Gasping for Breath

My step brother just called. He's in a bind because while he was in Iraq, the allotment he had set up to make automatic payments on his truck stopped. But he had no way of knowing. He just got back and checked his scheduled allotments and found there were none.

He called the bank that the loan is through and they want $5,000 today, well by tomorrow morning. Or he can pay it off in full. Or he can sell the truck and just give them whatever he gets for it.

He can't be without a vehicle right now so selling is not an option. He's trying to get ahold of his mom and my dad but both cells say the line is busy. I called Verizon and all they could tell me was it isn't service related (since I'm not on their account, which is fine it answered what I needed to know).

And all the months of nonpayment have totally screwed up his credit so he can't just go get a loan for $5,000.

I almost offered to cover a good chunk of it with my credit card that's completely clear right now. But I didn't. I don't even know if that would be accepted by the bank.

I was able to email my dad and he's going to call my step brother back in a couple of hours (dad's at school in Wisconson so he can't get away to make calls til after he's out of class).

It just kills me to have stuff like that happen and not be able to help out, even though he didn't exactly ask me for help. So right now I'm just waiting to see what happens.

I really was not thinking when I made my list. If I had been thinking, I would have made sure that only the necessities to get me through til payday (tomorrow) were on it. Argh! About half of the stuff I bought, well maybe not that much but a good chunk of it, could have waited. In the end, I spent $24.82. I had $20 in my wallet since I had a change of plans last night and spent $5 on pizza for dinner (that'll last two nights and fed two of us). Instead of being smart about it and giving the cashier my $20 and then putting the balance on my debit card, I put it all on my debit card. Which means I need to stop by an atm on my way into work and deposit the $20 in my wallet otherwise there's potential for overdraft. Ugh. Or I could just hope that it doesn't actually process til tomorrow when I get paid. Don't want to take that chance.

Hopefully next pay period will be better.

They didn't charge me anything for looking at it. They also couldn't find anything wrong with it, other than needing an oil change. Which I had them do since I bought a punch card a while ago ($49.95 for 6 oil changes) and still had a couple of punches left.

There's still something wrong with my car. Now it's just a matter of catching it at the right time so the mechanic can figure out what's going on. *sigh*

Plans for tonight include going over to a friends place for dinner (free), going to another friends place to watch a movie (free from the library), putting gas in my car (using the $10 gas card I got from MyPoints), and doing a little bit of grocery shopping (hopefully spending less than $25).

Also since I didn't have to charge anything for my car, my dollar jar is safe from needing to be used imediately. That makes me happy.

My car started perfectly yesterday morning. And of course, they can't find anything wrong. In the late afternoon when I was talking to them about it, I explained in more detail what I noticed over the weekend and when in the past it happened. Something I mentioned triggered something in the mechanic's head and they wanted to keep it overnight so they could check a couple of more things in the mornings. I'm hoping I hear back before too long, preferably before I leave for work.

I was negligent in eating dinner last night so when we went out to see Buffy, I caved and bought Pizza Bread $5.50. It really wasn't all that exciting, I remember it being better.

Payday is Thursday. I have $25 in my wallet (the $20 is from the concert I didn't go to and I'm just hanging onto it just in case I need it). Whatever's left in my wallet is going into the dollar jar on Thursday.

I took a total of 58 books into Powells. 14 were rejected, 44 sold. I got $45 for them. Ok so perhaps not the best but it was the fastest. And at this point, I didn't feel like dragging it out by pricing them individually and trying to sell them to my friends, etc. I'd still debating about putting up a mix box of books on eBay. We'll see.

I am debating about getting rid of my car and just using the bus and getting a good bike. I budget $80/mo for gas, though lately I haven't been using it all. And I spend $94/mo for insurance. Plus the little incidentals like it not starting that I have to pay for. I need to find out if my ins covers towing. Either way, it needs to be towed to the shop. Unless it decides to start tomorrow morning. It wouldn't start today either. I'm just going to charge the service fee and pay it off asap. Which also means I should call Citibank on that card as well and see if I can get the interest lowered. I wasn't going to bother since I wasn't using the card, but now I am sort of.

Anyway. Lots to think about.

One of the reasons I knew I needed to get my emergency fund built up is I've had intermittent problems with my car and knew that one day it would just quit working. Well that day has come. And of course, by the time I thought to call the only mechanic open on Saturdays, it was 30 minutes after they closed.

Granted I've been walking a lot more lately so haven't needed it as much. Matter of fact, I haven't driven it since Wednesday. My roomate's car is here, but she isn't and she has her keys with her. So I can't borrow her car. The only thing I had to go to tonight was my cousin's graduation party. I called already and told them I was having car problems and they said if I ever got it working, they'd be going til the wee hours of the night so to come out whenever I can, if I can.

My friend and I decided not to do the concert, which is good means I'll have extra money to put towards my car. Grr. Part of me hopes that it's something that was recently replaced, ie I wouldn't have to pay for it since it shouldn't have gone bad already.

Anyway. Grrrr.

Hmm apparently I didn't hit post last night. Oops. So I borrowed my roomates car to get to my cousin's graduation party but then I put $5 in gas in it. I did get my MyPoints gas card but I won't be spending it til my car gets back from the shop. Part of me doesn't want to take it in just yet but I think I should, just get it over and done with.

Went grocery shopping today for just fresh fruit and some lunch meat. Came to $7.85 or so, saved $2.67 by having a club card. $2 goes into dollar jar.

This is all I have left:
Gas: $15 (in wallet)
Gift: $20 (in wallet)
Concert: $20 (in wallet)
Bank account: $5.42

I am still hoping for the MyPoints gas card to show up. Friend offered to pick me up for a couple things we have going on in the morning, that'll help too. Right now it looks like I only have to drive out to my cousin's graduation.

I'm making slow but steady progress on de-cluttering my room. Need to find a better place to start putting the items to sell. I cleared off my bookcase and have three paper bags full of books that I'm going to take to Powell's to see if they'll buy them from me. Whatever they don't take I'll try to sell later. If Powell's gives me cash, it'll go in the dollar jar. If they give me a check, it'll go straight into savings. The books aren't in stupendous shape though so I'm not expecting a whole lot if anything. I think I'll take them by on Sunday, I have more time that day. And I'll hit up the one closest to me first before trudging into downtown.

Walked to work today. I'm really getting into this walking to work thing. It'll be really sad when the really rainy season starts and I'll be used to walking. Perhaps I'll get some rain gear. Or just a nice long trench coat. Hmmm. Well anyway. Stopped off at the atm to put the $5 check into my savings. It's growing back slowly. I keep counting down the days til I get paid again so I can do something with the money instead of being in the middle and worried about spending too much. *sigh*

I got my new CC 1 today. When I called to inquire about lowering the interest they mentioned that the rewards program was changing and that I'd be getting a new card. Fortunately it came already renewed til 09 (the other one expired at the end of this year). The card number didn't change, that's a good thing. Though when I called to activate it, the CSR wouldn't take no for an answer when he asked if I wanted to be enrolled in Credit Protection Monitoring. If I wanted it I would have called the OTHER number they listed. Finally, after declining even the 30 days free, he got the point and signed off after activating the card. The last time I did a 30 day free credit protection thing just to get a copy of my credit report, I got SUCH a guilt trip over canceling it. I did cancel it but it took a bit of doing. I just choose to not be in that situation again.

Yeah uh so anyway. All that to say no spending. Did withdraw with the intent to spend. $20 will go to my friend for buying a necklace from her for my cousin's graduation. http://www.roughedgesglassart.com If I'm going to spend money on something I'd rather it go to someone instead of a store y'know? And another $20 for a concert that I probably won't get a ticket for. They're already sold out but my friend and I are going to see if anyone has extra tickets the night of the show. Originally she said she'd buy my ticket. I don't know if that offer still stands so I'm going armed with $20 and if they don't want to sell for that then I just won't go. And it'll go back into the bank.

Why is it that the MyPoints gc's come really fast when you don't care when they get there but seem to take forever when you're expecting them? I didn't drive today, which is good. But I need to drive on Saturday and I'd like to put a little more gas in when I do.

I walked to the gym and back (1.1 miles each way) because I woke up at 5:45 and actually got up. I walked to work and back (1.3 miles each way). I did my 30 minute workout. Lots of exercise! Yay!

On my way home from the gym I found a nickel. Then in the mail another $5 from Pinecone Research which will be deposited tomorrow into my savings account. Whee. No spending today except in the form of gas to class. I figure since my friend drives us to go watch Buffy for free in downtown, then I can drive us to class. It seems like a fair trade. I have no plans Thurs or Fri night (yet) so hopefully I can not drive anywhere til Saturday morning. We'll see. I love finding time to walk places. Now let's see if I can find time to do my German homework.

Met a friend for coffee this morning. I'm not supposed to have caffiene so I would have just ordered a house decaff but when I got there, he was already there with his order and there was a line at the counter. Knowing he was on a tight schedule I just sat and we talked for almost an hour. I walked out of there without spending a dime! Of course I was exhausted by 11 and had a small cup of regular coffee from the breakroom, free but I shouldn't have had it. Though once in a while is ok.

At the Pampered Chef show I decided to spend a little more than I was planning on. And then I saw that the shipping had gone up by $1.25. Sheesh. Ok whatever. Anyway I ordered two items, it came to $18 including shipping. There were other things that were tempting but I didn't want to spend more than $20 total and I didn't.

I didn't pick up TP when I was at the store yesterday because Safeway doesn't have any 12 double roll (or 24 roll) packages for less than $6 and I know I can get MD 12 double roll for $4.99 at Fred Meyers. Silly to hold out for a dollar but the chances of me driving by a Fred Meyers at some point before we run out is great so it's not like I'm going out of my way for it. On my way home from the PC party I passed a Fred Meyers so I stopped for bread, tp, baby carrots, and salad mix. Came to $12.28. Change goes in my sunny day coin bank and $2 goes into the dollar jar leaving me with $5 til the 20th.

I need to go shopping on Friday for more fresh stuff. Argh! I'm trying really hard to eat healthier, and I loose weight when I eat a lot of fresh fruits and veggies. But it's so expensive! It's driving me nuts. I might see if I can go with my friend to Costco and possibly fare better there. I try not to buy too far ahead with fresh stuff because it goes bad before I can eat it usually. But now that I'm intentionally eating more of it perhaps it's not so bad. Work is offering a business membership for $40 but I think I'm going to pass on that and just hit up my friend to take me along next time.

We'll see. I may have to break into my dollar jar to finish out the month. Or my gas money. I'm not going to my brother's after all and I'm trying to make the gas I have stretch til my $10 Shell gascard from MyPoints comes in the mail.

I got in so late last night I forgot to post.

Yesterday I stopped by the store and picked up more fresh produce. Spent $10.45 However I forgot a couple of things so I'll probably stop at the store tonight sometime. Leaves my grocery budget at $20.

I have this light pair of pants. I wore a darker tshirt to work one day with it. It was really hot out. I walked to work. The tshirt bled onto the top part of the pants. What's the best way to get that out? I tried just washing it but it didn't come out so I didn't dry them just hung them on a hanger.

Also went to see another three seasons of Buffy last night (free). Got a ride with a friend (less gas). And did not buy food while I was there even though the garlic bread was tempting.

Ok so I've been saying for about a week or so now how I need to call in and see if I can get my interest rate lowered. But I never get around to it because I don't have my card with me (so don't have the account number) or I am at home where the card is but I don't feel like standing outside to talk on my cell phone (my apt isn't condusive to anything more than brief conversations without dropping calls).

Saturday I put my credit card in my wallet with the intention of calling in about it when I stopped by work for something. Only I didn't have time and I forgot about it.

Today I just bucked up and did it. I printed off the little suggested script to use when you call but then at the last minute ditched it and just plain asked. (the script suggests a more forward approach). The CSR I spoke with was really nice. He lowered my rate from prime + 10.5% to prime + 5.5%! I didn't even know my rate had gone up another .5% until I called and asked what it currently was!! Darn prime and all.

Anyway that still makes my day, I got it lowered and now that I know I can do it I'll try it again in a couple of months. The script also said I should talk to a supervisor, praise the CSR, and again ask for another reduction. But I just don't have the balls for that.

I walked 5 miles (to church and back) so that was cool.

Donated $5 to a gas card fund for a friend who's moving to Boston for graduate school.

Spent $6 at the movies.

Spent $4 on dinner.

And the best news in the world.... I happened to log into my online banking and noticed my student loan balance looked odd. I thought at first that it had increased, that the interest from this month that I didn't have to pay got added back in. Nope that wasn't it. They'd accidentally overpaid my Sallie Mae loan by $515 and so Sallie Mae sent it back to Wells Fargo who then took it off my balance. Sweet!

So the remaining balances on stuff I spent:

$9.01 personal
$31.00 grocery (because I used cash that was grocery money for personal stuff I now have some grocery money in the bank so nothing goes to the dollar jar)

I'm going to a pampered chef party on Tuesday, I was planning on buying something small anyway. And I already planned on spending some of the extra in my checking account on some personal products from a friend of mine. Plus I have a graduation gift to buy. But I'm going to see if the gal I'm planning on buying the gift from will take payment out of my next check. I see her a lot so I don't think that'll be a problem.

I wish I could go to bed already, but I didn't have time to start laundry til now so I have to wait for that to finish. Well, only if I want dry workout clothes for morning. At least it's only 35c to wash and 25c to dry (normal size washer and dryer).

As I was getting ready to head out for the mystery shop I got a call from the same company about doing Trailer Checks. I've never done a trailer check before but it's pretty simple. You talk to the manager and let them know why you're there (you also have a letter of authorization stating that you're legit), they let you in the theater for free, you write down what trailers are shown (sometimes there's different versions of trailers that you need to look for) and if there's any response form the audience. Then you walk out, get the manager to sign it, and head home without watching the movie. Other checks involve actually watching the movie but that wasn't what this was. Normally it pays $7.50 for the first screen and $2.50 each additional screen. But since it was past due the first screen went up to $10.

Beaverton Theater, 4 screens: $17.50
Portland Theater, 1 screen: $10.00
Mystery shop, small purchase: $19

So for roughly 3 and a half hours of work I got paid $46.50. Of course I spent $9.99 at the mystery shop (had to spend at least $3 but found a pair of shoes I was looking for anyway) and I bought myself some Coldstone when I was waiting for the first showing $3.25 + $0.75 tip = $4. But still think I more than broke even. It'll all go into savings when the checks come. I need to find out if I can mail in my paperwork all in one envelope or if I have to mail it seperately. I've never done more than one job like this before. Well not more than one different types of jobs.

So personal fund -$9.99 leaves $20.01 and grocery fund -$4 for Coldstone and -$1 for dollar jar leaves $35.

I got an email from certified market research saying they had a past due mystery shop available and were offering double pay for it. So instead of $8 (for doing the shop) + $3 (towards the purchase of something) it's $16 + $3. To me that's worth it to drive a little today. Granted I won't get the check for a couple of weeks but that's ok.

I found first quarter's retirement savings statement, which had the web site that I could go to and see what my current balance is. So I updated my NetWorthIQ for June with June 30th's figures.

Assets
Cash 403
Retirement 22,173
Cars 2,380
Total Assets 24,956

Debts
Student Loans 37,041
Credit Card 15,631
Other 17,465
Total Debts 70,137
Net Worth $-45,181

The sad thing is, the difference between June 30th's retirement savings amount and right now is negative. Darn stock market. Ah well. Doesn't really change the Total Debts figure but makes me feel a little better about my total net worth. I'm curious to see what July ends up with, and just to track this in general.

I walked to work. Brought lunch from home. Walked home. At dinner at home. Drove to friend's house. Wrote a letter and tried practicing my German with a couple interruptions to check on the sleeping baby. Watched a movie with friends when they got home. And made $20 in the process. Sweet! I'm going to add it to my grocery money as 'just in case' because I think I'm going to need it this time around. So that leaves me with:

$40 in wallet for grocery
$20 in wallet for gas
$30 in bank for personal use
$19 in bank remaining balance
$35 in bank for potential medical expense

And that's it til the 20th.

When I went in today I told them I needed to cancel my membership. I explained why. They looked at my history and saw that I actually used it regularly and asked what they could do to help. So for August and September they're dropping my fees in half. I'll only be paying $15/mo instead of $29/mo. I told them I could do that only if I also was able to clear out my storage unit as well. So I'm supposed to talk to the owners again at the end of September and go from there.

Which means I really need to get on the ball (I was already planning to anyway) and finish clearing out my storage unit so I don't have to pay that extra $60/mo either. I also need to call CC1 and see if they'll lower interest. Every little bit helps.

Trader Joe's: $45.90 A tad higher than I had expected. However that did include vitamens ($11.99), shampoo ($1.99), and conditioner ($1.99). I still took it out of my grocery budget though.

Fred Meyer's: $20.66 (plus $10 for Rx but that's already accounted for elsewhere). Granted I did also buy three quarts of oil for the car ($5.07) and snack bags ($3.79)

That means I have $23 left over for groceries til the 20th. With $3 going into the dollar jar that makes $20. I might just hang onto the babysitting money I earn tomorrow night and use that for groceries if need be since I'll be picking up more fresh produce at least once, possibly twice before the 20th. And after all, I did spend $24.83 on non food items.

$0.46 going into the change bank.

I still have a $20 in my wallet for gas. I've been driving a lot more this week than I did last week. And with the current plan being to go out to my brother's on the 15th, I'm fairly certain I'm going to spend it. Ah well, perhaps next pay period will be the one I only spend part of my gas budget.

Today I got an email asking me to babysit tomorrow night. I love babysitting for my friends because it usually involves me showing up after the kids are in bed and just being an adult in the house while they're gone. I love their kids anyway and would watch them during the day too but it just never works out that way. So yay for more money towards the dollar jar, should it in fact happen. Plus I don't necessarily charge them, they just pay me whatever.

I've gotten more nibbles for selling my timeshare than I have the previous times I've posted it. I'm trying really hard not to put the cart before the horse and dream about how much simpler life will be with that money directed elsewhere. But it's hard. And usually means I check my 'junk' email every time the little notifier tells me I have mail on the days I get those nibbles.

Paid off CC2 though I expect there'll still be a balance when the statement comes out with the whole daily average acrual of interest. Fortunately I get the statments online (ie almost imediately) and if there is anything I can pay it off right away.

Called Curves to cancel my membership. Had to leave a message. I'm sure I'll talk to them tomorrow morning when I go in. This month will be my last.

Called the clinic to verify my balance since I can't find my most recent statement. Actually, I don't think I got it because I'm pretty good about keeping it safe for when I need to pay the bill. I was right about the balance, $271. I sent in $200 instead of $100. I'm not sure if the balance she quoted included the copay from May's appointment or not, she said they were still waiting for my insurance to process it.

Called in the refill for my Rx. I really don't need to do that til tomorrow but I'm going grocery shopping tonight and it's on the way so figured I'd combine trips.

I'm driving in again this morning. *sigh* I have errands to run after work and need the car. Plus I really want to be back home by 8 pm. Yes, my one guilty pleasure during the summer is Big Brother and it starts tonight.

Tonight was our second German class. My friend that I'm taking it with remembered to give me money for the book. I decided to just add it back into my cash on hand so +$12 to grocery fund and then -$5 for eating out after class and -$2 for dollar jar. Leaves me with a grocery budget of $90. I go shopping tomorrow for fresh foods and staples. I need to make a list so I don't buy too much extra stuff. I also need to call in my prescription so I can pick it up tomorrow after work.

I'm starting to feel overwhelmed. I thought I had done well with practicing German but when I got to class it all dribbled out my ear. I picked up (at the library) the cds that go with my book so if I can just find the time to listen to them, perhaps that will help.

I have much to do still to de-clutter my room and my storage area. My goal was originally by September to be completely de-cluttered. Now it's by the end of July to have everything out of my storage unit so I don't have to pay $60/mo for it anymore. I don't know if that will happen or not but I am feeling the need to try. Hopefully I can come up with things to try and sell.

Ok so when I signed up for automatic payments for my newly consolidated student loan it said that the next payment to be taken out automatically would be August 5th. In my mind that meant I would manually make the payment transfer via my online banking (since my loan and checking accounts are linked online). However, when I called today to verify that I would be ok making the payment online, I found out that because of when I put through the automatic withdrawl request, my next payment isn't due until August 5th. Which means...I have $259 that I wasn't planning on having available.

I keep thinking of all the ways I should utilize it. Any suggestions?

a] Make the payment on the student loan anyway. Interest will be added back to the loan because I'm essentially skipping a payment. Total owed $34,448. Interest 6.625%

b] Toss an extra payment towards CC1. Total owed $15,349. Interest 18.99%

c] Pay off CC2 since I wasn't supposed to charge anything to it anyway. Total owed $141. Interst 16.99% Put the remainder on something else.

d] Pay off clinic bill. Total owed $271 and I already have $100 budgeted to pay on it. Currently 0% interest but would free up $100/mo in the budget. Put the remainder on something else.

e] Any combination of the above.

Someone asked about the clinic bill and whether or not I can lower the payment and extend it out since there isn't any interest. There isn't any interest now, but when I called to originally arrange payments they indicated that there could be. So far there hasn't been. The reason I accepted their original payment arrangements of $100/mo was because I was going in at least once a month, and adding to my bill by $20 for every visit. Plus I was concerned about the potential interest. When I went in in May they said I could skip the appointment in June and make one for July instead. But in July I'm having another test run, which will translate into another larger bill once insurance processes it.

I was actually thinking about mentioning to the gal at Curves this morning that this was my last month. My only hesitation was I wanted to wait until after my dr's apt to see if it has helped my heart any. But I do have other aerobic things I can do at home so I will call them later when I have a chance.

I went ahead and pulled food/gas cash today since my roomate's check cleared at the bank already. Figured it'd be handy since the area I was driving out to for the BBQ usually has cheaper gas. Not cheap enough to warrent the drive but since I was already out there...

I realized too that I probably won't be able to save any gas money this pay period, even if I walk to work every day. I'm supposed to finally go out to my brother's house on the 15th and that's 100 miles round trip. We'll see though. It might still work out.

I treated myself to lunch out, $3.99 at BK. Not the healthiest lunch but *shrug*. Then stopped at the store and spent $8.96 on stuff for the BBQ, some produce, and some index cards for class. That left me with $85 for groceries, $2 to go into my dollar jar (ok so it's an old checks box not really a jar but it seems cooler to call it a jar) and 5 pennies to put in my sunny day coin bank. (In Oregon we get so few sunny days that we save for that instead of a rainy day). I also put in $20 in gas, at $2.799 gal.

I'm walking to work tomorrow, but I'll probably be driving to class. And the gym as well, unless I actually wake up when my first alarm goes off which would give me enough time to walk to the gym. I know I'll be driving on Thursday, too many errands to run after work including some grocery shopping. We'll just see how it goes. Chances are I'll end up putting in my second $20 just before my next payday which will make the next check's gas budget stretch more than this one's. Ah well.

My brother quit his job last month. He realized about two days after he did that how stupid that was. Especially with not having another job lined up. Rent is due tomorrow, he has a roomate now so at least he doesn't have to come up with all of it. But he has close to nothing in his bank account.

I'd been anticipating the reluctant call from him asking for help. He doesn't like to ask for it (neither do I) but when push comes to shove he does.

Today I was talking to him, asking after his plans for the day, and he mentions that he went and picked up a money order for rent. ?? I asked how he paid rent this month and he explained that some friends of his are over all the time, practically live there, so he told them he couldn't afford rent this month and since they spend so much time there could they cough up some dough to cover it. And they did. Which takes care of this month at least.

There's still his cell bill, which is 2 months past due. I am NOT going to pay for it even though I could just swipe my card.... He didn't ask me to. He's been through this before with them so hopefully they can come to some sort of arrangement.

He has an interview tomorrow with a temp company. Hopefully something will pan out from that. Plus multiple leads that haven't gotten back to him yet.

I'm just glad he didn't ask me for it. And I'm trying really hard to stay out of the deal between him and our other brother. He paid for our middle brothers' wedding and middle brother doesn't bother paying him back with any sort of regularity. Yet middle brother bought a house, has bought new furniture, new appliances, etc. It's not my business so I try to stay out but it annoys the heck out of me.

The check shows as a pending deposit and since I have a little more time today than I will tomorrow, I'm entering everything in my register now, to be actually paid tomorrow.

Incoming:
1266.78 Salary plus extra
350.00 Roomate's portion of stuff
198.95 Held over from last check
100.00 Pulled from savings to pay CC
--------
1915.73 Total to work with

Outgoing:
575.00 Rent
30.00 Offerings
275.52 Consol Loan (45 pymnts left)
173.00 CC #1 (167 is currently due)
100.00 Grocery and eating out
10.00 Savings
10.00 ING
259.38 Student Loan (240 pymnts left)
29.00 Curves
145.00 Medical bills
40.00 Gas
30.00 Personal
89.00 PCC (German Class)
149.00 CC #2 (remaining balance $141)
--------
1914.90 Total paid

Remaining: 0.83

I'm waiting til my next dr appt to see about dropping Curves. Part of me wants to keep it, the rest of me knows I should probably just drop it for now. Ok well there's a part of me that hopes I'll get a medical reason to not do it temporarily which would mean I keep my membership but don't have to pay for a while.

I started budgeting Misc things under Personal. That way if I need to buy stamps (which I do every few months) or decide to catch a movie, or need to buy clothes, I have money to and I'm not breaking my budget. But once that money is gone it's gone. If there's any left over at the next pay period, it goes into my ING account.

My medical bills allowance I can actually budget correctly starting this check since my student loan consolidation went through. It breaks down to $100 for clinic bill, $10 for 1st prescription, $35 in case I need to pick up 2nd prescription before the next paycheck. Any left over will go into regular savings at the next check. Well in all actuality it'll probably be put towards paying off CC #2 but in theory it will go into regular savings.

Now that I have that all sorted out, I can't wait til tomorrow to actually pay it.

Wow that really does come fast. Last week I found a link to sign up at Pinecone Research, got accepted, filled out the first survey, and today recieved my first $5 check! Plus I got an email about another survey I did today while I was at work.

Soon as I can make it to the bank it's going into Savings, which of course will be practically drained to pay off a credit card but still it's an extra $5!!

I logged onto my Citi account just to pass the time while waiting for something to process (I'm already at an hour past the time I should have left work) and noticed that they raised my limit again on my huge card. It went from $16k something to $18k something.

The mind boggles. I probably should call them and ask them to please stop doing that. I just haven't yet.

At least I no longer look at it like 'hey I can spend another $2k!'

Finally got around to closing my other store card account. When I was looking at buying a house a couple years ago, my friend (who is a mortgage broker) looked at my credit report and told me I'd be safe to close the store accounts. Since I paid them off, and they definately have a $0 balance, I went ahead and closed them. Makes me feel a little better knowing they can't be charged against.

I wasn't going to spend any money today but a friend, whom I used to meet every week for dinner but don't anymore since she changed jobs, is off today and wants to meet for dinner. We're going to a yummy pizza by the slice place, that has great salads too. Don't anticipate spending much more than $6. Plus it will give me a chance to ask about fundraising opportunities at the restaurant. (I just got back from a mission trip that we weren't able to completely pay for before we left and the balance got put on someone else's credit card so now that we're back we're still trying to raise money. Only about $5k more to go, better than the $8k that was originally there.)

Roomate paid me rent and bills last night. I'll be depositing the check today which means that technically I'll have money in the bank again. But technically I have $200 in the bank that's being held onto for bills to be paid out of this check. So still trying to pretend that I don't have money til Wednesday. We'll see how that goes.

Actually, I will have to spend some of it, I'm supposed to bring 'something to share' for the bbq on the 4th so I will spend a little of it. Just not sure on what yet. The people's house I'm going to, they always have tons of pop around, not just when they throw bbq's. So I'm guessing it's pointless to bring 2 litres but I will email and ask.

I can't wait for Wednesday!