52 Car Loan (7.5%)
$12,192.00 American Express (7.99%)
$24,187.72 TOTAL
Once I have paid these debts off, I plan to keep two of the cards: Wells Fargo and American Express. Why? Well, the American Express card earns 1-2 skymiles for each dollar I spend and the Wells Fargo card 1 point for every dollar I spend. I figure I should keep a VISA and AMEX and use what is accepted, such as to pay car insurance, cell phone, utilities, etc. Trust me, after the mess I've been in for YEARS, I do not EVER want to owe credit cards again!!! I would pay the cards as I use them, and only if I have the money available, sort of like a debit card.
Yes, I know that both cards charge me fees, AMEX charges me yearly for having a Platinum card and Wells Fargo $19/year for the reward program which I'm ok with. Normally I cash the points in on the WF card for money!! The reward/point system on the WF card is better than the one tied to my bank account debit card. The skymiles on the AMEX card have come in very handy over the years for flights that I didn't have the money for.
Who knows, maybe when this is all done, I won't want the cards anymore!
Anyhow, my plan is to pay the smallest debt first, that would be the furniture store. Next I plan to focus on Wells Fargo. The dentist will definitely be paid off in March...they charge my card on the same day every month so I have to make sure to pay the CC or it won't go through!
One my dentist bill is paid, then I will have more money each month to put towards the CC debt.
I've recently set up a budget for myself and will see how well I can stick to it.
I work about 30-33 hours a week at my "day job" and do ebay for my part time job. When I receive payments from buyers on ebay, I will apply the profits to a bill that is due during the current month whether it be a utility, car insurance or credit card. I used to have a bit of a different system but am going to try this.
The fees that ebay charges get put into an ING account until they are due, that way I don't have to scrape at the last minute to pay the piper. I love ebay! But hate the ridiculous fees!
I buy things to sell them on my ebay store, so, I need to figure out a way that I can still do this AND pay off the credit cards since I usually use the cards to buy the stuff. It should all work out...if I can just get the stuff I have to sell, listed.
Alright, this is a long first post, and I've covered the basics, I think.
Oh, and I won't uncover my identity. I'm chosing to do this blog anonymously :)
♥ A girl in debt
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