Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Today was a great MLK day, I did not leave the house and just slept, read a book and watched a bunch o old movies starring Sidney Poitier who is one of my favorite actors. In addition, I paid $2 on the cc.
There was no mail today and I was waiting on a check from the college for $400 refund which I need to pay on the CC, hopefully it is there tomorrow

He only thing I can complain about is that I can not wait until I move into my own place for just a little I mean just little privacy. My mom gets in her moods where she just opens my room door and it bugs me, not only that I wanted to try and study today and she sits in the living room which is near my room on the phone and that drives me crazy. No matter how many times I ask her not to that, she as this thing that this is her house and she will do as she pleases

I am praying that this is my year that I am able to buy

I spent $3.95 on eating out, another $12 on two pair of sweats so I matched this amount and paid it on the CC. This is what I call wasteful spending

I got $3 today from Pinecone so $3 was added to the challenge
So far this year I have made $9 in surveys, not too bad. This however is not including the $23 I am waiting on from surveysavy. I wish there was a way that I could get atleast 2 paid surveys a week. Either way I am not complaining
New total for the challenge $7302.46

Well yesterday was my birthday(the 17th) and I treated myself. First, I made breakfast then went and got a hair cut with color in addition to waxing my eyebrows. I even treated myself out to dinner. I had to go to class, but that ended up being ok. I was going to go out on the town but decided a movie would do, so I saw "The Great Debators" it was a really good movie. I even rembered to use my school ID which saved my $1.50, that is going towards the CC

On a different note, I'd like to say thanks again to every one who reads my blogs and voted for me in the last contest. And special thanks to Jeffrey; who remembered to send me a happy birthday email.
The money I won from the contest went straight to the $20 challenge.

Well, I did not get my raise...well no one did. Just wish he had told us before hand instead of waiting until payday. In addition, I did not get my week's worth off vacation pay so I will remind him next pay period. Well he gave us all an extra hour on our checks, yep 1 measly hour. Well I should not complain because I do have a job

I am so excited, I thought that I would only have one class this semester and a professor that I emailed last week just responded and stated he would make an exception for me to attend his class Now I am back on track to graduation, I just have to get 3 classes in for the summer and 4 for the fall and I am done or vice versa. I can not stop smiling

Well tomorrow is payday, which is the first check for the year. Usually the boss gives us a raise so I have my fingers crossed. He also owes me a week's worth of vacation pay from last year so I hope it is with this check. In addition I have two CCs with balances so I am going to pay off the one with the interest, my goal is to have both paid off by the end of the month.

On a different note I went to class tonight and it is going great. The instructor actually teaches, this is my third attempt with accounting so we'll see how things go on the fist test. I already got 10 extra points

I bought breakfast today for $3.63 so $4 went towards the CC

I guess that's it for now

Just received a $6 check from your2cents in addition to the money I received from a gift card that was sold on ebay ($28.83 )I have decided that until I get the cc paid off, only extra cash earned (surveys or gifts ) will be added to the challenge. So it is going to be awhile
New total$7263.89

Today and yesterday were both no spend days so $4 went to the cc

It is only the 14th and my year is off to a bad start. I got ticket in Novemeber did what I was told (mind you it was the wrong information) and my license was suspended, then I had to take a driving course which ended up costing me almost $40 next I can not get another class in so I am only taking one this semester and that means I will not be graduatning until spring of 09 and on top of that I owe all this money on a cc. Well the dentist is suppose to reimburse $425 and the school owes me refund of $408

My boss (owner) decided that he wanted more than on person looking at past due balances (basically I got a minor promotion) the office manager is who was/is responsible pretty much slacks. So any way there is this new lady who calls patients that I give her to bill because the office manager writes them off. So to make a long story short, she calls this patient who has a balance due, and ask the patient to "borrow' yep "borrow" the money form her parents. Can you believe this? Not how much can you pay, or are you able to make monthly payments, I thought that was terrible and down right rude. She saw nothing wrong with it. Grant it the money is due but I just could not see myself asking another person to borrow the money from their parents. Maybe it is just me

I am starting to hate my part time job. I like the extra cash but it is becoming to be too much. As you all know I am a concierge at a luxury senior facility, last night security went up to one of the residents apartment and called me to call 911. This is a pet peeve of mine, don't you think he should call from the aprtment (911 that is) before he calls me. And to make matters worst, when I call I can not tell the dispatcher any thing because I have not witnessed the incident n or am I in the immediate area where it occured. Now I have informed management if this on more than one occasion, but I guess it is going to take a lawsuite for them to figure it out.
I also gave them my notice that I can no longer work Sundays after the first of the year and guess what I am still on, well they are in for a rude awakening because they now have twoo weeks to find some one or find some one for both Saturdays and Sundays

I could just kick myself. I went to Publix and picked up some grapes and a few other things, at the time I thought my purchase were a little out of the ordinary but I did not think anything of it. Well I am entering all my receipts (3 days later)into my money software and notice that those handful of grapes cost me $7.19 arrrrrrgh. I was so annoyed, normally I check my receipts right away and if I had, I would have known those grapes were $3.99 a pound and returned them right then and there

I'd like to thank every one who reads my blogs and offer great advice. I really appreciate it. In addition, I would like to thank every one who voted for me in last month's contest.

For me depression is a serious issue, I am easily depress, but I have notice a great change over the last year (for the better). Being able to discuss my life openly here is one of the best things that could have ever happened

Thanks again

Yep I sold two items as soon as I posted them on Ebay. 1 was a $30 Victoria Secret Gc that I got for X-mas so I made $28.83 next item was a textbook was for $28.14
Total $56.97 which will be used to pay on the CC as soon as the funds are posted

Well today was payday from my partime job, $26 dollars went towards the cc, $63 went towards maintenance for my car and $39 went towards my challenge leaving me with a $100 in my personal accout to last me for two weeks

New challenge total $7228.71

Once again I am at it with trying to pay down my CC, right now it is a zero interest card util July but I still want it paid before then. Any how I had $33 left in my personal account (tomorow is payday from the part-time job) so I paid $33 on the cc and I also received the $23.56 today from half.com so I went ahead and added this amount as well. Goal is to have it paid off by January 31st or aleast 3/4 of it

...until my for day vacation. I have found myself burned out a getting a little depressed, which I definately do not need. But when I look at the last few days I want to pull my hair out. License issue, classes, work and no privacy since I live at home. But I have to remeber it is only temporary and school will be over soon

On a different note, I ate out today $2 for breakfast so I added $4 to my challenge. $2 for dining out and $2 to match that amount, I'll think twice the next time
New total $7190.77

...went very well. Thank God, this is my third attempt and I definately need this class for graduation. I was a little upset that I could not getanother class in but i looks like it is for the best

SOB was all I could say, sorry for the bad language.
My year is really starting off bad. I got a letter that my license was suspended for nonpayment of a fine. Anyhow I went to the courthouse today to get it taken care, only spent 1 hour in line to be told the officer who gave me the info was wrong, mind you the same one who gave me the ticket. First of all he said if I had the tint removed I would not have to pay a fine, well guess what that is not true, your fine is only reduce. So I had to pay a late fee, the fine in addition to the fee of having my license reinstated. Arrrrrrrrrgh I don't even know who I can contact to file a complaint. After I gave the girl my cc, because she already noted I would be paying according to her she could not go back and change since I said to her, how do I contest this?
my entire day was shot, now I have to get ready for class

Last year was a great year and this one seems to be starting off on the wrong foot.
First I get a letter in the mail that my license is suspended because I did not pay a fine. Well I did not have to because the cop sign the ticket stating that the tint on my car was fine, good thing I kept a copy because tomorrow I have to go down town.
Now the classes that I would like to take are not available so I am stuck with only two classes which means I may not graduate until 2009 Next, my part time job still have not found a replacement for me on Sundays, now I think they are taking advantage since I did say I would stay until they found some one but now that I think of it I am tired and will give them 2 weeks from this Sunday, almost two months

On a different note I should be getting my deposit of $28.56 from half.com for a book sold and today was a no spend day so a buck went towards the cc and the challenge

Today was another no spend day so a buck went to the challenge and a buck on th cc

New challenge total $7184.43
New cc total $2971.49

Well I went to the dentist yesterday and I keep my card on file. Well I have a $425 credit because I was going to have a gold tooth removed but since I found out I need an implant on another tooth I decided to hold off. You would think since I have a credit the work I had done ($185) would have been deducted from the credit I had, no they charged my card so guess who will be getting a call first thing Monday morning

On a different note I was going to get a bowl of chili for lunch today $3 the same amount I spend on frozen dinners for lunch, anyhow I decided to order lunch and a coworker placed an order as well, well guess what, after I paid he says to me I will give you the money on Monday arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh. Always follow your first thought if I had went and bout my chili I would have only spent $3

Lunch came to $17.30 I estimate that mine was about $7 but I am sure I will not get my full refund, this will not happen to me again

In the end I paid $7 on the cc since I ate out for lunch and added some change to the challenge

New total $7182.61

So far I have had 2 no spend days, other than the dentist I paid two dollars for each day I did not spend anything to my cc rather than adding it to the challenge. So $4 down and a lot to go

Well using my debit card with ING for the month of December I earned $6.03 during their 1% cash back reward. So I added this amount to the challenge; first deposit for the year. I also rounded up some change to add as well.

$20 challenge year to date $8.06
New bal $7180.76

I also paid $180 on the cc bal, this was money my friends owed me

First, I would like to wish everyone a happpy and prosperous New Year.

Secondly my goals for this year is to pay off the CCs by the end of Febuary, save $10,000 for my house fund by April and an additional $8,000 by the end of December which would later be used as my EF.

In addition to these goals I would like to have my auto loan paid atleast by half by December.

In regards to my education, if I stick to the plan I will be graduating in December and rather than having a huge party I plan on purchasing a townhouse and have a small graduation/house warming party

Now I would like to take a look at the end of the year totals:
Expense Categories
401k Contributions $53.77
Adjustment$607.07
Auto:Car Payment $944.71
Auto:Gas $1,523.41
Auto: Maintenance $1,748.22
Bank Charges Unassigned $7.94
Bank Charges: Interest $40.03
Bank Charges:Service Charge$1.50
Bills :
Cable/Satellite $845.05
Cellular $1,049.63
Electricity $1,546.07
Online/Internet Service $729.33
Student Loan $885.03
Telephone $485.68
Water & Sewer $517.94
Cash Withdrawal - Unassigned $420.00
Charitable Donations $432.00
Clothing $1,923.79
Dining Out $1,141.20
Education - Unassigned $1.97
Education : Books $547.58
Education : Fees $5.00
Education : Supplies $37.66
Education : Tuition $3,553.91
Expense - Unassigned $381.11
Gifts $1,133.76
Groceries $2,428.97
Healthcare
Dental $2,734.80
Eyecare $278.75
Physician $225.00
Prescriptions $313.97
Hobbies/Leisure:
Books/Magazines $20.00
Hobbies/Leisure:Entertaining $20.00
Household : Furnishings $81.92
Household : House Cleaning $33.58
Household : Laundry $27.57
Household : supplies $12.68
Insurance : Automobile $1,081.43
Job Expense - Unassigned $6.94
Job Expense : Non-Reimbursed $97.83
Job Expense : Reimbursed $196.59
Leisure : Books & Magazines $3.99
Leisure : Entertaining $330.70
Leisure : Lottery $3.00
Movies & Video Rentals $53.96
Leisure : Newspaper $43.75
Miscellaneous $3,171.40
Personal Care - Unassigned $1,776.93
Personal Care : Hair $38.00
Personal Care : Hair Supply $87.91
Sales Tax $258.97
School Supplies $20.29
Snack $17.32
Taxes: Fed Income Tax $3,730.56
Taxes: Medicare Tax $552.73
Taxes: Social Security Tax $2,363.33

Grand Total -$40,576.23

This year the food department, in addition to buying clothes and gifts as well as the miscellaneous stuff must be addressed

Koppur gave me a great idea and that was to actually look at just how much I saved for 2007 for the $20 challenge.
I have been keeping a tally but was basically rouding numbers and some times not even including some amounts
All in all I was able to sock away $7849.71 out of that I saved $6871.71 only using $978 in the early part of the year.
I am so happy, never really having a savings this is a huge accomplishment
in addition, I made my final depost today of $50, now my goal for next year is to double that

I have a friend who has not worked in years, why I do not know. She is complaining about how they do not have enough money and is about to loose everything. So I say to her why you don�t get a job, her excuse they only have one car. So what happened with public transportation or getting a job opposite the days her husband has to go to work or one that is with in walking distance. Now I told her about my position at the part time job that I have, I am cutting my days she could work one day a week (Sundays) from 3-11 her excuse only have one car. People like this I simply do not feel sorry for.

Now I saw an old high school friend who was recently divorced, lost his house and car, in addition to losing his job. He was at the library looking for work and I did not even think about him for the position; I always run into him at the library maybe will see him on Monday

The weather was beautiful, I had a no spend day; therefore, added $1.44 to the cc debt. In addition I sold one of my textbook on half.com ($30.50) Once I receive the deposit it will go to the CC

Oops I fotgot, I changed one of my checking accounts to an interest earning account, why not earn a little vs. nothing

I know I should be paying the cc with any extra cash I get but I feel obligated to add to the challenge, so I added $50 and paid $49 on the cc (I got paid from my part-time job today).
I decided that after the first of the year my entire check from my part-time job will be added to the challenge. I think it is best to go back to living on one check
I rerally need at least a total of $24k by November 2008 ($14k for a dowpayment and $10k for an EF). See I plan on gradating in December and would like to buy a townhouse as a graduation present

In the end new total for challenge is $7100.10 and CC debt $2981.93

If I had known what I know now, things would have been different. For starters, I would have told my parents about being molested; I would have learned to love myself first.

Thinking back on it I think my shopping and wanted the life of others was a healing (not a healthy one) process for myself.

But life has been much better; after two failed suicide attempts I realized that my life and the way I choose to live it will be my happiness.

I have also learned that I am unique and that if I continue to compare myself to others it will definitely be self-destruction.

From a financial aspect I have learned that if I am happy with my self I am also happy with what I have (therefore spending less and saving more) it is just an amazing feeling

This year has been a blessing; this is the first time in my life that I can say I am truly happy; in addition, if I had known that simply talking about my situations (as I do here) is really more helpful than harmful. Not only has blogging helped me financially but mentally, emotionally and physically as well

These are things I wish I had known when I was young and foolish