Amber's Personal Finance Blog

As you all know I am in the process of cleaning up my credit. I have mailed letters right and left trying to get things removed, well I just got two letters returned from companies that ran my credit report without my consent and now I have to write a letter to Equifax asking that they remove this inquiry. Boy is it sure easy messing up your credit but it's like pulling teeth to fix it. Once I get thismess straighten out I am going to stay on top of my credit. If I knew then what I know now

Well today and these last few days I have spent money but starting tomorrow I will start over with the "no spend days" and see how well I can keep it up. Last week it was only 4 days

Sales Tax:.93
Groceries: $14.93
Medication: $10.00
Cleaning supplies: $5.25
Leisure: $1.25
Peronal Care: $5.18
I saved $.75 with coupons therefor I added to the challenge new total $412.95

Added $1.71 to car account lol new total $1.71, but every little bit helps we'll see how far I get

This girl on my job drives me crazy I can not wait until next week when she leaves
She is sooooo lazy it's pathetic, I mean why work. All day all she did was add paper to the copier and the fax machine; oh and I forgot walk back and forward. The funny thing is the boss knows she's lazy

Well since I did not complete one week of no spending and only 4 days I ended up spending some money again today.

Sales tax:$.42
Groceries:$18.37
Dining Out:$2.20

$20.00 Challenge: +$27.00
Auto account: +$1.21

Well today I had the Colpscopy done, it wasn't as painfull as I thought it would be but I will not know anything until about the 17th , However, just wanted to thank everyone for your prayers.

Remember the $20.0 I was over charged at the MD's office, well the billing manager I spoke to On Tuesday had no clue, but I quickly reminded him I had a $20.00 credit and that I spoke with him and there was no way I was paying $40.00 well he straighten it out, seems like there is always a problem with him

Well tomorrow I go back to the MD for my byopsy and I am a little nervous but I am going to put it in God's hands. Iam also meeting with the advisor at the college because a class here and there is not cutting it so I am ready to buckle down and make things happen

well I was only able to complete 4 "no spend days" since I started the challenge. I was too lazy yesterday to cook dinner so I had to buy lunch today and was too lazy this morning to cook breakfast, but I stopped at the grocery store and bough breakfast for the next few days. I am a little dissapointed but I added $9.34 to the challenge in order match lunch today's lunch splurge
New Total: $385.20

I read an article a while ago on this very topic. It stated that we all have something in our closets in which we have not worn in a long time, and if you are a shopaholic or some one who likes clothes (that's me) just put something on that you have not worn in awhile. Well I tried this and guess what it really was very therapeutic...it felt like I actually had on new clothes (sad I know). My brother who works for waste management always find clothing items, well I washed upped pair of pants ironed them really well, found a shirt that I have not worn in about 3 years and that's what I'll wear to work I am so proud of myself and am thankful for all the great posts of support. Can you believe it I have not went to a mall in months and I only spent about $10.00 last week at a thrift store.

Well I just added $1.71 to the challange brining my new total to $375.86

Not only that I forgot to add the interest earned to my accounts last month which were:
New Home:$1.02
Education:$.38
Checking: $.16
EF:$.33
Misc:.02
Total $2.33
lol...I can't wait until I have enough money saved to earn much more on interest

I actually I only have 2 goals for August, 1 is to get CC1 paid atleast by half the balance and back into to school I took the summer off so hopefully I'll be back full force and ready to roll in the Fall.

Well we have our first name storm of the season T. Charles, pray for us that it dissipates before hitting anyone
I am just glad that I have been hurricane shopping for the last few months

Normally I get my EOB's from the insurnce company and never look at them, any way just read mine and the MD office over charged me by $20.00. If you remembered they also charged me $20.00 for not cancelling an appointment, since I am going in again on Thursday for an Colposcopy I ask that they just credit me the funds. So what I budgeted to spend this week ($40.00) I can just hold on to it

Wow day 4 and still no spend other than my fixed income I spent no money today, I am so proud of myself. I did however, hit the thrift store but I was thought I am going to cpmlete this challenge with a full effort

Bills:
Electric: $167.43
Water:$40.39
CC: $62.88
Cell phone 1: 53.00
Cell Phone 2: $42.22
Cable: $25.87
Home Phone: 40.00

Regualr Savings Deposits
EF:$75.00 New total $477.81
Misc Account $30.00 New total $30.01
Personal Account:$20.00 New total $141.00
Ira:$20.00 New Total $730.27

So I am happy

OMG I was looking at the gost of gas on my way to work and it was $3.05 and higher. I am so glad I filled up last week, but how long will that last. I know this is nothing compared to around the world and HI so I guess I can't complain

Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am on day 3 and have not spenta coin. I am so happy, now I am adding another buck to the challenge

New total: $347.13

Today is July 31 and I must say I think I did pretty good this month, here are my totals:

Total income $1829.58

expenses
Gas:$121.05
Bank Charges: $133.00 my mistakes
Interest Paid (cc) $77.33
Fixed Bills:$118.98
Charitable Donations:$21.00
Clothing $9.50
Dining Out $43.81
Gifts:$33.10
Groceries:$207.31 ;( I did not use coupons
Healthcare/insurance: $221.65
Household Cleaning/laundry:$18.70
Hurricane Supplies:$9.88
Job exp (non Reimburse) $5.99
Leisure: $8.24
Misc: 30.54 this is way down
Personal Care $43.36
Sales Tax: $9.52
Federal Income tax: 164.32
Medicare: $25.64
SS $109.66
Total: 1482.58

Income VS Spending Difference: +$397.08
So some things I went over but a lot of things were cut. Atleast I have funds saved

Well because I have poor crdit I have to pay HSBC a $69.00 annual fee ;( The balance on this card was 0 dollars now I just upped my CC balance. It's not due until the 20th So I will wait until the 16th to pay it off. I can't wait until I am debt free and my score is up so I do not have to worry about these silly cards

I decided to call in sick today, I needed abreak. those lazy girls on the job drives me crazy and besides I needed to clean up today and wash clothes. I am glad I took the day off, I am not lossing any pay because I have a ton of vaction and sick days

Today is day number 2 and I did not spend a thing; I did not even buy my Sunday paper. But my mom ask for a $1.00 for Sunday school, I almost said no...lol but since it was for church I went ahead and gave it to her. lol I have to laugh because I am getting to be really cheap,oops frugal, I hate spending or giving it away.

Added a $1.00 for the challenge since I did not spend any money
New total: $346.14

My friend that is. I am sure I have complained about her before, well the bank seized or deactivated her debit card in which she used on regularly bases for money she obviously did not have. She was bouncing so many checks...well not really checks, but when ever you use your debit card without the funds the bank allows you to complete the transaction and charges you a fee. I told her sooner or later they were going to close her account and that she needed to make some serious sacrifices to get ahead...only because I know. But she did not listen; this is the same friend who bought sandals last week. But here is the kicker she has a business account with no funds and then used that debit card to complete her transaction, what she doesn�t realize is the bank will file charges against a her person who knowingly and deliberately writes bad checks in her case uses her debit card. In FL if the amount is equal to or greater than $500.00 it is considered a felony. She thinks they did this because she has defaulted on car loan. She doesn�t realize the money she has spent on fees; it could have been used for some thing else like paying her bills. She will never get ahead this way

Oops, I forgot I told her once before and not again that she needed to keep her business separate from her personal life because once you cross that line if you owe money through your business the other party can come after your assets, the little she has
Guess we all have to live and learn and she will sooner or later

Today was the first day that I have a no spend day so I am adding $1.00 to the challenge

New total:$345.14

Wow did my day start out terrible, first the guys came really early to start our roof and being up late last night was know help. Then I went to library and the DVD I wanted was still not returned (12 days late) Then I was unable to wash clothes because I line dry and since the guys were out doing the roof they had stuff every where. Next I took a nap before heading off to work; I was unable to iron because the outlet was not working so I had to decide on something else. Next I used the little girl�s room and was washing my hands (I did not have my glasses on) but I heard this water dripping sound...the toilet over flowed. Then I went into the other bathroom turned on the show and that toilet start to back up. Ok now it is getting close for me to go to work, go by dad�s to take shower, he's not home; next off to my sister�s they�re not home, go by my aunt�s, guess what she is not home go over to my friends my mom house she's not home luckily as I was about to pull off my showed up and I was able to shower. As I am leaving and half way home I realize I can not see...left my glasses darn. So now you know what kind of day I had

Jumping on the ban wagon, I decided that this will be a no spend week. That means the only money I will be spending are things that are a necessity such as: water bill, light, cc debt, etc. So today I spent a ton of money today, a total of $100.98

$57.33 Groceries
$15.00 gas
$16.26 Personal care
$10.00 Dry Cleaning
$00.87 Household Cleaning
$1.52 Sales tax

Since I have decided all week what I make for dinner, there will be no need to run to the store and pick any extras. One more mental note I need to keep my coupons with me at all times

Oops almost forgot added $.87 to the challenge brining my new total to $344.14

Can you believe it my boss actually did the time sheets today and that means we will be paid on Tuesday versus Wednesday of Thursday so I am happy. He is notorious for bad moods and doing the time sheets late

Well I just added an additional $2.69 to the challenge brining my total to $343.26

Today was payday from the part-time job and I made $234.88 after taxes. But went to the bank to cash my check and was given only the $234.00 well I did not notice because I was really only being concerned with the dollar amount received well I was short the .88 so I wnet back before I got too far. My dad could not understand why I went back, well it's my money and I want it...I work too hard.I explain to him if everyone let the bank get away with .88 they would make lots of money. Not oonly that it is the principal once I rolled hcanged and cashed it in and they wrote me for .4 cents i was bout 8 at the time, but I will never forget it

This is a first in a while I had a no pend day yesterday so I added $1 to the challenge
New total 340.57

This is not my day, 1st my co-worker is driving me crazy, 2nd my dad and his tenant, now someone hit my car and left. The damage is not bad and I do drive an old 89 Camry but it is the point. Can you believe it. When I had the 01 Camry before the accident, some one hit the back of my car...it all happened at work and we are not allowed to park in the front. Good thing my car is old and I plan on getting rid of it once it gives out, which will be soon. You better believe if happens when I get a new car all H&**&^ is going to break loose

Now my dad is on my list of people who are driving me bonkers. He always want me to be the clean up woman so to speak. He has allowed this woman to move into the house with out any deposit or rent, then I just found out he has not switched over the electric. Now he is one of those people that when you speak to him it is like talking to the wall, he always does this crap and then I have to go behind him and clean up the mess. This was the same thing with the last tenant
Arrrrrrgh!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now August will be two months and no rent

I am sure you guys has heard me say this more than once. But right before lunch I finally said to her " Can I ask you a question, what sense does it make to answer the line when I ma sitting right here, reaching over me, what if you need the computer to schedule or cancel the appointment" Well then she got upset so I said well now you know how I feel when you are constantly standing over me, please find something to do