Archive results for “May 2011f 2011”

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Debt Update

We pulled together a little more than $1,000 to add to our cash savings this month. After taking out the cash for the crib, stroller, bassinet, and other baby items, we had a gain of $800 in our savings.

Sadly, this may be our last big step month since our roommates are moving out and we will no longer have rent income.

My Debt
Original Debt: $38,495.86
Added Debt: $1,781.50
Total Debt: $40,277.36
Paid: $31,928.65
Remaining: $8,261.18
Cash Savings: $3,500.00

Broken Down
Auto Loan 1: $0.00
Credit Card: $0.00
Student Loan: $8,261.18
Auto Loan 2: $0.00
Vet Loan: $0.00

*As a reminder, cash savings is in preparation for costs of time missed from work and from any hospital fees. All remaining funds will be applied to debt.

**Cash savings is in addition to our emergency fund. The amount actually in savings is $4,500.

Posted by Beks on May 6, 2011 at 5:00 AM in Debt Updates | 4 Comments »
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Saving ‘the man’ money…

When booking out of town travel for work, I get to choose where I stay. We have a generous maximum allowance that most employees use fully – even upgrading room choices for nicer suites.

In my crazy mind, I figure the finance department actually monitors the spending and takes note as to who spends the limit, and who saves the company money. I didn’t want to book a budget busting hotel and chose one a little further away in a less expensive area.

I didn’t say it was a bright idea.

I arrived at the hotel and was pleased to discover it wasn’t too bad. The area was nice and the buildings had been renovated sometime in the last 4 decades – a big plus for me. Remember folks, I stayed in hostels in Europe with mold growing up the walls and dirty sheets. My standards are what some would call… shockingly low. Anyway, I liked the place. I wouldn’t say I felt ‘safe’ but I felt I could adequately survive the night.

At around 7pm, a high pitched scream echoed down the hallway. It was followed by more screaming.

A lot of screaming.

Turns out, the occupants in the next room where the proud parents of a 5 year old who took to screaming whenever she didn’t get her way. That particular screaming fit was because mom and dad wouldn’t let her put the key in the door.

Great. Now, in the event someone decided to murder me, my screaming would be overpowered by a 5 year old.

The screamer eventually gave it a rest and I fell asleep around 11. At 2, the hotel alarms were set off by some kids playing pranks. The alarms blared for more than an hour. The hotel staff was quick to apologize, but their apologies didn’t help me focus in the 8 hour training session the following day.

The rest of the week went pretty much the same way. Alarms, screaming children, car horns blaring. You get it.

Lesson learned.

When traveling for work, save money – but spend enough to keep your sanity.

Posted by Beks on May 5, 2011 at 5:00 AM in Ways I Save Money, work | 5 Comments »
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My Dirty Little Secret…

It’s time to fess up on my ‘dirty’ addiction. I’m hooked on TV shopping channels. When I’m home by myself – particularly on Saturday afternoons deep cleaning the house – I flip between HSN and QVC. There’s something therapeutic about hand scrubbing floors while listening to folks peddle million thread count Egyptian cotton sheets.

Sometimes, I even watch these shows when my husband is home but is in another room.

He’ll yell, “Turn that garbage off!” when he hears the telltale “and for just 2 easy payments of $49.99, you too can own this beautiful set” and I’ll whine, “But they’re selling green cookware!!”

My shameful habit started when my husband and I first married. We were broke and couldn’t afford cable. It was either watch HSN or ESPN47 when I was home alone. I’ll let you guess who won that battle.

Here we are, almost 7 years later, and I still ohh and aww over Susan Lucci’s skin care line and gym equipment.

Ready for the weird part? I never actually buy anything. OK, well, I did once. Six years ago, I was mad at my husband for forgetting to tell me he was coming home late and I ordered a pressure cooker just before midnight because he was still gone. It was a moment of newlywed weakness. Other than that, I’ve been six years purchase free.

So here’s the question:

Should I quit my guilty pleasure because it carries the risk of a breakdown and suddenly I’m the proud owner of a 72” plasma TV OR…

Do I chalk it up as just another bad tv viewing choice up there with ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ and consider it harmless?

Posted by Beks on May 3, 2011 at 5:00 AM in General Personal Finance | 13 Comments »
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I’ve been sold…

Over the last few weeks, I received 38 calls from Bank of America representatives. Sometimes, they would call up to three times a day. Annoyed with their constant “we lost your paperwork” and “you make too much money for program A but if you submit new paperwork for program B…”, I started ignoring their calls.

I am not an idiot and I don’t have 40 hours each week to gather paperwork for them to lose.

About a week ago, the calls stopped. They stopped leaving messages. They stopped requesting any information. It didn’t make sense. Why did they give up so suddenly? Did they finally get the hint?

Today, I received a letter from the Bank of New York Mellon…

The new owner of my home loan.

Sadly, I know absolutely nothing about the Bank of New York Mellon. What do I know? That I am no longer a B of A customer.

It’s hard to do cartwheels at 29 weeks pregnant but…

I’m going to give it a try.

Posted by Beks on May 2, 2011 at 5:00 AM in Making Home Affordable Program | 4 Comments »
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About This Site

My Debt

Original Debt: $38,495.86
Added Debt: $1,781.50
Total Debt: $40,277.36
Paid: $36,084.36
Remaining: $4,193.00
Broken Down
Auto Loan 1: $0.00
Credit Card: $0.00
Student Loan: $4,193.00
Auto Loan 2: $0.00
Vet Loan: $0.00

Blogging Away Debt

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