Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Merry Christmas to everyone. Also if you have small children, don't forget to track Santa at http://www.noradsanta.org

Just got 2 more checks from pinecone for $3 each, so I paid the cc

I will have to say I did really well today, I almost bought an iPod but opted out. I said to myslf is this a need or want, so that was the end of that.
I ended up buying another gift for my God daughter's sister, that was only $2.12 I had a coupon for Penney's which expired today for $10

Got my second check from Pinecone and added it to my visa payment. The goal is the have this card paid off by January 31st. No way am I going back into debt

I also ate out today $8.50 so I added this amount to my challenge, new total $7035.51

Remember that $5 payment on the my auto loan and the girl was laughing, well the check cleared the bank and it is not posted to my account....arrrrrrrgh

You know I will be contacting them first thing in the morning

Received a card today from one of the patients which had $5 in it, so I applied it to my cc instead of the challenge. I have no idea when the CC went up so much, I did pay for my classes (over a $1k) and my dental work, boy it really adds up

At our office party, that is. I hate secret santa but this year I got a scratch off which I won $10 (paid it on the cc) and a $30 GC to Victoria secret

I have no idea when I became so cheap or should I say price conscious. Yesterday I went to Sally's for a permanent and they were close, so I ended up at Winn Dixie and paid $9 then I went into the Family Dollar store for batteries, found the same item or $5, bought and returned the one I bought from Winn Dixie. Any other time I would not even worry about but I now feel like $4 is $4

I notice that everything I look at the price of every thing

I went into BoA because I had an extra $5 to pay on my car and the girl had a nice little laugh. So I said to her if I paid $5 extra a day that will equal $25 which is $100 a month and $1200 for the year. Then I took my receipt and left

I have hardly spent a dime for gifts. My part-time job gave us $25 GC to the mall (any store) so I bought my secret santa gift for $15. Then I had a $10 off coupon if I spent $10 so I bought my cousin a pair of pants for 11.99 only cost me $2.12 (I could not find my GC in my large purse and I was holding up the line so I paid cash)and I am going back to get my little neice a pair because I have another coupon plus I still have $35 for Target and I have one more gift to buy

I finally got my GC from my points, I was getting a little worried because they usually come really quick. Any how I only bought two gifts and have two more to go. The first one I spent $6 because I had a GC of $25 from mypoints, the second one cost me $30 (for my nephew, a train set) and now with the gift cards I just received I can go into Target and buy two gifts for two little girls for about $20 each so in all I would have spent $36 for X-mas Not to mention I have two $10 off coupons if you spend $10 from Penney's and since we have the secret Santa at work, the limit is $20, I will find two gifts for $10 that way I only pay the tax (6.5%) I guess you can say I made out like a bandit this year

One of my goals for '08 is to have $12,000 saved by December. That means that I would need to set aside $500 each pay period,since I get a pay check twice a month. I am just sitting here wondering if it can be done. I have also decided to cut my hours at the part-time job, even though I like the extra $460 a month I am starting to get really tired and I plan on taking 4 classes next semester, so I need atleast one day off a week...we'll see

Hopefully I will also be graduating in the fall of '08 as well and my goal is to close on my house/townhouse as a graduation present to myself

I have just started this investing thing and I get so worried when there is a plunge. I know that I am saving for the long run and should not worry too much but my Wells Fargo Advantage (NVSOX) changed yesterday at 5.41 (14.40%)

I never use to pay attention to interest rates, if I got a CC I was just happy I had one, and I never paid attention to how much money the bank was paying me to borrow (in a sense )my money.

Now with the feds lowering the interest rates a quarter point ING has now lowered my interest to 4.025% which for me sucks, especially now that I have more money in that account.

I prefer ING but I may have to transfer my funds to HSBC since their rates are much higher

This housing/credit situation is creating a problem for everyone. Now I do not feel as though the government should step in and bail people out but I do feel as though they should look into the practices that caused this mess

I reached my $7000 mark before the end of the year I am so excited. This is a first for me to have money just sitting there earning interest. Now I have to reach $12,000 before April, that is my next goal...hopefully by the end of next year I would have $20,000 saved or more

We'll see

Got another bonus from my part-time job for $296 I am not sure if I should use it for CC or the challenge. Since I get get paid on Monday I was thinking to add it to my challenge, we will see

Just checked my credit score and all but 1 went up

657 new--664 Transunion
639 new--647 Experian
622 new--622 Equifax
I am not complaining just a little dissapointed, just have to pay off the cc again and a few MD bills

I also upped my challenge today by adding my weekly $25 to $6761.73
I reaaly want to reach $7000 before the end of the year, but we will see

I just received an email from Pinecone looking for male panelist over the age of 18. If any one is interested send me an e-mail and I will send you the link

First I have it out with my co worker. Since she has started the only problem I have with her is the gum. She shares my desk with me, and chews gum, then takes it out of her mouth, leaves it on the desk (unwrapped), touches every thing then puts it back in her mouth and again touches evey thing, mind you she is not washing her hands. Then she puts it back in her mouth and starts the whole process over. This drives me crazy because we share the desk and I do not want to touch anything she touches. The problem is she sees nothing wrong with this, and we work in a health care facility.

On a good note, I got a "C" in the class that I was worried about. Only 1 point away from a "B"

So I got 2 "A" and 1 "C"

Got home today and received my first check from Pinecone ($3) so this was added to my challenge

So far so go I just checked my grades for two of my classes and here they are:

Technology in health care 98.1%
Health Research 97.28%

However, my third class the one from Hell which had nothing to do with health care but should have been classified as a psych course, I am not sure of. Last I knew I had a 71% and a paper as well as a final due. I am pretty good with the papers that I am not worried about but the final I am. I did study but his questions are tricky with a word like "and" you could choose the wrong answer only because of "and" or "or"

It is funny grades never was worth 2 cents to me in high school now I freak out, I guess because I am paying for it now and appreciate it more

Because this is my 3rd attempt with the accounting class, I have decided to study my butt off for the next three weeks, at least I will be ahead of the class and can ask any questions that I am unsure of. Right now I seem to have grasp the basics which was not the case earlier (keep your fingers crossed) I am hoping to get through chapters 1 through 6 or 7 that way I am way ahead of schedule and at least will get good grades on the first two tests

This is my first week with out any real studying or writing a paper. I am out of school for holiday break and I am bored. I think I will be one to be in school the rest of my life. I know once I receive my BA I will go on to obtain my masters and then my Phd. I think I will start studying for my accounting class being that this is the 3rd attempt

Just reviewed my spending for Novemeber and in some areas I did much better while others not so good. I have to double check my 401k contribution which seems not right:

Expense Categories
401k $4.22
Automobile : Car Payment $168.60
Automobile : Gasoline $126.01
Bills : Cable/Satellite Television $68.14
Bills : Cellular $74.51
Bills : Electricity $119.59
Bills : Online/Internet Service $60.87
Bills : Telephone $41.51
Bills : Water & Sewer $43.94
Cash Withdrawal - Unassigned $120.00
Charitable Donations $40.00
Clothing $199.67
Dining Out $54.96
Expense - Unassigned $302.76
Gifts $54.84
Groceries $180.30
Healthcare : Dental $436.65
Healthcare : Prescriptions $15.00
Leisure : Lottery $1.00
Miscellaneous $450.29
Personal Care - Unassigned $180.10
Sales Tax $8.02
Snack $3.20
Taxes : Federal Income Tax $325.89
Taxes : Medicare Tax $48.06
Taxes : Social Security Tax $205.44
Total Expense Categories $3,333.57

I have decided that I want a graduation party. I have worked my behind off. Going to school part-time and some semesters full time, paying my way through college and not only that I am now working a part-time job, working full time and this last semester I went to school full tim

So my challenge for next year is to save for my graduation party in addition to my house. If every thing goes as plan and I can handle the course load I will graduate next fall and will be the first in my family to earn a BA degree so this is a big accomplishment

My challenge is really taking off. I just added another $30 so now my total is $6727.23. I know that I have a balance on the CC but I am waiting for my second bonus check from my part-time job to pay it off and since I am only allowed two online payments in one billing cycle I deposited my other bonus check. But I will also add back to it in January to pay for my classes, at least this will be interest free

On a different note I got a speeding ticket about 13 miles over the speed limit I just do not feel like going to the drivig school but I know in the long run it will work out in my best interest . Then he gave me a ticket because my tints was too dark so if I remove them I will not have to pay it

Oh well that is hwit goes

Sorry for the long post:

Broken Arrow had a post about a friend who bugs him now it is my turn.

I have a friend who bugs the crap out of me, every time I talk to him he is whining about money; but he won't look for a job.

He's hinting to me constantly that he needs money and things are not looking good. Well finally today he says to me if I could let him hold something, that�s right "hold" he didn't ask if he could borrow but hold, which bugged me even more. Then I say to him how much, he says $200. I immediately thought you have got to be kidding me, there is no way in Hell I would lend, well give him $200 especially if there is no reasonable way he will even pay me back since he is not working(hint hint)

A few months ago he gave me $45 and you know what I am going to give him back the same $45, I knew it was a mistake to take money from him as a gif I just knew it

Then when I told him I did not have the $200 he starting laughing as if I owe him something and that I was lying, anyhow he says to me you're the one with all the assets...I thought you SOB (sorry) even if I did, which I don't it is none of his business. So I say to him that is even more reason why I do not have the money because I have too many bills to pay

When I give him back his $45 I will definately loose contact with him.

This is the same sorry guy who ducked and dodged his landlord for almost a month after the guy let him move in with out paying first last or security and then he had the nerve to tell him off. Mind you he is good friends with my ex who is also use less what is that saying �birds of a feather flock together� or �two peas in a pod� these two are two of a kind a bunch of losers

Now he is doing little side jobs with him (his landlord) with out pay to cover his rent. And still will not look for a damn job

People just simply amazes me, here it is you work hard to pay down your debt so you can live comfortably, save as much as possible to reach your goals and you are suppose to lend a person who is not working $200, you have got to be kidding me

What bothers me the most is he thinks oh she lives at home, has a new car, nice clothes etc� but damn it, I work hard for the things I have. I drove an old beat up car for 3 years before I got my �used� car. I am sacrificing a lot living at home ( no privacy) and I am working two jobs and going to school, does he not know the term �opportunity cost� you have to give up some things to get something else

Rather than buying $10 bags of marijuana on a daily basis he would have money to pay bills, how about cutting off the cell phone and the cable or even sell some things

I am so sorry for the long post but I just had to let it all out

Since I have joined this site I have been able to get my finances in order. I can't not believe that I am almost at $7000 saved. Just sitting there, I just can not believe. I am positive that there are a number of you who has three times as much but this is a big accomplishment for me I can't ever remeber saving so much money and not only that I can actually see my dreams of owning a home next year coming true, as long as I stay on the same path

I am just excited I WANT TO SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!

New balance 6652.23

Got my bonus today, $1399.30. I tried to py off a cc but they only allow two payments for the month, so I have to wait to pay it off. In the mean time I added it to my challenge

new total $6615.47

My ebay auction is ending soon, I have no bids but 5 peole are watching so hopefully the item will sell

keep your figers crossed

I just checked my grade for the research class I was taking and got an "A" I am so happy, that class really stressed me out, I know I will have "A" for the technology course, now I am just studying my butt off for my management class, that is the class that I really did not apply myself but I got an "A" on my paper, plus he gives 25 extra points in addition to the 9 points extra for the final paper. I am pretty sure I will get an "A" on that but I definately need an "A" on the final in order to pass the course so I am not out of the woods yet. I also added $25.59 to my challenge because that what was left in my personal account for misc. stuff

New total $5112.85

Well the bag I bought yesterday is listed on Ebay and hopefully some one will buy it. I bought it just because and now I can not return it one of those heat of the moment purchases. Keep your fingers crossed

I did some shopping yesterday and spent $175. I will be returning the perfume ($55) and the purse I can not returned so I posted on Ebay all I want is my money back ($66) the other stuff I am keeping
On a good note I added $4.13 to my challenge giving me a new balance of $5086.53