The World Keeps Turning

Good morning,

Everything is everything! Been working on getting finances organized as usual and paying off bills. Many things have been going on, but for the most part, I have been doing homework and staying focused on main goals.

Started tutoring a kindergartner for $15 an hour once a week. I also started working the after school and Saturday program getting my hourly rate. Overall, this will be 5 extra hours a week of my hourly pay! That is great! Even though I have the lien still, my taxes were not taken so I have that money too. I went ahead and paid some of my bills early. I paid $90 on the water bill, I will not have to pay that until June. My goal is to get ahead.

Still have to pay for school. All of that is figured out. Overall, I have my best foot forward and I am looking forward to doing the right thing with the money that I have been given.

Large Debt

US Dept of Edu $13,734 + ( send $25 a month until other bill paid)

Tax Lien $8,000 + (rewrite letter to credit bureaus if doesn't work will get a lawyer)

Wachovia $2,953.34 (paying $168 a month)

Walden University $4310 (pay $3260 end of March)

There are other debts too, but these are the ones that I am focusing on.

Cut Backs

I did get rid of HBO and Cinemax as I stated, that will save about $300 a year. Via Facebook, there was this application that started charging me $10.00 a month to receive messages on my cell phone, got rid of that.

I also went to Sam's to do my grocery shopping for the month. That made me feel grown. I have food for the next few weeks still. The only things that I need to buy are some vegetables.

Things are looking good and I can see the forest for the trees. This money thing is really not that bad. Its just a matter of staying focused on putting your money in the right places.

With my tax return, I now have an emergency fund that I will keep in case of emergencies. I don't and will not waste this tax return. It is crazy how you get that money and it goes through your fingers like the sands of an hour glass. I refuse to waste that money. A part of my tax return is going to pay for school ($1500 to be specific). School will not be paid for until the end of March. At the end of the month, I will pay $2500 to Walden and owe I $1810 that has to be paid by the end of May in order for me to register for the next term. I also paid Knology, Mediacom, the water bill, my braces, and Wachovia ($531.94).

School

I will have it paid for by the end of May so that I can register for the next term. I went ahead and applied for financial aid too. The reason I have to pay for school on my own is due to being on academic probation. Once I get off of that I should be able to get financial aid.

Tenants

One of my tenants is moving out at the end of August beginning of September. I am losing money at this house. I want to maximize my profits. Been thinking of turning that house into a Personal Care Home. Got the application off line filling it out now. I know it will take dedication and hard work, but I am all about doing what I can with what I have. Having a personal care home will give me more money for the house. I will be able to employee people and be a manager. Anything worth having is worth putting time and effort into.

The Time is Now

There have been many things going on in my life. The main one is maturity. This has been an ongoing process for me. I don't know when it actually started to happen, but I know it is relevant in my life. I look at money in a totally different light. Gradual changes have taken place for instance: cutting up my check card, taking money out of my account monthly, bringing lunches to work. There are more, I just have to think about them.

I wasn't going to post, but I got the posting feeling. Overall, things are good. Am I overdrawn in my checking account, yes. Why, something did an automatic withdrawal that I wasn't ready for. I actually needed it so I didn't ask for a refund.

Big Steps
Today, I called to get my due dates changed for my cable and phone bills. Tomorrow, I am getting rid of HBO and Cinemax, these two channels will save me about $25.00 a month totalling $300 a year. The reason I changed my due dates is that with my cable bill I am not meeting the date so $5.00 is added to my bill. That's not much, but it could go to something else. I also need to call my insurance company because that is an automatic withdrawal when I don't have the funds in my account. This totals a $35.00 fee. Not good.

Finished bills
Liam $0.00 (received title)
ING $0.00
debt on credit report $0.00
This saves $380.00 a month to go toward any debt I choose.

New Bills
Walden University $4,310.00 for term
Wachovia $3,170 since 1993
US Dept of Education $13,784 (since 1993)

PhD Educational Techology
As for Walden, this will be paid off by the end of May. This is the only way I will be able to register for the next term. The way I figure, taking one class per term and completing one KAM per term, I will be finished with all courses and KAMs by August 2010. Being on academic probation is why I am paying for school. This will save money in the long run because it will be one less loan I have to pay back. I may have to pay for the next term too. It goes from June to September. If I do, that will be fine. In the meantime, I am going to apply for financial aid because my GPA will be up at the end of this term.

1993 Student Loans
Wachovia and US Dept of Education are loans I have had since 1993, that is ashamed. I am ok with that. Due to my job position I am eligible to have money taken off of my loans, but I can't have a loan prior to 1995. These must be paid off by the end of the school term 2010.

This is my plan:
Walden University : $1,437 a month until it is paid off
Wachovia: $25.00 a month until Walden taken care of after that all goes to Wachovia
US Dept of Education: $25.00 a month until Walden and Wachovia paid off

All of these are big ticket items. I know, but when life gives you lemons it is up to me to make lemonade. I sometimes wonder why these things keep happening to me. Is it because I thought it or am I being tested? Who knows, all I do know is that it is up to me to do the right thing and handle my finances.

Cutting back and maintaining are all apart of the plan. Going to the bookstore and reading personal finance books have made me think a little different. As long as I owe, the money I make is not mine. There are stories where people go on big vacations and have debt. The money spent on the vacation could have gone toward the debt. That made me think of myself. I want to take a cruise during Spring Break, but I can't do that. The money that I was going to pay for the cruise needs and will go toward paying my tuition to Walden. I will be Dr. Willetta Jackson.

We are half way through the month and I did a big thing. I went to Sam's and did my monthly grocery shopping. The items that I purchased will last for a while. The only things that will needed to be purchased are vegetables. I am proud of myself, shopping at Sam's made me feel grown. Honestly, there will be enough food left over for the next month.

Things are looking good and I am ready for the future to take place. I know what my finances are and where my money goes, now it's up to me to cut back and put the money where it is needed.

2010 is rapidly approaching and I have been teaching for 10 years. I have much to show, but there is so much more I could have done with the money I have made during this time. The time is now to make a difference in what I have been given. It's not about having the biggest house, the nicest car, or the most lavish parties. It's about making your money work for you. Knowing is half the battle. I know and now I am willing to make a change.

Something else, our vehicles take away from the cash that we have. Monthly payments, insurance, maintenance, upgrades, all of these things cost money and take away from other things you could be doing.

Liam is paid for. This is a list of all the things needed to be fixed on Liam, mind you Liam is a 99 Land Rover.
oil change and tune up
headliner
drain cleaned for sun and moon roof repaired
new tires
park light replaced
power steering
back speaker
new grill
back windshield wiper
back red light
power locks

These are not major items, but I will get the least expensive item fixed first and work my way up. When it rains it pours, but I love walking in the rain. Things will work themselves out and I will be successful in my endeavors.

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.