Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Overall last month every thing was down except for clothes and dining out. In January I bought no clothes and my dining out expense was about $4 more in February. Oh I forgot my gift expense was up, had a friend to die and sent flowers. In addition,I added two bucks to my cc challenge because I finally made it to the gym. For the month I only had 4 NSD
Well here it is last month's spending:

Income Categories
Other Income $82.84
Wages & Salary $1,249.49
Income - Unassigned $170.35
Total Income $1,502.68

Expense
Automobile $110.01
Bank Charges (interest) $48.68
Bills: internet/ storage $108.54
Clothing $79.77
Dining Out $48.09
Education $0.95
Gifts $116.28
Groceries $175.70
Healthcare $22.26
Hobbies/Leisure $5.00
Household $17.43
Job Expense $14.70
Miscellaneous $109.17
Personal Care $37.81
Services/Memberships $47.91
Taxes $247.33
Utilities $112.36
Total Expense $1,301.99

Difference $200.69

Today was one of those days, went to work and the painter locked the bottom lock which is never locked and only two people have a key. One, I no longer had her number and the other wasn't answering. Finally the painter picked the lock. Next I headed to Wal-mart spent $80, then the post office and didn't have enough cash to mail my nephew his package.
Then I came home and was able to get 2 hours of studying in and decided I haven't been to the gym. So I headed to the gym and did 30 minutes on the elliptical. While there I thought I want to go out haven't been in a while. So I called a friend (even though I was having second thought)and she said ok. Low and behold as soon as I got dressed (keys in hand...really)she called and said she wasn't going arrrghhhh. But I went anyway almost twenty miles and forgot my money so I headed back home. It just wasn't meant for me to spend money to get in a club and buy drinks

Today was a no spend day so $2 was added to my new home challenge
Next week is spring break so I plan on finishing up at least two papers so I'll be busy, no time to relax

I went to the library today and this guy sat at my table, it may not have bothered me as much but he kept staring at me which gave me the creeps. The funny thing is he sat there the entire time staring at me. So after about 45 minutes I decided to leave and look for the security guard to walk me to my car, but of course she was no where to be found. Any how I made sure my keys were in hand and headed to my car constantly looking in back of me. When I got to my car and pulled out I saw this car flash their lights and a hand stick out I thought you have got to be kidding me this can not be this guy. But it was a woman who sat across from me at a different table and said she followed me out because she did not like the way the guy was staring at me. She said it creeped her out. I thought that was so nice of her. She said she thought at first it was my boyfriend but then she notice we were not talking and he kept staring at me. Wow it is so nice to know that there are people out there who really cares
On a different note today was a NSD so $2 was added to the challenge/house fund

I am determined to have at least 4 no spends days by the 28th
So today I bought gas and hit the grocery store as well as buying the office Powerball tickets, that way tomorrow I won't spend a dime. The next time I will spend is Thursday (if I missed something that I need) and that will leave me with Friday and Saturday... wish me luck

Today's spending:
Expense Categories
Automobile $20.00
Dining Out $9.00
Gifts(Cousin's B-day) $10.00
Groceries $23.43
Hobbies/Leisure $1.00
Household $6.68
Taxes $0.77
Total $70.88
Oh and I added .62 to my challenge cc balance

Today was only my second no spend day for the month The only good thing is $2 went to the challenge for not spending. I can't believe the month is almost over and I only had 2 NSD

Ima posted today that she added her one dollar bills to the challenge for Washington's birthday and I decided to do the same, so $12 added to my new home challenge
Thanks Ima you rock

I went to the funeral or what we call a going home service of an old friend today who I have not talked to in years. It is so strange because about a week before she died I said to my self that I have to send her an e-mail and never did. I say that if you have friends or family members that you haven't spoke to in a while pick up the phone go by their homes but stay in touch. Yes I know we get married have children but make a point to call and say hi how you doing? Tomorrow is never promised

Well I spent a lot today. I decided to spend only $120 from now until payday on the 2nd so about $60 a week, wish me luck

Added the following:
$25 IRA
$187 EF
$10 Gift account
$20 personal saving account
Total saved $242

Expense
Internet $60.07
Gifts(flowers for friend who passed away)$75.00
Misc.(Storage fee,delivery fee for flowers and mom's cell phone) $98.42
Taxes $233.01
Utilities(Cable/Water) $112.36
Extra $10 on CC
Total $588.86

I almost forgot my sister asked me to borrow $20 because she didn't have money for the train and I said no. I felt bad but she never pays me back when she say she will, I'm just happy I said no

I have been ironing my clothes and packing my lunch the night before and by doing so knocks off about 10-15 minutes in the morning plus I don't feel rushed. It really makes a difference
Last Thursday was my first test in my finance class and I can tell you finance is nothing like accounting which I prefer and to top things off the instructor isn't that great.
I did some shopping spent about $80. What I find is once in a blue moon (every 6 weeks or so) I have to go shopping it is so tough for me but I'm working through it. There was a time when I went every day so every six weeks is much better than every day

All I can say is wow, a family friend was killed today. We just lost a friend on Sunday and now today a woman that I have known since I was a kid passed away after being in a terrible car accident.
And I am so annoyed I got a ticket today for $91 because my tint was too dark

$18.88 was what I spent today on a large pizza and tip. I took lunch today but the rice I brought was terrible and by 4:30 I was starving. So I ended up buying a large pizza for the office. There is one girl who doesn't eat meat and since I'm paying I bought what I like which was pepperoni. Well she has this bad habit of picking things off and leaving it for some one else eat or simply picking over things. But I told her today; do not do that, take a slice and what ever you don't want trash. I know, we are wasting food but I do not want to eat on what she has touched, it is a peeve of mind. Needless to say she was ticked off and didn't have any, fine with me because now I have some left for lunch tomorrow.
On a different note I got about 45 minutes of studying today, tomorrow I plan on being at the library for a few hours.
I also found out today that my friend who passed away yesterday was going through a possible divorce and having a lot of trouble. They are contributing her death to stress, so sad. I pray for her family

It is so strange because I was on facebook and saw an old friend and thought hmmm, I should send her an email . Well I never did and she died today. It's so sad because she has two small children and I felt bad because I never made an attempt to get in contact with her. I saw her a few months back briefly, all I can say is wow. Death has a a way of making us all want to do right

Well a friend of mine ask me to go over a paper with her today. So I explained yesterday that I would be at the library all day studying for my test on Thursday. Well low and behold she shows up but with her kid. I have nothing against kids but when I am trying to study I do not want any distractions (none). He was spoken to by the librarian twice who later gave us a study room. Then he was in and out constantly fidgeting and once again the librarian had to speak to his mom. He is a nice kid but why bring them to the library when you know you're going to be there for a while, studying. I was there almost 3 hours and still did not complete as much as I wanted to. Finally I had enough and said I was going to get lunch and was planning on returning but I ended up spending at little more than $7 at Firehouse and came home and took a nap. Now tomorrow I will head back but I simply won't answer my phone when she calls, I have got to get some studying in

Today wasn't a bad day, I found my ring, had lunch and breakfast at home, got my $28.34 from DollarInbox and went to class which was just an hour long. But the bad part was I had Mcdonald's on the go for dinner (woke up late for class) spending a little more than $3 so I doubled this amount and added it to my cc challenge. On a different note when I was feeling down about being single (still am ) I met this guy yesterday who I am really not into but it is ok to have some one to talk to once in a while. I guess it's the holidays that drive me into this depressing mode. With V-day approaching I guess I just went down hill

I found my ring, thank goodness. I was on my car seat, I think I took it off to put hand lotion on and forgot to put it back. But I am just happy I found it

I have been down lately mainly because this guy that I was very interested in is simply not interested in me so I decided to stop calling him. Any how normally when I'm down I shop and I have come so close these last 2 days of going shopping but opted not to. Then today I lost my ring at work ($200 ring) and I was so tempted to go and buy another, I'm upset but it's not much I can do about it. In the end I just pray I am able to stay strong against temption

Well I called Macy's regarding the buck they say I owe and received a credit, then I called JC Penney's because I had a $13 credit and a check will be issued. It was just two calls and it took me almost 2 months to take care of

A new month and new goals. Well today I hit the gym my first of three for the week. Next I went to the grocery store and spent $13.29 not too bad, my goal is to not go back until next Sunday (fingers crossed). Any how I thought I had lemonade mix so I only bought 1 lemon and low and behold no mix. But I am determine not to go to the store until next Sunday so water it is. Besides water is healthier anyway.
I used the cc for my purchase in order to earn points and paid it off as soon as I got home, adding an extra $1.71 a dollar for going to the gym and .71 cents to round up to the nearest dollar (both part of my challenge). I got some home work done, not a lot but it's better than nothing tomorrow I'll hit the library. Now I am just hanging around waiting for the Superbowl...GO STEELERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Going along with househopeful, I decided to post my goals for the month

[]$100 EF
[]$100 House fund
[]$100 Additional principal payment(car)
[]Schedule annual MD appointment
[]Reschedule dentist appointment for March
[]Go to the gym at least 3 times a week
[]Pack lunch and breakfast everyday
[]Extra $300 on CC
[]Finish taxes
[]Try to stay positive
Wish me luck

Well my nephew and I rearranged my storage so that I can at least get into it. Once a week I am going to go there and clean out 1 box and get rid of stuff I simply do not need, I am such a pack rat. Other than that I did not go to the gym maybe later tonight nor did I get any studying in. I pretty much lounged around tonight. I have a friend who is a DJ at a local bar who asked me to stop by but to be honest, I simply do not have the extra money so I am not going. I washed and colored my own hair tonight saving me at least $45. I can not believe that I have not been to the hair salon since early December and my hair actually looks fine, maybe next month I'll go and get a trim. So in a nut shell that was my day

I have been eating healthier but haven't hit the gym in about a week and to be honest I really don't feel like going. But I'm going to make an effort tonight to go, I must. At almost $50 a month I need to go. Prior to classes starting I would go twice a day and now I hardly even go once
Today's going to be a long day because I am going to rearrange my storage. My BIL has his things there and has not paid 1 cent towards keeping it there but I am telling him this week to make some arrangements on getting his stuff out of there. I really never pushed the issue because prior to him and my sister losing their house I kept my stuff in their garage but now I have to pay and it has been about 6 months plus when I want to add things to the storage I can't because his things take up half the space....argghhhhh

Well I came home and tallied every thing up for the day. I have $114 to last me until the 16th..wow, hope I can do it. Any how here's the totals starting off the new month

Wages & Salary $1,249.49

Amount Saved
IRA $25.00
EF $49.38
Misc Savings Account $10.00
Personal Checking $10.00
New Home Account/Challenge $10.00
Total Saved $104.38


Expense Categories
Cellular $94.12 (have to work on this)
Charitable Donations $20.00
Misc: Storage $48.47
Personal Care $23.98
Taxes(Medicare,Federal,SS)$229.05
Utilities $177
Total Expense $592.62

Transfers
Auto Loan Principal Payment $265.56
Interest $115.73(this maybe wrong I always over calculate)
Transfer Total $381.29

Income less Expenses $922.67

Grand Total $171.20

In a time when people are losing their jobs I just got a .78 raise. Which is about $50 a pay period after taxes. I am so happy because I just paid my bills and thought hmmm I can't put a thing into my EF. Anyhow I added $49.38 to the EF
Yeah!!!!!!!! Things are really looking up this year

This is the amount I had left in my checking account before payday tomorrow; added this to my EF. I am impressed with my self because I managed to sock away $210 (misc savings, EF,home account and IRA) and not touch any of my savings accounts to get by
End of the month total:
Total Income $1,776.42

Expense Categories
Automobile $199.17 (not including car payment of $381)
Bank Charges $64.67(interest on cc)
Bills $108.54(storage and internet)
Charitable Donations $20.00
Dining Out $41.67
Education $857.24
Fees $20.60 (charge for paying tuition online)
Gifts $17.25
Groceries $150.27
Health care $15.00
Hobbies/Leisure $30.75
Miscellaneous $40.95
Personal Care $36.63
Services/Memberships $47.91
Taxes $321.84
Utilities $115.92
Total Expense $2,088.41

Grand Total -$311.99
I am really happy because there are no transactions for clothes plus my dining out and miscellaneous categories are way down compared to the last few months. It's strange even though I saved money I still have an overall negative number hmmmm, I'll have to review this
So all in all this was a really great month. Tomorrow's payday unfortunately I can not add anything to my EF but at least all my bills coming due will be paid

I have never seen snow my friend sent this to me today...boy I wish I was there

I figured I would have $81 to last me until Friday...wrong. I paid a family friend who helped me get my washer/dryer $20 plus I gave my nephew $10 for helping. I figured he(family friend) lives about 20 minutes away and neither one are working and times are hard no need in me taking advantage even though I know they would have done it for free. But I can mark my washer and dryer off the list of things to buy
Today I spent $3.50 at Wendy's and added $.50 to my challenge/cc

As you all know I am determine to be out of my mom's house by the end of the year, whether it be me buying or renting but I'm moving. I am too old to live at home plus I have really no privacy, and plus I'm tired of her little mood swings (we haven't spoken since last Thursday). Today on freecycle some one was giving away a perfectly good washer and dryer so I'm picking it up later and sticking it in my storage. It's one of the items that I needed on my list of items to buy. Then I came home and there was a check from Directv for $8.08, nice little refund. I didn't add it to the challenge because payday isn't until Friday

I was taking nap today and got a call from bebe stating that I had a $10 GC that was getting ready to expire. For those you have not shopped at this store, there is nothing in there that is less than or $10 so why would I go. In addition, to the phone call I also got an email stating that my reward was about to expire. I was tempted to go to see if I can find something for $20 (chances are slim to none) but no need in me going to waste gas and to buy something that I simply don't need
On a different note I rounded up the change after leaving the grocery store today and paid. 89 cents towards my challenge/cc

I forget to post my $10 weekly deposit to the challenge, thus far YTD $1762.40
Balance for my new home account $745, it's amazing I had almost $8k the first part of last year and now I'm down to $745 but once I get this cc paid off I will be able to sock away more
I have about $113 to last me until next Friday, hope I can hold out