Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Here are my totals so far, I guess it is not too bad but the gifts are really high...birthday's and holidays my dining out is also high as well:

Expense Categories
Automobile : Gasoline $40.01
Bills : Online/Internet Service $60.52
Bills : Water & Sewer $44.08
Clothing $90.83
Contact solution $2.24
Dining Out $53.91
Gifts $68.17
Groceries $82.97
Healthcare : Dental $11.65
Job Expense : Non-Reimbursed $5.32
Miscellaneous $36.47
Personal Care $67.94
Sales Tax $10.35
Taxes : Federal Income Tax $140.29
Taxes : Medicare Tax $21.12
Taxes : Social Security Tax $90.27
Total Expense Categories $826.14

Grand Total -$826.14

I am reviewing everything that I really need to take care of such as:

1. Up my EF which has fell dramatically
2. Up my IRA contributions (will take care of on Monday)
3. Resume my $25 weekly deposit to the challenge
4. Stop shopping, yes I have started this crap again after I worked so hard at paying off my cc

I have paid cash for all the clothes I bought but my EF has decreased because of a non emergency. I just don't get it I am not depressed or anything, I guess I just miss shopping not good and I have not been blogging like I use to so I think this is another reason ( I am not recognizing my actions...out of site out of mind)

5. resume my blogging on a regular basis because it helps me to stay focus

I have been really slacking, I just added $3 to the challenge $2.00 for two loads of laudry that was line dried and $1 for taking the stairs

new total $2038.57

Well I have not learned my lesson, I am still eating out. Added $2.94 to the challenge because I went to DD and another $12 for lunch at Friday's. A co-worker borrowed $10 I maybe out of that we will see

New total $2035.57

I added another $5.53 to the challenge because I was too lazy to cook and had dinner at KFC today

New total $2020.63

Now I have been debt free for about 4 months, grant it I have 1 to 2 doctor bills that needs to be paid but my credit score is not going up at all, and i do not under stand why, if I use my card as soon as I get home I pay it off so there is no balance. I pay all other bills on time but when ever I check my scores they are in the low 600s and I am actually closing an account next month because there is an annual fee attached to it

I guess you can say that I am back on track with the challenge, yesterday I added $2.44 because I did not order breakfast from Mcdonald's and that is what I usually pay. Today I added $6.00 because I saved $3.50 at target and did not spend $2.44 at McDonalds so I just rounded up

new total $2015.10

Here is another tip that was in my inbox from the Dollar stretcher that I thought was a good idea, especially for those of us who pack our lunches:

Custom Cold Packs

I have bad knees, so I often need to ice them. I was using ice
cubes or frozen bags of water, but all those corners are
terribly unpleasant. I went to the pharmacy to buy one of
those reusable gel packs only to find out that they are
terribly expensive! My husband joked that we should fill a bag
with whiskey and put that in the freezer, which gave me an even cheaper idea. I took an 89-cent bottle of rubbing alcohol out of the medicine cabinet, poured some into a freezer bag
with twice as much water, and stuck it in the freezer. I had a reusable gel-pack with no sharp corners for less than a dollar. I have two in my freezer all the time, so after I've used one, I can exchange it for the other.
Janine S.

We have a big test today, I have been reviewing my notes on a regular basis but I just do not think I am ready. My instructor is sooo tricky when it comes to the questions but we'll see

Keep your fingers crossed

no spend day so I added a buck the challenge/home account along with an extra $.04 to round up my change

New total $2001.04

This was in my inbox from the Dollar Stretcher and just wanted to shar with everyone.

Liner paper for cabinets is very expensive. A great liner for cabinets is wallpaper. You can buy rolls cheaply at yard sales for 50 cents or $1, or you can even find it at discount stores. The patterns are really beautiful and can really brighten up your kitchen for a tremendous savings. You can also use them to line drawers.

I have met my $2000 goal now it is time to hit $3000. I added $22.01 to the challenge today
$2 for breakfast (matched this amount)
$20.00 for going out

I was to go out last night and the cover charge was $20.00 but I decided at the last minute not to go, so I added this amount to the challenge

Now I am back on track

My sister's kid is not doing well, he is a smart kid but always seems to have himself in some sort of trouble. He called up my sister and stated he did not have anything to eat so I sent him the $20 for food in which I intended to give as an offering to the church ( hope I am forgiven) I just wish he would move back home and go to college or find a half way decent job, he's a smart kid but he's headed down the wrong track

Right now I have no life insurance and was thinking about getting a term life insurance policy. I have no kids and I am not a home owner I was actually thinking $10000 should be enough to cover my funeral expenses but we'll see

I have not been adding to the challenge like I normally do so today I added $27.00
$2.00 for eating out
$25 weekly deposit
My new total is $1977.99

I have really got to on the ball again

My dad is to have cataract surgery but I do not think he will (he's 70). I did however mention that he should get a second opinion but I don't know if he will. At that age you are stuck in your ways, he said the doctor told him that he would only operate on one eye and that the other was to far gone. I am hoping he will I would hate for him to go blind

I let a co-worker use my today to go to the other office and the boss put $20 worth of gas in my car
So I added the $20 to my challenge

New total $1929.06

ok I went way over again on my dining out, I just can't get this under control. I also treated myself last month (clothes) so nothing new this month or the next and I also bought way too many gifts. Here are my totals:

Monthly income and expenses

3/1/2007 through 3/31/2007

Income
Income/Interest $1.44
Other Income
Gifts Received $130.00
Other Income - Unassigned $79.40
Total Other Income $209.40
Refund $122.45
Wages & Salary
Wages & Salary - Unassigned $2,693.01
Total Wages & Salary $2,693.01
Income - Unassigned $0.98
Total Income $3,027.28

Expenses
Automobile
Gasoline $69.72
Maintenance $811.06
Total Automobile $880.78
Bank Charges
Service Charge $1.50
Bank Charges - Unassigned $1.00
Total Bank Charges $2.50
Bills
Cable/Satellite Television $68.14
Cellular $136.41
Electricity $97.81
Newspaper $1.25
Online/Internet Service $60.52
Telephone $39.94
Water & Sewer $41.39
Total Bills $445.46
Charitable Donations $40.00
Clothing $203.59
Dining Out $81.45
Education
Fees $5.00
Total Education $5.00
Gifts $101.69
Groceries $227.24
Healthcare
Dental $676.65
Eyecare $41.89
Prescriptions $15.00
Total Healthcare $733.54
Household
Furnishings $3.19
Laundry $10.00
Total Household $13.19
Insurance
Automobile (3 months) $182.13
Total Insurance $182.13
Job Expense
Non-Reimbursed $13.70
Total Job Expense $13.70
Leisure
Books & Magazines $3.99
Entertaining $20.00
Newspaper $2.50
Total Leisure $26.49
Miscellaneous $139.31
Personal Care $216.34
Sales Tax $42.02
Taxes
Federal Income Tax $252.80
Medicare Tax $39.06
Social Security Tax $166.97
Total Taxes $458.83
Total Expenses $3,813.26

Income less Expenses -$785.98

Ok I just got my paystub, dated for 4/2 after paying off the cc which includes car repair, verizon internet bill, Bellsouth and the water bill I only have $54 left. Well I was able to add $130 to my EF account $25 to my IRA just no money to my challenge or tuition and car account but at least everything is paid and I did not need to take money from my EF to pay to get my a/c fix. I will also get paid on Thursday from my part-time gig so I will be able to add money then

well you all have heard the bad news about my car, but my dad was feeling bad for me and gave me $20 to do something nice for myself. That was really nice of him, so I ate out today and did not match this amount but I added $15 to my challenge home account brining my total to $1909.06 I have not met my $1000 goal this month, I am short $90.94 but anything can happen between here and Saturday

Well I was so disgusted that I just did not clean outmy car this morning, so I decided to head over to my dad's and notice that the thief actually broke the paneling as well around my dash board. Can you believe that? Now if that insentive cop would have did his job and tried to get some prints he would have found that and maybe got some prints. Then I notice that my fake Tiffany necklace was taken and just realize that I had a loose key (my sister's) in my ash tray which is missing, thank God they won't know who's house it belongs to. I have to lol because I am sure they are thinking it is for here and will be in for a rude awakening once they return. Only God knows what else was taken.

Well I was getting ready to go to work and went out to my car today (this morning) and notice there was paper all over the place, I thought this was strange. Then it hit me, my car was broken into and my Vera Bradley book bag that I saved for was gone. I am just so disgusted and did not feel like going into work. Why do people steal? Why not work for what you want like the rest of us? I had to buy new hubcabs because some one stole them. You know ilive in a neighborhood where we hardly ever lock our doors and now it seems like it is going dowm hill. I really think it is some kids from around here. I am going to Sam's today to buy a camera. I AM P.O'd

Also my car is old (89 camery) and the cop act as though he did not want to take prints he didn't even try to get prints off of anything else other than the door, come on

That is all could say when I picked my car up today. $489 was the cost with labor for the new a/c (compressor) but I am glad I was able to get it fix because it will be getting really hot real soon. My dad did however, give me an extra $10 today so I am happy for that. But I put the total amount on my CC. Monday is payday so it will be paid in full. I just did not want ot deplete my savings to $161 between here and Monday, you never know

Well went to the dentist and it only (yeah right only) cost me $300. I actually budgeted $330 so I saved $30 and I am adding only $15 to the challenge because I spent the other $15 at the grocery store

New total $1893.25

Well I heard from my mechanic and it will cost about $438 to get my a/c fix and I am dropping it off tomorow...it's just to hot in FL with out a/c. Next I have a dentist appointment to have my crown put on, that is another $330 so my little EF will be depleted.

The only good news is that I can pay cash and added $3.56 to my challenge today brining my new total to $1878.25

If you are like me and love to burn candles I say buy a candle burner for about $6. I bought one last year and have not needed to buy new candles, the wax melts and gives off a great smell then it forms again and I just place them back on the burner, I have saved a ton of money on candles.

Well my a/c gave out I asked my uncle to take it to his friend the mechanic at the Toyota dealer and of course he hasn't. So I said to myself I will only ask once, so I drive to my mechanic and he was going to put anti-freeze in for free only to find out that the compressor is gone Now I am looking at $200+ for a compressor and only God knows what in labor. My mechanic stated he was going to shop around first for a better price...keep your fingers crossed but I will not put off for a whole week; not in sunny hot FL. Now two weeks ago I went to the dentist,that was $330 and now I have an appointment on Tuesday which is another $330 (for the crown) next I had to pay my car insurance ($182) for 3 months and tuition is due mid April ($948) My EF has gone from $1800 to about a $1000 I am happy I had one but when it rains it poors. Now I am feeling down in the dumbs.

I was able to work some OT this week at my part time job so that hould help some with the crown, but I have got to get my car fixed ASAP

Oops, I forgot I added $1.35 to my challenge today
New total $1874.99

NSD today so a buck goes into the challenge. I am so proud of myself I did not eat out today (brown bagged it)

New total $1873.34

Ok I went to the bank because Friday's over charged me by $3 on a transaction last month. It is a good thing I keep all my receipts (for the year...lol). Any how, I go into the bank today and the rep was making little faces and little remarks to the manager, I politely told him I know it is only $3 but it is my $3 and if Friday's over charged 30 people a day by $3,that would equal $90 for the day and $2700 for the month and another $32,000 for the year. So they gave me a refund and that was the end of that story.

I am adding this $3 to my challenge which is now $1872.34