Amber's Personal Finance Blog

Well my uncle came and fixed the hose on the car which he said was no good, thank God it only cost $23.00, but he said I had not oil and I know my car is leaking oil so I need to make sure I watch that since I am back in school and doing a lot more driving. But I am happy that it's fix for less than $100.00

Well my car finally started with the headaches. I got to work today and freon was leaking, I am thanksful I was at work and not running errans. So I called my uncle hopefully it's something he can take care of...keep your fingers crossed.

Well I took the book back that I paid $133.00 for and there was a page torn, I guess because I had it in my book bag, well The book store only gave me $106.00 back and the new book I bought was $80.00 so instead of saving $52.00 I actually only saved $20.00 I guess it could be worst but hey. I have learned my lesson and that is to shop aaround before I buy any textbooks

I don't since the new year I have had this thing where I do not want to spend any money. Yesterday I wanted to get a few tnk tops ( I have $274.00 for myself) but I could not bring myself to spend the few dollars am I getting to the point where I am just cheap or frugal. I simply hate spending money, basically on anything...I get so annoyed

Until the end of the month that is. I was looking at my total spending and I am a little surprise but here we go:
Gas: $107.69 down by $13.36
Car Maintane: $3.19
Cable: $91.74 up $51.74
Celluar:$159.54
Electricty: 167.43
Home phone:$41.45
Water & Sewage:$40.39
Charitable donations : $40.00
Dining out: $19.71
Education/school:$800.26
Gifts:$9.85
Groceries: $169.76
Healtcare:$119.09
Personal Care:$35.60
Leisure: $3.50
Sales tax;$8.40
Household:26.49
Misc:$19.05
Can't wait until the end of teh month to see how I do

I totally forgot about my challenge this week and spemt money every single day.MOmday $5.99 DnD for the office, Tuesday .70 at the library (late fee)about $9.00 at publix and today needed some things for class tomorrow and gas I guess that doesn't really count. but I am determine to end Thursday/ Friday with a bang (no spending)

I just made another cc payment of $20.46 and now my new total is $1995.12
previous balance $2015.58. Now when I return my textbook of $130+ credit

Today was the first day of class and I don't know I was a little nervous, but I think I will be ok. However, I found out that the book I paid $133.95 for was on sale at amazon for $80.00 I was a little upset but I purchased the book and on Thursday I will return the other. A saving of about $52.00

Ok the two MD bills that appear on my credit was not verified by the collection agency by 8/20 It's good for me because now I can write to Equifax asking how was the information verified and inform them that it has been 30 days and the CA has not reponded to my rewuest, and since by law they have 30 days to respond otherwards remove this inquiry. Of course every thing was sent Certified Mail

All day I have been trying to pay my weekly $25.00 to the CC company with the high interest rate and their systems is down I would like to get this over with before tomorrow but it looks like it is not going to happen

I went to Walmart today and spent a ton on things that were "needed", I am proud of myself because I stuck to the list. Even after my $100.00+ spending, I still have an substantial amount in my accounts to last me until next payday so I am happy. Unfortuanley I had no copuons for the stuff I bought but I did save.

Today's Spending:
Sales tax:$3.05
Groceries:$23.59
personal:$16.37
healthcare (contacts):$47.44
School Supplies: $5.94

Total:$106.36

I was able to add to the challenge:
$.98 Challenge/Nw home
$.66 Auto account

Today was a no spend day so I added a buck to the challenge and the auto account. However, I know tomorrow I will be spending a ton. I have to get a new book bag for school, new contacts, and some personal items.

New totals:
Challenge : $5.85
Car: $9.98

This was posted on the Dollar Stretcher and just thoutght I would share. My sister did this to me once, cried how she was behind on the mortage (at the time she stayed in my mom's house ) I lent her the money and she never paid me back. It wasn't until I turned 18 and we moved into the house that my mom told me my sister stayed there for 7 years and paid the very first and only mortage payment
(she was late) Can you believe it 7 years rent free and then she had the nerve to file the taxes:

Lesson Learned

As most of us were told, "never a lender nor a borrower be."
However, I stupidly lent money to someone whom I thought I
knew well and could trust. In fact, I loaned two and a half
thousand dollars, as she told me she was going to lose her
home. Four years later, she has failed to honor that agreement
and I now know for a fact that she does not now nor has she
ever owned the home she professed to be about to lose. And I
found out too late that she does have a severe gambling
problem and a problem with telling the truth. I have offered
to support her in her gambling addiction and was laughed at.

I am so deeply saddened that someone I trusted has turned out
to be a person of such little integrity. So little that she
tried to get me to pay for her brother's funeral when he died
recently in a tragic accident. Some people will do anything to
feed their habit.

Please learn from my lesson, and do not lend money to anyone,
regardless of their circumstances. They are adults who must
take responsibility for their own situation. This has been a
horrible learning experience for me. One that I will never
make again.

Finally we got paid I had to add the C-phone and cable bill to cc in order to make one transaction.

So here we go:
paycheck (after taxes)899.29
Deposited the following:
$75.00 EF
$30.00 Misc
$20.00 IRA
$50.00 Personal Acct
Total:$175.00

Paid the following:
$65.87 Cable
$64.32 C-phone1 (paid in fulls, 1st time in a while)
$270.10 CC1
$20.00 Offering to church

Difference $304.00 in which I added to checking account 1 for any misc bills that may come up, that way I do not have to use the CC or transfer from EF

Well I round ed the change up and added $.90 to the challenge


Previous Total: $4.85
New Total: $5.75

I was only able to complete 3 days this week with out spending, I needed,well went to Publix and did some grocery shopping, also had to get gas as well as my visist to the MD

Todays Spending
Groceris:40.52
Gas:$20.00
MD: $20.00
Sales tax:.58
Total: $81.10

I got my test results from the Colposcopy (biopsy) and it was negative...I ham like so happy. Just wanted to thank every one for their prayers and support. I have to go back in 3 months though

I thought my cc balance was $-$1922.88
but when I got home and checked my entries on my software it is actually $2270.73. I forgot I charged my books ($321.95) and my internet service is added to the CC every month ($25.90) I can't wait until payday so I can payoff what I charged for school and a little extra on the cc

Normally once a week (Friday's) I deposit $25.00 to the challenge, well I just paid on my high interest CC (the one I always complain about) instead

New balance for this card: $1652.56

Total CC balance (previous)$1947.88
New balance for CC's: $1922.88
I can't wait until payday I am going to pay as much as possible (about $800.00 on this card)
D. Ramsey is right, you have to attack these cards/debt with vengeance other wards you will never pay them off. I want to be debt free including my student loan ($1038.54) by December 2006. I want to be able to deposit my entire tax refund in my EF account rather than paying bills

Day 3, and I still have not spent a dime. I am so glad. I know at the end of the month my totals for spending, especially in the grocery department is going to be very low. I like this idea...I am not sure who came up with this challenge but thanks.

Now I am adding $1.00 to the challenge as well as the auto account. Yesterday I did not because I thought $306.00 needed to last me until next Thursday, but now I realize it's more than enough
New totals
Challenge $4.85
Auto: $8.98

The boss of course did not do the payroll yesterday but today, so that means we won't get paid until Friday. Everyone here is upset. It's not that I really really need the money now, but I would like to have my check when it's due..if I am at work I expect my check. Then he blames it on the people who has direct deposit...hog wash. Every job that I have been on that has had direct deposit we get paid the day before payday even my part-time job but go figure

Well when I left work yesterday at 12 it turned out to be the day from H***
1st I went to my part-time job to discuss the hours I was short and there was no where to park,so I got rained on. Then I went out to the school and the girl at the school bank had me waiting for about 20 minutes for no reason. Next I witness an accident looking for the bookstore...it was just a crazy day. I hope today is much better, it should be since the boss is out

Day 2 and I spent zero todayother than my fixed income (books for school. But I am unable to add the $.50 that I normally add to the challenge and Auto account becuase the $307.00 in my personal account has to last until 8/24 (payday from the second job)I hope the boss did the payroll today so we can get paid by Thursday...I have an MD appointment to go over my Colposcopy result (keep your fingers crossed) and I have to pay $20.00 as well make an extra payment on the high interest cc

Well I spent $321.95 on my books for school this semester, 3 were used and the other was new But I guess education is so expensive since it is something that can not be taken away. I am a little upset because I had not saved like I was suppose to for school and had to add this amount to my cc (not the high interest one)My goal is to pay off ASAP and incur no interest so I have almost two months to come up with $321.95 and I know I can do it

Previous Balance: $1947.88
New CC total:$2269.83

Boy to I have a lot to do today, first I have to go to my second job and make changes to my direct deposit, next I am going to take my dad his meds then pick up my books for school; $280.00 worth (unless my friend has the same computer books, cross your fingers). Last, I have to go out to the college and take my picture ID finding a place to park there is a nightmare, actually finding anything there is a nightmare

I have decided when payday rolls around I am sending my entire check to pay on my interest CC which is about $800.00 after I put aside money in the EF, Misc and IRA account. I am so sick of this CC debt I can just scream

I have called the CC company several tmes in the past regading the finance charges and was told they could not reduce my interest rate. Well I was fed up and called to cancell the card, I'll be the girl waived the finance charges of $56.78 fine with me because I will still cancel this account next month

Total Cc balance:
$1947.88

I just got my CC statement in the mail and realize my CC balance after I paid the $412.00 is not a total of $1935.93
but $2004.66(2 cards)I was charged $56.78 for interest and $4.00 monthly fee which equals $36.00 a month. I know this is crazy but because my credit was bad I was just happy for a card and now I think this is ludacris once this thing is paid off it is closed asap. $242.00 of this balance went towards school and will be paid off this week

Once again cars in our neighborhood were tagged...all but ours. I got home late last night and my room light was on that's what makes me think that's why they past us up again. The last time I was up to about 1 am. It's terrible because I know it's kids and we have never had this problem before. I hope someone catches them in the act ASAP. Poor lady next door just got her car back about two weeks ago from the previous incident. They spray painted her car so bad, her radiator needed to be replace along with the front grill. Like who has moeny to keep paying the deductible to have your car repaired and not only that if it keeps up I know rates will go up

Well the day is half over and the only other place for me is home so I am know I will not spend a thing today. I am adding $.50 to the challenge and $.50 to the car account

New totals:
Challenge $3.50
Car $7.98