Coming Clean for 2012
The other day I was revisiting my 2011 goals and I realized I hadn’t made as much progress as I was hoping for. However, in light of the events this year, I’m still able to pat myself on the back and say, “Good job. But you can do better.” Let’s start with a quick venting session: I didn’t work nearly as much the first three months of this year as I normally do. This is partly due to my position as a substitute teacher, but also due to me being picky about...
Read MoreBeggar’s Can’t Be Choosers Quarterly Update
I’ve been a little absent from my blog lately, but it’s for a good reason; I’m finishing up my credential this semester and dedicating myself to completing it! I’m just about at the half way point, whoo hoo! Okay, enough of the exclamatory sentences. I realize I’m a little behind on updating my quarterly goals, but better late than never in my book. So here goes - Finances Goal: To save an additional $9,000 in savings this year. Status: Well, I’m a bit behind...
Read MoreWhat to Do if You’ve Been Declined a Secure Credit Card
A while ago, a mutual friend of ours admitted that he had ruined his credit and wanted to begin rebuilding it through obtaining a secure credit card. I advised him on opening up a secure credit card because most banks keep the amount of the credit line, for instance $500, in a savings account as collateral for extending credit to a person who is a less than credit worthy. A secure credit card is similar to a prepaid Visa gift card, but it’s reported to the credit bureaus as an actual...
Read MoreBlowing My Budget on Crappy Food
This past year, my husband and I have been making a diligent effort to eat at home more, be more frugal and careful with our extraneous spending, and cut back on frivolous wants. I’m seeing progress in our overall budget. According to my QuickBook’s expense and income bar graph, we’ve spent much less this year than last, even though we didn’t make as much money. We’re moving in the right direction because of these following strategies: Grocery shopping at the...
Read MoreWindfalls…in my pocketbook
A couple of days ago, GetRichSlowly.org wrote an article about how saving large amounts on items, like refinancing a mortgage, can really add up to savings in your bank account. I guess my mailbox was listening, though it really wasn’t something I saved money on, because a large check I’ve been waiting on finally arrived. I knew that it was coming, but it was so late that I had kind of put it out of my mind. I had already budgeted all of our expenses for this month without that...
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