Happy Easter everyone 🐣🙏🏾

Today was a great day, for one I spent no money other than the $1.00 at church.

Secondly I made spaghetti 🍝 for dinner. Usually I go all out and have all this food left over that goes in the trash, this year I decided not to be wasteful.

My April goal is to walk 🚶🏾‍♀️ at least 20 minutes a day, I completed day one 😄.

Lastly, I plan on finishing up, "Unbanking of America," first time in a long time that I borrowed from the library 📚 and will not have to pay a late fee, I call this stupid fee.

I finally balanced my accounts so I'll be taking a look at my March spending.

Oops I almost forgot I sold an item on Poshmark tonight, $13 will be added to the EF

I don't know, I'm super happy for a friend of mine who got promoted and is now making six figures. But I just can't help but think of all the money she waste since she's gotten this promotion. New car, $60k+ two homes with mortgages and looking to buy another. And now she's planning trips for the entire family, extended included.
I love her to pieces, like a sister, but I'd rather see her pay down her debt. You never know what might happen. Oh well 😔

As far as for me, well today was pretty productive. I'm still not watching tv 📺 so I was able to get things done. Cleaned my bathroom 🛀 , balanced my checking account, got an oil change and cleaned the rest of the house. Feeling accomplished.

I tried mobile depositing a check to my sinking fund, but I guess I've reached my limit for March, so I'll wait until tomorrow. I never knew there was a limit.

I also set up a Christmas 🎄 account with Capitol One 360 today. I tried keeping everything in the sinking fund that I use for car maintenance and insurance but I keep having to put money towards the car 🚗🙄🤦🏾‍♀️.

The vacation club, though I've struggled with what to do with this money, I'm going to keep it just for what I started it for, a vacation. I've been socking $20 a pay period and I'm now at $140. The plan is to treat myself to a very nice vacation once this debt is paid off. Though I'm anticipating 2-3 years, I figured I'd have a nice chunk of change and maybe I can go to Monaco 🇲🇨 after all, lol. Monaco is so expensive, I don't know if $40 a month will cut it.

4:30 am and the first thing I did when my eyes 👀 opened, was check my Target 🎯 balance. Thank goodness the $349 was processed, I cab now update my sidebar. Only about $347 dollars left, I'm sure they'll be an additional $5 in interest 🤦🏾‍♀️ but that's the price you pay when you use credit cards 💳.

I also received a request to purchase an item on OfferUp, $10. I hope this is a legitimate sale. So many make offers and don't show up. I decided to no longer meet folks closer or easier for them. Meet me at my nearby police 👮🏼 department. I'm sick of folks not showing.

Lastly, today is a busy day. One I want to get at least 20 minutes of cardio in, secondly I have to get an oil change and then other miscellaneous stuff done. I've decided that both Saturdays and Sundays will not be filled with work so on Sundays I'm resting. I may even head to the beach 🌊 tomorrow

Just paid over $300 on the Target 🎯 bill, my new balance is $349.61. I should have this sucker paid off by the end of April, thank you Jesus.

I pulled my credit score with Transamerica and it was 698, not bad. Think my high score was 702. I noticed that as I pay these suckers off it's creeping back up. The jump is due to the decrease in high balances.

Back to Target, I'm going to be really annoyed if my payment isn't posted right away. They have a tendency of holding high payments. They actually suck, you can only make like two payments in a 7-day period, you can't add decimals. For example, I'd budgeted $348.76 but had to round up. No big deal but I like a balanced budgets, no over budget items just under. And lastly they hold large sums of payments. They make it extremely difficult to get your balance down.

It's 3:29 am and I've already spent the following:
* $196.08 Tithes - not negotiable
* $20 vacation club (savings)
* $211 JCP - minimum payment that include my AAA purchase
* $349 Target - debt snowball

Though a lot has gone out and I haven't cut the rent check yet, I'm thankful because one, I never thought in a million years that I could and would be faithful with my tithes. Secondly, with my raise and paying down debt, I've freed up over $500 a paycheck. Right now all you see are the payments but I'm about to add a total of $107 to my savings. All I think about is, when CC4 💳 is gone that will be another $50.

I'm so overwhelmed with mix emotions. I'm upset that I'm on this journey once again and I'm glad that I'm doing what it takes to no longer be slave to the lender.
I know it takes time and that I'll get there

SO filled my car up today, ⛽️ so what I had budgeted, $30, I'm throwing to my savings on CC4.

We headed over to Target after church ⛪️, I got cubed steak for dinner on clearance, too bad they didn't have any chicken. Meals are based on what's on sale. I headed to Aldi and picked up apples 🍎, grapes 🍇 and paper towels. Aldi has such great deals.

Now that dinner is in the crockpot, I'm just going to relax for a little while. Love Sundays

Up late and checking balance dues. While doing so, I noticed that if I select auto payment for my student loans, my loan rate will reduce by .25%. It's not much but it's enough to save me some money so I'm signing up.

I also noticed that even though I pay every month my loan balance is increasing. I pay only the minimum, but shouldn't it go down a little? WTH? This makes me so angry, I now want to tackle this debt before the CCs. I know I'll be out of order of the baby steps but this is absolutely ridiculous. I think, well I know, I'm going to change somethings around regarding my monthly goals. Right now it's to save $200 a month to the EF, I'm still going to this. It's not part of the steps but it gives me comfort; being able to cash flow some things, such as my $300 car repair is better than accumulating more CC debt. Once I get BS1 to $3k I can stop adding to it. After looking at my loan debt, I'm going to add a monthly goal to pay an extra $100 on the loan. I'm going to revamp my budget.

Goals revamp
* Yearly pay down debt, stick with a budget
* Quarterly pay off one CC (four for the year)
* Monthly save $200 and pay $100 on student loan. Read one nonfiction book 📚 preferably on finances
* Daily get a little exercise in

Since I'm not going on vacation, I'm not sure what to do with the money. I feel like a) I should throw it at debt, it's about $40 a month. Or b) keep adding to it, to give myself a little me time one weekend. I'm so tired and I'd love to check in, at a hotel on the beach 🌊 and just unplug. All by myself. Or c) purchase that laptop I've been wanting and not needing. I'd love a laptop that I can carry with me. I can use it to work on my budget while I'm away or in bed. It's more for convenience.

Lastly one of my coworkers birthday is coming up. I really like her. She's planning happy hour 🍷 Monday but I've already blew through my fun money, for another coworker. This is where discipline comes in. I'm going to have to let her know that I just can't make it. I have nice bottle of wine 🍷 that I'm going to give her as a gift. I do have the vacation club money and the buffer in the checking but I just can't do it. I don't want to get in the habit of shuffling money around. I'm just going to let her know that I can't make it.

Update to post. So apparently there are rules in my student loan agreement that, require that outstanding interest and late fees (if applicable*) must be paid first, prior to a payment being applied to the loan principal. I check my loan balance and notice that it was going up vs down. I know Dave says to pay the smallest to largest debt first but the way things are going, I'll be in a 100k student loan debt if I don't pay this off.

I have one of two options for the extra payments and need your help.

Standard Allocation
(Most common)
* Once scheduled monthly payment and all outstanding interest has been paid, excess will be applied to the loan with the highest interest rate, thus costing supposedly costing me less interest over time. 
Done automatically.
Custom Allocation
(Least common)
* Once scheduled monthly payment has been paid, excess will be applied to the specific loans of your choosing. I set up manually.
* Here I can allocate how much of the excess payment is applied to the interest and how much is applied to the principle

Tackling the debt was the best thing I could have done.

Just looked at my budget for the next budget period and realized I can put 20 to 25 percent of my income into savings and still pay a little extra on the CC. Though I'd love to do that, I'm going to throw it at CC4 to get it down to $400 or less. Then I'll add a little to the EF to bump me over the $1200 mark.
This is all after paying my tithes first. God has truly blessed me. My prayer is that I continue on this path with no looking 👀 back. One of these days I'm going to be that person, walking around handing out $100 bills during Christmas time.

When you're doing what you are suppose to, you not only pay bills on time, something I never had a problem with, but you're way ahead of schedule. I usually pay the BoA credit card 💳 with the last check of the month because it's not due until the 2nd or 3rd, but for some reason I paid it the last budget period. Lol. I couldn't believe I had done that, and to be honest I'm not sure why. Maybe God wanted me to see the fruits of my labor.

I'm so loving this.

Saturday I went into a beauty supply store, and casually mentioned I wouldn't mind working part time, the owner's son offered me a job. I was like wow! They know me, I frequent the location, but the problem is that I can only do two Saturdays and month and Sundays are out, God has been too good for me not to worship. I'm going to pray on it and see if something doesn't work itself out where I can take on the extra job. I can use the extra cash to pay down student loan debt 👩🏽‍🎓. That would be awesome.

I forgot to mention that the SO suggested that we go out for ice cream 🍦 St. Paddy's Day 🍀. We're doing this less tv 📺 thing. I was a little hesitant but thought why not? Long story short, ice cream 🍦 and a milkshake was $20 at Kilwins, yikes! I wanted to scream but kept my mouth shut 🤐 . For the last two weeks he's been doing pretty good. But I couldn't help but wonder why couldn't we add this $20 to the EF or debt? I need to stop focusing on finances so much and enjoy life, but not to the point that I'm back where I started. I find myself not wanting to spend the fun money 💰 that I budget 🤦🏾‍♀️.

Honestly; it was a nice outing. We people 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦watched, found a really cool bookstore 📚 , and a super cozy coffee ☕️ shop that just so happen to be having spoken words, so we sat in. All in all it was a great weekend.

On the 28th of February I paid a $1,000 on CC4. I notice that my available credit after paying it hadn't changed, so I called the credit card 💳 company. Well they were holding the funds.

Why would they hold the funds? Well I found out that if you make a large payment they hold your funds. This to me is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. I paid it and it should be processed. Well they finally processed it yesterday, two and a half weeks later. Smh

I've updated my side bar, things are looking pretty good. As you all know, I'm not going on the vacation but I'm saving now for a laptop. I probably could have purchased a refurbished one this budget period but I decided to wait, it's not a must. I do like the idea of putting money aside so when I want a big purchase such as a laptop 💻 that's not an emergency 🚨, I can simply just purchase the item. Or maybe one day I can treat myself to a fabulous lunch, and a little shopping that's credit card 💳 free. What I've found is that this program works but for me I need to do something nice once in a while or at least know that I can. Though I haven't done anything foolish since I've started, just knowing that I have the $100 to blow, if I get a crazy urge, makes me feel good. It's a process. Who knows, I may use this money to pay my CCs, that seems to give me the most pleasure. Who would have thought that paying down debt, gave you a natural high lol 😂 too funny.

I know Dave says to save a $1000 for the EF and then tackle debt. But my car is old with over 200k miles. I drive about 60 miles round trip each day for work. So for me, I think I need to budget funds for the EF, even if it's $20. I want to have at least $6k 💵 saved in case I have to buy another car 🚗. I'm happy that I was able to throw an extra $54 at it. This may slow me down a bit, but if my car breaks down rather than financing I'll have good ol sweet cash 💰.

Sinking fund, well this was to be for car insurance, car maintenance 🚗, Christmas 🎄 gifts and sorority dues; unfortunately I've been using this account strictly for car repairs. I'm glad I have the money 💰 but I was really hoping to be able to pay my car insurance for six months. I have one more item to fix on my car, once that's done everything else should be good and come October I'll be able to pay the six months.

Oh SO, has challenged himself not to spend any money, seems like last week he did pretty good. I didn't ask but I'm happy he's at least trying.
That's it for now.

One thing I like about being an admin is that I'm able to view my check five or so days before payday.

Took a look at my check, and it's about $300 more. This include the raise and me changing my total withholdings. Best thing I could have done was read the instructions on the W4 form and completed the document more accurately. Why have a refund that's not earning interest for me, on money I earned, when I can use my money now? When you know better you do better. That's why I'm reading more and more books on personal finances.

Different news, I applied for a job and had a phone interview. The position is paying about $10k more a year and closer to my home. All went very well and I'm pleased. I was told that they'll be a second interview next week.

That's all the news I have planned. Tomorrow after my sorority meeting, I'll be revamping my budget. It feels good to know that CC4 will be gone soon

Well I'm not going on the family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 trip, I knew I wouldn't be going but was putting the money up just in case. I realized that a laptop is more important not to mention paying down my debt than going on a trip ✈️ 🌴

I did some researched and found a refurbished HP laptop 💻 at Walmart for $139. So just two pay periods away and I should be able to purchase one, cash 💰. In the past, I've always put these items on a credit card 💳 and bought brand new. Well it feels so good to know that I can cash flow things and know that refurbished is just as good as new.

Though it's not a must that I buy the laptop 💻 and I probably won't, I've learned to wait three days before making a purchase and that is why I'm so happy.

On a different note, I created the sinking fund for Car insurance, car repairs, gifts and sorority stuff. But I've spent everything on car repairs. First brakes and next alignment, and tire rod. Now I have save up for a motor mount 🤦🏾‍♀️

Thank God for a sinking fund. Took my Camry in for a tire rotation, balance alignment and repair of the right tire rod. The car 🚗 is paid off with 222,356 miles.

I met a mechanic at the shop the last time I was there, who told me he did side work. But when I called him he wanted me to come in on a day that was slow, and his bosses weren't in. I'm thinking, I thought 💭 you did this at your home? Though I contemplated taking my car to him to save money 💰, I knew it was wrong. This is stealing, and God has been too good to me, so I took my car in for service and am prepared to pay what it costs in cash 💵

Hopefully the service isn't more than $400, because that's what I have in my sinking fund. I'm just waiting for a call back with the estimate.

Next, I was approved for the loan of $112k, closing must occur no later than June. I can't wait to sell the house and pay off my debt. I'm so thankful because, after paying off the debt, I'll still have money 💰 (20%) for the down payment. As well as a pretty decent EF. I can then get rid of the SO, my mortgage is estimated at about $350 less than rent. I'm going to cut the cable off, and start saving and living like no one else 😊.

This next pay period CC4 should be gone and then it's onto CC5. I'm so glad I started this debt pay off, that way I'm not using all my money from the sale to pay off debt. Feels good to finally see some progress.

On a different note, this month's book 📚 is "Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck" and I absolutely hate it! I'm almost done, I hate starting things and not finishing. The author encourages use of credit card and a line of credit, absurd. If I'm living check to check, that means one have not nipped their behavior in the bus and you're recommending credit card 💳 use, ridiculous.

On my way home today, feeling pretty good and I'm stopped due to traffic on the freeway. Well next thing I know is I hear boom! Some guy hit my car 🚗

Thank God I was not hurt or my car damaged, I just fixed this stupid bumper. 🤦🏾‍♀️🙄. They guy jumps out yelling all is well, well I needed to see for myself. I got his tag, photo of his ID and his number. Tomorrow I'm taking the car to the shop to have the bumper checked.

These last few months have been nothing but a headache.

Only thing that seem to perk me up, was looking at my March 15th budget. Looks like, I've freed up a enough cash to pay about $300 on CC4, wow! So excited. I might be able to do $400, depending on how my raise and change in deductions impact my pay. But even with $300, I'd knock it down close to $400 and by April it would be paid off. Good thing about all of this is that, I'm less stress and would have met and went beyond my first goal of paying off at least on CC.

Hard work pays off

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 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

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 🤦🏾‍♀️

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?

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.

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

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.

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

$200 for my dental 👨🏾‍⚕️ appointment. I'm okay with this because one, I paid cash and secondly I did not need a root canal. My tooth that I thought I cracked was a filling that fell out. But geesh, $200.

I'm glad I started the sinking fund but I'm like geesh! I know this was an emergency but I figured, the fund is for medical, car maintenance etc. I've also bumped what I add to this account by an extra $20 a month.

Next I looked at my pay stub, we don't get paid until 1/31 and I have admin rights, I noticed that due to the new tax bill I have an extra $40, I've never been so happy for an extra $40 in my life. Though I can't stand Trump, I am happy to see a few extra dollars; however, I do think that down the round we will feel the impact of this instant gratification.

After reviewing my pay stub , I reworked my budge for the 100th time. In doing so I noticed that CC5 was due (for some reason I decided to check my balances). I thought that this was strange, because I usually pay this bill really early. Long story short, I soon realized why I had over a $100 buffer in the checking account, the bill wasn't paid. Reason being is that, we got paid early and the new statement hadn't posted, smh. Anyhow took care of it and reworked the budget again 🤦🏾‍♀️. By redoing the budget, paying CC5 I now had money to pay more than the minimum on CC3, thank goodness. This really worried me.

SO other came in and told me he finally got his license taken care of. He mentioned an incident with the ex wife, I basically said, why are you complaining it's not like you're going to take care of it, everything is always late with you. His response was, "he didn't need the negativity" mine was, me either. Too long of a story to explain. Quit complaining and do something about it.

Aldo's run today wasn't so bad.
I picked up paper towels for about $1.20 less than Wal*Mart, a bottle of salsa for dip, about a dollar less and cream cheese about $2 less. Saving about $4. Not bad

There was a time that buying generic was a big no no for me, not anymore. It makes no sense to pay for a brand items that are just as food as off brands. I forgot to buy Lysol wipes for the counters, I'll just improvise.

For my birthday my coworkers got me a birthday cake and then the SO bought me one, so I'm stuck with two cakes 🎂. I decided to have friends over tonight for cake. Normally I'd go all out get some appetizers but not tonight, it's just cake and wine with a little dip and chips. I made sure I told everyone we are just having cake.

Other news, I've been using my planner a lot lately, and it's been helping with getting things done. Cleaned, shopped and read all before noon today.

Now it's time to relax before tonight's get together

Rolled my coin today and have $27.50, this is great because I've already paid tithes on this money.

I only need about $3 to have my BS1 back up to par, so I'll add the money for that.

I was thinking about adding the difference to CC3 but I think I'll add it to my sinking fund. I have the car insurance coming due in April and another pre-Dave event that I paid for early last year coming up 🤦🏾‍♀️🙄.

I posted the tennis hopper with balls for $15 for sale, hopefully it sells. I have three more items (2 pair of jeans 👖 and one dress 👗) to post. I'm slowly but surely decluttering the house 🏡, while hoping to make some money.

I also, applied for a job today. I've exceeded my goal of two a week. Hopefully the right job will come along. I'm looking for a great manager, close to home and decent pay.

Update: received a response on the camera I posted for $40. The buyer wanted to meet at the mall but I said nope, police station only. She agreed so we will be meeting later. $40 to the snowball or sinking fund 😊, not sure yet. I'm just glad that I was able to tentatively sell an item. $4 of course will go to tithes.

Just thought about it, I have to add the funds to the sinking fund. Chipped my tooth last week and have a dentist appointment to have it fixed. Last night it started to give me a little trouble

Well I finished my second book 📚 of the year, "The No Spend Challenge Guide" by Jen Smith; I like this book, it was a pretty quick and easy read, took me one day to complete.

The author provided a few great tips for saving and earning money, that I've highlighted and will try.

Next on my list is a non-financial book, "Fire and Fury."
Though I normally do not share my political views, I consider myself a moderate conservative, and no fan of Trump. I didn't like him when he was a democrat and I don't like him as a republican, but this book is one I'm interested in.

Goal is to read 12 books with year, all non-fiction, a first for me because I normally read fiction

Finished up "Why You Need a Budget?" and I really didn't care for it. I felt like the author was basically selling his product, YNAB. I can't imagine paying someone to creat a simple budget spreadsheet.

Well at least I have my first book of the year in, and starting the second , "The No Spend Challenge Guide" by Jen Smith. This really is a guide, 99 pages, so it's a quick read.

Goals, read one non-fiction (financial) book a month (12 books 📚).

So excited!

I spoke with the rep over at the graveyard and I can give up or transfer that plot to the SO, thank you Jesus!

Only bad news is that we can only make it on the weekends and she's out this Saturday, but I'll be there bright and early on the 27th. Unless he's off Friday, I am, we can go in then. Two years fighting with him to pay his bill on time and I finally just got the nerve to say enough.

Cable was back off yesterday, because once again he did not pay his share. When he comes home tonight, I'm calling the company to see if we can transfer the service to his name, that way I'll give him the money and what ever he does is on him. Literally the cable is off every three months.

I'm counting down the days when I can say, I no longer need a useless roommate. Court scheduled for next month.

The last few days was a no spend day. We went out for my birthday (today's my birthday) for lunch yesterday with coworkers and I spent $10. Not bad but I'm still upset about spending money, I'm always like, I could use that for debt. But oh well.

I'm off for the next three days, so no spending money for me and I'm excited. Not driving a hour each way to work will save me a ton in gas ⛽️ as well.

Now I'm just waiting on W2s and 1095s to file my taxes, any money received will go straight to CC4. Hopefully I'll have number three (3) paid off by mid-February.

Lastly I'm wrapping up, "Why I Need a Budget," it's okay but I'm just not overly excited about the book. I personally didn't like the fact that the author pushes his product, YNAB. One thing that's in the book that stands out for me is the mantra, "debt is not option." I'm going to plaster this all over the place, in my car, on the refrigerator, my wallet, my money envelopes, I want to be reminded that debt is no longer a option.

That's it in a nutshell

I was able to cash the check, thank goodness, this was a nightmare (see Sprint post) and glad it's over.

After paying my tithes from the check received, I can add about
$190 to the EF bringing the total to about $994 just $6 away from my mini EF.

I was so stressed out last week about taking the money out of the EF; however, I'm a true believer that it was all God. I made it a point to pay my tithes with every extra income I had received and though I'm upset for a few minutes when things occur, a calmness then comes over me. The only thing I'm anxious about is getting out of debt and saving money.

Today we're having a chapter meeting and was asked to provide non-perishable items. Normally I'd go out and buy items, I simply took what was in my cabinet that I have not used and don't plan on it any time soon, and bagged it all up. Loving this being intentional with your money concept.

Annoyed as all get out.

My boss has not said one word to me about my salary, I was suppose to know something last week.

I finally received the Sprint check for the full refund, they did not charge a restock fee but it's written to my middle name. Hopefully the bank will cash it. I can throw this money in my EF and that will put me back at the $1,000.

Today was payday, and I was planning on paying off CC3 but since the whole break thing, I couldn't, so I'm bummed about that.

I realize today that the woman never called me back about the plot, so it's on my to do list.

So that's it in a nutshell, hopefully things will start to look up.

Made my first sale on Offer Up. It's a sweater I bought about 10 years ago that I never wore, and it's been sitting in my closet waiting on me to lose weight. 🤦🏾‍♀️🙄

I sold it for $10, so this will go towards CC3. I'm meeting the buyer at the police 👮🏼 station for the swap.

Patience pays off.

Whew with the money SO gave me I used and paid $90 on CC3 , new balance $299.00.

Now I'm just waiting on the Sprint check to come to hopefully pay this sucker off. No more financing furniture for me.

My boss is suppose to be submitting a request for a raise for me, we will see. I do have an interview next week paying more and closer to home.