One day I’m going to start a “Dream Fund” where I can save for things I’ve always wanted to do.
Here’s a tiny list of things I’d love use this fund for:
What are you daydreaming about today?
Posted in dreams, life | 5 Comments »
Beginning balance: $467.37
Friday:
-$5.69 road food
-$30.99 gasoline
Saturday:
-$8.99 gift
Sunday:
-$24.43 brunch
-$18.84 dinner
-$35.82 gasoline
Ending balance: $342.61
So, I spent a little more than my $75 budget, but J spent a lot of money on me on Saturday so I thought it was only fair I treat him on Sunday. It was a fabulous weekend. Quite possibly one of my favorite weekend trips to see him. However, right now I have a small case of the Monday blues. :( I really miss him.
I have some good news to share though: This morning I picked up prescriptions that cost a total of $219. Thanks to my new debit health card, I don’t have to pay for any of it! I am so thankful! :) I need to remember to recognize little blessings like these that come my way. This spending report would have been much different–I’d only have $123 left for the month after paying for the medicine!
Weekly To Dos:
-Catch up on emails.
-Catch up on blogs.
-Run 10 miles.
-Throw away rotting pumpkins (I know-so sad).
-No more grocery shopping until all food in apt is eaten.
-Unpack and clean the apartment.
-Pay cruise balance of $226.
-Hang new curtains.
Posted in benefits, spending report | Leave a Comment »
This weekend I am visiting J! I can hardly contain my excitement. Sure we saw each other in Atlanta and when I went to that wedding, but it really hasn’t been since August that we’ve had just a low-key weekend by ourselves.
It’s also the last time I’ll be able to visit him before he graduates in December! Y’all–he’s graduating in one month. I’m so excited! His post-grad plans, you ask? Well. Right now it’s moving home (4 hours from me instead of 7!) and looking for a job.
Weekend Agenda:
-Eat lots and lots of good food.
-Attend a college football game.
-Visit the local pub.
-Watch movies and giggle a lot.
-Play pretend that we live in the same town.
Weekend Budget:
-$75 on gasoline and road food. (J said he’d cover the rest. Always a sweetheart that one.)
Hope you all have a lovely weekend!
Posted in life, love, weekends | 4 Comments »
Beginning Balance: $1,445.26
Tuesday:
-$31.32 gasoline
Wednesday:
-$25 thing for my computer
-$24.57 Target – $15 gift the rest was food/household stuff
Thursday:
-$700 debt!
-$32 car insurance
-$50 charity
-$85 verizon internet/cell phone
-$30 gym
Ending Balance: $467.37
About $1,000 has been moved around in the past few days. Whew! I’m not going to lie, I always get a little nervous knowing the money left in my account is what I need to live off for the rest of the month and it’s only November 5th! Also, two of my babysitting jobs have been canceled, which means I’ll only have one job this month. That’s about $100 in extra income that I was expecting for November. Eek! Oh well. I like a good challenge and I’ll just have to make that $467.37 go reeeeally far these next two weeks. ;)
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Today my $700 check went to my debt! Yay! To date I’ve paid $10,300 and only have $3,500 left to go!
I’m not sure whether you all remember, but this debt goes to my parents. They took out a loan for my college, and I’m paying them back for most of it. Read our story here. My dad sent me an email last month when I upped my payment by $100 with my raise. Here’s what he wrote:
Dear [MPP],
I got your payment of $600 for the college loan today. I’m guessing that you have proportionately raised your monthly payment of debt relative to your increased income. This reflects a very strong discipline. You have demonstrated great wisdom and discipline in your consistent and aggressive payments!! I immediately deposit these checks and turn around and send a payment to our balance in addition to our monthly payment.
Anyway, again, Mom and I are very very proud of your discipline and consistency.
Love always,
Dad
PS, eager to see you soon!! Yehaww
Aw, I love my parents. Hopefully with the extra $100 he’ll be equally as proud. ;) Here’s what the chart looks like now:
Only FIVE more months until I’m debt free!
Posted in debt | 7 Comments »
The other day I went out to lunch with a friend. (I promise this was before I vowed not to eat out.) She mentioned that she’d like to go somewhere cheap since things were kind of tight.
“Of course, cheap sounds great to me!” I said, always thankful for a frugal food suggestion. As we were eating, she disclosed a little more on how “tight” things were for her.
“I just found out I was late paying my rent and now I have a $35 late fee on top of that,” she moaned. “I’m going to have to ask my dad again to pay for me this month.”
“Oh no! How late were you paying rent? Surely if it was a couple of days they could waive the fee?”
“Well, the landlord emailed me this morning saying I haven’t paid yet. I really thought it had gone though!”
“Hmm. Did you see the money go out of your account? Because if your check has been sent or your bank account has been charged, then surely you can show your statement to the landlord.”
“Uh, I don’t know,” she said nonchalantly. “I haven’t checked my bank account since sometime in September.”
I tried not to choke on my sandwich.
“Oh,” I said simply, meanwhile thinking to myself: How can you go an entire month without checking your bank account???
“Hm, well I hope you get things resolved,” I said and then proceeded to tell her some empathetic story about how I once overdrafted twice in one day.
I could tell she was done with the money talk, so we continue with our lunch and on to other topics. But I really wanted to keep talking about it. I wanted to get out a notebook and create a budget for her. I wanted to tell her I’ve been there. I remember having $10 to my name. I remember when every meal I ate out tasted like money dropping from my wallet. I wondered if she thought that as we ate.
But I didn’t say any of that. Perhaps I should have. I guess I’m a coward when it comes to talking about money and my thoughts how one should handle it. I never want to come off as “holier than thou.”
So that brings me to some questions for the blogosphere:
1. Has anyone ever been in an uncomfortable situation like above where you confronted a friend/family member regarding their finances? How did it go?
2. How often do you check your bank account? Personally I feel a bit uneasy if I go a day without checking mine.
3. Do you currently feel like your finances are out of control? I know most of my readers are those who have a handle on their finances, but perhaps some of you would like some help. If so, I have definitely been there. I’m no expert, but I’d be willing to digest your financial situation and help set goals and create a budget. Please email me at myprettypennies[at]hotmail.com if you would like some help. :)
Posted in friends, life, relationships | 21 Comments »
My net worth increased more than I expected in October! I had a $380 car repair and contributed $100 more towards charity than I normally do.
Summary:
-I increased Christmas Fund by $180
-I saved $90 in my Emergency Fund
-I paid off $380 in car repairs and added $85 back to the Car Repair account
-Retirement is pretty standard, but I thought it would increase by at least $300.
-I earned $5.25 in interest and it all went to my Emergency Fund.
-I paid off $600 of debt.
-I use my credit card for some purchases because of the points. That will be paid off this week.
-Click here to see more details.
Net Worth: $2,901!
I love months when it increases by $1000 or more! It means I’m doing something right. :)
Posted in net worth | 3 Comments »
The first few days of the month are filled with money moving in all different directions. After this week I’ll have a better idea of how much I will have for regular monthly spending.
Beginning Balance: $13.52
Friday:
-$13.76 beer/wine for parties
Saturday:
-$25.66 Target – little household things, hair stuff
-$52.43 gift for J
+$2,407 salary paycheck!!!
+$100 utility money from roommate (mentally going towards debt)
Sunday:
-$96.41 at Urban Outfitters
My roommate and I really need to do some apartment therapy and I bought these curtains for our living room. We have three windows so I had to buy 6 panels. I didn’t really want to but my roommate told me she’d pay for half and we really need to make the living room more… livable.
Monday:
-$125 Car Repair Fund
-$660 Rent
-$100 Roth IRA contribution
Ending Balance: $1,445.26
Posted in spending report | 2 Comments »
NOVEMBER GOALS:
1. Continue no clothes shopping or eating out for lunch until 2010.
So far the challenge hasn’t been too hard. Except when all of my coworkers went out to lunch last Friday for sushi and I saw a $5 shirt at Urban Outfitters this weekend….
2. Increase net worth by $1,000.
Dare I try?? I will be buying some Christmas gifts and paying off the cruise balance, but I think I can do it.
3. Pay $700 towards debt.
Like I said, I’m going to add $100 to this month’s debt payment. Woohoo!
4. Run at least 40 miles.
To get in shape for my 10K race in December, I need to run a minimum of 10 miles per week.
5. Buy all of my Christmas presents.
I’m already getting nervous about what to get people! I love for gifts to be thoughtful and specific to each person, but I also like for all of the shopping to be finished by Thanksgiving so I can enjoy the holidays without that stress. Ah! Must make a list and start shopping now!
6. Have a delightful time visiting J.
Need I say more? :)
7. Post a list of things I’m thankful for.
I love Thanksgiving and certainly have so many things to be thankful for. Post to come!
Posted in goals | 4 Comments »
OCTOBER GOALS:
1. Complete the Baltimore Half Marathon! DONE!
I did it! I did it! I did it! :D
2. Have a fantastic time in Atlanta. Done!
I had a great time and stayed within my $150 budget for the weekend.
3. Get car repairs fixed. Done!
I got $380 worth of repairs fixed in my car and hopefully I am good to go for the rest of the year. *crosses fingers*
4. Do something autumn-y.
Ooooh yes. Here are a few things I did:
-Apple picking
-Pumpkin picking
-Made pumpkin muffins
-Carved a pumpkin
-Took a walk on a leafy path
-Attended an Oktoberfest party
-Drank pumpkin ale
-Dressed up for halloween
5. Increase net worth by at least $800. Done!
Yes! I’m so happy that even with $380 in car repairs I increased my net worth more than $800. But more on that later….
Posted in goals, seasons | 2 Comments »
