HelpMeFriend's Personal Finance Blog

I just paid another $130.00 on a credit card. Woo Hoo!
With this extra money that I was needing for so long, my life is easier.
I just don't want to depend on it too much, as it won't last too much longer.
I am glad I saved some of it, but I am spending a little less discretionarily.
I do hope that with my cards and utilities paid up in full, I can breath a little easier at night, even if my balance in my account is low like before.
The interest that I earn on my savings will be worth it!

I solved my cousins problem with having no place to live. She was squatting on her sisters couch and driving her and her family crazy. I offered for her to sleep on my couch instead of theirs. She only took me up on it for one night. Now she is living in the other side of my double, has her own couch to sleep on, since she doesn't have a bed yet, found her a fridge and stove for cheap, and moved some heavy stuff in.
Now I have a problem. She is always using my shower, adding to my gas and water bill. Should I charge her? She asked if she could dry some clothes at my house and wanted to give me $10 for my bill. But she hasn't done any laundry yet, only showered. I do want her to get on her feet again, and I know she is having problems with her ex and an old gas bill, along with a car payment and such, but I have two children I have to pay for and all the bills they incure.
I don't want to be a bi@#h, but I don't want to say no either.
PLEASE HELP

Well, this is good news and bad news.
The good news is that with some of my money, I paid two months rent, paid back my grandma a lot of money I owed her, and am on the way to getting my drivers license back.
The bad news is that when I called my credit cards to pay them, most likely a settlement offer, they said, too late! Charged off 8 days ago. Should have called then.

To me that is good news. No, I don't want my credit in the toilet, but it already is now. So, since the bank that is helping me with a payment plan, is willing to let me reopen my card and use it, I can still build my credit up again, not starting completely from scratch.
Also, my plan is for $30 a month for 6 months. I have paid 2 months worth, plus an extra $160.25 on top of that. I am already back under my credit limit, so I am just going further and further towards that magic number of $0.00!!!

Talk about debt snowball. Those payments I was going to make on those cards are just automatically going to the ones I am not so bad on.
I have paid my utilities, which I have not paid all of in several months, maybe even a year. I was only paying the necessary ones to survive. I can't live without electricity. I can without cable. I can't live without gas, but I can without a phone. Suprisingly, my water was never shut off and my bill was over $400.00!
It's paid now, and I am saving money and directing money to the proper places now.

This is my new total for my savings account at my bank!

Add $.05 for my Challenge money in the Laundry Fairy category.

Add over $10,000 in my checking account for property sold on Friday!

And I think I am good. I was excited when I found that nickel too!

https://moneycenter.yodlee.com
This free site offers to automatically sync up my accounts for me and give me my net worth with the click of a button.
As for saftey of having all your account info on there, they are what powers some of the top banks of the world.

I have left the money alone for as long as I could. I couldn't take it any more. I had my Smarty Pig money sent back to my bank account, as Rent is coming up in 12 days. I earned $1.25 in interest. That is amazing. To make up for me taking money out of the system, I added an extra $25 on top of my monthly contribution of $26
I will be feeling better when I can put $1000.00 in that account and see that interest build up.

I am so excited that Friday is almost here. Wednesday has gotten it's own page. I am trying to track all of my spending on the Money in the bank page. This will make it easier for me to own up to my spending.
I am so excited that my cousin is moving in next door to me today. She signs the lease at 2:00pm
I have recently received my schedule for next quarter here at school. I am not looking forward to my fall classes. Accounting and Records Management&Security.
My computer class will be a breeze, but I don't know who the instructor will be.
I should be typing my Psychology research paper right now, but I am just so hyped about Friday and my lump sum of money.
Yahoo!

I sold two more textbooks this weekend.
I am selling some for my aunt and friends too. They will get their money of course, but I have made almost $250 in four days.
Yahoo!

Saturday is a day for free fun.
I went to the fireworks downtown with my two lovely sons and my cousin. FREE
I also cooked some chops that had been in the freezer for almost a month. FREE
I love enjoying life for free.
Today, instead of taking the children to the park, which would have cost gas, I let them play with an old bag of flour in a plastic tub. FREE
I love it.

My new SmartyPig goal is up and running.
I will be selling six more books on amazon.com today. I am also talking other students to let me sell their books for them, for a nominal fee of course.
The old fashioned way of making money by selling your stuff really works. I never made any money on eBay, but this seems to be working well. My book was only online for three hours. I will be finding some electronics or movies at home to sell too.

No one bothered to read my blog yesterday and no one noticed that I put that it was Debt Thursday.
Today is Thursday.
Boo Hoo

I thought I sold my land already. The closing is apparently not until September 5th. That date is not set in stone. I was told that the check would be written and sent out that very same day.
I could be swimming soon.
I will not blow this money!!!!!!!!
I will save most of it, as it is over $10,000.
I will have the will power to stop myself from spending it on things that I don't NEED!
My car has been needing some repair for some time. Of course I bought an obsolute car that no one carries parts for, that's its defining characteristic!
I will be pre-paying for my youngest's tuition at Kindergarden, but that is about it. I am sacking away a large portion in some form of savings, probably my Smarty Pig plan.
You can deposit up to $10,000 at one time. How convinent for me, HUH?
CAN I COUNT SOMETHING LIKE THIS FOR THE $20 CHALLENGE?????

I am watching my spending. I sorta cheated a little. I added up everything I had used my debit card for in the last 6 months. I talked to S2BH about it. We will check his numbers out tonight. I didn't expect him to go back that far. I only want to know the week.
I am mainly focused on gasoline, lunch at work, and that's it.
I also just took care of my children's fundraiser stuff; writting checks, double checking math, and making sure the teacher got the money.
My boys are getting way better at turning in their paperwork, bringing it all home, and talking with us about their day.
I just can't seem to get homework time to be more fun.
That may sound silly, but I would rather it be fun than screaming about how he "Doesn't want to do it!", and me telling him "Tough, you have to."
I let them eat snacks while working, and no tv, but you can read a short story between papers.
I mainly think that they are tired. When you get home from school, you have been up all day, you're hungary, and you want to relax, not do more work.
I don't like to delay the homework though, since I tend to forget it and they try to stay up past bedtime to finish. I tell them, you can do what you want, when it is done.
I think I will try a monatary reward for finishing within the hour, or 30 minutes.
They just got new piggy banks they painted themselves. That might make things smoother.

I am starting a new Money Challenge!
I challenge you to say, out loud, everytime you find money: IT MUST BE MY LUCKY DAY!
If you say that to yourself, whether people are around or not, you will begin to feel lucky.
I want you to say it when you find change in the washer or dryer.
I want you to say it when you see a penny laying on the ground(heads up or not).
I want you to say it when you balance your interest in your savings accounts monthly.
I want you to say it when you are digging at the bottom of your purse or pocket and find money that you have in your possession, but do know know you had it.
You will feel lucky and have money. It's a Win-Win.

I skipped school.
There was nothing wrong with me.
I wasn't sick.
I wasn't even tired.
I was just upset about failing a test Friday.
I tried to test out of a class and I missed an A by 4 points.
I had to get an 89 and I got an 85.
How bad is that?
I will be posting about why I skipped today tomorrow, when I don't skip.

I have given up on waiting in line to pick up my paycheck.
I am starting to go on Tuesdays to pick it up.
I found a nickel on the ground when I walked outside of the office.
I am glad I waited another day.
I am posting my findings in my $20 challenge!

I spent $37.51 at the gas station.
I spent another $8.11 on cigarettes.
I drank free booze, but am out of Mt. Dew and Kool-Aid

Tuesday is a special day where I get to spend money.
I will go to the store and buy groceries, buy some more gas for my car, get plenty of paper products that we are out of, and much more.
If I play my cards right, I should spend about $100 and have enough food for the rest of the month.
I have hamburger, porkchops, and steak in the freezer. I only need side items and staples.
Sugar
Milk
Mt. Dew
Paper plates
Fruit
Veggies
and the like.

I will use as many coupons as I can, buy sale items only if I need them, not only because they're on sale.
I also have to buy some extra party supplies as we are planning a suprise birthday party for my best friend's little bro. He will be 21.
Guess what I'm buying?

Add my money I found to the $20 challenge!
$3.62 found in change on the ground and
$7 found in the trash!
That's $10.62 closer to being financially stable.

I have counted change and added up what I spent this week and weekend, going over it with S2BH.
Let's go with what is fresh in my mind and go back from there.
Yesterday, since we worked all day long, we got to eat for free and our boss paid for the food. Save $5.00
I did buy a Mt. Dew for $1.00
After work I used a B1G1 cap and got two more Mt. Dews for $1.48
Saturday I did buy my dinner at Kid Rock/Lynard Skynard and spent $5.00
Friday night, on my way to work, there was an accident on the interstate and the police made us turn around. I got gas at the next exit spending $25.54
Thursday, I didn't spend much money on anything, but I did buy a pop at school out of the machine for $1.25
Also, to save a thousand dollars or so, I spent $30.00 to test out of a class so I won't take it next quarter.
I hope I did alright.
Finding money on the ground is helping me fund my children's piggy banks. I am also about to spend money on fundraiser items from their school. I hope I can find two cheap things that we can use and I am not just throwing my money away for the school.
I will prepare for tomorrow by preparing today!

12 hours at $8.00 per hour=$96.00
$2.25 in quarters found on the ground at work.
$.90 in dimes found on the ground at work.
$.25 in nickels found on the ground at work.
$.22 in pennies found on the ground at work.
If that wasn't enough...
$7.00 in cash found in the trash can at work.

I think I made out like a bandit yesterday.
$106.02 total money earned yesterday.
I say I earned that found money since I stood on my feet all day and did a great job!

Too Much Debt Thursday has come. I have faced up to the fact that I made some stupid purchases on my credit cards and was dumb to max them out so soon.
I have learned from my mistake and am now crawling out of the hole that I dug myself.
I no longer go to the salon and get my nails done.
I haven't dyed my hair in a few months, so that saved me $10.
I don't buy junk at the store, but real food that has to be cooked.
I don't go to the dollar store and browse.
I have tried real hard to control my spending habits and listen to advice given to me.
Dave Ramsey said it best when he said:You can read all the books and learn all about how to do it, but until you do, you're gonna get no where.
That isn't an exact quote but you get the jist of it.
I was reading every book the library had on credit repair, debt management, and how to save money when you have none, but nothing was happening. I was learning how but not following through.
Saving with Smarty Pig has made me feel that I can do it. I have gotten 55% of my goal on there now and it feels great. Watching my interest go up and up is a good feeling instead of focusing on bad interest that I wasn't paying back.
People say, it costs you more to save and not pay on your credit cards, but it makes me feel good to have something to fall back on, even if it is $250.
I will focus on paying $5 to every credit card I have today. Seven total bills of $5 is only $35 total. I can handle that. I will also pay off my water bill that is OUTRAGEOUS!!!!!!!
Majorly overdue is taking back the equipment that the cable company wants back. I need to take it to the other side of town.
We are thinking about having just regular cable coming out of the wall.
Right now, we don't need anything, but come February, we will need digital.
Off to make my payments!
P.S. Add three cents to my $20 challenge for money found on the ground. One at work, one outside my Mom's house, and one at the gas station as I was walking in to pay. Woo Hoo!

I can't wait to see what my Mom has found for a dress and cake for the wedding. I told her that I want to wear red, blue, or green. Those will be our colors. We have some great birthstones and I love dark blue, red, emerald green, and maybe even some purple. Flowers will be dark and maybe roses. I think black would be a little much. This is just a little time away! I hope DS2BH loves all my choices, knowing that I had influence from my Momma.
It will be beautiful and romantic. I wonder where it will be!

Today I am meeting with my mom to look at wedding dresses and such she found on the internet.

Tonight I am meeting with my DS2BH about finances and how we are on saving, spending, and where our money is going.

I recently sold a junk car sitting in my yard next to the shed. It was nice to get some dough and get rid of that eyesore. $150 for a car that started right up and drove was an awesome deal for the guy.



I figured that by that time, we could already be shoveling our way out of debt, getting his credit built up, and buy a house or at least have a nice down payment. Also, I feel that our children could be a little bit bigger and it may mean more to them when they are older than now. Plus, 11-11-11, how cool is that?

Today is Thrifty Tuesday. It rhymes better with Thursday, but that is debt snowball day where I focus on getting debt down and record and update all of my payments and extra payments.
I will grocery shop at a store with great deals. I will buy bread and snacks at the local bread store. Wonderbread is a wonderful place. They have Twinkies!
I have few coupons but have the ads with me and will compare before I buy. Drinks are expensive and that is my main reason to go this store. A gallon of milk is expensive too. They are almost one buck cheaper than the local grocery.
I must get to that. Happy Tuesday.

TODAY IS MONEY MONDAY!
I have already paid $15 to one credit card, $30 to another card, and tried to set up paying off my cable bill, but the lady was uncoopertive so I will call back later today and see who I get on the other line.
Also, I will be focusing on my budget on Mondays. I have called the bank and checked out what checks have cleared and what has not.
I wrote a check for my son's tuition that is due every week. Lunch $ has been sent in. Drinks have been bought for the week.
I hadn't planned for a lot of money this month, so when I get my check in three or four weeks that has all these hours on it, I will be really happy.
I am working 7 days this week, going to school for four of those and getting the little ones off to school and being there for them when they get home for five. I guess money is needed and I can survive.
If I don't post for more than two weeks, then it did kill me.

$.14 found in laundry
$.02 found leaving gas station
I just keep finding money.
It is an obsession with me now.
I look at the ground everywhere I go.
I guess this is how I will fund my retirement! HA!

Don't be mad if I stole this from you, but I think it is the funniest thing I have read in a while. Also, don't be offended by this list. Take a break and laugh!
Know Your State Motto:
Alabama
Hell, yes, we have electricity.
Alaska
11,623 Eskimos can’t be wrong!
Arizona
Yes, but it’s a dry heat.
Arkansas
Literacy ain’t ever-thang.
California
By 30, our women have more plastic than your Honda.
Colorado
If you don’t ski, don’t bother.
Connecticut
Like Massachusetts, only smaller.
Delaware
We really do like the chemicals in our water.
Florida
Ask us about our grand kids.
And our voting skills.
Georgia
We put the FUN in Fundamentalist Extremism.
Hawaii
Haka tiki mou sha’ami leeki toru.
(Death to mainland scum, leave your money.)
Idaho
More than just potatoes.
Well, okay, we’re not, but the potatoes sure are real good.
Illinois
Please, don’t pronounce the “s.”
Indiana
2 billion years tidal wave free.
Iowa
We do amazing things with corn.
Kansas
First of the rectangle states.
Kentucky
Five million people;
Fifteen last names.
Louisiana
We’re not ALL drunk Cajun wackos, but that’s our tourism campaign.
Maine
We’re really cold, but we have cheap lobster.
Maryland
If you can dream it, we can tax it.
Massachusetts
Our taxes are lower than Sweden’s and our senators are more corrupt.
Michigan
First line of defense from the Canadians.
Minnesota
10,000 lakes … and 10 zillion mosquitoes.
Mississippi
Come visit and feel better about your own state.
Missouri
Your federal flood relief tax dollars at work.
Montana
Land of the big sky, the unabomber, right-wing crazies, and honest elections.
Nebraska
Ask about our state motto contest.
Nevada
Hookers and poker!
New Hampshire
Go away and leave us alone.
New Jersey
You want a ##$%##! motto?
I got yer ##$%##! motto right here!
New Mexico
Lizards make excellent pets.
New York
You have the right to remain silent,
You have the right to an attorney
And no right to self defense!
North Carolina
Tobacco is a vegetable.
North Dakota
We really are one of the 50 states!
Ohio
At least we’re not Michigan.
Oklahoma
Like the play, but no singing.
Oregon
Spotted Owl … it’s what’s for dinner.
Pennsylvania
Cook with coal.
Rhode Island
We’re not REALLY an island.
South Carolina
Remember the Civil War?
Well, we didn’t actually surrender, yet!
South Dakota
Closer than North Dakota.
Tennessee
Home of the Al Gore Invention Museum.
Texas
Se hable ingles.
Utah
Our Jesus is better than your Jesus.
Vermont
Too liberal for the Kennedys.
Virginia
Who says government stiffs and slackjaw yokels don’t mix?
Washington
Our governor can out-fraud your governor!
West Virginia
One big happy family … really!
Wisconsin
Come cut the cheese!
Wyoming
Where men are men and the sheep are scared.
Home of Brokeback Mountain.
The District of Columbia
The work-free drug place.

Monday I will pay all bills due that week.
Tuesday I will do the grocery shopping with coupons.
Wednesday I will get together with DH and compare our spending for the last week and where we can slow down or stop.
Thursday will be Debt Snowball day where I pay an extra $5.00 on all my credit card bills. That extra $5 will get me out faster than I think!
Friday will be a free day to either cook the next week's dinner meals or clean freak the house. I'm guessing the food will overcome.
Saturday I will scope out sales at the stores for items I actually need and will buy them on Tuesday on shopping day.
Sunday will be smooth sailing as all I have to do is go through coupons for the next week's shopping trip.

Listing all items needed from each store before the actual shopping day will help me to add things that I may forget.
I will look at the list that morning that I wrote two days before and add or subtract what we REALLY need. That will be the trickiest part. What do we REALLY need?

I am trying not to think about it.
It has slipped my mind for more than a minute, but I can't think of anything else somedays.
I sold some land that I own. I didn't sell it all. After all, you never know what is down the road. There may be a time that I have no where else to go and I will have to buy a trailer and live on my land in the south.
I would prefer to build a house and be financially stable enough to move there and not be forced.
I just want my nest egg to come in.
In school, I have been learning that compound interest works better the longer it is in place.
Therefore, if I place $10,000 in an account now, by the time I am fifty, 24 years from now, I should have a pretty big hunk of change.
Now, I need the money now more than I ever have, but I want to save a large sum for later in life and for my children, should they need it.
How do I get this off my mind? The worse part is not knowing when or how I will receive the money. Does it all come in one check that me and my aunts have to divide? Will they divide it for me, bringing the question of if they stiff me, how do I get my money?
I don't want to think about it. I have been working and that money is helping. But I want to have NO credit card debt and buy a house within the next 5 years.
Is that too much to ask?