You read the paper and the headlines are
"murder, robbery/theft, rape..etc" never anything positive you turn on the television and it is the same thing this time they want to scare us to death about the bird flu or some other disease than can kill you. I am sorry tired of all the negative reporting but I guess that is what sells

Once again I have a book that is due back, but I just started it today and it's due today (A 7 day borrow only). Anyway I am hoping I can finish it tonight and only be fined $1.00 (it would be a day late) but I don't think I will. It was a book that I was waiting on but when the library called I was in the middle of reading another book in which I just finished yesterday. Darn what a waste

Just thought I would share, this was in my inbox today, I have to say I am guilty on some of these but have made big changes:

Sin #1: Don�t Balance Your Checkbook
Even if your accounts are low, it is better to know where you are at financially

Sin #2: Make impulse purchases that cripple your finances

Sin #3: Don�t Create a Budget
Sin #4: Live Paycheck to Paycheck
Live within your means or make more money before you increase your expenses.
Sin #5: Don�t Put Money Into Savings Regularly
Sin #6: Buy Into the �Middle Class� and get swept up in �Keeping Up with the Jones�s�

Sin #7: Shop before you pay the bills
Make saving money a routine and stick to it
Sin #8: Don�t File Taxes On Time
Sin #9: Use your Credit Card Frequently Without Paying Much Toward the Balance
Sin #10: Abandon Your Financial Obligations

Ok it's bad enough I ate out yesterday, but the company charged me twice. Now once again I will be trying to get funds refunded to me, in less than a month. Last time it was the bank's error and boy was it a pain trying to get that money back. Anyway I am out $17.80 until the person that handles the charges comes in tomorrow to credit my account, but in the mean time I will contact my bank. Boy this is like a nightmare, when it comes to electronic funds and trying to get the money owed to you back. I guess that is what debt collectors go through in order to get the money owed to them

I have not bought the Sunday paper in a while. I use to buy it all the time when I lived on my own in order to cut out the coupons (to save, I don't know why I ever stopped). Any way I decided since I am working this part -time job why not, well I went through every piece of that paper and jotted down all the items that I purchase on a regular basis and I did some comparing...lol. I have to laugh becuse friends say I am cheep but by doing do so or being cheap as they call it I saved $.41each on propane gas, getting ready for hurricane season, and $.83 each on a 12 pack of coke so you tell me. It is the small change that matters look at my challenge money, mostly funded by small change

I don't know how some of you feel about used items, but my brother who works for a waste management company found/pick up
at dumps in "rich areas" anyway he gave me some of the items he found really nice..I washed them then sent them to the cleaners. I was able to get really nice summer shorts and tops and some old winter jackets/blazers. It's like shopping with out the spending. But what amazes me is that so many people out there need these clothes and people with money just dump them in the trash when it's out of style or they simply don't want. Sad

The money I set aside for the challenge I was actually using/saving towards a new home, but I think once I get to the $500.00+ mark and my brother pays me back I am just going to take the entire amount and pay off my high interest cc (30%)
Since I have the part time job now, I will be able to fund it very quickly and I am still depositing $25.00 a week. That way I figure I would be saving a lot more. Right now I owe about $1200.00 on the cc and my brother owes me $465.00 so I figure with in the next couple of weeks it should be paid. Hopefully he will pay me with in the next couple of weeks, this is the first time that he has not paid me right away so I figure he must be strapped. I am not complaining because in the mean time I will continue to add to the challenge but atleast I know this CC will be paid in full no later than June 15th that is my goal. Even if he deosn't pay me back I'll have two checks by then from my part-time job of about $425.00

I am trying to balance my check book and I'm off by 10 cents The sad part is I can't find it....I am going crazy

I met Flip Schulke a famous photographer, the one who developed a lens for under water shooting. Any way he knew Martin L. King and his family and took a number of phots including the one with him and his son looking out the window. To make a long story short he gave me a book and autographed it as well

After reading someone's blog last week I went on a ton of website looking for free stuff and coupons (thanks). Well I got my free tampons (sorry guys) today and $3.00 off any Herbal Essences product yeah!!!! I'll use the $3.00 for hair color that I desperately need. Now I am waiting on a ton of other coupons and free products as well, can't wait

Once again you guys gave me a new idea, I think now I am going to save all soda cans and turn them in. I drink a lot of oda and figured I'd better get some of my money back. I 'll have to research as to where I can turn them in and how much per pound ( Iwonder if it will be worth it) but I will add what ever I get to my challenge money

Boy am I upset...I am able most of the time to obatin my MSN money file online at any computer. Well I entered in some transaction today and now that I am home I am trying to access my account and update my home file with my online file, well low and behold I can't, there is something going on with the program. I have shut down and restarted a 100 times and now I give up. Hopefully it will be up and running tomorrow so that I can have the correct balances on all my accounts

Well my family and I has this thing we call the "Parnder" each week one will set a side a certain amount of money, let's just say $25.00 and at some point you get your draw (the amount you put into it) Well now it is coming to an end and since hurricane season is rolling around I will be unable to do it..in way I am glad because atleast I can earn interest on the money that I would have been putting in, the only sad part is I won't get the draw or a big lump sum right away. Don't get me wrong becuase I was never one to save and this helped me to save for my car insurance. But to make a long stroy short I decided to transfer those funds weekly to my ING account..hopefully I will keep up with it. Starting from next week to December 31st I should have $650.00 + interest

Well I made a huge mistake I owe $125.00 on a CC that is not due unitl 6/15 but I wanted to pay something on it and then in two weeks pay off the remaining balance...well need less to say I paid the wrong CC company and of course I can not get that money back..boy oh boy and yes I am adding this amount to my challenge money because it was a silly mistake , becuase you have the option of viewing your payments and of course I did not do that. So litterly I have wasted $50.00

New challenge balance: $462.96

Well my brother stuck me again he just called to borrow money, not that he deosn't pay back...he deos but the point is he is always borrowing. I had to pay his CC bill $238.66 so now I add .34 cents to my challenge but now he owes me a grand total of $464.00 which I can't really have outstanding. I like to see my money in the bank earning interest. But at least I know I will see it because if it was my sister or a certain friend I may never see it
Challenge/New home now at $432.96

If you have an ING account, there is a contest (unsure of the name) that is giving away $15000 for the best essay based on how ING helped you save money and why you think you should receive the reward, also several runner ups will receive $1500

This was in my inbox today, just thought I would share:

Getting Rid of Junk Mail

OK, so it's nearly impossible to stop the flow of junk e-mail you receive. But at least you have a fighting chance of slowing the flow of junk mail delivered by the post office. You can start by not listing your address in the phone book. That's how many solicitors track you down. Then get your name off mailing lists by contacting the following resources:

Direct Marketing Association
DataQuick: 877-970-9171
Acxiom: 877-774-2094
Abacus: 800-518-4453

Ok I have to vent, theres this guy that I met at a X-mas party about 2 years ago, he drives me crazy but I deal with him only because I market at his office
Anyway to make a long story short he is always selling something, and of course I feel obligated to purchase only because we have a business relationship...it would not bother me as much if I could get a refund from my job but because this is really personal I can't now I feel like this was a waste and should match this amount and add to my challenge money in which I intend to do but it's the point. I can't understand why some people always ask the same people over and over to purchase itmes, I guess because we are suckers
Now here is my challenge update:

$15.00 money wasted
.44 rounded to the nearest dollar after grocery shopping
$21.50 Payday deposit
grand total now $422.11

Well I treated my mom and my sister to dinner today for Mother's day. $43.69 and it really did not bother me especially since it was a special occasion. But what did was I spent $21.29 for a dress and then ended up having to add that same amount to my challnge money...this is what I call wastefull spending as well as $.71 because when ever I spend any money I round to the nearset dollar so I just added $22.00 brining my new total to $377.82. I do not mind adding to the challenge but my double spending theory is sure working I will definately begin to think twice. With that (double spending) I will meet my $100.00 goal a month in no time(money to be added to the challenge). Tuesday is payday so I have to add the money back to my EF in which I used to pay the utility and water bill (mom gave me the water bill 1 day before it was due, boy was i pissed)
We'll see how things pan out, I am still waiting for the $225.00 from my bother a whole month later I guess I should not hold my breath

For all you mothers out there and dad's who are also mommies

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Boy am I glad that I have a saving account for almost everything, today I had to pay fee at the college for $30.00 in which I trnasferred from my college saving account...I did not have to touch my EF wow I just feel great. Even though now the balance is down to about $51.00 and some change the whole point was not to touch the EF. The only regret I have is that I did not start earlier with putting away as well as setting up an account soley for school expenses

Just wanted to tell everyone thanks for responding to my blogs, the words of encorgement are great. Now that I have a new part time job I am getting excited about all he money I will be saving and the bills (cc's) that will be paid off I can't wait
and thanks gain

Well I got the part-time job
3-11 Saturday and Sundays hopefully I can hang in there save some moneyand pay off all cc's ASAP. I really can't wait because this marketing thing is not working. I guess if you're going to be serious about your finanaces you have to make changes that at the time may seem like apin. But I should keep my head b/c I wasn't looking for a job and my sister referred my out of the blue so I am happy

Well I have been at this marketing thing for about 2 months ;( and nothing, but my sister gave me a lead on a part-time job working the fron desk at a nursing home, which I am hoping pans out. I will still keep my full time job and pay all my bills with that but I am determine to save every check (if I get the job) from my second job for a new house, wish me luck. My interview is tomorrow

I am expecting about $825.00 Next Monday (payday) I know if I do not write down what needs to be done while I am slightly ahead it won't get done and there will be money wasted so here we go:

$75.00 EF
$10.00 new car account
10.00 Tuition/Books account
$20.00 Challenge/New home account
$40.00 Water bill
$12.00 Dental Insurance
$52.00 CC1
$50.00 C-phone #1
$40.00 Cable
$20.00 CC'2
$33.00 CC3
$26.00 CC4
$20.00 My ME account
$35.00 Home phone
$125.00 CC5 paid in full
$75.00 extra on CC 1
$50.00 Mom
$4.29 for the stamps I would have paid
actually it should be $5.00 because I am rounding up.Leaving me with 132.00 for two weeks. Wow I have way too many d*** CC's that is how I am in the trouble that I am in, now that I see this I am taking every single one out of my purse, you know my mom really does not travel with hers and she owes 0 on a cc, she only uses them when necessary. Wow and I paid off two today my God. It so different when you see things on paper versus estmiating and that is how I get into trouble. I really have an addiction to clothes
it's insane I am so upset right now

I don't know if you guys remembered but I finally reached baby step one (1000.00 EF) and because of my little spending spree last month I used cc and not cash that I should have had, now I had to take money out of my EF to pay CC' s leaving me with $900.00 I used 3 different cc's and was only able to pay off 2 the third has a balance of 125.00 which will be paid next week, payday. I was doing so well and then bam! I don't know what happened. I was thinking about cleaning outmy $20.00/ New house account to pay off my Student loan but now I will pass I really need to get these CC's out of my hair...and I am still waiting for the 225.00 from my brother it seems like I won't see that anytime soon. That is enough of venting now

Ok I went back and reviewed all bills paid since the 1st (online) which came to 2.73 in stamps; if I would have mailed my bills out so I added that to my challenge money as well as $1.03 from earlier now bringing my total to $321.79 now that I have added another option in order to save/add to the challenge I should reach or come close to my $100.00 a month goal (money to be added to the challenge). It feels good to be back on track again, boy did I waste a ton of money last month

Thanks to Boomeyer's previous post I decided any bills I pay online (no stamps) I will add what I would have paid in stamps to my challenge money. I already round of the change this will give me an additional $7.00+ each month now I got the hang og adding well coming up with new ideas to add to my challenge money
Thanks again

I have finally made baby step 1 by reaching my $1000.00 EF yeah I am so happy I hope I won't need to touch that money. I also was able to pay bills and up my $20.00 challenge/new home money to
$317.98 my goal at this point is to save $100.00 each month for the challenge money
Well new month and no shopping for me I am definatley staying out of the stores.
Unfortunately I was unable to take the challenge and live off minimum wage

Wow did I go over my budget this month especially when it came to buying clothes but I am will be back on track this month
So far
I have a total of:
$20.00 Challenge/New Home $295.98
New Car acct $45.42
College tuition $71.08
Misc account $.04
Personel Svgs account $31.00
EF $750.66 decreased by almost 200.00
Total savings $1194.18

Now here is the spending
Dining out $520.47
Groceries $100.71
Gas $91.41
Cell Phone $40.00
Household bills (cable, electric etc)$
Misc $333.72
Personal Care $265.63