Moving Along

Things are the same, yet so different!  Am I debt free, no!  Have things changed, yes and no!  Am I in a better place, yes!  I'm glad that I am learning as I go and still making things happen.  Have we moved, no!  Are things in place for moving, yes!  What have I done in order to make things better?  Monthly purchasing items to help with fixing the house.  These things must be done before moving is a go.  Been sick and tired for years!  What's funny is I've had this blog way before people starting blogging.  Now there are a ton of blogs and podcasts that support Financial Independence.  This is great and I am still learning.  I'm excited that there are so many people that have achieved financial independence.  With social media we (people) are sharing their financial experiences and letting others know:  Yes, I'm in debt and I am doing what it takes to get out of it.

Over the years, I have gained 3 more credit cards and working toward handling my student loans.  Which are a thorn in my side.  Learning as I go!  I have opened a Vanguard and Fidelity accounts, started slowly, I'm really glad that I did that.  In my mind retirement is right around the corner and I have to be ready to get things together.

At this point in my life, I am ready to make things better.  That I have been trying to do all along.

Debt
Fed Loan Servicing
Capital One $3,499
Navy Federal $1827
Credit One $333

Goal:  All of these will be paid off be December 31in the mist of that, continue to purchase items to get my house together.  What is wrong with the house?  The floor has dropped in the kitchen.

Order of doing things
Plumbing fixed under the house
floor lifted in kitchen
kitchen outside replaced
fascia board
house painted
privacy fence

Life happens and I do get down, but I am not this person that spends, spends, spends.  44 is right around the corner and I want to make things better for us.  Small steps equal big results!  Sick and tired of being in this place.  At times, I feel like I can't get it together, but it has to happen.

I'm excited that I'm learning about the stock market and sharing what I have learned with others.  It will get better.  Plus, I'm behind, I wanted to have moved before my baby turned 5 well that was this summer.  Better late than never.

Good things
No car note

It's Been a Long Time Coming

This feels so abandoned.  Like always, haven't been here in a really long time.  Overlooked previous posts and boy, I talked a great game and haven't done anything to make any situation better.  Now that's what one would call sad.  There have been many positive things that have happened over the year.  For instance, started seriously paying off debt.  I mean seriously, taking it slow, but getting it done.

Let's see:
Paying off students loans
Started reading Mr. Money Mustache
Opened a Vanguard account
Purchased two IRAs
Refinanced to 15 year mortgage
Got increase on credit

Debt:
Navient    380
Navient    1057
Fed Loan  3085
Allied Ser 6372 (This has to be paid off before I can re-enroll to complete Phd)
Navient    11,000 charged off
Navient    12,000 charged off

At this point, I feel somewhat obsessive about paying off these debts.  It's been too long for me to be saying financial freedom is mine and I haven't done anything to be financially free.  In other words, financial freedom hasn't been mine because I haven't paid off anything that I should have a long time ago.

With that being said, the 2 Navient loans will be paid off by the end of the year.  The Fed Loan will be paid off by March 2018.  The main thing is having most of the debt free and clear by December 2018.  The time has come for me to move, well us to move.  Better place, better environment for the both of us.  It's funny how we tend to live our lives.  For instance, I've had the cars I've wanted, but not the house I've wanted.

Things are looking great, just a matter of doing right by the money I receive, no more wasting it.  Do better is what I keep telling myself, do better.  Retirement is about a decade away.  It's time to do what's right.  It just dawned on me that I'll only have a few more years to pay on my house once I retire.  I should be able to put more on the house or refinance to a 10 year mortgage at some point.  In the meantime, credit scores need to be improved.  I've been working on those for years and nothing.  They'll go up, but drop in a matter of a month.  I'm going to keep working on these things and know that financial success is mine.  :)

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!

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.