It has been over a week since I started the part-time job. So far things are going ok. I am able to manage both schedules so far. The manager is very flexible with the schedule I am able to maintain. I am taking a few days off from both jobs just to get it together since the summer is almost over. I cannot wait to get my first check so I can start paying down my cc debt.

I have decided not to move, and renew my current lease for one more year.
The main reason for this is financial. I cannot afford to pay and increase in rent, or pay to move my stuff. Plus, emotionally I am not prepared to deal with settling into a new environment. I have also been contemplating moving out of the tri-state area completely, but that is still up in the air.

Thanks to everyone who offered their advice.

No more debit card gas purchases

All gas purchases will be made using cash. I am a debit-card-no-cash-carrying kinda girl. It was very hard for me to make this new decision. However, it is a financially sound decision.
I normally purchase gas every two weeks. Recently, I have been doing a bit more driving because I have family and friends in town and a second job. I made two separate gas purchases about a week apart. The purchases did not post to my checking account until almost two weeks later, and on the same day. WTH!! This is annoying as hell. It left me scrambling to find the receipts to make sure the dollar amounts are correct. I knew there were two transactions out ‘there’ to be posted but after a week went by I forgot about. That was until I saw two gas purchases on the ‘same day’. Heck no. This can potentially give me an ulcer from all the stress of figuring this out. Thank goodness for online banking.

Bottom line is no more debit card gas purchases. I went this morning paid cash and was on my way.

Oh and the price has gone down to $2.85 per gallon. Yippeeeeee (sorry to all my New Yorkers, I just had to rub it in!! unless you are buying gas in Jersey)

Your balance is paid in full!!

These words are like music to my ears. I got a surprise in the mail yesterday. A little remembered student loan from sophomore year has been 'paid in full'. Granted the loan was only $1,000 I was making little payments over the years before I graduated. Why? Psychology I guess played a role back then. Anyways I completely forgot about the loan until the letter arrived in the mail. Now that I am completely done with school and the grace period is over all my student loan records are being updated.

Your balance is paid in full!! These words will be my motivator to tackle my other debts. This really shows me that a little at a time does add up.

Am gone back to do my happy dance, even if only temporary.

Update....

Sorry for the long delay. I was finally successful in getting a part-time evening gig. I will start tomorrow. The hourly pay takes me back to the days when I was in college. However, this extra income is solely for the purposes of paying down my Sallie Mae student loans and credit cards. This will be an extra payment in addition to the regular ones I normally make.

The second job would mean that I am giving up some parts of my social life or lack thereof. I am happy though that I am working hard to be free of my Sallie Mae and credit card debt by the end of 2007 if all goes as planned.

I LOVE FREE STUFF

Did I mention I LOVE FREE STUFF!!!

Sometime last year I received a letter in the mail from Washington Mutual Bank. The letter indicated that customers would receive a free Target gift card if they used their debit cards for a certain number of times. Or something to that effect. Anyways I did get a $25 Target card in the mail a few months ago.

This past week I went to Target and got me a blender.

Thank you Washington Mutual for my FREE blender.

To Move or Not to Move

Please read and help me decide.

I currently live in a one bedroom apartment in the Bronx. The lease ends on 11/30/06. I have been in this apartment two years. I absolutely love my apartment. All the appliances are brand new, hardwood floors, huge windows (well I do not like them in my bedroom).
My landlord is great. Before moving into this building I was a bit apprehensive because you hear so much horror stories about landlords. In the almost two years that I have been here, I have had ZERO problems with the landlord. Both father and son team are very responsive, I have never stayed more than a few hours to get a return phone call even on the weekends.

So why do I want to move you ask?

I absolutely hate my neighborhood. Parking around here is horrible. I have gotten two tickets since last November because I parked out on the main street and woke up late (after 7:30am)
The people who live around here have no respect for other people's space. I always have to hear the loud salsa or reggae music at three in the morning.

I work across the bridge in Bergen County, NJ. Therefore, I am contemplating a move there. It is a lot cleaner, and quieter than where I live currently. I would save on gas and tolls. The quality of life there is much higher than where I currently live.

Problem.
Not sure I would find rent that is cheaper than I am currently paying (873.38 per month). This is scheduled to go up 4%.

What do you guys think? Any advise is appreciated.

It is hot hot hot!!

My apartment feels like a little oven. I am still holding out and not buying an AC. I survived last summer so I believe I can survive this one. September is almost here.

Bankrate.com Interview: Ice Cube

I liked this piece from Bankrate.com with rapper, producer, actor, entrepreneur Ice cube. Thought it is worth sharing.