Well, I was floating along financially. Had money in savings. Things were looking good until Januaray. Then BAM! The transmission goes out on my car. It needs a new one, to the tune of about $3500. It never fails that just when things start looking up, something happens. I am having to use my money in savings and put the rest on my parent's credit card, to which I will be making monthly payments. So instead of getting my credit cards paid off, I will be working on this debt. Bummer! I was really looking forward to having my credit cards paid off.

I haven't posted in a while, but I am still here, lurking in the shadows. Today is payday. It is kind of let down. I wait for payday to make the extra payment on my credit card or timely payments on the other stuff that is due. But since I set everything up through my bill pay there is nothing for me to do! Everything is paid automatically! Oh well. Guess I will get over it! LOL

I still have almost $700 on my emergency fund and almost $200 in my car maintenance fund.

I have decided to plan a trip to disney. We will be in Tampa anyway for my daughters cheer leading and will just spend an extra week there. I have some tickets that my sister bought us that never expire so the tickets won't be that much. We are also going to visit Universal and Sea World. I am so excited about the trip. My best friend from High school has offered to let us stay at her house, she lives about 30 minutes from the parks. So it will be a frugal trip, but a trip none the less. And it will be paid for all in Cash. Now I just need to get busy and save!

Out of the $4900 I got, I gave my mom close to $3000. She called me to today to thank me for remembering them. She said that in the past they have given money to thier children and then when the children get windfalls, they don't remember to give any back to them. She was just very proud of me. To me it was the right thing to do. I am trying very hard to be self sufficient. My parents are not alwasy going to be there so I need to learn to live on what I make.

I keep staring at my account in Quicken. I am not used to not having to keep a strict eye on it to make sure I don't bounce a check. I still keep a strict eye on it, but for different reasons. I just hope that my resolve stays strong and I continue to not spend money, even though I have it.

I joined Thrive Tuesday night. So far so good. I bought the recommended bread and peanut butter and jelly. I bought the protein shakes fromo them. It was pretty good. I am not hungry, but I find that I am bored and tempted to eat out of boredom. I must put a halt to that! But wich me luck as I continue on this diet plan. I really need to lose a bunch of weight!

I have decided that I am going to join Thrive, which is a weight loss program. Since I have sacrificed myself for so long, I am doing this for me. Maybe I can get back down to a comfortable weight. Would I be doing it if I hadn't gotten that money, no. I couldn't afford it. But this is important to me. My weight is affecting my self esteem. And since I did get that money, I think that spending a little bit wisely on myself will be a good investment.

When I checked my email this morning, I had an email from the child support office that there was a new payment on my account. When I looked it up, it was $4930!! I was so shocked! Apparently the ex did the first time homebuyers credit. I was so surprised!

It couldn't have come at a better time! I paid off my property taxes and one of my credit cards. I also paid off my garbage bill. I put $1500 into my savings account/emergency fund. I caught up my mortage(which was less than 30 days past due) and paid my cell phone bill. All in all, I think I did well with the money. I have my budget set through October. Of course there is always minor changes here and there, but it pretty much sticks to the main plan.

Today is payday and as fast as it appeared in my account, it disappeared just as quickly. I am glad it is payday, cause I was down to my last $10. I didn't get to make an extra payment to the tax commissioner this payday, but have two scheduled for next payday.

I should be getting my financial aid refund around the 7th so I will be able to get things back on track instead of just treading water.

I blew my diet this morning. I tend to get frustrated when I don't see any results. I am logging everything I eat, am drinking more water and yet I don't see the scale moving at all. It is frustrating for me. But tomorrow(and the rest of the day), I am getting back on the diet. Hopefully I will see some changes happening.

Sorry I haven't posted lately...There isn't much going on right now, financially or otherwise. I am still sticking to my diet through SparkPeople. I lost 1.5 pounds last week and am track to do the same this week. It is slow going, but no one said it would be easy. I am doing step aerobics on the wii and really enjoying it!

Financially, I have my gas money for next week set aside. I only have $50 extra this next week for groceries or anything. Thankfully we don't need that much. I bought most stuff last week. I am just trying to hold it together until I get paid again next Friday. I hate living paycheck to paycheck. I will probably get a large refund from my financial aid sometime in September. I am not depending on it though. This is the time of the year when I start dreaming of my tax refund! I did submit the form to get the advanced earned income credit so that will add some money to my paycheck. Not sure how much yet.

My financial aid hasn't been processed yet so I had to come up with the money to purchase my books. I will get it back in the form of a refund. I have to admit, I never thought I would be able to come up with $378 without borrowing from my parents, but I made it happen. Between the various savings accounts and such, I was able to come up with enough to cover the books. That felt real good.

Today is payday. It is already spent! Isn't it sad how money goes so fast?

Well, my tactic of sticking my head in the ground hasn't worked well for me. I have been ignoring this loan for over a year. Yes I did try to sign up for income based repayment, but they claim they never received it(I sent it twice). I should have followed up on it but didn't. Now it is at the do or default date. I have to make a payment of $1434.81 in order to keep it from going to default, which would really suck. So...I had to suck itup and ask my mom to put it on her credit card. I have to pay the payments each month and she now gets all the extra payments I have been making on other debts.

Ihave put in applications at Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Food Lion, and Ingles, hoping that someone is hiring a part time helper. Keep your fingers crossed that someone will call me shortly to offer me a part time job!

Yesterday was a NSD for me! The first in a while. My boss asked me to take a co-worker out to lunch so I got a free lunch! THe scale still showed a one pound loss this morning. I was concerned since we ate lunch out yesterday. Tomorrow is my official weigh in day...hopefully it will still show a loss.

Went to INgles this morning and stocked up on bagels and cream cheese for work. Shouldn't have to go back for a while.

Yesterday was almost a NSD. I had to stop and get my daughter some dinner. But that was the only money I spent.

Somehow I ended up with $32 in my purse...still not quite sure where it all came from. But I took $25 and put it in my coin jar at home. That way if I am not able to get home in time for dinner or for some reason end up not coming up until late, the kids have money there that they can order a pizza with.

The scale showed a loss this morning of either 1 or 2 pounds, depending on which step on you believe. I don't care which it is. I am just happy to have a loss! My official weigh in isn't until Friday.

My sister who is in town from DC went with me to Calhoun last night and we walked around the outlet mall. I saw several cute shirts that were on clearance, but I didn't budge. I knew that I didn't have money in the budget for them. I did however buy 3 18 hour bras. They were $13 each and I was in desperate need. I was down to one bra that I had to wash every night. That was money well spent. I was very proud of the fact that I didn't purchase anything that wasn't needed. I saw several things that I would like to have, but nothing that I needed, besides the bras.

I did good on my eating yesterday, actually came in below my recommended calorie intake because I didn't eat anything for dinner. I meant to take a zone bar with me to eat, but I forgot it. The scale this morning didn't show anything, but I have until Friday, which is my new weigh in day. Lets hope there is at least a pound gone. Otherwise I might feel frustrated and not keep with it.

Both Financially and Dieting. Financially, I spent too much money a little here and a little there and it all adds up to too much. I haven't entered everything into my check register yet, but I know it will be bad.

I blew my diet yesterday. We had a birthday party for my nephew and I had a piece of cake and ice cream. I also made cookies last night. This was my first weekend on SP and I knew it was going to be hard. I just need to crack down on myself. Next weekend should be easier since there is no party or anything.

It has gotten really easy to not go to BK. This morning I didn't even give it a second thought. Maybe that addiction has been broken. I also managed to keep myself from getting donuts yesterday after church. We failed to eat before we went and were starving when we got out. But after the internal conversations with myself, I managed to not get them and snack on some grapes until lunch was ready. This is a huge accomplishment for me.

We went to the drive in last night. Since my car is prone to killing the battery, I searched for a portable radio. I found one at Family Dollar for $25. UGGH. Then when we got to the drive in, they made an announcement that they have portable radios that can be checked out for free!!! DOUBLE UGGGGHHH!!! I will be taking that radio back to Family Dollar!!!!

My daughter has been using the car charger to charge her phone. She swears that she didn't leave the car on, but somehow, the battery was dead this afternoon. Another GRRRR! Thank goodness for roadside assistance. Costs me nothing for them to come jump my car off, which has happened several times.

Today has kind of been a blow it day for my diet. I haven't drank near enough water and I had a bag of m&m's for a snack with a glass of milk. Not totally bad, but it feels like it. Will have to do better tomorrow.

I woke up this morning to no milk. My children drank the last of it sometime last night. So I went to the grocery store to get milk. While I didn't do too bad money wise, I definately didn't do too good on the healthy side. I got pillsbury cinnamon rolls and a thing of biscuits. I also got a bag of m&m's. I came home and ate a handfull of m&m's while the cinnamon rolls were cooking. I can still salvage the day diet wise, but it will take some pure dedication!

Food Lion has their dog food BOGO. So I got two bags of dog food, which should last a while since we only have the one dog now(XH took the small dog and she seems to be doing well there). I also got 2 12 packs of Dr Pepper. That should last a while too since I am making a conscience effort to drink more water. The last thing I got was spiral notebooks. I like to keep a few on hand for grocery lists and if the kids need them for school. They were .25 each. I got 12 of them. I was so excited because they were 1.00 at Dollar General. Total Spent $34.

First I resisted the strong urge to go to BK this morning. Then I resisted ordering pizza for dinner. And to top it all off, I resisted going to get ice cream, which has been a usual Friday night activity with my DD. I feel real good about today. I hope I can keep this momentum up.

Since I resisted all of these temptations, I have had a NSD so far. But we are probably going to go to the drive in tonight so I will have the ticket purchase. But I would rather spend my money on that than on food that I don't need!

Positive of the day:
I can resist unhealthy choices to the benefit of my health and budget.

For the last two mornings, I have really wanted to stop at BK and get cini minis. I even tried to rationalize it this morning by saying that I have been good the last threes days and then that Friday can be my splurge day. I was even willing to "borrow" money from my gas fund to pay for them. It was almost kind of comical, this discussion I was having with myself. But in the end...I didn't go! I came straight into work and made my bagel w/ cream cheese. I stepped on the scale this morning and I have lost 1/10 of a pound. That may not seem like alot, but for only have been doing this for 3 days and since I am shooting 1-2 pounds per week, that is great! I admit I was a little disappointed it wasn't more, but I can look at it and be happy. It didn't cause me to crash my diet.

I made it through the week with 30 gas money left. That will become my spending money for the week. I filled up last night for $54. If this week is like last week, I should end up with quite a bit left. I had an extra fill up due to DS taking my car to Atlanta.

My financial aid finally went through. I am eligible for the pell grant. I was going to order the books and use my mom's credit card, but I was able to use the financial aid at the online bookstore! They cost a little bit more, but now I don't add to the money I owe my mom. I am so excited. Classes Start August 16. Hopefully it will be smooth sailing. I am taking 3 courses, something I have never attempted before. Wish me luck!

Almost forgot my positive!

I am a nurturing caring mother who puts the happiness of her children above her own.

I really wanted to stop for Cini Minis this morning. I had to keep asking myself why I am choosing to stay overweight. That did it. I was able to beat the craving and come straight to work. I am eating my bagel w/ cream cheese now. Today is day 3 of my new diet and all goes well so far.

Yesterday was kind of a spendy day. I went to ingles in the morning to get items for work. They have their bottled water on sale so I got to cases of it. I ended up spending about $20 there. When I went to make lunch I realised I didn't have any grape jelly so I had to go back to the grocery store. Went ahead and got more cream cheese since it is running low.

School started today for my kids. I had to get school supplies last night. Spent about $8 but that isn't finished yet. They will come home tonight to tell me what other things they need. Joy.

To not be fat anymore. I had a very powerful session with my therapist and discovered that every time I binge eat I am making a choice to continue to be overweight. I came out of the meeting with a new found resolve to lose weight. I started drinking water like I should yesterday. I went to the store last night and stocked up on healthy foods. I walked on the treadmill last night for 10 minutes. Hope to build that up. I joined a site called SparkPeople. I have used it before and it is a great weight loss tool. Best of all it is free!

I had $100 to spend at the grocery store and came in just under that at $98.60. However, I had to go to the store this morning to get things to keep at work for breakfast and lunch. Spent $28 this morning. Will have to rework the budget...again.

Forgot to post my positive for the day:

I am strong enough to stick to this diet and lose the weight I need to lose.

I have already spent $41.07 and it is only noon! I had a dr appointment and the copay was $40. Then I stopped at McDonalds and got a large drink for $1.07. I plan to go to the grocery store tonight so my spending for the day isn't done.

Positive Thought for the Day:

I consistently go out of my way to help my friends whenever they need help.

I just reworked my budget for the next few weeks. I gave myself more money each week for necessities and spending money. I hope it all works out like it is planned...

Taking a tip from Tar Walker and posting something positive about myself or my situation each day. Today's positive:

I am able to create and live within a budget for the benefit of myself and my family.

I leant my car to my son and his friends to go to a concert in Atlanta yesterday. It has a full tank of gas when they left. When I got in the car this morning it was sitting in empty! So I had to get gas on the way to work this morning. $51. This kind of depleted my gas allowance, so DS is going to have to give me some money toward the gas they used.

Even without a car yesterday, I managed to find a way to spend money. We ordered a pizza for dinner. DD had one of her friends over and there really wasn't much to cook in the house. Mother Hubbards Cabinets are bare!!

I budgeted $50 this week for spending money. It turns out that that is not enough for a week...heck, even for the weekend. By the time I purchased cat food, dog food, milk and other necessities(I got a receipt for each purchase but still can't believe how it all added up so quickly) the money is gone! I guess that $50 is not a realistic number. Perhaps I need to budget for household expenses and spending money seperately. Not sure how to do that since I am so strapped anyway. I did submit the advanced earned income credit form to the payroll department so hopefully that should add some money to my check. How much remains to be seen.

I faxed in the automatic debit form to Sallie Mae yesterday. Hopefully they will process it shortly. It will bring my account current and stop all collection activities. As long as I make a couple of payments than I can cancel it. I will hopefully be back in school by then and the loans will go into forebearance. Since I don't know when the first payment will be deducted, I asked my mom for the $240 to cover it. She said that was fine.

We did a fundraiser this morning for cheerleading. We "stood on the corner and begged for money". Were were there about 3 hours and made $262 or $52 per cheerleader. Not bad. Could have stayed longer but it was so dang hot! Next time we will plan it for the fall when we can stay longer. With this money though and the money from my sisters, the amount due on August 15 is covered.

Today is payday! I barely made it! I already have the checks to my parents made out and have already transferred the money back to my son. The property tax payment is set up for Tuesday, when I receive my child support payment. My budget is looking pretty good for the next few weeks. Of course nothing is set in stone. The only shortages I have is the Sallie Mae payments. I have to find a way to work that into my budget. I might have to hold off on the property tax payments for a month or so.

We are doing a collection drive fundraiser tomorrow for cheer. It is going to be HOT! I get ill when I get hot so the other parents should be nice to me! LOL!!

A long time ago, in far far away...oh wait, that is a different story that involves an orge and ends with happily ever after.

My story is quite different. When I became pregnant with my son many years ago, I needed to be enrolled in school to still be covered on my parents insurance. I went to a school that preys on the financially uneducated, as I was. They not only charged a HUGE amount of money to come out with a certificate, not even a degree, but they also talked me into taking out plus loans. So I owe over $30k in student loans.

Fast forward to today...Although I have been living in a budget and getting stuff paid on time, I have not been able to work my student loans into my payment plan. I received a call yesterday that they could go into default anyday. This is bad. Real Bad. That means that they will keep any tax refund that I get for many years to come. I had sent in a form for income based repayment, but I was told last night that I am too far behind for that to be processed. I plan on going back to school, hopefully in August(which is another long story!) so the loans will be brought current and go into forebearance. But this might not be soon enough. I called today to request an auto debit enrollment form. This will bring the account current. I just have to figure out how to work it into my shoestring budget for the next couple of months.

I just couldn't take Ginger to be put to sleep. I kept looking at her last night and thinking how sad it would be. I just couldn't do it. XH is now trying to see if he can come up with the money to take her to vet and then he will take her. She did much better at that house...I think she might be allergic to the type of grass as well as fleas. I am concerned because I know he doesn't have any more money than I do(probably less actually). He is renting my old house from me so I am concerned it will affect the rent payment, which I can't afford.

I have a question about having a rental home though...those of you with rentals, can you help me out? Do I need a seperate checking account for the rental properties? I am not making any income on it over the mortgage and homeowners insurance. What kind of records do I need to be keeping? I have never had a rental so I am not sure. It seems to me that my parents had a seperate checking account for their rentals. Also, how is this going to affect my taxes. Will I have to show the rent as income? What about the expenses? Will I be able to deduct them?

I have made a decision. I am going to have our small dog put to sleep. This has not been an easy decision. She is miserable though. She can't stop itching. She has rubbed the hair competely off her tail and rear end. I don't have the money to take her to the vet once a month for the shot that clears it up. I will probably be very emotional tomorrow, when I take her. She is 11 years old and all of it has been with us. I don't know if what I am doing is the right thing, but it is the right thing for us financially. I can't continue to let her suffer and I can't afford to get her what she needs. We don't have any no kill shelters around here. It'll cost me $25 to have her put down.

Please no negative posts...I already feel like a completely irresponsible pet owner.

I have had a very quiet day today. Went and visited my parents for a while. Actually cooked dinner. Spaghetti and garlic bread. Nothing fancy. Had to buy catfood and dr pepper this evening. Didn't get anything done in my room. Really need to get motivated to do some work in there. Still have boxes in there that I haven't unpacked. I have $38 dollars left for gas this week. I think I may barely squeak by.

When I went to Calhoun to get my daughter, I went in Goody's to kill some time. I found two shirts on clearance for 9.99 each. I didn't need to spend the money, but I really need new shirts for work. Since I have gained so much weight, hardly any of my shirts fit anymore. I am surprised they haven't said something at work about the shirts I have been wearing. I also found some earrings on clearance for $3 each. I got two pair. I took some money from my savings account to pay for them. I have already arranged a transfer for Friday to pay myself back. Just one more reason why I need to lose some weight. Okay alot of weight.