Today was an errand day for me. First it was Home Goods to return a few placemats, then Walmart for a few personal care products, next Aldi for fruits, then Target 🎯 to return a fall throw and spray paint, and finally I made my last stop 🛑 my mom’s for a bottle of wine I ordered last month that was delivered yesterday. I wanted to support a friend who is trying to earn some extra cash. It felt good getting out and about.

Since last month I went on a little hiatus with my spending, so I wanted to make this month a no spend month, only spending on necessary items. So far, I’ve had five no spend days (only necessary items). While out today, I made sure to pack water, and snacks, so that I was not tempted to buy anything.

It feels good to be back on track with things.

Having spent nothing (only needed items purchased) today, I’m setting aside $2 for my challenge, I’m also participating in a receipt challenge, so for every receipt obtained from purchases I must set aside a $1, today it was $3. The cash comes from my cash envelopes, this helps me to stay under budget.


So far for the challenge I think I have about $900 saved, in July I took about $800 and paid on my student loans. This time I’m not touching it, I hope, lol. I want to get my bedroom set. That’s what the savings challenge money was for initially. I don’t doubt by October I’ll take this money and pay down my student loan though. Lol, why? I really want to pay one of my student loans off by December 31st. I’m so close I can taste it.

For the holiday, I’ll be making pulled pork and potato salad.

That’s it for now

Met with our mentor today to discuss investing. No I’m not at the point where I can invest, but I’m at the point where I want to learn about investing. The man we met with is a multimillionaire, he started when he was young. One thing he honed in on was, save most of your income, don’t buy unnecessary things and read.
It’s myself and two friends, he has agreed to teach us and he’s not charging.

I chuckled when he told us to get the books from the library because they’re free. First thing came to mind was if you want to be rich, do as the rich. I’m nervous about this journey but I’m excited.

Our first assignment, and it’s a tough one, pick a company you’d like to invest in and ask yourself why? Look at the owners, how they’ve performed etc. I’m so nervous because I have no idea what or who I’d like to invest in. But I’m going to try and tackle.

Lastly, I logged into my student loan account, and finally my payment of $500 hit, I’m officially now paying down principal and it feels great.

It felt good to not think about COVID today

Finally my student loan payment hit my account, since last month I’ve paid off $2375.75 in interest. I have $800 to go before I can start tackling the principal of $6,629.41. I’m so excited because next week is pay day, and I’m throwing $300 on this loan and then on the first I’ll throw $700 for a total of $1,000. That means my balance will be $6429, all principal.

I’m so close to paying this off I want to scream. Though I have a huge student loan debt, it will just feel good to pay one off by the end of the year, God’s will.

I’ll be honest, I hope Congress continues with the interest free accrual through the end of the year at least

Pay day is Friday, I sort of played around with the numbers and realized I will be saving about 34% of my income. Though most of this is sinking funds (e.g. HOA, mortgage, car insurance) it’s still a great feeling knowing I can save for these things.

After tallying what I’ll be adding to my challenge fund, my YTD will be $1532. I’m so excited about this. I had so many plans for this money when I first started, saving for my 50th, then it changed to paying off CC, now I’m teetering between a bedroom set and student loans.

My bedroom set was a hand me down, it’s over 20 years old and the drawers are actually falling apart, literally. I also need a new mattress but think I can hold off another year. However, a apart of me is saying screw the bedroom set and pay off the student loans. Maybe I can find a decent use set for $500 and throw the rest on the student loan. Either way I’m waiting until the last check in December and I make my last contribution before deciding.

By playing around with the budget I found some extra cash and I’ll be paying $150 on the student loans. That’s $707.02 towards my goal of a $1,000 for the month. Though I’ll meet my goal with the last check of the month, I really hope I get my tax return before the end of the month, so that I can throw the money on this student and that will take me over goal.

I’m happy that I’m able to make the payment but ticked off that this $1000 isn’t going towards retirement.

Received the refund, for the house after the refinance, the amount was $779. I also received a refund, thank goodness, for my professional membership from the job, in the amount of $219.

Now that I have a nice chunk set aside for professional membership and certifications, $763, I’m going to stop contributing to that account and add the amount I was contributing to the student loans. My membership is ridiculously high $219 and the certification (two) are about $150 every other year, and of course they’re due in different years 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️. So with $800 saved, this should cover those expenses, plus I get a refund so I can stop saving after July. Once I’m told no more refunds, I’ll kick the savings back up again.

I promised myself that any money I get, something will always go in the savings, pay yourself mentality. I’m not saving as much as I would like to, I’m trying to pay off the student loans but I vowed to always put something up.

So out of the $779, $100 went to the EF and 619.90 went towards the cash back credit card payment. The $619.9 includes the appraisal, $510, and two fees of $54.95 for the refi, so overall I did not spend anything out of pocket and made money using my credit card cash back.

I had about $60 left, so I paid $30 towards the student loan and left $29 in my checking account as a buffer. I also paid the $219 (the refund) towards the credit card, for my professional membership fee. I like the idea of using the card, not carrying a balance and earning cash back. Even if it’s just $30 a month, that’s $30 I have to add to my student loan every month.

When I went to pay my student loan, I saw that there was a allocation option, never noticed it before 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️, so I clicked on it. Low and behold, I can allocate the percentage I want applied to each loan, interest first of course. I noticed that the loan that showed a balance of $29k was actually split into multiple loans. The smallest balance is just over $6k, that means that at the rate I’m going, $1k month, I can have this loan paid off by December. I feel so much better, knowing that these loans are broken up and that I would be able to pay one off this year. I feel like I can make some traction.

Lastly, the prayers are working, my friend’s mom is doing better, she’s still on the ventilator and in ICU but she’s doing much better, thank God and thank you all for your prayers.

That’s it in a nutshell.

I’m finally tackling Chris Hogan’s “Retire Inspire” it’s pretty good. I ended up purchasing it because for some reason none of the local libraries had digital copies. Honestly, I like the way books feel anyway, and I can highlight if need be.

After reading a few chapters I got even more anxious about paying off my student loans, I want to max out my 401(k), IRA and HSA but I can’t until I get these loans paid off. I hate I took these loans out. 😡

Now that I’m doing these user surveys, I get Amazon gift cards so I can use these for books and household supplies. I’m nervous about ordering groceries via Amazon but we’ll see what happens down the line. Any money saved from not buying household goods I can throw at the student loans.

This was a good week, money wise, with the next pay day I will only be able to throw an extra $100 at the student loan. I cashed out the reward cash from the credit card, $27.02 and threw at my student loans, MTD paid, $527.02. I’m on track with hitting my goal of $1000 for the month.

I’m hoping I get the mortgage payment refund back soon. I have to reach out to the broker regarding my $75 application fee refund. That’s on my list to follow-up on Wednesday.

Lastly, I reworked my budget. I bumped my direct deposit to the emergency fund by $100 a paycheck since I’m saving that amount in mortgage, I also reallocated the car fund direct deposit. I met my goal for the upcoming six month car insurance renewal in August, so I was able to decrease the amount needing to go to the account for the next renewal in March 2020 by $100. It feels good, everything seems to be working out.

I’m really annoyed with the title company. My rate is locked in for a few more days and we are trying to close but they’re not responding. It’s crazy because I’ve used them twice before with no issues. I’ve given the broker to move on to another company.

I went ahead and paid the mortgage, though the rate is higher, my level of comfortability, is even higher. The broker told me I should be refunded. We will see.

Other news, I received payment from the side hustle, so I paid my tithes, added $100 to the EF, paid $500 on the student loans 👩🏾‍🎓, and kept a little cushion in the checking account in case something comes up with this refinancing. Next week is pay day and I’ll be able to add $400 to this debt. I’m hoping to hit my goal of $1,000 debt payment for July, actually for each month. If this happens I could knock my student loan debt 1 down by $8k by the end of the year.

This month I’m doing well, July is off to a great start. My challenge envelope for the year has hit a little over a $1,000. I had so many plans for this money but I know it’s going towards a new bedroom set, much needed, the drawers are falling apart, and student loans. More than likely I’ll buy used for the bedroom set. The goal is to save what I can then at Christmas time buy the dresser, night stand and new mattress. I’ll be honest, I’m so glad I started these challenges. One it teaches me patience, two, to save for what you need/want, three, I’ve also learned discipline and lastly, usually when I wait, there’s always a great deal.

Next, I’ve got to up the ante on my healthy points for Humana. These turn into cash, well gift cards and I’d love a iRobot for my floors. Last year Christmas I got my fitness watch and I’m down so far 11lbs. It’s away to award myself at the end of the year without spending my own money.

Crunched the numbers, and I should be able to add $706 on Friday to my student loans, brining the month to date payment of $1,000. God I pray Congress, approves through the end of the year, zero interest, but if not it, it was good while it lasted. Last week I added an extra $100 to the loans.

I’m hoping to get the closing on the refi by the end of the month, that way I won’t have to make July payment on the mortgage and I can keep those funds in my house mortgage fund, which will be fully funded. The goal was to have at least three months mortgage save, separate from my emergency fund.

I’m excited to get this mortgage payment knocked down by almost $300 a month, this includes escrow. Even with a reduce payment I will continue to add the extra $100 a month. I do not want to stop doing this unless something changes financially.

By paying off the credit cards, reducing my monthly mortgage payments and my side gig, I’m able to save, contribute to my 401(k), pay extra on the mortgage and tackle the student loan debt simultaneously. I know Dave says not to tackle the mortgage, nor contribute to the 401(k), this method gives me a peace of mind.

Speaking of 401(k) I vowed that when ever I paid off a debt I’d add extra to my contribution, though I can’t do an additional $25-$50 as planned, I’m upping my contribution by $10. That will be $60 a pay check. At 46, I can’t afford not to make a change whenever I free up some cash.

By refinancing my house, my mortgage rate will drop close to 4 percentage points, I will save close to $500 a month by refinancing.
Today I locked my rate in

Now that I’ve gotten rid of that credit card, I’d like to build up my emergency savings account, especially since I have no clue what is going on with this virus.

With the savings from the mortgage and the side hustle I should be able to sock away about $1200 a month, two months would put me back at the amount I had saved prior to paying off the credit card. Once I’m back at that amount, I can aggressively tackle the student loans.

Honestly, I have no idea what God’s plan is, however, I’m truly thankful for him sharing with me financial literacy. I don’t know a quarter of what you all know, but what I’ve learned so far has really taught me a lot, and I’m thankful. Knowledge is key and I look forward to this continued financial growth.

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

Made some adjustments, I revised my W4 form and decided to have the contribution to my retirement, $100 a month, be pre-taxed and go to my 401(k) at work. This will reduce my taxable income. Hopefully, I’ll see the bump again in my take home pay. I’m scheduling a time to meet with the accountant.

I also decided with the extra $700 a month from the consulting gig, $100 will go towards the mortgage principal and $600 to the credit card. I really think in about 5-7 years I can be debt free, with everything, credit card, student loans, and home.

The money I save during the months, completing saving challenges will go towards my 50th birthday celebration, that way I’m still budgeting for paying off the student loans, credit cards, and they’ll be no new plan to save to another sinking fund, taking away from my debt reduction payment plan.

I’m part of a Facebook group that challenges you to reduce your spending each month. This month’s challenge is debt pay down. Anyone who pays down $200 in debt, will be entered into a drawing for a gift card of their choice. I’m on my way to about a $600 pay down.

The group also has a weather challenge for February. Basically each Wednesday you record your high and low, add the two together and save that amount. I move the decimal since 115 wouldn’t be doable, so I save $11.50. The cash comes from my cash envelopes. This challenge helps me to manage my cash envelopes, it’s my attempt to come in under budget in my envelopes.

Next week is pay day, I’ll be making an extra payment to the credit card, that will bring me under the $5,000 mark, I’m so excited. Fingers crossed that this card will be paid off by June and then it’s the student loans. I’m so excited

On a different note, my profession is HR. I’ve been slacking in the area of advancing my career. This year, I set a goal of attending one networking event, or training and to read one article a week, regarding the industry. Well last month’s event was great but this month’s was absolutely fabulous. I got to hear challenges that others are facing, and I realized I’m not alone. The round table was amazing. I’ve learned I’ve been settling, and I decided not anymore. I’m worth more, I will no longer let anyone tell me what I’m worth.

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.

Freezing. Tuesday we were told to buckle up and watch out for falling iguanas. Well yesterday it was in the 40s 🥶 and the iguanas 🦎 were everywhere 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️

Having been born in Florida and lived here my entire life, 40s is like below zero for me. However, I put my PJs on, loaded my bed 🛌 with blankets and guess what? I was okay. I thought I’d wake up freezing and too nervous to get out of bed to turn the heat 🔥 on, but I didn’t.
The blankets definitely kept me warm. If I can keep this up, my electric bill should be really low, like $40 bucks.

It’s been a game for me to keep my electric bill down, I love the challenge of getting it lower, I average about $10 less each month.

Other news, day 23 and I did not eat out, not even a soda 🥤. I’ve been doing very well, I’m striving for 31 days.
I’ve also had about 21 days of not spending money as well.

Today I received my reimbursement of $160 for my professional certification, I’m so exited. I can officially stop this sinking fund now, I’ve met my goal of $500. The $25 I was throwing at this account will go to the car fund since I literally cleaned it out last month with close to a $800 repair.

Tomorrow is pay day and I came in under budget by $87 with my cash envelopes. I transferred $41 to my challenge envelope for January, brining my total cash saving for the month so far to $94.

Oops lastly, I decided to create a few charts to track my payoffs, thanks for the tip everyone. I’ve also decided to use undebit, I’m feeling excited about it.

So far this month I’ve paid off $664 on CC10, things are really moving along in the credit card 💳 front.

I’m also participating in a few saving challenges, word of the month, no dining out and, 52 Week Challenge.

Basically the word of the month, you select a word and the corresponding letter of the word in the alphabet you save. For example your word is save. S is the 19th letter, A is the first, so I’d save $19, and $1.

For each day I do not dine out, I add $1. I’m taking the funds from my cash envelopes ✉️ , forcing me to try and come in under budget.

I’ll admit, it’s been tough but I’m liking it, the challenges that is.

However; I have a question, how do you all stay motivated? I’m so tired at times. Though I’m paying off debt, my student loans continue to grow, and on paper the debt seems to not decrease. Last year was the year I was to begin to tackle the student loans, then I got hit with the lawsuit. At times I feel defeated. I know I can do it, but lately I’m just bummed about it.

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

I realized that I completely over budgeted/saved for my professional certification renewal. The fee to renew is $160 vs the $400+ I was thinking. $400 was the actual exam 🤦🏽‍♀️🙄.

I try to attend free events and listen to webinars for certification credits, but would really like to attend a convention. However; $2000+ for a convention is just not in my budget. My employer would reimburse me but my boss gives us such a hard time in that you feel so uncomfortable asking, it’s not worth the hassle.

Given that I over saved and also have the funds for my second renewal that’s due next year (I have two professional certifications), I’m going to change the saving amount from $25 to $10, per pay period. I’d still like to keep the cash on hand in case an event/training comes up that I’d like to attend and I’m not reimbursed by my employer. The good thing is, if I’m not reimbursed, I can use this has a business expense, since I have the consulting gig.

The goal was to hit $500 for the professional sinking fund and stop. Hopefully I’ll be reimbursed for the renewal and with the first pay check in January, I can stop outright, I’d hit my goal.

Meanwhile the extra $15 I’ll throw at the car sinking fund, since I’ve cleaned that baby out. But if I’m reimbursed the $169 and hit the $500 mark with the first paycheck in January, I can stop funding and add the extra $25 vs $15 to the car fund, to get that back up.

I’m so thankful that I found out about sinking funds. It actually, well for me, make saving so much easier. I prefer this method, rather than having one account for everything.

Though I didn’t meet my debt repayment goal for 2019, I’m still somewhat in the dumps about this, I’m also thankful for the sinking fund and the ability to pay cash for things, such as the legal bill, car repair, electrical repair etc. Who would have known I’d be back on my way to financial freedom.

Well final cost to repair my car $776.26
The funds actually came out of the sinking fund that I save for car repair and a new car. I sort of feel defeated but I am thankful for being able to pay cash for the repair. I literally knocked my car sinking fund down to zero. I went ahead and got my headlights cleaned, cost was $80. It had become increasingly difficult to see at night. I’d tried the toothpaste remedy and other stuff but nothing cleaned them. Pray fully I can the get the sinking fund back up.

Today was pay day, and I wasn’t able to add extra to the CC 😢. So I’m feeling really down.

Needless to say, I socked away about $344 to sinking and emergency fund.
Added to my IRA. I almost changed the amount by $25 less, but opted not to. I need to stick with the plan, of bumping my IRA contributions every year.

I paid a few miscellaneous bills, and tithed. Today I’ll be stuffing my cash envelopes.

Next month is a better month. I should be able to throw about an extra $300 to the CC, and $400 to my car fund.

I set the bar high for 2020, the goal is to pay off $20k in debt. I know it’s going to be tough but if I keep a lean budget, blog so that I’m held accountable, I think, no, I know I can do it.

I’ve got to stay focus and determine as it pertains to paying down debt and saving. Though this year wasn’t too bad, I just feel like I should be further along

I’m so glad I followed my first mind.

I was having issues with the dryer. I called the repair guy because the SO never picked up the free one for me. Well I found out it’s not the dryer but the socket, there’s an electrical issue.

Cost to have the appliance repair guy out, $65 but at least I found out it was electrical and avoided a potential fire 🔥. I’m on the fence with this though, because the dryer isn’t getting hot. I’ll see what the electrician says, I’m nervous

The repair guy’s exact words to me as he showed me the plug 🔌 on the dryer was, “ I’m glad you had this unplugged, you could have had a serious issue.” The plug was burned and so hot he couldn’t even touch it.

I have an electrician, I’ll see if he can come out Friday, since I’m off. I’m also thankful, that I had the sinking fund for household repairs, though this is an inconvenience, I’m not frantic over how I’m going to pay for it.

Talk about scary.

Financial news, I’ve been so stressed at work that I’ve been dining out. Well I decided enough, buying breakfast is costly. Not sure why I allow these things to get to me, work that is.

I sold an item on Poshmark, making $7.05, can’t wait for this to hit my account.

I spent the afternoon getting my planner ready for 2020. The goal is to pay off CC10 by the first quarter of the year. Once that’s done, I’ll be tackling the student loans.

For me it’s peace of mind but I know most of you won’t agree but once CC10 is gone, the goal is the following
* $100 monthly to EF
* $100 monthly to IRA
* $100 extra monthly to mortgage
* $500 extra to student loan

After calculating everything, savings, expenses, I could actually add an extra $1000 a month to the student loans once the CC is gone. I’m feeling excited for 2020, we will see.