I Am Back!

I have been away for just a short time. I had surgery on my foot last week and will be out of work for almost a month. Cashing in all of my sick days and a lot of vacation days but not a lot of choice. Being out of work and not able to walk has made me see a few things. I really can save money. I am also thinking of getting a small business started if I can work out the financing. I am selling on eBay since I have a lot of free time and getting my house truly organized. I am having some work done on the Bathroom and am planning on having just a few walls painted. Financially I am almost done paying back a loan so that's like an instant pay raise and I have just upped the percentage going into my 401K.

Update

So, gas is up a dime, I get paid early this week and my stimulus check should be rolling in over the next few days so my net worth at the end of the month should be very good especially is the market rebounds a little next week. I am taking 3 weeks off for surgery on my foot starting next week and it seems like a great time to work on financing for a side project I want to get started. Passive income here I come!

Another One Bites The Dust

I just paid off another credit card, only 3 more to go! Just a few m ore months till I am essentially debt free...

Where Did My Money Go?

Spending for the day I bought a new scale $70 at Bed Bath and Beyond + 20% off coupon. I also bought a clock radio there $30 + 20% off with my coupon. I saved $20 on items that I would need to buy and would not have found for less. Some may think a scale could be bought for less and it can but I had one by this company in the past and it lasted for years! I cleaned out my car and had a coupon for $1 off gas at the new gas station that opened around the corner and on next Wed. I have plans for an oil change, that's right it's "Ladies Day" at JuffyLube.

It's Burning

A small hole in my pocket, what did you think I was writing about? I really want to spend money. I want things, not saying I'm not going to buy anything. I got a coupon for $1 off gas so that's first then the cleaners, grocery for fruit. I have a brow appointment at 2 and tonight.... I'm going to the dog track. I haven't been in 15 years but I have got to get out and here in "South Georgia" it's slim pickings for entertainment!

Unexpected

I need an oil change & I have a headlight out I had no plans to spend this money. I guess yoga class is out for tonight :(

How I Handle My Money- The Basics

One of the best things I have ever done I learned at a workshop and that's how to separate my money. I set up five accounts.

1. Necessities= 60% mortgage, food, gas, electric
2. Education= 10% classes, seminars, books
3. Long Term Savings=10% investments
4. FO fund=10% aka emergency fund or when I finally decide to quit my job fund.
5. Play=10%!

I have deductions scheduled the day after my paycheck hits and it's sort of the no brainer way to budget for me. I also contribute to my 401K but I don't include that because it's pre-tax so I break down my paycheck after that money is out. I need to put more into my 401K so one of my goals is in September to start increasing it by 1% each month until I max it out. I am also putting any found money (bonuses, economic incentive checks, ebay sales) into my FO account.

Credit Cards

I have a total of 6 credit cards. Two are paid off as of last month, and of the remaining 4 I plan on paying 2 off next month $440 and then I set up automatic payments from a checking account to pay off the last two but that's down the road because I owe a few thousand on them. Once they all get paid off my net worth will go up a bit as will my FICO score and I also took them all out of my wallet so there is no temptation to use them. I did use one to send my mom flowers for Mothers Day, but she's my mom!

Seriously?

As if everyone hasn't complained about it but I paid $3.79 a gallon today for regular gas! I did check www.gasbuddy.com once I got home so I will try again on Tuesday to get it as cheap as I can and work it into my running around for the day. I understand why people are cooking more at home and not buying clothing. What will happen when it hits $4?

My First Post

I can't pretend that I'm sure of what I'm doing on here. I've never blogged or responded to posts on other blogs but I can tell you I've spent more than my fair share of time reading them. As I work myself toward financial freedom this is my journey. Here I list the tips highs and lows of getting to my goal of financial success. I am not a financial planner but I am very concerned with my own finances and a planner at heart, at home and at work. This blog is a work in progress so if you see something that works let me know or if you have a suggestion I'm open to it.