Be Thankful for the Little Things

Things with me are always moving forward. In my last post I did a reflection of my years out of undergraduate school. I have made many gains, but it never seems to be enough. Maybe, I am my worst enemy, but aren't we all? Everytime I get ahead something rears its ugly head, but that's a part of this thing we call life. Overall, I am thankful for the little treasures that occur in my life. There is no need to hold on to the past it is gone now. The time is now and we must do what is right for the future.

Be Thankful for the Little Things

I am celebrating in my own little way. I have finally paid off Liam (99 Land Rover). I will receive the title in the mail in 5-10 business days. Yes, no more car payments. No, I am not going to purchase a new car. I couldn't if I wanted to. $311.56 is what I will be saving a month. This money will go toward two student loans that I have had since the 90s. That's ashame isn't it?
Also, I am back in school. A step closer to being Dr. Willetta Jackson.
The little things mean so much and we should cherish them. There are so many negative things that go on. Take time to pay attention to the clouds, the birds, the people you see. There is something special in all of the things around us. It is up to us to recognize them.

Looking but Not Aware of What I am Looking For

I feel the time is now to look for something else to do. I have been down and out. The first step is to update my resume. After that, it is up to me to look for something that I feel I want to do. It will all work out when the time is right.

Overall, this is the life that you have been given. Take the time out to give thanks for all of the things that have happened in your life. Without them you would not be the person you are today. Don't hold on to the past let it go. Holding on does nothing, but create stress and drama. You are better then that.

Do what you can with what you have and know it can be better. It will get better if you try.

Are You Following Your New Year Resolutions?

Many Americans or people in general create a list of things they will do or stop doing at the beginning of the new year. How many of us have kept our resolutions? The thing with resolutions are you should make those daily not just for the year. We come up with these big plans of action and we tend to let ourselves down. If we make plans daily and not by the year we are less likely to break them and let ourselves down.

Failure
I am one that knows what it feels like to be a failure. Ok, not a failure, but not meet goals in a timely manner. For instance, I graduated in 1993 from high school. I didn't finish college until 2000. Big difference right, I know, but at least I finished. During that time my mother would say, "You can come home and finish." No was my answer, I am not coming home without a degree. That is exactly what I did. I came home with a BS in Business Education.

Follow Your Own Path
My point is make plans things happen, but as long as you are satisfied with the end result that is all that matters. It may take you longer to complete a goal, but as long as it gets done. Also, if you are doing something that you see someone else do, that might not be the thing for you. Follow your own path and you will be successful.

Don't Give Up
It is easy to give up. Rome wasn't built in a day. Anything worth having is worth working hard to get. We all hit stumbling blocks, but it is how we handle them. Learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others.

Financial Freedom and Healthy Living
I didn't make any New Year's Resolutions, I just planned to continue to build toward financial freedom and healthy living. I have learned much since I have been home. I have also wasted a lot of money too. I can't dwell on that, all I can do is work on moving forward and putting the money that I make from now on to good use.

Positive Things
The positive things I have done with my money since I have had a career:
Master's Degree in Instructional Technology, TSU '00
'95 Ford Explorer bought in 2002 paid off 2004
2 Rental Properties
'99 Land Rover Discovery will be paid off March 09
The older I get the more understanding that I have. My savings account goes to paying bills, which is wrong. Why did I rob myself and continue to do that. I will be 34 years old in August and still have much to learn.

Things I want to Accomplish
I am proud of my accomplishments, but there are still somethings that I want to get done. For instance:
Complete Phd in Educational Technology and be Dr. Willetta Jackson (looks strange, right?)
Be financially free
Travel all over the world
Change jobs
Teach online courses
Take a year off
Save $22,000 in a year
Buy and sell houses
Move from my current home
Build house
Purchase 4 houses and 4 duplexes
Weigh 165 lbs.

All of the above is in my reach. All I have to do is stay determined and do the right thing by my money, time, and resources. Never say never. I can be anything and do anything that I want as long as I believe. I believe in myself, do you believe in you? Ask yourself that daily. Another question, what would or could you do if you could not fail?

Take Time Out of Your Busy Schedule
Take the time out of your busy schedule to understand that life is what you make it. Say to yourself, starting today I am going to make the most out of the life that I was given. Make small plans and follow them. Do the things necessary to make a difference in your life. Don't settle, you deserve better than that.

Don't just give up if you have not followed your New Year's Resolution. Pick up the pieces and start again. Don't give up on yourself, because I won't.

March Bill's
Liam: $1,087.00
ING: $ 150.00
Credit Card: $100.00

Once Liam is paid off the question is do I build a $1,000 emergency fund or start paying on $13,000 undergrad student loan debt? We will have to see.

Thanks for reading. Enjoy your evening! Be proud of the person you are and know things will get better.

Mortgage Increase

Where Does Your Money Go?

My last post was filled with emotions and honestly that is great. My money has been an issue for me my entire working career. I make plans to do better and that fails. I try to reorganize my spending and that is a failure too. Or just life happens. I refuse to be a victim. I created this blog to assist me with my financial freedom and that is what I plan to do.

Where Does Your Money Go?
The money that I make goes to paying bills. I set goals to save and something happens. I create a budget and my car breaks down. As long as you owe, the money that you make does not belong to you. Let me say that again, as long as you owe, the money that you make does not belong to you. It belongs to your debtors. That is something to seriously think about.

Living Like the Jones'
Most of the people that I know own new cars, bigger houses, the fanciest gadgets, but are in financial turmoil. We were not put here to live like others. The only person we can be is ourselves. You don't know what that family has sacrificed in order to have the things that they do. Also, they may have the newest material items, but be in debt up to their eyeballs. Think about it. All you need to do is cut your spending and pay off bills. The more you cut the more money you will have to get rid of the debt that you have.

Self Evaluation
I have payed attention to my spending. I don't have bad habits of spending. I have been saving money because I cut out a bad habit. That saves much a month. I cut my text messaging and that saves $5.00 a month. That is greatly needed. I also called my phone company to see about the extra features, but they come along with my plan. If I cut them, it wouldn't make a difference in the cost. Cable is another thing. It is hard, I know that I can save about $20.00 a month if I get rid of the extra channels that I have. On Demand and FitTV are awesome.

Also, my mortgages have been going up on my rental properties. I am going to call the mortgage companies to see what can be done to get my payments lowered.

Cooking dinner and preparing lunch has saved money too. I am 33 years old and want so much out of life. It is a matter of taking my time to organize my life.

Things Happen
The tax lien on my credit had me tripping, but I sent letters with the documentation to the credit bureaus Monday. Where there's a will there's a way.

My friend had her entire federal tax refund taken because she didn't pay her student loans on time.

Preparation is always key. You never know what the cosmos has in store for you. That is why it is beneficial to do right by your money. I have been working professionally for the last 9 years. How much money do I have saved or invested? In my eyes, the purchase of my rental properties is the only good thing I have done with my money.

Learn from others mistakes and do the right thing. Live for tomorrow not for today. The money you spend could be used for your future. Think about it.

Will Everything Be Fine in 09? Sure they Will!

In my life it seems everytime I try to make a change something awful tends to occur. Honestly, I don't know what the problem is. The stars and the moon must not be aligned in my favor, who knows.

I was motivated about the year and now I am down and out. I know things will look up, but when? I seriously don't know. In my last post I was excited about the changes I have made in my life. As for this post, I don't know whether I am coming or going.

Here's What Happened
I let someone put a vehicle in my name and guess what happened to me? Now, I have a tax lien of $8,743.00 on my credit report. Eventhough the vehicle is no longer in my name this still has fallen on me. This is crazy, I never saw the car, drive the car, or had anything to do with the car, but this is a problem for me. I went to the tag office and they gave me a print out of where the vehicle hasn't been in my name since 2003 and it shows there are no liens on it. Learning lesson, don't give anyone your social security number for any reason. The car had no liens on it at all, but somewhere someone dropped the ball and now the problems goes to me. Aren't I the lucky one?

I can't file my taxes and school is about to start. I was looking for us a house, but that is not an option until this gets taken off of my report.

As of now, my credit scores are:
Equifax 576
Experian 546
Transunion 576

That sucks! Things happen for a reason and regardless it can only get better.

My Bills
Liam: 1,481
ING: 300
Student Loans: Another Thing

As of now all I am concerned with is getting a higher credit score. I am not in a financial situation where I can just ball out of control. That is where I want to be.

Another thing, one of my tenants may be moving due to an increase in her family. So if it's not one thing it's another. Thought about selling that house, but I may just lose money. I guess I need to lay low and just continue to rent it out.

My life feels like a big bag of chaos. I am spiraling out of control and I don't know what to do to get it back in order. My mind is running a million miles an hour. My eye has been jumping and I am not doing anything with the time I am given daily. I have been crying a lot too. I may be stressed or it my be depression. Whatever the cause I don't want any medication. I pride myself on not being a pill popper. I try to handle things without drugs.

As for my financial state, financial freedom will be mine. I will continue to keep it moving. Not let the petty things get me down. Pay off as much as I can and not look back. I will learn from my mistakes as well as others. Use what I write and read to lay the foundation of my financial success. I know things will happen, but it is not how you handle it, but what you do with it.

Everything Will Be Fine in 09

Everything will be fine in 09. I just a adopted that motto. I will keep it with me the entire year. I had to retrain my mind set. It is awful, but my maturity level has grown dramatically over the last few months. I am so proud of myself and my growth. I want big things and in order to achieve them I have to show and prove that I am worthy.

I have found many personal finance blogs and these people are and have done what I want: Achieved financial freedom. Many have paid off thousands of dollars of debt over a short period of time. I think that is wondeful. I will continue to read and learn from others.

Currently, I had a computer that was old, I sold it for $50.00. I put that money in my gas tank and used the rest for food for the month. I also have a brand new turkey fryer that has never been used. I need to sell that too.

Today, I will call my debtors and find out how much money I owe on some bills. I will pay these things off too. I co-signed on a loan, that will be paid off by April. Clearing out debt is the name of the game.

Things that are about to occur:
Re-entry in Phd program: $4280
Real Estate Class: $225
Books for Phd courses: $300

I am so Excited

Life is what you make it and I am going to make the best out of what I have been given. I think about the mistakes I've made and the money that I have wasted. I no longer can live my life like that. There is enough happiness, contentment, and money for everyone to have we just have to realize our life is given to us to make the most of it. We can't wallow in sorrow and despair. I admit that I have made mistakes, but the time is now for me to make a difference in my life.

Tax Return

I get my w-2 today. Monday, I will sort out my taxes. The money that I get in tax returns will be used for school. I thought about taking out another loan, but I don't know if I can do that or if I should. My mind has been clouded lately. I may just put about $2,000 toward school and pay $1,000 monthly to cover the rest of the cost. School starts March 2 and goes through the end of May. I really need to think this thing through. I must have school paid off by the time the term ends and the next one begins.

My Bills

T-Mobile: $93.16

ING:

Liam: $311.23 ($1,994.74)

Water: $50.00

Knology: $100.00

Mediacom: $117.00

Craft Store: $180.00

I need to rething some of these bills. For instance, ING will be paid off soon. That should be taken care of by April. My actual T-Mobile is $73.00, but why it costs $93.16 is a good question. I will call and find out what is going on. I know I don't use all of my minutes so I may need to drop my minutes and keep the texting. I'll have to see.

Like I said earlier, I am proud of myself and the things I accomplished. Financial freedom is mine and all I have to do is make the changes, continue to be positive and keep looking toward the future. Good things come to those who wait.

Top 5 Financial Secrets You Must Use

These steps started my debt relief. I am not saying these will work for you, but they have made dramatic changes in my finances.

1. I Cut up My Debit Card: Cutting up my debit card allowed me to stop overdrawing in my checking account. I would use my debit card to purchase things I wanted, needed, and sometimes things just to soothe that spending urge. I would sometimes owe over $200.00 in overdrawn fees. That's ridiculous, once I cut it up I started to get money out of my account for two weeks at a time. Once that money was gone, I don't get anymore out. This has also stopped impulsive spending and wasting money on useless items.

2. Fill Up on Gas at Half a Tank: I usually have to fill up on gas once every week and a half. When I fill up I spend $65. Filling up at half a tank, I spend $20 every week. Even though I am filling up more, I am still saving cash. For instance, filling up I would spend $195 for the month. Filling up on half a tank for 4 weeks would cost $80. For the month it is a total of $115 a month and $1380 for the year.

3. Anytime I Withdraw Money from my Checking Account I put Equal Amounts Towards a Debt: I try not to take out large amounts of money whenever I withdraw from my account, but when I do I put equal amounts toward Liam (99 Land Rover). This insures that I put money to good use and it will help eliminate debt faster. If I just withdrew money and let the other money stay, I would withdraw it and use it toward something useless. Putting money toward Liam will cut interest and cut the length of time I will be paying on him.

4. Eating all the Food I Cook: Have you ever thought about the food that you waste daily? I know, I cook and yes, I do eat left overs, but sometimes I just don't want that anymore. I have started taking my lunch to work daily and making my lunch for a few days. This saves time and energy. I also cook 2 or 3 meals at a time to give variety.

For example: For Christmas we had a fried turkey, we ate on that for a few days, but it got boring. I made turkey a la king. That was something different and I reinvented the turkey. Instead of throwing away the remaining turkey I created a totally new meal.

Now, that I have been stretching meals, I am not spending money on eating out and not wasting food (that is throwing away money that could be put toward debt).

5. Turn Cooper into Silver: Whenever I go to the grocery store, drive through, or spend cash period, I give them the dollar amount plus pennies too. Example: My food cost $4.27. I give $5.02 and get $.75 in return. I turned cooper into silver. Sometimes they look at me like I am crazy, but it makes sense. I may only have had $.02 in my wallet, now I have $.75. I thought that was neat. The extra change that I make I put it in my Tootsie Roll bank. When the bank fills, I take it to my bank and cash it in. That money is used on a debt.

I don't claim to be a financial advisor, but these are steps that I have taken to help me in my financial journey. I have a plan and I know it will work with determination, support, reading, and interacting with others that are doing what I set out to do. I know I will make mistakes, but I will achieve financial success.

More Money Less Debt

Good Morning All,

I am so excited, I don't know what to do. Well, actually, I do know what to do bask in the moment and enjoy it. I have been receiving Jim Donovan's inspirational emails for some years now and they talk about reading motivational books, audio books, and living to your full potential. Just recently, I have decided to live a positive and stress free life. I have been using his practices and I honestly see a difference in my life. I just try to do the right thing, not just for myself, but toward others.

Something Positive
I enrolled in a online moving program. You are an independent mover for a big company. You have your own site and people can get you to move their stuff. The people pay the company of course they take a percentage, but you set up your own fees. Tomorrow, I will have my first moving job. I do believe that I undercut myself by charging only $40.00 per hour to move them per person. I felt that since this would be my first job I should have decent prices so that I could get a job. It actually took about 2 weeks to have one booked through my company. What I may do is keep my cost at $40.00 until I get 3 to 5 clients. I need to be competitive in this market. Another way to make some extra money. Another thing, I get $25.00 for gas. The money will be deposited in my checking account within 1-3 days of completing the job. Thank you Johnathan for letting me know about this great endeavor. I will go and do the move. Once I get more jobs maybe I won't do the move, but until then I will get out there and work. I can also set the price for the people that help me move.

With the extra money I make I will put that toward my car. Liam is almost paid off. Good job.

Overall
I am proud of the accomplishments I have made and I look forward to the future and what it brings. I have been blogging for a while and I don't know how to be social, not even online.

I will work toward building relationships online and using the relationships to learn and build the knowledge that I already have.


Blu-ray Price- Drops! Top Movies for Less! Get the Aviator, 300, Pan's Labyrinth and many more to choose from. exp 1/24/09

I have been Doing Much Reading

I have been reading different money management and financial planning blogs. They offer great advice on how to handle your finances. One in particular is Retire at 40. I love his methods and his plan to retire by the time he is 40 years of age. That is a great plan.

Cutting Back

One of the things that I have learned from Andy is don't waste money on paper napkins. You know that is something that I truly knew, but haven't put it into practice. I am not going to break down the amount of money you will save if you stop purchasing paper napkins, but it will come in handy over a years time. He suggested to purchase towels for the kitchen and the bathroom. This will save you money and you will not have to waste that paper anymore. Also, instead of spending money on Kleenex get you a handkerchief. You will wash it and not keep spending money over and over again.

Another thing that he discussed is cutting back on your waste. If you don't not recycle, you should start. Many of the things that we use daily end up in the trash can. Recycling can help the enivironment and cut back on your footprint on this Earth.

My Credit Score

I checked my credit score today and the student loan has been updated, it is no longer negative on my account. Equifax: 598, Experian: 604, and Transunion: 641 are my scores. Life happens and it is what you make it. I will continue to do what is best. I am no longer overdrawing in my checking account. This is the first time I have not been struggling for the month of January.

Organizing Life

I am going to take my time and organize my life. I admire Andy and his growth and determination. I will be there within a few months. I will come up with a plan to cut back on the things that are not neccessary in my life. It will be hard, but it is worth it. Today while at work I will make a mental note of the things that I can sell to make extra cash. Just thinking, I have a turkey fryer, never been used and also an old computer that is wasting space.

I am looking forward to building and growing. Growth takes time and effort. I see some growth, but the growth must continue.

One more thing. Wasting food, how many of us do that? I have been reinventing meals. For instance, the turkey, I made turkey a la king. I also made a beef and been burrito. To go along the the meat I made mashed potates and another day I made brocolli. Recreate is always good.

Take some time to think about how you waste and what can be recycled, or given away or even sold for some extra cash. I have been working for almost 10 years and I want to live my life to the fullest. Making the right decisions, be creative, earning extra cash and putting that money to good use will come in handy.

Think about your life and what changes you can make. All will work out if you believe.

References

Retire at 40

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to you all,

I haven't been posting in a while and I know that is not a good thing. Overall, the holidays where pleasant for me. I did do some spending, but not too excessively. That I am proud of.

Liam (99 Land Rover) was supposed to be paid off by December 08, did it work? No, it didn't. I owe $2,000 on Liam. I am proud of that.

As for overdrawing I did twice, but it was due to fault of my own. I paid something off and instead of putting the money in the account, I sent the money first. That isn't bad at least it wasn't hundreds of dollars in overdrawn fees.

Something new:

I got several pairs of shoes for Christmas. What I have decided to do with the shoe boxes are use them to put $1, $5, $10, and $20 in them daily. Regardless of what I will put cash in the boxes daily. I will not touch this money until the summer. The money I will have accumulated will be used for emergency, vacation, or put toward debt. I will be put it to good use.

The end of the year brought about much contemplation and want to do better in my overall life. I see where I am slacking and will do better.

One more thing, my credit scores didn't go up, why? My student loans came out of deferment and hit hard. 2 went below 600 and one stayed at 641. Right now, I am unable to do anything positive pertaining to getting some type of credit.

So, if you have student loans make sure they are deferred or are in forebearance. This will keep them in good standing and will not affect your credit score. Go to your student loan website or call them and ask do you qualify for deferment or forebearance.

The house that I was previously looking at has dropped to $144,900. Can't do anything due to credit scores. The late payment on one of the houses will drop off at the end of the month. Staying current with my mortgage payments is a must. We will move by the summer time, so looking forward to getting off this busy street and into a true neighborhood. House with a two car garage and a pool, that would be cool.

2009 will be a great year for me. My goals are to stay focused on important things. BS is not an option. Focus on building multiple streams of income. Learn more about the real estate market and do right by myself and what I have. Financial freedom will be mine. Learn as I go and never look back. This year will not be another waste.

I wish you all a great year. What will you do to get your finances in order? Let me know the wonderful ideas you may have.

Pay off Your Mortgage Fast without Refinancing

I am Doing The Right Thing

I cut up my debit card. I had to do it for the betterment of the people. I told you that I missed up real bad this month. Cutting up the check card was the best thing that I have done for myself in a while. Since it is no longer in my life, I have not spent that much cash. Actually, I went to the bank yesterday and withdrew $150. With that money, I put gas in the car, we ate breakfast at Shoney's, and I bought groceries with the reminder. I put that money to good use.

The emergency fund is a must because I have to get something else worked on on my vehicle. That is alright. I also need to pay a mortgage that I didn't pay this month. This will honestly be the last month that I do that. I had more money in my account and still was overdrawn, that is just sad. I see the problems and I know how to fix them.

I get paid again on the 19 of December, but the catch is that I will not get paid again until the end of January 09. Crazy, right! Money management is the key.

When we were at Shoney's the person behind us was talking about Dave Ramsey's Money Makeover. We had a conversation about getting things in order, that was very motivational. We set there for a reason. No matter how much I want to spend, I need to spend toward the right thing. No debt and more money will handle the problems. Doing right by my cash, not spending excessively is always key.

Have a great day and Happy Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for?

Oops I did it Again!!!!!!!

I did it again, I will not reveal what wrong I have done, but it was not a good one. What I will say is that I cut up my check card, I had to do it for the betterment of my checking account. I honestly don't know what happened, I take that back, I do know what happened. I didn't make a budget and stick with it. Knowing is half the battle.

On a lighter note, I have paid ING so that is scratched off my list of things that I need to pay. Again, knowing is half the battle. I know the problems that I have and I am willing to make a change. The change has to start somewhere, if it doesn't I will not achieve the financial freedom that I deserve.

This mistake has really made me angry with myself, but why get angry? Anger is not going to correct the problem at hand. This financial freedom thing is similiar to weight loss. It all starts with me. I am the only person that can get this thing going. It has already began, but I must be mindful of the pitfalls that lay ahead.

I get paid next Friday and the check is already gone. Recovery, recovery, recovery, is the word of the day for me. I have to recover from the problems that I have given myself. It is sad, it really is, but one day in the near future I am going to look at the problems and challenges I have faced and say it was all worth.

Thanks to everyone that has been reading this blog. Hopefully my daily struggles will help you achieve financial success. Also, thanks for following me! I am slowly making progress.

This link has 5 Best Ways to Reduce Debt

http://www.walletpop.com/top5/reduce-debt

I Think I Finally got it Together

Have you heard of Dave Ramsey? My Total Money Makeover https://www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com/index.cfm? this is the link.

Anyway, Immanuel gave me the book. Very interesting! I know I have been a little unstable as far as spending and I need to get back on the ball. I started reading My Total Money Makeover and it put many things in perspective for me. I mean honestly, it's just a matter of putting the mess beside and staying focused on the end result. First, you must save an emergency fund, starting with $1000. Next, create a Debt Snowball. This is where you put your debt in order from least to greatest.

ING $450
Liam (truck) $3312.02
US Dept of Edu. $13790.00
Sallie Mae $562220.00

This is my total debt. At the end of this month ING will be paid off. Once that is done, I will put about $300-$400 more on Liam until he is paid off. When Liam is paid off, that will allow me to put at least $900-$1000 toward the US Dept of Edu. Sallie Mae is the most I have to pay back excluding my houses. They are later on the list.

My goal is to have all debt paid off within the next 2 1/2 years. Selling Betty's Only candles and doing right by my money will allow me to meet this goal.

I am looking forward to what the future holds. Throughout this I believe I have been having little break throughs. Because I know the answer and what to do, but it seems that life happens and I make the wrong turn. That quick fix seems to always outway the better in the long run. It is alright to get somethings that you want, but it is better to put the money toward the debt. As long as I owe people, the money that I make really isn't mine. Is it? Not paying my debts will make me pay more money in the end. I don't want to give my debtors more than I have too. And that's for real!

Thanks everyone for reading. I may bump my head along the way, learn from my mistakes so that you can better your financial situation. I know the things that I want out of life and I know how I will get them.