November Budget & Climbing - Where did I go?

Haven't been blogging much. One reason has been computers freaking out on me. It's clammed down and everything appears to be running smooth. (Although every time it makes a strange sound I start to panic.) I also now have the ability to grab pictures off my camera! I hate doing posts without pics, but what can I do? Sweetheart had gotten a new computer, but then the hard drive died. He only had it for about two months! So we waited three weeks the replacement and we have it back now. (Thank goodness!)

Another reason I haven't been blogging is I needed a break. One where I wasn't posting every couponing trip I managed to make. I've been making fewer of them as I've gotten worn out and run into the 'coupon burnout.' I'm still buying coupons and using them when I spot a good deal, but not nearly as many. So what have I done with my time?

I've been reading and cooking. Wondering how exactly I want to switch from conventional to less processed and more organic options. I had started a post about it, but it got far to long and lengthy for my taste. I think it's going to be a product by product sort of change. Some things were simple enough buying whole wheat flour and then organic whole wheat flour. Others not as much such as cutting out processed sugar or finding a bread with less than 5 ingredients that will not have my traveling 35 miles and paying $5 a loaf. I'm trying.

Ideally I would like to follow the rules listed below:

1. No refined grains such as white flour or white rice (items containing wheat must say WHOLE wheat…not just “wheat”)
2. No refined sweeteners such as sugar, any form of corn syrup, cane juice, or the artificial stuff like Splenda
3. Nothing out of a box, can, bag, bottle or package that has more than 5 ingredients listed on the label
4. No deep fried foods
5. No “fast foods”

Please see Real Food Defined: AKA The Rules, as spelled out by the Lisa the author of 100 Days of Real Food. (It's the site that got me interested in changing my diet.)

I like that these rules are simple and to the point. The simplicity is wonderful, but it's what also makes them hard to follow. No buts, only ifs, no exceptions, no loop holds. Mostly I'm having issues with rules 2 and 3 as stated before. I think I may make a few of my own exceptions as I go (such as Hellmann's® Mayonnaise, something Sweetheart will not compromise on), but that is for another post.

The Budget

Bills (Electric) $100
Bunnies $30
Car & Renter Insurance $46
Car Repair $60
Cellphone $36
Clothing $10
Cruise 2012 $0 *Completed Savings Goal
Free Money $20
Gas $120
Groceries $120
Health $10
Rent $100
Student Loans $372
Emergency Funds $20 *Decided I need a bigger fund

Grand Total: $1044/month (Take home pay.)

No changes for this month. I need to use extra cash for a gift or two . . . After that I think I am going to split it three ways: Paying off Loans (40%), Fixing up Kori, my car (40%) and Computer (20%). The only other additional element to the budget is what I've been earning with Swag Bucks. (Yes, this is my referral link.) I've been doing well enough to earn $25 worth of Amazon credit a month. It's not a lot, but I'm using to further my goal of unprocessed organic food. That amount is almost 20% of my month grocery total! It's a lot in my book. ^_^

Hamburger Salad, it's tasty!

Grand Total Last Month: $39,519.14
New Grand Total: $39,219.38
Amount Paid Off: $299.76

Slightly better than last month. I moved one of my loan payments a little early because of the way pay days fell this past month. I figured I would save myself a little bit of interest. Fingers crossed I actually have some extra money at the end of this month to pay off more!

October Budget and Climbing

Due to card reader issues I had to find a stock photo. I dislike using them, because they are not really my own. Sorry!

I really thought my computer had died on me. Now it just seems temperamental. It doesn't always want to start up and freezes fairly often when I do manage to get it going. I briefly had use of my XD/SD drive yesterday before it decided to not read anything. My sound said it was on, but didn't actually work. I'm hoping between my dying laptop and Sweetheart's dying laptop I can limp along until I actually have money to buy a new one. Thankfully there will be 3 holidays between now and the end of the year, plus an additional paycheck in the month of December.

I got my first paycheck on Friday that I need to apply to my new budget. This does not look promising. Only an extra $10 left to apply towards anything . . . not so good. I was really bad and didn't think about it until after, but I placed an order with Lock 'n Lock before getting my paycheck and looking at my new budget. Oooppss. I still have some extra cash from the past few months, but I need to be really careful with what I buy from now on. I can't go spending my 'free' money willy nilly any more.

But I want it! *Puppy eyes of doom!*

The Budget
Bills (Electric) $100
Bunnies $30
Car & Renter Insurance $46
Car Repair $60
Cellphone $36
Clothing $10
Cruise 2012 $0 *Completed Savings Goal
Free Money $20
Gas $120
Groceries $120
Health $10
Rent $100
Student Loans $372
Emergency Funds $20 *Decided I need a bigger fund

Grand Total: $1044/month (Take home pay.)

Not sure what exactly I'm going to do with any extra money. Kind of tough to decide. I will need a new computer at some point soon. (Fingers crossed I can hold out until Jan at least!) I also know there will be work to be done on Kori and more than likely new tires for her as well. I also really need a bigger emergency fund because I'm very nervous about how close to the edge I feel at the moment after looking at the numbers. I'd like to avoid more stress if possible.

The morning sun was perfect on these flowers. ^_^


Grand Total Last Month: $39,763.80
New Grand Total: $39519.14
Amount Paid Off: $244.66


Ouch? That is not a number that I wanted to see. I didn't make any extra payments last month in an effort to save up for that promised cruise. I wanted to at least take that pressure away from me so I wouldn't worry about it. With a number like this I would love to just pour all my extra money into my debt. ARG! This is a frustrating scenario. This next month will be just as rough and then November will come. November has two holidays in it and I'm working both. Thank goodness for the extra cash flow a head.

September Budget & Climbing

I'm worried. Worried about what will happen when my part time jobs ends. This month started out relaxing. I went camping with a few of my college friends. I had a great time, even though it rained & rained. There was a severe thunderstorm that caused us to sleep in our cars and and a house close by. (It was bad.) Still lots of fun, but that relaxed feeling is gone.

I have two budgets to run under for the month. I am assuming that before the month is out I will need to switch to the minimum budget. My Sweetheart has already agreed to pick up most of my part of the rent. I will only be able to afford 1/3 of what I currently do. My boss told me to expect about two weeks . . . I'm thinking he means the 15th. I was hoping to be able to finish out the month. *fingers crossed*

The Budget (regular)
Bills (Electric) $104
Bunnies $30
Car & Renter Insurance $46 *Forgot to change this last month
Car Repair $100
Cellphone $36
Clothing $20
Cruise 2012 $50 *A trip that's been in the works for about 3 years.
Free Money $40
Gas $120
Groceries $120
Health $20
Rent $310
Student Loans $372

Grand Total: $1368/month (Take home pay.)

*Extra funds to be put into savings as I'm not sure when exactly my job will end. I might need the money to 'cushion' a week to make the switch between pay check cycles.

The Budget - minimized

Bills (Electric) $100
Bunnies $30
Car & Renter Insurance $46
Car Repair $60
Cellphone $36
Clothing $10
Cruise 2012 $0 *Gotta make do with what I got.
Free Money $20
Gas $120
Groceries $120
Health $10
Rent $100 *Sweetheart will take over most of the rent when I'm down to one job.
Student Loans $372

Grand Total: $1024/month (Take home pay.)

*Extra funds, treated the same.

The Climb, I feel as if it is slowing to a crawl. I'm still getting somewhere . . . I'm just not sure how the next month will turn out. I had taken some extra funds this month before I knew for certain I would be losing my job shortly. I was really, really hoping I had until the end of the year. No such luck.

I don't really know where I can come up with extra money. Do I need an alternative to working a second job? (Selling on ebay? Creating something and opening an esty shop?) Should I try and find another part time job? Am I going to find one with such a flexible schedule? Will I have an understanding boss if I need to suddenly change my shift last minute? (That would be a tough one to find.) Will it pay as well as this job? If it doesn't, how many more hours will I need to work? Do I have the energy to work two jobs still?

The last question leaves me to believe I shouldn't jump to find something right away. I'm tired. I know there are other people who work two, three or more jobs to make ends meet. I'm running out of steam and fast. When I've been working too much it starts to affect my health. Headaches, stuffy nose (could be allergies or a cold), upset stomachs and digestive systems . . . I notice I feel better when I have just one extra day off. It's time for a break. So when this job is over I will not look for something else until January. I need to chill out.

Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $40,125.68
New Grand Total: $39,763.80
Amount Paid Off: $361.88

I can get out of debt! I will get out of debt! Just have to do it one small step at a time. My steps might be smaller and slower, but I will do this.

August Budget & Climbing

This month went by so fast! It's unbelievable. It's been a long month with a chance to learn and grow. I've enjoyed some more training on the Rx end of the store. I'm really hoping to find some time to jump back there and work on my newly acquired skills. Alas, my co-worker hasn't come back from leave yet. Hopefully soon.

I've also learned an important lesson about frozen food. Pictured above is a bento I made a while back. Those strawberries had been frozen at one point. Frozen strawberries are good. Thawed berries are bad . . . very bad. I'll never to that again. Are there any fruits that are okay to freeze and then thaw?


The Budget:


Bills (Electric) $104
Bunnies $30
Car Insurance $36
Car Repair $100
Cellphone $36
Clothing $20
Cruise 2012 $50 *A trip that's been in the works for about 3 years.
Free Money $40
Gas $140
Groceries $120
Health $20
Rent $310
Student Loans $372

Grand Total: $1378/month (Take home pay.)


*Extra money tallied up at the end of the month. All extra funds are to pay off one of my student loans.

Ah! The taste of fresh strawberries! Seriously, what was I thinking about thawing them out?

No obvious changes to the budget this month. My internal change is going from weekly pay checks at CVS to bi-weekly pay checks. It's got me all over the place this month. I had prepared myself for the switch but I had too little and then too much money in my account. I'm a little at a loss. So . . . I took only a $100 extra for payments this month. I'm going to wait and see if I can't get this to all balance out somehow. In the mean time:


Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $40,482.25
New Grand Total: $40,125.68
Amount Paid Off: $356.57


It's lower than I had hoped, but I'm getting there. Other than the extra $100, which had normally been paid there was nothing to fill out extra payments this month. I'm expected to bring home a larger than normal check because of working a few extra hours for the next check. I would really like accelerate the pay off plan. just have to wait and see what happens.

July Budget & Monthly Climb

Pumpkin Muffin!

I'm far behind this week . . . ARG! It's time I sat down and made myself a posting schedule. It's the only way I'm going to really keep up. I've gotten out of the habit. Thankfully next week will be a great opportunity to be all caught up. I asked off for an extra day and the following week I'll only work 4 days at CVS instead of five. This week I'm working 6 days and I'm really getting worn out.

I've been baking a little bit when I get the chance. This is the start of blueberry buckle. I found the recipe at Totally Target. I modified it by using whole wheat flour and raspberries. It's an awesome breakfast. Yummy!

The Budget:


Bills (Electric) $104
Bunnies $30
Car Insurance $36
Car Repair $100 *Need to save for future repairs & regular oil changes (Expensive!)
Cellphone $36
Clothing $20
Cruise 2012 $50 *A trip that's been in the works for about 3 years.
Free Money $40
Gas $140
Groceries $120 *slight increase
Health $20
Rent $310
Student Loans $372

Grand Total: $1378/month (Take home pay.)


*Extra money tallied up at the end of the month. All extra funds are to pay off one of my student loans.


A few changes this month. The biggest thing is my minimum loan payment took a huge drop. $100 dollars! But my monthly budget went up? Huh? $50 for a future trip + $40 additional in car repairs + $20 for groceries . . . it just gets eaten away. Ideally I would take the extra money and keep paying off more of my loans. There are expenses I know that are coming up. I could probably skip the cruise money, but I rather have more than necessary than not enough. Once the trip is over I will put all the extra back into my loans. With the way things have gone lately I should still have extra money at the end of the month.

Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $41,243.79
New Grand Total: $40,482.25
Amount Paid Off: $761.54


WOW! That a huge number! I'll admit that technically $240 of that should be applied to next month. It makes more sense to show it here as I've paid off another loan! It was going to be finished off in Feb of 2012, that's 7 months early! As a reward to myself I bought a bento box. My rule for my rewards as I pay off loans are to use no more the one month's minimum payment. In this case $100!

I was happy to find Groupon with a great deal of Lock 'n Lock. A $50 credit for $25. My chosen box would have been about $20 so I splurged a little bit more to get some extras. The credit did not include shipping so all told I spent about $32. That means I have that extra to pay off more loans. (Actually I had just enough extra to finish off that one loan and buy my treat. So I get to start my new budget right away.) I haven't had the chance to use my bento yet, but I do have a plan for it.

June Budget & Monthly Climb

I hope everyone had a good holiday weekend. I work everyday for the last eleven days and I'm tired. I was happy to work the holiday as it means time and a half. Finally some time to relax. Hopefully. A co-worker of mine isn't feeling to good and there is a slight chance of me having to go in tomorrow. *fingers crossed*

I'm going to keep this post short today. (Tired!) So just a budget update and then the climbing!

The Budget:

Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $30
Car Insurance $36
Car Repair $60
Cellphone $36
Clothing $20
Free Money $40
Gas $140
Groceries $100
Health $20
Rent $310
Student Loans $472

Grand Total: $1367/month (Take home pay.)


*Extra money tallied up at the end of the month. All extra funds are to pay off one of my student loans.

No big changes. My 'extra' categories have gone into the regular budget. Not having to fill up the emergency fund and seeing plenty of extra money at the end of the month gives me confidence I'll be able to handle it. If for some reason it doesn't work out I'll split then out again.

Imagine a new world . . .


Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $41,825.44
New Grand Total: $41,243.79
Amount Paid Off: $581.65


The extra funds really paid off! I'm hoping that I can actually have another loan finished within two months. Between the holiday this past week and another one next month it should be done! I'm dancing at the thought of it! I can hardly wait!

May Budget & Climbing!

This past month flew by fast. Really fast. I had ever intention of getting the inspection for Kori done, but alas it did not happen. However I did get it done this week. A little over $500 worth of inspection! I was hoping it wouldn't be that much as I just got her in Janurary and the serpentine belt replaced last month. I hope it's all worth it.

The mechanic also told me about a bit of 'play' in part of the tire rod. (Which I have noticed.) It's still within the limits for inspection, but I'm to keep an eye on it. I'll just get it fixed as soon as I can at an estimated $300. *sigh* Oh! Between the inspection and driving home that same night my right head light went out. WHAT!? Gerr . . .

Spring is here! It's an old picture, but it's what I've got.

The Budget:

Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $30
Car Insurance $36
Cellphone $36
Free Money $40
Gas $140
Groceries $100
Rent $310
Student Loans $472

Grand Total: $1267/month (Take home pay.)

Extra Funds Notes:
1. Health $20
2. Clothing $20
3. Car Repair $60

*Extra money tallied up at the end of the month. Each category lists a maximum contribution. Any additional funds are to pay off one of my student loans.


No really changes. I would like to increase the grocery budget if possible. Perhaps after I get my next loan paid off. I also really need to increase the car budget. I can't keep wiping it clean. The problem is there is no build up from previous years anymore with buying the car.

I should be getting a raise at some point this month. Not sure exactly when it will hit the pay check. (Hoping next week?) The other change coming up is CVS will no longer pay weekly, but instead switch to a bi-weekly pay schedule. I'm not happy with this move at all. I like keeping one pay checks worth of bills in the bank so if something happens it doesn't mess with all my automatic payments. So instead of using the extra pay week this month to pay off more of my loans I'm stuck having it sitting in the bank. The switch doesn't happen until July, but I will not be collecting nearly enough extra funds between now and then.

Another old spring picture.

2011 Goals

Finical Goals

1. Buy A Car (A Reliable Car)
2. Rebuild Emergency Fund DONE!
3. Pay my parents Back Not applicable
4. Pay off another smaller loan
5. Save $750 for Cruise 2012! DONE!
6. Start a Gift Fund for Presents


Non-Finical Goals

*I want to skip this part next month. I don't seem to be getting any further with these. We'll see.

1. Develop a sleep pattern - Going to bed by 11pm, no problem. Getting up? Improving, slowly. I'm actually starting to feel awake when the alarm goes off in the morning.
2. Lose 20lbs. - Not much to say here, other than adding more fruit & a little more veggies to the diet. Cutting out soda again. (Except one a week.) Exersice is null and void at this point. *sigh*
3. Do more stuff that doesn't involve sitting & playing games on the 'couch'. - Still not going anywhere.
4. No more dirty dishes in the sink @ the end of the night. - Still going strong!
5. Clean the apartment more often. - Got that right! Yippie!

Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $42,204.69
New Grand Total: $41,825.44
Amount Paid Off: $379.25


Once again I messed something up and ended up paying on a loan twice. Ouch! It's not like the bill gets delayed a month if I do that. At least my tax refund was able to cover it. Speaking of which I had enough left over to make another payement to a different company. I can hardly wait to see how much my total will go down next month. I'm excited!

April Budget & Climbming

Only small changes in budget this month. I've considered pushing down my gas budget again, but prices are jumping like mad. I've heard rumors about it jumping to over $4/gallon before summer starts. Yikes! I think I'll keep my budget as is. I'll need some extra gas money for a trip latter this month. Extra money can just go to the car fund for Kori's inspection.

Speaking of Kori, she was expensive the other week. Her oil light kept popping on and off, so I decided to get her oil changed. (Which was listed as being done at the end of October, but she's only gone about 2,000 miles since then.) Since she's an older car with high millage I need to get a more expensive oil. As it turned out she also need a tail light replaced and a new serpentine belt. (The old belt was cracked.) There were a few other small items putting my grand total at about $190! I hope her inspection goes better than that. (All these items would have been caught at inspection anyway.)

On the brighter side of that same weekend I did my taxes. I swear I hear people groaning. Tax time is generally a good thing for me as I get some money back. I got enough back to finish off my emergency fund! And enough to finish off my goal savings for my 2012 girls trip, with some left over! The left over part I split between Kori's future inspection & paying off one of my loans. I just need to keep it handy.


Emergency Fund:
Last Month: $782.92
This Month: $1,000.00
Goal: $1,000

GOAL MET!

The Budget:
Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $30
Car Insurance $36
Cellphone $36
Free Money $40
Gas $140 (works out to $35 a week)
Groceries $100
Rent $310
Student Loans $472

Grand Total: $1267/month (Take home pay.)

Extra Funds Notes:
1. Health $20
2. Clothing $20
3. Car Repair $60

*Extra money tallied up at the end of the month. Each category lists a maximum contribution. Any additional funds are to pay off one of my student loans.

2011 Goals

Finical Goals

1. Buy A Car (A Reliable Car)
2. Rebuild Emergency Fund DONE!
3. Pay my parents Back Not applicable
4. Pay off another smaller loan
5. Save $750 for Cruise 2012! DONE!
6. Start a Gift Fund for Presents

*Not much left for the finical goals. ^_^

Non-Finical Goals

1. Develop a sleep pattern - Get up in the morning still kills me. I'm getting a little better at it. Maybe I should just get up when Sweetheart takes his shower?
2. Lose 20lbs.
-Not even going there . . . I've been terrible. Not exercising in the least. :( I would today, but I'm not feeling that good. (Fevers are not fun.) Good things: I've swapped soda for seltzer water. (mostly) And I've been reading menus more carefully so I choose better options. (I look for those 'healthy choice' symbols and pick from there.)
3. Do more stuff that doesn't involve sitting & playing games on the 'couch'.
- . . . shame on me. (Remember? Not exercising in the least?)
4. No more dirty dishes in the sink @ the end of the night. - This is one I've actually done! There might be an occasional cup or two, but that's it. ^_^
5. Clean the apartment more often. - Schedule is set! For the most part Sweetheart and I have been sticking to it. The bathroom is getting clean almost regularly. (Quick cleans in between the big cleans.) The living room is being vacuumed. (Almost weekly actually.) Now if only we can keep the kitchen neat and the bedroom straightened up. Focusing on just one area a week is helping.

Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $42,547.41
New Grand Total: $42,204.69
Amount Paid Off: $342.72


Last month was just under $300. Where did that extra pay off come from? It took me a bit to figure it out. My Upromise savings was transferred in the middle of March. Yeah! Let's keep on plugging away! I'll get there some day.

March Budget & Climbing

February was a good month for me financially. I got in a few extra hours & I sold Lizzy to my brother. His car threw a rod or something. It's dead, no resurrection, short of a new engine. So he bought Lizzy. Took her to my parents mechanic and as far as I know she's running fine. (Not stalling!) Still has that coolant leak to look into & the problem with the heater. I just hope she'll last longer for my brother than his last car. (Which was about 9 months for about $1000.) Yea for bonus money! Let's rebuild the Emergency Fund shall we?

Kori is using TONS LESS GAS than Lizzy ever did. LOL. It's partly better gas millage & partly cutting my normal commute to CVS in almost half. Yep. It's like getting a raise. Better actually because they don't taxes out of it. ^_^

Unfortunately the amount I will be cutting back is going to the be eaten up in the increased rent. Sweetheart volunteered to take it, but he pays more than half already. I feel bad enough as is. This is just an easy switch. Nothing to fuss about.

Decorations at a friend's wedding.

The Budget:
Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $30
Car Insurance $36
Cellphone $36
Free Money $40
Gas $140 (works out to $35 a week)
Groceries $100
Rent $310 (increased rent)
Student Loans $472

Grand Total: $1267/month (Take home pay.)

Extra Funds Notes:
1. Extra to the Emergency Fund.
2. Categories on hold: Car Repair, Clothing, Health & Savings.
3. Car Repair to be funded by 5th pay week when it occurs as the inspection is due in May.

A gift for being a bridesmaid.


Emergency Fund:
Last Month: $419.32
This Month: $782.92
Goal: $1,000


As I said, a good month.

The tossing bouquet. Sometimes I think I should have been a photographer.


2011 Goals

Finical Goals

1. Buy A Car (A Reliable Car)
2. Rebuild Emergency Fund So Close
3. Pay my parents Back Not applicable
4. Pay off another smaller loan
5. Save $750 for Cruise 2012!
6. Start a Gift Fund for Presents

Non-Finical Goals

1. Develop a sleep pattern - Still working on getting up at a regular time.
2. Lose 20lbs.
-Slight change in plans. First I'm starting to look at what I eat. Each day I'm doing an 'approximate' calorie count to see where I stand. If I'm between 1600-1850 I'm good. (That's the range I should be eating to lose weight.) If I'm over then I'm going to mark how or why. (Chinese Buffet . . . Bad idea.) I want to see how much over eating I'm actually doing. Just the act of looking at this is causing me to measure my food out. (1/2 cup chex mix instead of the entire bag at one sitting.)
-I started to gain weight with changes in my diet, including eating out more. Sweetheart treats me out about once or twice a week. I'm okay with that, but rather eat at home. Sometimes I'm just too tired to care or too stressed. When I'm stressed & tired I choose fatty, high calorie foods. Then his parents will turn around and invite us out to eat (and then pay). It all adds up. Time for me to start looking really hard at menus and make better choices.
3. Do more stuff that doesn't involve sitting & playing games on the 'couch'. - Still working on it. Kinetics Sports anyone?
4. No more dirty dishes in the sink @ the end of the night. - Improving, but a far cry from it.
5. Clean the apartment more often. - Set up a 'schedule' on a three week rotation: Living area/Kitchen, Bathroom & Bedroom.


Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $42,844.31
New Grand Total: $42,547.41
Amount Paid Off: $296.90

Fairy Wings of a bridesmaid. Each one had a different color to represent the four elements: Earth, Air, Water & Fire.

Here's hoping for another good month. If I'm very, very lucky I can finish off the emergency fund either by the end of this month or next.

February Budget & Climbing

Time again for the recap. I'm in a budget crunch due to taking out a large portion of my emergency fund to buy a car. The good news is I now have a car that works & does not stall from point A to point B.

Meet Kori. She's a '99 Toyota Corolla. She currently has a little over 160,000 miles, but runs strong. Best part is I got her within 'budget' and I will not have any car payments. And I didn't have to borrow any money from my parents. She is mine free & clear. Yippie!

Not sure what's going to happen with Lizzy. She's a good car, but needs some work. Hopefully once I get a little extra money ($200?) I can take her to another mechanic and get a second opinion. If she's really easy to fix I'll get her fixed and give (sell for the price to fix) to my sister who doesn't have a car yet. That's what I'm hoping for. I really think she could go for another 50,000 miles or more. She runs great except for that stalling problem!

That all being said, my emergency fund was wiped out to about $200. Ouch! I need to rebuild that stat! Luckily January was a very kind month in the way of working. So I've doubled what was left in the emergency fund. February is not looking to be so lucky. This is going to take some time. With that in mind some adjustments are to be made.

Ice storm took out a few tress around here.

The Budget:
Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $30
Car Insurance $36 *Stayed the same!
Cellphone $36
Free Money $40 *$10 a week isn't much, but it's enough
Gas $180 *Small adjustment. Kori uses far less gas already, but I don't want leap before I take a good hard look. I'll give it some more time.
Groceries $100
Rent $280
Student Loans $472

Grand Total: $1277/month (Take home pay.)

Extra Funds Notes:
1. Everything extra goes to rebuild the emergency fund. There are no 'savings' as this fund gets rebuilt.
2. Categories on hold: Car Repair, Clothing, Health & Savings. All current funds in these areas are holding steady until the emergency fund is full. These will be treated temporarily as emergency funds if a situation warrants between now and then.


Emergency Fund:
Last Month: $202.84
This Month: $419.32
Goal: $1,000.00

It looks so pretty!

I'm not doing to well on a lot of non-finical goals. Really, it's been a bad month for it. Maybe it has to do with having a lot of hours at work? Things are slowing down so here's hoping for free time and a chance to make good on those goals. Although that will slow down the finical goals.

2011 Goals

Finical Goals

1. Buy A Car (A Reliable Car)
2. Rebuild Emergency Fund
3. Pay my parents Back Not applicable
4. Pay off another smaller loan
5. Save $750 for Cruise 2012!
6. Start a Gift Fund for Presents

Non-Finical Goals

1. Develop a sleep pattern - Getting there. I need to try and get up on time. Going to bed isn't too bad.
2. Lose 20lbs. - This is the next one to really work on. I need to plan exercise time.
3. Do more stuff that doesn't involve sitting & playing games on the 'couch'. - Um . . working on it . . .
4. No more dirty dishes in the sink @ the end of the night. - Getting closer?
5. Clean the apartment more often. - Totally didn't happen. Time for a major clean up this weekend.


Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $43,140.15
New Grand Total: $42,844.31
Amount Paid Off: $295.84


This is going to be SLOW!

January Budget & Climbing

I'm afraid her time may have come. It's been a good 4 years.

December wasn't the easiest month. Lizzy is not fixed by any stretch of the imagination and I still have really been able to find a car in budget. It's frustrating the heck out of me! I came really close to getting a car, but someone else came in only a few hours after I did and had the thing on hold. I want a night to think about it, only to have it turned up on hold when I called two days latter and sold the next day. Ouch! Rotten luck that.

It's really been discouraging that so many people shake their heads when I ask if they have a car for under $2500, or even $3000. Just wish I could find something. I need one soon. Lizzy is now most definitely leaking coolant. Her temperature light came on today. The mechanic filled it when I had her looked at for the stall problem. So it was an emergency stop for me to grab some coolant from K-Mart. *sighs*

This is going to wipe me clean. All the leaping and bounding I feel that I've done in my effort to climb out of this hole of debt is going to come to a stand still. Nothing to be done. I might even need to borrow money from my parents to get a good car. Taking a few steps back so I can move forward. I'm not looking forward to it.

2011

I am hoping for a good year. I am planning on a good year, although I will not be climbing out of debt as fast as I was. I can happily say I do have one less loan to worry about this year. It wasn't a big one, but it does free up about $25/month. Some breathing room as I am about to take a 4-5 hour cut a week on average at my main job. (CVS)

The Budget:
Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $30
Car Insurance $36 *Slightly more than I needed, may go up with a new car.
Cellphone $36 *Adjusted to compensate for unlimited family texting plan
Free Money $40 *Varies slightly depending on second job
Gas $190 *Hoping once I get a 'new' car I can adjust this down
Groceries $100
Rent $280
Savings $65 *I need to rebuild the emergency fund
Student Loans $472 *One Less Loan

Grand Total: $1352/month (Take home pay.)

Extra Funds Notes:
1. Health up to $28
2. Clothing up to $40
3. Everything Else: Emergency Fund

Dreamsacpe: An image that lingers in my mind. 2nd rendition


Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $43,528.26
New Grand Total: $43,140.15
Amount Paid Off: $388.11


Not quiet the grand finally that I was waiting for. On the up side since keeping careful track of all my debt I've managed to pay off a grand total of $3932.22! Not to shabby. Some of it would have come off over the normal coarse of paying it down, but not all of it. I'm getting there.

December Budget & Climbing

Burning Desire

I had absolutely every intention of having this up on the 1st of this month. My budget was already to go about a week before hand. I was excited at really giving this 'minimized' budget a go around. (Up 'til this point I still had auto withdraws for the 'extra' sections I planned in last month.) I was really looking forward to accelerating the pay off of my loans. Now . . . we'll see . . .

On Wednesday after getting home Sweetheart & I were a bit tired from working all day. (Getting up at 5:30am will do that to you.) So we decided to go out to eat. We hop into the my car and drove two or three 'blocks' down the road. Stopped at a red light to make a left. Just as we got the green arrow my car stopped. More specifically the engine stopped running.

PANIC!

Turn on the blinkers. Not happy. I'm stopped in the middle of a busy road and can't start my car. The vehicle behind me is not happy as my Sweetheart waves him around. Please remember, when someone puts on their blinkers chances are they are having problems. Don't go cursing them out for a car that will not start. Not their fault. *sighs*

I managed to get the car started again and make my left turn. Only one street up and there's a stop sign. Pause. Start to go through only to have the engine cut off again. WHAT?! Now we push the car to the side of the road. Turn on the blinkers and wait. After a minute or two start the car and let it idle for a bit. After another minute put her into drive, take the foot off the petal . . . no running engine.

ARGH! Thank goodness my mom got me AAA for my birthday. I'm never been so thankful in my life for AAA. I always thought of it as a 'discount club.' No more I say! If you don't have AAA get your rear in gear and get it! You never know what might happen on road. (I recommend the plus because of the 50 mile free towing.)

My mechanic looked at the car and couldn't find the problem. The coolant was low, but the car wasn't on that long for it to really be the problem. He cleaned out some other part and turned up the idle. Hopefully it's all fixed. I've been debating back and forth if I need to get a new to me car.

I've come to the conclusion that I at least need to save for a new car and fast. I really hope I can run Lizzy for another year at least. I do have my emergency fund, but rather not tap that to get a car. I'm going to be set back a little to get money for the car with paying the mechanic and for the car rental. I don't like where this is going.

I've felt so empowered knowing that I have one of my many loans paid off. (Within a few cents actually.) I was hoping to give that news latter because it was technically paid off this month, but I'm so frustrated! I wasn't happy to hear one of my co-workers respond to me "It's time you got into debt like the rest of America."

First, I'm in debt already. I've got student loans coming out my ears. If having to pay about $500 a month on student loans isn't debt, what the heck is? Second, I'm not 'the rest of America." I don't intend to be. That's not my goal. My goal is to be debt free. I was 15 when I was asked to write down a goal I had for when I became an adult. I said I wanted to be debt free by age 30. I still do! It seems a little unrealistic, but that doesn't mean I can't try. This is almost as demoralizing as my one friend telling me "I'll always have credit card debt." You don't have to. Why do people insist it's the only way to live?

Without Further Ado, The Budget:
Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $30 *Last month was more than what I needed, adjust
Car Insurance $42
Cellphone $30
Free Money $40 *Varies slightly depending on second job
Gas $190 *Gas went up almost $.20/gal in about two weeks. Ouch! Most of the money I was going to 'save' just got lost again.
Groceries $100
Rent $280
Savings $40 *Car? I'm considering it.
Student Loans $497 *May be reduced soon, not sure how the auto deduction will change.

Grand Total: $1372/month (Take home pay.)

Extra Funds Notes:
1. Health up to $28
2. Clothing up to $40
3. Saving for a Car $$ Everything else

*December will have a 5th pay week. All extra funds that week will go towards saving for a new to me car. All 'monthly' expenses (ie Rent, Loans, ect) are considered extra money for that week.


I'll climb straight up a wall if I have to.

Monthly Climb!!!
Grand Total Last Month: $44,304.82
New Grand Total: $43,528.26
Amount Paid Off: $776.56


It was a good month. One holiday plus the 5th pay day from the previous month. Extra clean in my checking account. Don't think I'll see these numbers again for a while. I should make a goal amount to save up to before looking for a car. I think I might be able to grab a decent one for $2000? Time to start talking with people. Thank goodness there are more holidays coming.

November Budget & Climbing

Today didn't go quiet as planned. I was going to try and drum up some shopping scenarios for Rite aid & CVS this morning, but there was water pouring from the tub faucet non-stop! So instead of shopping I ended up sleeping as Sweetheart waited for a repairman to show up. (I would have been up if I had taken him into work) Apparently this little rubber washer that holds the water back snapped off. Oh joy . . . At least we live in an apartment so we don't need to worry about paying a plumber or something.


It was running like this. (Pardon the grim.)


Budget:
Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $40
Car Insurance $42
Cellphone $30
Free Money $60 *Varies slightly depending on second job
Gas $180
Groceries $100
Rent $280
Savings $40
Student Loans $497

Grand Total: $1372/month (Take home pay.)

As I have two CVS stores to coordinate with I have made some adjustments in case I don't get all the hours I need to make budget. I don't think I'll be off by more than an hour or two, but I don't want to be left with my head spinning if for some reason I end up with a five hour defecate or something. So I selected 3 categories I could hold off on putting in extra money if I had to. There are other places to cut back such as Free Money (trying to go with less will throw me over budget and then I might think 'forget it!') or Savings (which I plan on using to fill in gaps if I need to on the following categories), but they are not plausible for me.

1. Car repairs/upkeep $60 ~ I have extra in an account right now for the car. I can readily justify using emergency money toward this category if I need to.
2. Health $28 ~ Honestly not really worried, but you never know.
3. Clothing $40 ~ I think I got my absolute essentials for the time being. I want to ask for Gift Cards so I can buy clothing after the holidays.
4. Pay Off Loans! ~ Anything over and beyond will go towards paying off student loans.

Grand Total + 'extras' = $1500/month (Take Home Pay)

Mozart was always getting herself into high spaces. It always amazed me how far she could jump straight up. Then she would turn around and do something so klutzy I knew she was my cat. Mozart, I still miss you


Monthly Climb!
Grand Total Last Month: $44,560.87
New Grand Total: $44,304.82
Amount Paid Off: $256.05


What a SLOW month! Notice it's $497/month and I've only paid off $256.05? Where the heck does it all go?! One dreaded word when it's your debt . . . Interest. I didn't have much in extra funds at all this month. No holidays, no extra pay checks going to monthly expenses from the month prior, no over time and hardly any extra cash in (less than $1 each week) in the normal pay checks. Ouch!

Next time should be a lot better.
1. October had an extra pay period. Just need to wait for everything to clear.
2. There are two paid holidays in November and I'm working both of them. I'm not taking off an extra day for one of the weeks. (Although one of the pay checks won't show up until December.)
3. I got my tax refund from the county finally! I thought it would never come. I'm using some for birthday and holidays gifts. $200 straight to loan payment!
4. I hoping to 'rebalance' my main bank account again as it appears to be to much extra money in it. I'm not sure how it happened so I need to retrace my steps. Might have missed a few extra dollars here and there. Also I didn't use gas money up to the penny or grocery money. Now that groceries are in cash I just need to figure out the gas money.

October Budget & Climbing

No real changes from last month. One slight change will be where the cash for the rabbits comes from. I had been lumping in one account with the electric, but have lot track of how much was set aside for Snickers & Skittles. My part time job doesn't have direct deposit so I need to go to the bank any way. That's the week I take out my cash for everything I need. So into a new envelope the Bunnies budget goes.



Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $40
Car Insurance $42
Car repairs/upkeep $60
Cellphone $30
Clothing $40 *Still need more clothing.
Free Money $60 *Varies slightly depending on second job
Gas $200
Groceries $120
Health $28
Rent $280
Savings $40 *Maybe I should rename this cruise 2012 money?
Student Loans $497

Grand Total: $1540/month (Take home pay.)

I'm in the midst of attempting to get at least a partial transfer to a CVS that is closer to where I am living. Working two stores leaves the possibility of a few less hours a week. I'm attempting to make a plan to see if there isn't something to cut back on. These are the categories I think could get cut if need be:

Car $5/week ($20/month) - I had adjusted this up for the inspection, but I really should set aside more as Lizzy is almost 20 years old with 180,000+ miles on her. That's a load of miles! I worry from time to time that she'll just quit on me one day and never move again. She runs well for the time being, but it does nag at me every now & again.

Clothing $5/week ($20/month) - Increased to pay for the new clothes I need. I usually go through a spurt about once every two years or three years when I need to replace everything. (I really mean everything!) I'm unfortunately at the start of that spurt and hadn't saved up much previously. I should go shopping soon . . .

Free Money $5/week ($20/month) - That's about as far as I can cut it. I've tried working with less, but I can't stick with it. $15/week right now is difficult enough. $10 is tricky and anything less I'm sunk. You have to have some money to blow at some point right?

Gas $5-$10/week ($20-$80/month) - This will depend on the transfer. I'm very excited about this as it means less wear & tear on Lizzy, less gas and less time driving. I will make a perminate cut back as soon as I know how it changes my gas usage.

Groceries $5-$10/week ($20-$80/month) - I've been doing well with this category. It's been helpful as Sweetheart has treated us out so often. I would like to cut back on that a bit and start buying more produce. If only I had more time to cook?

Health $2-$7/week ($8-$28/month) - I could stop this all together if I really wanted to, however I don't believe that wise. I can easily picture stopping this small savings and then ended up in some freak accident with no way to pay. That seems to be the way things go in this world.

Savings $5-$10/week ($20-$80/month) - Again something I could stop if I really had to. The only consequence I can think of is being unable to keep my promise with my friends for my trip so far out. I'm sure I could think of something to get extra money saved up. (Holiday work anyone?)

Potential Cuts $22-$37/week ($88-$148) - Seems like a lot of money. It's more than I would like to cut out, but this is only a just in case sort of plan.




Monthly Climb!
Grand Total Last Month: $45,283.77
New Grand Total: $44,560.87
Amount Paid Off: $722.90


Again a little more than usual. $300 of the pay off is money that should have been put into debt repayment before, but I was worried about how expensive the car would be. I'm happy to say that she's running safely at this point and I still have a few hundred dollars if something should go wrong. ^_^

While Sept had an extra pay check from my part time job, it's all 'weekly' expenses, so no extra money this time. Oct has an extra pay period from CVS which I am very much looking forward to. I haven't decided if I should use the extra money to pay off debt or set it aside for holiday gifts. I think I'm going to need it for holiday gifts as I don't have a gifting budget! *sighs* Hopefully I can make something like that soon. (Maybe when I get a raise? That's not until late May early June.)

September Budget & Climbing

August went by so fast it's taken some time to register that it's September! What the heck? Time really flies. Slowly I'm making progress out of the gloomy pit, although sometimes when I look at the numbers I feel depressed. Why must it take so long! As my sister would say "I hate waiting it takes to long." Sweetheart's reply "Patience Darling, patience."

Bills (Electric) $103
Bunnies $40 *Don't need quiet as much as I thought
Car Insurance $42
Car repairs/upkeep $60 *Inspection for the 21st!
Cellphone $30
Clothing $40 *Still need more clothing, three pants, two bras wiped it clean already!
Free Money $60 *Varies slightly depending on second job
Gas $200
Groceries $120
Health $28
Rent $280
Savings $40 *I made a promise to go on a cruise with my girlfriends in 2012 before I started this debt climbing. Time to start saving because I am a girl of my word.
Student Loans $497 *closer looks means adjustments

Grand Total: $1540/month (Take home pay.)


Parent's Garden


Monthly Climb!
Grand Total Last Month: $45,791.67
New Grand Total: $45,283.77
Amount Paid Off: $507.90


July had an extra pay week from CVS, but I needed to wait and be sure it all cleared before applying it toward loans. The extra money was from the portion set aside for loans and rent. The next month with a fifth pay week will be October, but it will not be applied until November. This month there is a holiday so perhaps I'll have a little extra to spare again. Also I'm having the inspection done this month. Hopefully there will be something left over so that can go pay off more debt as well. We'll see because Lizy needs a lot of work!

August Budget & Climbing

It's time for the monthly look at the budget. Also to out exactly how much closer I've coming climbing out of this dark money pit of debt. First the discipline of the month.

Bills (Electric) $103 *slight increase for excepted winter bills
Bunnies $56 (see below)
Car Insurance $42
Car repairs/upkeep $60 *increase because I really should put more into the car
Cellphone $30
Clothing $40 *I'm in desperate need of new shirts, pants, bras . . . everything!
Free Money $60 *Actually varies slightly depending on second job
Gas $200
Groceries $120
Health $28
Rent $280
Savings $20
Student Loans $501

Grand Total: $1540/month (A more accurate account of my take home pay.)

New Category
Bunnies $56
I have rabbits. As it was I took money out of groceries, spending money or the extra dollars that should have gone to paying off my student loans to buy supplies for them. No more! They need their own separate budget. If you have a pet I would recommend doing this! Now you know exactly what you are spending on your beloved pets.

Looks like they've chewed at the twisty ties again. *sighs* The ties hold Plexiglas in place so they don't go kicking their litter & stuff all over the place. It helps keep the rest of their play area cleaner.

Monthly Climb!
Grand Total Last Month: $46,694.41
New Grand Total: $45,791.67
Amount Paid Off: $902.74

I couldn't take it any more with all that money sitting around. Not when I have so much debt! I know I said I was going to put it aside for car repairs, but I should have enough to cover it. Between a savings account for car repair specifically & an emergency fund I should be able to cover everything. If not it means it's time for a new car. So I took some of the money and put it towards a loan instead. That's why it's a relatively huge jump compared to last month. If I have extra after fixing the car something similar will happen.

July Budget & Climbing . . .

Time to look at my debt. Any time I've looked at the ending sum of my debt I've never felt like I was getting any where. I think that if I look to see how much I've paid off from month to month & have the ability to watch the principal slowly go downward as it picks up speed in dropping I will be much more satisfied.

Grand Total Last Month: $47,072.37
New Grand Total: $46,694.41
Amount Paid Off: $377.96

I don't plan on changing my budget from June to July. I need to get back into the swing of things again. To much changed all at once & I've been a bit lost in keeping up. Speaking of which I need to see how much extra was on that last pay check and balance my accounts again.

Bills (Electric) $100
Car Insurance $42
Car repairs/upkeep $48
Cellphone $30
Clothing $20
Free Money $60
Gas $200
Groceries $120
Health $28
Rent $280
Savings $20
Student Loans: $501

Grand Total: $1429/month

June Budget

This month is in need of some adjustments. There are three adjustments (marked with a *) to be made which will be explained after the listing.

Bills (Electric) $100*
Car Insurance $42
Car repairs/upkeep $48*
Cellphone $30
Clothing $20
Free Money $60
Gas $200
Groceries $120
Health $28*
Rent $280
Savings $20
Student Loans:
AES $257
Private loan $100
Direct Loan $65
Sallie Mae $79

Grand Total: $1429/month

Bills - now that the heat isn't on it's not as expensive. While I think I should move this back up, I need to shift some of the money to my car. (See here)

Car repairs - While the inspection isn't due until October, I want to get this done in August. If it costs way to much, I won't fix the car. It may mean it's time to find a new one. I'm hoping that doesn't happen. You never know though . . . (Again see here)

Health - I will finally be getting health insurance through my employer. 1. This money comes out pre-tax and I'll never see it. Can't 'accidentally' spend it on anything. This is also why it appears I've taken a pay cut. 2. It's cheaper over all. Now I can take the extra money that I original set aside to actually pay for doctors visits, scripts if I get sick or other health emergencies. 3. It's a much better health plan compared to what I had before. (Limit of two doctors visits a year!) While this doesn't start until 11th of the month to be taken from my pay check it's good to start early.

On another note, once I have my yearly review I should be getting a raise. I don't see why I wouldn't, but I never count on anything until I actual have it in hand. Like the tax refund from the county government, because my job payed the wrong county! Still waiting . . . it's been what? 6 weeks?

April/May Budget

April/May Budget

April is almost over, but the budget shouldn’t be changing much between now and next month. I’ll give this an initial posting and then hope to explain some ‘odd’ numbers from it.

Bills (Electric) $108.00
Car Insurance $42
Car repairs/upkeep $40
Cellphone $30.00
Clothing $20
Free Money $60
Gas $200
Groceries $120
Health $80
Rent $280
Savings $20
Student Loans:
AES $257
Private loan $100
Direct Loan $65
Sallie Mae $79

Grand Total: $1500/month

Bills – in my currently living arrangement the only thing I need to worry about is the electric. Some months are high than others. With that in mind I want to keep any ‘extra’ money from month to month for those times which require more electric to be used.

Car Insurance – currently I’m on a month to month plan, which is costing me about an extra $4 a month. With the next renewal I plan to switch to just pay all 6 months at once. I have very basic insurance. My car is probably worth less than $500. Yup, an old beat up thing. I don’t care. She’s all payed off my Lizy Luminia of the clan Chevy.

Car repairs/upkeep – This should be a lot higher! With a car approaching age 20 she needs a lot of work ever time inspection comes around, but I don’t have much extra to spare.

Cellphone – Still on one of those family plans with my parents. Next year we need to recalculate the price because dad never did when he added things like unlimited texting to all lines instead of just my sisters. He hardly ever uses his.

Clothing – I’m not a big shopper. Enough said.

Free Money – It is what it is. Each week I go to the bank and draw out some cash. This is all I have for my week of entertainment of any variety. Can be tough, but most weeks I find I still have a dollar or two left over.

Gas – Last post I mentioned living about 45-60 minute drive from my primary job. That eats up a lot of gas and old Lizy isn’t exactly the most eco-friendly car in the world.

Groceries – This is the amount I set aside to put toward food, toiletries and cleaning supplies. I do get an additional $40 from my sweet heart and with that I manage. I know this isn’t a lot, but combining with drugstore deals and coupons it is very possible to do. Every now and again I might dip into my ‘Free Money’ but I’ve never been hungry. Some people still look at me funny. One of my previous roommates told me “You don’t have to live like a pauper any more. We’re not in college.” I only looked and told her “This is what I can afford.” Her grocery budget is three times mine, but she is also the one who told me “I’ll always have a credit card payment. It’s the only way to get the stuff you want.”

Health – Currently I have an emergency health plan. Last year HR screwed up my open enrollment so I didn’t get the paper work in time. When the renewal comes up this cost will go down. Yea! That’s not until June 1st though.

Rent – I know this is a low number even with a roommate, my sweetheart. My sweetheart pays about $400 of the rent. He also pays for our internet. Unfair? He doesn’t pay for the electric or groceries except for that $40 I mentioned earlier. He knows I don’t have a lot of spare cash and he’s willing to help out with that.

Savings – Honestly I think I should just pay all the loans straight out. Realistically I need at least a little something to be going into savings. You never know what might happen.

Student Loans – Do I really need to explain?

One further note: Any extra money above and beyond get lumped into the student loan category. Currently I’m project to pay everything off (only paying the minium) in 15 to 20 years. I want to do it in 5. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to, but that is the goal.