Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Yep, dad gave me a $100 today and I transferred it to my savings, I'm at $2182.29, can't wait to get paid to hit the $2200 mark.

Also added $9 to the CC, have to stop eating out, this is adding up.

Tomorrow, I plan on making chicken and stuffing in the crockpot.

On our way to the fair, haven't been there in years.

I know when I blog I stay on track, I hate when things throw me off, when that happens I stop blogging and start spending. Have to stay focus.

With that said, I'm trucking right along. The BF took care of my car's oil change and filled me up. I didn't ask how much he paid, but I estimated about $60 for everything. So I added the $60 to my $20/52 Week challenge. New total $2,082.26. I'm so happy.

Dad and I will be running errands and he usually give me a $100 on the days we do this. Even though I tell him he don't have to he always do. He says he'll rather give it to his kids than other people who will sure enough take it.

I splurged and had McDonalds for breakfast $3.60 so I paid $3.60 on the BoA credit card, I figured if I have extra to eat out then I have money to pay down debt.

Lastly, we are getting our security cameras installed. It saddens me that we are in an age where Big Brother always have to be watching. Awful

So I'm at the bank and found someone's debit Visa card. For some strange reason I was scared to touch it let alone pick it up. Strange I know, but you never know.

Needless to say, I picked it up and called the bank to let them know I had found it. After our break in, I'm just paranoid about everything.

Tomorrow we get the security cameras put in and I think once those are installed I'll feel a little better.

Went out to lunch with an colleague and spent $20 so I decided to pay $20 on CC1, how I see it if I can eat out I can pay extra on the CC.

New total $1000

I've been using the Cash app now for quite sometime, and when ever I refer someone, that person and I get $5 when they use the app. The great thing about it is that it's free and instant, unless you link a credit card, that's 3%. What I love about it is that the person that you're sending or receiving funds from do not have your account info.

So with that my neice sent me cash, for some items I'm selling and I got $5. I added this to my $20/52 week challenge, new total $1,973.26. 😄

Here's my code if you're interested.

Try the Cash app using my code and we’ll each get $5! FGHTDRQ
cash.me/app/FGHTDRQ

So I go to dad's and he has a ton of ones for me, $44 worth. Apparently he hates ones and throws them to the side. So today he decided to give them to me, I told him yes, I'll take that, thank you very much.

Added $44 to my $20/52 week challenge, new balance $1,968.26
Friday is payday and I'll be adding week 49 ($49) deposit, and that my dear will put me at $2,000 before February. I'm so excited. I'm hoing to hit 5k by June.

Last year I became a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I knew that there were going to be a number of events that I would want to participate in and decided to open a second account, for this purpose. I must say, I am so glad I did this. I was able to save about $300 since December and just recently I had to order somethings. What I'm so proud about is that I paid for those items without feeling stressed, and that it was easy as 123. It's just nice to have the funds available at the ready to do what I need to do.

On the saving side of things, I received $15 from the Cash app for three referrals. I decided to deposit $8 to the house fund and $7 to the new home fund. Since this wasn't money earned, I thought why not use it to pay down debt and beef up the savings.

Yesterday I did not workout so I paid $2 on BoA CC.

That's it for now, I'll check back in shortly.

So we had a break in, 80% of my items were stolen and the BF is moping. Now I'm upset that the house was broken into but I'm also thankful that much more wasn't taken or damaged. It's like get over it.

My BF on the other hand has been in the dumps all night and day. He can't sleep, keeps walking up and down the street for the canister that the thief stole that belonged to his dad. I understand that the can belonged to his dad, but I'm just like really? The world is not going to stop now. It was a Heineken can, I'm just thankful that the jerk didn't damage the photos. I'm also thankful that no one was hurt during this break in. I really just want to order another one. The can itself is about $20, and yes I understand that it belonged to your dad, but good grief. I'm missing a $1500 bracelet plus two karat diamond earrings.

I'm sorry I know death is hard, we know it's unavoidable but his dad has been dead four years and we're still dealing with mourning. Next month it's his birthday and I'll have to tip toe around feelings all month.
I'm sorry

So our home was broken into today. Though I'm thankful that no one was hurt and not much was stolen, it still annoys me.

The day started out here raining cats and dogs, heading to work I had my lunch bag, purse and breakfast in hand. Something said to me, lock gate, in my rush I thought I did but didn't check. That was around 8:07 am.

Around 1:30 the boyfriend called to say, the house was broken into and you need to come home.

Low and behold the glass slider was smashed ($275).
Thank God, all the TVs, tablets, digital camera and computer was still in place. The jerk stole every piece of jewelry I had, four of my watches, and the change I've been putting off cashing in. He stole my BF change, his watch I just bought him for Christmas. What bothers me the most, is that the change that was my BF was in his dad's canister, he just want the canister back since his dad is no longer with us. Fir me, my pandora bracelet is missing. It's five years of collecting charms of our story. Though the bracelet is valued over a $1000 it's sentimental value is worth more.

The jerk cut himself breaking in so the officer has his DNA and the neighbors have him on their surveillance camera. The officer said he knew who he was, so hopefully he'll be arrested.

That was my day in a nutshell

H

Though I had said that any extra money received that I Woolf put towards the house, but I find the need to add funds to my CC debt as well.
Last night I received an extra $30 from dad, so I added half to the $20/52 week challenge and the other half to CC1

New totals
Challenge $1906,26
CC1 $1053.00

It's a struggle but I'm trying. Hopefully today will also be my first no spend day if the year and I can add $5.00 to my challenge.

Well today was a day. I decided at 4:30 am that I will forgo Facebook for one week. I realize I spend way too much time surfing, reading and rereading the same posts. I almost went on during work and decided to delete the app.

I couldn't believe that I woke up this morning, grab my phone and the first thing I did was check Facebook. It's sad. I'll say it was tough, not wanting to see what everybody was doing but I got through the day.

Dad ask me to pay a bill for him, he gave me a $100 and told me to keep the change, about $34. I'm struggling with adding this to my challenge, I've done so good thus far adding all extra cash but I realized I have $294 left in my checking to last me until next Friday. Ugh. I'll play it by ear, I guess.

I also came home and made chili for dinner, this is my second time making it and I must say, it was delicious. The first time I made it, used the crockpot and it was so-so. This time, I used Morcormick chili mix, chopped onions, celery, green peeper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and the rest of the items for chili. I couldn't believe how good it was, plus there's left overs for tomorrow.

That's it in a nutshell, nothing else to report.

Yesterday dad gave me $100, so I added it my $20/52 week challenge. I thought my balance was 1,791.26, but I was surprised to learn that it was actually $1,891.26. I have my fingers crossed that I will hit my goal of $2000 before February.

I have some change that I need to cash in, I think that's about $80. I've been putting it off because the credit union has moved, normally I would go there and they'll feed the change through a machine. Now with my local bank, I have to roll the coins. I know it's no excuse, I just really don't want to do that .😡

My mom gave me $25 today for my birthday. I almost fell out of my chair, the woman never gives away anything, particularly money.
So rather than spending it, I added to my $20/52 Week Challenge, new balance is 1,751.26.

I read my vision board every day so that I stay on track and I'm blogging to do the same. Our landlord wants to sale this place and she's giving us first dibs so we really need to make sure that our funds are in place. Even if we end up not buying this place, at least have money available for a possible move.

My birthday was yesterday and very low key, usually we're heading out of town but not this year. We had happy hour at the house with friends and that was actually nice.

That's it in a nutshell.

So dad gave me an extra $40 and I'm adding it to my house/challenge fund.

New total $1,676.26. I'm pretty certain by February I'll hit $2,000.

This weekend I'll be entering in more receipts, I can't wait until this is done. But hey, at least I'm trying.

Trying to stay on track for 2016.

Dad gave me $200 today so I deposit the entire amount I ton my house challenge fund. If I said it once I said it a 1000x so long as I'm blogging, i, on track.

I also, started to enter in receipts that I haven't entered in months, so that I can finalize my 2016 spending and create a new budget. I also cleared out my closet getting rid of four items I also got rid of two items out of the kitchen cabinet that were expired. It's a slow process but I'm trying to finally declutter.

Tomorrow, I'll buy a bin yo house all my Valentine's Day Decorations so that things are easy to find. Next month I'll get one for the St. Patrick Day stuff.

That's it in a nutshell I'll update my sidebar tomorrow.

Happy New Year to my entire SA family, wishing you all a prosperous and healthy 2016.

I started the year off with my first ever vision board. Items still on the list, save money, debt reduction and owning my own home. I need to go back and add blogging, when I don't blog I always get side tracked.

To be honest with you, I'm glad I did this.

So I started the new job, and live it. Everyone was so nice, and helpful.

Not sure if you all know, but I'm in HR and on boarding is very important to me. Well let's just say my new company did an amazing job, flowers, lunch etc. it was really nice.

My old boss didn't speak to me the last two weeks I was there, even when she took me to lunch, that only validated my decision to leave.

On the financial front I've slacked a little but nothing over board. Now back on track

So I go in for my third interview, and guess what? I got the job, $10k more than what I'm making. The goal is to sick at least 5k away for the year. I'll start on the 24th and give my resignation on Monday. The funny thing is my boss as been extremely nice.

On a different note the BF younger sister passed away the same day I received the offer. He's torn, holding it in but I've been in tears pretty much all day.

That's it so far

Okie dokie we are back from PA. We had my BF family reunion and of course I ended up spending money I should not have.

I asked the BF to move out. Prior to us going on this trip he still owed $120.00 for the airfare, now he owes me $200+ for cable, $75 for luggage and $281 for the rental car. I told him prior to going that I did not want to be responsible for anything concerning this trip. I foot the bill for the Derby because that was something that I always wanted to do, this was his trip. He wants to talk things out, but I'm done, financially, we are not on the same page, and I am tired.

On a different note I am tackling CC4, I caught the devil trying to set up automatic payments of $10 per week but I was able to do it.

I've managed to bump my IRA to $396.71, and still able to add $15 a week to that. Not to mention I signed up for the company's 401(k) at 3% that averages about $33 per pay period.

I was also able to bump my $20/52 Week challenge to $2211.30; I would love to hit the 5k mark by December, but it doesn't look like it unless I get a job paying more.

Lastly, I have been on two interviews with the same company and will be going in for my third on Wednesday. I am pretty confident that I have the job, but I won't post anything until I receive my offer letter.

That's in in a nutshell

Found this article on Twitter and thought I would share

I'm broke but all my bills are paid. I have about $200 to last until the next pay day that is the 22nd.

I'm proud of myself, any and every bill that was due from the 7th until the 22nd was paid. This last pay period I started my 401(k) contribution. I could only contribute 2%, wish I could do more but something is better than nothing. The funds chosen were two target funds 80% to the 2040 (my target date) and 20% to the 2035. I appreciate everyone's help with this as well, thank you. I'm still depositing (auto) $15 a week to my IRA account, I figured why stop. Once CC4 is paid off I can up it to $20.

On a different note, I had a phone interview yesterday. I'm super excited, please keep your fingers crossed and candles lit. The hiring manager wants to bring me in to meet with the team next week. What's great about this is, my boss is on vacation so I can leave early or come in late.

Side bar- Yesterday we had an incident at the office. A office manager did not show up to work. Her staff was nervous about it but too afraid to notify anyone because "they did not want to get her in trouble." Apparently her sister hadn't heard from her and called the cops who found her car at a bar. Long story short, she was missing for over 24 hours, found but things do not look good. I say to my boss who is the HR director, that this is a serious problem Andy That the company should be looking at its culture and speaking with staff to reassure them that if there is a concern, it's okay to speak with regionals, HR, exec team etc. Her response, " you are correct, apparently the staff is afraid of the regional, I'm not going to deal with this, let X deal with it he's the VP of Ops, this is a operations issue." All I could do was say, oh and think to myself, I have got to get out of here before the crap hits the fan and she tries to blame someone else for a mistake/stupidity she made.

Once before she held an employee's check, I informed her it was against the law to do so, a clear FLSA violation and she did it anyway. Another time she wanted staff to work a company picnic and not pay them. Unbelievable.

Well today I weighed in at my Weight Watchers meeting and I'm down 2lbs, so I paid $2 on CC4. I'm down 7lbs in 7 weeks, that's a pound a week. Hopefully I can increase this.

In reference to the 401(k) I went with two target funds. Since I have no clue, and did a little research this seems to be the safest route for me. I put 90% towards the 2040 fund, my actual retirement, and 10% in a 2035. I've decided to just park and leave and gradually increase my payroll deductions overtime.

Hope I'm doing the right thing

Today I decided to wash and color my own hair, had I gone to a salon this would have cost me about $35.

So I decided to add $15 to my 52 week/$20 Challenge and I paid $15 on CC4.

I realized that I need to save about $16,000 as down payment for a $80k fixer upper. Right now I've socked away $2087.53, goal is to have at least $5k saved by the end of the year. It feels great to put a number on the amount I need.

I've paid off 3 CCs and upped my contributions to my IRA. However, I recognize that this isn't enough and I want to start participating in my company's 401(k). Now the company doesn't match, but I'd like to contribute about 2-3%.

The problem is that I have no clue on which funds to pick. I think I'm aggressive a tad bit and want to see my funds grow quickly. I'm also conservative now with how I spend my money. So I guess I'm in the middle

Just wondering if you all can help me pick some funds? If so, that would be great. I've included a screen shot of the funds offered below.

Ugh! Received a bill from CC3, apparently the card wasn't paid off and there was some interest accrued; therefore, I owe $12.39 😡
I paid it it but this just annoyed me. I can now say goodby officially.

On a different note, I have started tackling CC4 and this week alone I added an extra $35.

I've also upped my 52 Week/$20 challenge to $2070. Things are going great. Hopefully I can get this card down by half by the end of the year.

Goodbye CC3!

I finally did it, I have paid off CC3. I'm so excited; as Dave Ramsey says, "Get rid of those little mosquitoes." Good news is that, I've already started tackling CC4, paid an extra $25 last night😃



Now it's time to up my weekly IRA contributions from $10 to $15. It's not quite where I want to be, but it's a start. For each CC I pay off, I plan on upping this amount by $5

Well I received an additional forty cents that put me over the $10 mark I needed to cash out on Ibotta. So I used that amount to pay down CC3. Now I wait patiently for my $153 in cash rewards from BoA and CC3 is out of here. I am so excited, I can just scream.
I'm ready to hit CC4, and get that one out of here.

Well I logged in and cashed out my BoA points for cash. I thought the amount was $120 and in reality it was actually $153.93 😃

Right now the balance on CC3 is about $163. The good news is that if I receive the $153 from BoA within the next five days, I can add $10 and pay off CC3 by the end of the month.

I'm so excited because my goal was to have this CC paid off by June and to have $2k saved as well. This is such an amazing feeling to have reached my goals.

Next is CC4 the balance on that card is about $4800, the goal is to have at least half paid off by December

Well I did it! I hit the $2,000 mark for my challenges 😃

Added a dollar for losing a pound, and $15 for washing my own hair and not going to the salon. I'm so excited, I wanted to hit this amount before the end of the month. Now the goal is to hit 3K before October, fingers crossed.

I also paid another $15 on CC3, new balance $168

Well made a $40 deposit to my 52 Week Challenge, since I'm on week 40. I also added $10 because dad gave me an extra $20. My new balance is $1984.53. I can't wait until I hit the 2k mark.

I also paid an extra $80 on CC3, bringing that total to $183. I'm cashing in my BoA points for cash so once I get the $120 I'll pay that amount on the CC. The goal is to have this thing out of my hair by July.

That's it in a nutshell