Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Well my credit scor changed slightly for this month. I am really working hard at this because next year I would like to purchase a home. Now the cc that I paid half on did not reflect this change I am sure this would have helped, either way here are the results

Previous Scores:
Transunion 618
Equifax 575
Experian 535

New scores
Transunion 618
Equifax 577
Experian 555

Over the last few days I spent a ton of money. I forgot yesterday I bought a $5.00 dress then turned around today and bought a $15.00 bag which was $79.00 then a pair of $15.00 like what was I thinking ? I guess I wasn't I have not gone shopping in a while now I am thinking about returning the purse and the shoes. Then i went to verizon and because I have a newer notebook I have to get the new internet card at $176 then I used the CC (the high interest one by mistake ) but I just paid $112 on it so that was not too bad. I hate spending I can't believe it

Well I got my money back from BestBuy, I am s happy I like my little notebook and am having fun playing around with it. Tomorrow i will get the wireless service from Verizon and cancel my AOL account. Now I have to purchase the Access software in order to practice my lab assignments. I will be checking out Ebay

As you all know I am having problems with my car, well on my part-time job there is a 1996 Camry with 34000 driven by the original owner who is about 80 for sale for $4500.00 So my brother said he would lend me the money and I make monthly payments to him. I think that is a good idea we'll see. I am hoping to talk her down to $3000.00

Well I got up bright and early and went to BestBuy to get my money back ( 10am) Anyhow I was told it would take an hour to do a recovery on my computer since they installed Office 2003 and need to remove it, well it has been 7 hours later and still no call so I call them and was told they were on disc 3 now I have done recoveries before most it has ever taken was 2.5 hours I can not understand why 7 hours later it still has not been completed as of yet and still no phone call

Just wanted to wish every one a happy holiday and stay safe

My friend just told me her daughter took nude pictures and sent them to a friend of hers whose brother supposely like her. First of all children should not have cell phones, that is how the pictures was sent. I told her to find out who this boy was and if he was a minor then speak to his parents and if he was older report him to the police. Well I think because her and her daughter has not been getting along she is a bit tired and has given up. I tried talking to her, oeverall she is a good mother to both of her kids but I think her oldest is rebelling because she has remarried and has another daughter ( this is the one who cell phone she used to send the pic)Actually her ex-husband who she remains friends with bought the youngest kid the cell phone and would periodically check the phone, he is the one who ound the pics. Anyway she sent them without the sister knowing because the date and time was really later (of course after bed time). Well I think she should get her birth control and condoms but she thinks it is promoting sex..I think it's better to teach "safety" than nothing. I told her to check and see if she had a myspace account all the kids today seem to have them. Wow..you hear about this stuff on the news but you never think it might be me or someone close to me

Well because the guy at BestBuy had no clue and provided me with the wrong information, I can return the software I purchased for a full refund ($150) He told me that Microsoft XP was not compatible with Microsoft Office 2000. So I called and spoke with the manager who confirmed with the sales rep (thank God he was honest) that he did indeed tell me that,and he was wrong and since it is not my fault I can bring the software back and get a full refund. not only that the sleeve that he sold me which I told him was too small and he said not it wasn't, well guess what it was too small, so I am returning I'll get a total of $179+ back. So I am keeping the laptop since it was a good buy

Well today I bought a laptop ($638.00) and then was told that Office 2003 was seperate and I had to pay $150.00 for that Now I charged only the laptop and now I am having second thoughts ($638.00?) I know it will come in handy when I am at work topractive my lab work for school or on lunch break but was this a want for convienance or a need I have 14 days to think about it otherwads I will not be able to return. I'ell see how it works out with me today at work if it really comes in handy. I am definately returning the sleeve i boutght for the laptop no question ($20.00)

I just got this in my inbox and thought this is great and wanted to share:

Good 'Til The Last Squeeze!

There is a product available from many art supply companies
called the "Tube Wringer." This device, intended for artists,
allows you to squeeze every last drop from metal or plastic
tubes. It's not only useful for saving paint, but also for
using up the last bits of toothpaste, medications, cosmetics,
etc. It sells for around $10. I've had mine for over ten years
now, and it's still going strong, squeezing my toothpaste tube
to the last dollop!

Here are my credit scors, I will not be able to get the update until the 5th so I am hoping things will change for the better, especillay since i have paid down some things

Transunion:618
Equifax:575
Experian:535



I am so disgusted with myself right now

I am wondering how much my credit score will jump since I've had 1 bad debt completely removed, paid down 1 cc to less than half the credit limit and the other one is less than 25% of the credit limit. I am hoping atleast 20 points which would mean a lot to me, especially since the end of next year I would like to try and buy a house. My goal is to be debt free by December and sock away all checks except from my part-time job ( I plan on living off this check for 1 year). I figured I would save close to $20,000 by doing this, if I includ tax returns and X-mas bonuses

Ok I went to get an alignment today but my mechanic deos not do them so now I have to wait until next weekend and take it to another place, like Tire Plus or Tire Kingdom. Anyway I decided to add the money that I may have paid for an alignment to my CC acount...well a little less because I had originally set aside $75.00 for this. So I paid $49.17

Previous Balance:$1221.96
New Blance:$1172.79
Overall CC Balance:$1765.07

I can't wait until I am at 3 digits instead of 4 for a balance due on this card

Now that I am in school I have noticed that I need to have access to a computer a lot more than before, the courses are actually getting tougher. So I am thinking about buying a laptop, now Compusa has one that is refurbished for $350.00 do you think it is a good idea to buy a refurbished notebook? FYI:I will only need it for internet service and papers

Well I used my cupouns for free undies at Victoria Secrets and saved $15.00 so rather than adding to the challenge I am paying the money saved towards the high interest CC

New Balance:$1221.96
Total over all CC:$1814.24

Well my goal for September is to pay off the high interest CC (33%)Right now this is the only thing I am focusing on. The current balance is $1236.96; I will get two checks for September and I hoping atleast $600.00 each payperiod will go paying this debt off quickly.

Ok it is the end of the month for me so I have to tally up all my spending and savings. We did get our pay stubs today, my check won't be deposited until Thursday but I prepaid everything online for Friday's date 9even bills due next month) to be on the safe side. I am just looking at transactions that are important to me so here we go:

Total wages for the month before taxes $3626.27 and after taxes $3326.65 (?) this is what my MS Money shows

This month and last Month
Gas: $136.65, $121.05
home Exp: $894.49 , $188.98
Tithes: $60.00, $21.00
Clothing: 00.00 , $9.50
Dining Out: 36.07 , $43.81
Education: $874.48 , $00.00
Gifts: $11.35 , $33.10
Groceries: $192.29, $207.31
Healthcare: $129.98 , $221.65
Cleaning Sup: $25.60, $.87
Misc: 22.05 , $45.49
Personsl: $35.60 , $43.36
Leisure: $4.75 , $8.24
Hurricane Sup:00.00 , $9.88

CC debt: $1324.21
total savings$450.00

I just paid another $100.00 on my high interest Cc and notice I had a credit of $6.15, I am not sure why. I did sipute a charge of $5.99 which was a duplicate but $6.15 I have no idea. I'll give them a call.

High interest CC New balance: $1236.96
Total CC balance:$1829.24

Darn! my eletric bill this month is $174.05 I just don't get it. I really can't complain to my uncle who leaves his TV on all night and day because my mom gets upset if anyone says anything to him and I can't call the electric company to have them check as why it is so high because it is in my mom's name, and she is old set in her ways and questions nothing. The agreement when I moved back home is that I would pay the water, cable and light bill.. All I can say is darn, I took the money out of my personal account because I wanted to pay the bill before the storm hits in case I am unbale to pay online and payday is not until Thursday, grant it if he deos the payroll

My nephew married his HS sweet heart on Friday and did not tell anyone until yesterday. I like her but my mom is upset, I have no idea why I think it's because she has a kid already but who knows. She is a nice girl very ambitious studying to be a nurse. I am happy for them

Welll I am happy I did not spend a cpin today but I am sure I will tomorrow I have to pick a few things for the storm, not much because I have been stocking up.

I am not happy that we will experience a storm, but I am happy that ernesto will not be a hurricane when it hit the southeast coas of FL All day I was worried, I still am but am a little relieve better a TS than a hurricane any day

Looks like we are going to be in the middle of storm. The stores are a mad house, I am so glad I started early. However, I need to get gas and ice tonight which I am sure will be a nightmare.

Ok I am going to try the no spend days again this week, last week I spent money every single day but this week I am determine. unless it is a fixed a expense then I am ging to do with out. Today I did some shopping, misc itmes and groceries so we will see

As you all know I have a very old car '89 Camry...my previous car was totaled no car payment. Anyway my uncle took it yesterday to his buddy who tuned it up and it is running so nice now,however I still need to get the oil leak and some other leak (can't remeber) fixed. I think I am I just do not want another car payment not while I still have other debts. just thankful I have a decent car, may not be a car that I want but it's a car and payment free

Well I cleaned out my checking account (account 10 and paid $18.89 on the high interest CC. I am so happy because for the last few pay periods Ihave not had to touch any money in my EF account so that means I am making progess and Murphy is aware

New Balance:$1343.11
Previous balance:$1362.00
Balance the begining of the month:$2095.28
Overall CC balance:$1950.39

Today was a really good day, I read some ones blog who was doing the "happy dance" well I am dancing today. I got my credit report from Experian who was to validate a debt, well they were unable to do so and it was deleted so I am dancing Now I am waiting to hear from Equifax and Transunion

Well I changed my mind about using the extra $200.00 towards the CC, since my car gave a little trouble today my uncle is actually taking a look at it tomoorow and maybe have my cousin's husband who is a mechanic check out the oil leaks so I am holding on to the money rather than paying the CC and then charging in the future. I am trying to stay away from placing anything and I do mean anything on the CC

It seems like I am the only person in the world when it comes to getting paid. My part-time job did deposit my check ( I made a change in which account funds should be deposited to ) so I have to pick up this check but the next one should be ok. I hope. I figure since I have $274.00 in my personal account I may add it to the cc depending on my check. we'll see

I have a fried who is so stubborn and who refuses to listen she drives me crazy. Today we had an argument because she says her ex will not drive 30 minutes to pick their kid up for visits but yet she won't either. Now she was living locally and decided to relocate because I think she was jealous of his new relationship. So I asked her how can you expect for someone to do something that you yourself refuses to do, I tried to explain to her that one has to lead by example.