North Georgia Gal's Financial Awakening

I gave in today and went to get a BLT combo from Arby's. I know I shouldn't have but haha on me...it made me sick. I suppose that is what I get. I just didn't feel like making something. Oh well. Lesson learned.

I took my daughter to Blairsville this morning to meet her ride to the races. She asked me as I was just waking up if we could stop at McDonalds or if she needed to eat something here. I told her we would stop then thought better of it and told her to eat something here. She didn't even complain! Then after I dropped her off I came straight home and ate a bowl of cereal. Then for dinner/lunch I made a pb&j sandwich and chips. So today is another day of not eating out.

Tonight was the 4th night in a row that I ate dinner at home. I heated up some tomato sauce, added some pasta, made some garlic bread and called it done. It was yummy. My daughter ordered chinese but paid for it with her own money. She will be gone all day tomorrow so she won't be here to tempt me into eating out.

I have done well so far. I only got one fountain drink from Mcdonalds yesterday. Now if I can make it through the weekend...the weekend is always the hardest because it is just easier to grab something. I know that is reverse of the way it should be...seeing as I am home and have the time to make something. But who ever said that I am normal?!

I have a charge for homeowners insurance that comes out of my checking account automatically around the first of the month. A couple of times it has come out before the first. Since I don't have enough to cover it, my mom said she would help me cover it until the first and then I can pay them back. This is the first time in several months that I have had to borrow any money from them. And I don't feel too bad because it isn't like I don't have the money to pay it, it is just a scheduling error.

The renters have informed me that the air conditioning is no longer working. they are supposed to be getting some estimates. I am hoping that the duct work has fallen. That is a pretty easy fix. My worst fear is that the unit will need to be replaced. In that case I don't know what I will do. Probably buy them a bigger window unit that will work for the whole house. But come winter, I will need to get something else worked out. I have a plan though. I can finance the unit through the power company. I would just need to get the power switched over to my name. I have never taken it out of they EX DH's name after the divorce 7 years ago. I just have never had $300 for the deposit.

Well I am off to make my bagel with cream cheese. Hope everyone has a happy Friday!

Today is the third day of not eating out. I am doing well as I don't even have any cravings. I am not particularly thrilled with bagels for breakfast, but I can't think of anything else that appeals to me. As long as I don't give in and go get something quick.

We had leftover tuna noodle casserole last night. It was a little dry, but not too bad. I forgot to take something out of the freezer for dinner tonight so we will probably have grilled cheese and french fries. It has been so long since I have made dinner that I am kind of enjoying it. I actually have been keeping the sink empty of dishes but loading/unloading the dishwasher. That alone is a huge improvement for me.

Well, I had better get to work. Hope you have a great day!

Day 1 went well. I purchased to $1.00 sodas from Mcdonald's. And even though I was starving by the time I left work, I didn't get anything else. I went home and cooked dinner. It was the first time in a long time that I have actually cooked dinner. It was good and we have left overs for tonight(unless the teenage boys find it). Day 2 has started well. If I can resist breakfast out than I am usually pretty good. Breakfast is my weakest moment.

Renters gave me $298 last night. I put $203 of it toward the power bill and the rest to my son. They still owe $302 for June rent. This is owed to my son because he gave me the money to pay the mortgage. Hopefully they will get caught up real soon.

I have decided to challenge myself on my eating out problem. I went to the store last night and got bagels and cream cheese to keep at work for breakfast. And stocked up on frozen meals for lunch. I put them in the freezer at work so I don't have to remember to bring them from home in the mornings. I am allowing my self a large dr pepper from Mcdonalds every morning for $1. I know I should just buy a 12 pack to keep at the office, but it just doesn't taste the same as a fountain drink.

I went to Food Lion for work yesterday and found that they have their bottled water on sale. So I bought 2 cases for home. Also purchased the aformentioned bagels and lunches. I also filled up my gas tank for $3.59/gal. That is the cheapest I have seen around here.

I have $25 left in my grocery fund for the next week and a half and $13 left in my gas fund until Friday. I feel good about where I am at.

I sent my mom a list of where my money goes on payday. We were talking and she thought that I just spent money where I shouldn't. I tried to explain to her that even before I get a chance to spend money I am in the negative with just the items that need to be paid on that payday. She understands now that I simply don't make enough money. I have put in applications at a couple different places, but nothing pans out. I know that Food Lion has hired people since I put my application in, but they haven't called me.

Well, I am off to make my bagel with cream cheese. Have a great day!

I have decided to post my paycheck each week and what is being paid. A couple of notes though…there is $100 in the account that I don’t count. So although it says there is a negative balance, that is not accurate. Airfare…sister purchased ticket I am paying her half of ticket price. Transfer to rent account is replacing money I borrowed from the renters damage deposit. Groceries and gas are estimates. Car payment is only $350 but I am trying to pay $400 each time. Transfer to Son is rent paid by the renters that needs to be paid back to him since he loaned me the money to pay the mortgage.

Beg Balance -69.83 -69.83

Work 1080
Child Support 339.42
Total Income 1419.42

Contacts 100
Transfer to 100
rent acct 100
Gas for 2 weeks 250
groceries 150
credit card 100
Telephone&
Internet&TV 176.3
Water 51.08
Cheer Pictures 60
Airline Ticket 20
DD Shoes 60
car payment 400
homeowners insu 66.58
transfer to Son 80
Total Payments 1613.96

Amount short -264.37

As you can see…I have a shortfall for the next two weeks. Ex DH should give me $160. That leaves $104 shortfall. Since there is $100 in the account I don’t count, I am good. Plus I don’t expect to pay the full groceries or gas allowances. It will be very tight but doable. Just need to control my eating out.

Just looking over my finances and things are looking pretty decent. I am still not able to put anything into savings, but on payday, there will be $93 in my savings account. I do have the kids savings accounts with a balance of $120(60 each). Friday $20 more will be added to each account. I also have the renters security deposit in a saving account, Should be $250, but I had to borrow some. So right now there is $100 but Friday I am paying back $100. That will make $200 in there.

I called the renters Monday to see if they had any rent money for me. She told me they had $98.05. So I met them and they had $90 in cash and $8.05 in change. I felt so bad for them. I remember when we had our first apartment and we had to count pennies to get the rent. I am so glad that I am not in that position any longer. It used to kill me when people said they had no money, but they had money in savings or other places. When I said I had no money I meant that I really had no money. So glad I am not in that position any longer. I am still not getting everything paid that I need to get paid but I am definately in a different place.

I have got to gain control of my eating out. I have had lunch out every day this week. And we are talking Arby's so it isn't cheap. I has been about $6 every day. Plus $4 for breakfast(which I budget for). I really have got to gain control of this. At the time it is like "it is only $6." But all of the $6 add up to lots of money. And I have items in the freezer at home that I could bring, but I forget to grab them in the mornings.

Well...that is all for now. Thanks for reading!

I renewed my mortgage last year in May. I just called the bank to clarify where the extra that I am paying is being credited to because it looked like to me that it was just going to toward future payments. However, that isn't the case. Since May of last year I have paid $2000 toward the principle and reduced my payment. So my monthly payment has been reduced. On average each time I make my payment I am paying $200 toward the principle. I am not as good as some of you keeping up with how much principle and interest I pay but I am pretty proud of the fact that I have paid so much toward the principle.

The renter called me last night and told me that they ran into a medical issue and didn't have the rent. I am not capable of being mean so I told them to get it to me as soon as possible, hopefully this weekend. In the meantime, I need to make a mortgage payment. My son got quite a good bit of money for his high school graduation. So I made a deal with him. He loaned me the money to make my house payment and when the renters pay I will pay him back plus the Late fee the renters must pay. So he is making money on the deal. I just hope that this doesn't become a regular occurance. After July, I will be a month ahead on the mortgage so this won't be an issue, if I stick to the budget I have now.

EXDH is putting $150 into my account. This plus the money from my son is allowing me to still pay extra on the mortgage. I just love the fact that so much is going toward the principle each month. It makes being broke all the time worth it. But is also explains why I need a second job! I am paying extra on so many of my bills that I often run into shortfalls. Oh well...it always seems to work out in the end.

I have completed my budget through June and the beginning of July. Right now I need to come up with about $300. I don't think it will be a problem. EX dh owes me about $311 so hopefully he will pay me. Then things will be looking good. Of course nothing if final until it actually happens. I just need to control my eating out. We have food to eat, but it is just simpler to eat out. I need to stop that and purchase something to have at work to eat for breakfast.

I filled my car up on Friday. I can judge how well my budget is doing based upon my ability to fill my car up and not just get enough to get through. I can't remember the last time I just had to get enough for a couple of days. So obviously I must be doing something right. It feels really good.

Not much is happening in my financial world. Things all look pretty good. I am short for this payday, but exH should give me some money to help cover it. The renters called me and the have the power money. That is good cause I need to pay it by Friday. They also have most of the rent just waiting in a pay check. So far I have to say that I am impressed with the renters. They haven't been late and are always up front with what is going on. Let's hope they stay that way.

DH said that he is going to put $300 in my account tomorrow and just like that, my budget is looking pretty good through June. He will still owe me about $150 that I hope to get shortly. He also offered to pay the entire cell phone bill for a couple of months. That is almost $300 per month. I know huge bill...I got sucked into the data package thing on two phone lines. We have a total of 5 phones, and DH pays for 2 of them. As soon as my contract is up I am going to go back to a simple phone so I can reduce my monthly expense.

I haven't heard from that second job opportunity. I went up there Thursday because I thought I might have an interview(long story, but just know that the whole conversation with the lady was not clear so I got confused). She said she would call me on Friday to set up an interview on either Monday or Tuesday. I haven't heard from her. In the back of my mind I think she isn't going to call because I am so fat. When people look at fat people, they think they are lazy. That is a horrible sterotype. One of the articles I read said that it is harder to get a job the more overweight you are. Sad but true. So maybe I will hear from her maybe I won't.

My mom has an appointment tomorrow to get her radiation treatment started. It is just a precaution since they got all of the cancer out. I don't know if they will actually start it tomorrow of if she will just meet with the doctor. Will know more once she goes tomorrow.

My sister is getting all settled in. She is having my daughter help her unpack. Maybe she will actually unpack all of the boxes this time. Last place she lived the living room was full of unpacked boxes. And she lived there about 5 years. She went yesterday day and bought two new tv's since Dish Network wouldn't hook up just one tv at a time. But you can't get to where the tv is going to sit so I am not sure how she had that done. I am also not sure where she is getting all this money from. She is on disability and is living on a fixed income. Just hope she isn't overextending herself. She has never had good money management skills.

Thanks for reading...I know this entry kind of drug on.

I went at 6:00 for the interview yesterday and apparently I misunderstood. She is supposed to call me to set up an interview that needs to be around 6:00. Oh well. It will probably be Monday or Tuesday. The position they are thinking of hiring me for is ticketbooth. Not the accounting job I applied for, but that is a daytime position. At this point, I will take whatever I can get.

Ex dh said that he is going to give me $300 on Tuesday and just like that my budget is looking okay. Which means that if I get this job, I will be able to put all of it toward debt payment, at least for the time being. I might need it for normal living as time goes on.

Today was payday but there is nothing really to do since everything is set up through my bill pay. I will have to go to the bank on Tuesday and pay my car payment(after my child support comes in). July is a 3 payday month for me. I can't wait because I will be able to breathe a little more. I can get my mortgage caught up, which it isn't extremely late, just not within the grace period. I should be able to get it back into the grace period.

Hope everyone has a good day!

The local playhouse called me this morning and wants to set up an interview for tomorrow. She will have to call me back on the time since it has to be in the evening. I am pumped. It worked last time so ya'll keep your fingers crossed still!

I just submitted an application to the local community playhouse. They had an ad in the local paper for a part time office manager/accounting manager. Both of which I can do. I sent an email with my resume hoping that the job was something that could be done in the evenings. It would be perfect for me. Keep your fingers crossed that the job can be done in the evenings.

I had a very thrifty weekend. I drove my parents to Midlothian Virginia for my niece's graduation. It was a long drive, about 8 hours. But the good news is that almost all of my expenses were covered. Whenever we ate out, they paid. And they covered all of the gas expense and hotel expenses. I just had a few miscellaneous expenses that I had to cover.

My ex didn't give me any money this week. I talked to him yesterday and he has started yet another job. He is getting paid $15/hour for now and when they start a new house he will go up to $20/hour. Or so he says. Things never seem to be what he says they are. And then he gets upset when things don't work out. I am just looking for the money that he owes me, around $500 dollars.

My budget for this pay day is in desperate shape. The first of the month expenses for June are killing me. I need to be able to cover them. If ex doesn't give me enough money I will have to borrow from my parents for like 3 days...from the first to the third, which is my payday. I really wish that someone would call me about my application. I so need the extra income.

I submitted an application to the local grocery store for part time work. I really need to get a second job. Problem is that no one is hiring in this small little town. I am hoping that they call me. Just looking over my budget for May and June and I need help! That is without paying my mother anything for my power or my house. I feel worthless sometimes because I haven't been able to pay these things. I don't quite know why either. It isn't like I didn't have a house payment(which is now being paid by the renters) and a power bill as the old house and I always managed to get them paid. I am at a loss. And it isn't like I spend money like it is going out of style. I was hoping to not have to go to work at a fast food restuarant, but it is looking that I may have to. Bummer. But hopefully it won't be for too long. Until I can get some of this debt paid off and get a little bit in savings. I just don't get it. I am making more money than I have ever made before and I am still living week to week. Can someone please explain it to me???

I hope all the mothers out there are having a great day. My son took me out to lunch at the Olive Garden. We don't have one around here, but we were coming though Canton, which has one. We went to town to pick up some boxes from my sister that she didn't want the movers to take. So on the way back we decided to stop at Olive Garden. Apparently so did everyone else! There was a 30 minute wait for a table. We asked about the bar area and it was first come first served. So we staked out a table and waited for the people to leave. Had a real nice lunch, even better since he paid for it. Next we are going to a play at the High School that DD's girlfriend is in. Then to visit my parents after that. So a very good day indeed.

So my right contact fell out of my eye this morning as I was just waking up. I had it in my hands, but because they were just waking up hands, I lost it. I got up to put a new contact in my eye and lost it as well. I don't have any more contacts to put in so I am stuck wearing my glasses. I can't get an appointment until next Thursday! I will have to wear my glasses. While it isn't an emergency, these glasses are probably as old as my daughter (LOL) and pretty out of date. So I need to have my eyes examined and get some new contacts before we go out of town next weekend since I am driving.

Put my daughter on a plane yesterday. My sister paid for a plane ticket for DD to come spend a week and a half with them. Then we are meeting in Richmond for my nieces graduation. I am driving my parents. 10 hours in a car with my parents. Should be fun. At least it will be a free trip for me. My parents will by the gas and whenever we eat out, they will pay for it. Just wish it wasn't such a long drive!

Took my mom to the hospital this morning for her biopsy. They are testing to see if the cancer is in her lymph nodes. If so, they will take them out. If not, they close her up and send her home.Either way, she will be coming home today.

My budget looks bad for the end of May. Will have to hound the ex to get me some money between now and then. I hate to do that but I have found that is the only way I get any money. If I try to be nice than I don't get squat. Will be glad when he has paid all he owes me. Then I will have no reason to be in contact with him.

I bought a lawnmower a couple of weeks ago that I am going to have to take back. The pull starter string thingy won't come out. It is like it is stuck on something. So I will have to take it back. It sucks because we already put gas and oil in it! Plus our yard really needs to be mowed. The grass is so tall!

I guess that is all. Thanks for reading!

Things are floating along smoothly right now. I cashed in some of my personal days in order to make my budget for Friday work. No biggie. I had days left from last year. I never take time off and I don't call in sick.

I have managed to "lose" both of my debit cards in the last week. My suntrust one was misplaced and as soon as I cancelled it and ordered a new one, I found it. I still haven't found my paypal debit card. I have no idea where it could be. I remember putting it in my wallet, but it sure isn't there. I will request another one of those when I get my suntrust card in the mail. The paypal card is linked to my suntrust account, so it all comes out of the same place, I just find it convenient to have the two cards, in case I need to give one to my son to use for gas or something.

Took DD shopping this weekend. She leaves tomorrow for a week and a half with my sister and her kids. DD didn't have any shorts that fit so she had to get some. Also got DS a couple of shirts and a couple pair of shorts. The shorts were all too big so I will have to take them back tomorrow when I am in town taking DD to the airport.(my sister purchased her an airline ticket to get her there).

I have decided that DD will not be doing cheer leading this year. I need a year off from totally running. I know it is good for me to get out of the house, but I need some down time. Plus I just can't afford it, even with bartering my services with the owner, I would still have to come up with some money. She will stay in tumbling so that she doesn't loose that.

Well, that is about all that is going on these days. Have a great week!

I had to use my credit card this morning. The brakes on my car were grinding really badly and I didn't want them to damage the rotors so I went ahead and had them done. I also had to purchase a replacment phone for my DD. She leaves next week to spend 1.5 weeks in DC with my sister and I didn't want her going into the city during the day without a phone. She dropped hers into a small creek at the old house. So Bummer. But I was glad that I had that much available on my card for the brakes at least...I consider them to be a minor emergency.

The renters in the old house have already paid their rent for May. They called me and told me that they had it earlier this week and I went and picked it up last night and deposited it into my account this morning. He is also doing a good job of getting the property cleaned up, which was part of our deal.

We are supposed to have some more severe weather this evening. I hope to make it home before it hits. I hate driving in heavy rain. I am having a boring day at work. I am the only here and having a hard time getting motivated. Will probably leave early.

That's about all for this update. Hope everyone has a great night!

I have worked through my preliminary May budget. Things are really looking good. I really hope this renter pays on the first of each month. I will be looking pretty good if they do. I will actually be able to make my mortgage payment in the grace period instead of just short thirty days. Then maybe I can start giving my parents some money for my current house and electricity.

I listed my other house for rent in the newspaper and it is rented! I like the couple, young just getting out on their own. Hopefully everything will work out okay. Since this is my first time renting, I didn't think about references until it was too late. But I had them sign a month to month rental agreement so I can always make them leave if they don't pay on time. I am taking the security deposit and opening a savings account at a different bank than I have my checking with. That way I won't transfer it if I need it. My goal is to not use it for anything, just let it sit.

Well, I had to breakdown and borrow $200 from my parents today. It really sucks. I went from having $600 in the savings account to having to borrow money. Of course it was good to have the money for the unexpected expenses, but I wish I still had it. I sent the ex a semi-nasty message telling him that I needed some money this week because I was having to borrow money to pay my bills and that I know he was having a hard time getting paid, but that I needed money anyway. I mean it isn't my fault that you decide again and again to work for your brother and eventually it comes to the point that he doesn't pay you. That is a decision he makes. I just need my money. He was supposed to go clean up the yard at the other house this weekend. I bet he didn't make it there. He always seems to get distracted.

I haven't had one call on the house for rent. I was sure that someone would call over the weekend. But nothing. My mom is not really pressuring me, but continually brining it up that I should try to sell it. I just am not sure I am ready to do that yet. I know I need to because I can't afford it, but I still feel like that is home. I don't feel like my current house is home yet. Does that make sense?

I have $40 to last until Payday on Friday. We don't need anything besides milk at home so I should be fine. And hopefully ex will give me some money this weekend. I can always hope. My budget for the next few weeks really sucks. So anything he gives me will make it a little better. I don't have cheerleading anymore so my gas and eating out expenses should go down. We ate out twice a week and I drove to Calhoun(about 60 miles one way) twice a week. I am excited about that fact that one tank of gas might last me a while.

Well, keep your fingers crossed about the money from my ex. Power of positive thought and all that...

We loaded up a bunch of stuff and took it to the dump on Wednesday. Mostly boxes that didn't weight a whole lot so we were charged the minimum of $10. Then came home and made Mac and cheese for dinner. We got the upstairs cleaned and got rid of a bunch of clutter. Feels good to relax in a clean room.

I am going to be cutting it close this week unless ex gives me some money. I will probably have to borrow some from my parents to get gas. Needless to say I won't be doing my sale shopping this week. That's okay. We are pretty well stocked up on items. Do need to get some meat to have on hand.

Final cheer competition is tomorrow. I was excited about this because my daughter wanted to take a year off. But since the gym is splitting into two, she has changed her mind. I can't afford for her to do it, but I have asked the owner if we can make some sort of deal where I take care of her books in exchange for tuition and fees. She hasn't gotten back to me yet. But that should cover most of the expenses. Otherwise DD will have to take a year off and start again next year.

Listed the house for rent in the paper starting today. Hopefully someone will call about it and want to rent it soon. I could really use that money. If my ex were paid up, I would be pretty straight. But of course he isn't and probably has no plans to be caught up. I just have to keep hounding him so that he pays a little each week. If he sees what I am renting the house for he will probably be mad since it is less than he was paying. Hopefully he won't see that in the paper. Don't feel like dealing with that. He is supposed to go tomorrow and finish cleaning up the yard. Wonder if that will get done.

Rambling again....sorry.

My mom had a lump removed from her breast last week and it came back as being malignant. She meets with the doctor later this week to discuss chemo or radiation. My doctor went ahead and scheduled me for a mammogram. My mom's lump wasn't felt but found on her mammogram. Everyone keeps telling me they are sorry. But I am not sure why. It isn't the death sentence it used to be and the doctor felt they removed all of the lump. Maybe it just hasn't hit me yet how serious it is.

I went to the doctor this morning to discuss the results of my blood test last week. My thryoid is off the charts. This explains my weight gain, failure to be able to lose any weight, fatigue, etc. I am excited to get on the medication and see if I can't lose some of this weight and have more energy to do things.

I have had a pretty spendy day already today. I had the copay for my general practioner, my copay for my therapist and my copay for my new prescription. $50. Ouch. I really need ex to give me some money tomorrow. Otherwise I will have to borrow some from my mom and dad until I get paid next Friday. That would really suck.o "Hi mom. I know that you are paying my mortgage and my power bill, but can you also loan me $200?" Suck big time.

I have quit smoking again. I haven't had a cigarette in a week. I think my mom's diagnoses is what I needed to stay quit. I haven't missed it. It was always just sort of a time killer.

Sorry to ramble on. I will stop now. Thanks for reading.

We are back! But the kids had a good time. They went to Busch Garden's twice and hung out at the pool at the hotel. It was a long drive home, but they slept most of the way.

I sent over budget by about $50. That is okay as ex gave me $150 on Saturday. Still need to come up with some money for the competition next weekend. Not sure where that will come from. May have to borrow money from my parents so that I can pay to get in. But that is the absolute last competition for this year! And she is taking a year off. I can't wait! No more driving to Calhoun twice a week! Can you tell I am excited?

The doctor called with the results of my blood test. My thryoid is is extremely overactive. That would explain all the weight gain I have been experiencing. I have to go in Thursday to discuss the treatment with her and have blood drawn to repeat the test, just to be sure. If this is the case, I will be so exited to finally have an answer as to why I can't lose weight and just seem to be gaining. Maybe I will be able to lose some of this weight.

That is all for now. Might think of more later.

I just purchased tickets for DD and friend to go to Busch Gardens in Tampa. It is coming out of the $500 I budgeted for the trip. After the hotel that leaves about $100 for food. I think it will be tight but we can do it. I will have to give them money to get something while at Busch Gardens.

Tomorrow is my payday. It is kind of a let down since I have everything already set up in my bill pay. As soon as this payday hits I will be planning the next one.

I have had a very productive day at work. Lately I haven't been motivated to actually work so things have been piling up. But today I opened 4 months worth of mail and got it all filed. I cleaned out my to do folder of most items. Still have some stuff left to do but at lease me desk looks better. And my to do folder isn't overflowing.

My sister sent me a check for $500 to pay for our trip to Tampa this weekend. We have a cheer competition so it isn't a pleasure trip. I tried to arrange something for the week prior, but since the car engine thing I had to cancel that trip. Now we are just going for the weekend. I am going to let DD go to Busch Gardens with the friend she is taking. That way they won't be bored hanging out with me and my other sister all day Sunday. We will just leave late on Sunday to get home.

I am kind of slipping in the eating at home department. I ended up ordering Pizza Sunday and last night DD and I went out for Mexican. Was there any reason to? Nope. Other than I just wanted it. I have also stopped every morning this week for a McGriddle from McDonalds. Need to get a grip on these things and stop doing them before it becomes a major problem. It isn't like I don't have groceries at home, because I do. There was hamburger meat that needed to be cooked last night. My daughter did a hamburger helper, but used a frozen meat instead of the one that was taken out and thawed already. Will have to use it for something tonight.

The guy who looked at the house decided that he didn't think he would have the time to do things around the house for the reduced rent. So I offered to increase the rent to $500 and not worry about him doing stuff. He is supposed to call me tonight. I hope he takes it. I would rather not have to go through the rental process with strangers.