Another One Bites the Dust

Thank you for allowing me to focus on what's important, paying off this debt that I have accumulated due to student loans.  I've had this blog for a really long time and there have been years that I posted once or twice or maybe not at all.  Looking over the blog itself, there have been substiantial changes, but not to the point where I have eliminated most or even half of the debt.  Truly sad, so really is financial success mine?

That's a great question to ask myself.  All I must do is continue to pay off these student loans and do right by my life.  So with that being said I paid off another Navient loan.  I'm really excited to have done so.  My focus is different, is it because I'm older, have this little boy, realized I've made many financial mistakes and the only way that my finances and or credit score are going to improve is put the money where it needs to go?  On these debts.

Debts
Navient  $1017 paid off by October 2017
Federal Loan  $3125  paid off by October 2018 or sooner
Allied Servicing  $6447  not sure when this will be paid off

There are others, but these are the ones that are the least.

Payment arrangements, $200 a month for 4 years to equal $10,000.  They have a 10% interest rate, but since they are working with me, this isn't a problem.  These have added penalties and fees which they are willing to wave.
Navient $11,000
Navient $12,000

I don't remember if I stated that I refinanced my home to a 15 year mortgage and the payment only went up about $50.  Very glad of this.  Probably will refinance again to a 10 year mortgage, but that will be a few years down the line.

Making better financial decisions has been hard, but any money that I have been getting extra I've been putting toward the debt.  This has helped substantially.

My ultimate goal is to move to what I want.  I did things a little backward, but it's time to do something different.  By the time I retire, this little home will be paid for that is a great thing to look forward to.

I must make sure that I continue this momentum and pay these things off.  To date two debts are clear and free, now three more.  Yes, there are more, but it makes it better looking at the smaller ones first.

Problem
eating out

This is a major problem.  Purchasing quick food while we are out.  The plus is it's quick, the negative is it's not healthy.  Better choices.

This blog should be used as accountability, but I don't do that.  Thank you for reading.  This journey has been a hard one and it's not over.  There is so much that will be achieved.  Before I know it, these above mentioned debts will be a thing of the past.

Ultimately, I must believe in myself and do right by my money, it's mine to do with it what I will.  

Subtle Changes are the Best

Yesterday, I posted and I am glad.  I have said it time and time again, I will do better by my blogs and I try to, but of course life gets in the way.  While writing yesterday, I had major thoughts, no I didn't express them, but the thought was there.  I was told that, it's the thought that counts!  Maybe my thoughts can help someone out in the long run. 

There are several things going on in my life and one of them is getting closer to God.  I will admit that I haven't been the perfect christian and know I am not now, but my walk is getting better and better.  I have gone to Sunday School every Sunday this year.  (Sunday School is my thing, I love it because it's personal and you get to share and express).  I have gone to church twice, plus, I have started a workout class at church on Tuesday nights.  It's fun and a way to relax and it's not strenious, something light and to the point.  While going to church, I realized that these are people that have known me my entire life.  I have been blessed to be a member of this church since the day I was born.  I owe that to Betty Jackson, my mother, for this I am thankful! 

Walking this path was not promised to be easy, but it will lead you in the right direction.  In saying this, paying attention to my life and the things I have accomplished or set out to do, I have not completed many of my goals.  Maybe those are the things that were not meant for me to do.  As stated before, my life has had many financial issues, but I press on.  You know why, because life moves on regardless of my wanting it to or not. 

Selling items on Craigslist was a blessing, but did I do right by that money?  No, I didn't.  What did I do with it?  Bought fast food which is not healthy or a good choice for me.  I did spend some of it on a friend that lost his father, I bought food for them and other household items.  So, it all wasn't spent in vain. 

Here I am today thinking about what I can do to better myself and my future!

1. Continue to get closer to God
2. Start and end my day with a bible passage
3. Sell all items in storage so that will be one less bill
4. Take pictures of the storage unit and post it on Craigslist
5. Take the refrigerators out of storage and sell them for scrap metal
6. Take photos of candles and post them on Craiglist
7. Extra cash that I make put it towards an outstanding bill
8. Get more organized in my life and realize that I can do all things with God that strengthens me
9. Understand that I am an individual and regardless, I am someone
10. Put my best foot forward at all times
11. Remove toxic situations and people from my life
12. Continue to do good things and be around good people

There are more things that I can say, but my mind is somewhat clouded.  I did set up automatic bill pay with majority of my bills.  Now, I think all that is left is the power bill.  Looking at the money I have and how I use it, it is crazy.  I get upset because I have bills to pay and instead of doing what I should, I do nothing.  Tired of having to pay late fees, it gets old. 

I forgot that I knew how to arch my own eyebrows, so I bought a tool to do that with.  That saves 10 a month.  Cutting corners anyway possible.  My mother buys me groceries so that's one less bill I have to pay.  My refrigerator is full, that is a blessing and I receive it. 

 As always, things will be alright in the long run.  What I'm realizing is the things we deem important really aren't.  Life, love, happiness, and a relationship with God is all that counts.  Do your best to get closer to the things that are important.  You and me will be alright.