Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Even though I am happy, here in south FL we won't see this storm (hopefully, anything can happen) I am sadden because my parents are from Jamaica and we have a lot of family there who is about to face this storm. I am really worried. We are talking about a category 5 storm, if any one remembers Andrew was a 4 as well as Katrina. So we know what these storms can do and with all the mountains in Jamaica which can cause a ton of mud slides
oh dear

I know what I am about to say is pure selfishness and I wish I could get rid of this feeling of joy but for some reason I can't. So I figured I will post my feelings
About 3 years ago my BF for about 6 yrs left me for some one else. I was devastated and I know we were having problems (money) but never thought he would just up and leave then the next thing I knew they were married, it was like a slap in my face.

Now I find out they are having the same if not worst problems than we had, she has caught him cheating twice, their lights were off and now they are facing foreclosure on their home.

Now I see it as he cheated on me with her and now she is faced with the same thing, he also skipped out on me owing me money now they are in the process of loosing their home and a lot more. Why am I happy, I think it is a feeling of payback, I wish I could shake this feeling because I know I am not exempt from the same thing

I went on a splurge today first with breakfast ($3.29) and then lunch ( I lost my receipt, about $10)
It all started when I was running late for work and left my breakfast; even though I had my lunch, my co-worker wanted and pleaded to go out to lunch but did not pay. But I got lucky and a patient gave me $10 today for lunch so that worked out.
Then I went to Blockbuster's and picked the Bourne series, since I saw the movie the other day ($25) so today was definately a spend day

I was able to pay last month's balance on the cc, so I have until next month to pay the balance remaining before I incur interest. I also added to my challenge the following:
� $25 weekly deposit
� $20 the dentist did not charge me today so I saved his amount
� $2 for not eating out
New total $3944.80

I have finally decided to join the company's 401k investment program. This is with my part-time job, my full-time job does not offer 401k and I have to add to my Ira bi-weekly. Any how they match the first 4%, so of course I will deduct the 4%
I have decided to allocate my funds as follows and hope this is a good move:
� -10% Wells Fargo Stable MMK (DSR1) low risk
� -10% Pimco Return (PTRAX) Bond this has a medium to low risk
� -10% Oakmark Equity (Oakbx) medium to high
� -10%Van Kampen Comstock (ACSTX) high risk
� -10% Wells Fargo Adv index fund (NVINX) high risk
� -30% Dreyfus Appreciation (DGAGX) high risk
� -10%Wells Fargo adv growth fund (nvlcx) high risk
� -5%wells Fargo small cap (nvsox) high risk
� -5% American funds (rerex) high risk

I added $2.09 to my challenge. A buck for not buy breakfast and a buck for not buying lunch 3 days in a row I have not eaten out, this is great for me

New total $3897.80

I finally went to the movies today and used my free passes, I also took my nephew and it was great. We saw "The Bourne Ultimatum" I can't tell the last time I went to a movie, but I am glad we went.
The only money spent was on his luch, I opted out and decided to eat at home

Did not buy breakfast or lunch today so $2 is added to the challenge

New total $3895.09

Ok I open up this new account so that I can pay my car principal online well we already know that isn't the case. Now I am waiting 5 days for this transfer of $20 into my new checking account so that I can withdraw the funds and close this account, this is crazy. Now I get my new CC which was suppose to 0.0% on balane transfers, guess what it a 3% charge or $10 which ever is greater. You have got to be kidding me, of course I cancelled that transfer. Also my contract says introductory rate through July 2008 (no date give)one would think the end of July right? Wrong July 2nd
It's funny because when you do the application online you're not told of the little fee but when you get the paper work in the small print there it is.
You know the old me would have never read the contract I was just happy to have a card but the new me hmmmmm I go through everything with a fine tooth comb

Today was a great day, not too busy not too slow...just right. I also did not eat out for breakfast, lunch or dinner
I added $2.87 to my challenge bringing my total to $3893.09

Only thing is, my nephew seems to be really battling depression, so I have two free movie passes and we are going to the movies tommorrow.

I have fought with depression, I told my sister I think he is more depressed than schizophrenic but of course I am not an MD I just hope he gets out of this stage/phase or what ever it is

ok I packed my breakfast as well as lunch and a few snacks to get me through the day and I am so proudof myself; I did not buy breakfast or lunch today. $2 is added to the challenge

New total $3892.22

was what I got in my health law class, I stumped on the finally which dropped my grade. I am not too happy, but am happy I did not get a C

I finally found someone at BoA who knew what he was talking about. No payments made electronically even with the BoA account will be applied to the principal. I either have to go into the branch, make a payment by phone or mail it in So now I have to close my checking account that I opened with them. What a pain

I don't know why I do it, but I hate lending money, especially to my sister. Since I am off tomorrow, from my part time gig a friend asked me to go to a comic show which was $35. I think I spoke to soon when I said yes, because now I do not want to go nor pay the $35; but anyhow I called my sister up to collect the $50 she owes (3 weeks later) and she rushed me off the phone ( I figured she would). The week when she was suppose to pay me back she says to me "oh I forgot to give B (my BIL) your check", since then another 2 weeks has past. She has a bad habbit of not paying when she says she is. In any event I am going to have to take this money from my EF account to pay my friend tomorrow for my ticket

I don't know if you guys remebered bt I ws told by BoA if I had a checking account with them and paid my bills on line then I can not to make all payments to the principal, well guess what, that is not the case. The following is from their bill pay service:
Bill Pay Help close window
Payment Memo Cannot be Sent
Payment memos cannot be sent to payees that accept electronic payments.
What a joke, now I am closing this account this is crazy

I had abot $50 left in my personal account since my last payday, which is a huge accomplishment for me. So I added $25 to the challenge and $25 to my car account

New total for the challenge $3889.40
In regards to my car I will wait until I get a statement and send a check for the principal it seems like when ever I pay online BoA has a problem with applying it to my principal in the mean time I willearn interest

OK I have about had it with BoA. I was told as long as I write "principal" for any extra payments towards my car it would be applied, well guess what? it wasn't. Now I am PO'd I will be on the phone with them as soon as I get home...this BS

I just realize we have a hall of fame here and I am on it...lol Now I know it has been a while since I have read and blogged

Our office manage is nuts, she is they type of person who will not show you a thing because she thinks you want her job. When I was hired I informed her I was going to school for my BHA any how I informed her that I wanted to learn as much as possible in regards to billing/insurance. Needless to say I have not learned a thing other than insurance verification 3 years later. Now the owner who pays me well decided he wanted to collect on some old accounts and provided me the software that the office manager uses to do the billing. She is sooo upset about it, why I do not know. If she doesn�t realize by now that when I finish school, hopefully in a year I will be.
Now to make a long story short about a month later the owner hires a friend whose company to closed, the woman is driving 80 miles each way to work, the office manager is so upset saying things like where is she going to sit. See this woman use to be the office manager at her old job for 12+ years and knows the billing (and has been showing me things) she is just as nice as she wants to be. When ever she has a question my crazy boss says "it's not important put it aside and I will do it later" basically not showing her our system or she may answer her as "WHAT!" the woman even said to me if it keeps up she may be leaving. Why are people like this, afraid to share knowledge, if she was able to do her job fully and keep up he would not have thought to have me collect on the old stuff and the new person posting obviously her department which was really only for one person has grown (which is great for us) but she doesn�t see it that way

She use to do the ordering for the office and another girl does now, do you know she was so upset about it that when ever L called and ask the quantity we might need she would not tell her just silly and childish and she is in her fifties

I called my friend today because I have not heard from her in a while (she is the one who's philosophy is if she wants is she is going to get it, because you only live once) Any how, one of her daughters went out of town with her sister for a family reunion so when I asked how come the other or herself did not go she bit my head off and stated "NO BODY HAS ANY MONEY" well I thought if you quit buying what you want because you deserve it, you would have money. Any how she is buying a new house because she wants it and the other has not sold yet and I think that is more of her fustration than anything else. I said to her make sure your contract has a contingency stating your house have to sell first she said she didn't need, looks like she will. Now she is complaining the whole time that she is "broke as a joke" but now she has applied for a new position in which she will be making if she gets the job and I am sure she will, $50k a year...and you know what her plans are a new BMW 525. Now the only reason why she has not gotten the car yet was because she was waiting on closing on her house (mind you she used a cc to pay for some fee she needed to pay). The whole thing is crazy. Some times I think how do they do it and I am living at home struggling and they have everything and then I remember they're in debt and I am not

Now that I am blogging and reading more blogs, I am back to my old self...try to save as much as possible. I added my weekly deposit of $25 to my challenge home account bringing my new total to $3874.61. I was trying to save a $1000 a month but now that I have a new car that is out of the question but either way I am back on track. Seems like if I don't read what everyone else is doing or blog I loose focus. Actually I am depositing only half because $12.50 should go on the principal for my car, in that case my new total is $3862.11

Since I am trying to get to $4 before Tina...lol I have added $.74 to my challenge today, rounding up my change
new total $3849.56

Well he seems to be doing much better, he is going back to work tomorrow and will be starting school for his GED. He has a learning disability and when he graduated he did not receive a actual diploma so he has decided to give school a try (this was really depressing him) so I am really excited and happy for him at the same time

Ok as you all know I am nickeling and diming my car payment (by paying extra) any how I do this through my electric orange account (checking) I opened this account so that I can pay my car payment and any extra online. So to make a long story short I have been paying on line now for a while.I check the balance on my car account to compare the numbers and nothing has change the bank (lovely BoA) applied it to the interest (?) I was so mad because the rep I spoke to over the phone informed me any extra payments are applied to the principal, well she was wrong. It took me almost an hour at the branch to straighten it out (and he had to call some place else because he could not fix it at the branch). I can't pay online and have it applied to the principal because I do not have a checking account with them but I have a $5k CD which has been there now for about 3 years and a joint checking with my mom with about $10K (mom's money not mine but my name is on the account) I guess that really deosn't matter since they have $15k of our money in which they use to invest to make money and yet can't won't allow me to pay online and have all extra funds applied to the principal
So my options are to open a checking account in which there is a minimum balance unless I have direct deposit (why would I when ING pays more)or there will be a fee or go into the branch make payments or mail it in (cost .41 cents vs free online ) So I beat them at there own game (not really) I was on line and read if you open a CC you get free checking, no minimum payment no direct deposit required plus I get 0% interest until 2008. So I opened the account and will link my ING account with the bank's and transfer funds that way and then make my principal payments

sorry just needed to vent

I have not checked my credit scores in a while since they haven't change at all even though for over a year I have paid my bills on time and paid down or off CCs there are a couple of doctor bills that I have to take care of and an old cell phone bill that my ex did not pay (long story) but I was surprised this month when I saw a slight increase see below, take it from me it is soo easy to screw up your credit but hard as H&&^^ to fix so learn from me and be responsible. Hopefully by next year when I am ready to buy a homethings would have changed

TransUnion Experian Equifax

651 630 611

Saved $15 today plus the item I bought was tax free (tennis shoes) I was looking for some new tennis shoes and Penney's had them on sale and since it is tax free week I decided go for it
I am adding the $15 to the challenge, $7.50 towards my new home and $7.50 my car. My mom was laughing because I send $5 here and $10 there on my ca but it adds up and I figure the more I pay it down the better

New total for challenge home $3848.82

I have got to really stop dining out. I know, I have been singing this song now for months but it is a drug I guess. I have over come my shopping addiction but can't over come the dining out syndrome
Grocery bill is up as well, my miscellaneous is high because I let my sister borrow money, bought some ink for the printer a other non essential things; here are the numbers for last month

Automobile : Car Payment $158.48
Automobile : Gasoline $152.03
Automobile : Maintenance $451.85
Bank Charges : Interest Paid $5.04
Bills : Cable $68.14
Bills : Cellular $58.30
Bills : Electricity $148.95
Bills : Online/Internet Service $121.72
Bills : Telephone $80.54
Bills : Water & Sewer $41.39
Charitable Donations $40.00
Clothing $16.99
Dining Out $83.40
Education : Supplies $3.03
Gifts $47.35
Groceries $190.28
Healthcare : Dental $31.65
Healthcare : Eyecare $2.79
Healthcare : Physician $30.00
Healthcare : Prescriptions $15.00
Household : Furnishings $14.99
Household : House Cleaning $14.66
Insurance : Automobile $236.30
Leisure : Newspaper $2.50
Miscellaneous $252.85
Personal Care $92.37
Sales Tax $12.20
School Supplies $0.47
Snack $5.98
Taxes : Federal Income Tax $283.64
Taxes : Medicare Tax $42.35
Taxes : Social Security Tax $181.07
Total Expense Categories $2,886.31

Grand Total -$2,886.31

This was in my inbox from the Dollar Stretcher and thought I would share:

Free Improved Scouring Pads I do a lot of cooking, and often, my pots need a goodscrubbing on the bottom because my kitchen sponge won't cutthrough. I was going through a lot of those little silverscouring pads. And after you use them just once, the food getsstuck in them and they look terrible. I'm sure they are fullof germs after the food sits there for awhile. I started using the mesh bags that my onions come in to scrubmy pots, and they work wonderfully! You can use the whole bagfor a bigger, thicker scouring pad, or you can cut it to yourdesired size. And after using it, they rinse out clean!Josephine C

Well even though I contribute $50 twice a month to my own personal IRA with no matching funds I realize that this is not enough for my retirement. I decided to enroll in the 401k plan at my part-time job. If I am not mistaken the first 4% they match 100% and anything after that upto 6% they'll match 50%. I am not sure what funds are available and how the whole thing works, so I will be posting my questions as soon as I get the packet this weekend for everyone's help. I know I will do the 4% since that is pretty much what I can afford but we will see

I added $25 today for not going to the hair salon to my challenge; new balance $3840.81. I also paid an extra $10 on the car loan so now I am down to $17,260.97. Some times it seems like I am not making progress but I know from experience $10 here $5 dollars there will add up quickly