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Archive for February, 2018

Tax Return and CC4

February 28th, 2018 at 08:52 pm

OMG, I received my tax returned and I paid $1,000 on CC4, it feels so good that I actually want to cry. By next month, this card should be gone.

I really wanted to take the entire return and pay it down but I need an oil change, tire rotation and a tire rod on the car. It just feels good to cash flow things.

I can't wait to get this debt gone!

Book Number 2 is Done

February 28th, 2018 at 11:32 am

Well I finished my second book 📚 of the year by the skin of my teeth. Lol, didn't think I would so I buckled down the last two days.

As I listen to Dave Ramsey daily, all I hear from millionaires is that 1) most only have a bachelor, I have my masters; 2) all live below their means, I just started this and 3) they all read something like 20+ nonfiction books a year, I'm not even close on this one.

So 2 out of 3 isn't bad lol. I'm trying to get there and I think it can be done, so long as I have a vision with goals.

This month I read Michelle Singletary's "21 Day Financial Fast," most of her teachings are pretty much the same as Dave, except that she tells us to add money to the EF, even if it's $5 a month. I do this, it drives me nuts not to add something. I just cut other areas.

Next, I'll be reading "Stop Living Paycheck by Paycheck." The book had great reviews and I'm excited about it

Adulting (?)

February 27th, 2018 at 06:40 am

Adulting is a termed used by those who are being responsible, I guess I finally made it lol.

Today I printed out a W4 at work and actually read through and made my adjustments. Rolls eyes 🙄

When I first started working, 30+ years ago I was told by an adult to always place zero on the document so that my tax refund would be nice. And so for years I did. Then I changed my withholding to two. But I sat down out of the blue and decided to read and follow the instructions for myself on the form and my actual withholdings should be three.

I'm so frustrated, not with anyone in particular but the fact that I was never taught about finances, not by parents, educators or mentors. I mean indirectly my parents always said to save and pay your bills, and I pay who I owe on time, but never taught about money.

I sit back and I reflect on the following
* taught myself how to balance a checkbook after always bouncing checks (early 20s)
* Mid 40s finally decided to review my allowances
* Paid off debt due to being frustrated but five years later back in debt, what did I learn?
On thing I was taught, and that was to do my own taxes. I've never paid anyone to do my taxes since I was 16. My economics teacher taught us how to complete a 1040EZ. I would go to the library pick up the documents and instructions for free. Now I use turbotax to complete my returns but I'm thinking of going back to good old pen and paper, it's free.
It's just amazing.

To change the subject we met up with some friends yesterday. They asked how the wedding planning was going, I said it's not going because the SO refuse to get on a budget and do right financially, and that he waste money. The SO said that I'm getting to be too cheap. They laughed but I didn't find anything funny.

So this couple goes on to tell us how they decided to put a $1000 away a month, I thought that's great, I'd love to do that. But then they go on to tell us that they purchased this new truck, Volvo, with all the bells and whistle and paid an extra $15k because they wanted the 2018 vs the 2017. Now mind you this truck starts at about $46k, I couldn't help but think I would love a new car but I don't know about spending that kind of money. They went on to tell us that they bought a condo, that's not rented in Vegas and it's only about $700 a month. I don't know a part of me was happy for them, jealous and then sad all at the same time. I couldn't help but wonder how much debt they must be in.

Well, my word for this year is gratitude. I have to remind myself that things (debt) do not make me happy. And though things may look great for others, and they may very well be, it's just not my season.

Things I'm grateful for, not in order of preference :
1. A roof over my head
2. Paid off car 🚗
3. Paid off 3 CC 💳
4. This group
5. Time spent with dad
6. Eyes finally open about my finances
7. Clothes
8. My job
9. My health
10. Family and friends
11. God's grace and patience with me
12. No more depression, thoughts of suicide- haven't had this in a while, thank you Jesus
13. No more getting upset when things don't go my way. I'm not saying I'm not disappointed but I just don't dwell on it


Screw You Credit Score

February 24th, 2018 at 11:12 am

Yesterday I applied for a pre-approval for a mortgage and was denied. Though my score was high I had too much debt vs my income. I was down but not to the point in that I was worried or very upset. I don't know why, but I wasn't. I just figured, God was not ready for me to purchase yet. Or he's teaching me that things don't make me happy, it's the freedom that he wants us to have that does.

Basically, I have a house in my name, and student loan. But was told if I pay off the cards and close them all is well.

So once I get the money from the sell of the house, I'll be paying off every single credit card.

Yesterday I received a $7k a year raise after I spoke with the bank and being told I don't make enough. I changed my withholdings so that I have more of my money to do what I need to do vs Uncle Sam and getting a nice refund each year. I've never done this before, because I'm always afraid that I'll owe. But I realize it's better to have my own money, pay my debt vs Uncle Sam. Not to mention, I plan on changing it back around in August so I should be fine.

Today I checked and my tax return should hit my bank account next Wednesday, that means that CC4 will be pretty much gone. Then it's on to number 5. I also sold an item on Poshmark making $16. I'm excited about this. As you all know I've been having a hard time selling things.


The SO finally gave me the money for the plot that he owed, I mailed a check off last night, so he's caught up and that means next Saturday I can transition the debt to him, freeing up $2k. Ugh this has been a nightmare but at least I can get rid of it now.

I realize that a credit score is simply a debt score as Dave Ramsey says, it means nothing if it's high and you make no money. You're just in debt 🤦🏾‍♀️

New Job, Maybe, Increase in Pay

February 23rd, 2018 at 08:57 pm

I received a call from a recruiter at my job, out of the blue. She said that she had found my resume on Indeed. She wanted to know if we could chat. I said yes.

So she goes on to tell me about company X, she wanted to know if I had heard of them. I say no. She then tells me how they're the biggest producer of XYZ, I say to her what's the name of the company? She tells me again and I say OMG I'm sorry I thought you'd said something else. Of course I have heard of X, my dad worked there for 30+ years and retired in the mid 90s. We go on to talk about how I grew up near x and how my dad loved working for them and that I would simply be honored to work for an organization that my father was so proud of. We had a really great chat. She asked if she could forward my resume on to the hiring manager, I say of course.

Long story short, this company is a huge one, they provide stocks, pensions etc you don't have companies like this one anymore. Just the simple fact that 25 years later, and the opportunity to work at a place my dad loved is amazing

It's a hour and a half away, but I already drive a hour with less pay and benefits. Plus my dad had a house out there that I could live in for free.

Finally got my raise, I've been asking since November, not what I wanted but it's, $7k more than I was making. I also sold and item on Poshmark, made $16 so I'm okay.

How Did You Win with Money This Week?

February 18th, 2018 at 09:52 pm

Proud to say that I've won with money this last week.

One, I paid off a CC 💳; two sold an item on offer up for $15; and lastly packed water, soda and a fruit cup in case I got thirsty or hungry while taking a two hour drive. Packing these items saved me from impulse buying.

How did you win with money this week?

Sold 🎾

February 18th, 2018 at 06:13 pm

Finally sold the tennis hopper and balls 🎾

I'm adding the $15 made to the EF, I've decided that no matter what, I'm going to add to my EF each pay period at least 2% of my net income, and what ever else I sell will go to the EF.

I remember my dad saying once that if you put $10 out of your check each pay date and save it, pretty soon you'll have so much money that you won't want to touch it. Since I lost my dad, I've been determine to make him proud about what I've done with my money. I want to save and be generous just like him.

Hopefully I can sell some more items. I'm

It's Better To Pay Off CC4

February 17th, 2018 at 07:06 pm

Well after almost 30 minutes on the phone I was able to find out what my purchase interest rates were on both CC4 and CC5. Unbelievable, it was like pulling teeth and not being a dentist 👩🏾‍⚕️

Strange thing is, the statements only provide cash advance rates (never took a cash advance) but no rates for purchases. Long story short, it's better to pay off CC4 💳. I realized that the $1,000 from the tax return will be better served if thrown at CC4. So that's what I'm doing. I'm going to finalize my return today and hopefully receive my refund in the next 10 days.

I wish I could close these cards, but I won't do so until after closing.

After reading comments from one of my previous posts, I realized there's a Plato Closet near me that I can take some clothing items that didn't sell. Hopefully 🤞🏾, I can get a few dollars to throw at the snowball. I had some one reach out to me for the Ball Hopper, $15, we are suppose to meet tomorrow but you never know.

No New Watch for Me

February 17th, 2018 at 01:40 pm

I'm at work and my coworker is talking about how he just bought this watch (making payments mind you) and how this watch can do everything, you can even have the face, for a price, changed into a brand name item, like Gucci or Louis Vuitton.

Normally, I'd be all over it looking and saying that's nice, even considering buying one but this time I thought how stupid and a waste of money. He even talked about how he had bought a new phone. It took everything in me not to say anything.

Later he brought up the watch again, when it was just he and I, I told him what a waste, you just wasted a part of your retirement and some of your kids college tuition.

The next day, he's talking about this watch trying to justify his purchase, he goes on to explain that men have to have things that make them feel good. I told him, he owes me no explanation and that he can do whatever he liked with his money. I said to him, when you look at how you spend your money, you see what's important to you, and that having nice things, brand names etc are important to him. However being debt free and retiring early are important to me. Neither is better than the other, it's just ones perspective. I apologize and went back to work.

My goal is to pay off two more CCs 💳 and start my 401(k) contributions back up at 8%.

I'm struggling right now because, as soon as I bump my sinking fund, something happens, car repair, tooth and it's back down. I know that I should be using the EF but I just don't want to. I feel good about paying cash for things.

I'll be finishing up my taxes today. I'm looking at about a $1300 refund, I really wanted to throw it all at CC4 but, car insurance is due and my sinking fund is low, so I have to use a part of that money for the car insurance. Plus, I have to fix my tire rod(?) that's another $200 maybe. So all in all I'm looking at maybe just over $700 on CC4. This sucks.

However, I can keep budgeting each month my car insurance, pay $1000 on CC4 knocking it down to about $850 and keep $300 for the tire rod. If I take this route, rather than starting the process of paying the car insurance every six month in April, I'll start in October. I think this option gives me the most satisfaction because I've knocked this CC down, and that's where my motivation comes from, seeing that debt going goodbye.


Free Night Out

February 17th, 2018 at 12:03 pm

Last night our city hosted a free reggae concert, so a few of us ladies got together and bought some things to snack on and headed out. I purchased dessert, half priced Valentine's Day sweets 🍭 🍰, and bought a bottle of wine 🍷 that I already had at home. I only spent $7.47

Long story short this was such a great event, and it was free. I realized that having fun doesn't mean spending a ton of money 💰 or any for that matter.

Even the SO thought it was great to attend, and wants to go to the next one 🤔 Hmmm

CC3 is Gone!

February 15th, 2018 at 12:49 pm

Finally CC3 is gone! This was the City Furniture bill, over $6,00 in furniture that the SO only help pay twice, I think, once I know for sure. Never again, will I finance furniture. What I have now will last me the rest of my life. Lol

I went to bed, and dreamt about paying this card off today. It's pay day so I'd budgeted to have this bill paid. Good thing about it is the new bill actually generated last night that included any finance charges, so no surprises next month.

OMG! I'm finally free of this debt. Onto CC4, Target Visa. I should have this one paid off by the end of March. My goal was to pay off one CC per quarter and it looks like I'll have two in the first quarter of the yearpaid off.

In other news, my sister called wanting to know if I'd pay the closing cost, if she purchased my dad's house, I told her no. I'm not getting into that, you want it, you pay for it

I spoke with a loan officer, and she told me to hold off from paying my debts off too quickly, I thought this was weird. If I have the money, I'm paying them off

CC4 is Gone

February 15th, 2018 at 12:38 pm

CC4 is Gone

February 15th, 2018 at 12:38 pm

CC3 Almost Gone

February 15th, 2018 at 01:03 am

I'm so excited, CC3 will be gone tomorrow.

I'm very OCD and believe that God should get what is his first, so I wrote my check out for my tithes that way when my check hits tomorrow, I can simply log in and pay off CC3. I can't believe it, three CCs paid off in less than one year. Though I didn't really get serious until about August. With my tax return CC4 will be gone. Wow!

Imagine if I had been gazelle intense before, what I could have done.

I started working on the 2/28 budget period and realize I have about $100 extra, Dave is right, you knock these debts out and it feel like you received a raise.

Checking in

February 14th, 2018 at 11:41 am

Hi all 👋🏾

It's been a minute but I have a lot to post.

Finally went to court and got the approval to sell the house. Could have sold it to the investor the same day but my big mouth sister got up and started crying and carrying on so the judge opened it up for bidding. Now I have to wait 30 days for offers and close with in 45 days. 🤦🏾‍♀️

Next I fell off the wagon with my budget, buying planner stickers 🤦🏾‍♀️

I finally got around to starting my taxes and it looks like about $1500 will be received, I'll finalize everything this week but if that's the case all is going to CC4.

This week, thank God CC3 should be paid off. I worked in this next budget period to knock it out. I'm so happy this mess will be gone.

I met with a realtor regarding the condo and what the owner is asking, she informed me that the $140k is below market price so it looks like this is the place.

I started my February non-fiction financial book and it's pretty good. It's Michelle Singletary's 21 Day of Financial Fasting.

Lastly, my manager was fired so literally we are on our fourth manager within one year smh. I had to start the process over asking for my raise. I was told that I should know by the end of the week, prayers please.

That's it so far