Monday, February 23, 2009

Refund !!!!!!!!!

I just got my tax return back from my accountant, I am getting a refund of $996. Sometimes I wish I was still in school, I could have used that credit.

The question is.....do I have fun with the money or do I use it to pay a bill?

Of course, that money is going to complete the repairs on my car ($650). That leaves me with $346, I'll take that and put it toward paying off my Amex card.

If only I had been responsible in my youth, I could have taken this money and put it toward my trip to New York or something fun. Oh well, live and learn.

Time to Pay Bills

I know this is late, but here was my cash flow from the 13th

Pay Check 1 - $1000

Sallie Mae - $556
Amex - $111
Visa - 85
Taxes - $40
Savings - $50

Total - $848

This left me with $158 for for the next 2 weeks. I bought gas, cat food & litter, groceries and miscellaneous.

I have $90 left over and I am going to try to not spend money between now and Friday. If I make it I am going to snowball that $90 to a credit card payment.

I get paid this Friday and here is where my money is going to go.

Paycheck 2 - $950 (This is an estimate, I don't know what my paychecks will look like now)

Student Loan - $181
Electric - $167
Cable - $150
Cell - $75
Savings - $50
Visa - $100
Visa - 100
Ex Boyfriend - $50

Total - $873

Left Over - 77

I am going to have to find a way to stretch out that $77 for 2 weeks.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Goal Update

When I first started this blog I gave myself 5 goals.

  • Pay off 2 credit cards
  • Open Savings Account
  • Save $600
  • Pay Back Ex Boyfriend
  • Pay Back Sister
Here is how I am doing

1. Pay off 2 credit cards - 50% Done

Between my tax refund and my "free check" in June (if I still have a job) I should have a
second one paid off by July.

2. Open Saving Account - Done

I opened an Ing account and have budgeted $50 per pay check to be deposited in the
account. I also have a Way2Save account with my bank that puts $1 in a savings account
every time I use my check card.

3. Save $600 - 25% Done

I should reach this goal in 9 pay periods (June 26th).

4. Pay Back Ex Boyfriend - 50% Done

I owe him $200. I should have this paid off by April

5. Pay Back Sister - 0% Done

I plan to start paying her back once I am done paying back Ex Boyfriend

All in all, not bad considering it's February.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

New Followers

WOW.

While I was gone I got 4 new followers.

Welcome Preppy Little Dress, Budget Bella, Beach Girl, and Casey.

I look forward to visiting your blogs.

It's Been a Long Time, I Shouldn't Left You, Without an Update to Move You

I'm Back.

Update:

I have been demoted at my job, which means I am taking a reduction in my pay. I should be upset, but in this day and age I am glad to still have a job.

I now have to readjust my budget for my new lower salary. Time to tighten my belt.

I have done some research into my action plan and this is my status so far

1. Find a part time job - Looking
2. Look for a new full time job - On hold until I learn Photoshop, Illustrator, and In Design
3. Add to my skills - Penn Foster offers certifications with low monthly payments
4. Find other ways to make money - I have been making a bag for my manager as a gift and
one of my co-workers ordered one. I also plan to open an online shop and see if I can sell
some of the bags I have made.
5. Continue to pay debt - Rework budget so I can continue to pay off credit cards.

I'll keep you posted.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

M.I.A.

Sorry for my recent absence. I've been having problems at work that if they persist I may join the unemployed masses. It makes me mad because what's going on is not all my fault but I am the one getting all of the discipline. Don't you hate it when other people get you in trouble.

This is why you must have an emergency fund and a plan for if you loose your job. I don't have an emergency fund but I can get out of paying most of my credit cards. A while back I signed up for a program that would pay my minimum payments if I ever loose my job. And to think I was about to cancel it. My federal student loans are easy, I can always file for deferment or forbearance. I am worried about my Sallie Mae student loan, they don't work with you at all, but you can't get blood from a stone.

My Plan

  1. Find a part time job - In case I loose my primary job I will have some income coming in.
  2. Look for a new full time job - Self explanatory
  3. Add to my skills - Jobs in my field require knowledge of Photoshop, Illustrator, and In Design. I can use this time to take classes (Pay cash of course)
  4. Find other ways to make money - I have a degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising. I learned how to sew and make patterns. I make handbags and pillows as a hobby, maybe I can make money from them.
  5. Continue to pay debt, but maybe save more and pay the minimums.
What do you guys think?