Amber's Personal Finance Blog

I am very blessed, I know some times I complain but there is always some out there with bigger problems. One of our patient's will have to have her leg amputated; she is one of the nicest people I know. She has cancer, two small children and a lazy husband. We've al decided to order a Honeybaked dinner which will last a couple of days, since she will not be able to work or move around. I feel really bad and because the cancer has spread the amputation will be really high up. I will definately keep her in my prayers

"A" minus was what I got for the first part of the summer course I am so happy, I was expectig a "B" I guess I did better on the final than I thought

Next I will be taking health law which should be really interesting

My brother called to borrow $500 he never borrows money; I find that to be strange. I hope everything is ok, I know he will pay me back but I just find it very strange that he would be borrowing money.

Next update, my friend whose kid's father (looser, sorry) died earlier this month, she will now get an extra $475 a month. So I suggested to her to sock away the money since she was not use to getting it anyway and was told I am going to be living it up, and once I buy my new house I plan quitting my job. Qoute unqoute. Did she forget like everything else prices go up and $475 is not a lot of money. Now she is the same one who was buying what she wanted when she wanted and ended up almost loosing it and had to get a part tme job. I just don't understand people, I am so afraid to spend money these days it's scary

I need a new car. I was driving along today and my car would not go then when I came to a stop it kept fluttering. I am praying that it last until December but if not I will take the money from my house account to buy a little used car. If it last until December I can save about $3000 for a used car (apy cash of course) and not touch house fund. Boy I really do not want to touch that money

Last night was the night from H*&&%
First, this guy I met turned into Dr. Jeckel and Mr. Hyde. I told him I had a boyfriend which I don't I just thought it was a way to get rid of him ...big mistake he like went off on me, litterly. Then around 3:30am I hear what sounds to be running in the yard when I look out, our mailbox which is made of steal and cement is down so I have to call the cops because I think it is some drunk on the road, needless to say it is some kid but the cop claims he was not drunk he swerved to avoid hitting a dog. Mind you I have never seen a stray dog in my neighborhood in the last 5 years that I have been living there (really) My thoughs wereyeah right then why didn't he stay since he damaged some one's property. After all that and I finally get to sleep about 5am I hear this knocking at my window at 6am my uncle's friend claims my uncle was suppose to meet him and never showed up ( well my uncle is notorious for this) apparently they were to go and clean up some property I don't know but he woke me up and my uncle was not home. Then when I finally get back to sleep my mom comes in about 7:45 to tell me she thinks the person wh knocked down the mailbox is a family friend ( who has the same name as the kid) I have to reimind her to look at the b-day no way can it be our friend who is damn near 70 arrrgggggggggh and did she forget that I actually followed the radiator leakage and found the car saw the kid and gave the cop his tag numbr. There that was my night

here are a few tips that was in my inbox from the Dollarstretcher.com and just thought I would share:

Handy Packing Material I have to mail a lot of packages to family for the variousbirthdays, new births, etc. I don't always have anything tohelp cushion my gifts in the box. The other day I realized Icould use the plastic bag that comes with my newspaper. Justblow it up and tie off the end. You can adjust the size to fityour needs by making it as big or small as you need. It worksjust as well as those expensive air packs or packing bubblewrap.Barb M. ********* Easy Scissor Sharpening I sharpen my scissors by cutting a piece of aluminum foilseveral times. This also works on paper cutters.Cara

Here are my totals for the month, I think I am doing fairly well there are some things that needs to be adjusted:

Expense Categorie
Automobile : Gasoline $39.00
Automobile : Maintenance $5.00
Bills : Cell Phone $83.60
Bills : Water & Sewer $41.39
Charitable Donations $20.00
Dining Out $26.36
Education : Tuition $415.00
Expense - Unassigned $8.64
Gifts $5.00
Groceries $98.49
Healthcare : Dental $11.65
Healthcare : Eyecare $35.92
Healthcare : Prescriptions $15.00
Insurance : Automobile $182.13
Leisure : Newspaper $1.25
Miscellaneous $21.05
Personal Care $87.47
Sales Tax $1.96
Snack $1.00
Federal Income Tax $251.75
Medicare Tax $37.05
Social Security Tax $158.40
Total Expense Categories $1,547.11

It has been a while since I have posted anything (lol a week) but I have some updates. I added to my challenge/home account brining my new to $4142 from $4107 that is a good thing the bad news is I have been buying breakfast every day this week So starting today I am back to saving and not spending

Now that the Sopranos is over I can now cancel HBO, so my cable bill should drop...lol I am sure they had a lot of cancellations

I am earning about a buck a day in interest on my ING account that is nice, I can't wait until I am able to double hell triple this amount. It's nice feeling to be interested in how much money I am earning. So of course all this extra money will be going to my new home

Went to the mechanic today because of course my a/c is out. Anyhow the mechanc just tighten something and it was back working. He did no charge me but I gave him a $5 tip

Well my week is ending and it was great.I brought my lunch and breakast for the last 5 days to work and also had dinner at home So a buck for the day was added to my challenge ($5) since I am adding the $5 a day to my cc that too is down (this was because I did not eat out)
I also took my mid-term and missed only 3 questions

New challenge $4080

Well it is true my mom friend whose sister died the other day, died from an overdose. Unfortuantely she has a small child. Apparently she has been on drugs for a while, it is really scary.
This is the second person I know who has died from an overdose in just 1 week

Again I made breakfast, lunch and dinner; so I added my $5 to my cc balance brining new total to $1268.65

I can not wait until this is paid off. Next week is payday so I can pretty much pay a third or a little more of the bill. I hate having cc debt

Well I saved $2.69 on the water bill this month so I added that amount to my challenge

New total: $4075 I can't wait until I hit $5000

Well I checked my pressure (BP) and it was 111/67 which is great. I have been watching my pressure because at one point it was really high. Now the doctor's office just called and told me that all my blood work came back negative

well I had breakfast at home as well as lunch and dinner is alreay in the making
So in order to get my cc down by the end of the month I am adding all my no spend day funds to the cc.

New balance $1274.37
I can't wait until payday when I can knock this in half

Was all I could say. This couple that my mom worked for, for years; the husband's sister was found dead in a hotel room. She was missing for a few days, I think once again it was drugs. I was told by a co-worker that she was the biggest pot head and when I last saw her I thought she looked like Hell; but she was the nicest person

What is it about these drugs that has such a hold on these people, it is crazy

Today was a no spend day and I normally add $5 to my challenge/home account but since I have accumalated CC debt I added it to my credit card.

However, I did add my weekly $25 to my challenge today. I use to do this thing with my mom and family members where we all put in X amount of dollars and we each got a draw. I figured why not earn interest on my money and besides, that was a time when I couldn't save a dollar

New cc debt $1279.37
Challenge home balance $4055.43

I realized why I moved back home in the first place, I can not afford to live on my own with a car payment. When I first moved out I was able to pay my rent and car note ( I had completely stop paying cc at this point) Then my car was paid off and I started paying off old debt I was doing great then I got a cc and was paying ontime, everything was lovely except I was not saving any money. Fast forward now my car is beyond repair and it is time for a new car now I am struggling with the cc debt as well as car and rent payments; so I decid to move back home. Now every thing is ok, next my car is totaled now every thing is great. Since then (my car accident) I have since paid off debt and have managed to save a couple of thousands dollars. Anyhow starting this month I decided to sock away what I was paying in rent and car payment and I am litterly broke. I have about $120 to last me until my next paycheck (two and half weeks) and my fake car payment will be due along with cable, phone and electric, not to mention the water bill. Eventhough I am pretending, I can't help but wonder what if this is for real? I wouldn't be able it eat. Then I think will I be able to afford a house and everything else that comes along with it? Now I am worried

When I check the deadline for payments for school summer A was due end of May and Summer B mid July. So of course I paid the first part of the summer, now I get a notice of a late fee ($75) because if you registered before may 18 then the money for both terms were due by the end of May. Now this is ridiculous

Now I have to put this on my cc or deplete my saving I am raving mad I will be calling that school first thing Monday morning

As you all know I put all my dental work on the CC but my goal is to have it paid off by the end of June, so the challenge/new home account is on hold But I know I have to pay this off. Anyhow today I had breakfast at home and I alreay prepared lunch so $5 will go on the cc and I also hung out two loads a clothes to dry so that is $2 plus yesterday I did not eat out so that was another $5; all towrds the cc

New total $869.71

Yep I got a $.78 raise on my part-time job today which was great I am really happy. This amount will go to my car account
Seems like I am having a great start, a raise plus a bonus o my part-time job. I guess har work really pays off

my cc is back up, I put my dental work on the cc next pay period I have to pay at least half, I refuse to pay interest. Now I have to hold off from the challenge and add every extra buck to the cc. I refuse to have cc debt
No way Jose

Income
Income/Interest $3.08
Other Income
Gifts Received $20.00
Total Other Income $20.00
Refund (items returned) $142.36

Wages & Salary - Unassigned $3,284.72
Total Wages & Salary $3,284.72
Income - Unassigned $0.00
Total Income $3,450.16

Expenses

Gasoline $131.45
Maintenance $87.98
Total Automobile $219.43
Bills
Cable/Satellite Television $82.85
Cellular (paid twice) $167.20
Electricity $106.70
Online/Internet Service $122.05
Telephone $46.57
Water & Sewer $41.39
Total Bills $566.76
Charitable Donations $20.00
Clothing $116.74
Dining Out(down) $75.71
Education
Books $29.00
Tuition $240.40
Total Education $269.40
Gifts(too high) $190.91
Groceries $194.83
Healthcare
Dental $401.65
Physician $15.00
Prescriptions $56.98
Total Healthcare $473.63
Hobbies/Leisure
Books & Magazines $20.00
Total Hobbies/Leisure $20.00
Household
Furnishings $18.99
House Cleaning $2.50
Total Household $21.49
Job Expense
Non-Reimbursed $10.69
Total Job Expense $10.69
Leisure
Entertaining $76.75
Newspaper $5.04
Total Leisure $81.79
Miscellaneous $87.45
Personal Care $288.98
Sales Tax $18.57
School Supplies $0.61
Snack $4.79
Taxes
Federal Income Tax $313.03
Medicare Tax $47.63
Social Security Tax $203.65
Total Taxes $564.31
Expense - Unassigned $133.57
Total Expenses $3,359.66

Income less Expenses $90.50

I just added to $30 I would have spent at tne hair salon to my challenge. I decided not to go this week and try the week and a half method vs the every week method at $30 a pop

New total $4047.38

My friend's ex was found dead today in right next to his mom. I unfortunately; immediately thought a drug overdose but we will not know until the autospy is performed. She dated him years ago he was such a looser, thank God she left him. Unfortunately there is a small child involved who loves her dad no matter what and I really feel bad for her

$635 at the dentist today. If it is one thing that I have learned and that is to take care of your teeth. My god, this is so expensive. I did put this on the credit card and plan on paying off (I will pay off) before the next billing cycle. I just did not want to clean out my saving and take funds away from my house fund and besides I will not acrue any interest before then. I still have a ew more things to take care of, inregards to my teeth but I am holding off right now

I just wanted to say thanks to every one on this site, who not only read my blogs but encourage me as well. I have come a long way and still have a way to go but blogging has really help me open my eyes. Now you all know that I got a bonus today and the old me would have thought about all the things I could buy but instead my focus was on upping my challenge.

I feel as though we are one big family here and I am comfortable with blogging and sharing things that I am afraid to share with family members or friends. I don't know but we all share something here and it is wonderful.

I am aware that $4000 to some is not a lot but to me I feel like a millionare, lol... I have never just saved $4000 not even $200 for that matter. lol but any how I am happy

Last year, I wrote about my attempted suicide and my battle with depression, I can honetly say sincee I have joined this site I am the happiest I have every been in a long time (even though I am single)

Just felt like I needed to share this with you and again I just want to say THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!!!!

oops I forgot I added $7 more dollars to my challenge

New total $4007.00

PS for anyone who is going through anything, I know how you feel; just hang in there the best is yet to come