I haven't written in nearly three weeks because school has started. I'm a high school teacher that is also raising two kids on her own, so minutes are tight. My budget is tight, too, but for two months now, I'm more in tune with my spending and debt paying than ever before.
As of today, I've got only one more payment left on a Citibank Visa which at one point had a balance of $6,000. On top of that, I have only seven months more of credit counseling which has been helping me to pay off nearly $40,000 of credit card debt that my ex-husband and I accumulated before and during our marriage. After April of 2014, I will have paid that entire amount off! Close to $46,000 paid off by April!
I am proud of myself for sticking with my budgeting and watching every penny between paychecks. I still check what's in my bank account every morning when I wake up, and that has given me a sense of control and ultimately freedom which I haven't felt in a very long time.
I feel like I've really grown up.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Sunday, September 8, 2013
47/318: Another Sad Sunday
I don't mean to be depressing, but being broke isn't pretty.
I feel better now at 8:19 am, but when I awoke around 6:00 I had that familiar sinking feeling. Payday was two days ago Friday, but I feel crappy that I still don't have enough.
Yesterday my dad helped me plop down some money to buy a certified used car. But while I can check "buying a reliable car" off of my list of things to do, I was hoping to have my older car sold by now.
When I am able to sell my old car, I'll have enough money to cover this month's student loan, my son's daycare for the month, and this month's HELOC, a byproduct of my marriage with Larry.
On the bright side, I recently did something new. I scheduled two credit card payments online for the due date or earlier. All of my biweekly payments are listed on my smartphone, so while I check my account every morning, I also check off on my phone which payments have been scheduled and which have gone through my account. I love my new budget and payment system! That in and of itself makes me feel a bit more in control.
My goal today is to remain positive, be cheerful around my family, and keep on keeping on. I will make it this month...I always do.
I feel better now at 8:19 am, but when I awoke around 6:00 I had that familiar sinking feeling. Payday was two days ago Friday, but I feel crappy that I still don't have enough.
Yesterday my dad helped me plop down some money to buy a certified used car. But while I can check "buying a reliable car" off of my list of things to do, I was hoping to have my older car sold by now.
When I am able to sell my old car, I'll have enough money to cover this month's student loan, my son's daycare for the month, and this month's HELOC, a byproduct of my marriage with Larry.
On the bright side, I recently did something new. I scheduled two credit card payments online for the due date or earlier. All of my biweekly payments are listed on my smartphone, so while I check my account every morning, I also check off on my phone which payments have been scheduled and which have gone through my account. I love my new budget and payment system! That in and of itself makes me feel a bit more in control.
My goal today is to remain positive, be cheerful around my family, and keep on keeping on. I will make it this month...I always do.
Sunday, September 1, 2013
40/325: Change
I looked out my living room window this Sunday morning, and saw my neighbors across the street loading a pickup truck. Their younger son was moving out. He had just graduated from high school and would be the last of their kids to leave home. Their older daughter recently graduated from college, got married, and had her first baby all within this last year.
Wow, that is one heaping pile of change! I can't imagine being a parent expected to navigate that much coming and going of my kids, but I know that my time will come.
For me, change comes in the shape of better financial decision making. Since I began this blog, I've turned a corner on making my financial situation a bit better:
1. I now check my checking account balance every day
2. I pay all of my bills early or on time
3. I have looked at all three of my credit reports
4. I now know my credit score and have examined ways to improve it this year
5. I have become more comfortable saying "no" to expenses that can wait
6. I've actively researched affordable, yet reliable preowned cars
7. I have taken up a part time job to help fill in the cash gaps that come
8. I've taken active steps to begin an emergency fund
9. I've become more honest with my family and friends about my financial limitations without being needy
10. I feel hopeful and in control of my finances
Change can be good.
Wow, that is one heaping pile of change! I can't imagine being a parent expected to navigate that much coming and going of my kids, but I know that my time will come.
For me, change comes in the shape of better financial decision making. Since I began this blog, I've turned a corner on making my financial situation a bit better:
1. I now check my checking account balance every day
2. I pay all of my bills early or on time
3. I have looked at all three of my credit reports
4. I now know my credit score and have examined ways to improve it this year
5. I have become more comfortable saying "no" to expenses that can wait
6. I've actively researched affordable, yet reliable preowned cars
7. I have taken up a part time job to help fill in the cash gaps that come
8. I've taken active steps to begin an emergency fund
9. I've become more honest with my family and friends about my financial limitations without being needy
10. I feel hopeful and in control of my finances
Change can be good.
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