Today I received my tax return of $538, I wish I could break even but hey. Anyway, I paid a few things (see previous post) and paid an additional $200 on the student loan debt.

This has been an amazing month, when it comes to tackling my student loans. Though I have a way to go, it still feels good to finally be able to get to this debt, while I’m on this debt free journey. I’ll be honest, I’m praying that another relief comes down the pipe and they continue the interest free relief until at least December, that would allow me to pay off one of the loans at least.

Since June I’ve paid almost $2000 in interest, next Friday is pay day and I’ll be paying $350 that would wrap up the interest and rest would finally go towards the principal.

For a while I was really depressed about these loans, I mean really depressed, but the ability to actually make payments and see a little headway really made a difference.

Pay day today, and I added $409.79 to student loan 1, the balance is now $29,000. The odd number balance was driving me nuts. Goal next month is to pay $1,000 on this sucker. I was aiming for that this month, but fell shy, total paid for June $709.79.

The loan is still in forbearance until September 30. If I pay the $1,000 in July, that would put the balance just under what I started with when I started on this journey to repay my debt. That’s definitely a motivator.

The underwriter approved the refi, I’m waiting to hear from the title company to set the date for the closing, I’m anticipating no later than Wednesday for the close.

Next week I should be receiving the money from my side hustle, after tithes it leaves me with $720, of that $500 will go towards the student loan.

I had to pay the inspection and some other fee for the refi that I put on the credit card, to earn the points. That’s why I opted only $500 for the side gig for student loans. I do have the cash to pay the credit card, but I’m waiting to see how much of a cash back I get from the refi before doing that, as well as how much of a cash back from using the credit card in June.

I put some big purchases on the card this month. All the refi stuff, inspection and title, plus my professional development membership (company will reimburse) so I’m anticipating at least $50 cash back. Though it’s ultimately the same, I’d rather use the money from the refi and rewards vs what’s in my account to pay off the credit card.

That’s it, happy Friday

Sinking funds. I have so many, but they give me peace. When I bought my house I started a home repair fund, best decision ever and later a mortgage fund. The goal of the mortgage fund was to save three months payments, in addition to my EF. By the end of this month, I’ll have the three months mortgage saved.

I’m so excited about this! Just knowing that I have at least three months of mortgage saved, not including my EF, is amazing. Once I hit that goal, I can throw the extra cash at my EF. The goal of my EF is to have six months of expenses saved. I have a way to go but definitely believe I’ll get there.

I signed the documents to lock in my refi rate of 2.70. In my excitement to post I was thinking my total payments would drop close to 50% but the numbers I was looking at was only the P&I. I forgot about escrow, over all based on the recalculation I’m looking at a 30% decrease, that includes P&I as well as escrow. That’s still significant and will help me knock 🥊 this mortgage and student loans out sooner.

Today was pay day, I managed to save 51% of my income. This include my monthly mortgage payment. If I close before the first, I won’t have to make the July payment. I also, added an extra $100 to the student loans. Though when I look at the balance, my payments look like pennies, I know eventually this will change. In the past I paid for my degree, I have no idea what possessed me to take out a student loan, oh well, can’t cry over spilled milk.

Finally I feel like I can breath, that I can make head way. I’m saving and paying off debt, and it feels good.

Refinancing my house and it’s estimated that I should be saving about $200 a month, I’m hoping for $300 but either way I’ll be saving.

I opted not to go with the 15 year, because I’ve created a habit of paying extra anyway even as I pay down debt. I’ve always paid extra on the principal, and given the uncertain times, it’s easier to come up with $400 than $800, if anything happens,that’s why I went with the 30. The new rate is 3 percentage points less than my current rate. Right now it’s all about cash flow for me.

The goal is to continue to pay my current mortgage payment after refinancing, that would be $200 extra towards the principal a month and to pay an extra $500 - $1,000 a month on the student loans. If I continue on this path, I should be debt free including the house, within 5-7 years. Fingers crossed.

Closed out my budget for May.
Once again the numbers are very high for food and household items. I’ve got to get this back under control. Though both are a low percentage of my take home pay, less than 1%, it’s still too much compared to what I use to pay.

I was able to save 21% of my take home pay, that I’m happy with. Not to mention I paid off the credit card debt also in May, so May was a good month.

Other news, my blood pressure has been high, the doctor put me on meds 💊, something I did not want to do but hey. I’ve made some minor adjustments to my diet, purchasing low sodium 🧂 food items. I exercise any way, so I’ll continue with this regiment. I’m keeping a health/food journal in hopes of getting this thing under control.

Lastly, SO called someone tested positive for COVID -19 at his daughter’s job. I’m so glad he does not live with me, I would have been going nuts. I told him, they both should be tested and practice social distancing while in the home. I pray all is well, there’s a young kid and a senior in the home.

That’s in a nut shell.

My organization has opened back up, and today I paid off my final credit card.

I’m so happy that this card is gone, you have no idea.
Yes my savings is lower, but I’m okay with that. I’ll be able to add $300 to it on Friday and another $800 by the end of June.

It was scary but I went ahead and hit the send button. Now I’ll continue to save, student loan repayments begin in October and that will be my focus.

I’m excited because I met the goal of paying this card off by June

Today I found two of my great nephews birthday gifts at Walmart for $5. I’d budgeted about $25 each, I’m feeling so excited. Though one’s birthday is the end of February and the other is in May, I just feel really great that I was able to score such a great gift at a low rate. It’s a Discovery STEM kit.

I also polished my nails, something I missed doing. They came out great and I saved about $15 doing it myself. 💅🏾

Cashed out my points, $52, and added it to CC10. I like the idea of using the credit card for bills (e.g. internet, cell, car insurance) and earning points that translate into cash that I use towards my debt.

So long as I manage it, only use for bills, this is a great way to earn a little extra cash. I keep a zero balance in the card, CC9. The points add up quickly.

Feeling excited

So far this month I’ve paid off $664 on CC10, things are really moving along in the credit card 💳 front.

I’m also participating in a few saving challenges, word of the month, no dining out and, 52 Week Challenge.

Basically the word of the month, you select a word and the corresponding letter of the word in the alphabet you save. For example your word is save. S is the 19th letter, A is the first, so I’d save $19, and $1.

For each day I do not dine out, I add $1. I’m taking the funds from my cash envelopes ✉️ , forcing me to try and come in under budget.

I’ll admit, it’s been tough but I’m liking it, the challenges that is.

However; I have a question, how do you all stay motivated? I’m so tired at times. Though I’m paying off debt, my student loans continue to grow, and on paper the debt seems to not decrease. Last year was the year I was to begin to tackle the student loans, then I got hit with the lawsuit. At times I feel defeated. I know I can do it, but lately I’m just bummed about it.

Rolled my coins and I had a total of $29 dollars, not bad.

I can never understand why people take their coins to a coin machine to count and pay a fee. It took me just a little time to do so. Even before I was living a frugal life style, I never did this. To each it’s own.

The $29, went towards the remaining credit card debt. 😀

Friday is payday and I’ll be adding an extra $157 dollars to the credit card. I think by doing that, I’d pay an extra $800 this month towards it. I can’t wait until Friday so that I can take care of it, and calculate my MTM total.

My top priorities for the first quarter of the year, boosting my EF, paying down/off the CC and paying extra on my mortgage. The extra on the mortgage is a must for me, I feel disappointed/depressed for some odd reason when I don’t.

Once the CC is gone, I can go full throttle on the student loans, averaging about $600-$800 extra a month on it. I can’t wait.

As you all know, I’m trying to learn more about investing. I’m not quite ready yet, but would like to learn.

I met with a financial advisor today who told me, that I can take my rollover IRA, that I’ve contributed funds to after taxes, and roll back into my 401(k) on the job. Now, I’m not that knowledgeable but to my understanding this is a no-no and can be viewed and double dipping. I remember reaching out to a Fidelity adviser who informed me it wouldn’t be best to do that.

What’s your thoughts? I’m just looking for your input, and will definitely review on my own as well.

Took a look at the budget and I’m now able to bump my IRA contribution by an additional $25, it’s not much but hey it’s better than were I was, $0. This will bring the monthly contributions to $100.

I’ve also decided that any additional income, such as the consulting gig, I’ll take 10% of that earnings and add it to the IRA. The remaining will still go to the goal of savings six months of expenses for emergencies, once completed I’ll then tackling the CC and student loans. So long as I stay focus on this plan, I think everything will be good.

Next month I’m anticipating about $910 for the consulting. We’re adding a training so that’s the extra income.

Lastly, I sold an item on Poshmark, the buyer gave me five stars ⭐️, and I was able to cash out my $4.05. Selling on Poshmark is a very slow process but at least it’s extra cash for things I don’t want.

I get a natural high checking my energy bill. Lol. My next bill is projected to be about $52. Wow 😮 is all I could say. If I can get that bill down to $52 that would be awesome!

Yesterday I did not have one soda, I also only bought what was on my list, while grocery shopping; in addition , I stuck to plans to not donate money an event I had attended. I always feel guilty but I didn’t budget for something like this, so it was a no for me.

Checked my Murphy points and I have about 720 points, that’s .72 cents off gas per gallon. I’m waiting to get to 1,000 points, that will give me a buck off each gallon.

Family news
I realized that the way my mother speaks is simply by yelling, all weekend when she called she was screaming, so much so, it gave me a headache. I don’t think it’s intentional, just believe that, that is all she knows 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️

SO stop by in tears, I just listened didn’t respond. I’d told him awhile ago to seek counseling so it’s up to him. He needs to come up with a ton of cash by tomorrow or the bank will take the mom’s car. He called his siblings for help, but no one offered to chip in. I did tell him he can’t wait for an offer, he needs to ask.

If it was me I’d let the car go. She shouldn’t be driving anyway, and he can’t afford it. One thing he did say was, he got himself in this mess. I’d say he sure did, if he refuse to take things over because he fears hurting the mom’s feelings, well he’s right where he wants to be. He’s a fool

Went to my first HOA meeting last night and boy was it a doozy. I went with the intentions of obtaining information only, meeting my neighbors but I became quickly upset as with other residents.

I was extremely annoyed that questions being asked by the residents to the board and the attorney was not being answered, no one had a copy of the bylaws. As I sat there I sent a email to the management company requesting a copy. It disgust me more that the attorney hired to represent the people appeared as though she was there to represent the board who told the residents they were not holding the meeting because they wanted to keep their seats. Unbelievable!

This is going to be quite interesting. I didn’t think that I would be too active but it appears as though I will be.

Other news, two days in a row I fell off the wagon and ate out. Ugh

I told myself that what ever I spent eating out I needed to add to CC9 so I’ve been doing so.

I reached out to my sister and told her I wanted the $50 she owed me. I’m taking this and adding to my sinking funds, home repair and HOA fund.

Last month I spent a $123 for work, found the receipt for reimbursement finally. I’d initially used the CC for this purchase but the credit card has since been paid off. I’m thinking I should add to my January mortgage payment (principal), student loans or pay down CC9. Who would have thought I’d be struggling with deciding which debt to pay off first. 🙄🤦🏽‍♀️

Aldi’s hiring event is today. I’ve only noted my availability for the weekends, pray for me that I get the job.

As a cashier the hourly rate is $12.70 and I think close to $18 as a manager. I really don’t care about which one is offered, so long as I land a job. The goal is to use all the funds from this job to throw at the student loans. I know I owe the money but the mere fact that when I pay extra it’s only to the interest it just burns me up.

In other news my phone crashed, I did trade it in for a new phone, the good thing is I paid cash. The bad news is it was $300. I did pricing refurbished phones 📱 , but this was cheapest (iPhone 📱) with the series (7) and space. I know why an iPhone? It’s one of those stupid loyal to the brand thing. One of the reasons why I didn’t stop adding to the EF when I hit $1,000 was because I was saving for the day this phone crashed. I’d canceled the insurance last year, and didn’t want to be locked into financing with the carrier again. That process always seems like it takes you years to pay off.

Other than that I have nothing to report

Ugh interest🙄. Received a new invoice for CC7 that included an interest payment of $80+ , I went ahead and paid it off. I hate when you pay a bill another comes with the interest.

Looked at my student loans, ugh and what I’ve found is that in order for the balance not to increase and kill me I need to pay an extra $200 a month on interest, this will stop the balance from increasing, breaking even until I pay off the last two CCs. Now that the other cards are paid off, I can do that and still pay bills and add to EF. I hate interest 😡.

I’m opening up a separate checking account for the mortgage, and HOA. Though I haven’t closed yet, I want to jump start on socking away for this. Closing looks like December, that will give me 60-days to put things away and have two months saved.

Yesterday I woke up and the cable was off. Smh. I lost it, I called my SO told him I wanted him out. Told him that I can’t keep doing this, that it was mentally, physically and emotionally draining. I told him that I don’t need nor want his bad financial habits to cause me to lose my house and that he needed to go.

Came home after work, and the cable was on but it doesn’t negate the fact that he pays everything late, every three months the cable is off, and he does the bare minimum. I want him gone!

This weekend I’ll be looking for a part time gig, since the holidays are rolling around, this should be easy. Plus I should be taking on another department, that will give me a raise of about $12k, fingers crossed

That’s it have a good one everyone

Good morning all!

The house the debacle is over, I received my check and paid off CC6, CC8 and CC7 will be paid off today.

I decided to purchase the villa that I’m in. The landlord agreed to $140K, and the place appraised at $150K. The good news is by me purchasing the rent/mortgage will be cut in half. The extra money saved, I’ll put half towards EF and the other towards the remaining debt.

I still have the 8k saved so if anything comes up with the home that’s where I’ll dip into. I don’t include this amount in the sidebar.

We are also expecting to relinquish a high level employee, her duties will be split amongst managers so, I should be getting another raise. Upward of about $10k - $12k

Just paid over $300 on the Target 🎯 bill, my new balance is $349.61. I should have this sucker paid off by the end of April, thank you Jesus.

I pulled my credit score with Transamerica and it was 698, not bad. Think my high score was 702. I noticed that as I pay these suckers off it's creeping back up. The jump is due to the decrease in high balances.

Back to Target, I'm going to be really annoyed if my payment isn't posted right away. They have a tendency of holding high payments. They actually suck, you can only make like two payments in a 7-day period, you can't add decimals. For example, I'd budgeted $348.76 but had to round up. No big deal but I like a balanced budgets, no over budget items just under. And lastly they hold large sums of payments. They make it extremely difficult to get your balance down.

It's 3:29 am and I've already spent the following:
* $196.08 Tithes - not negotiable
* $20 vacation club (savings)
* $211 JCP - minimum payment that include my AAA purchase
* $349 Target - debt snowball

Though a lot has gone out and I haven't cut the rent check yet, I'm thankful because one, I never thought in a million years that I could and would be faithful with my tithes. Secondly, with my raise and paying down debt, I've freed up over $500 a paycheck. Right now all you see are the payments but I'm about to add a total of $107 to my savings. All I think about is, when CC4 💳 is gone that will be another $50.

I'm so overwhelmed with mix emotions. I'm upset that I'm on this journey once again and I'm glad that I'm doing what it takes to no longer be slave to the lender.
I know it takes time and that I'll get there

I went ahead and paid $37 on CC4 knocking it below the $700 mark 😄. I'm so excited, that I'm trying to think of ways to actually have it paid off before May 1st.

My quarterly goal was to pay off one CC per quarter, I've already met my first quarter goal but it sure would be nice to make it two, in one quarter. I'm not going to stress too much about it because I'm already on track.

I also added an additional $38 to the EF bringing the total to $1174. This is awesome because I want to save at least a $100 a month, and I've beaten that goal for March already 😄. In addition; I'd budgeted $65 for the truck registration and it was actually $49 so I'll be adding the difference to the EF.

On a different note, I have cut out TV, the best thing I could have done. I find that by not watching tv 📺 I get to work on time, and there's more time in my day. Next on my list is social media. I have however; been listening to a new podcast, Jen Hemphill, I like her. She discusses finances and interviews an array of people.

Lastly, the SO and I just finished up our bible study 📖, I'm not sure what's happening but he's making some progress. I did end up asking how his week went with no spending and he said pretty good.

Edit to post. Just noticed that the funds for an item sold on Poshmark was now redeemable, $7.05, so I added this to my EF. I'm so excited. Things are trucking along. New balance $1,181.05

I had budgeted $110 for the optometrist. Well for some reason, things just didn't sit right. I had scheduled my appointment but something kept nudging at me to call them. So I did and found out that my renewal is in July.

I ordered my contacts, that came to $34.99 and canceled my appointment. I'm going to pay half of what's saved to the CC and put the difference in the EF. But a part of me is saying add the entire $75 to CC4. If I did this it will bring the balance to about $658.

Decisions

On the 28th of February I paid a $1,000 on CC4. I notice that my available credit after paying it hadn't changed, so I called the credit card 💳 company. Well they were holding the funds.

Why would they hold the funds? Well I found out that if you make a large payment they hold your funds. This to me is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of. I paid it and it should be processed. Well they finally processed it yesterday, two and a half weeks later. Smh

I've updated my side bar, things are looking pretty good. As you all know, I'm not going on the vacation but I'm saving now for a laptop. I probably could have purchased a refurbished one this budget period but I decided to wait, it's not a must. I do like the idea of putting money aside so when I want a big purchase such as a laptop 💻 that's not an emergency 🚨, I can simply just purchase the item. Or maybe one day I can treat myself to a fabulous lunch, and a little shopping that's credit card 💳 free. What I've found is that this program works but for me I need to do something nice once in a while or at least know that I can. Though I haven't done anything foolish since I've started, just knowing that I have the $100 to blow, if I get a crazy urge, makes me feel good. It's a process. Who knows, I may use this money to pay my CCs, that seems to give me the most pleasure. Who would have thought that paying down debt, gave you a natural high lol 😂 too funny.

I know Dave says to save a $1000 for the EF and then tackle debt. But my car is old with over 200k miles. I drive about 60 miles round trip each day for work. So for me, I think I need to budget funds for the EF, even if it's $20. I want to have at least $6k 💵 saved in case I have to buy another car 🚗. I'm happy that I was able to throw an extra $54 at it. This may slow me down a bit, but if my car breaks down rather than financing I'll have good ol sweet cash 💰.

Sinking fund, well this was to be for car insurance, car maintenance 🚗, Christmas 🎄 gifts and sorority dues; unfortunately I've been using this account strictly for car repairs. I'm glad I have the money 💰 but I was really hoping to be able to pay my car insurance for six months. I have one more item to fix on my car, once that's done everything else should be good and come October I'll be able to pay the six months.

Oh SO, has challenged himself not to spend any money, seems like last week he did pretty good. I didn't ask but I'm happy he's at least trying.
That's it for now.

One thing I like about being an admin is that I'm able to view my check five or so days before payday.

Took a look at my check, and it's about $300 more. This include the raise and me changing my total withholdings. Best thing I could have done was read the instructions on the W4 form and completed the document more accurately. Why have a refund that's not earning interest for me, on money I earned, when I can use my money now? When you know better you do better. That's why I'm reading more and more books on personal finances.

Different news, I applied for a job and had a phone interview. The position is paying about $10k more a year and closer to my home. All went very well and I'm pleased. I was told that they'll be a second interview next week.

That's all the news I have planned. Tomorrow after my sorority meeting, I'll be revamping my budget. It feels good to know that CC4 will be gone soon

Well I'm not going on the family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 trip, I knew I wouldn't be going but was putting the money up just in case. I realized that a laptop is more important not to mention paying down my debt than going on a trip ✈️ 🌴

I did some researched and found a refurbished HP laptop 💻 at Walmart for $139. So just two pay periods away and I should be able to purchase one, cash 💰. In the past, I've always put these items on a credit card 💳 and bought brand new. Well it feels so good to know that I can cash flow things and know that refurbished is just as good as new.

Though it's not a must that I buy the laptop 💻 and I probably won't, I've learned to wait three days before making a purchase and that is why I'm so happy.

On a different note, I created the sinking fund for Car insurance, car repairs, gifts and sorority stuff. But I've spent everything on car repairs. First brakes and next alignment, and tire rod. Now I have save up for a motor mount 🤦🏾‍♀️

Took my car in for service and was annoyed because they had it for over 6 hours and no one called me.

Not to mention they provided a service that I did not agree too, but knew I needed. Long story short the bill went from $509 to $317 (including tax) and I was able to cash flow the services.

God blesses those who are good stewards

Took my car in for service and was annoyed because they had it for over 6 hours and no one called me.

Not to mention they provided a service that I did not agree too, but knew I needed. Long story short the bill went from $509 to $317 (including tax) and I was able to cash flow the services.

God blesses those who are good stewards

Thank God for a sinking fund. Took my Camry in for a tire rotation, balance alignment and repair of the right tire rod. The car 🚗 is paid off with 222,356 miles.

I met a mechanic at the shop the last time I was there, who told me he did side work. But when I called him he wanted me to come in on a day that was slow, and his bosses weren't in. I'm thinking, I thought 💭 you did this at your home? Though I contemplated taking my car to him to save money 💰, I knew it was wrong. This is stealing, and God has been too good to me, so I took my car in for service and am prepared to pay what it costs in cash 💵

Hopefully the service isn't more than $400, because that's what I have in my sinking fund. I'm just waiting for a call back with the estimate.

Next, I was approved for the loan of $112k, closing must occur no later than June. I can't wait to sell the house and pay off my debt. I'm so thankful because, after paying off the debt, I'll still have money 💰 (20%) for the down payment. As well as a pretty decent EF. I can then get rid of the SO, my mortgage is estimated at about $350 less than rent. I'm going to cut the cable off, and start saving and living like no one else 😊.

This next pay period CC4 should be gone and then it's onto CC5. I'm so glad I started this debt pay off, that way I'm not using all my money from the sale to pay off debt. Feels good to finally see some progress.

On a different note, this month's book 📚 is "Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck" and I absolutely hate it! I'm almost done, I hate starting things and not finishing. The author encourages use of credit card and a line of credit, absurd. If I'm living check to check, that means one have not nipped their behavior in the bus and you're recommending credit card 💳 use, ridiculous.

On my way home today, feeling pretty good and I'm stopped due to traffic on the freeway. Well next thing I know is I hear boom! Some guy hit my car 🚗

Thank God I was not hurt or my car damaged, I just fixed this stupid bumper. 🤦🏾‍♀️🙄. They guy jumps out yelling all is well, well I needed to see for myself. I got his tag, photo of his ID and his number. Tomorrow I'm taking the car to the shop to have the bumper checked.

These last few months have been nothing but a headache.

Only thing that seem to perk me up, was looking at my March 15th budget. Looks like, I've freed up a enough cash to pay about $300 on CC4, wow! So excited. I might be able to do $400, depending on how my raise and change in deductions impact my pay. But even with $300, I'd knock it down close to $400 and by April it would be paid off. Good thing about all of this is that, I'm less stress and would have met and went beyond my first goal of paying off at least on CC.

Hard work pays off

Well I finished my second book 📚 of the year by the skin of my teeth. Lol, didn't think I would so I buckled down the last two days.

As I listen to Dave Ramsey daily, all I hear from millionaires is that 1) most only have a bachelor, I have my masters; 2) all live below their means, I just started this and 3) they all read something like 20+ nonfiction books a year, I'm not even close on this one.

So 2 out of 3 isn't bad lol. I'm trying to get there and I think it can be done, so long as I have a vision with goals.

This month I read Michelle Singletary's "21 Day Financial Fast," most of her teachings are pretty much the same as Dave, except that she tells us to add money to the EF, even if it's $5 a month. I do this, it drives me nuts not to add something. I just cut other areas.

Next, I'll be reading "Stop Living Paycheck by Paycheck." The book had great reviews and I'm excited about it