North Georgia Gal's Financial Awakening

Sunday and Monday of this week were NSD's. I don't know when the last time was that I had an NSD. I didn't leave the house therefore didn't have to spend anything.

My budget sucks. Right now I need $700 on the first. And since I doubt I will get rent I don't know where I am going to get it from. I don't understand this. If I was still living in the house I would have to be coming up with the mortgage by myself. Why is it so hard to come up with it now? And I make a good bit of money. I just don't get it.

Last week was the first week of my diet. I lost 2.9 pounds. I am excited for this week's weigh in on Friday. According to the scale I have lost 3 more pounds, but my official weigh isn't until Friday. I just can't help peeking!

I have had to make some major changes to my budget due to the renters not paying rent. I don't know what I am going to do the first of the month. My mom told me that she thought I did the right thing by giving the renters more time since it is Christmas and all. I hope she still feels that way when I have to hit her up for money on the first of the month.

Have to take my daughter Christmas shopping tonight plus pick up some groceries for my mom. Probably won't get home until after nine. So much for a relaxing evening.

My boss gave me my Christmas present today. It was an iPad. I am thrilled. Have been on it all night. It is way cool.

Renters don't have rent money yet. He has been out of work due to the weather. They did make a partial payment. I aM going to have to rework my budget. Hopefully things will get better soon.

I went to the grocery store last night. I had budgeted $150 and spent $190. I really didn't need that much but it seems that whenever I go to the grocery store I can't help myself from buying what we don't need. I didn't get any junk food though so that is a plus. Maybe I should up my budgeted amount. Any suggestions on how I can keep from spending so much at the store(not coupons or anything like that...have tried and take too much time for the amount you save.) I think it is because for so many years I didn't budget for the grocery store and I wasn't able to spend money on groceries. I am in a better place now so I tend to spend more.

I have made a new goal, not financial though. I am going to try my best to lose 1 pound a week. I think I can do it. I have started taking my thryoid medication again so that should get under control. I also bought oatmeal to have for breakfast at work. I plan to wein myself off the dr pepper I have every morning. Get a large now, will reduce to med and then to small. I will attempt to drink more water. I also plan to walk on the treadmill as much as I can tolerate. My shins start hurting after I have been walking for about 5 minutes. I know that will get better as I build up my resistance. I have got to do something...I am outgrowing my clothes and not in a good way. I need you guys to cheer me on.

This is the amount in my checking account until Friday when I get paid. Cutting it pretty close, not as close as last time when I had 80-something cents.

I made an executive decision and took myself and my coworker out to lunch today on the company. We were out looking at offices because we need a larger space. Chick-Fil-A. Yum.

Told the renters that if they don't have the rent on Friday I am going to have to start eviction proceedings. I hate to do that at Christmas but I am not going to let them get as far behind as the last renters. I understand that his business is slow this time of year but I had to borrow money to make the mortgage payment. I need to pay that back. Sure hope I am not being screwed again.

I budget $132 each month for my prescriptions. When I went to the pharmacy on the first this month, my cost had gone down. One of the items is now available in generic. YIPPEE!! Now it costs $87 for all of my prescriptions.After the first of the year I will probably take the difference and put it in my emergency fund. Can't do that right now because I need every extra dollar for Christmas.

Tomorrow is my birthday so my boss took me out to lunch today. He will be on his way to Denver tomorrow. we went to Longhorn. Very Yummy.

Renters don't have rent money for me. Didn't see it coming. They are supposed to have it Friday. I told them this can't happen again. I sure hope it isn't a view of whats to come.

Have to borrow money from my mom to pay the mortgage. Will be able to pay it back on Friday when they pay me.

Called to find out how much my car tag is and it was only $79. I budgeted $150. So that was awesome!

I noticed today that I was charged the new $7 monthly fee for one of my checking accounts. This fee was supposed to be waived if I had direct deposit in the amount of at least $100. So I had changed my direct deposit to put $55 in there each pay period, which would cover the $100. When I called them to inquire about the fee, I was told that it had to be $100 at a time. Okay. So I went in and changed my direct deposit to put $100 in that account each pay period. I can then transfer it out to my main checking account. End of story...wrong. About 2 hours later I get a call from the branch manager that they were going to refund me that service charge for this month. I just love that they took the time to call me back and are crediting the fee without any pushing for me. Now I realize that most SunTrusts probably don't have this type of customer service, but for my small little branch in Blue Ridge, GA, they know me by name. So when I call and say this is Amy (*&))*( they know who they are talking to. They greet me by name whenever I have to go into the bank. No other bank in this area does that. I just love banking with my small Suntrust Branch.

My son bought a new car last week. Well...new to him. He bought a 2008 chevrolet aveo. He loves it. This is the first dependable car he has had. This is his fifth car and he is only 19! But he decided to stop trying to get a car cheap and bit the bullet. He now has a car payment and insurance to pay. But I feel better too knowing that he has something dependable. When we went to test drive the car, the battery was dead. So the salesman jumped it off. After we purchased the car, the salesman told us that if we had any problem with the battery to let him know and he would put a new one in it. We it wouldn't start again. DS took the car back to the dealership and guess what! They actually gave him a new battery! I was really impressed with this dealership compared to where I bought my car. They didn't even fill the car up with gas! This dealership filled it with gas and really seemed to care. Unusual for a car dealership, but this is a small town. Too bad the ford dealership in town isn't like that.

I can't believe it is December already. This year hasn't been so great financially. I didn't get anything paid off. I am in the same position that I was in last December. That is really depressing. Hopefully next year will be better since I have gotten good renters in the house.

My budget for the next few weeks is looking good. If all goes well I will be back on track mid January. Send positive thoughts my way!

Well, since my mom came home from the hospital on Thursday, my sister and I have been taking turns staying with them. My sister did most of last week and since I took off work this week it is now my turn. So much for my staycation.

It is a pain to get my computer hooked up to the internet. She doesn't have a wireless router so I have to unplug her desktop and plug in my lap top. And reverse at the end of my session so she can check her emails.

Friday was pay day and I still have $1500 in the bank. Not sure what hasn't cleared but I know I don't really have that much in there. But is sure looks good on paper. I will make my car payment tomorrow.

Spoke to the renters and their son has the measles. They have been quarantined to the house for a week. CDC has to come to the house for a home visit. All this is to say that they can't meet me to get me the security deposit that they owe me. I am not too concerned. I don't get the same feeling that I had with the last renters. I have no reason to not believe them....yet. They should be able to meet me on Thursday or Friday.

Well I have to get off andhook my mom's computer back up. Will try to check in soon.

I had a mini shopping spree last night. I had outgrown all of my long sleeve shirts(another issue that I am dealing with). So when I had to go to walmart for something else, I looked in their plus size department. I found some very cute shirts and sweaters. I got about 9 articles of clothing for right at $100. I think I did good and am pleased. Wish I didn't have to spend the money, but if I do at least I spend it wisely.

My mom got to come home from the hospital today. She is resting comfortably. I will go by and see her after work. We will still have to have someone there all the time because she is pretty much helpless. My weekend will be spent there while my sister is handling during the week since she doesn't work.

Going to the midnight showing of twilight tonight at the drive in. I will be nice and toasty warm in the car though. No sitting in chairs tonight.

She was in bad shape Saturday morning so my sister called the ambulance to take her to the hospital, where they admitted her. her white cell count was extremely low. She needed 2 units of blood and had platlettes yesterday. She is doing much better, but until her white count comes up and she gets rid of the bacteria in her blood she can't come home. It was very interesting this weekend trying to take care of my dad and her. My sister went to the hospital and I stayed with my dad. he can't be left alone. My other sister came up and was with him on Saturday night through Sunday and my neice came up Sunday through today. I don't know what the next few days holds. I am off work next week and imagine that I will have to spend it helping my parents. Bummer. It was supposed to be my time to just veg at home.

I overspent this weekend. I thought I had like $249 in the bank and in actuality I only had $50 in the bank. I overspent by $25. Not too bad, but upsetting just the same. That is what I get for not being vigilant about checking my accounts. Sallie Mae hasn't taken out their payment yet so there is plenty of money in there right now and I have enough in my savings if i need to use my overdraft protection.

Spent all day yesterday in a seminar. I was kind of disappointed. I thought it would be more about financial reporting instead if the policies and procedures. Plus the workbook had a bunch of typos in it. That is something that just turns me off to something right away.

I had to increase my gas budget for the week. I have been making so many trips to the other house that I it took almost my whole gas budget to fill up this morning. The car was almost on empty. It is usually at 1/2 tank when I fill up on Friday. Hopefully now that I have renters I won't have to make so many trips out there.

Met the new renters last night and got their rent for 1/2 of January. They are also going to give me the security deposit next Friday. They are planning to get the power turned on in their name so that is a plus. Seems the power company now offers prepaid power. Used to be in order to get power turned on you had to have a $300 deposit. With the prepaid power, you just pay $75 at a time and they call you to let you know when you are getting low. I think that is a great program! I won't have to worry about making sure the power is paid.

My mom fell out of bed this morning and we had to call an ambulance to check her out. She was fine, just a little sore. She is so weak due to the chemo right now that even little tasks become huge feats. My sister is staying with them today and I will stay with them tomorrow. My dad decided that he was "going home" again on Monday. This is becoming a common occurance with his dimentia. He keeps asking where his wife is staying and where the kids are. Please keep both of my parents in your thoughts.

They didn't make it really public but they put an announcement on the website inside of online banking. If you didn't click on the messages you wouldn't have known they caved. I am so glad I didn't change banks now.

Have an appointment this afternoon to have the carpets cleaned at the rental property. Should be about $175. They are supposed to call me before they start to let me know for sure how much it would be.

Got two new tires yesterday and now the car is making a thumping noise, like I have a flat tire. I am taking it back to them this afternoon to find out what is making that noise.

I have to go help my mom this evening get her checking account straightened out. Since she is doing the chemo she isn't thinking clearly. She paid the violin/piano instructor twice for odd amounts and I want to make sure she hasn't done that with anyone else. I think I am going to suggest that if she wants to pay something that she has me set it up through bill pay. She can still keep her register and all that, but that way I can make sure that things aren't getting paid twice. My fear is that she is making mistakes paying people and isn't recording it all in the register. She would be just horrified if she was to bounce a check.

Then we are going to the grocery store. I have been putting it off since Friday. I don't know what is wrong with me. I usually enjoy going to the grocery store...I guess that comes from all the times that I couldn't afford to go to the grocery store.

Well that is it. Thanks for reading!

I have new renters for the trailer. They are going to move in on Nov 15 so they will pay half a month's rent plus security. This is good. Really helps my budget. Things are looking good now through December.

I came out to my car yesterday morning and had a flat tire. The front tires are pretty bad anyway so I am just getting two new tires. My mom is buying them for me. I hate that but it is better then riding around on bald tires.

My sister had found a wood burning stove for me for $100. She lives in VA and brought it to me this last weekend. but it doesn't fit. It appears that it is too big for my fireplace. I gave her the measurements, but apparently there was a lack of communication on my part. Oh well. I will sell it on craig's list and make some good money from it. I also have a set of gas logs to sell that were in the house when we moved in, but not hooked up. My house is totally electric, but the previous owners had gas heaters around the house. I don't plan on having gas anytime soon.

That's about it for today. Hope everyone has a great day!

What a mess! The renters left the house and yard full of trash! I was so upset when I got over there. I kind of expected it but it kind of hurt my feelings, as strange as that sounds. I was good to them and this is how they treated me. Very upsetting.

I spent the morning trying to change the locks. I say trying because no matter what I did, I couldn't get the two parts to hook up. I eventually called my handy man(more on him later) to come put the deadbolts in. He charged me $20.

I got a card off the bulletin board at ACE hardware for Handy Harold. I used him to come take out my garbage disposal at my house. So I called him and asked him if could clean up the trash at the old house. I was expecting it to be around $200. He said that he would do it for $125. Score! He is coming on Tuesday to get rid of all the trash.

I need to make arrangements to have the carpets cleaned and will try to get that done this week. I will then spend next Saturday cleaning the house. Shouldn't take too long. Just mopping the kitchen and bathrooms.

Since I don't have the money to pay for all of these things that have to be done, my sister is loaning me the money to get the house back up to snuff. I will pay her back when I get a renter in the house.

I was supposed to show the house at 11, 12 and 1 today. The 11 and 12 didn't show up and the 1 was kind of rude. Not sure I want him in the house. Then someone else that had been there yesterday called me and wanted to see the house again. So I went and let them in. Seems very promising. They have to move by Thanksgiving. They were in their last place for 14 years and only moved because it was sold. So they seem like they could be long term rentals. I just got a good feeling from them. I sure hope they take it.

I will keep you updated.

I made it to payday with 82 cents left in my checking account. Quite impressive. I didn't transfer any of the money out of my savings account.

My daughter has a cheer competition tomorrow in Columbus. It is about a 3 1/2 hour drive from here. I don't think I am going to go. I am really torn however. I never miss any of the kids functions. This would be the first time. My daughter doesn't want me driving that far by myself and I can't find anyone to go with me. My sister said she would give me the gas money. DD is flying and I really hate to not be there in case something happens.

I am showing the house tomorrow at 11:00. The ad was in today's paper and someone called me at 9:00 about it. I hope to get a good response for it. I am going to go by there tonight to see what kind of condition the house is in...how much trash there is. I am hoping that they took care of all the trash bags in the yard, but am not holding my breath.

My budget looks good for the next couple of weeks. Then it heads south. Am hoping to get renters in there so that I can make my bills. If not I will have to do some juggling.

That is about it for now. Wish me luck with renters!

I went by the rental property last night and the renters are in the process of moving out. They weren't there but there was a car in the driveway and most of their furniture is gone. They still have until Wednesday to get the rest of their stuff. There is a big pile of trash in the yard. Apparently they haven't been taking their trash to the dump and instead have just been piling it in the yard. I will most likely have to deal with that. Lucky me. At least they have moved out. It amazes me that once they were told they had to move they most likely came up with security and rent for another place when they could have just paid me and not had to move. Just more proof that they were using me.

I have to call today to put an ad back in the paper.

I got the new cell phone bill today. I about choked on my dr pepper. $780. Yep you read that right. I was expecting a bill around $450 because I bought my daughter her christmas present and had it billed to me. But I wasn't ready for a bill that large. Turns out that one of the phones my ex has has been getting on the internet and it has no(zero, zilch) data plan. So it charged $1.99 for each megabyte. total charges = $290. I know exactly what happened. His mother has the phone and his brother got ahold of it and started using it to probably look up porn on the internet. I called the ex and he will get to the bottom of it. I know that he will pay me for it, just have to make payments because he just started working in New York. I also blocked the internet on that phone and blocked the subscription text messages from all phones. No more surprises.

I got on the Sallie Mae website to see about my payment that automatically comes out. I was debating cancelling it because I didn't have enough money to cover it. It was too late to cancel it(although I did attempt to cancel automatic debit will have to go back and redo that). But I found out that the payment is $471 this month. They added all the late fees to the $269 payment. Good thing I looked. That is a significant difference that could have gotten me in a lot of trouble.

I am running short on money so I took out a loan from my employer for $1400. I will pay it back $100 per paycheck. I hated to ask him but with the renters not giving me anything I was desperate. Now I can make all my bills and hopefully I will get somebody in there pretty quickly. I am going to drive by there tonight and see if they have left yet.

Plan to have a quite night at home. Trick or treating is a little different where I live. Since the homes are mainly rural everyone goes downtown where the merchants hand out candy. Since my kids are older now, I don't have to go downtown. They go to hang out, not to get candy, and their mom hanging out with them would just be lame(according to them). So I get to relax in the warmth of my home.

My sister is bringing me a wood burning stove this weekend to put into our fireplace. It should help with our heating bills this winter. I just hope that I keep up with it and it works like I hope it does. There is only a narrow opening that heat can get through to get to the main part of the house so I am hoping that it travels well.

Well that about updates all that is going on in my life. Hope everyone has a safe and fun halloween!

I sent the renters a letter telling them to be out in 10 days. I sent one regular mail and one by certified mail. I hope they leave the place in good condition. I sent them 3-4 text messages last week with no response. I am just fed up.

My budget isn't looking real great for the next month or so. I am going to have to borrow money from my parents for the first of the month expenses. Just not sure when I will be able to get it back to them. I hope I can find a renter that pays rent on time. That would be such a relief.

Well the cold hit the south today. The high temp is only 55 and it is only 47 right now. That is cold for this time of the year. Makes me wonder what kind of winter we are going to have. Definately will have to make sure the heat is on before I go to bed. Don't want to wake up to a freezing house.

I have spent the last couple of days helping my son get his college applications in. We have an appointment for Monday to have a counselor help us fill out the FAFSA form. there is no charge for this and I can't seem to get to the right website. So I am going to let her do it. I don't know what kind of financial aid he will receive, I look really good on paper. But unfortunately I am not doing that great. He will probably have to take out some student loans.

The budget isn't looking too good for the next couple of weeks. Not sure what I am going to do. I think I am finally to the point of telling the renters that they have to move out. They either are not working or not taking me serious about giving me more money. I am not sure which it is but I am to the point of not caring. I hate that I have let myself get into this position. I just hate confrontation. And I am scared how they will leave the house.

Campfrugal got me thinking about my account being hacked. I wondered what protection my bank offered. So I called them. I would not be responsible for any of the charges that were made without my permission. Very good to know.

I also sent the renters a text telling them if they couldn't come up with the $200 per week that they need to move out by the end of the month. Technically I didn't give them thirty days notice, but I don't think they know about that. He sent me back a notice that he is trying his best. I told him that I understood that but that my bills are in jeopardy and I can't afford to let them get any further behind. We will see what happens.

Found out today that exdh moved to New York. What does that mean for me? Well I don't know how he will pay his share of the cell phone bill unless there is a suntrust up there that he can deposit the cash into. Will have to see how this works out.

I received an interesting phone call last night. Seems that the renters have gone to their church to help them pay the rent. The church called to verify how much is owed. They will only pay $100 though so it doesn't get them caught up but every little bit helps. While on the phone with the church, she mentioned that the husband has been laid off from work. I truly hope that isn't the case as then I won't get the $200 for the next two weeks, which I desperately need. They did come up with the $205 for the power bill this last weekend.

Working my budget for the next couple of weeks. It is not pretty. Without the money from the renters I am not sure how I will get through it. Will have to put the mortgage payment off until November 4th. That is late but not over 30 days so it won't show on my credit. I just hate to do that. I worked hard to get it on time and once I push it out, it usually stays out for a while. Need to start working on my budget for November, but just not motivated since I am not sure where the money is going to come from.

Well...I finally went to the grocery store last night. I skipped the shopping last payday, but I budgeted two trips worth. Good thing. I spent $317. We were really low on everything. Should be set for the next two weeks or longer.

I am taking a new approach with the renters. Instead of asking them if they have the money I am asking them when they want to meet, as if it is a given that they have the money. He answered that he has half of the power bill and is trying to get the rest today. I am on an extremely tight budget this week and I need their money for the power bill.

The football game is an away game tonight so I will be traveling. It is about 1 1/2 hours away. I upped my fuel allowance for the week since we also have a cheer competition tomorrow. Speaking of fuel, I had to only get $20 worth last night. I usually fill up twice a week and had already used my fuel allowance. I hate that I couldn't fill up. I can judge how well I stick to a budget by my ability to fill the tank, not just get enough to get by. So I was bummed about only be able to get $20. Gas prices are really low...3.08 per gallon. A new gas station opened up and I don't know if that is the reason it is so low or not, but I am not complaining.

I had a very quiet weekend. DD went to her Dad's after the football game on Friday night. I did nothing but sleep on Saturday. I ran out of one of my meds so I think that was the reason. I simply couldn't keep my eyes open. Even to watch Football. It was bad. I am worried about starting it again. Seems that when I started it the first time it made me like that. I take it at night now so hopefully I will be able to skip that nice little side effect. I must remember to go pick up my meds today.

For sleeping all day Saturday, I sure managed to spend a lot of money this weekend. I had to fill up sooner than usual so that was $49. I has pizza for dinner one night and taco bell the other night. I stopped on Friday on my way to Atlanta at Dunkin Donuts. I can't believe how expensive they are anymore! When I worked there it was $3 for a dozen. Now it is over $6 a dozen. Sure can't do that all the time.

The renters gave me $196 yesterday. That didn't even pay all of September's rent. I sent him a text message this morning telling them that they need to give me $200 a week until they get caught up. I really hope they do this. I think that is a fair offer. Just concerned that he doesn't always make that much. Not my problem though. Just need to keep repeating that to myself.

Pending what the renters give me, my budget is looking pretty good. I got 6 hours of overtime on Friday's check so that helps out. It is pretty tight though. Need to send lunch money to DD school and get groceries. I have $300 budgeted for groceries since I skipped a shopping trip. That should be plenty. it will be good to get food back in the house.

I haven't posted regularly but I am lurking around reading posts. I don't really have anything new to report. I told the renters that I needed the rest of September's rent tomorrow because I didn't want to carry it over to October. We'll see how that goes. I know I need to evict but I am lazy and don't want to go through the process. But I will tell them that if the rent isn't caught up by the end of October I will be filing eviction papers. I hope they believe me. What can't it just be simple. I think they are in over their heads. He made a comment the last time we met that he makes $50/day. that comes to $250/week. I don't know if she works or not. The rent is $500 so two weeks of work. The power bill has been running $200. So another week's work. That only leaves them $250 for groceries and other things. They just keep getting further and further behind. I feel bad for them, but my financial well being is at stake here. I honestly don't know how someone can make it on $250/week. When I was making $300/week I had to have a great amount of help from my parents.

There was supposedly a drug bust in my neighborhood yesterday. Quite a large one, if my source is accurate. I will have to buy the newspaper to check things out. We feel pretty safe there and have never had any problems. But DD has told me before that the area is riddled with drug dealers. Wish I had known that before we moved in.

My budget is looking pretty good still, as long as the renters give me their money. The first of the month is looking pretty weak and I might have to borrow some money if the renters don't come up with their rent(FOR SEPTEMBER!!).

It has been a pretty easy week at work because my boss and work mate are at a conference. That makes my job very easy.

That's about all that is going on with me. Thanks for reading!

I spent alot of money on myself yesterday. It has been so long since I have spent any money that it just got out of control. I needed a pair of shoes to wear on Monday to a work function. Got them at payless shoe source. $28. We went out to dinner, $23. I got my nails done, $33. And the clothes that I bought yesterday at Walmart, $98. I should be set for a while now, except paying to have the jeans hemmed. But that is with every pair of pants I buy, being only 4'7". The only thing I didn't need was my nails. I just love having my nails done.

My neice is coming tonight to color and cut my hair. I am getting it really short. I will give her $50 toward her gas and time. My DD will also get her hair cut.

All this results in a major adjustment to the budget. I didn't totally screw myself but the next two weeks are going to be really tight.

I was in desperate need of some more jeans. With all the weight I have gained only two pair of pants fit me anymore(well three, but one involves shaving legs and I am on strike from that...lol) So I went to walmart and found two pair of jeans that were clearance and one pair that was regular priced 18.88. I also hit the clearance rack for some shirts and a new purse. I know I didn't need the new purse, but it will be nice to finally have a purse that things won't fall out of! All in all, I spent $98 and got 3 pair of jeans, 3 shirts and a new purse. I am pretty happy with my purchases.

I set up my student loan to be debited from my account on the 10th of each month. It will make things tight for me, but doable. I definately need to get the renters back on track.

I reduced my car gas allowance from $125 to $100. I was always having overages, so it was more realistic. This week I came in $7 under! I was concerned that I would go over. I increased the allowance for next week because DD has a cheer competition that I will have to drive to.

I have been on a bit of spending spree lately, just on eating out. I need to get that back under control. It isn't like we don't have food at home. We have quite a bit of food at home. Just need to get disciplined enough to make it. I forgot to take something out for dinner tonight so I will probably make something with hamburger meat since you can brown it while it is still frozen.

My daughter broke the lid to our crock pot on Sunday. Shattered it into a million little pieces. I looked for a replacement lid but you have to buy the pot part too. I went ahead and ordered it and will just have an extra pan for cooking. I am not sure where I got the crock pot from but it is a corningware and I absolutely love it. So it is well worth the price to get a new pan.

My shoulder is slowly getting better. Every once in a while I will move it a certain way and it hurts, but for the most part it seems to be healing nicely.

I had a lazy weekend so not much to report. The only time I left the house on Saturday was to go pick up Subway and the only time I left on Sunday was to meet the renters to get some money from them.

Speaking of renters, they are still there. She gave me $100 and said she would have more on Friday. Sure hope so. I am losing patience with them.

I fell down the last two stairs on Sunday morning, dislocating my shoulder. It popped right back in so no need to go to the hospital. It has done this several times since I dislocated is several years ago, but this time was by far the worst. My shoulder is still in pain and I can barely move it.