Today is December 1st. While most people measure how many days there are until Christmas, I measure how many paychecks until Christmas. For me, it's two paychecks: the one from this past Friday, and December 13th.
I am sitting pretty with a checking account that is healthy and bills scheduled to be paid. I have had my student loan switched out of a collection agency and back with the Department of Education. That is a huge difference from last year.
A year ago today, I was opening up bank statements that showed insufficient funds. I was facing Christmas shopping with a headache of worry, knowing that the only way I could afford anything was if I postponed paying the phone and electric bills.
Today, I keep my budget on my iPhone and I regularly check it. No bill are paid late and I always know how much is left to spend.
This Christmas, I have $290 this pay period and up to $600 on December 13th. I will be getting a $2,000 bonus in January for teaching an extra class this semester, and I've reduced my health savings account by $100 per pay period. That means that once Christmas shopping is paid with cash, I will have a wealthy feeling in January. I don't wish that sick "oh no, I've maxed my credit cards after the holidays" feeling on anyone, but I'm happy that at least I won't be feeling it. Hopefully, I'll never feel that feeling again.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
82/283: I slipped up!
I did, I slipped up a bit, but luckily not too much.
I've been feeling pretty proud of myself these days. Always some money in the bank, no late fees lately, and all of my bills are scheduled to be paid on time or early. Until this morning...
I hadn't been checking my checking account every morning like I had been doing this summer. Instead, this week I rode the wave of over confidence. Instead of knowing my balance to the penny, I spent the week guessing how much I had and doing what I believed to be underspending. Well, this morning I got quite a surprise, and not the good kind.
I still was in the black, but realized that one credit card bill was not showing. It should have cleared $80 on Oct. 9th, but it didn't and it was already Oct. 12th. Hmmm....
After further investigation, I realized that I had forgotten to set up an automatic debit for that credit card. Therefore, I was charged a $35 late fee on the 9th instead of seeing a payment made. It's my own fault for not checking my budget daily.
Live and learn. On the bright side, I've been enjoying the thought of being almost done paying my Citibank card. I have one more $125 payment this month (tomorrow) and then a $30 or so last payment on the same account. I get to see that payment in my rear view mirror, and I can't wait.
Also, Larry has offered to take the kids under his health insurance. That means that I will be paying only single person coverage at $600 per month instead of family coverage at $1,300 per month. Wow, a $700 savings per month, or roughly $350 every two weeks? That will feel like heaven at first after a short honeymoon of treating the kids to a nice dinner out and maybe a movie or go karts or something. However, I plan on putting part of that savings into my daughter's college fund and another part of it into a savings account which I plan to add to every paycheck.
It feels good to plan like this. It makes me feel so much more in control than I felt last July.
I've been feeling pretty proud of myself these days. Always some money in the bank, no late fees lately, and all of my bills are scheduled to be paid on time or early. Until this morning...
I hadn't been checking my checking account every morning like I had been doing this summer. Instead, this week I rode the wave of over confidence. Instead of knowing my balance to the penny, I spent the week guessing how much I had and doing what I believed to be underspending. Well, this morning I got quite a surprise, and not the good kind.
I still was in the black, but realized that one credit card bill was not showing. It should have cleared $80 on Oct. 9th, but it didn't and it was already Oct. 12th. Hmmm....
After further investigation, I realized that I had forgotten to set up an automatic debit for that credit card. Therefore, I was charged a $35 late fee on the 9th instead of seeing a payment made. It's my own fault for not checking my budget daily.
Live and learn. On the bright side, I've been enjoying the thought of being almost done paying my Citibank card. I have one more $125 payment this month (tomorrow) and then a $30 or so last payment on the same account. I get to see that payment in my rear view mirror, and I can't wait.
Also, Larry has offered to take the kids under his health insurance. That means that I will be paying only single person coverage at $600 per month instead of family coverage at $1,300 per month. Wow, a $700 savings per month, or roughly $350 every two weeks? That will feel like heaven at first after a short honeymoon of treating the kids to a nice dinner out and maybe a movie or go karts or something. However, I plan on putting part of that savings into my daughter's college fund and another part of it into a savings account which I plan to add to every paycheck.
It feels good to plan like this. It makes me feel so much more in control than I felt last July.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
67/298: Sleeping well these days
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
36/329: Late bloomer I guess
Better late than never, I guess.
I just read James Molet's post about being fiscally fit in one's 20s, 30s, and 40s. I'm in my 40s now, but I'm reducing debt and trying to establish an emergency fund like a younger person. I'm at least one decade behind, if not more, but I'm gonna plug away no matter what.
With that in mind, it will be my responsibility to impart good money habits with my own kids before they enter into adulthood. Lesson learned.
Change of subject.
It's early morning, and I'm having my coffee and thinking about what I'll do in my classroom today to prepare for the students next week. I teach high school. I'm nervous because I will be teaching two new classes (preps) plus a handful of independent study kids. They're all "high flyers", which is good, but the downside is that they will expect me to be all knowing and fully prepared every day. I expect that of myself, too. It's just not gonna happen until I've gone through an entire year of trials, successes, and missteps. It's just the way it goes.
On a related note, it occurred to me this morning as I logged on to my computer how I've grown just a tiny bit with my own fiscal journey. Before writing this and reading James' post, I did something that would seem unthinkable two months ago. I checked my online checking account AND my accounts for both telephone and energy bills. What? I know. Good, right?
My checking account remains spot on and at the exact balance I expect it to be in. Shockingly, I have a credit, a CREDIT in both of the other bills. What? I overpaid my phone and electric? For a surprise, I guess that's a good surprise, but I'm even a bit baffled by it. But I'm not going to argue.
I am still reeling from my checking account taking an overdraft fee a couple of days ago when in my daily account checks I never once saw the account dip. Honestly, never. The four bank people that I spoke with all told me that my account briefly, all but for a couple of hours. dipped to a negative number when my electronic garbage bill went through. Apparently, my deposit from Larry (his financial assistance for my bringing his brother and family to the state fair...it's a long story) didn't kick in for a few hours. Because my online account only showed black and no red on my end, I never saw the few hours that the bank "paid my garbage bill" (their words.....THEY paid my garbage bill), they allow themselves to collect $37 anyway.
After making a stink about this, adding my claim that I have been checking my account every morning, which is the truth, they offered a fee reversal of $19 which I took, irritatedly.
I still don't like banks, but at least it's good to know that I'm not afraid of them anymore.
I just read James Molet's post about being fiscally fit in one's 20s, 30s, and 40s. I'm in my 40s now, but I'm reducing debt and trying to establish an emergency fund like a younger person. I'm at least one decade behind, if not more, but I'm gonna plug away no matter what.
With that in mind, it will be my responsibility to impart good money habits with my own kids before they enter into adulthood. Lesson learned.
Change of subject.
It's early morning, and I'm having my coffee and thinking about what I'll do in my classroom today to prepare for the students next week. I teach high school. I'm nervous because I will be teaching two new classes (preps) plus a handful of independent study kids. They're all "high flyers", which is good, but the downside is that they will expect me to be all knowing and fully prepared every day. I expect that of myself, too. It's just not gonna happen until I've gone through an entire year of trials, successes, and missteps. It's just the way it goes.
On a related note, it occurred to me this morning as I logged on to my computer how I've grown just a tiny bit with my own fiscal journey. Before writing this and reading James' post, I did something that would seem unthinkable two months ago. I checked my online checking account AND my accounts for both telephone and energy bills. What? I know. Good, right?
My checking account remains spot on and at the exact balance I expect it to be in. Shockingly, I have a credit, a CREDIT in both of the other bills. What? I overpaid my phone and electric? For a surprise, I guess that's a good surprise, but I'm even a bit baffled by it. But I'm not going to argue.
I am still reeling from my checking account taking an overdraft fee a couple of days ago when in my daily account checks I never once saw the account dip. Honestly, never. The four bank people that I spoke with all told me that my account briefly, all but for a couple of hours. dipped to a negative number when my electronic garbage bill went through. Apparently, my deposit from Larry (his financial assistance for my bringing his brother and family to the state fair...it's a long story) didn't kick in for a few hours. Because my online account only showed black and no red on my end, I never saw the few hours that the bank "paid my garbage bill" (their words.....THEY paid my garbage bill), they allow themselves to collect $37 anyway.
After making a stink about this, adding my claim that I have been checking my account every morning, which is the truth, they offered a fee reversal of $19 which I took, irritatedly.
I still don't like banks, but at least it's good to know that I'm not afraid of them anymore.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
33/332: Bank error...or is it?
It's the Sunday before I go back to school to teach. I'm a little depressed about the summer break ending, but only a little bit depressed. Truth is, I'm lucky to be gainfully employed at a job that I like. That's the truth. I feel blessed, and a bit lazy is all.
That said, I do have a score to settle with my bank. For the past month, I have been checking my account every day religiously including yesterday afternoon. After a day of shopping for school clothes with my daughter, I came home and checked my email and accounts.
There it was. An insufficient funds fee for $37, only my account HAS NOT had insufficient funds for four weeks. I know, because I've checked every single day. Those creeps. Bastards. I really hate banks.
Of course after dialing the bank's number yesterday, I got the message saying to call back during normal business hours. Oh, don't worry, I'm gonna call first thing on Monday.
I wonder if this bank has created some kind of algorithm that predicts consumer obliviousness which allows random withdrawals from unsuspecting customers. I am actually cynical enough to believe that this could be possible. I have heard that some banks have created computer systems for themselves that place the largest check or withdrawal in front of smaller checks and withdrawals, thereby creating more insufficient funds charges from customers that don't check their accounts. Banks are greedy bastards.
So on Monday morning, my plan is to call and set everything straight, and if they give me a song and a dance, I will ask to speak with a manager and ask them to PAY ME an additional $37 for taking up my time and energy. It won't work, I know that, but I would like them to know that someone is always watching them.
That said, I do have a score to settle with my bank. For the past month, I have been checking my account every day religiously including yesterday afternoon. After a day of shopping for school clothes with my daughter, I came home and checked my email and accounts.
There it was. An insufficient funds fee for $37, only my account HAS NOT had insufficient funds for four weeks. I know, because I've checked every single day. Those creeps. Bastards. I really hate banks.
Of course after dialing the bank's number yesterday, I got the message saying to call back during normal business hours. Oh, don't worry, I'm gonna call first thing on Monday.
I wonder if this bank has created some kind of algorithm that predicts consumer obliviousness which allows random withdrawals from unsuspecting customers. I am actually cynical enough to believe that this could be possible. I have heard that some banks have created computer systems for themselves that place the largest check or withdrawal in front of smaller checks and withdrawals, thereby creating more insufficient funds charges from customers that don't check their accounts. Banks are greedy bastards.
So on Monday morning, my plan is to call and set everything straight, and if they give me a song and a dance, I will ask to speak with a manager and ask them to PAY ME an additional $37 for taking up my time and energy. It won't work, I know that, but I would like them to know that someone is always watching them.
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