Archive results for “May 2009f 2009”

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Life After Credit Card Debt – May Was a Very Interesting Month

Hi Everyone! Tricia here. It’s time for a monthly update to see how we are doing. I will do these at least once a month on the last Friday of the month.

First things first – are we still credit card debt free? Yes! In the back of my mind, I kept wondering if something would happen out of the blue and set us back again. I was anxiously waiting for the end of the month to see if anything happened. A few days ago we did have a little scare when the check engine light came on in our car. We reset the light and so far it hasn’t come back on again so we hope it was a general misfire on our car’s part (it has done that in the past). I hope I didn’t jinx ourselves right there. We’ll see.

With things going so well, you’d think that we were able to replenish our savings account since we used some of it to pay off the last of our credit card debt. Well, we haven’t yet. We spent money on some other things.

The most important one was our health. Sure, we went to the doctor’s when we were sick while we were paying off debt, but it was a very reactionary approach to overall health. We decided that we needed to be proactive with our health and work to make ourselves as healthy as possible. A big part of that was finding a doctor that will help us with that. I wasn’t quite prepared for the sticker shock when it came to making sure our bodies have the correct fuel it needs to function properly.

For example, we found out that our son was deficient in a few vitamins and minerals. The total monthly cost for his supplements is $55/month. That will ease up once we revise our diets yet again (we did it once already to reduce sodium). I’ve been busy reading up on vitamins and minerals and trying to come up with a better menu for all of us since I suffer from vitamin deficiency as well. It’s funny, we thought we were eating healthier but in the process we were stripping ourselves of some very important nutrients.

It’s tough to spend money like we have this month, but we are taking care of the biggest assets we have…ourselves.

Another thing we did was spend money on our son’s extracurricular activities. We bought the bare minimum before, but we spent some more money there to get him better equipped. We also bought some equipment so mom and dad could participate as well to help him practice. It has been some very nice family time together.

Lastly, here is a big shocker. In a very weird turn of events, I was approached with a job offer. When one door closes, another one opens (life is funny that way). After some lengthy discussions, we decided that I would accept the job offer. Since I have been working at home for the past few years, I needed a new wardrobe since I would be working outside of the home in a professional position. I also decided to get a professional haircut to spruce myself up a bit.

Working at home has been a big money saver for us and I enjoyed the job that I had. It was a tough decision. In the end, we decided that the contacts I would make in regards to our business tipped the scales to the new position. There is a lot of value in that and I plan to fully capitalize on it. I’ve become pretty detached to the outside world since I started working at home and it was time to get back out there and network and make some friends.

That brings me to a business update. Things are still going well although sales have not increased this month. It’s been hectic around here with my new position and my husband is at the same job. We’re still getting used to yet another new schedule. Add our son’s events into the mix and it’s often go-go-go for us. It takes a while for the waves to calm down after rocking the boat. May has been a crazy month and we didn’t add any new products to our business or do any promotion.

We may decide to put some money into our savings this weekend. We have a healthy buffer in our checking account right now since we often ran things so close while in debt reduction mode. We could use that to put a little bit more into our savings. I have been updating my NetWorth IQ profile so if we end up using some of our buffer for our savings it will show up there in May’s update.

I’m not sure what next month will bring. We will likely be bringing in more money and we won’t be spending as much money so it should be a great month for us. Hopefully we will be able to contribute a large amount to our savings account. Then again, I never thought I would be working another job right now so it just goes to show how life is unpredictable. I guess we’ll see what June brings.

Hope all of you are doing well!

Posted by Tricia on May 29, 2009 at 10:27 PM in Life After Credit Card Debt | 7 Comments »
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Debt is like the last 10 pounds

This may come as a surprise but…

I’ve been debt free before.

There was a moment, for about 3 days, in college when I had no debt. My car was paid off, my credit card had no balance, and I didn’t have a mortgage.

Then, I came close again after we closed on our house. We had been saving for a year and the money returned to us from escrow was used to pay off my husband’s credit line.

That credit card debt freedom lasted a few weeks before we decided to remodel our master bathroom and take a trip to Hawaii.

My finances are like a yo-yo diet. Sure I’d love to eat healthy all the time but rolled tacos with Mexican guacamole? I can’t resist.

Just like weight loss, a diet is silly. The only real option for permanent results is a lifestyle change. Staying thin requires eating less than or equal to what you need – staying financially healthy means spending less than you make. Sure it looks easy on paper, but only those who have suffered through it (and continue to suffer through it daily) know how hard the struggle can be.

This is the longest I’ve been on a financial diet – and I know I’ve got what it takes to keep the ‘weight’ off.

Yeah, the change is lame – but the results… those are what I’m grinning at each month when the credit card statement arrives.

One day… it will say…

Which is harder for you: Losing weight? or losing debt?

Posted by Beks on May 29, 2009 at 5:00 AM in About Me, Credit Cards, General Debt, Keeping Motivated | 14 Comments »
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Where’s the financial shock collar?

Since I don’t rent movies anymore, and at times my library rental list is a bit sluggish, I watch more TV. I’ve jumped into Grey’s Anatomy with careless abandon… and now I’m paying for it.

Whenever someone on the show says something clever, an elevator in the background dings. Not a big deal… unless you work in a building with elevators. Now every time the elevator dings, I act like Pavlov’s Dog and wait for someone to say something clever.

I’m onto you Executive Producer Betsy Beers. Thanks to you, TV watching has caused a semi-normal person like me to live in a complete state of confusion for 10 floor dings up… and 10 floor dings down each day! But while you’re out creating chaos in the world, I was wondering if you’d take some precious time from your schedule and somehow work your Pavlovian magic on my finances. I’d like to be completely numb to the charms of the evil ones, ie… Target, Macy’s, and their best friend Nordstom.

Come on Betsy! A little help please!?

DING!

Posted by Beks on May 28, 2009 at 5:00 AM in About Me, General Debt, Misc | 3 Comments »
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Over Budget…

Confession time…

We went over budget by $90 this weekend.

I wish I could say it was on something important like an investment, a donation to the cancer society, or giving to help a military family but…

The $90 was spent on 5 flats of chicken thighs, 3 bags of charcoal, 4 fruit pies, green salad… and a round of golf.

My husband threw two hefty BBQ’s this weekend and went golfing with his brothers.

Fortunately, we both worked extra hours last week so we didn’t fall behind – in fact, we still came out ahead. Sometimes, inviting friends over to enjoy smoked chicken and homemade pies is worth it – especially when your BBQ is interrupted by an unexpected 20 minute fireworks show.

We sang Livin’ on a Prayer by Bon Joni while playing Rock Band late into the night.

I’ve been wonderfully budget conscious for months; I hope you can forgive this exception.

How was your holiday? Any budget hiccups?

Posted by Beks on May 26, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Confessions, Life Experiences, Living Frugal, Monthly Spending | 14 Comments »
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It’s more than just a day off…

While you’re out attending those Memorial Day BBQ’s, take a moment to remember those who can’t be here with us.

Memorial Day Order

I. The 30th day of May, 1868,is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and comrades will, in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.

We are organized, Comrades, as our regulations tell us, for the purpose among other things, “of preserving and strengthening those kind and fraternal feelings which have bound together the soldiers sailors and Marines, who united to suppress the late rebellion.” What can aid more to assure this result than by cherishing tenderly the memory of our heroic dead? We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the nation can add to their adornment and security, is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders. Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.

If other eyes grow dull and other hinds slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us.

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains, and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon the Nation’s gratitude—the soldier’s and sailor’s widow and orphan.
II. It is the purpose of the Commander in Chief to inaugurate this observance with the hope that it will be kept up from year to year, while a survivor of the war remains to honor the memory of his departed comrades. He earnestly desires the public press to call attention to this Order, and lend its friendly aid in bringing it to the notice of comrades in all parts of the country in time for simultaneous compliance therewith.

III. Department commanders will use every effort to make this Order effective.

—General Orders No. 11, Grand Army of the Republic Headquarters.

Posted by Beks on May 25, 2009 at 5:00 AM in :) | 2 Comments »
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The Cost of Free Furniture…

I’ve been lamenting to my husband about our need for new couches. I tell him we need new, bigger, couches for seating space but really it’s because…

I hate our couches and I think they are ugly.

This week, my husband did what good husbands do – he attempted to solve my dilemma of ‘seating space’. He came home with a behemoth of a recliner and said, ‘Look honey! More seats!! Can you believe someone was going to throw this away?!’

I bit my tongue before a ‘Yes’ slipped out. Instead, I said ‘Wow hon, it’s… wow.’

‘And they have TWO! I’m picking the other one up tomorrow. How awesome is that?! Seats!!’

He happily jumped in the chair and reclined, a big grin spreading across his face.

How could I be mad or ungrateful? He solved my ‘seating dilemma’. Sure I have an ugly blue giant in my living room (err… soon to be two), but I’ve learned to take his efforts for what they are. That ugly chair is a monument to the fact that my husband listens to me and he’s doing his best to make my life easier… without spending a dime.

I’m going to stop whining about the sofas for a while. Who cares about sofas when I have a man like that?

Posted by Beks on May 22, 2009 at 5:00 AM in Free Stuff, General Personal Finance, Home Ownership, Keeping Motivated, Life Experiences, Living Frugal, Money & Relationships, Saving Money | 15 Comments »
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Fighting taxes…

I’ve been stewing over the latest property and sales tax hikes. I don’t understand why Arnold Schwarzenegger thought raising taxes substantially – in this economy – was a good idea.

But then again…

This is the same guy whose ‘sound judgment’ created the likes of Junior and Jingle All the Way.

And now, he wants to prolong it for several years through a special statewide ballot?

When I make less, I have to spend less. I can’t demand more money. Why can my state live financially irresponsible in a way that I can’t?

I didn’t give my approval on May 19th. I have to figure out how to survive on my new tiny salary; can’t I demand the same for my taxes?

Is this just a California thing or are you spending a couple extra Benjamin Franklin’s a month on taxes?

Posted by Beks on May 21, 2009 at 5:00 AM in General Personal Finance, Home Ownership, Life Experiences, Living Frugal, Monthly Spending | 23 Comments »
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