Although I didn't post my budget this month, I've stayed pretty well on track. Today is payday and I know where every dollar is going. Rent, car payment, car insurance, food, WF and the gym. I am leaving a small amount available as cash.
Being focused on getting out of debt has really made me change the way I shop. I'm still shopping for things to sell on ebay, but not nearly as much as I used to. I need to get my inventory organized.
I've also increased my hours at work so my last two paychecks have been bigger!!!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Capital One 1 and dentist are done!!!!!!!
My latest update is that Capital One 1 is paid off as well as my dentist! I made the last payment a few days ago on both. It's possible that Capital One will charge me a bit of interest for this month, but if they do it won't be much.
The bad news is that since I went shopping for (needed) clothes on my WF card, I have to get that one down now...again.
I've been crazy busy so didn't make time to blog in the last week. We had a friend visiting us for several days which was fun.
Ebay has been terrible this month, I hope it picks up.
The bad news is that since I went shopping for (needed) clothes on my WF card, I have to get that one down now...again.
I've been crazy busy so didn't make time to blog in the last week. We had a friend visiting us for several days which was fun.
Ebay has been terrible this month, I hope it picks up.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Library Book
I just got home from the library with the book entitled "The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires" by Brian Tracy among other books. It bothers me that people write in books and I've been going through it erasing lots of pencil marks, writing and underlining.
Why are people so disrespectful? It's not much different than writing on a wall in an elevator, bathroom stall, spray paint graffiti, etc. Sure, only the people that get this book will see it, but still... if you want to write in a book, go to the book store and buy your own to mark up!
•••UPDATE••• I just finished reading this book, it was a short read with good info. There are a few things I want to quote from the book as follows:
• Every time you practice self-discipline, your self-esteem goes up. You like and respect yourself even more.
• You are like a chameleon in that you take on the attitudes, behaviors, values, and beliefs of the people with whom you associate most of the time. If you want to be a successful person, associate with positive people. Associate with people who are optimistic and happy and who have goals and who are moving forward in their lives. At the same time, get away from negative, critical, complaining people.
• Unsuccessful people are indecisive. They know that they should do or stop doing certain things, but they do not have the character or the willpower to make firm decisions. As a result, they drift through life, never happy, fulfilled, or successful. They never become wealthy or achieve financial independence. They settle for far less than is possible for them.
Why are people so disrespectful? It's not much different than writing on a wall in an elevator, bathroom stall, spray paint graffiti, etc. Sure, only the people that get this book will see it, but still... if you want to write in a book, go to the book store and buy your own to mark up!
•••UPDATE••• I just finished reading this book, it was a short read with good info. There are a few things I want to quote from the book as follows:
• Every time you practice self-discipline, your self-esteem goes up. You like and respect yourself even more.
• You are like a chameleon in that you take on the attitudes, behaviors, values, and beliefs of the people with whom you associate most of the time. If you want to be a successful person, associate with positive people. Associate with people who are optimistic and happy and who have goals and who are moving forward in their lives. At the same time, get away from negative, critical, complaining people.
• Unsuccessful people are indecisive. They know that they should do or stop doing certain things, but they do not have the character or the willpower to make firm decisions. As a result, they drift through life, never happy, fulfilled, or successful. They never become wealthy or achieve financial independence. They settle for far less than is possible for them.
Monday, March 2, 2009
My slip up
It has been a while since I posted but my time has been occupied with family as a result of a recent death.
My spending got a little out of control when my mom decided to help me out and go "shopping" for me along with other things. She went out and found a lot of things that I might like to wear to the funeral ... and more. I ended up spending on my WF card. Bad. I know. But honestly, even though I may say I don't "need" anything, I really do. My clothes are looking old and ratty. The t-shirt I'm wearing today is about five years old and has holes visible to me around the waistband.
I bought some badly needed jeans as the ones I wear all the time look trashy at the ankles. When I spent the last $130, I told her, "NO MORE SHOPPING!" I love her and am grateful that she took the time, she really knows what looks good on me, but seriously. No more!
I spent about $350 but it sure was nice to have proper attire for the funeral and to spend time with family who I see once every couple of years, wearing clothes that were in decent shape.
So...with that being said, my new plan is to pay off Capital One 1 and then back to WF. My March budget should be posted within a few days. It's already on paper.
My spending got a little out of control when my mom decided to help me out and go "shopping" for me along with other things. She went out and found a lot of things that I might like to wear to the funeral ... and more. I ended up spending on my WF card. Bad. I know. But honestly, even though I may say I don't "need" anything, I really do. My clothes are looking old and ratty. The t-shirt I'm wearing today is about five years old and has holes visible to me around the waistband.
I bought some badly needed jeans as the ones I wear all the time look trashy at the ankles. When I spent the last $130, I told her, "NO MORE SHOPPING!" I love her and am grateful that she took the time, she really knows what looks good on me, but seriously. No more!
I spent about $350 but it sure was nice to have proper attire for the funeral and to spend time with family who I see once every couple of years, wearing clothes that were in decent shape.
So...with that being said, my new plan is to pay off Capital One 1 and then back to WF. My March budget should be posted within a few days. It's already on paper.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Payday
My direct deposit paycheck came through today and the only bills I have left to pay this month are: Rent, Car, Food and Gym. That is a total of about $530 and my check was $720. I will pay an extra $150 to Capital One 1, but since I made a payment recently, their system won't let me make another payment.
Also, my rent isn't due until March 1st and my car payment until March 4th. So, I guess I'll just have to let this money sit in my account. Frustrating.
I'll use some of the extra money to buy things like a humidifier filter, Drano and other household items. No shopping for fun stuff!!
•••UPDATE••• Friday night I was able to make the $150 payment to Capital One 1 :)
Also, my rent isn't due until March 1st and my car payment until March 4th. So, I guess I'll just have to let this money sit in my account. Frustrating.
I'll use some of the extra money to buy things like a humidifier filter, Drano and other household items. No shopping for fun stuff!!
•••UPDATE••• Friday night I was able to make the $150 payment to Capital One 1 :)
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Trip to the mall and other ramblings
Since my last post I've tried keeping a list of when I spend money and honestly don't think I really like it. Maybe I'll just try keeping the receipts.
Just paid a tiny bit more to Capital One 1 (every bit counts!) so owe them $826.00. I still plan to have them paid by the beginning of May.
It's hard to not spend money on things I don't need. Yesterday I went to Target and got some things to sell on ebay and some health and beauty stuff I need, yes, need.
I also went to Victoria's Secret and spent $26.xx on their 5/$25 deal. BUT....I didn't have to use any of my money. It was all paid with a gift card and a coupon :) The lady in front of me spent about $300! Apparently she is getting married and from what I saw, was buying some super fancy shmancy stuff!!! Ah, the good old days of shopping at VS!
I went to the mall to return some stuff for my boss and while there saw some tank tops that I must have once summer hits! They are super basic tanks which I live in at the (almost) best time of the year. :)
Just paid a tiny bit more to Capital One 1 (every bit counts!) so owe them $826.00. I still plan to have them paid by the beginning of May.
It's hard to not spend money on things I don't need. Yesterday I went to Target and got some things to sell on ebay and some health and beauty stuff I need, yes, need.
I also went to Victoria's Secret and spent $26.xx on their 5/$25 deal. BUT....I didn't have to use any of my money. It was all paid with a gift card and a coupon :) The lady in front of me spent about $300! Apparently she is getting married and from what I saw, was buying some super fancy shmancy stuff!!! Ah, the good old days of shopping at VS!
I went to the mall to return some stuff for my boss and while there saw some tank tops that I must have once summer hits! They are super basic tanks which I live in at the (almost) best time of the year. :)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Costco
I love Costco! Sometimes too much, I could spend a lot of time there, but shouldn't. Anyhow, I went there today with my mom and left with bananas, cheese, a pineapple, napkins and one of those small fire extinguishers for my car and/or camping.
The fire extingusher is something I have wanted for a while now and when I saw the price of $19.99 less a $7 coupon, I had to have it...for safety. My mom paid for the other one. We also split a package of napkins, those lovely Vanity Fair ones. Yes, I know, I'mtrying getting out of debt and maybe shouldn't be spending money on nicer napkins, but paid about $4 for 3 packages, of nice ones. Not too bad.
Also, the cheese, I wouldn't normally buy this, but $9 for a 2 lb block of my BF's favorite kind, I did. Normally I would ask him to pay for the whole thing, but he didn't ask me to buy it so I'll pay half...and eat about a third.
I really need to get better at keeping track of my spending and which categories to put things in. I need a category in my budget for household / non-grocery items such as napkins, drano (which we need), etc.
How do all you internet people (as if I had a group of people I'm talking to) do it? Carry a small notebook and write in it -- save daily receipts and log them daily -- any suggestions?
The fire extingusher is something I have wanted for a while now and when I saw the price of $19.99 less a $7 coupon, I had to have it...for safety. My mom paid for the other one. We also split a package of napkins, those lovely Vanity Fair ones. Yes, I know, I'm
Also, the cheese, I wouldn't normally buy this, but $9 for a 2 lb block of my BF's favorite kind, I did. Normally I would ask him to pay for the whole thing, but he didn't ask me to buy it so I'll pay half...and eat about a third.
I really need to get better at keeping track of my spending and which categories to put things in. I need a category in my budget for household / non-grocery items such as napkins, drano (which we need), etc.
How do all you internet people (as if I had a group of people I'm talking to) do it? Carry a small notebook and write in it -- save daily receipts and log them daily -- any suggestions?
Monday, February 16, 2009
Capital One Opt Out
I received two Capital One important notice forms in the mail today, one for each of my cards. They are notifyng me that the terms on one of my cards (Capital One 1) is changing. My APR will be 17.9%! Also, the default rate and cash advance rate are changing.
The form states that I can opt out by closing my account which is perfectly fine with me. I plan to pay both my Capital One accounts off and closing them anyway.
The notice I received for my Capital One 2 card only states that they will be chaning my default rate. It is strange to me that they only chose to change the one thing on this account. I know (think) I'm in a locked rate for the balance I owe them at 3.99% which was a special transfer rate they gave me a while back.
None of this really matters with my Capital One 1 account since my estimated pay off date for them is the first week of May...if all goes as planned. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Once Capital One 1 is paid off, I think I'll focus on AMEX for a while since the interest rate is 4% higher than Capital One 2 and I owe them about $10,000 more than Capital One 2.
Is this Opt Out thing a blessing in disguise???
The form states that I can opt out by closing my account which is perfectly fine with me. I plan to pay both my Capital One accounts off and closing them anyway.
The notice I received for my Capital One 2 card only states that they will be chaning my default rate. It is strange to me that they only chose to change the one thing on this account. I know (think) I'm in a locked rate for the balance I owe them at 3.99% which was a special transfer rate they gave me a while back.
None of this really matters with my Capital One 1 account since my estimated pay off date for them is the first week of May...if all goes as planned. I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Once Capital One 1 is paid off, I think I'll focus on AMEX for a while since the interest rate is 4% higher than Capital One 2 and I owe them about $10,000 more than Capital One 2.
Is this Opt Out thing a blessing in disguise???
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Groceries
It's so nice when you find a market that sells fruits and vegetables cheaper than chain grocery stores. I went to one today and bought bananas, limes, an avocado, two papayas, a few zucchinis, tomatoes, cheese, hot sauce, refried beans, dried beans, four bags of dried split peas, three onions and cilantro. All this for $21 which to me seems pretty good!
I can't believe I got two big papayas for $2.90! They were only 45 cents per pound...that's dirt cheap! One is for me and I'm giving the other one away.
The only thing I need to buy in the next few days is coffee which I get from Costco since it's cheaper, about $10. Oh, and tortilla chips ;) I love these!
•••EDIT: I no longer need to buy coffee, my mom gave me tons of it!••• :)
I can't believe I got two big papayas for $2.90! They were only 45 cents per pound...that's dirt cheap! One is for me and I'm giving the other one away.
The only thing I need to buy in the next few days is coffee which I get from Costco since it's cheaper, about $10. Oh, and tortilla chips ;) I love these!
•••EDIT: I no longer need to buy coffee, my mom gave me tons of it!••• :)
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