‪The broker that helped with me purchasing my home called to tell me the rates have dropped to 2.85% that’s 3% points less than I’m paying. I’ll be refinancing my home. ‬my mortgage should drop by $300, I’ll take the savings and throw it at the student loans.

Before I do anything, I’ll have my realtor/accountant friend review. He is the one who told me to let them know I was not interested in the appraisal since I live in the home, I did so and it was agreed I won’t have to have it done. Saving of about $600.

He mentioned some other fees I should be able to have waived.

I’m excited about getting my life together. No credit card debt and now working on the student loans is my feel good moment.

I’ve been in the dumps, actually an emotional wreck since the killing of George Floyd, I know what it’s like to be black in America. I have an app on my phone in that if I get stopped by law enforcement it automatically starts recording when I open it. It’s scary but necessary. I’ve had this app for years.

I’m praying for all involved and leadership

My organization has opened back up, and today I paid off my final credit card.

I’m so happy that this card is gone, you have no idea.
Yes my savings is lower, but I’m okay with that. I’ll be able to add $300 to it on Friday and another $800 by the end of June.

It was scary but I went ahead and hit the send button. Now I’ll continue to save, student loan repayments begin in October and that will be my focus.

I’m excited because I met the goal of paying this card off by June

Happy Mother’s Day to my SA family 🌸
Hope you all had a fabulous day.

Financial update
Today I paid extra on the credit card 💳, not much but every little bit helps.

I can’t wait to get back to some normalcy so that I can tackle this card aggressively, I’m praying that I can get this paid off by the summer, and then it’s the student loans. But I’ll continue to save until things seem to be a little normal.

Went to Walmart early this morning, the line was wrapped around the building. I’m glad I went because they finally had a limited stock of toilet paper 🧻. I bought two, one for me and the other for my mom. Literally the last time I saw TP was February. When I make my next trip, if they have it, I’ll buy some because you never know and hurricane 🌪 season is approaching.

Tijuana Flats had a free entree for Mother’s Day 🌸 so I took advantage of that for dinner, honestly, I shouldn’t complain but the food, was extremely salty 🧂.

I’m trying to support the local restaurants, during these times, but the food has been terrible. My nephew works at one and they’re relying heavily on some service and tips so I’m trying to do my part but the last three places I visited it’s been awful.

That’s it in a nutshell for me

I have no idea why I never divvied up my meat after purchasing.

I have cooked dinner pretty much all week, and nothing has gone to waste. I portioned everything and I’m loving it.

This week I’ve had pulled pork, chops and spaghetti. In the past, because it’s just me, at least 1/4 to half would have been wasted.

I even froze bell peppers and onions 🧅 now if I can figure out how to preserve lettuce 🥬

Tomorrow is pay day from the side gig. I’m excited because I’ll be adding funds to the CC as well as the EF. The goal is to save aggressively vs the paying down the CC debt until this pandemic situation is under control.

I hadn’t noticed until today, that I’ve got the card 💳 down to $4146, by tomorrow it will be below $4000, wow. I’m so excited about this. I’m sure as I see the balance decrease I’ll want to throw more at it, lol because I’m feeling that way now. Darn coronavirus

Went to the grocery store today, I really wanted to stick to the list, but I ended up picking up a few extra things. The good thing is, I won’t have to go out for a few weeks.

Since this whole thing is going on regarding the food supply, I picked up some ground beef 🥩, pork loin and chops. I did something I never do, and that’s rationing the meat. I decided to divvy up the meat, so that I could what I eat and nothing goes to waste. For example; I can cook one chop at a time vs the whole pack.

I live alone and I find that when I cook an entire pack of meat most of it is thrown out. Coupled with meal planning, I’m hoping this helps.

I’m in a ton of Facebook groups regarding saving money and paying down debt. This month it’s drink water only, for every day I have water only, I’ll add $1 to my challenge envelope ✉️. For the days I don’t, it’s $2. I’m also participating in keep change challenge, where you round up the change and save it. I like this since I’m not using cash due to COVID.

Lastly, I paid an extra $250 on the CC. Again it’s not the extra amount that I would normally pay, I’m in storm mode saving because I have no clue what will happen with COVID

Well this month was a busy/spendy grocery month. I’ll finalize my spending for the month on Saturday, but I’m sure it’s my grocery budget that took a hit.

I ended up having almost $600 extra in my checking account so I paid, $337 on CC10. The goal is to save until this pandemic is over, and I’ve been doing so, but it felt good to pay a little extra, not as much as I’d like, on this credit card.

Friday is pay day, I’m throwing, $1000 to the emergency fund, bringing the total to $7,000, $12000 will put me at 6 months of expenses save. Having the six months save will definitely take the stress out of life, particularly as we go through this COVID-19 mess.

Work news
Things have gotten a lot less stressful. Thank goodness.
I’ve been sitting in on a ton of webinars, just today alone, I’d attend four, earning four credit hours towards my recertification that isn’t due until 2022. The good news is I’ll earn my 60 credits by June.

This is tough for me but I decided to hoard cash and only pay the minimum on my debt. Though I think/feel like my job is stable, with this pandemic, things can change over night.

I reached out to our controller, after reading an article that the loans for small businesses had reached its cap. He was always adamant that there is a possibility that the organization wouldn’t get it, as with I, but just to read about it, it did something to me. Our organization’s loan application and backup documents are in, at this time we are just waiting.

Then a friend of mine, who has a small business, was in the middle of underwriting when he received an email, his loan was denied due to depleted Paycheck Protection funds. He actually shared the email. This is so heartbreaking, as well as my validation to save more aggressively now.

Honestly I’m nervous about food. I went on Walmart Sunday, and the shelves were empty, no eggs, milk, orange juice, nothing.

I know we’re told not to hoard things, but I’m heading into the grocery store today to get a few perishable items, and water. We’re heading into hurricane season, and if we have an active season, with this pandemic, only God knows what will happen.

For the most part I feel good but I can’t help but be nervous.

This week has been rough, work is very stressful. I’ve got to learn to let things go. This is not my organization.

Financial news, my stimulus/loan hit my account today, $1200. I added this to my emergency fund. I also, received the check from my side gig (last week) and decided to pay my car insurance for three months, saving me about $16.

Though I’d really like to tackle my CC right now, a part of me is telling me to save. Save as much as I can, and pay minimum payments on bills. I’m so confused about what I should do. Save, pay debt, save pay debt.

My student loans payment automatically stopped.

I’m just confused 🥴

This has been a day from hell. I’ve literally spent four hours on the phone trying to decipher a law that consists of a 174 pages with our CEO.

Why she refuses to hire a lawyer only God knows why. When you calculate the hours spent by myself, her and other employees dealing with this particular problem, a lawyer would have guided us in less than 30 minutes for far less. It’s ridiculous.

I’ve been asking for counsel since I started at this place and with the new law in place I’m highly recommending it, even our CFO, is recommending and still there’s push back.

Every professional even friends who are attorneys are recommending we seek counsel.

In financial news, apparently under this new Act, government student loans are automatically stopped. My intentions were to pay even though there would be a zero percent interest rate. Now I’ll just throw it at CC10. I’m so confused about what I should do but I guess this was my sign to just pay the CC off. Fingers crossed that this credit card is gone by June

Well I was given a directive to do something illegal, I told my CEO to put it in writing to me. Now she’s nervous and complaining that I asked for it in writing. Personally I don’t even think she understood what she was asking.

Honestly I think everyone’s anxiety level from this virus is on high alert; but as I mentioned in the past and will continue to do so, we need to stop, take a break, think things through, and then make a decision. Those people who were hired to do a job should be allowed to do so, otherwise we are going to find ourselves in a mess.

It’s the lack of structure, that is driving me crazy. I’m trying to hold on, but at times I feel like my peace/sanity is more important. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I love the flexibility I have and my team that I love; however, when I look at the opportunity cost in that I’m giving up, I ask, is it worth it? I just need prayer of peace.

I woke up, at 3:30am yesterday, I had a terrible dream, I dreamt that SO’s cousin was ordered to kill me. Went back to sleep and had another nightmare . I can’t wait to get back to some normalcy. This COVID-19 stuff has me mentally, emotionally and physically drained.

In financial news, last month I over spent in the food category, and really didn’t pay much attention to my budget. I’m going to get back on track this month. For my March money saving challenge, I saved $166. YTD I have about $350 saved in my challenge envelopes.

Regarding the house, I have a friend who is a realtor and accountant review the refi documents, he said everything was okay but recommended that I ask for removal and deduction of a few fees. He told me I could lock in the rate and still not move forward.

I asked the broker to reduce the fees and she, said no. I had an uneasy feeling so I followed my gut and told her I’m declining the refi. I did so for a number of reasons, 1) she wasn’t willing to negotiate on a $750 fee in that she could, 2) I felt rushed, it was always you need to get me this in one to two hours, with no time to review and ask questions, and 3) my guy kept saying no.
I don’t know, I just had an uneasy feeling, and I thought wait. It was like God, telling me to be still, so I decided to listen and be still. I hate being rushed to make decisions. I do believe by mid April early May the rates will drop again.

My word for the year is fearless. I felt scared to tell the broker I didn’t want to do it. Why? I don’t know, but I jumped out on faith and said, fear will not allow me to make decisions. I tell you I felt better.

Today was pay day, even with everything going on, I’m still thankful I have a job. I went ahead and paid my May mortgage, minimum on CC10, and the student loans, car insurance and cell phone are all autopay. I decided I will continue to pay as is, no extra payments and go into COVID-19 save mode.

We are laying off an additional 30-40 people, so the uncertainty of things have me pumping the breaks.

I have no idea if I’m getting a stimulus check or not but if I do, it will definitely go to CC10 because it’s not wages earned for me, this is truly extra cash.

I need to file my 2019 tax returns, I’m using TurboTax and it’s estimating about $600 in tax return. This will go into my savings since it’s wages earned that I gave the government 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️. I’m really trying to get this refund thing to about $0, where I break even.

Hi all

So student loan interest has stopped for six months.

I’m debating on stopping my loan payments for the six months as well and going full ham on the principal of one of my loans.

What I mean is, my payments are income driven, one is $69 the other is $99. If I stop the payments, I can take any extra money I have, plus what I would have been paying and dumping it on the lowest balance. I can also, take the stimulus check and throw at it.

If I stick to the plan, I can dump approximately $6,000 by December to the principal of the loan. This is about $2,000 less than the interest accumulated. This would mean though, not paying extra on CC10. Interest on these loans is about $200 a month 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️.

Or I can stop the payments, pay off CC10 I’d say by June/July and then tackle the student loan paying approximately half of what I estimated above.

I also decided not to refinance the house, I pay an extra $100 a month anyway. This extra $100 is not negotiable unless something happens like job loss. Given my position this is not something I’m overly concerned with. Thank God.

Just wanted your thoughts.
Oops my only debt is the mortgage, student loans and 1 credit card.

Made the adjustments on my W4, and added the $50 per pay date to my 401(k) vs my IRA. Once CC10 is gone, I’ll bump the dollar amount to a $100 contribution per pay check.

Today is pay day, I paid an extra $200 to CC10. Finally, this card is under the $5,000 mark. Next month, I’ll be able to drop an extra $1,000 on it.

This weekend, I’ll be finishing up my taxes, my refund is about $600, I’m okay with that. I was hoping to break even but hey it’s better than owing.

I did splurge a little on eating out this month, for some reason I just didn’t feel like cooking. It happens from time to time

Great week this week.

I received a really nice compliment at work, and I so needed it.

Yesterday was pay day, I saved $375 in sinking funds, this include the IRA contribution, paid an extra $200 on CC10, came in under budget in my cash envelopes of $53 and saved $82 for my challenges. Not bad.

Things are really working out well, financially. Saving and knocking out my debt is my focus.

Other news. In four years, I will be 50. I’ve always wanted to visit Monaco 🇲🇨, since I was a kid. Though I have debt 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️ would it be wrong for me to start saving for this trip for my 50th birthday? I know Monaco is super expensive and I figured as a treat to paying off debt, this would be it. By then, I would have all credit. Add debt paid off as well as one student loan.

Cashed out my points, $52, and added it to CC10. I like the idea of using the credit card for bills (e.g. internet, cell, car insurance) and earning points that translate into cash that I use towards my debt.

So long as I manage it, only use for bills, this is a great way to earn a little extra cash. I keep a zero balance in the card, CC9. The points add up quickly.

Feeling excited

Ended the month with a bang.
For 31 days I challenge myself not to eat out and did just that. It was tough but I did it. So I transferred $31 from my cash envelopes to a saving challenge envelopes.

My word of the year is Fearless, the challenge was to save the amount corresponding with each letter (number) of the alphabet. For example A is the first letter so $1, F is the 6th so $6. Doing this I saved $61 and to my challenge envelope.

Next I started the 52 week challenge and socked away five weeks. I’m trying to figure out how I can go backwards.

Total for January’s challenges $107, not bad.

I’m pretty sure for January I came in under budget in most categories, knocked out about $800 in debt, and saved at least 20% of my income. I’ll be reviewing my budget today but I’m sure my numbers are pretty accurate.

These little challenges help me to prepare my meals at home and to come in under budget with my cash envelopes. I plan on challenging myself each month socking away the challenge money in an envelope. I can’t wait to see how much I save just from challenging myself. I think I’ve regained my motivation.

In my head, I say take the money saved at the end of the year and have fun, but my heart says, throw it at debt. Debt sucks

Paid another $157 on my CC and the balance is now $5,314. Next week I’ll be able to add $500 to it. I can’t wait.

This recent payment allowed me to fill in three squares on my tracker.

But now that I think about it, the new billing cycle should start tomorrow and I’m sure the balance will be higher with the interest.

Well winter was one day for us I guess, we are back in the 70s 🤷🏾‍♀️

I’ tried sharing my tracker with you all, thanks for the tip, but was unable to.

Rolled my coins and I had a total of $29 dollars, not bad.

I can never understand why people take their coins to a coin machine to count and pay a fee. It took me just a little time to do so. Even before I was living a frugal life style, I never did this. To each it’s own.

The $29, went towards the remaining credit card debt. 😀

Friday is payday and I’ll be adding an extra $157 dollars to the credit card. I think by doing that, I’d pay an extra $800 this month towards it. I can’t wait until Friday so that I can take care of it, and calculate my MTM total.

My top priorities for the first quarter of the year, boosting my EF, paying down/off the CC and paying extra on my mortgage. The extra on the mortgage is a must for me, I feel disappointed/depressed for some odd reason when I don’t.

Once the CC is gone, I can go full throttle on the student loans, averaging about $600-$800 extra a month on it. I can’t wait.

Thank you all for the birthday wishes, I greatly appreciate it.

Yesterday was a very low key birthday celebration. I took $50 out of my slush account and bought two pairs of earrings, my last pair broke.

Then the SO insisted on taking me out for breakfast 🥞 so we did that. Next after breakfast I headed over to the used appliance store, in search of a dryer. Well I found one for $180. I was a little nervous but decided to purchase. As I was heading to over to pay, the SO decided to purchase as a birthday gift. No complaint from me. Saved me $180. I have an account for home repairs and was thinking I should take the$180 and add to CC but it’s best to just leave it.

I pretty much stayed home yesterday, that was my birthday celebration. SO gave me $20 for dinner, I put the money in my cash envelope and ate what I had.

I got a quote on the hurricane shutters yesterday, $3,000. I was actually expecting less. This is the guy who did a friend’s home, at half the price. I’ll call around and get at least three more quotes, and set up a sinking fund for this as well.

Lastly in financial news, the CC was knocked down to $5,500, I’m hoping to have this card paid off by April/May.

My electric bill decreased by about $20 but the water went up $10 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️. I had a running toilet 🚽 that I believe caused the bill to increase; however, I finally got it fixed.

Well it’s been a pretty good week. Tomorrow I turn 46, wow.

I feel somewhat down because I feel like I haven’t gotten myself together financially; however, I’ve made some progress.

Rather than focusing on the negative, I’ll focus on the positive.

Today, I paid an extra $453.78 on CC10 knocking the balance down to $5,500. Tomorrow’s billing cycle ends, so I’ll be hit with interest 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️. I did look at transferring the balance to a zero interest card but the fees to transfer wasn’t worth it. I’ll have the card paid off in a about four to five months.

I also added $50 to the EF, $50 to the IRA account.

This month I have not eaten out, 16 days. Wow. I almost gave in yesterday, it was the sorority’s Founders’ Day and I really wanted to hang out with my girls but paying the credit card 💳 debt was the best decision. I’ve saved a ton by not eating out.

Tomorrow I’ll head to Sweet Tomatoes for my free birthday dinner.

Lastly, I decided to get the quote on the hurricane shutters before the season rolls around. It’s so difficult for me to find some one to come and put the plywood up. I wish I could find a decent handyman. I’ll apply for the city grant for reimbursement

So much has happened this year, on a positive note, and I pray it continues.

First, I can’t believe it but I’ve had 10 days in that I have not dined our, not even a soda or chips. It’s been tempting but I’m determined not to eat out this month.

Next I dropped an extra $200 on the credit card and an extra $100 on the mortgage.

I’ve decided it’s no rush and to hold off on the dryer, not to mention my toilet is running, so that’s a priority. Thankfully my uncle has plumbing skills so I’ll have him to take a look at it.

Then there is the big news, my brother had to drop his lawsuit. I wanted to go out and celebrate, not to mention cry, when I got the news. I’m still on this I can’t believe it, but I knew it, kind of a high.

Apparently after my attorney laid into his with the facts and ensured his attorney we were prepared to go after him, the attorney, if he moved forward with his frivolous lawsuit, they had a change of heart.

The sad thing his; I honestly think his attorney knew all along but because my brother is greedy, and he saw a money pit, he moved forward. To go through this process, I’m sure it cost my brother at least $10k

I’m due a refund, but will use the money to finalize one last item with my dad’s estate and then get whatever the difference is back. I’m estimating about $1500.

I’m just so thankful that this is over.

CC10 Is getting on my last nerves. I’m trying to figure out how to pay it off by December 31st.
I can take $5,000 out of the EF but I’d still owe $1200 and the EF would drop to $600 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️.

I’d really wanted this card gone by the end of the year and then I got hit with a legal bill due to my brother who thinks my dad was a millionaire.

With the side gig, I could have it paid off in about 5 months, paying about a $1000 a month. Then tackling the student loans in June.

I’m just so confused.

Just adjusted my budget and I’ll be able to drop $700 on CC10. I’m so excited.
I think this card will be paid off by March and I can finally, start tackling my student loans.

I just want to cry, I was feeling like I’ll never be able to start tackling the loans. If I hadn’t gotten hit with the legal bill earlier this year, this card would have been gone in June. I know I can’t/shouldn’t beat my self up about it but I just can’t help thinking about the what if’s.

I’m estimating it will take me 6-7 years to pay off the student loans, that’s $10k a month. If I can keep the side hustle for at least two years, it will take 4-5 years.

Fingers crossed that all go as planned

Just adjusted my budget and I’ll be able to drop $700 on CC10. I’m so excited.
I think this card will be paid off by March and I can finally, start tackling my student loans.

I just want to cry, I was feeling like I’ll never be able to start tackling the loans. If I hadn’t gotten hit with the legal bill earlier this year, this card would have been gone in June. I know I can’t/shouldn’t beat my self up about it but I just can’t help thinking about the what if’s.

I’m estimating it will take me 6-7 years to pay off the student loans, that’s $10k a month. If I can keep the side hustle for at least two years, it will take 4-5 years.

Fingers crossed that all go as planned

Today is pay day, and I can’t wait to Stuff my cash envelopes.

I’ve created the budget for this pay period; however, my cash envelopes are pretty healthy so I’m sure I’ll be returning some cash back to the bank and adding the extra to the EF. I’m staying focus. Refunding my EF, tackling the CC the student loans, in that order.

I woke up at 3 am, checked my accounts and the direct deposits hit. I paid the following
$951.10 mortgage
$200 extra on CC10 💳
$50 plot
$195.51 tithes

I saved a total of $344, this include the EF, sinking funds and IRA. I was able to bump my IRA, doubling, my contribution. I decided anytime I get a raise or bonus I’m adding to the IRA.

I checked my electric bill, today is the last day in the billing cycle, my current usage is $69, by the end of the day, I’m anticipating my bill should be about $72. I’m so excited. My bill has never been this low. I’ve managed to knock my electric bill down by more than half since the SO has been gone.

I absolutely hate interest. I paid over $500 this last billing cycle on CC10, only to be charged another $100+ in interest. All the more reason for me to get this credit card paid off.

It’s a process and I know I must be patient but I can’t wait for this sucker to be gone, so that I can start tackling my student loans. I’m thinking by April 2020, this card 💳 should be paid off.

I’m no longer gazelle intense for a number of reasons, SO is no longer here so I don’t get the extra $800+ a month. I still add to my EF because I think it’s crazy to only have $1,000 saved, and lastly, time is not on my side, I’m late to the party 🎉 so I continue to add to my 401(k). Yes by doing these things, it slows the process, but at least I’m comfortable, and I haven’t stopped paying down debt and saving. What I’ve accomplished so far, I’m happy with. The ability to go to events, stores etc and not spend anything is a huge accomplishment for me.

I honestly think, if I continue to budget, live a frugal lifestyle, I’ll be done with all debt, including my house 🏡 in seven years.

I can’t wait to get home this evening, to balance my cash envelopes, and review my budget. Lol, who would have thought my Friday nights of hanging out with friends, buying new outfits to do so, and spending tons of money would have turned into review the budget nights? I absolutely love it and look forward to it.

Balanced my cash envelopes, and I did pretty good. I came in under budget for the most part

Category Budgeted Left
Groceries $80 $30
Auto $80 $50
Personal $130 $0
Fun $30 $30
Household $30 $27

As previously reported in another post, things are looking great. The electric bill was reduced by almost $60, the water bill came in at $45.68, this is the same as last month but down by $20 over all.

I’m going to cancel Netflix, I realize I don’t use it and that’s $14 I can throw at debt.

Savings is up, I’m about $1200 away from meeting my short term EF goal of 3 months worth of expenses saved. I can’t wait to hit the six month mark, then I’ll feel comfortable and can start throwing even more at debt.

Lastly, I received a notice that my taxes for the town in that I live in, has dropped

Credit card 9 💳 is really getting on my nerves. I want this sucker paid off. I’m contemplating taking the money saved for any home repairs and adding it to it. I have an EF so if anything happens I can use that. One minute I’m stoked about doing it, the next I’m nervous as hell. 😬

I finally completed my taxes, and hit the submit button. I’m looking at about $633 return. This will be adding to the CC.

The budget meeting with the SO didn’t happen, I was a little disappointed but hey that’s on him. I’m still trucking along on my financial peace journey without him. Something drastic has to happen for him to change. I told him we will continue to live as roommates, splitting everything.

After reviewing and crunching numbers, it looks like I should have both CCs paid off by early September (CC9 should be gone by end of April early May) and from that point on it’s the infamous student loans 👩🏾‍🎓. I’m really hoping to pick up a second job by then.

Lastly, though I follow Dave Ramsey, I never read his book, “The Total Money Makeover.” 📖. I have listened via audio 🔊, but you know how that goes, your cleaning 🧹, doing other things so you’re more likely to miss something. I’m excited to dive in. Last month I finished, Rachel Cruze’s, “Love Your Life, Not Theirs.”
I’m also read a book by Zig Ziegler, that I checked out online at my local library. What’s great about this is, in the middle of the night 🌙 when I can’t sleep 💤, I can read.

Just paid an extra $164 on CC9 and it feels great. This month I’m slated to have added an $800 extra to that card. Balance is now $4,824.67 with the payment made today. I’m really hoping to get below the $4,000 mark by the end of the month.

I’ll be completing my taxes this weekend, if I get anything I’ll add it to the snowball. At the rate I’m going I should be able to knock CC9 out by end of May. It’s not with in the first quarter buy hey five months paying off 6k isn’t bad.

Pay day and everything is paid. I love online banking, and the fact that I’m in a positioning that I can pay my bills early plus extra. The SO will provide his share on the 20th, I like paying things early. With the money I get from him, I throw it at my debt. It’s like a second job in that I’m not working. He seems to be on track, but again I’m not going to get my hopes up. Bad habits takes months to break and we are only about three months in.

Yesterday I paid an extra $25 on my mortgage, and extra $93 on CC9, I socked away about $300 all for sinking funds (e.g HOA, car insurance) and I have about $70 left this will be my fun money. Depending on how many no spend days between now and the next pay day, I’m sure I’ll be throwing this at CC9.

I’ve started back using the envelopes. Though I under spent last month, I can’t help but feel that the amount I’d under spent by would have been far greater had I used the cash vs. debit card 💳.

I’m also happy that I decided to have a sinking fund for any household repairs. I’ve been living in this home before purchasing for about 7 seven years and there hasn’t been any major repairs but as Dave says, Murphy is sure to show up so you need to be prepared. My privacy fence looks okay but it’s getting there so I want to be ready if need be. I’m also saving for hurricane shutters, this will reduce my insurance. I just like having the $500 in the repair fund just in case, it’s silly but it’s a natural Hugh watching this pot grow. Each pay period I’m adding to it.

Also my car 🚗 is making a strange noise, guess what I have money set aside for that. I feel so good about this. The last few car repairs I’ve been able to cash flow. By saving for upcoming repairs it definitely takes the stress out of things. I never use to do this, I’d just put it on the credit card. Only thing that bothers me is that as soon as I have a cushion of about $500, boom 💥 the car 🚗 needs to head to the shop. But it beats $300-$500 a month car payment.

My car 🚗 is a 2002 Camry with about 244,000 miles. I know sooner than later she’s going to head onto car heaven, and that’s why I haven’t touched the EF to pay off CC9. I’ve been pricing older model Camry and they’re anywhere between $6k and $8k. Goal is to pay cash. I’m done with car payments.

Last thing, I’ve practically cut out the salon 💇🏾‍♀️. Primary reasons, one it’s expensive, $45 a week. Secondly, I’ve asked her not to use a certain product because it’s drying out my hair and she continues. My hair has gotten so dry, and brittle, it’s awful. I’ve decided that I’ll go when there is a special occasion and when I need a hair cut.

$5156.20 is the balance as if today on CC9, before the new interest hits. I’m feeling really good. I’m trying to figure out how I can knock this down to $5000 before the new bill.

I was able to pay a total of $1074.69. If I can keep this up, for next four months, I’ll be done with this card by April. The goal was March but hey.

Feeling really good and accomplished.