Day 653

Here is what I got from it and need to apply or in some cases apply as much as I can:

Don't borrow money. If I don't have the money I can't buy it. (OK, how am I going to buy a decent car?!!)

80% behavior and 20% knowledge. Change my behavior. If I don't have the money, don't buy it.

- cut up the credit and only use cash (I do need credit for work
- use the envelope system.
- get on a budget and give every number a predestination (I never know month to month how much I make)
- read books about money (these cost money!)

Budget Baby Steps
1. start an Emergency Fund of $1000
2. set up a plan to get out of debt. Start with the smallest debt to pay off and work your way up. Debt snowball
3. Go back to step 1 and raise it to 3-6 months of expenses
4. Invest 15% of your income into retirement
5. set up a college fund for my son
6. Pay off the house early ( I rent )
7. build wealth

I kind of have the emergency fund if I need it. There is money in accounts I do not touch so now I guess I work on the snowball affect and pay off the smallest debt which is my taxes and the one that I should be paying. I think I can pay my taxes before I go to Vegas. That would be awesome!

I think I'll put the Visa back in the freezer :)

Day 651

2010 Financial Goals

1. Pay off debt

2. Read 30 books on debt (any recommendations?)

3. Get a tax free saving account and put the $5,000 in it

4. Get a $5,000 emergency fund

Total Debt Paid: $51,834

($100 to Visa)

Day 650

What day is it?!! I can't believe I am on day 650 of paying off debt and still have $$$ to go!

OK, so it's been a long while since I posted.

Here is what's new:

I finished paying off my car! Yay, right?!! Yeah, and then I was in a car accident and wrote the car off, ugh! Now I need to buy a car. I'm 30 and can't get credit. This year I am cathcing up on my taxes and will be able to get my own car...one day

I paid off the old phone bill :)

I've paid $1,200 in taxes since my last post that I owed (still more to go)

The only debt I have right now is

credit: $8,000+

taxes: $3, 200+

braces: $5,000+

Now, how much have I paid in debt? Well, the credit card doesn't count because every time I pay it off I go and spend it again on biz stuff. However, the $1500 phone bill is paid. The remaining $3000 on the car is paid. So $4,500 - yay :)

I'm going to Vegas in a few days $$$ and I need a car $$$

UGGGGGGH!

Total Debt Paid: $51, 734

Total Debt: $16, 000+

I need some new plans here.

Day 487

I'm sure my goal list will grow but here are a few to start with:

pack lunches for work

make meal plans

grocery shop once a week

make income goals

live on cash out of jars/pay myself

set up payments for credit card

make donate, keep, and sell buckets

track spending

track income

track bills

don't use credit

pay debts on time

keep up with the savings account

don't go into overdraft

pay the phone old bill off this month

This is what I hope to take care of for the rest of the month.

I need to think of how I am going to buy Christmas presents.

If I plan on being debt free by the two year mark then I have to pay off $3,333 a month for the next six months. I'll save the braces bill for last as I am set up on a month to mont payment for them and take care of the high interest/effecting my credit bills first. Oh, but the braces come off the credit card...bad idea. I may need to switch that over to cheques.

credit, taxes, car, old phone bill and braces are what's left to pay before being debt free.

I made a $500 payment to the old phone bill tonight. I should be able to put another $200 on debt tomorrow :) and pay some bills with the rest of the money I'll earn/deposit tomorrow

Total Debt Paid: $47, 234

Day 486

How possible is it to be debt free?!?

Since I’ve started this I’ve paid off a lot of debt. Of course I’ve lost focus here and there and could have done better but I’ve also gained more debt…like $6100 in braces for my son, over $4000 in taxes, new equipment for the business

So the break down now:

$1200 taxes

$1200 to the car

$3,600 to my mom

I’ve paid off some Visa but I’m not even going to count it as I’ve about put the money back on. So, I’ll start adding the Visa to debt payment once I really start paying it off

My goal to be debt free by my 30^th birthday did not happen

Soooooo, the new goal is to be debt free by June 2010

By June 2010 it will be 2yrs since I’ve started this

I need to get back into my whole idea of Donald Trumps “Set goals and stay disciplined” if this is ever going to work well for me.

I make a great income for being single. I should have a lot more that what I do.

I’ll be back with new goals tomorrow

Total Debt Paid: $42, 234

Day 386

Still slow going...what a difference losing focus makes -- obviously!

I've been putting money into the business like crazy. I have a boyfriend who is military who I hardly see so dating isn't costing me a thing. Right now I have over $4000 sitting in the bank waiting for me to put it somewhere...I'm thinking I'll pay off the car and I'm owed a few thousand dollars as well.

I think I have something like $17,000 to go. It will be more when we figure out how much I owe in taxes :(

Total Debt paid: $36, 234

Day 333

Wow, it's been a long time since I posted! Ugh, and I haven't been focused.

Since my last post I have only paid $1000 to debt 

In the meantime I have added the cost of my sons new braces to my debt and over $3000 in taxes from last year

I have just less than $20,000 to pay by Nov *fingers crossed*

I need some new goals to get me there

Total Debt Paid: $34, 534