5 Years and Counting

Life happens and it's all on how you handle it.  This has been my reality for years now.  I know what to do, but life happens and there's nothing you can do about it.  Depression is a serious thing and I think I have been in it for way to long.  Doing things to make me feel better that wastes money.  When I think about the money and time that I have wasted with nothing to show it makes me want to do better.  Doing better is the thing, what must I do to do better? 

Looking at my home, I am blessed.  Waking up daily, I am blessed.  I have a career, I am blessed.  With my financial success, I haven't been taking this blessing to heart. 

Last year I opened up an account with Ally.  I am glad that I did, overall, I didn't save like I should have when I first started teaching, but it's better late than never.  As of now, I have about $250,000 worth of debt.  Majority of it is my student loan for a degree that I never completed.  The story of my life it seems. 

This is the breakdown of all of my financial issues:
First Premier 435 (paid off June 2018)
Navy Federal  1770 (paid off September 2018)
Capital One 2334 (paid off November 2018)
Receivable Management  5104 (paid off by December 2018, 250+ a month)
Federal Loan Servicing  194,000 (December 2023)

Yes, I have charged up my credit cards.  Plus, I am going out of town the end of the month.  That has to be covered.  I'm tired of not doing right and always being behind.  Something has to give.  As for accountability, this is something that I need to work on. 

Going back to the depression thing I don't want to do anything, not even organize the house.  I'm tired of being sick and tired.  No exercise, no eating right, nothing.  My posts are always scattered due to my mind bouncing all over the place.  It seems I am always behind.  Always.  There's always something to do, but I don't want to do it.  Nothing.  Sometimes I question my mom abilities.  Don't get me wrong I do what needs to be done, but for real I could be better.  So much better. 

There are things that need to be done in the house: 
fascia board replaced again
house lifted
floor in kitchen, dining room, and front room replaced with pergo flooring
new cabinets in kitchen
house painted
fence replaced in backyard

As I stated earlier, I have an account with Ally.  I withdraw money from the account monthly, which in no way shape, form, or fashion is that ok.  Because it's not.  Today, I have 1900 in the account.  Monthly, I will add 500 to the account, by the end of the year there will be 5435 in that account.  I will either use that money to pay off something or continue to let that money grow. 

Marybelle just got out of the shop, that was $500.  I'm glad that I had the money to pay for it.  Again, life happens.  There's always something.  This is what living is.  Also, been working on something that I wanted to do for a long time.  I started and stopped.  Now it's time to pick it back up. 

Life is happening all around and no matter what it is not going to stop.  Using my credit cards hasn't helped, but I will get it together.  11 years until I can retire and at this point I'm ready.  Having a little boy changes things.  Making sure he has what he needs is hard, but I was giving this opportunity and I'm going to make the best of it. 

My goal is the save and get out of this debt.  It is hard, but it will be worth it.  I'm only human and making the best of it. 

Continue to do Good Works

Things are moving an the right direction and I am so proud of my accomplishments.  I received my tax return yesterday and I am making moves toward paying off old debts.  To be honest, I was excited in the morning when I realized that my tax return was in my account.  As the day progressed sadness reared its ugly face.  This was due to understanding that that money would soon be gone.  At least it is going toward old bills that have been hovering over my head for a few years.  One of the first things I paid was Knology I owed $103 to them, next, I paid First Premier, which is my credit card.  I paid the entire debt which was $380.  I also paid for my mortgage.  Greentree is the worst mortgage company that I have dealt with.  My mortgage was sold to them and I truly don't like the company.  Whenever I call, I always get the same person.  My paperwork says that my mortgage payment is $405, but they say it's $600.  I don't what to believe.  Try not to get a mortgage with Greentree, because they are the worst. 

Overall, I am proud of my achievements and really looking forward to getting in a better place with my finances.  No, I am not perfect.  I am human living and having a human experience.  I make mistakes and know that things can only get better.  What I am thinking, I will take out a secured loan for $1,000 and pay it off.  That will help to bring up my credit scores.  The only thing they can do is go up.  This is the worst my scores have ever been and I am looking forward to seeing the progress of growth for my credit scores. 

Things to do:

1. Write letters to the credit bureaus pertaining to the debts I have paid and the old debts that are older than 7 years, they need to be removed.
2. Continue to pay for debts so that my credit scores will go up
3. Make an appointment with my credit counselor to see my progress and what are my next steps
4. Go to the bank and take out a secured loan for $1,000.  This will help increase my scores
5. Save, save, and save some more.  Work toward always have at least $3,000 in the bank at all times
6. Eliminate as much as I can and put that money toward outstanding debts. 
7. Clean out the refrigerators in storage and put them on Craigslist
8. Get rid of my storage unit that will save $50+ a month because I am always late
9. Put all bills on automatic bill pay so that bills will continue to get paid
10. Get rid of my wireless card, that will cut my cell phone bill down at least $50 a month
11. Find a house phone that will work with my alarm system that is cheaper than my current bill

These are all great things to do and I am looking forward to making progress.  It takes small steps that turn into big steps.  With the motivation and guidance that I receiving, I will be able to obtain financial success.  First, I must believe in myself and put my best foot forward at all times.  I can do it, the road my be long and hard, but with the help of the Lord, all things are possible.