HelpMeFriend's Personal Finance Blog

I tried to post this in the forum, but I guess I still can't post new threads.

When something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I am TRYING to close on a home that was purchased by a bank from a Sheriff's sale. I assumed it was a foreclosure. Now, the title company says that I can not purchase this because they have recorded that there is more land attached to it. Funny thing is that someone else says they own that land. It has the same address, is located directly behind the house, and is legally attached to the house. Why can't I get a clear title. I have to register my children for school by the 28th of this month, due to close for the second time today. This will not happen.
Any suggestions on how to fix my delima?

So, my house is not coming as soon as I had hoped. Why is the housing market not trying to unload those houses they are saturated with sooner?
The mold guy is taking his sweet time in returning his report and the plumber said that he wrote the letter saying my floor drains work. The assessor valued the home at $95k, so that is good, since I am buying it for $89k.
Be patient I tell myself.
I am not a patient person and never have. Since I can't do anything until they do their thing, I will be forced to wait. I guess this gives me more time to pack and get things just right.
Looking forward to getting air and a cool basement by the middle of summer. The house has been about three degrees warmer than outside and the kids are restless. Sprinkler time is not as fun, since it is so hot when we come back inside.
We can tough it out for two more months.
We have to!

So, I should have mentioned this before, but my first ink recycle with them gave me $49.20 towards the $80 worth of ink. I figured I'd get about $10 off or something, but really it was $50!
I recently received my rewards card for $10.68. I figured I had better return my ink and get some new black ink. Had I known the awesomeness that would be given to me, I would have recycled sooner.

Signing the contracts for the insurance on my new crib shows that they will rebuild it for $234,000. I am only paying 89,000 for the house total. personal property protection and replacement is and additional $182,000. I don't think I own that much stuff, but it makes me feel better knowing I could replace the stuff if need be.
Moving up, up, up!!!

So much going on. I forgot spring was so busy.
Little league baseball, official score keeper
Concert season on a roll, official patter-downer
Moving to a new house, new school district, new side of town
About to graduate, but not with the GPA I started with, in a few weeks, kids out of school next week
Indy 500, work, and the holiday of remembrance for all those who died for us to have the freedom to enjoy a bar-b-que or whatever we desire
So much to worry about, not letting stress get to me
Forgetting those who cause more stress in my life will be easier said than done
I will not stop reaching for my dreams and goals.

I see that I did post about my study drug to see if they could make a better fat burning drug.
I lost a total of 25 pounds but did not receive the total $ I was expecting. They clearly laid out what was to be paid, but they canceled the study early. I only lost around $140. I got my last check today for $205 instead of $345.
not bad

In my quest to save the Earth, I turn off my gas guzzler at the pharmacy and go inside to wait for our prescriptions. During the wait, of course I browse for things. I think about what I may be out of at home. I found some cheese dip for $2. At least three times last week someone was looking for cheese dip.
I picked it up.
I carry no basket, push no cart, and carry my heavy purse that prevents me from picking up what I need.
I did not needlessly pick up things that I know I want. This lead me to a form of, carry it around and put it down before you leave. No, I didn't put it back. I paid for it and was upset later.
I will not do this anymore.
I picked up a bag of pita chips with sea salt.
Why do I need these? Don't I have chips and wanted them before but didn't have salsa or cheese to go with it.
I put the item down and backed away. I then sat and waited until my name was called.
I'm proud of myself.
BTW I did buy one more thing, an impulse purchase set on the counter next to the pharmacist's cash register, but I need it. It is a new spray to help my son swallow pills easier. I know it is just sugar water, but the picture on the box of the little boy smiling will work more wonders than the spray to help out my youngest.
Guess that's better than it used to be, with a cart full of items "on sale".

It is amazing what happens when you stay away too long.
I am in the process of buying a house, finishing school, and even thinking hard about getting married.
Since there is no common-law marriage anymore, we will have to do the real deal.
But, more importantly, we are buying a house.
After careful deliberation, we have found a fixer-upper in a good neighborhood for $89,000. This is a great investment, as the last appraisal quoted it as worth $140,000.
My FHA loan is locked with a 30-year fixed rate of 4.8%.
Tell me about lucky, I already know.
Since I am moving into a home that is three times the one I am renting now, I will have some work to do by sticking to a budget for furniture. We are working towards minimization. That sounds like a lie, since we are getting so much room, but I want the home to be better than here, so that means downsizing or crap.
Hopefully this change in status from renting to owning will enhance the pride we have in our stuff.

Well, I guess this is my chance to prove to myself that I am responsible with money now. Since I only have around $1,500 to save and not blow on the holiday season, I think that I should be cautious to stay out of the mall, the stores, and especially the grocery. For some reason every year I always want to be the one to bring the best snacks or treats at a holiday party. This year I bought some pretzel rods and fancied them up with icing and chocolate. I promised myself and family that this was the only thing I was making. Then, I bought cookie mix and marshmellows to make some frosted flake wreaths. I am not very good about making promises to myself. I will keep this promise to my kids that I will have some money when the new year comes around. I already have bills that need to be paid too.
I WILL NOT OVERSPEND!
I WILL NOT OVERSPEND!
I WILL PRETEND THAT I AM AS BROKE AS I ALWAYS AM.
I WILL NOT BUY MYSELF MORE THAN TWO PRESENTS THIS YEAR. I WILL NOT!!!!!!!!!
(thanks for listening)

About two or three weeks ago, I had a weirdo idea. I wanted a dog. My mom told me that I shouldn't get a dog unless I was going to have another baby. A puppy is like a baby. It is expensive, needs diapers, and chews and puts everything in their mouths. Well, she was right. I had to buy puppy pads for it to pee on. I spent about $20 on treats, special food, and a brush with spray to help him not stink. What a great idea.

Two problems: I am not allowed to have a pet, not even temporarily.
I also know that I have to get the dog shots. I think the dog is about three months old and it hasn't had any yet.
I don't want to think about what could happen. I am currently still working on having the boys get dressed and eating breakfast instead of playing with the puppy.

Any ideas about our Christmas pup? 22 days until Christmas. Should I buy him a $10 bed? Should I expect to keep him for more than two more months? I am not worried about my landlords finding out about him, but know my neighbors would be upset, since they can't have a dog either.

I am about to go to my gall bladder ultrasound for my study drug. I hope it is good. I will get $1115 for the entire study at the end of eight months. I really want the $180 for today. Too bad I won't get it till next week.
That's okay. Maybe I'll get it today.

Spent $10 on two cases of Mt. Dew
Spent $6.15 on a big can of popcorn
Spent $3.16 on bread, some old from the bakery for Italian loaf for dinner tonight.
Made Olive Garden alfredo sauce and Angel hair pasta for dinner and it was delish!
Washed and returned Thanksgiving dishes to rightful owner. They thought I should just take the baking dish.
Total for trip today was $78.97
That's a weeks worth of groceries, including lunches and dinner for tonight and tomorrow. Leftovers will have to be eaten tomorrow!

With all the problems the entire world is having with their money, I haven't posted in a while as I didn't even want to think about MY finances.
I am a grownup and will face it like a woman.
So, my credit stinks, my longest open card just closed on me and won't reopen it. I have been hanging on by string, but still making it. I also have gotten a new job. My training starts after Christmas. I am excited about that.
I worked Saturday night at my current job. I hadn't worked before then since Oct. 30th. Wow!
I am not worried a bit about Christmas as we know we are not getting much. Our drawing for the adult kids is going strong again for the third year in a row. I am not worried about school either. I am certain that I will pass with flying colors. My hope that I will do better next year doesn't seem so bleak. I could be way worse off.
On a better note, i am saving with SmartyPig and my Santa savings I just opened will be mighty full by next Christmas!
I am also taking part in a drug study that will pay $1115 after 8 months. I am happy with that too. It is for a weight loss drug. So, I want to win two ways. One to lighten my load and one to fatten my savings wallet.
The sun is shining...

We went to my kids fall festival today at school. $9 for three plates of spaghetti. $1 for two drinks and 14 pieces of candy from the hallway trick r treat. What really got me, other than me paying for all that, was the pumpkin auction. The different classes painted and decorated at least 20 pumpkins. There was a real auctioneer there getting the price up as high as he could. When the price was $5 to $20, I would bid, but they were getting rather pricey. $60 for a pumpkin painted black with white stripes to look like Darth Vader. A King Tut one went for $65. $105 for a pumpkin with a blonde wig that was meant to look like the principal. I do love my kids, but really. How on earth can you afford to pay that for a painted pumpkin? Yes, I wanted to buy the ones my children helped to do, but there's no way I can pay more than $20 for a piece of fruit I can only have for one season. I guess its a good thing I took pictures of all of them, so that I have the memories forever, and am only out ten bucks. Wish I could do more, but I think some of them were ridiculously high. HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Finishing my paper tonight I realized that I am getting better with my money. I needed to be in a big hole so that I could see how nice it is out of it. Happines is important, but money won't bring it. We (the fam) are doing well about not fighting, giving each other space, and when we don't have something, finding fun by giving something else a whirl. Can't wait for Christmas!

If I thought I didn't know how to handle money before, my class is letting me know how much I really don't know!

Strange that when the numbers get into the millions and higher the difficulty in dealing with it. I am doing well in the class, but it is a little stumping!

When I posted about my TV I wasn't expecting such an outpour of disaproval. I shouldn't complain to you, since it was NetWorth people who critized me. But, since I feel that you know me better, feel this. I bought the TV instead of booze. I am doing good in that department and have thought about AA meetings. Why do I feel so bad? Because I have kids. I don't want them to say things when I am drunk and make them sad. So to me, I have made a move in a positive direction. To heck! with what those people say!

Grandma:$500.00
Credit line:$175
Credit line#2:$165
Rent:$460
TV:$1000
Cable:$140
Phone:$50
Lights:$100
Gas:$75 on budget

That doesn't seem too bad to me.
I am glad that I have paid down the money I owe my grandma. I have no other outstanding debts, besides my student loans.
Way to go me!

When I don't post, I am irresponsible with money. I did make a good decision with about $100 though. I have purchased an electric heater for our living room to keep the gas heat off for as long as possible. $88 plus tax is $96.14. When I saw the ad in the paper, I was excited. I saved for a while for something in the house that was for all of us, and I think this was a good purchase.

I am currently finishing up a paper due for my Intro to Finance class. DIP financing is not as interesting as is sounds, but I am glad that some institutions are willing to help in these tough times.

My darling children are out of school for three weeks. Their fall break comes after my school semester is just beginning. Thank goodness for moms and best friend's moms!!!
My Smarty pig account is slowly but surely getting bigger. I added a goal to help my saving of daily money and when I roll change that I collect, I add it to those accounts.
Breakfast is over and cartoons are going. I am volunteering at the church for a rummage sale today. I really don't want to buy anything there, but I am taking $5 just in case I see something we need.

Well, working the last two nights instead of three took some hours, but I did pocket some change off the ground last night, so I think I made out.
I forgot I got a raise and have earned an extra $.50 an hour more. Tonight I earned $48.88 before taxes. Last night I made the same so I get $97.76! Woo Hoo
Also, I picked up so much change off the ground that I couldn't fit it all into my change purse. COOL
I am sort of nervous about my call tomorrow on the Dave Ramsey show. Should I be getting a lot of info ready to go in case he asks me? How do I keep from babbling or sounding foolish? You know what is really foolish? I am holding on to two of those $1 a day movies and I haven't even watched one. I will do it tomorrow and take them back. That goes on my to do list. As well as getting my check, taking it to the bank, and paying on the light and gas bills! Go me, pay the bills, it's your birthday!

I am going to be a caller on the Dave Ramsey Show this Monday at 12:30-1:30 EST. I am so excited. I am going to talk about how I ended my love affair with the dollar store and all their junk that I spent my hard earned money on.
I can't wait.

Also, I found a penny on the ground in the city today. It was cool!

Actually, I found three. Two in front of the CVS doors, one by the gas pump, next to a used Mentos that I did not take and one dime at work on the sidewalk.
All and all it was a good night. I only worked five hours, but it's better than nothing.

Went to work tonight. Made $59.50 before taxes. Picked up $.20 change tonight but had some REALLY STIFF competition. There was a police officer who would pick it up right after the person dropped it. Why would you be so rude. If they are standing right there, give it to them. But he was really petty about it. A penny fell and he actually went under my feet to get it. I told him next time, I would step on his fingers. There was another penny, and I think he believed my threat because he didn't dive bomb after it. I stood on it and he waited right next to me waiting for me to move for 30 minutes. I figured he was really hard up for money. Anyway, that gave me something to talk about. I still found 1/5 a dollar.
Found money is a wonderful thing.
Counting money jar balance:$9.13
Total now:$9.38
Something's wrong with my counter!!!!!



Oh, I went back to college. I signed up Tuesday and go the end of September. Wonder what classes I'll have and what books I have to buy.

I went to work and bought dinner from the roach coach, but that was about it. We received free tickets for a pre-season football game, spending nothing there. And today, I am making pork chops that we have had in the freezer and plan on spending nothing today too!!!!!
That's a lot for me!
Found $.70 at work on the ground too. Don't ask me what my balance is, I don't think I have one. Right now my counting money jar says $8.86 in change on my desk. Way to go me!

I made $60 at my four day yard sale. By far the worst I have ever done. I closed early on Sat. and am regretting now.
I had to work that night, so I wasn't staying open late, but we went to a birthday party and now they are accusing my son of stealing. What a bust weekend.

Someone took my signs down last night. I know they were taken down and not blown off because they were on there good and there was no sign of it to be found.
So, I put new ones up. Can't get me down that easy. While I was putting a new one up, someone asked me where it was and stopped by. Thanks people! I'm feeling the love from strangers as I tell them that things are $1 and 50 cents. Take it out and give me peace. Too much stuff is probably how I ended up in this no money business in the first place. So far, there is $21.75 to put into Smartypig. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

I am selling my children's clothes and my useless crap! Dirt cheep prices will move the stuff, I hope. I have advertised craigslist.org and put 10 signs on corners around my street. I only plan on having a break when my mom shows up for a minute and on Friday when my kids are out of school.
My oldest boy will stay here with me and help out. He wants to sell his stuff. Awesome buddy. Help the family out. I will automatically put all the funds received from the sale smartypig.com account.
My mom gave me money for my kid's school pictures that they are taking tomorrow. Thanks, Mom!
I only need to get some change at the bank on the corner, a little cooler of water for my hot day tomorrow and pray for no overnight rain. I hate when I leave things outside as it is, but if they get rained on, I my be discouraged.
I hope that when we make some money the kids focus on me putting it away instead of spending it right away. I will let them keep the money from their toy sales, but encourage them to save it until they have $20 to put into their accounts at the bank.

I have managed to keep a small chunk of change, and I do mean change, in their accounts. I am not expecting to make more than $100 all weekend and so they should get what their stuff brings. They can see their account balance and I need to get them into the recording of the deposits. I will get a recorder book from the bank for them.
Wish me well on my money making endeavor. I only need a little shove, not a push over the edge!

I am torn. Do I return to college this fall? My first day back is a day when my kids are off for the day. Missing the first day is bad. I guess I should stop trying to find things to stop me. That is what got me here.

I am shocked that after all this hard work that I had done over the last eight months has been to end in flames after less than two months of penny rolling.
My yard sale is two days away and I am worried that I won't have anything but a couple of cents and a couple of bucks for change. When I first got set up I had $60 for change. This week just needs to shape up.
Working less, which is weird, since I just got a $0.50 raise. My boss said that it would be on my check from yesterday, but it wasn't. When I asked him, he said that I should be happy I got it. Okay, but I still haven't gotten it yet! And it would have really helped to be on this check!
Signed oldest kid up for a runner's club after school two nights a week for 4 1/2 weeks. That should help him get some activity and separate the brothers that need some alone time. Got to get out there and find a job that will work with my schedule of school and my kid's school. Good Luck!

I paid $660 to have hot water. I am thankful. I am a little pissed about how ghetto the operators were to me. After I took my dishes to my grandmother's to do them, I told her that I almost felt sorry for making fun of my ex-sister-in-law for trading sexual favors to get her utilities turned back on. Almost.

Lights and gas paid. Water and phone are next. Maybe a credit card will get paid next month.