HelpMeFriend's Personal Finance Blog

After three months of slow work, things are finally starting to pick up. I will be working Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Last week I was to work Friday and Sunday, but after half an hour on Sunday, they asked me if I wanted to go home. I said no, then they told me to clock out and go see the show.
I understand that they were trying to be nice, knowing I wanted to see the show, but I would have rather been paid to see it, than to sit down and see it. I got bored and left early, but only after I stayed for an extra two hours off the clock. I should have watched Brooks and Dunn for free, but I figured that my children need me more and I am not making anything sitting in the grass.

The county fair is going on and tonight is the only night I can go. Should I?
The food is the real reason I want to go, but I am willing to buy tickets for the boys to enjoy some rides. I just have to keep DH away from the carny games that are rip offs. The food will be super expensive too. But, since we will not be going to the State fair, unless my Mom takes them, this will be their only chance this year.

I hope DH is in a good mood when he gets home. I have to get a couch out of the living room for my Momma's yard sale this weekend. I can't forget that on Friday she wants me to stop by in case she has to use the bathroom. I hope she doesn't drink a lot of water.

As you can see, there is a little pig on the side of my blog's page.
This pig is a lot fuller than my little pig at home.
I broke down yesterday and took $2.50 out of him so that I could get more than $10.00 worth of gas.
I thought I got good gas mileage since I drive a stick shift. I was wrong. Maybe it's because everytime I get $15.00 worth, I only get 3.34 gallons. Add it up, that's $4.499 a gallon!
At least the pig on here is getting fat, and I do plan to eat him later, for those of you that thought I was getting Thanksgiving dinner early and fattening it up. I will eat this one at a store where they sell chest freezers for a good price. I was pricing them, and all of the sudden, as soon as the summer heat hit, the prices went through the roof.

Hey, there are over 24,000 hits to my site! Thanks for the support!

I bought a pig.
It looks so cute.
I tell myself that he needs to be fed everyday or he will die.
I put all the change I can find in him, and he still smiles at me.
I was feeding him some green stuff, but that got expensive.
I am also trying to quit smoking, and by putting the money I would have used to buy cigarettes into my pig, I have saved a little dough.
I still smoke, and don't get to feed the pig a lot everyday. I still feed him and try to smoke less and less.
Every little bit helps.
My smarty pig account is helping too.
You can check it out on the side bar.
Start your own, ITS FREE!!!!!

21,500 Visits to my page!
Thank you for all your support and help you have given me in the last six months.
I have been spending more time reading posts than posting posts, but I am learning more and more everyday.
Thank you to the people who started and spend their days making this site what it is.

My son has asked if we could go get Daddy something for fathers day. He had heard a commerical for gifts and asked.
I told him that Daddy knew we don't have any money and we made his gifts that he gave him earlier. The daycare had them make a wallet and ties for him Thursday and Friday.
At least he knows. All you need is love.

For the last two weeks I have done nothing but school. Today, Friday the 13th, I get to work tonight. And it is an early call so I should get an extra hour or so. This starts a few weeks of working that I have not had for a while. You don't know how depressing it is to pick up your bi-weekly check and see five hours on it. Last Monday's check was okay, for 28 hours, but that is for two weeks. This is my lucky day and many more work hours are to come. After finals, I can work all day, except for the weekends, where my children have little league baseball. That still leaves my Saturday nights open to work, and that is when most events are anyway.
DH has been asked to start working overtime soon, and I will be pushing towards it. Now, I know that I will be doing extra around the house to make him happy when he gets home, when I am tired from working, but he makes twice what I do and works twice as hard. I can make that sacrifice.

I have saved and scrimped for rent this month. I only bought gas, paid for daycare for the week, and only bought lunch one time, spending $6.52 total.
I think that we can make it. As long as my DH check is as large as it should be, we will be okay.
My Grandma told me to come and get her credit card to buy my Grandpa his Father's Day gift. I would be happy to go and get him something that he wants.
He never asks for anything anyway.
He deserves it!
He asked for a weed eater, gas powered with a metal blade and a strap to keep some of the weight off his arms.
That will be nice.
She will be happy that I won't ask her for help with rent, even though I will ask her to write the check.
Thanks to that woman, and my Mother a time or two, I have never been late with my rent in over 4 years.
Thanks!

I have been lax on reporting my "found" money, off the ground, in the laundry, and saved monies from not using gas and savings on purchases.

I have not been making any purchases other than necessities, so there is not much to report there, as well as the change that I find on the ground, but the money saved from not using gas in my vehicle will be posted more often.

Monday was one of those days and I will enter $5.00 for that day. I believe that Saturday will be another no driving day.

$0.25 found in the bottom of the washer. At my boy's little league game, a little girl found a dime in the dirt.
What a beautiful day to find money!

Finals are next week and I couldn't be more thrilled. I am doing great in my classes and I am looking forward to a week out of school.
I do wish I were working more often. Right now, I can barely pay the rent, with DH making $15.00 per hour.
That is sad. For 4 years, I made everything happen for $6.50-$8.00 per hour, and that includes all food and extras that were purchased in that time. I am a little resentful that DH has money in his pocket now, while that whole time and now I have nothing but change.
He does know that it is rough and I am not working as much now, but he doesn't think that he should have to give all his money to the family. I know you need gas money, I know you want to buy lunch with the guys at Dick's Bodacious Bar-B-Que, but that isn't fair to me or the children. I didn't have "spending money" forever. I still don't and that is why my credit cards look the way they do. I have put my foot down and refuse to borrow any money from my mother or grandmother. I think that he will have to exhaust his parents and family the way I have mine.
With him working so much and making twice what I did, why are things so hard? What is happening that I didn't see before?
I'll make it, I just don't want to stress anymore.

When the money is taken right out of your account every month, you really can save. I am earning interest on the cash that was in my checking account earning nothing. I am truly working hard on spending only on needed things.
A rebutal to a previous comment on a post of mine: We needed a new bed! The Wii is just another piece of plastic from China but a bed was an absolute necessity due to back problems of my DH who works hard as a construction worker. If he hurts when he works, that hurts us. We can't afford to have him off work either.
The Wii was also a birthday present for me from my dear Momma, so there will be no extra controlers, games that are $50 a pop, or any other extravagance coming from me into this house.
The water bill is bad, my phone is shut off, and Rent is due in 10 days. I have no plans to even rent a game in the next 6 months.

Debt
Credit Card 1:$309.11 Premier
Credit Card 2:$383.56 Premier
Credit Card 3:$716.28 Orchard
Credit Card 4:$361.47 Macys
Credit Card 5:$227.89 Fingerhut
Credit Card 6:$451.12 Credit One
Credit Card 7:$541.49 Key/Citi
Total Debt owed:$2990.92 Credit Cards Only

I am coming up with a plan that I can actually live with to pay off these suckers once and for all.
I will start with the low ones first.
#1 will be Fingerhut. That will be the last thing I order over the phone!
#2 will be 1st Premier 1 card.
#3 is the Macys card and an end to store cards. That was a huge mistake.
#4 will be my 1st Premier card 2. There are two cards from the same company. How stupid is that?
#5 is probably going to be the Orchard account, as it is the furthest behind.
#'s 5 &6 will be Key with Credit One. They have different amounts but mean more to me to be paid off together and get it done and over with finally.
I am looking forward to typing my final payment to them in ONE YEAR OR LESS.
Don't make a liar out of me, me.

After receiving my 3.94 GPA, the school asked for their share.
I started school with the impression that I would be receiving a check from them when my student loans paid more than what it cost.
Boy was I wrong. I have had a balance ever since last quarter. I really don't know what to do about next quarter. If there isn't any money left over, or they want even more money from me, I will be strapped for cash even more than I am now.
I am doing great in school though. It is worth the cost, as I will have a great job that I love and this $10,000 a year joke will go away.
Maybe since DH is working more this summer things will be good. I am crossing my fingers.

I can not seem to keep my payments up on my credit cards. I want to scrap the whole thing and wait 10 years from the time they last thought of me. Really, what's a girl to do? I haven't been working as much since I am going to school, and all of DH's money goes to current bills that are necessities.

Advice anyone?

My mom went and got my Wii. I am so happy. The hardest thing is to do the dishes and laundry and not play all day.
My children have to have their chores done, homework done, and have been good at school all day before they can play. I love it.

I went to work last night at the Tim McGraw concert. I enjoyed finally getting a full nights work in. Today is another full days work also. May Day is always crazy and they need plenty of help!
I am going to the Indy 500 tomorrow! It will be the first time going inside on race day. I have been to the night before several times, hanging out outside and eating the wonderful food. I can remember so well when my dad went to the race and telling me that it was no place for a little girl. I am no longer little and think that I can handle it. The heat is the worst thing I can think that would make tomorrow hard.
I plan on spending no more than $30 total. That will include food, drinks, and anything that I deem is a useful memoribilia item for me to remember that wonderful day. I will try to post more often. My school is taking a lot out of me, studying and such.

I spent $617 for a new bed. Thank you Stimilus Package!
I also have purchased $300 worth of car parts for my vehicle.

Right now, I am trying to save money for three different reasons.
I continue to save for my Wii, and should have enough for lots of accessories by Christmas.
I want to visit my cousin in Flordia this summer; she aggreed to help me pay for my round-trip flight.
I have also started a Smarty Pig Account for a great party in November of 2011. I have put a date on having a wedding, if there is to be one. This savings will go to having a great time for whatever happens at that time.

School is going great. The boys are doing good in school, and will be starting a new school in July. All and all, with some money put away, Mommy isn't as stressed. That is good.
I think that I am changing my ways for the better, although not all of my bills are up to date. I am making some progress anyway.

I looked up prices in a city guide for the race tickets.
For the cheap seats, it's $70-$95 per ticket.
I received two.
For parking, it is anywhere from $5-$25, so that is awesome too. Since I pick up my tickets at the parking lot, it works out. I am sure they planned it that way.

I haven't bought my freezer, but I am buying a bed with my rebate check. I can't see buying a freezer if we will just keep junk in it. Of course, I will stock up on some meat, but I am not a bake a months worth of food in one night.
I have two cassaroles in the freezer now, but they didn't want to eat the first one, so I am saving it for Dad when I am working at night and he wants to have food in a hurry.

Next Thursday is my birthday. Yeah. My mom is planning something awesome for me and my best friend and I are going out for lunch and then to mani-pedis. She knows how much I love them, but that I am saving money and not pampering myself in ways that cost. I do things at home, for less, and she is treating me for my b-day.
I also know my mom is going to blow me away with her gift.
She told me she wanted to take me to the gambling boat, but said that I would rather have the money than blow it. I said that was true.
Then she said that she was going to lay down about $1000 for a bed for me. WOW!!!

But, since I said that I was buying one with my rebate check, she said there went that.
Ouch!
So my gift is going to blow my socks off, I am sure.

I am torn. Should I keep the small amount of chips in the bag to save money, or throw it away to make the kitchen clean?
I tossed three bags today that had crumbs in them.
I don't feel bad about it, but I also don't want to buy a bag for $2 and throw part of that away.

I would like to announce my wonderful prize of free tickets to the Indy 500 this month.
If anyone would happen to know the price of tickets there, free parking, and radios for the race to listen to the crew and drivers, officials, and radio and TV coverage, I would love to know. I can put that amount into my $20 challenge money.
Since last month wasn't very good in that department, I could use it.
I did find some change on the ground and in the laundry, but no amount I wanted to jump up and down about, so it never got posted. I am sure the total wasn't even $.50.
I would like to start paying off some of my credit cards this month. I have gotten rid of all extra charges and haven't used them in almost a year!

I haven't been posting, due to the fact that I have been working lately, keeping my awesome GPA at school, and taking care of my two little ones who are in little league.

Fun as all that sounds, money is not as tight as it was.

I have recently started saving with Smarty Pig, where my goal is on my side bar, and have plans for my Stimulus Package Rebate.
I will be purchasing a new bed.
We are in desperate need of one, where the dip in ours hurts our backs, and I figured what the heck. The money is supposed to be spent. We are getting it to spend it to "STIMULATE" the economy.
I think it is my duty as an American to spend that money, and I will enjoy doing so.
My back will thank me too!

Dinner was wonderful tonight.
My mom asked if I wanted her to take me and the two boys out to dinner.
Tonight is not Sunday. I didn't want to spend my gas for her to spend $ on the dinner.
She said that she will treat me to lunch some day this week.
I may let her.
Yesterday, we only got one meal that wasn't at home.
I took the youngest out to breakfast, where he ate a whole waffle.
I spent $14 total with tip.
I also will be giving to others without spending any money.
My cousin is low on funds, has a daughter of her own, and her husband works full time for the whole household. She will be coming over tomorrow to use my washer and dryer. I will only be supplying the hot water and electricity. How cool is that?
I am helping her, saving her quarters, and spending time with her.
She will come here while I am at school, and then when I get home, help her, then go to the grocery store with her.
I am helping her help herself.
I am not giving her money to do her laundry, but giving her a chance to save money she doesn't have.
Makes me feel good!!!

Between my management and business math classes, I have an hour break. I am thankful, as during finals, I can study for the hardest subject.
I, for now, have no problem getting my homework done at night, or the day it is assigned in class. I spent my hour today at the park, with a packed lunch of a lunchable, crackers and cheese, and Mt. Dew with water.
I listened to my Harry Potter Book by CD from my car. I placed a blanket on the grass, opened my lunch, and enjoyed my time greatly.

I look forward to doing this again, at least once more by Thursday. As I still have house work that I need to finish when I get out of school, I have been letting work slide more than I should.

My last check was for four hours. I get paid every two weeks. You figure it out.

I am anticipating a problem with my work/school schedules this summer. I work a lot at night durring the summer. I don't get home till 3 am sometimes.
What makes me think that after going to bed early, still having to get up early for my children, will I want to go to school after a late night.
I also cannot take a break in classes this summer as I had hoped.
My children will begin their school a month after I do, and I was wanting to be home with them.

I will speak with my advisor, or a new one, since I never talk to my own, and figure up a plan that works out.

$30 saved for my chest freezer and $30 saved for the family Wii.
By Christmas, I will own one of these two things.
I also will have to start my emergancy fund back up. My CD was doing that, but I cashed it in to get out of a hole I was in.

Going over bank recocillation in business math is teaching me to check my work twice when working with my money.
I think it is helping!

My rent is paid in full, four days early.
My cable bill, mag. subscription, and library fines are up to date.
I need to pay the gas, phone, and daycare as well. No extra money out of the CD, but it does feel good to have a little extra room to breathe.
I also paid a large sum on a store credit card. I admit that I only put money on to purchase more items from them, but hesitated and have a low ballance to say the least.

My schooling is going great, although I am not working as much as I could be due to school. I am not wanting to change though.

Parts were purchased for fixing my vehicle, but apparently the labor of putting it right will be long and hard. How many days can I go without my car. It must be done this weekend, as I cannot wait any longer, and I already spent the money on the part.

If DH has the time or patience to complete the task is another thing. He knows that I need my car on Monday morning, for us to go to school, while he takes the only other running vehicle to work. Cross your fingers for me.

Yesterday I went straight to my bank's website and deposited $3 into my savings account. Today I put in my weekly $10 into two savings accounts earning intrest for my children.

We have a freezer fund and Wii fund set up. The freezer is considerably cheaper than the Game System, but we can dream can't we?

I went to the drugstore to pick up my son's meds. While there, I paroused the other items for sale. I found a really nice dry erase board for $7. I need to get one to have a central area for everyone's plans for the day. I also want to put my chores for the day on there to erase after they are done.
When I found out that another drugstore had my son's meds, I put the board down. Where did I put it? Right next to the $1 area. What did I find there? DRY ERASE BOARDS!!! I bought four, one for each of us, and saved $3.
That will go into my $20 challenge money.

I was trying to wait until August to get my $1000. I really was.
I can't wait anymore. I thought the penalty was going to be a lot more also. They stated that one month of intrest is all they took off. Really? With rates this low, I only stood to gain $32 for the six months anyway. I ended up making $2.03 off it, and I can pay the bills that are behind. I was trying to be a responsible parent and save money from our tax return. And I succeeded for two months.
I need car repairs, they are turning my cable off every two weeks, and the water bill is OUTRAGEOUS! With the money, I can get back to paid in full and go on with our lives.
I will continue to save money for our goals, such as a chest freezer, Wii, and new clothes for next fall.
I don't think that me taking the money out of the bank for needs was a bad choice. Should I have gone into debt or collections when I have the money there? NO. I also won't blow the money on dining out, new clothes now, or the awe inspiring Wii that we don't NEED.
I am also taking a business math class this quarter, so that will help me to keep up with my recording of all my spending. I have all these receipts and no were to put them. I will be entering them into an excel program, as well as PearBudget.com.
Thanks for your support in my decision, that I made on a whim yesterday, but it paid off in the end. At least I hope it does.

I don't want to get gas. It's crazy how high it is and I don't want to pay that price. I buy premium so the burden is even higher. At least I don't use disel.

Baseball practice was great yesterday. We get our uniforms Thursday or Saturday. I can't wait. Both of my DS were giving it their all. They are improving on their catching and hitting skills.

I must work tonight. I don't think that it will be that bad. Six hours isn't that long anyway. I will be eating before I go and taking a snack with me. There will be no reason to buy out of a vending machine or McD's on the way home.
I have been implimenting the no dining out unless it is Sunday, with no complaints (so far).

Posting again makes me feel good too!

Yesterday was a good first day of school. I already have homework in my math class, and I am ready to get into it. I have been wanting to spill my beans about the dining out situation. We will only be eating outside of home on Sundays. I think it will be Family Sunday. Breakfast and dinner should be enough.
Baseball practice is tonight, as well as Thursday. It will be hard to not grab a bite to or from there, but we can do it. I will pack snacks for the trips. It is about one mile from home, so that should not pose a problem.
I also have been awaiting August for my CD to mature, as I need the money now. I think that my savings plan needed some tweeking before I just put all I had into the bank that I cannot touch.
For my savings goals, I already have $35 saved up. $5 per check per savings account (2). I will be updating my balance sheet when I get the chance. I do not currently have internet at home, but will after rent is paid.

I have been keeping track of my spending and where it is going on PearBudget.com. It was cheap and easy to do. I can now see where all my money goes. I purchased Quicken, and even with their pie graphs it didn't spell it out for me.
I think that this will be great and that I can incorporate it into my everyday life.

I haven't been posting for a week or less, and my money is slipping away. Ever so slowly, I am not accountable for my money actions, so, I don't think about it.
I don't have to tally up anything on My Balances Page, so there's nothing to worry about right?
I wish I had maybe been writing it down, saving more receipts or something. But no, I didn't want to stick to budget or stop spending.
I will slap my wrist and get back into it.
I hope that I do not have to go the library to post next week. I let my bill go and they canceled by cable, and my cable modem. That'll teach me to slack off, won't it?

I have put my $20 challenge money into my account. I have $15 saved now. If this keeps up, I will have so much money this summer. I can't even begin to think about how much debt I can delete with the cash gained.
I also want to call and see what the penalty will be for withdrawing money early out of my CD. I sort of can't wait till August.

I spent the day with my family on a road trip yesterday. We went to southern Indiana to visit our grandparents and my father at the cemetary. We bought some cheap flowers and built arrangements for everyone. We also visited the last family members who still live down south, and we talked for about four hours about how much we miss our dearly departed. They took me and my two cousins out to dinner and it was a great time. I will make an effort to go down there more often. This was only the second time in ten years that I have been there. This summer, we will have a family reunion of sorts and have even more fun. It will be great, and I will take my two children and BF and show them a piece of my history along with family.
We did buy some snacks to eat on the way there, and only spent about $10 total. I feel like we can take the trip for less than $50 everytime we go. Gas is the only big purchase needed for the two hour trip down there. I can't wait to go back.
I will also make it a point to post more often than I have in the last week.