Amber's Personal Finance Blog

6 meaning classes I need to graduate I just reviewed the college catalog and it looks like I only need a total of 6 more classes I am so happy. If that is the case I maybe graduating this year after all. 3 classes in the summer and 3 in the fall (if they're offered) so I am setting up and meeting with the advisor to go over all my credits and what is needed.
On a different note my ex best friend called me the other day and asked me to move in with him (roommates) I thought are you damn crazy. First of all he always has people over, plus he smokes marijuana on a regular basis, then he has this attitude that you can't even give him constructive criticism plus he is not working. Not to mention he and my bum for an ex are best friends. Then when ever I talk to him he is always hinting about me lending him money and the fact that I so called have it. I can't stand a man who refuses to stand on his own feet and think that because I have a half way decent car that I just have money. Do I have stupid written across my forehead to give him because I know I will not be getting it back?
Sorry about the vent but he just drives me crazy

This school thing is driving me nuts, not only did I find out that the course required for internship maybe dropped in the fall I am now committed to my internship for the summer Any how on the bright side I was able to set up to have a speaker come out and speak with the seniors about emergency preparedness since we are approaching hurricane season.
Now the woman who is over my internship is an idiot, we agreed that I will be in charge of activities now it seems like she has new plans. When I speak with her on Monday I am going to confirm that I will be in charge of activities for my internship

well I went to the dentist and he wants me to have some scaling done, I don't think so...I have had scaling after scaling and it seems like it is not helping my gums. But the dentist gave me a mouth wash that I have used for about 2 weeks and he says my gums are much better, then why the scaling? Let's just hold off until after my scheduled cleaning which I plan on doing, if my gums are getting better with the mouthwash rather than spending $400 I would like to $15 copay for a mouthwash
Next I go to register for class and can't because I am not listed as a senior, arrrrrrrrrrgh. Now I am able to register and because of budget cuts so many classes have been dropped from the schedule or there maybe 1 class that is from 9-11 with a 21 students on a waiting list (this is from the instructor) and of course even if I was on the list I can not attend due to my work schedule. So basically my plans to graduate in the fall is out of the window.
But on a good note I upped my contribution from 4% to 6% for my company's 401k

Two days in a row I have had a great day. Today was a no spend day other than gas of $30 which I do not count. I got up early enough to make breakfast, took my lunch and snacks for work; in addition; to having left overs for dinner
Then I headed to the library because I was having some problem with my accounting, I was able to complete chapter 10's homework other than the hand out in which I will tackle tomorrow but it felt good to be able to understand what I was doing wrong. I also had $7 left over from last pay period in checking account 1 so I added that to the EF and looks like I will have $85 left from last pay period in checking account number 2 on Thursday so that will be added to my car/tuition fund

I am not sure whose blog I was reading regading directv, but I gave them a call and my bill was reduce to $44.99 in addition to 3 months free of Showtime. I will pay $61.53 (including tax) for 1 year and then after that I will switch to Comcast to get their introductory rate
Overall I will be saving about $10 a month and will be adding this amount to my challenge...never hurts to call

Inspired by sillyoleme I decided to pay off the BoA cc so I took $2200 out of my house fund. I don't mind because I am easily going to get it back to $7642.45 in no time. With a tax refund coming due in addition to the so called stimulas package I will be back at $7600 in no time. I have been battling with this for a while, even though it was zero percent interest until july I wanted it cleared. I really did not pay it off completely because the dentist owes me a credit of about $300 plus I have some clothing that I bought that I am returning so once I get my refund and return those items it will be a zero balance Thanks sillyole me...it seems like I am back on board with have no debt

First I started my taxes and got the bulk of it completed, just need to add in the deduction for sales tax (I bought a new car last year so I will save on that), in addition to my IRA contributions and I am done. I went to the grocery store and bought snacks and made dinner that will last me at least two days including lunch. Then I headed to the library to get some studying done. I am stumped basically on one chapter...but will review tomorrow night. Next I took a nice long nap and my brother who I hardly see stopped by for a little while which was really nice.
As far as finances goes today is the end of the month for me because payday is Tuesday so I am uploading this month's spending
My hair expense is really up there, I will start back perming my own hair which will save me an extra $40
I normally would not have nonreimbursable job expenses but I bought several dress pants and tops for my summer intern
Expense Categories
Taxes : Federal Income Tax $303.87
Insurance : Automobile $291.00
Automobile : Maintenance $281.00
Personal Care : Hair $198.00
Taxes : Social Security Tax $190.57
Groceries $161.69
Automobile : Car Payment $141.69
Miscellaneous $131.63
Job Expense : Non-Reimbursed $114.13
Clothing - Unassigned $106.85
Automobile : Gasoline $100.02
Bills : Electricity $94.05
Healthcare : Dental $85.00
Bills : Cellular $74.69
Bills : Cable/Satellite Television $71.53
Bills : Online/Internet Service $61.25
Dining Out $59.27
Gifts $54.55
Clothing : Acessories $45.50
Taxes : Medicare Tax $44.58
Bills : Water & Sewer $43.94
Sales Tax $43.03
Bills : Telephone $40.01
Charitable Donations $40.00
Personal Care : Make-up $19.00
Healthcare : Prescriptions $15.00
Hobbies/Leisure : Entertaining $11.00
Leisure : Entertaining $10.00
Healthcare : Eyecare $8.99
Household : Laundry $7.00
Household : House Cleaning $6.38
Personal Care : Hair Supply $4.99
Leisure : Newspaper $3.00
Snack $1.80
Household : supplies $1.50
Total Expense Categories $2,866.51

well I got the intern position. I will be pretty much working as th director of activies. Which is fine with me because I can pretty much work my schedule as I see fit. And since I already work at a senior facility, I can use some of their ideas and incorporate that with my internship.
In regards to my part-time job I got a call from my boss' boss assistant to set up a phone conference. I thought a phone conference you have got to be kidding me, you are too busy to meet with me or my concerns are not that important that you can do a quick conference call. I was so annoyed I just left her a message that I did not want a phone conference and to forget about the entire thing

I may have a summer intern at a senior living facility My major is health administration and I had 3 choices 1. department of health 2. hospital and 3. nursing facility. I really enjoy working with seniors that is why I am still at my part time job,and the only reason. Any how my professor gave me a contact name of some on who runs an assited living facility and she contacted me for an interview on Thursday she was so excited but I became more excited when I look them up on the web and found out it was a senior living facility I got so excited. Keep your fingers crossed
I am soooooo excited

My parents are from Jamaica and mom has a cousin whose daughter was killed some years ago here in the states while visiting. Anyhow, she had a son about 2yrs old at the time who was with his dad and my mom's cousin (the kid's grandmother) lost track of them. She and my mother was speaking about a week ago and my mom said to her she needed to try and find her grandson. So the very next day she called the Jamaican radio station told her story and they put her on the air right then. About 2 hours later she got a phone call from her grandson. Some one heard the program and his name and told him to call and he did. I think this is such a wonderful story

I went in yesterday to my part time job they actually had some one on call in case I did not show...like I would really not show. It wasn't too bad but I did let one of the residents know what was going on and she was just as upset as I was but oh well. I figured they will be trying to get rid of me real soon so I will just stick it out and try and sock away my checks until they do. I finally applied for a summer intern, I have definately got to get on the ball with that...but haven't heard a thing
I was also able to get some studying in (accounting)and I have still not tackled my taxes I have no idea why because I am due for a refund
For the last week I was able to add $8 to my challenge and $8 to the cc for brown bagging it, unfortunately I had to buy buy breakfast because my uncle managed to eat an entire half loaf of my bread with his dinner. But I will not go there regarding that

Well I had my little meeting today with my boss at my part time job, basically they put me on a final written warning and I basically told them they could take their Mickey mouse job a shove it

First of all I did not go to work on Saturday due to my break in and I left a message for the supervisor who says gets this, I called but did not leave a message. Now the following is an email that her boss sent me because apparently they did not have my current phone number (a cell phone) Now if the only number they have for me is my home number and not my cell when I called from my cell phone and if I did not leave a message how did she know it was me. And that is what I asked and of course they said for me not to worry about that incident because messages get lost�yeah right

�B has been trying to call you @ # we have for 2 days�line busy. Please make sure we have correct contact #�s..home/cell�
And the person who told me he knew that the resident was discharged apparently told his boss that he never said that and when I asked for a meeting with him I was told no because he has his own problems�these were the directors exact words

Today was payday and I had a nice little surprise... a 75 cent raise. I wasn't even expecting that, so I have to call the bank in order to up IRA contributions(mental note).
I also paid off one CC, all my bills that are due by the 4th of next month and added $20 to the challenge.
Got my window fixed as well, when the glass was replaced they forgot to reset the motor but on a different note $85 was spent at the dentist. Now he wants to see me in two weekes because after his probing things do not look good so I am trying this mouth rinse, maybe it will hlp

...last night that is. Just keep your fingers crossed
Today will be a very busy day I have to finish up my taxes (been putting off for a few months and I am due a refund) I need to finish the wash, I was too disgusted yesterday. Finish up a chapter for school in addition to the homework and head to the bank to make a deposit. Plus I need to finish cleaning my car. All of this needs to be done and I am surfing the net, oh well

Well I did not go to work today so I lost about $90 that could have been used towards my window getting fixed but I was just not up to it after this morning. I did not even study today But on a different note I got a $3 check from Pinecone so $3 was added to my challenge in addition I got the light bill today which was less than I expected $94 and that made me happy

Last night I heard this knocking, I thought it was my nephew knocking at my window which he always deos. But when I lookd out I did not see a thing. This morning my mom came and woke me up to show me her blind was damaged and wanted to know why. When I went out side there was two gun shots to my driver side window(front and back) and at least 5 at our front house window. I am so upset I did not go to work. Now it is going to cost me $280 dollars to repair my car windows plus what ever it is to re-retint it I am so F#@$$%N pissed off.

Three days in a row that I have brown bagged it so once again $2 added to the challenge and $2 on the cc

Very slowly I am getting back on track. Today I made my breakfast so $2 went to the challenge and I also had luch at home and $2 was paid on the CCs. I got about 20 minutes of studying in and will be heading to class later, just happy that I was able to complete my assignments

Today was a much better day. I did not eat out at all so $2 went towards the CC and I got a $6 check for a survey that I must have completed in which I totally forgot about but was happy for. So I added $6 to my challenge
I still have not heard a word from that idiot boss of mine, maybe she is thinking of a way to fire me.
I finally sat down and did my homework for accounting since class is tomorrow, I feel comfortable other, than a few questions but other than that all is well on the home front

Warning this is a long post:
Wow seems like my year is not getting any better. First I did not get a raise this year, next I get the flu, some kind of way I fell back into old habits and upped my CC bill, mom has an infection with her toe, and my older brother who has been on his job 24+ years was just fired because he won�t stop smoking pot and did not pass a random drug test. I have not added to my challenge like I am suppose and am $2k behind on my goal. In addition y cable bill is now up due to increase rates $71

And today I get an email from the idiot I have as a boss on my second job stating that I dropped the ball. Basically a resident was discharged from one hospital and moved to another on Friday, I work on Saturday. Some one called and told security he did nothing with the information or from what I gather now informed no one. I then get a call from her neighbor who is concerned and followed �up as much as I could, once told by the security guard and former supervisor that he knew I assumed that my boss knew as well and went home

Here is a copy of the email I sent her as my response and of course she has yet to respond and I refuse to take the blame for this, the only thing I would have done differently was note in the log that I was informed by another employee that he too knew about the patient being discharged:

Let me clarify, I was informed by a resident that she was unable to reach Ms. X and that she called the hospital and was informed that she had been discharged. I did follow up, I thought by contacting the CC (skilled facility) in which I was told that she was not there, I later contacted the hospital and was on hold I'll say about 20 minutes (because of some emergency) I was then told that she was discharged. In addition, I called the resident's home and no answer. I also sent R (security) to check her apartment, after he checked her apartment I was told she was not there. So I re-read the notes in case I missed something....and nothing noted, had N (security guard/former supervisor) noted/followed up on Friday I think the problem would have been cleared up then. Anyhow, since nothing was noted I called Ms. X back trying to get as much information from her as possible, such as when she last spoke with her, and what the conversation was about. In the meantime N was in last night and mention to me that he knew Ms. L had been discharged from the hospital/not that she simply went out...so if he knew then I assumed that at the most J (supervisor) knew and what more follow up is needed if a former supervisor who knows company protocol is aware of situation as well has his/her manager is aware, what else is needed? What additional follow-up is needed?
I do not attend to come across angry but it does angry me that once again I am left holding the blame when clearly the situation was neglected prior to my shift an entire 24-hour later.
Have you spoken to N as to why nothing was noted? And if J was even aware? or anyone one else for that matter
If you have any questions please call xxxxx if I do not answer leave a message I am going to the library or email me I check my email on a regular basis

Now I am ticked off because not only did she accuse me of not doing my job but she did my annual review in which I only worked with her a total of 6 hours that right 6 hours for the year and was told that my appears was not u to par, mind you I wear a uniform that is always cleaned and iron. For the measly few dollars that one makes this little job is so stressful the entire place is ran like a circus. People are promoted based on who they know and not what they know

Well went to the doctor today with my mom and got some good news. He stated that as long as there was circulation in her leg that chances of amputation of her toe was very slim. She will go back to the podiatrist and have the fluid drawn from her toe for a culture and after that she will start the antibiotic (maybe IV )Thanks every one for all your well wishes and prayers
Furthmore, I added $10 my challenge brining my total to $7524.17 paid and extra $20 on the cc becuase I ate out for lunch today and I wanted to match what was spent

Well my mom is still a little down but I am praying that there is some other alternative.
I, on the other hand am getting back to normal; meaning I added my weekly $25 to the my challenge in addition to paying $4 on my CC because I ate out today

I have not been blogging like I use to but I have got to start back again or other wards I will be right back in debt. First I want to want you this will be a long blog because so much has happen.
Well I had a great day today until I went to lunch, my mom called me to tell me that the doctor told her they may have to amputate her toe. For months she has been complaining that it was bothering her and I have been trying to get her to switch doctor in order to get a second opinion because he was unable to find anything wrong well he finally decided to do an MRI which found some sort of infection. Well I immediately came home today I know I may have should have stayed at work but I felt like I needed to be with her because she was really upset. I did however, set up an appointment with another doctor in which she still doesn�t want to go because now her other doctor wants to take an MRI of her leg as well. Just keep us in your prayers and that maybe some sort of antibiotic will help
Next I don't know if you heard about the shooting in FL, where this idiot opened fire in a Wendy's, well that was near my job and an area that I travel to once in a while. Lord what is going on
It is sad that some one lost their life but I am also glad that not more people were fatally injured
Furthermore, I can not understand my auto loan. I have to call BoA because you would think that since the principal has decreased wouldn't the amount applied to the interest do the same? It seems like it is higher.
WIth everything going on I was able to finally add to my challenge the $26 from the surveys giving me a new total of $7474.22

I am still alive, I know it has been a while but I have been so busy with my accounting class. I actually got an 89 on the second testt so I am really excited. And you guys will be proud I managed to pay off another cc ($475) and add to my challenge and not eat out for two days. I think this is great especially since I have not been blogging for a while
New total for the challenge $7454.54

I have been so busy with this accounting class that I forgot about everything else.
As you all know this is my third time taking this class but it looks like I just may pass it this time. I got a 100 on both quizzes and 80% on the test in addition to 8 extra credit points. But as far as my planning in health care class goes, I bombed that test I had no idea what was on it; I guess I have been too focused on the accounting.

Anyhow I have not been adding to my challenge, I guess because I have not been blogging like I usually do and that means additional wasteful spending. I don't know what it is but if I am not blogging and making myself accountable I am spending

And this weekend I was hit with the flu. Friday two of my co-workers called out sick and one went home early and by lunch time my throat was so sore and red, by time I got home I was sick as a dog. I had some expired Theraflu and took my chances (I do not recommend this to anyone) but by Saturday morning I was feeling a little better. But low and behold it struck again this time by my chest was included and I was all congested so I got up want to CVS with my windows up and no a/c on, thinking if I sweat enough it may help . This was not a bright idea because by time I got home I felt like I had a hang over. Anyhow I bought everything you can think of for the flu including more Theraflu which is a God's sent because after I made it home, and slept for hours I felt better to go to work. Hopefully by tomorrow I will be back to normal

I have not posted in awhile so this is a long one. First of all my part-time job finally found some one for Sundays so now I am off 1 day a week Bad news is that my boss still has not paid me my vacation pay from last year, so I will be reminding him on Monday.

I was able to up my challenge a little being that I am only depositing extra cash to it and everything else is going to the cc.

Since I am now off on Sundays and am single and lonely, I decided to do something once a week on Sundays for myself. So today I went to the fair walked around a little and came home, it felt good to get out of the house. My brother actually gave me the ticket so I did not pay to get in ($15) the only thing I did was buy a drink because it was so hot and had my handwriting analyze which I thought was fun. Next week I will go to the movies since I have two free passes

Now I want to look at last month's spending not too good. My grocery bill is still way to high. School started so I had some high expense in this category
Internet service is high because I paid February's in January
Automobile : Car Payment $144.39
Automobile : Gasoline $116.61
Automobile : Maintenance $134.21
Automobile : Registration $36.75
Bank Charges : Finance Charges $5.72
Bills : Cable/Satellite Television $68.14
Bills : Cellular $73.37
Bills : Electricity $133.88
Bills : Online/Internet Service $121.80
Bills : Telephone $39.43
Bills : Water & Sewer $46.79
Charitable Donations $40.00
Clothing $53.69
Dining Out $67.43
Education : Books $33.25
Education : Supplies $2.59
Education : Tuition $831.12
Expense Categories
Gifts $29.69
Grand Total -$3,513.41
Groceries $201.54
Healthcare : Dental $196.65
Healthcare : Eyecare $7.00
Healthcare : Physician $30.00
Healthcare : Prescriptions $15.00
Household : House Cleaning $8.63
Household : Laundry $9.99
Household : supplies $10.16
Income - Unassigned $0.00
Income Categories
Insurance : Automobile $58.14
Leisure : Entertaining $29.59
Leisure : Movies & Video Rentals $12.09
Leisure : Newspaper $2.25
Miscellaneous $245.23
Facial Supplies $6.99
Feminine Products $17.08
Personal Care : Hair $135.00
Personal Care : Hair Supply $10.18
Sales Tax $16.95
School Supplies $2.66
Snack $1.37
Spending by category
Subcategory Total
Federal Income Tax $289.65
Medicare Tax $43.30
Social Security Tax $185.10
Total Expense Categories $3,513.41
Total Income Categories $0.00

Received my deposit yesterday in the amount of $28.14 so I added this amount to my challenge
New total $7372.79

Was all I could say. My uncle came by in tears because they are going into forclosure (or already has). Apparently my aunt is responsible for paying the bills and has been keepng this little secret, that the mortgage is past due. My uncle who came home earlier than usual, got the mail. This is why when you are married, as a "couple" everyone should be involved.
I have a friend who has no idea how muh money her and her husband has because he handles everything

Long rant
First I went back to work on Tuesday, as anticipated my coworker left everything for me to do (yep, didn't lift a finger)

Next I notice my car was making a funny noise when I tried to start it (only 6 months since I have had it) to make a long story short, it would not start yesterday or today.
So after a big production on Tuesday trying to get an appointment for an oil change at Carmax I was finally scheduled

Now that I am scheduled, today is the day I take my car in. My uncle jumped my car, so now when I go in I say to the guy I am here for my appointment and in addition could you please check to see why my car is no starting

So he prints out my consent form to service my car only for the oil change, I say to him did you make a note to check why it is not starting? He says yes it s in the computer. Now being the consumer savvy person that I am, I ask him his name and the manager's name because I know that there is a fee for this but Mr. when you walk in the door I am not going to acknowledge you or even look at you for that matter, I guess had no time to enter the information correct. So I give him the key and an alternate number to contact me regarding the status and leave

Now I get a call that my car is ready and it will be $200+ of course I say for what? $54 to check my car $50+ for labor $50+ for the battery, plus my oil change. I say to the guy you have got to be kidding me and I am not paying this (the service for the battery) he says you have to pay for us looking at your car in order to find out what is wrong and that I signed an ok to do so, I say to him, no I signed for a an oil change.

So to make a long story short he says there is nothing he can do about it I say we'll see. Then I called their general manager in addition to the corporate office. In the end I got my oil change for free and picked up a battery from Sam's in which my uncle will put in.

Unbelievable, I guess he figured since I am a woman that I have no clue, guess he�s the whose clueless

Oops I forgot I added $40 to my challenge today , new total $7344.65

...for the presidential debates. I really wanted to go and entered the school lottery (FAU is hosting the event) Even though I have not made up my mind as of yet. I just thought it would be great and that I would be a part of history
I am a little bummed about it