Time Keeps Moving Forward

Finally, I am at a point where I know where my money is going. It has taken time, focus, dedication, and determination to actually see. Being sick and tired of overdrawing in my account, not knowing where money was going, and not being able to get the things done that are necessary. That is finally over.

Somethings that have Helped
1. Cutting up my check card
2. Not eating out
3. Filling up on 1/2 a tank
4. Monitoring my spending
5. Not purchasing wastefully

This month has brought about savings. I am still paying off the things that will allow me freedom, but I put up a little cash in my savings account. There is a checking and savings account with the same bank. I have the minimum in my savings account. I transferred $100 into my savings account. Now, I have $300 in that account. I will not withdraw this money for any reason. If I do have to withdraw I will put double back. That is my promise to myself.

In another account, I usually use this account to withdraw and replace money in the other account. I don't mean to be confusing, but I have stopped withdrawing from that account. Things are truly looking up. Other than the lien, all debts are up to date. School will be out for me as of Wednesday. This will give me some time to figure the lien out. I have to get an understanding of the total debt. Once that is done, I will start paying this off. The sooner the better.

Overall, I am proud of the growth I have made, there is still more to come. Since the month was hectic, I didn't go grocery shopping. There has been a cookout or something daily so that saved some money.

School
Is paid for now I have to complete one more assignment. The term actually ends tonight. My grades should be good enough where I can get financial aid. Have to see how everything goes.

Debts
Water $ 90.00
T-Mobile 61.29
Knology 75.00
Mediacom 70.00
Geico 221.00
First Premeire 100.00
savings 250.00
Wachovia 311.00
US Dept of Education 25.00
School Books 150.00 (don't know, but that's what I expect to spend)
Passport 99.00

Things to Do
Get headliner fixed
Raining in truck
Back speakers replaced
Something done to the front yard

The summer is going to bring promise and relaxation. Again, there is so much to do and I will get it all done. Just to be able to say I know where my money is going makes me feel so proud of my accomplishments. There are still somethings that I know I can change, but all together I want happiness and contentment in my life. Receiving those things takes an overall acceptance to just live and enjoy life, this is what I have vowed to do for myself.

Whose Money is this Anyway?

I have been afraid to write. For what reason I don't know. Thoughts of posting came, but I never set down to write about what and how I felt about my money. Over time, I have read personal finances blogs, books, quotes, etc. What I have learned is, this is my money and it is up to me to do right by it. Indeed, I work hard and in return I receive a salary. This is money that will come in monthly. Now here is where it gets tricky. Living above my means is what has been going on for years. The time to stop is now. There is so much more to life. Spending money until it is all gone. At the end of the month there is nothing. Debt collectors calling and overdrawn papers in the mail. Is this your money or are you working to pay bills? I don't want to live that way anymore. This will be the first month that I will have more money left over after paying bills. Finally doing right by my cash feels good.

I have been doing some Thinking

The mind is a terrible thing to waste and I wonder how I can use it to its fullest potential. Everyday I am bombarded with questions, tasks, life, and an array of other things that it is hard to truly stay focused on what is important. The things that are important to me are my family, school, and my overall life. Using My Financial Success has helped me realize that this is my money and it is up to me to use it to benefit me and my family. Sometimes I see people and what they have, but that doesn't matter. What matters is what I have and what I do with what I receive. Putting my money to work for me is more important than materialistic things. I am so over having the latest this and the latest that, I just want to be able to live.

Previously, I discussed wanting to own 5-10 acres of land. This is something that I have wanted for some years. All it takes is focus in order to achieve goals. I lost site of what is truly important to me. It is hard to gain focus again, but it is here and I will not let it go.

Reviewing my finances, now that Walden University is paid for, at the end of the month I will have $2000.00 left over every month. That is a major step in my finances. There needs to be more assessing going on, but for the most part that is what will be left over. Not overdrawing in my account and shopping excessively will save me. Before the summer is over, I am going to open a Roth IRA. This is truly needed and will benefit me in the future. So looking forward to that.

As for this lien, I am still working on that. I understand that this is something that I did to myself, but it is crazy. Looking for a lawyer as we speak, but this will not bring me down.

Being able to save more money and live off of what I recieve will be a big step for me.

June will bring on many changes for me, but I know that things will be alright. So money will have to go toward June, but not too much. All I can say is I am proud of myself and the growth I have attained these pasts few months. What I have learned has helped me and I look forward to moving forward.

Keep on Moving

Today is going to be random thoughts about my financial situation. There really hasn't been much going on. I changed the format of the blog. It was looking somewhat cluttered, junky! So I changed it to make it look better. The heading needs to be changed. I don't know what it should be. Crazy right? I want it to be fun, innocent, and about money. What should it be?

I have been spending money. Had a fish fry Friday, took out $100.00 for that. I have only $10.00 left. The car has no gas, that is something that has to be done too. Company will be here Thursday, I bought a shower curtain for the bathroom and a rug. The rug is too small. I should have gotten the larger one for $19.99. There needs to be pictures in the bathroom too. I may go to look for that tomorrow. I want some plants for the house, maybe three. Succulents would be great, they don't need much water.

- Expires 05/11/09

Walden Done
School is finally paid for. That is a relief for me. School is almost over which is good. Since it is paid for I can register for the next term. I must keep good grades. I applied for financial aid, getting good grades will qualify me for it. Paying for school has shown me that I can be debt free. All that has to be done is put money toward those outstanding bills. Doing that will get it paid for quick and save you on interest fees.

Things I have paid for:
Walden: done
TMobile: $55.00
Knology: $69.51
Mediacom: $88.98
W. GA Orthodontist: $109.00
US Dept. of Education: $25.00

Who I must pay:
ING: $15.00
SunTrust: $51.00
First Premiere: $50.00
Primerica: $80.00
Myself (savings): $100.00
Wachovia: $50.00

This savings thing is something that I just decided to do. Every time I get paid, I will add money to my savings account. I tend to spend more, pay of debt, and not save. That stops today. I don't know what tomorrow will bring so I must start now saving, but continue to pay off bills.

Never Trust
As for the lien, it is crazy. People are selfish and users. Never trust anyone with your personal information. I have lived and learned better. I will continue to do some research as far as statue of limitation. If that fells, I will pay for it myself. I can't have this hanging over my head. Also, keep documentation, it is always needed. There is so much more to my life. I am over it. Get me once that's on you, get me twice, that on me! I went to the GA Dept of Revenue to get the itemized break down of how much I owe. Still waiting to get a call to pick it up, how long will that be?

My Serious Debt
Tax Lien
Student loans: deferred

Emergency Fund
I finally have one of those. It feels good. Liam (Land Rover) is fixed kinda sorta. The moon roof is missing a bolt. That is a big hole that allows rain to get in. I got it plugged with a cork, I know. It only cost me $1.07. Pretty good, I will see if it stops it from raining in Liam. Been thinking about getting back speaker fixed, that was one of the things that broke first. I know that the speaker is really that bad, but it is one of the cheaper things to get fixed. With my emergency fund, I will save about $700-$1000 a month. Get Liam worked out, save, and pay off debt. With large bills, it would be good just to put a large lump sum on it.