Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Some people are just plain crazy. I keep my keys on the sofa table so my mother places a stamped envelope under my keys. Usually when she does this its because she wants me to mail it. So me not being selfish mail the envelope. Now we live in the same home but she calls my sister to ask her to call me, to ask me if I mailed the envelope. All I can do is shake my head, because my sister should have said no and that she was not calling me and if I was thinking I would not have answered the question.

I can't wait to get out of this house

I wish there was an app for SA. Please forgive me, I'm using my phone and will probably have a ton of grammatical errors

Long story short, I love my job but I need to make more money. Spoke with my boss who stated that our grant has money that is slated for salary increases; however, she really has no control over her budget, which by the way is the reason the other supervisor quit. Actually, we have enough money to start every one off between 40k-45k and still be able to provide raises. But the Agency starts us off between 30-33k. Last year I had to hire an attorney in order to receive my salary increase. That is a long story that I will have to explain another time, just know that my former boss provided me some info, she probably could have lost her job but i received my salary increase.
Further more, I explained to my new boss that we are taking on additional responsibilities with no salary increase, another reason why one of the coordinators left. So basically with in 1 year we lost one coordinator and one project director.

In the end, I just sent my resume off for two positions. One similar to what I'm doing and the other is a little different.

Basically I can say this, it's not really the raise I'm concerned about, it's the misuse of federal dollars that I'm more concerned about.

Looks like I will have CC1 paid off before February BF provided me the $200 for the rental from our trip, so I deposited the money and made a payment to CC1. New total $252. Today I received my second Aflac check for $75, I'll mail it off to the credit union and pay $75 on the cc.

Moving along, looks like I'll be getting about a $1300 tax refund which sucks because that means I brought home less money for the year but the bright side is, it will replace the $950 its going to cost me to move.

I am a big believer that things happen for a reason. Last year around November, I got the urge to blog and save money. When I look back on it, the money saved is just enough for me to move.
In addition, I spoke with an old friend in November and advised her if her place was still available I would be interested in renting it. She's been wanting me to rent it for awhile and guess what, it's available and she will allow me to rent it, all furnished. Ironically this is the month my mother told me "To get the F$@% out!"

Further more, the money I will take to move, will pretty much be replaced when my taxes are complete this week.

I know there are some who do not believe in God, but I do and I believe that He advised me save, reconnect to my friend and file my taxes after cleaning out my savings, as well as starting my blog back up- you guys/gals have been so helpful in so many ways

Just talking about my family without any shame has allowed me to breathe again.

So yes, things do happen for a reason.

I went to the doctor's last week and my blood pressure was a little high. However, for the last few days I have had such a headache and I know it's from the stress of living in this house with my mother, the stress of moving all coupled with the unknown.

So I'm sitting in my room and my uncle,who lives with us, motioned for me to come and talk to him. So I go into his room and he ask me what happened between my mother and I. So I tell him the story, explain I found a place and would be moving. He basically sits there like he can't believe it and shakes his head. Just talking about it gets me all emotional so I start crying, head back to my room to finish polishing my toes.

Next I get a call from my brother to ask me what happened and then he tells me I should apologize. My response is for what? So I tell him what happen and how negative and unsupportive she is, he says he knows and I should just ignore it because I know how old folks are. Then he tells me that my mother says that I yell at her and that he has seen it. I say to him, how does she speaks to me? I only give her what she gives me. His response well just apologize because you know how she is. I'm tired of everyone justifying her behavior and allowing it to continue because "That's how she is." When she was explaining to him her side, and he heard my side of the story he should have said to both of us that "we" should apologize.

As I told him, I'm giving her what she asked for which is not talking to her as long as I live and moving out on March 1

Just wanted to say thank you to MonkeyMoma who helped me out when I had no clue on what I was doing when it came to my W2 I really appreciate your help...hugs

Looked at my W2 and it's matched up with my pay stub, I'm short about $1000 for the year. Now I'm going to the account department but was wondering how can I calculate to make sure the correct amount is being received and deducted?

Whew within two days I received two checks, $10 from Macy's and $60 from Aflac. Also BF provided me the $200 for the rental car so I'll pay the $270 on the CC.

I had left overs for lunch and was sitting at the table and I notice my mom was banging things. I think she wanted a response but I continued to eat my lunch while reading my book. Next she went into her room and closed the door, something she never does.
The funny thing is I was going to wait to eat but realized it takes more energy for me to change certain things than just going about my daily routine, while realizing that it must be killing her to go out of her way to do things out of spite. For example, hiding food, closing her room door-something she never does, calling all over town for someone to call my brother to tell him to call her( she doesn't have long distance so she usually use my cell phone). I'm just thinking once I just went back to my day-to-day it was easier for me to cope with her words.

After the fiasco with my mom, we went ahead and went to Alabama which turned out to be a great trip. We toured the capital, the Freedom Rider Museum, The White House of Confederacy, Selma which was the historic march from Selma to Montgomery, the March to Vote, we also toured Dr. King's church and home as well as many other historical sites.

We got back home I had to go back and forth with the rental car because I was promised 15% off and did not receive, I finally got my 15%

My mother is still my mother, she had the nerve to hide food from me the other day. I can't believe that but oh well. She didn't even say happy birthday. But I think she was a little shock to see me with some moving boxes.

I spoke with my sister who also acknowledged that my mother is a hurtful person and she explained that my mother is angry over a marriage (divorce from my dad) which was not a healthy one. Which I pretty much concluded myself but to hear some of the hurtful things she said to my sister, I must admit; unfortunately, made me feel a lot better. I guess to hear from some one who is almost 20 years older than me go through what I went through and feel the same way helped me to realize a few things. 1. It's okay not to feel any love for a woman you're suppose to call mom 2. Your mom is a hateful and angry person 3. She has always been this way 4. It's not my fault

On a different note, I found a place which is owned by a friend for $950 a month. It's the cheapest I found and is very clean. So I'll be moving in on March 1. This is perfect, it gives me a little time to earn som extra cash at work. No matter how I cut it, I can't afford any place by myself unless I get a second job which I plan on doing.

I politely reminded the BF that he owes me $200 for the rental car, I am not footing the bill on that. So he said he'll give it to me. If I don't have it by Wednesday, I will remind him again.

I received my $10 rebate check from Macy's thank goodness. Now I'm waiting on the following:
-$200 Gift card BCBS
-$75 Aflac Cancer policy ( I don't have cancer thank God but when ever I do the healthy screening I get $)
-$60 Aflac Dental
-$51.00 Eflex

The checks from Eflex and Aflac will cover our trip hotel room, the good thing is I didn't pay any money out to get this extra money

Okay I looked at some apartments and rent is not cheap. Apartments ranged from $895 to $1100, not including any utilities. The apartment that I really like is a 2/2 for $1190. This will be ready 2/8. BF will be living with me so this will help with the rent, he'll pay $850, I'll pay the difference and the utilities which equals out to what I pay living at home, give or take the extra $250 in rent. But my electric should go down by $100 (mom needs a new a/c unit and she refuse to buy one so I'm stuck with the $200 a month light bill) and the water should go down by $20 plus I think I will save on my cable.

So after the bf gets home tonight we will look over the numbers and decide who will pay what.

It's funny because right now I'm sitting in my car dreading to go inside, I hate coming home.

I notice that my mom placed the electric bill on the counter, but I'm not paying it, I have to move and I'll let her know that the bill came and she will have to pay the light and the water since I am preparing to move. I'm not trying to be spiteful but I really can't afford to drop $100+ on an electric bill right now.

I cannot wait to get out of this place. I must admit I'm scared but I scared before and God made a way for me to live on my own for about 6 years so I know we can do it

Well I'm back home from my mini vacation which on one end of the spectrum was wonderful because I wasn't home but on the other end horrible because I replayed my Mother's words over and over in my head.
When I told one of my BF what she had said she starting crying. I've read some material which said that most people who make hurtful comments are angry/hurt themselves which I pretty much figured myself about my mother. I realized that she is so consumed with my dad's unhappiness and hers that she makes everyone else unhappy. Every morning and night I hear her say "M you're going to suffer" referring to my dad. Once I was up about 2 a.m. and she was talking in her asleep saying "M y you're going to suffer" once I asked why do you say that every day and she never responded. Mind you my parents have been divorced now for 30+ years and since I can remember she has been consumed with him, asking questions and no matter what the conversation was it always ends up back to my dad. I believe she really did not want a divorce but she claims it was the best thing that ever happened.

I think I'm going to seek some counseling to help me deal with the rejection. Today I'm going to look at a place, I also have a call into one of my friends who was planning on renting her place so we will see

Okay this is going to be a very long post, which has nothing to do with finances. In addition, I'm crying and using my phone to type, so I'm sure there will be grammatical errors by the boat load.

So here we go, last week my mon and I had a few words. I woke up and she was yelling about why did I leave my clothes in the washing machine. So I said to her I was going to rewash them. Her response is I do it all the time. Grant it we both has a tendency to leave clothes in the wash. So I said to her why didn't you just take them out (I do when she does it). Long story short I take my clothes out get dress and go to work.

Well upon my return she didn't say anything to me and I didn't say anything to her. Now fast forward 4 days. I wake up this morning as you all know I am going out of town for my bday. My bf comes we load the car and I go to tell her we were leaving. I call her name no response, call again still no response so I go into her room and she is in the shower so I pop my head in. And say "Ma we're leaving" her response "As long as you live don't say anything to me and get the fuck out of my house when you get back!" All i can say is okay. Really? Who tells their child that and why? To be honest I can say my childhood wasn't the best and I have realized today that I really don't love my mother nor do I think I ever felt love by her maybe that's why I have had really bad reelationships, maybe that's why I live above my needs trying to feel love. I must say thank God for my bf because I feel like jumping off a bridge right now. I'm absolutely tired. Ye es I've been getting back on track but I do not have anywhere seto go. And even if I did, I will deplete my savings moving and I wouldn't even be to buy food or gas for my car. I just don't know what to do

Friday night I was drained , I hit Wal*Mart up for a few personal items, came home and crashed. Yesterday, I went to the dentist spent $100, which I will get back from my FSA, got 1 set motor mounts installed ($25.00), cleaned my pool, and then date night with th BF to the Improv, which was a disaster.
Regarding the Improv, I personally did not want to go but I must admit that it was a nice outing at first . There were three couples, usually when I go out with other couples the bill is split amongst the couples. Well the bill came and I made the comment to my BF to simply split the bill, long story short he was upset because the bill was $191 and he paid $80 which was more than the three way split. But what frustrated me was he was trying to blame me. Huh? First of all I did not want to go. Second of all if you didn't want to split the bill you ask for a seperate bill, secondly if you had split it three ways it would have been $63 or you could have simply paid for us which came to about $50 with tip. If you can't open your mouth then I feel like you wanted to spend the $80. His reasoning for spending the $80, well his cousin gave $80 so he did which left the couple who ate the most with a $31 bill and if I'm not mistaken their bill was about $80+
Moving a long, just needed to vent. Today I went to spin class which was awesome! I bought a gel seat for the bike and felt so much better, I cleaned my room which was a must, washed and colored my hair ($35 saved) and now I'm getting ready to fill my car up and vacuum the inside. That will be it for me.
Wednesday we leave for our trip to Alabama and I made it clear I'll pay for the room, BF will pay for the rental car.

Okay I made breakfast and lunch so I am adding $4 to my challenge/cc. I owe about $257 on this cc and can't wait to pay it off. It's like a little bug flying around while I'm trying to relax. Ughh I wish I had $257 I'd knock it right on out

My mom's friend may not be with us soon. She went into the hospital and had heart surgery, she's extremely over weight. Long story short, she was re admitted and suffered bleeding on the brain, we think she may have had a stroke. Now the family has to make a decision on pulling the plug, I pray I never have to make that decision.

Wow now I understand what a championship fight feels like. I am on my way to a TKO. Just paid $200 on CC1 and the balance is now about $250. I think by time I get paid again it will be paid off, or knocked out. Lol

I can't believe it's not quite a week yet, and I've knocked off about $300 plus what ever interest I would have paid on this CC. I am really feeling great.

On a different note, I've been using my crockpots and dinner has been delicious not to mention cost effective. So far I have added 12$ to my challenge/EF. Brining my total saving close to $1100

Things are looking great. Now I am just hoping I receive my GC from BCBS before my trip next week.

It was a really good day today, I added a ton of money to my challenge. A total of $99.89, whooo hoo

Here is how it breaks down:
-$2 Breakfast (Added to the challenge/EF)had breakfast at home
-$2 Lunch (Added to the challenge/EF)packed my lunch
-$2 Dinner (Added to the challenge/EF) had left overs
- $9.18 (Added to the challenge/EF) because I received my mileage check and I am going to always add 10% to my challenge/EF
-82.71 (Added to the challenge/CC) this was added because I received my mileage check and decided that I want to pay off CC1 before January 31st

I can't wait to get the money back for my for my new
glasses I will pay off CC1 because I'm paying interest and will take my time paying CC2 because its interest free for awhile and I can focus on those which I am paying interest.

Okay, I forgot to add my funds for the New Year to the challenge so here it goes:

$1 Heat win
$10 dining out (12/31) funds were added today
$2 breakfast at home
$2 dinner at home
$4 Gym ( I did not go today or yesterday)

Total added to the challenge $19.00
YTD $19.00

On a different note, for dinner I used my slow cooker to make a pot roast which was absolutely delicious. I also made the Kraft mac n cheese mix (some one here recommended), it was actually pretty good but i think I will do away with the bread crumbs.

This will also be lunch/dinner tomorrow. I think I'll try the slow cooker on Wednesday to make ribs

Now for some good news, a few weeks ago I applied for the city's senior advisory board, I received a call today from the commissioner who stated the position was not available but wanted to know if I'd like to serve on the community relations board. Heck yeah! I am ready to become more involved in my community in addition move up in my career. This will be a win win situation for everyone, because I am passionate about my community and ready to make a difference; in addition, I'll be able to network.
So in the end, the commissioner has made the recommendation and I am waiting to hear

Yesterday we spent New Year's at my BF's grandmother's house and the conversation was " A Grown Folks" conversation, so we called it...lol

Any way his cousin which I look up to, said to him (my BF) that he wastes a lot money and that he needs to consider his future. I was like Thank God . As the conversation went on, his cousin also told him that he needs to be mindful of what he teaches his kids, and that buying 7 pairs of tennis shoes for back to school was ridiculous. "Amen!" was all I a could say. His response was that he had a fetish for shoes, the cousin's response was "So that is what you teach your children?" "What happens when you can't afford it or when they get older" His cousin also told him he should be teaching his children the value of money. Whew! I have been saying this for the longest, but we really hadn't had a serious conversation about it.

I am hoping that he took something away from the conversation. I however; plan on having a serious conversation with him soon.

What a way to start off the New Year, dinner with good friends and family Remember, "The New Year is full of promise, though you may also get a fair share of tough times. With each progressing year, you find yourself growing confident, experienced, and wise. That's the gift of the New Year"

Just wanted to wish my extended family ( You ) a Happy New Year! Let's make this the best financial year ever.

As the new year approach us, I haven't really thought about what I'd like to accomplish for the new year, but here it goes.

-Pay off auto loan (Balance $1700)
-Pay off 3 CCs (Balance $3500)
-Move (I really want to be in my own place by the end of the year)
- Save an additional $1000 (EF)

I think if I keep my goals at a minimum, it will be less stressful and much easier for me to accomplish. Yes, I have more CC debt than listed but getting rid of the first three earlier in the year will make it much easier to pay off the others.

Moving forward, the Heat won tonight so $1 was added to my challenge/EF. In addition, I had lunch, breakfast and dinner at home so $6 was paid towards my challenge/cc debt.

Lastly, I purchased some really nice Gucci frames today. I always wanted really nice glasses. Anyway, I had about $306 in my Eflex account and my new glasses cost $305. I actually make no contributions to my Eflex, all funds were supplied by my employer so my glasses cost me zero dollars

Just ordered my holiday pictures on Walgreens.com, cost, free whoo hooo. Used the "printnow" coupon code and chose to pick up at the store therefore no cost to me

Well I went to BestBuy with the BF last night, and he bought 2 CDs totaling almost $40. All I could say to myself is You can't be serious? Really? Just two or so days before you didn't have money to put gas in your car and you receive a few payments ( for jobs he had done) and you go and buy CDs, wow. Unbelievable! And to top it off, his family is having a get together and requested, by his aunt, that everyone gives $25, of course I was perplexed, she couldn't be serious. $25 to attend a BBQ? $10 from each person would be more than enough to buy food and drinks. Needless to say I told him I was not going. In the end, the aunt asked him to buy a case of chicken, a little more than $50, and of course he did. He has a serious problem of not wanting people to think he is "broke" per se; however, moving forward I don't have a problem with it. If people think I am "broke" which by the way I am, that's perfectly fine with me, because they won't ask me to buy any thing.

I know when Monday or Tuesday rolls around and he has no gas money or lunch for work, he better not look my way because I am BROKE!

So the good news, I deposited the $150 my dad gave me into my challenge/EF account, keeping my end of year goal--$1000 saved by December 31( I started November 14th).
Also today I will tackle CC1 making a $120 payment vs. the minimum payment, brining the total down to about $520 the goal is to have this CC payed off by January 31st.

I know I have said this before but I am glad to be back blogging about my finances. This blog keeps me accountable, I'm more embarrass to say I spent foolishly to strangers than I am friends, not to say we're not friends.
I feel as though, those of us on this blog is somewhat a sort of family without faces
Thanks to all of you who read my blogs, who are honest about things that you see that I am blind too, your thoughts and opinions mean a lot to me

Wow hope every one had a great holiday, I've been a little busy so I haven't had time to post. But here is the update:
First I gave my mom her Christmas gift which was a 8 x 10 picture of her grandkids as well as great grands and their signature. When I handed her, her gift, she responded " is that it for my Christmas?" I thought what an ungrateful so and so. I know I shouldn't have those thoughts but my mom is always looking for money. I can't tell you the last time I got a Christmas or birthday card from her let alone a gift. Even on my birthday, we go out to the buffet she likes and I pay. I think the last time I got a gift from her for Christmas I was 13

Moving on, next my BF gave me a MK watch (approximately $200) a snuggle (@ $20) and Chanel Chance (@ $140). Nice gifts right? But here is the kicker, I said to him lets set a limit on this year's gifts his response he doesn't set limits on his woman. That's fine and dandy because I did, and didn't spend more than $120 on all 4 gifts. Now comes yesterday he says to me he needs some money ( I'm thinking he is joking). So I end up first spending. $30 to put gas in his car. Next we go to his grandmothers and he ask me to take him to the liqueur store, I end up spending 30 more dollars. My thought is I'm going to pay you back for the gifts you bought? If so take them back to the store. This is crazy. Now today he comes here huffing and puffing because his kids asked for money to get their hair done. My thought, you just gave the oldest one $250 for Christmas why is she asking for money. Long story short, I'm not getting any nails done

His problem is, he wants people to believe he has all the money, well I don't and I refuse to have him nickel and dime me out of the few dollars I have saved

Lastly to end on a good note, my dad gave me $150 today so I can add this money back to the funds I transferred from my challenge

I have no idea what happened but I over extended myself and had to transfer money from my challenge I am glad that payday runs around next week so I can put the money back but it hurts.

Today I went into Micheal's to pick up some miscellaneous stuff with my BF, big mistake. He ended up picking up a book for his daughter for $13.00 causing me to spend $13 more than what I anticipated which sucks.

I hate going anywhere with him, especially if it is my shopping trip, he always picks up junk. I did tell him that moving forward I will not be shopping with him. I think he thinks I was joking but I am serious.

I said to him that I will be buying gift cards for his daughter and niece to JCPenney's and his response was kids don't like Penney's. Well I plan on using my CC and when I get my mileage check next month, pay it off. I am not spending any cash on gifts that His kids do not appreciate.

For his daughter's birthday I bought her jewelry, not a thank you. He had to tell her to say thanks like 4 hours later. For Christmas I got the youngest one, two years ago, a cupcake maker and its still in the box unopened. Last year she got an mp3 player, still in the box. One thing that I do know this will be the last gift they receive from me, if I do not get a thank you or the gift card is not used. Period.

On a different note, I received an A in my lab class and a B for my lecture. I am officially one with the prerequisites Now I will begin studying for the nursing entrance exam

I absolutely hate Christmas, I hate the fact that everyone always have their hands out for something. I hate spending money I really don't have and this year there's going to be some disappointed individuals. For one my uncles daughter, who I never see also my God daughter's sister who is always looking for something, and my nephew in Georgia. I can't afford so many gifts and I'm not going out of my way or broke to buy gifts. As far as the others I have to buy for, I will be hitting up JCPenneys in hopes of getting a really great deal otherwards there will be some very upset kids.
My bf is all set, less than a $100. I asked him to set a budget and his response was "I don't put limits on my lady" well he is in for a rude awakening because I place limits. For him I got a wet/dry vac $19.99 a car stereo $39.00 a music cd $15, and two picture collages free, total $75. My goal was to spend no more than $200 for Christmas and it looks like I am right on track.
On a different note I added $8 to the challenge/CC because we had McDonalds for breakfast

Wooohooo and the money keeps on coming in. I will receive a $10 Reward Visa Card from AT&T for making the switch to paperless billing.Plus I should be receiving my $200 gift card from Blue Cross Blue Shield of FL, and $10 from ING. What a way to end the year.

I am so excited, I officially reached my saving goal today The goal was to save $1000 by December 31st, well I have met and went beyond my goal, yay! Today I added $20 to my challenge which put my balance at $1006.77. I know it's way less than where I want to be but to start in mid November, actually November 14 and exactly one month later, to have saved over $600 in four weeks is amazing. This small little task shows me that I can do anything I put my mind to.
Now it's time to tackle CC 1, the balance on this card is a little more than $600, so I figured I should have this paid off by mid January.

On a different note, yesterday I bought one of three of my BF's Christmas gift, cost $18. This was half of what I expected to spend . This weekend I plan on using my ShopKick points to redeem a $10 gift card to purchase a car stereo he wants, cost $49 with out the $10 gift card.

Yesterday the BF went to court and one of the issues with his child support was tossed out. However, the attorney who handled this case advised him to fire the other and consider the money he spent a lost. Wow I've been telling him this for a year, I guess since I don't have a law degree what I say doesn't matter. Long story short he will fire the lazy lawyer.

In the end, I am feeling great about becoming debt free

Hmmmm I am not sure. I take my phone out everywhere and scan items for points, and right now I have enough points for $10 at Best Buy, using ShopKicks. I drove back to Sephora because my phone was acting up and I missed out on a $15 coupon yesterday. I had enough points for two $25 gift cards, one for old Navy and the other JCPenny, thanks to MyPoints. And I use my Bank of America CC to get points for cash, today I got a check for $37.50

So am I cheap? hmmm I'll take that

Oops almost forgot I added $12 to the challenge and am very close to my $1000 goal in one month