Deposit came this morning, and out of that, put $620 toward CC debt.
On The Saved Quarter, there is a very timely post about paying yourself first.
I have in the past put this in play, and intellectually I know it works.
My savings will be on hold until I get my credit card debt paid off, but I still need a cushion, bigger than what I have on hand now.
My Saved Quarter Challenge Goal from now until I pay off my credit card debt will be to put away $50 to E*Trade each Friday.
I need this credit card debt gone so bad I can taste it.
Great Blog: Graceful Retirement
Credit Card Debt: $15,170.
On my nightstand: Dirty Secret by Jessie Sholl
Monday, January 10, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Snowballing Snowflaking Debt
Sounds vaguely obscene, doesn't it?
If it's not clear, being self employed, my income is extremely variable.
At the beginning of the month, certain deposits are scheduled to come in, with others schedule through the month.
As any self employed person knows, never count on money until it's actually in your hand/direct deposited in your bank account.
Got a $250 deposit, and put that right toward credit card debt.
Yay me!
Looking at other personal finance blogs today, there seems to be widely differing opinions on coupons.
I spend way too much on food, and when I read "I spent $25 for a whole week's worth of food with coupons!" entries on Mommy bloggers blogs, I cringe to post what I spend on food.
Part of my problem is, four teenagers simply eat massive amounts of food.
With three of those teens being boys, they inhale food.
Two of the males have sensory issues, and meal time is a minefield no matter what.
My daughter eats like a bird, but she goes through veggies like it's her job.
The other issue I have is- I love to cook.
Not the "what's for dinner" type of cooking, but trying new recipes a la Dorie Greenspan.
I'm not willing ( and am lucky to be in a position to not have to, although seeing my debt others may disagree) cut down on buying fresh fruits and vegetables, but I do need to knock off the convenience junk food.
My compromise is buying most of my fresh foods at BJ's Wholesale Club, and picking up loss leaders according to the grocery flyers.
BJ's does accept coupons, but it really depends on the cashier's knowledge of BJ's coupon policy, and after a few bad experiences with coupons, I have been lazy about match ups.
Also, BJ's generic products (for which there are no coupons), so far have been equal to the name brand toilet paper, shampoo, deli products, and baking goods that I usually buy.
I really need to add "use coupons wisely" to my New Year's resolutions. :)
Great Blog I just found: Broke Foodie
Credit card debt: $15,420.
If it's not clear, being self employed, my income is extremely variable.
At the beginning of the month, certain deposits are scheduled to come in, with others schedule through the month.
As any self employed person knows, never count on money until it's actually in your hand/direct deposited in your bank account.
Got a $250 deposit, and put that right toward credit card debt.
Yay me!
Looking at other personal finance blogs today, there seems to be widely differing opinions on coupons.
I spend way too much on food, and when I read "I spent $25 for a whole week's worth of food with coupons!" entries on Mommy bloggers blogs, I cringe to post what I spend on food.
Part of my problem is, four teenagers simply eat massive amounts of food.
With three of those teens being boys, they inhale food.
Two of the males have sensory issues, and meal time is a minefield no matter what.
My daughter eats like a bird, but she goes through veggies like it's her job.
The other issue I have is- I love to cook.
Not the "what's for dinner" type of cooking, but trying new recipes a la Dorie Greenspan.
I'm not willing ( and am lucky to be in a position to not have to, although seeing my debt others may disagree) cut down on buying fresh fruits and vegetables, but I do need to knock off the convenience junk food.
My compromise is buying most of my fresh foods at BJ's Wholesale Club, and picking up loss leaders according to the grocery flyers.
BJ's does accept coupons, but it really depends on the cashier's knowledge of BJ's coupon policy, and after a few bad experiences with coupons, I have been lazy about match ups.
Also, BJ's generic products (for which there are no coupons), so far have been equal to the name brand toilet paper, shampoo, deli products, and baking goods that I usually buy.
I really need to add "use coupons wisely" to my New Year's resolutions. :)
Great Blog I just found: Broke Foodie
Credit card debt: $15,420.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Saved Quarter Challenge First Week.
Still waiting on some deposits, which were supposed to come today but nothing as of yet.
Out of the one that did come, paid health insurance and my Saved Quarter Challenge Goal.
I need a new printer (after Rainman did the Hulk Smash on my other one), and will try to pick one up this weekend.
Other planned spending will be jeans/sweatpants for Bathboy, who desperately needs longer ones (teen age growth spurts kill me), and cashing his paycheck, which I will then deposit into my Credit Union Savings Account for next Xmas (only $45 from his one shift a week, but my plan is to use it for Xmas/birthday gifts over the year).
Saved Quarter Challenge: $400/$400 done.
Off to a great start!
Out of the one that did come, paid health insurance and my Saved Quarter Challenge Goal.
I need a new printer (after Rainman did the Hulk Smash on my other one), and will try to pick one up this weekend.
Other planned spending will be jeans/sweatpants for Bathboy, who desperately needs longer ones (teen age growth spurts kill me), and cashing his paycheck, which I will then deposit into my Credit Union Savings Account for next Xmas (only $45 from his one shift a week, but my plan is to use it for Xmas/birthday gifts over the year).
Saved Quarter Challenge: $400/$400 done.
Off to a great start!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Stressed
Why does when one stressful thing happen, it seems like the floodgates open?
I did pretty well on the food budget, but ended up spending way more than I wanted to on things that could definitely be classified as wants.
Roughly $100 toward food, but on last minute school supplies for my youngest's major project, sneakers for me, and stuff I used to stockpile with coupons but have been buying, skewed my other spending to $150 more, all spent yesterday.
And today, after having one of the twin's home all day unexpectedly, and the other a planned half day which is always stressful, my eating is way up.
And, I need to exercise.
Didn't do anything at all today, and I know the less I move, the more stressed I get, and there goes the eating.
Planned spending today was car insurance, and the planned kid lunch spending.
Still hoping to make my planned $400 toward CC debt on Friday.
Wish me luck.
I did pretty well on the food budget, but ended up spending way more than I wanted to on things that could definitely be classified as wants.
Roughly $100 toward food, but on last minute school supplies for my youngest's major project, sneakers for me, and stuff I used to stockpile with coupons but have been buying, skewed my other spending to $150 more, all spent yesterday.
And today, after having one of the twin's home all day unexpectedly, and the other a planned half day which is always stressful, my eating is way up.
And, I need to exercise.
Didn't do anything at all today, and I know the less I move, the more stressed I get, and there goes the eating.
Planned spending today was car insurance, and the planned kid lunch spending.
Still hoping to make my planned $400 toward CC debt on Friday.
Wish me luck.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Saved Quarter Challenge
The Saved Quarter has a great challenge up.
1.Determine your objective.
My objective is financially, erase CC debt, and personally, lose a substantial amount of weight.
To erase it in one year, I need to channel roughly $400. per week toward CC debt.
Ouch.
Weight wise, I'm aiming for two pounds a week, but will be ok with one pound per week.
For that, I need a 1k per day calorie deficient.
That's really not too bad.
2. Specific, measurable goals.
Above and beyond my other bills, I need to channel $400 weekly toward debt.
(Duh)
For the 1k daily deficient, daily walk or DVD along with cutting calories as tracked by my BodyMedia.
3. List ways to make or save money toward goal.
For January, do a freezer challenge.
Still buying fruits and veggies, but eating through my huge chest freezer.
Bake from scratch.
Aim for $100 week food goal.
Overhaul P Affs, N accounts, goal 100 b's per week.
Off to market my little heart out!
1.Determine your objective.
My objective is financially, erase CC debt, and personally, lose a substantial amount of weight.
To erase it in one year, I need to channel roughly $400. per week toward CC debt.
Ouch.
Weight wise, I'm aiming for two pounds a week, but will be ok with one pound per week.
For that, I need a 1k per day calorie deficient.
That's really not too bad.
2. Specific, measurable goals.
Above and beyond my other bills, I need to channel $400 weekly toward debt.
(Duh)
For the 1k daily deficient, daily walk or DVD along with cutting calories as tracked by my BodyMedia.
3. List ways to make or save money toward goal.
For January, do a freezer challenge.
Still buying fruits and veggies, but eating through my huge chest freezer.
Bake from scratch.
Aim for $100 week food goal.
Overhaul P Affs, N accounts, goal 100 b's per week.
Off to market my little heart out!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Rough 2011 Goals
$16,600. CC Debt.
$7000. Car Loan
$46,400. Student Loans
Total: $70000.
These are the debt I have minus my minuscule mortgage.
Still chugging away at the CC debt first.
Then car.
Then SLs.
Goals for 2011
Erase last of CC debt.
Finish funding Roth IRA $5000 by April 1st.
Fund Roth IRA $5000 2011.
Set up 401k, fund as possible. Goal 16500, evaluate at six month mark.
Raise credit score from 664 to 700 by end of year, evaluate at six month mark.
Food budget $200 week. (Which to me is low.)
Once CC's paid off, start down payment on Forever House Fund.
$7000. Car Loan
$46,400. Student Loans
Total: $70000.
These are the debt I have minus my minuscule mortgage.
Still chugging away at the CC debt first.
Then car.
Then SLs.
Goals for 2011
Erase last of CC debt.
Finish funding Roth IRA $5000 by April 1st.
Fund Roth IRA $5000 2011.
Set up 401k, fund as possible. Goal 16500, evaluate at six month mark.
Raise credit score from 664 to 700 by end of year, evaluate at six month mark.
Food budget $200 week. (Which to me is low.)
Once CC's paid off, start down payment on Forever House Fund.
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