Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Lost another friend to COVID. She contracted from a rehab facility that had a high number of cases, well at least that is what is suspected.

This is the fifth person I know to die from this virus. I really wish people would take it seriously. I got a little lax over the weekend but will be more conscious going forward.

Stay safe everyone

When my brother and I was going through it, I wasn’t happy with my original attorney, so I sought another one. I thought I had given her a deposit, to hold. $4,000. But I had no record.

Long story short, I’d asked about the money but the attorney said she didn’t have one. Today out of the blue, she called and mentioned she was cleaning her office and found an envelope with my name on it and a note marked to hold. Low and behold it is the check. She said she thought it was strange because normally the funds would go into the trust account. She’s returning to me. It’s a cashier check, I no longer bank with the bank that issued it, my question is, will I be able to cash it?

If I’m able to cash it, the money is going straight to my savings account. My goal is to save 6 month of my take home pay. I’ll continue to tackle my student loans the same as I am currently doing.

Other news, I paid another $320 on my student loans. My total paid for the month I believe is $3,000, I’ll calculate this weekend. I know that I’m just under $3k for my first loan.

When my brother and I was going through it, I wasn’t happy with my original attorney, so I sought another one. I thought I had given her a deposit, to hold. $4,000. But I had no record.

Long story short, I’d asked about the money but the attorney said she didn’t have one. Today out of the blue, she called and mentioned she was cleaning her office and found an envelope with my name on it and a note marked to hold. Low and behold it is the check. She said she thought it was strange because normally the funds would go into the trust account. She’s returning to me. It’s a cashier check, I no longer bank with the bank that issued it, my question is, will I be able to cash it?

If I’m able to cash it, the money is going straight to my savings account. My goal is to save 6 month of my take home pay. I’ll continue to tackle my student loans the same as I am currently doing.

Other news, I paid another $320 on my student loans. My total paid for the month I believe is $3,000, I’ll calculate this weekend. I know that I’m just under $3k for my first loan.

$18 was added to the student loan, I like to call this my snowflake ❄️. I spent money dining out, about $17. I vowed that god every dollar spent, on unnecessary items I had to match.

Every little bit helps.

Paid $500 towards my student loan yesterday, the balance once cleared will be $3173. I’m so excited about this. Why? One, I’m paying this sucker off, and two) next week is pay day and I’ll be dropping another $400 on the balance that will bring my total below $3000. My goal is to have this loan paid off by December.

Though, this has been a tough year, it’s also been a good year for me. For years I’ve been wanting to work from home, now I have that opportunity. Secondly, I met my goal of $10k saved for the year, even in the middle of a pandemic, I’ve also been able to tackle my student loans.

I reviewed my total paid towards debt and it’s over $15k for the year. I couldn’t believe it. My emotions were all over the place, happy that I did this and sad that that Monet could have been used for other things vs debt.

Nonetheless, though at times my job can be stressful, primarily from my boss, who should retire now, I’m still thankful for my job, a the roof over my head and the fact I can pay my bills.

In professional news I’ve been ask to pilot a program for HR professionals, I’m super excited about this. Over the years I’ve had some really bad managers; however, I’m one to educate myself, so I read a lot, attend webinars and trainings when I can, and it’s helped. I’ve learned that we should not wait for another person to develop us, but ourselves. Looking forward to this next chapter.

I’m so thankful that I’m able to tackle these student loans so aggressively. Today I paid another $300, new balance on student loan 1 is $3680. In about two weeks I should be able to pay another $800 bringing the total below $3,000. It’s only the first of four loans but I feel fired up about it.

Since I’m averaging about $1000 a month in payments I’m considering not applying for the income driven repayment (IDR) plan, which will put my regular payments at about $650 a month. This will also help with the interest. I have to do a little more research.

Money wise, my cash envelopes came in under budget this budget period, so I’m happy for that. I paid the October electric and mortgage payment. I believe in paying these items as soon as I receive the invoice and have the money. I’m a big believer of not waiting, you never know what will happen. Glad I do this, September mortgage payment was made mid August. The payment bounced. We couldn’t figure out why, well the touting number was wrong. Thankfully I had paid early and was able to meet be September 1, payment

My savings, is looking a little nice. It’s not where I’d like to be, but it’s coming along.

Lastly, yesterday I went to Dunkin’ Donuts 🍩 with a gift card of course, it felt great to go out. I didn’t dine in but it felt good to be out since I’ve been self-quarantining for months.

Friday is payday and I have $250 slated for the student loans 👩🏾‍🎓, I’m so happy about this. I’m just below $4,000 on my first loan.

I also started back using cash 💰 . I opted not to, due to the virus, but found myself spending a tad bid more, I’m glad, things are going back to normal, somewhat, and organizations aren’t encouraging credit cards 💳 . I simply, spray the cash with Lysol and wash my hands thoroughly.

Things are trucking along, and I’m happy for that.

I’m so happy, I hit the send button on a $1,000 payment of my student loans. I used the money I was saving for my bedroom set. I don’t know why but something is telling to get this first loan paid by the end of the year and so I’m trying very hard to do so.

I’ll admit I can’t help but think, what if I was able to invest this money? It depresses me, but I know I’m making progress. By the end of the month, I would have thrown over $2k at this debt.

I’m praying that the interest free remains through at least the first quarter of 2021. If this happens, I will be able to pay off the interest of the second loan, and start tackling the principal.

Edited to add, a friend’s mom put $20 in a thank you card, I was able to find her Lysol. Though I didn’t want the money back and it’s way more than I spent for it, I’m thankful. I used this to add to my student loans. So today I paid $1,020.

My new balance on student loan 1 is $3980

Since January I’ve been saving for a bedroom set, in June or July I took half the money, about $800 and paid my student loans.

Now I have about $950 saved and I want to take this money and pay down my student loans. If I do this my lowest loan will be about $4,100.

I need a bedroom set desperately, things are falling apart but I want this loan gone. I’m torn.

I was going to pay $450 on my student loans but decided to pay enough to bring the balance of the loan to $5000. That $5035 would have drove me crazy.

Next week is pay day and I’ll be able to get it below the $5000 mark. It feels so good to finally be making some traction in this loan. God I hope I can pay this off by December. If so that would leave me wit three loans to go.

Wishing everyone a safe and relaxing Labor Day

Today was an errand day for me. First it was Home Goods to return a few placemats, then Walmart for a few personal care products, next Aldi for fruits, then Target 🎯 to return a fall throw and spray paint, and finally I made my last stop 🛑 my mom’s for a bottle of wine I ordered last month that was delivered yesterday. I wanted to support a friend who is trying to earn some extra cash. It felt good getting out and about.

Since last month I went on a little hiatus with my spending, so I wanted to make this month a no spend month, only spending on necessary items. So far, I’ve had five no spend days (only necessary items). While out today, I made sure to pack water, and snacks, so that I was not tempted to buy anything.

It feels good to be back on track with things.

Having spent nothing (only needed items purchased) today, I’m setting aside $2 for my challenge, I’m also participating in a receipt challenge, so for every receipt obtained from purchases I must set aside a $1, today it was $3. The cash comes from my cash envelopes, this helps me to stay under budget.


So far for the challenge I think I have about $900 saved, in July I took about $800 and paid on my student loans. This time I’m not touching it, I hope, lol. I want to get my bedroom set. That’s what the savings challenge money was for initially. I don’t doubt by October I’ll take this money and pay down my student loan though. Lol, why? I really want to pay one of my student loans off by December 31st. I’m so close I can taste it.

For the holiday, I’ll be making pulled pork and potato salad.

That’s it for now

Pay day and I paid $400 on my student loans. I’m hoping to have my lowest balance loan, of $5,485.00 paid off by December 🙏🏾. The best thing that could have happened was this zero interest deferred payment. It allowed me to tackle at least one of my loans aggressively.

Now I’ll admit last month was a dud. I fell off the wagon, buying things for the house. I wanted to “fix” my home up. I painted my kitchen cabinets, painted the spare bedroom, bought a rug, bought a cube for the office space, and other miscellaneous items. Though I love how things turned out I’m pooped about what I spent (paid cash). So for September I had to reel things in, it’s a no spend month for me. For every day I spend nothing I’m adding $2 to my challenge fund.

Saving news, I socked away $400 in savings today as well, I also realized that my EF, including my mortgage account, has 6 months of expenses saved. I’m so excited about this. I’m really nervous about what will happen the first quarter of 2021, I think things are going to get bad. We can’t have record number unemployment and nothing going into default. But either way, I want to be ready, my goal is to have 6 months of my take home pay saved not expenses but I’ll take this for now.

Other news, I had to call the electrician back, we think that the plug on the dryer was bad, fingers crossed, that it’s fixed. I don’t mind hanging my clothes to dry but I like to dry my towels in the dryer that way they’re nice and soft.

That’s it in a nutshell for me.

Sending hugs and prayers to our Saving Advice family located in Texas and Louisiana.

Please stay safe

Just checking in, I hope everyone is doing well, for me I’ve been trucking along.

We have another storm brewing, 🤦🏽‍♀️🙄, hopefully it passes us by. Yesterday I headed out to the store to pick up a few snacks, other than that I’m doing pretty well with hurricane supplies. Though today it appears as though the storm made a turn, I’m always thinking better safe than sorry, these things can shift at any moment.

Yesterday I paid $300 on the student loan, finally got the balance just under $6k at $5885. This is one of four loans, and I’m so happy to be tackling them finally. For September I’ll be able to pay about $1500 on it.

I also made my first mortgage payment after refinancing, I really want to pay extra on this loan but won’t start doing that until January. I’m thankful for the long term savings.

My emergency fund, finally hit the 6 months worth of expenses saved yesterday. I’m so excited about this, because I’m genuinely nervous about this virus and the impact on businesses. I’m working but we laid off a ton of staff, that we brought back but things look shaky.

I’m so thankful that I worked my butt off to pay off this debt. By doing so my expenses reduced and I was able to save. Rather than needing $2500 a month for expenses, I only need about $1200 a month. I did rounded up to $1500 to include groceries and miscellaneous stuff.

Separate from my EF that covers mortgage payments as well, I also have about 2 months of mortgage (including escrow) payments saved, and about $2k for home repairs.

Though I haven’t hit financial independence I have hit financial peace of mind.

I’m praying things turn around with this virus and economy. One thing I’ve learned, the stock market is not the economy.

In friends and family news, my friend lost her dad to COVID, this is the third person I know who had lost their lives to this virus. Another decided to take a family trip because they needed to get away, well, the entire family was diagnosed and fell very ill, the husband ended up in the hospital for a while, thankfully he’s still with us.

Stay safe everyone

I’ve been painting my kitchen cabinets and they’re turning out okay. First I learned, if the paint has streaks, use a sander, then it was use a sponge brush. Now I’ve removed the hardware. All in all, it’s coming out pretty good, and I’m happy I’m able to revamp my kitchen without paying a arm and a leg to do so.

This past week was slow, I completed a survey in that I earned $20 so I paid $20 towards the student loans. Next week is pay day, so I’ll be able to make additional payments.

I’m trucking along, paid $300+ last we on student loans and another $20 today.
I’m so happy to have finally started tackling these loans, two years it took for me to get here. Hopefully in two years they’ll be gone.

I want new cabinets and realized it’s a want not a need. I got SO to help me change the hinges since the cabinets were falling apart. I got some free chalk paint from amazon and started to paint the cabinets. So far I’ve done only one coat but they look great. I’m going to paint the hardware silver that way I don’t have to buy any. Over the next few days, I’ll add the additional coats.

Creating an office space was the best thing I could have done. I find that I’m more productive with work and my personal stuff. I’d like a loveseat sofa bed for the spare room/office but it’s no rush. Over the last few weeks I’ve been decluttering the house and it is truly making a difference.

This week I received two checks, one for my escrow from the previous lender and a refund from my attorney. I had asked her to hold on to the retainer a little longer in case my brother started up. Well the check came and it was almost $2k. I was surprised.

With both of these deposits and my payday savings I’m about $15 away from having 6 months of expenses saved. I guess things work out for a reason. Ii will up the side bar later

I’m pretty certain my escrow account will not be enough to cover taxes and insurance in November, so I’m saving my October and November side hustle checks to pay the difference. I do not want a higher mortgage payment.

Things are trucking along, after reviewing the budget, and making some adjustments, I’m able to pay $400 on my student loans Friday. I’ll be honest, I’m hoping this interest free savings continues, I’m making some serious progress on my loans.

As you all know I’ve been saving for a bedroom set, I took half of my saving a paid on my student loans, thinking I could save another $700+ by end of the year.

Well I get a call from my sister and her friend is selling a wood bedroom set. Though wood isn’t my first choice, if the price is $500 or less I’ll make it work. I’m going on Wednesday to look at it. Fingers crossed.

Well I looked at the loan docs and I’ll admit, I questioned the amount, it was explained; however I didn’t realize I didn’t understand until I got my statement. I consider myself pretty literate, however I guess not. Basically when the loan officer/broker told me that I was correct that the balance was the $109k she didn’t explain the charges. So I assumed that was what I was financing, lesson learned. I’m annoyed, only because I told her I felt like the process was being rushed, two, when communicating I think she deliberately played on my ignorance. I also received a gift card from here with a note that it was my application fee. I’m pissed because I questioned this and she told me it would be refunded after the closing, well she didn’t tell me it would be in the form of a gift card. Didn’t know I had to ask if this would be a check, gift card or cash.

I also received a huge check today for my escrow and taxes. I’ve put this in my EF account, contingent on the tax bill in November, I’ll use this to pay the bill, I’m almost certain I won’t have enough in my escrow account. What ever the balance is after taxes and insurance, I’ll pay down the principal.

Long run when I look at it and crunch the numbers, the overall savings is worth it. My break even is actually two years. I’ll start back paying an extra $100 on the principal.