Getting Things Done

Another Navient loan has been paid off.  It's moving slowly, but working itself out.  Truly can't believe that it's taken me this long to decide that paying these debts off is really worth it.

DEBTS
Fed Loan Servicing $3,000, $71,000, and $116,000
Walden $6,447
Navient $10,000 and $11,000

No, I don't have a PhD, was close, but ran out of financial aid.  Told myself that I wasn't going to complete the program, now, I'm in a better place and know I can do it.

At one point, looking at my student loan debt made me sad.  Without it, I wouldn't have the career that I do.  Or be able to sustain my lifestyle, for this I'm thankful.

POSITIVE THINGS
Increase in Navy Federal card, went from secured $500 to unsecured $1000
Increase in First Premier card, went from $300 to $450
Started back making candles

Things are looking up and honestly, I don't know how I feel.  Sometimes I think that I have a predisposition to being sad.  Enough of that.  Don't take good things well at all.  Always looking for the negative in every situation.

In order to move to a better environment, these debts will have to be paid off.  No matter what.  I have a plan and it will work.

I've also been reading financial management books to help with doing better with my cash.

The Fed Loan $3,000 will be paid off before the end of the year.  I'll achieve financial freedom, working my plan and not losing track will help.  I got this.

Things are Getting Better

Today, I opened up an account with Ally Online Banking and I'm really looking forward to building money with this account.  It will not be easy to withdraw money, monthly, I will deposit $250 to build it so I can do some awesome with that money.

There are always so many things going on in my life that I tend to be a little scattered.  Hence, why I may not have achieved financial freedom.  Go figure.

Needs
Functioning vehicle
Trees removed from my backyard
Back of house finished
Fence fixed
Fascia board replaced entire house

Banking accounts
Kinetic
Navy Federal
Ally: deposit $250 or more monthly

There is really no true focus in my life.  There has been something going on where I can not focus.  It's really sad.  Or is it that I have so many things that I want to get accomplished that it's allowing me to be all over the place.

Goal for the rest of the month
Stop wasting money
Pay off Navient $1017
Cook and stop wasting food

Debts
Navient:  $1017 pay off the end of the month
Navient charged off :  $11,000 and $12,000 200 monthly
Federal Loan Servicing $3125  100 monthly
Medical:  $5683 25 monthly
Allied (Walden):  $6447 25 montly

I've ordered some candle wax to make candles for Betty's Only to get that back up and running.  That will be a way to make a little more cash.  Plus, it's fun.  I truly have no organization about my life, that's sad, but I am who I am, and I'm going to be who I be.

Using Digit and Ally will allow me to do the things that I need to do in order to have financial freedom.  This has been one of the hardest things I've ever done, but determination is the key to this all.  I can do it.  I know I can.  I checked my retirement account and it's looking pretty good.  Along side of my 403b, we will be alright.  Adding my Vanguard account and purchasing a property here and there, things are looking better.

Things to do
Continue to make money work for me, putting all extra cash toward debts and saving.  It can be done at the same time.
Get rid of things that don't serve me anymore, regardless of what it may be.
Focus
Believe in myself
Never give up
Focus on the good things in my life
Give thanks constantly
Clean and purify my space, surroundings, and mind
get the backyard and house like it should be.

I got this and it's alright!  Everything is alright, trust that!  Make the subtle changes and continue to believe in myself.

There are Blessings

Life goes on no matter what.  Bills, expenses, deaths, life, growth, hurt, pains, no matter what life goes on.  I've been looking at this thing called life and tragic as it seems, there are blessings in every aspect of it.  In my life there seems to always be an issue, the summer seems to be the biggest problem that I have.  Money always coming out, robbing Peter to pay Paul is the story of my life.  Through it all there are blessings.  Phone call after phone call, debt collectors constantly calling the house phone and cell makes me feel less of a person.  Yes, this does bother me, but at least I have income coming in.  I don't excessively spend, but no matter what there is always an issue.

Problems:
September bills
mortgage 1300 since I didn't pay for August
Walden 5000

I'm just tired of trying.  Come to find out I only have 12.78 years of teaching.  30 in order to retire.  Can't pay for this Phd program on my own.  Really feel like giving up and that I think I'm going to do.  Don't know whether I'm coming or going.  Whatever I try to do lately ends of failing.  Through it all there are blessings.  I have my health, a handsome baby boy that was unexpected, I'm cancer free, a mother that loves me, a roof over my head, 2 vehicles, I could go on and on.

Even though my finances aren't what I would like them to be there are several blessings that I receive.  I'm going to say thank you for them and I'm ready to receive the ones for my future.

Getting Older

When it rains it pours.  The summer seems to be a trying time for me yearly when it comes to finances.  I get ahead and fall back.

Things that have happened:
Liam 1200
delivery 1700
Walden 5000
overdrawn in my account

It just doesn't seem to stop.  Put the house on Oneal on HAP and it took the money that I got from my baby shower.  Did I mention that someone has my card number and tried to access it.  They ran .12 in St. Louis to see if I had money on my card.  Luckily, I was overdrawn so it didn't charge.  The perks of being overdrawn.

Now, I have to pay other things that didn't clear for the past couple of months.  For instance, my power bill it's 260, this is two months worth of payments.  Then, I got a bill from my car note stating I owe 460 and that's more than I normally pay for my car note.  What the what?  Something has to give.  Get two steps ahead and fall back so much more.

Overall, I'm healthy.  Did I mention medical bills.  I got my credit report for 1 and my score is awful.  Can't seem to get ahead.  Plus, these student loans are killing me and that's for real.

All I can do is take every day one at a time and do what needs to be done to get things in order.  Did I mention, I want to move the year of me turning 40.  That's within the 15-16 year.  Right now, I need to get everything in order so that I can make that move.

Things that need to be done:
Make a payment plan with Walden
Make a payment plan with mom
Pay off 2 things on credit report
Get Sallie Mae off my back

Life continues to move forward and it depends on how you receive it.  I'll probably be overdrawn this month too in my account.  Robbing Peter to pay Paul, can't seem to get it together.  Always money issues.  Need to keep gas in the cars, food on the table, and be able to survive for the rest of the month.  Plus, I'm on maternity leave and it's going to take money out of check because I don't have the amount of days.  See, it just doesn't stop.  Where there's a will there's a way.

Marybelle only has 15 months left before she's paid off that's a good thing.  Once that's done, that money can go toward something else.  The life of an adult.  You gotta love it!

I can only Go Up

My credit scores range from 506-561.  I am working on paying off all the things that I can.  For instance, there are 4 outstanding accounts that need to be paid.  I have a thought, I have money that I don't want to spend, but let build, borrow off of that money and pay it off.  Continue to save and put the money where it is most needed.  

There has been some excessive spending here and there, but if I continue to cook, that will help me save some cash.  I purchased a ledger, this should help me keep up with all of my finances.  I can make this work.  

Order for taking care of these bills, I sent in $200 today, the final payment will be mailed by the end of this month.  The total cost is $464.

Directv $464

ADT    $1064

Medical $900

Medical $574

Pay $200 everything month until they are all paid off.  I did pay for my braces, no more payments on that.  I paid for 2 months of storage.  Not paying that bill after the end of this month.  I have to do right by my finances.  Plus, the property management is working out.  The place has been rented out.  All extra monies, put in a good place.  I did sign up to do a outside yard sell.  This will give me a chance to sell the candles, but the weather really looks bad.  

I must not do wrong by the money, I keep saying that.  I don't want to end up with nothing to show for what I had.  I know I waste much, but I can't continue to do that.  Overall, I feel good about where I am going and what is going on.  

Things I've gotten rid of

Directv               140 a month

Caller Tunes

Braces paid in full  100 a month

Ancestry.com  

Things I need to get rid of

Wireless card 

Anyway that I can cut corners I will try, the only reason I haven't gotten rid of the home line is that it's connected to my security system.  

Plus, I am going to take some time off from school and Sallie Mae has been calling and calling.  Majority of my debt is student loans.  When looking at my credit report, I really don't have bad debt.  I do have a credit card with a $300 limit.  Paying off the above debts would help my score much.  My goal is to have at least a 650 credit score by the end of the year.  I do believe that can be done if I keep putting money where it should be.  As long as I owe, the money I make is not mine.  In my mind, when I get ready to spend put that money toward a debt.  

Paying off debt is very important to me and it may get obsessive.  Have to have something to worry over.  

Bills that I pay

mortgage

water

power

gas

Netflix

Hulu2

TMobile

The money that is left over should go to debt.  Did I mention I am going on a trip this summer.  I have to get this paid for soon.  

I haven't been the best financial planner, I know, but I can and will handle this issue.  

My Plan

This is My Plan, I hope you can read it!

Click on it, this will make it bigger.

It will take dedication and focus. I have a plan and in order to make it work sacrifice will be my best friend. I am looking forward to longevity. The now is important, but my future is what I am looking forward to. In order to make it happen, money has to be saved. Wants will be placed on hold. The only thing that I will spend money on the necessities. Working the after school and Saturday programs will give me more money. This will all come in handy. Looking forward to the new changes and financial freedom. I vow to have financial freedom by 2011. Making these subtle life changes will benefit me in the long run. I know the things I want and in order to achieve them things have to change. The time to change is now and it all starts with me.

Better Days

Regardless of how I feel the days keep on moving by. Whenever I think of where I should be, I have to remember to be thankful for all of the things I have accomplished throughout my life. There is so much that I want out of life that sometimes I get down and out. Something I have learned is that I can't make anyone happy, but myself. That is what I am striving to do. I have created my six year plan and like I always say sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. In my life, I can give others all of the advice they need. For some reason I can't give myself sound advice. I know how I feel and what needs to be done, but I can't seem to do anything. It seems as if I get two steps ahead and fall one back. That may be the story of my life.

Making More Money
In order to make more money, I have started working the after school and Saturday programs. That will give me 16 hours more of my hourly rate a month. The money will be put to good use. Also, my financial aid was reinstated. Due to all of the financial issues I have been facing the past few months, I don't have a savings anymore. I will use this month to replenish the missing cash.

With all of the financial woes, I haven't purchased all of my books for one course. I spoke with the professor last week to inform him of my issue, he understood. I ordered the books the other day, hopefully, they will be here by the end of the week.

My plans for school this week

• Complete all articles for KAM I
• Send articles to Dr. Moller
• Complete all back assignments
• Complete all other assignments

October Debt

• T-Mobile 64.00
• Knology 75.00
• Mediacom 94.00
• braces 109.00
• US Dept of Education 25.00
• doctors bill 150.00
• Suntrust 579.00
• Bank of America 567.86
• mom 100.00
• First Premiere 100.00
• savings 850.00

Things Needed to Get Fixed to Move

• 3 ceiling fans
• 2 doors
• walls fixed
• paint for both rooms
• spray for house
• tree limbs cut off of roof
• shrubs cut from around house

Am I in Control?

Control has to be brought back to my life. Floating throughout life is not an option for me. I have big plans for the future. Six year plan is what I am looking forward to taking care of. There are so many things to life and I want them all.

What needs to be paid off in order to be able to move during the Summer of 2010.

• Tax Lien 4,999 (not exact)

Big Plans

Big plans for the future. What I see for my future is owning several properties, group homes, selling candles, and being an Instructional Technologist. How will I make all of these things happen? The plans are falling in place now. Take my time, save money, organize my thoughts and efforts, and continue to know that I can do all things.

What Changes Do I need to Make?

This month I haven't been doing the right thing with my money. Spending on unnecessary items, that really don't mean a thing. To be truthful, I don't know how much money I have spent since the beginning of the month. All I know is that it is much more then I wanted to spend. We have been eating out everday and that is more money coming out.

Walden University
I passed my courses this past term. I am taking two courses now and my independent study. Paying for school was trying and it let me know that I make a decent amount of money. It is all about doing the right thing with my cash. Now that another term has started I am waiting until tomorrow to find out if my GPA has increased. This will allow me to get financial aid which is greatly needed.

Paying Bills On Time
Thinking about my finances has me realizing that I have late fees on my accounts due to paying my bills when I get paid at the end of the month. Starting this month, I will pay my bills when they come.

Tax Lien
Disputing the tax lien made a major difference in how much I have to pay. In the beginning the tax lien was almost $12,000. Now it is $6,000 and that will be paid off by the end of the year. Paying the lien will allow us to finally be able to move and for me to get more properties.

Online Banking
The strangest thing happened with my online banking. Monthly, I pay for my braces using this service. In the mail, I received a late statement for $243.00. This is a late payment for May and June's regular cost. What has happened? May's bill has not been paid. The last time that I talked with secretary at the orthodontist office the May payment came the June's. I owe a late payment for this. Where was the check? This was an incident that occured that can't be explained. I have learned and I am truly thinking of taking the payment with me from now on. I will have to see first.

Things that I have done
windshield wipers
back speaker fixed

Things needed to do
sell candles
renew Betty's Only
raining and headliner (Liam)
new tires
grill fixed (Liam)
pass classes
get financial aid
get passport

June Bill's
T-Mobile $60.00
Water $90.00
Geico $221.00
Braces $109.00
Wachovia $200.00
Tax Lien $200.00
US Dept of Education $25.00

These are the things that I am currently experiencing. Daily, I learn from others and try to stay focused on what is important in my life. There is still so much more to learn. My posts are about my life and what it takes for me to obtain the financial security. Growing and building is what I am focused on. All I can tell you is what I know and read from others.

What are your Future Plans?

There are many things that are going on in today's world. It is up to you to make the decision to do the right thing at all times. Life happens and I know it is hard to stay focused and motivated to stay on top of your goals. When it is all said and done you are the one in control of your life. It is easy to make excuses for the things that we do, don't do, or mess up on, but ultimately it is our responsibility.

100 Things You want to Do

When you have a chance, write a list of 100 things you want to do in your life. No matter how menial or boring you may think it is write the list. The purpose of the list is for you to think outside of the box. We get so caught up with what we see others have that we lose site of what is important to us. Live for tomorrow. Eventhough today is here, what we do today can have a drastic influence on your life tomorrow.

Writing the list will broaden your horizons and it may open your mind to new things. Step outside of what you see on a daily basis. The world is a vast place and there are many things to do that you would never imagine. Break the cycle and be your own fire starter, do things different you will not have any regrets.

My Financial Future

I no longer have a car note. That is a blessing in disguise. $311.56 will be going toward a undergraduate loan. As long as I owe, the money I make does not belong to me.

I cut my minutes on my cell phone to 600 a month. I also cut my text messages from 1000 to 500.

Now, I have to work on the cable. I need to decide what channel(s) I am willing to let go. That is crazy, I don't watch that much tv, but it does come in handy.

I also paid off ING. That is $69.00 saved a month.

I checked out my credit report and I had a $80.00 debt. I mailed that payment off last week.

As for the $8,000 lien on my report, I haven't heard anything back.

School has started back. $4,280 will be paid by the end of May. It must be paid or I can't register for the next term. Can't go into a term owing money. I am not sweating this it will work itself out.

Overall, I am Proud of Myself

Overall, I am proud of my financial success thus far. There will be stumbling blocks, but it all depends on how they are handled. Right now, I have my eye on the prize. My prize is eliminating all of my undergraduate debt. Once, this is done, I will qualify to have money taken off of my student loans due to working in a Title I school.

So, congratulations to me for the things that I have worked through. It hasn't been a walk in the park, but it has taught me how to handle my finances. I know what to do.

I am Proud of You

Congratulations to you if you have started working on sorting out your money. Don't be afraid. Any small step is better then none. Take the time out to get your money in order. I did. If I can, you can too.

Special Thanks

Retire at 40

Millionaire Mom Next Door

I follow your blogs and I am glad that I do. Your posts are very inspirational and motivating. Thanks for being out there for me to follow.

Top 5 Financial Secrets You Must Use

These steps started my debt relief. I am not saying these will work for you, but they have made dramatic changes in my finances.

1. I Cut up My Debit Card: Cutting up my debit card allowed me to stop overdrawing in my checking account. I would use my debit card to purchase things I wanted, needed, and sometimes things just to soothe that spending urge. I would sometimes owe over $200.00 in overdrawn fees. That's ridiculous, once I cut it up I started to get money out of my account for two weeks at a time. Once that money was gone, I don't get anymore out. This has also stopped impulsive spending and wasting money on useless items.

2. Fill Up on Gas at Half a Tank: I usually have to fill up on gas once every week and a half. When I fill up I spend $65. Filling up at half a tank, I spend $20 every week. Even though I am filling up more, I am still saving cash. For instance, filling up I would spend $195 for the month. Filling up on half a tank for 4 weeks would cost $80. For the month it is a total of $115 a month and $1380 for the year.

3. Anytime I Withdraw Money from my Checking Account I put Equal Amounts Towards a Debt: I try not to take out large amounts of money whenever I withdraw from my account, but when I do I put equal amounts toward Liam (99 Land Rover). This insures that I put money to good use and it will help eliminate debt faster. If I just withdrew money and let the other money stay, I would withdraw it and use it toward something useless. Putting money toward Liam will cut interest and cut the length of time I will be paying on him.

4. Eating all the Food I Cook: Have you ever thought about the food that you waste daily? I know, I cook and yes, I do eat left overs, but sometimes I just don't want that anymore. I have started taking my lunch to work daily and making my lunch for a few days. This saves time and energy. I also cook 2 or 3 meals at a time to give variety.

For example: For Christmas we had a fried turkey, we ate on that for a few days, but it got boring. I made turkey a la king. That was something different and I reinvented the turkey. Instead of throwing away the remaining turkey I created a totally new meal.

Now, that I have been stretching meals, I am not spending money on eating out and not wasting food (that is throwing away money that could be put toward debt).

5. Turn Cooper into Silver: Whenever I go to the grocery store, drive through, or spend cash period, I give them the dollar amount plus pennies too. Example: My food cost $4.27. I give $5.02 and get $.75 in return. I turned cooper into silver. Sometimes they look at me like I am crazy, but it makes sense. I may only have had $.02 in my wallet, now I have $.75. I thought that was neat. The extra change that I make I put it in my Tootsie Roll bank. When the bank fills, I take it to my bank and cash it in. That money is used on a debt.

I don't claim to be a financial advisor, but these are steps that I have taken to help me in my financial journey. I have a plan and I know it will work with determination, support, reading, and interacting with others that are doing what I set out to do. I know I will make mistakes, but I will achieve financial success.

Oops I did it Again!!!!!!!

I did it again, I will not reveal what wrong I have done, but it was not a good one. What I will say is that I cut up my check card, I had to do it for the betterment of my checking account. I honestly don't know what happened, I take that back, I do know what happened. I didn't make a budget and stick with it. Knowing is half the battle.

On a lighter note, I have paid ING so that is scratched off my list of things that I need to pay. Again, knowing is half the battle. I know the problems that I have and I am willing to make a change. The change has to start somewhere, if it doesn't I will not achieve the financial freedom that I deserve.

This mistake has really made me angry with myself, but why get angry? Anger is not going to correct the problem at hand. This financial freedom thing is similiar to weight loss. It all starts with me. I am the only person that can get this thing going. It has already began, but I must be mindful of the pitfalls that lay ahead.

I get paid next Friday and the check is already gone. Recovery, recovery, recovery, is the word of the day for me. I have to recover from the problems that I have given myself. It is sad, it really is, but one day in the near future I am going to look at the problems and challenges I have faced and say it was all worth.

Thanks to everyone that has been reading this blog. Hopefully my daily struggles will help you achieve financial success. Also, thanks for following me! I am slowly making progress.

This link has 5 Best Ways to Reduce Debt

http://www.walletpop.com/top5/reduce-debt

You Get What You Ask For

I asked for more money and it is coming to me. I started working the morning tutorial. I have to be at work Monday-Thursday at 7:00 am, that is alright because I get my hourly rate. Great for me. I used to coach a few years back and now I have been asked to coach again. Ya! for me! I am so excited. The money will go to good use because I am about to embark on some new endeavors in my life. The extra money can be put to good. For instance, I wanted to have my truck paid off by December, but of course things happen and I am not able to get that done. So it will be paid off by February 09. The extra cash can help me achieve many goals and put up money to support my future goals.

All I have to say is that things happen for a reason and you get what you ask for. I will put this extra money to good use and not blow it. I have learned much and I have debt and my ultimate goal is to have financial freedom and I know I can achieve it.

How to Get Good Credit

Taking Action

This may help.



www.oneminuteu.com

I Know I Can Get Anything Done

Out of the four things I wanted to accomplish I have done one. I paid off the $50.00 debt. That is a good thing. My credit score dropped from 641 to 629. I guess this was due to identifying the debt. I don't know, all I do know is it dropped 12 points.

There are several things I set out to do, but where unable to accomplish them. It is hard to stay focused on my goals when the unexpected always seems to appear. The extra money that I am spending on overdraft fees could go to savings or getting Liam paid off. No need to dwell on my past mistakes. Just continue to look toward the future. Better myself in all areas. November definitely no overdrafts at all. Christmas is coming up and I am not getting any younger. Making the right decisions is key.

I honestly enjoy writing this. It always me to express my views and my money and how and what I do with it. I know I don't always make the right financial decisions, but I am on the right path. For instance, I have assets, my houses. I want more houses, but its a matter of building my credit score up. Things take time and patience. My credit score will come up and when it does, I will be ready to receive all of the benefits of having a higher credit score. Refinance both houses will be a main thing. I have two 30 year mortgages. I will refinance for 15 years and be finished paying on them by the time I am 45, not 63. That is serious. Enough rambling below are some money related websites. Enjoy and thank you for reading what I have to say.

Refinancing Blogs
http://www.realestaterefinanceblog.com/
The Real Estate Refinance Blog
Home Mortgage Refinance Blog

Avoiding Overdraft
How not to overdraft your checking account - Banking Basics - Helium
Budgets are Sexy.: When you overdraw your checking account does ...
TCF Bank - Tips to Avoid Overdraft and Deposit Service Fees

Eliminating Debt
AskMen.com - Eliminate debt
Dr. Phil.com - Advice - An Action Plan for Eliminating Debt
http://blogs.moneycentral.msn.com/smartspending/archive/2008/08/05/10-simple-steps-to-eliminating-debt.aspx

Where there's a Will there's a Way

Goals for the month are not that outstanding, but they are things that can be accomplished.

1. No overdrawing in my account: I understand how detrimental this is to my financial report cared, but sometimes things come up that are unforseen.
2. Get a will: This is much needed especially with having assets, that I don't want the state taking control of. You can get a template of a will online and take it to the government center and have them file it. Instead of getting a lawyer and going that route.
3. Save money and not spend all of it: This is very important, spending more than I earn is not what's up. Having something to fall back on is a must.
4. Pay off a $50.00 debt on my credit report: I can't believe my credit score dropped. The only thing that needs to be paid is this. I have other things, but they are in good standing.

It is sometimes hard to do the right thing, but doing right by your money is what we all need to do. We wonder why we don't have enough to be able to have that wonderful vacation. All is needed is to budget and not overspend. Make plans and decide how you will obtain your goal. My biggest enemy is myself and I will overcome what is stopping me from achieving my dreams.

Financial Planning
Beachgirl's Budget Blog
EasyBudgeting's Personal Finance Blog
Jaeneen's Favorite Blogs // Budgeting Blogs // BlogCatalog

Continue to do right by your money. Everything you want you don't need! Put your money to work for you! Use is wisely and watch your money change!

Anything is Possible

This weekend I hung out with my friends from college. Everyone is doing good and making positive moves. Mecca Davis is the owner of Mecca's Essential Bath Salts. She brought some with her and everyone was so excited and motivated about her product. What we tend to not do is invest in ourselves. She was interested in salts, she started making them on her own and now she has a thriving business. Something else that I see is that we don't support one another. Other cultures help each other and send people to them for support. What I want to see is us networking and supporting one anther's goals and ideas. I have many friends that are being creative and stepping outside of the box and doing things that they enjoy. Thank you to those that read my blog and take notice to what I have to say.

Raquel, it was my pleasure meeting you. Ladies as always, I enjoy your company and love spending time with you catching up on all the great things that have happened in your life. We are maturing and making great advancements. Being stagnant is not an option.

Today, for you, take time out of your busy schedule and give thanks for your successes and downfalls, because without them you would not be the beautiful individual that you are today. Learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. This weekend I learned that there is more to life than the now. Make things happen and do things differently. Don't wake up one day and say where did all the time go. Be adventurous and step out of the box.

Some things that will help you get it together:

Do a self assessment to find out what you are interested in.

Make a poster of things you are interested in.

Explore your future.

Prepare for the worst.

Step out on faith.

These are the links to my wonderful friends sites. Everyone is doing great things and you may be able to learn from them. If not support their endeavors. Enjoy!

Abysmal Publishing, LLC

Mecca's Essential Salts & Bath Products

Stacks Entertainment SE Events

FREE-IVF.com - Free In Vitro Fertilization Infertility Stories

Grow, Build, Prosper, and Mature! Thanks All!

It is Never Too Late

Today, I started a 403b with my job. I had one before with Valic, but haven't been contributing to it for a while. As a matter of fact, I just borrowed from that one earlier this year. I am currently paying it off. Valic is owned by AIG and the government bailed them out not to long ago. Will Valic be around for the next few years? Who knows? Especially with the way the economy is today. My plan is to continue to invest in my 403b and add 100.00 more yearly. I am so behind, but it is better late then never, right?

I think it is a good idea to diversity. Have funds built up in a variety of areas. I am learning and know that where there is a will there is a way. I am 33 and not getting any younger. I will continue to learn from others and put my best foot forward.

I also went to put in an application at one of the junior colleges in the area. Let's see where that will go. Extra money is always great. Making money online is also another option too. How to do that? I put this site on http://www.feedburner.com/ and I need to optimize it. I know it takes a few days for sites to crawl. It's funny how many have made money online without any efforts. What's the problem? Is it me? I will continue to do my best and put money in the right places. Do right by my houses, get a cd, continue to invest in my 403b, and learn more about the stock market.

Overall, I want to be comfortable when I get older and before then. I want to enjoy my life and be able to have the things that I want. I also want to help others have there dreams. If I write something that will help you, I have done my part.

Below are some random sites that you may find interesting:

http://www.balancetrack.org/moneymanagement/index.html

http://www.mymoney.gov/

http://www.pitecreative.com/staging/caps/

Financial Meeting

We met Thursday and came up with many things that will help us on our financial journey. Ms. Jamison talked about Standard IRA and a Roth IRA these are things that people need to invest in. I will get one before the end of the year. The money matures and I do believe they are better to have instead of a CD. She also talked about investing in a cell phone company. For instance Samsung. I said Samsung because many service providers use Samsung phones. The next time we meet I will have more information on how to invest in the stock market. Mara, talked about her Web Page certification and building a variety of websites. She is working hard to get the web pages up and running. Johnathan has changed his business cards and is not looking back. As for me, by the next time we meet I will have a lawyer and my will will be done. Lables will be done for the candles and my website will be up and running. Like I stated earlier, I will also have information on investing in the stock market. My credit score should be up a few points by the next time we meet. Mo, needs to take a career assessment test to see what she may be interested in. Overall, I do look forward to our meetings because it gives us a chance to talk about our financial goals, problems, successes, and desires. I would recommend all to get with a group of like minded individuals and start a money management group. The group will help you get on the right path and allows you to be able to talk to people about your thoughts and views. I look forward to meeting with them because they help me think out my financial problems and they motivate me to get things done.

Below are some links to how to invest in the stock market:

http://beginnersinvest.about.com/od/investing101/a/invest_in_stock.htm

http://www.candlestickforum.com/ppf/parameters/11_867_/candlestick.asp

http://www.greekshares.com/

http://ustrust.bankofamerica.com/?cm_mmc=GWIM-Multiple-_-Google-PS-_-stock%20market%20investing-_-USTInvesting

http://www.howtoinvestinstocks.net/

If you are interested in the stock market please use these links. If you already invest in the stock market let me know how you do it.

Day One of My Financial Success

For the last 8 years I have been teaching. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy my job, but I haven't been doing right by my money. Working 5 days a week can take a toll on you. I don't believe that all of our time should be spent working like this. I have had financial success, but not to the extent that I want. I am 33 years old with no savings and I am definitely not at the place where I thought I would be financially. I make candles and have been doing that for some time, but not where I want to be. I am currently working on building a website for them. People come to me and ask for candles for gifts, but I know I could do much better in that area. My goals here are to discuss my financial success. I know I can achieve it and with a audience I think I will do better.
During the month of July, I started a Financial Planning/Support Group. We meet monthly to discuss our financial goals as well as personal goals. There are only 6 of us, but we have been working diligently to help each other obtain our goals. The first thing we discussed was our credit history and scores. Many people are afraid to talk about money or even look at there finances. How can you know if you are afraid to find out? So for the month of August everyone had to find out their credit history. When we met in August everyone found out that information and had started paying things off or even disputing the information. We used http://www.freecreditreport.com/ to find out our credit history. Many of us had things on our report that was old, or wasn't our, we had no clue about it, or the information was just wrong. For $39.95 a month you can get all three reports and scores. You can only dispute with Experian online.

The addresses for Experian and Equifax are:
Exquifax
Equifax Information Services LLC

P.O. Box 740256

Atlanta, GA 30374-0256

Transunion
TransUnion Customer Relations

P.O. Box 1000

Chester, PA 19022

Also, you are eligible for one free credit report a year depending on your state. If you have never obtained a copy of your report please do so. This report doesn't come with your score, but the report is a great start.

Starting at the end of this month, I will save $450.00 dollars for the entire school year. Every time I try to do this something happens. The element of surprise is something we have no way of planning for.

Below you will find a list of my financial goals:
Save $450.00 for 8 months: $3600.00
Truck paid off January 09 balance of $3,930.54
Save money
Don't Overdraw in my Checking Account
Stop borrowing money
Learn about investing in the Stock Market
Build money with current properties
Refinance both homes
Pay off Student Loans
Make money online
Stop spending unnecessarily

These are just a few things that I am going to achieve. I will post every other day to let you know my ups and downs. Things I have learned and even things that where not successful. I would like to do all of these things in at least 3 years to date.