Who's Life is It?

That's the big question.  Of course it is mine, but it seems like it is my debt collectors.  As long as I owe people, the money I make isn't mine.  With that being said, I have hit the ground running paying of all of these student loan bills. 

This is really a big time in my life.  Having this 3 year old that I am responsible for and wanting more for me life has added a push o my life.  There are many things that I have accomplished, but there is so much more.  

Paying things off is a priority.  What's funny is that I have extra money to put toward my debt, that I didn't realize I had before.  Maybe my mindset has changed who knows?

Things are getting better, and I truly see that!  Now, to put things in action and continue to do right by my money, myself, time, and others.  

The Road to Financial Freedom
Fed Loan                         3006.72  August 200 a month
Allied Account Services  6372 Walden University 50 a month 
Navient                         11,420.16 payment arrangement 200 until meet original debt (these debts are combined)
                                    12,297.98  payment arrangement 200 until meet original debt
Fed Loan                      71,066.74   service loan forgiveness  60 (these debts are combined to be paid for 10 years and loan will be forgiven)
                                    115,655.08  

All together, about 500 a month I'm paying to eliminate this debt.  Much of this needs to be
paid off in order for me to move.  Which I'm truly looking forward to.  Will not have extreme 
mortgage payment.  No longer will I be a victim to debt.    

As you see, I have the most student loan debt.  With that being said, paying off these debts 
makes me feel like I can do anything.  When a debt has been paid, I feel a sense of relief.  One thing down and a few more to go.  

Having all of this debt has really made me feel like a loser, failure, and inadequate.  When my credit is looked at people say, "You really don't have bad credit, if you didn't have those student loans."  That's the truth.  I have several student loans, which have been consolidated.  I left out the loans that are prior to 1998, this will allow me to qualify for Teacher Loan Forgiveness.  

The sad thing is I really didn't have much time to complete my PhD.  I am everything, but my dissertation.  This where all of the debt came into play.  I've contacted Walden, but I know regardless, the 6372 must be paid off before school is even thought about.  What I'm thinking is close to 15000 is needed in order for me to get back n and complete my PhD.  

During my depressive state, completing my PhD was not an option.  Completely decided that I didn't deserve it, it wasn't worth it, and what is the point.  In my previous life, I never liked for things to be incomplete.  And here we are!  

Once I got over myself and things started looking up, the thought came that I am totally worth it.  

Positive Things
Vanguard Account
Valic
Ally
Digit
Roth IRA
Traditional IRA
Personal Capital 

In all honesty, things really aren't that bad.  I can take care of myself and my baby, so we are good.

Celebrations
Started back making candles (Betty's Only)
My health is better, taking Nature Throid instead of Synthroid
Changed my lifestyle
Interacting more
Taking piano lessons
Jekyll Island
Hot Yoga class
Chucky Cheese
Swim lessons
Paying off debt
He's happy and healthy

Working on myself is the best thing I can do for everyone!  Once, I put myself first things started changing for the better.  Honestly, I take things personal and that prevents me from interacting for real, but overall, I am good.  Let me rephrase that, we are good!
              

It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better

Yes, I have been spending money.  No, it's been on need things.  Not all of it, but there are things I have gotten done.  For instance, I got the beams in the front on the house replaced.  That was really needed.  I haven't been cooking haven't felt like it.  There's something going on, and I don't know what it is.  I am not comfortable in my house and looking forward to being just that comfortable. 

My credit score has dropped lower than it what.  I do believe that it will be a quick fix.  Last year, I took out a personal loan to pay for school being that I have exhausted all chances of financial aid.  I am currently still in school and this should (I hope be deferred).  Once that is handled the score will go back up. 

There are several debts that have been paid off.  Now that there is no financial aid for me, I have to pay for school on my own.  It's really not that bad, but $2,000 every 4 months is alright.  At the same time pay off debt as well as eliminate it.  We will see how this cookie is going to crumble. 

Walden $2,500 per term June-September
mortgage $650
Roku (Netflix and Hulu Plus) $ 21.00
TMobile $150
Charter $65
Water
Power
Gas
$650 on credit report
medical $1064

It seems that the more you cut back, the more comes your way.  I have no more cable, disconnected several things that I didn't need.  I've been selling things are Craigslist and using that money to pay off a debt.  I even bought a piggy bank and that change goes toward debt.  I have said it before and will continue to as long as I am not financially stable.  As long as I owe, the money I make isn't mine.  Of course, I must sustain myself, but the excessive spending has to stop somewhere.  In the meantime, continue to grow in comfort in my home. 

Did I mention:
Hose on Liam, heavy noise
Marybelle  new tires

It's always something.  That's what one would call living!  There are still several things that could be sold and I will continue to do that.  I did sell a box spring and mattress today.  So things are working themselves out. 

I also thought that I have been teaching for 14 years coming up and it's time that I decide what the next few years are going to bring. 

I Think I am Getting Fed Up

Hello, it has been a long time coming. This school term is coming to an end. I don't have all of my grades, but in one class I have a 98.8. Hopefully all of my grades are good. Using this blog for my distance education course has been helpful, but it has taken away from my posting on the blog.

Things that have been Going On
Work started back the beginning of this month, this has been really tiring for me. As a matter of fact, I am tired right now. Just getting back into the swing of getting up at 6:00 am, taking a shower, to make it to work by 7:30 am, and be on duty by 7:40 am. Staying at work until 4:00 pm Monday through Friday for 180 days, does take a toll on the body. Not only that, dealing with middle school age children and co-workers can be stressful.

Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy my job and am proud to have one. Teaching for 9 years, the time has flown by. I have said time and time again, that I want another job. Thinking about it, going through the interview process can be more stressful then the actual job itself. To some degree I feel that I can't do anything else. I don't know, it is somewhat discouraging being in a position that you want to change, but don't have the motivation to change it.

Working for 9 years has given me money to do the things that I want. Truthfully, I am not where I want to be. Using My Financial Success has allowed me to organize my finances and be able to pay off my debts and get my bills to under $500 a month. That took time and dedication.

July and August have been very intense months financially for me. There have been some things that I was trying to do, that took away from my savings. Still recouping from that. Also, having to pay for school made a big change in my life. Mentally, I have gotten to a point that I am tired of being in school and really need to do what it takes to get it done. Today ends this term. Now, there are only 3 courses, 3 KAMs, 2 residencies, and 1 dissertation until I am done. So looking forward to that.

Currently, I had to go into my savings, which is fine. Reorganizing my finances has been something that I needed to do for the betterment of me. For the last few years I have been saying 40 retire. Well, that is 6 years from now. I also said that at the end of this school year I would not renew my contract. I don't see that. What will happen is work until school is done. I don't know how long it will be before I am able to receive financial aid. If I am unable to get it I will continue to pay for school. If I am able to get it, I will use it and that will be more money coming to me. That is a true catch twenty-two.

My Bill's
Wachovia $100.00 ($2,555.57)
US Dept of Edu $25.00 (13,402.56)
Knology $ $70.04
Mediacom $93.94
Braces $109.00
Geico
credit card $50.00
tax lien $990.00 ($5,500)

Plans for the Future
Of course, I have to pay for school that is a priority. I also had to borrow money from my mom that will be paid back at the end of this month. I still haven't paid anything on the tax lien. My portion will be paid at the end of this month too. Don't go to the beach this summer. I plan to go for Labor Day just need some type of relaxation.

Sometimes I can't see the forest for the trees. That's neither here nor there.
Walden University: $2,000 per month (October and November)
savings: $2,000 per month (September, December, and January)

Giving instructions is something that I enjoy, but I don't know what the future holds for education nor our youth. The teacher has been tasks with so many objectives that teaching really is the last thing that there is to do. I know I will not put in 25 years in the classroom. I am already tired and school just started. To me, my out is real estate. 10 properties by the time I am 40. There has to be a better way. There is it is just up to me to make it happen.

If this has seemed jumbled or just not fluid forgive me, this is how I feel right now. These are random thoughts that need to be put into action. In the words of Tim Gunn, I will make it work.

Another 190 Days

Looking back over the summer, I really didn't do much of anything. Let's see I was unable to get financial aid due to not meeting the rate of completion. I did go horseback riding and I went to Surfside Water Park. Other then that, I have been in the house.

I have been thinking about my life and all it has to offer. Time is not slowing down, as a matter of fact, it seems to keep on moving forward. Another 190 days is around the corner. How will I manage my time? Work on my homework is much as possible. Right now this is a priority for me. Also, I need to maximus my profits by doing extra things at work if I can.

During August, there are many things that I will accomplish:

Walden University
Pass the three courses that I am taking. I have to pay for school too. The end of August I will pay $2,000. The term doesn't end until November, I have time to get this taken care of.

I have been in school since August 2005. I took a leave of absence and now I am in it to win it. My hold ups are writing these papers. They are called KAMs. I should have had them complete a long time ago. I have to write three of theme. At this moment, I only have 3 classes, 3 KAMs, 2 residencies, and 1 dissertation to complete my Phd. The courses and the residencies are the easy part. The KAMs and the dissertation is what is getting the best of me. I know it can be done. At the end of the month, I have to purchase the two books for the Breadth Component of KAM I. I will have it done by November. I can see what lies ahead, it is just a matter of focusing and doing what is needed to become Dr. Willetta Jackson.

August Bill's
Tag $70.00
Passport $90.00
T-Mobile $300.00
Braces $109.00
Wachovia $100.00
First Premier $100.00
US Dept of Edu $25.00
Tax Lien (Explorer) $956.35
Savings $1000.00

This is everything that I must pay for the month of August. Things are slowly getting taken care of. I am so proud of myself and my accomplishments. I have wasted time and money and now is the time to get it together. I am not getting any younger and I must use my resources to the fullest.

In the mean time, throughout the following school term, where there are ways to make extra money I will be there. The extra cash will help me pay off Wachovia, First Premier, and Walden. All things are possible, I must just believe.

Right now, I am about to complete my assignment for my Principles of Distance Education course. I am proud of myself and who I have become. I am capable of doing all things. All I have to do is believe.

The End Summer Break is Nearing

Summer break is right around the corner and I have made some major improvements. For instance, I took out a loan to pay for school. Actually, I did that just to see if I could get a loan with the tax lien and yes, I was able to. Since I did that school has been paid for for this term (June-August). Also, this will free up major cash at the end of the month. I started paying my bills when they come instead of paying them when I get paid at the end of every month. This has saved my money since I am not paying late fees. At the end of July, I will pay my portion of the tax lien off which totals $956.35. They don't take personal checks so I have to get a money order or cashiers check.

In not having to pay for school I will have a free $2,000 at the end of July and August. The loans monthly payment is $187.00. I took out a $5,000 loan. Thinking and organizing my future financial moves has been trying and I have things completely mapped out.

Walden University
This term has been paid for as I stated. The next term starts in September and lasts until November. Paying for this term is a thing that must be done. It will be done by the end of November. How? Ok, every month brings an extra $2,000. I will not start paying for the fall term until the end of September ($2,000). In October another $2,000 the term will be paid off then. Until I complete school every two months I will pay $2,000 for the term.

I know that financial aid is a good thing. On the other hand, it isn't because that is money that will have to be paid back once I complete school. I already owe about $55,000 in school debt, if I continued to receive financial aid by the time I graduate I will owe over $100,000. Not trying to have that much debt on my report. I am looking at things in a positive light. Yes, I was hoping I would get financial aid once I passed my courses, but I didn't. Truly, this was a blessing in disguise, honestly it was. So thanks for that!

Tax Lien
The total of the tax lien was almost $12,000. Now, it is $6,000 give or take a few. Those in between months that I am not paying for school I will pay off the tax lien. The lien is broken down by two vehicles. The Escalade and the Explorer. The Explorer is the cheaper debt and it will be paid off at the end of this month.

All I know is the lien will not be a factor by the end of 09. Leaving that in this year.

$5,000 Loan
Alright, I know I said I wouldn't get another loan, but I just had to try. Obtaining the loan has stopped much stress I had in having to pay for school. It threw my off when I was told I wouldn't get aid for school. That is A ok! The loan will be paid of in the next three months I believe. My plans are to pay off the loan before the end of the year. In doing this, it will benefit my credit score greatly. Once this loan is paid off I am going to get another one maybe for more money and have it paid off soon too. I have a plan just work with me on that. I am not going backward I promise.

Undergraduate Loans
Wachovia $2,580.57
US Dept of Education $13,000

Wachovia will be paid off by the end of the year. I have been paying $25.00 a month of the US Dept of Education loan. Slowly getting things taken care of. In my mind it is ashamed to have undergraduate debt and I have been out of school since 2000. Go figure. It will all work itself out.

My Savings Plan
I started saving a few months ago and have been dipping into my money. One thing I can say is I put it back. In my savings account I have about $100. When I get paid at the end of the month that will be $1,000. My goal is to have at least $5,000 by the end of the year.

Overall
Every other month will be a payment. Paying something toward my debts. School is a priority and I think I finally have it under control. Work with me. Eventhough, I have been paying things off, I still have been wasting money. At some point it has to come to a stop. I see what is going on and I contribute that to My Financial Success. Having to be accountable for my actions is a big thing. Not overdrawing in my account, doing what is right by my money, and learning from others has put a big push to pay off all of my debts. I have a plan and I know it will work all I have to do is stop wasting and do right by the money I receive.

If it's not One Thing It's Another

In my last post, I stated that things are not as bad as they once were. Now, I am begging to differ. Currently, there is a tax lien on my credit report that I was not aware of. Also, there are two undergraduate student loans that need to be paid off so I can qualify for the teacher loan forgiveness program. There can not be any loans prior to 1998 to be able to receive this forgiveness.

Day before yesterday I found out that I didn't meet the requirements to receive financial aid for this term. Turning lemons into lemonade. Not getting financial aid will cut down on the amount of money I will owe once I complete my PhD. On the other hand, this is $4,310 that could be going to something else. The world and it's occurances are something. There are actually three terms in one year. That totals $12,930 a year. I keep telling myself, this is money and interest I do not have to pay out once I am finished.

Credit Reports

Since finding out this news, my mind has been going a million miles a minute trying to sort out my plan of action to pay off my debts. Yesterday, I pulled my credit report and found that I have a 587, 635, and 635. My scores are better than they were without the tax lien.

This is my plan of action:

Pay $2,000 a month of debts for the next year. This will total $24,000. Using that money will allow me to pay off the tax lien in three months. Starting in September, it will be paid off by December. Through it all, I am going to continue paying something on Wachovia and US Dept of Education.

Life Happens

Life happens and it is all up to me to make sure I stay afloat. It is so easy to give up and just fall victim. I refuse to be a victim to my debt. Giving up vacations to pay off debt is a sacrifice and I am willing to sacrifice that money to have financial freedom. Another thing, I have $54,000 in school debt. The funny thing about that is I make about this much yearly.

Overall, I am somewhat saddened by not receiving financial aid. This is the outcome of not doing what is needed at the moment. Thinking about my life and how I have wasted time, energy, and money by not doing something when it needed to be done. No longer can I do that to myself. I am tired of doing this to myself and my money. Maturity is taking place and I am proud to say I am ready for the changes to occur in my life. Sacrifice is what is taking place in my life. I am ready for the changes and the debt will be handled.