Nine days left of this project

I am amazed that the time moved so fast. There were weeks, no months, that I even forgot that this blog was here for me.

In nine days, I plan to write a recap about my 365 debt reduction journey. As of today, I am feeling content with my progress, understanding that I have a way to go before my financial journey can be deemed a true success story.

Today, I shopped at Target for household items that I needed, but could have lived without. That is a huge step. Almost one year ago, a trip to Target required a very short less of absolute necessities, such as toilet paper and milk. Things that were needed to bridge me and my family from one week to the next, anticipating another small paycheck on the horizon. Today, I was able to look at items to help organize the house, and even enjoyed time checking out extra kitchen items for another shopping trip.

My bi-weekly paychecks haven't gotten much bigger, but they seem to carry a better wallop these days thanks to my new budgeting system. My system is a two parter - checking my online bank accounts while viewing my iPhone budget. Every morning with my coffee, even during the busy school year, I go online and see what checks and debits have cleared the bank overnight. With my laptop screen displaying my checking account, I take my cell phone and open up to the "notes" app that has my monthly budget.

Each item of my budget has (1) a date, (2) creditor, and (3) dollar amount. On the morning that a budget item has cleared the bank, I type a large "X" next to the item showing me that it has been paid. I then use the laptop calculator to determine how many dollars are left before the next paycheck.

For example, when my online bank account says that the automatic payment for the telephone bill has cleared on its due date of July 15, my iPhone budget shows me:        
15 Telephone $145.00 X
The "15" next to the word "Telephone" means that I must always anticipate this auto payment on the 15th of every month, and this helps me to never be surprised by an automatic debit or a check that I forgot to write down in my ledger.

After my trip to Target for a new shower curtain, a couple of on sale space saver bags, and some bright red lipstick (a little $6.00 splurge!) I got home to find a tree service guy waiting to speak with me. I had called yesterday to schedule an estimate to clear some of our brush. I had budgeted $200 for this job to be done, but I ended up saying to the guy, "I really don't want to spend more than $125." After a brief negotiation session, we agreed on clearing our brush for $188. Win for me!

I like this new me and this new found sense of spending freedom. Even though my teacher's salary doesn't afford me to spend like a maniac, at least now my care has led me to make purchases that continue to make small improvements around the house.

Almost 3/4 finished! 257 completed /108 days to go

It has been too long since I've written. Time flies. Money isn't as tight. I've been feeling a lot more like a success than a failure, and here's why...

1. I haven't had an overdraft in my account since last fall. God's honest truth!
2. I've opened up a savings account.
3. I contribute at least $200 every month to said savings account. I've got over $1,000.00 presently.
4. I check my accounts every day. Every day. No lie and no joke.
5. Whenever I check my accounts, I compare my latest balances and spending with my budget. Every bill and due date is on my phone, just a few click away.
6. I can new clothes and shoes for my children any given week.
7. I can shop at the more expensive grocery store if they have a couple of things that we need or want.
8. My cupboards, refrigerator, and freezer are packed to the gills weekly....no, daily!
9. I can afford a monthly massage and still have money leftover for ....  whatever my family needs.
10. In only two months, I will have paid off nearly all of my debt, aside from student loan. Once the debt is paid off, both the kids' college funds and our yearly vacation fund will be substantially beefed up.

I owe this success to the power of writing. When once puts ideas and feelings onto to paper (or an online platform), it sets action unconsciously in motion. When I look back on what I wrote last July, I have done nearly everything on my list of things to accomplish, except joining Debtors Anonymous. I looked into that group, but it didn't fit my schedule.

Also, I've appreciated the support of Savvy James and others through Twitter that have helped me on this journey.

Only 3 and a half months to arrive at financial betterment. Yay!~