Amber's Personal Finance Blog

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.

I’m so thankful for this blog, you all often provide great advice.

I’ve been saving as much as I can. Outside of my grocery and electric bill, my expenses have been extremely low. I’m hoping my manager will continue with the work from home option. So far I’ve saved about $150 in gas alone.

I notice that there has been a spike in the cost of food, an 18 count of eggs 🥚 were just over a dollar now it’s $2+. I understand the supply and demand has impacted these increases, but I can’t help but think yikes!

As you all know, I’m in Florida and people are hitting the beaches in droves. I’ve decided to continue with social distancing, only heading to the store when I need items. No pool or beach for me.

I’ve also been keeping myself busy, attending virtual movie night, virtual BINGO, virtual happy hour and painting a wine glass, all have been fun. I’ll admit I’m a little antsy but safety first.

I’ve also been walking more, I’m down about four pounds, I’m hoping to hit my goal of 10lbs over the next 30 days.

Well that’s it for me

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 pandemic has made me realize that I want to hit FIRE sooner than later. I was pretty much doing what I should, adding to my EF, saving for upcoming expenses, adding to my 401(k) and paying down debt. I’ve even cut expenses.

I realize my biggest obstacle is my income and fear. I’m worth so much more than I’m paid, I was always taught when you get a job you stay, take what’s offered don’t negotiate. But at 65k for the amount of work I do, and my accomplishments while on this job (implementing new processes that streamlined hiring, recouped the company over $100k, saved us 5% on health care premiums) for the size of the company I work for, it’s a joke. I’m under paid by $30k for my position, for my current role in the area I’m in.

I recently stepped out on faith and applied for one director’s position, $100k, and one VP position, $200k.
I refuse to take less than $100k a year, those days are over

I hold a masters, two certifications and over 10 years experience. I know my crap, people reach out to me all the time. I’m going to start charging for coaching. This pandemic made me realize, years of fear has allowed me to sell my self short.

Wishing everyone a happy Easter 🐣

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

So I called my insurance company, told them I’m working from home and got a discount of $30 per month, due to COVID-19.

Well worth the 20 minute wait time.

A senior cousin of mine who works in a nursing home has been diagnosed, with the COVID-19 virus. Pray fully she’ll get through this. This virus is a scary thing, and has started to hit home.

I needed a few items from the grocery store, I was running low. Just to go in and see the store marked up with tape, so that people keep a safe distance is scary.

I pray that as a nation we get through this soon

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.

Pray for me

I can’t understand why we are not cutting non-essential contractors before we lay off staff.

I’m really upset with this. We’re paying a cleaning crew six figures to clean, that doesn’t even show up, or when the do, don’t clean. This was way before COVID-19. Cleaning crew owned by board member, conflict of interest no🤷🏾‍♀️ especially if their services is more costly and ineffective.

We’re paying someone to clean the buses that aren’t running, and we have bus drivers who do it anyway, well before COVID-19..

Wrong wrong wrong

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.

I’m considering refinancing my house. It appears as though I can get it down by two percentage points.

One thing I can’t stand and that is feeling rushed. I keep getting the send this by this time and that time etc. Well the broker sends me the documents at about 9 pm last night, tells me to review and sign by 10 am. Wtf I work.

She tells me in the email, I’m getting a $2,000 refund or I can use the money to buy down my interest. I’m excited about the refund but wondering why. I glance through the documents and notice the loan amount is rounded up. I think nothing of it, put it in my list of questions.

Now it’s 3am I’m up and I have an ah ha moment, so I think. I’m thinking the loan balance is about $18,000 so it’s rounded up and figured that’s where the $20k came from.

Well that can’t be it, I checked and the balance is actually less than $110k. Now I’m wondering if it’s worth the refi if I’m paying extra on the principal anyway. I don’t want a refund, I want to finance the balance, $110k, at a lower interest rate.

I’ll review the documents in detail and get my questions together. I refuse to be rushed through this process.

Having worked in HR for many years, coupled with a MS in HR management, and HR designations that keeps me abreast of new laws, guidelines etc. I highly recommend that employers follow the guidelines coming down the pipe from DOL, OSHA , EEOC and other agencies. Unhappy employees equals, more complaints that equals if you’re not doing your due diligence lawsuits, hence huge pay outs.


Trust me on this.

So prior to the new e-FMLA I made a recommendation to open our schools to staff. That request was denied, citing, we can’t pay employees. Well post e-FMLA, I mention that staff will now be able to take leave, non-paid, when it comes to child care, and we must restore the position. Now leadership says it’s okay to open the school but the employee must pay. 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️

I realize that the company I work with, definitely doesn’t consider/care for their staff. It’s awful. I had my feelings, but everything has come full circle.

One question, I’m definitely asking employers when I get to the point of interviewing, how did they respond, pre, during and post COVID-19? Awful just awful

I made a request to temporarily suspend the wait period for STD when it applies to COVID-19, was told no.
I’m so disappointed

So we had our leadership meeting, we all report updates based on our department. Things are changing daily on the HR side. As you know the FMLA law was updated, I’m to report those areas that impact us the most, I’m told not to report. WTF!

I’m so disappointed in our response to the virus. It’s the lack of being educated, running by the seat of our pants. The organization doesn’t even have a legal team, that I’ve been asking for, since I started. Decisions are being made without counsel.

Sad, just sad

I ell these last few weeks have been extremely exhausting for me.

First my mom hit me for $1500 that I totally forgot about, significantly reducing my EF. I’d borrow the money from her about five years ago. I tried paying her back and she wouldn’t take the money. Honestly I forgot about it, well she asked for it. Was I annoyed? Absolutely but I owe it and I’m done with it. She was upset because I took my $100 she owed me, for paying her cable bill. Either way, we’re done. I’m trying to hold on to my EF in case I’m laid off.

Next, I’m in HR. What I’ve found is that these managers do not adhere to the recommendations that I make. They’ll go to my boss, the CEO, get her confuse and convince her to go with their recommendations, that normally benefits themselves and their favorites.

Well yesterday, I had a manager insist on laying staff off. I’d advise her against it. The controller and I had worked out a few kinks and created a plan that could keep staff, all would receive their pay, and keep medical expenses at least a month. I’d given her a few options. She said she would speak to her direct report and call me back. Well the next call I get is the CEO decided to shut down two facilities, 40+ employees. I ask, when will this be done she says it’s already done. Being pissed is an understatement.

Well after she did this, she realized that the plan to pay her high income earner friends was no longer. 1.5 to 2 hours later, she’s on the phone telling her director staff to return to work. This is so unprofessional and unacceptable, I can just scream. We can’t do this to staff, given these times.

When I finally spoke to my CEO, she liked my recommendations and was told she was never provided my recommendation.

Happy Saturday everyone,

It’s the last Saturday of the month. I had so much I needed to do, but was feeling blah.

I needed to complete my taxes, wrap up the income driven plan application for my student loans, balance my checking accounts, review my cash envelopes, bill my client and update my March budget.

I got most things completed that were on the list. I decided since I have the side hustle, it might be best to let an accountant complete my taxes vs TurboTax.

Just a few updates
The scholarship dilemma, has been taken care of, the organization decided to keep their promise. However, I’ll no longer do any business with them after this.

SO finally came and removed all his remaining things from the house. He’s officially out. I’d been asking and not pushing him to get his things and finally, I just said screw it, come and get the rest of your belongings or I’m dumping them. He looks terrible, he’s lost a ton of weight. I’m sure the stress of the mother and the kid, he has to decide for himself how and when he’ll handle those things.

I’ve also been attending a ton of professional/networking events. With my education, credentials and experience there is no reason why I should be making less than 100k a year. I’ve been selling myself short, and doubting myself for too long. I’ve recently had renowned people in the industry share my name as the one to follow in HR. I feel like, I got this. My next role, must be closer to home at least, $100k

I’m stepping out on faith.

Outside of a little disappointment, this has been an amazing weekend.

First, I spent time with my sorority sisters, whom I love and adore. Then today, I had the opportunity to walk for an amazing cause MS. It was so special, a good friend, finally embraced his illness, I wanted to cry but held back for him.

This reminds me that life is short, and even though I’m on this journey to debt freedom, I do much to be thankful for.

‪I made a commitment to an organization to donate $500 last year, in honor of my dad for 2020.

I wanted the reward to be offered in his name. I’ve been speaking with the committee member and expressed my wishes, multiple times. Well I spoke with a member and reminded her this was what I wanted, last week. Today I get a call that it can’t be done, will I be wrong to ask for my money back? ‬

Please no judgement on why the $500 wasn’t paid towards debt. I love my dad, and really wanted to do something in honor of him.

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

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.

Financial literacy is an ongoing process for me.

I use to consider myself a saver and a spender, I’ve gotten to the point where I am now more of a saver. I’ve always hated giving the government my money; however, I do understand that there are resources in that those funds could, well should, be used for. But to be hit with $200 less in my check, I am not happy. This really burns me. I’m not trying to make this post political by any means; however, those new tax laws are not beneficial to me, and I’m ticked off about it. Home interest deductions for some is no longer, and I’m one of them. Yes, I know pay the house off but I’m still ticked off. I can go through the list but won’t.

I’m still learning, so even though there isn’t a match with my employer, I’ll adjust my deductions to include 401(k) contributions, this should help, I think with my taxable income(reduction) vs transferring the money to the IRA.

I’m just annoyed, I feel like I work so hard and yet I’m still not educated enough. I want to scream, wages are at an all time low, though there’s jobs, and you’re taking my money.

Getting off my soapbox

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.

Today I found two of my great nephews birthday gifts at Walmart for $5. I’d budgeted about $25 each, I’m feeling so excited. Though one’s birthday is the end of February and the other is in May, I just feel really great that I was able to score such a great gift at a low rate. It’s a Discovery STEM kit.

I also polished my nails, something I missed doing. They came out great and I saved about $15 doing it myself. 💅🏾

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