Updates

The e-fund bar has been updated to reflect my 2009 savings goal.

A raise of 4% is right around the corner somewhere.

I am silently praying that Uncle Sam and his bastard child NY State have mercy on me next year.

Paying in cash feels good, walking around with change doesn't.

I am tired of hearing about the Black Friday 2 phenomenon, a.k.a the day after Christmas sale. I have no money to spend anyways, so it does not matter. ( Is it really a phenomenon if it is just made up media hype?)

Gas is now $1.84 per gallon in my area.

Looking around my apartment I realize that I started to accumulate 'stuff'. I will now have to really assess each purchase.

Money Saving Tip

Ladies please take inventory of all beauty products before heading out to the store. You will be surprised to find that you are not running low on supplies as you thought.

Tonight I was bored and decided to take inventory. There are too many half done bottles of products to count. Bath and Body Works will not be getting my money in the after Christmas sale like I planned.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all

2009 Goals

There are only 2 goals for 2009.

1. Add $3,000 to the e-fund bringing the balance to $5,000.

2. Pay off the final balance on my credit card debt.

If I can accomplish these goals within the first half of the year, the rest of the year will be smooth sailing.

I am ending 2008 with over $2,000 in the bank and a few thousand dollars less in credit card debt. Not too shabby.

Now time to look forward to the tax man.

Secret Millionaire on Fox

Did anyone else catch this show? What are your thoughts?

The show is basically millionaires who are sent to live for one week with regular struggling people. At the end of the week they decide who to give away $100,000 to.

Savings Update Side Bar

The savings bar has been updated. I've finally reached and surpassed my $2,000 mark.

Yipeeeee!!!

Gas is $2.29 per gallon in my area

Green Cleaning Products

In an effort to be green, I've started using cleaning products with less chemicals. Starting with my bathroom I am trying out J.R. Watkins Natural Home Care line. It is available at Target. The cleaners are plant based, and the price is comparable to the other cleaners I've bought in the past.

Lay Off Plan

In the unfortunate even that I am laid off in the future, here are a few things I plan on doing to survive:

Ditch the car. It will be sold to the buyer with the best offer.
This eliminates the car and insurance payments.

Break my lease and stay with a family member. This plan has been talked about with said family member, and I have 6 months rent FREE.

After 6 months and nothings happens, I would have to suck it up and move to Florida to be with mom and dad. (This plan is a last resort, I will be homeless with absolutely no income plan.)

Increase hours at the part-time gig. I would have more time to work extra hours.

Downgrade cellphone to the most basic plan AT&T has.

Place student loans in the back burner until a full time job is in hand.

All of the above will be done while pounding the pavement everyday looking for work.

New York City Mayor announces layoffs

Mayor Bloomberg this week announced layoffs as part of the plan to balance the budget. I am a tad bit nervous. From what I know it does not affect me, at least not yet. Time to buckle down even more.

I am coming up with a layoff plan.

Anyone has a back up plan in case they are laid off?

Cable TV and High Speed Internet ..Gone!!

I called the cable company and disconnected. I thought these were items I could not live without. However, with working two jobs I spend so much time outside as it is. The resulting savings is almost $100 per month. This is nothing to sneeze at.

I am still looking at 'fixed' expenses to see what else I can eliminate or lower.

The Grinch that stole Christmas???

The economy.

There will be alot less gift giving this year.

Food Prices Still High

The price of groceries supposedly went up because of the increased gas prices, so now what?
I went grocery shopping today. Hello food people, the prices are still sky high. A gallon of gas in my area has gone down tremendously in the past few weeks. It is now $2.85 per gallon.

When does the price of food come down?

Holiday Jobs

For those looking to get out of debt, now is the time to look at holiday jobs. Hiring will not be as robust as previous years, however the extra income will go a long way to getting rid of debt.
Look at your favorite retailers (but don't spend your check as soon as you get it) and online sites such as hotjobs, and monster. Also, look in your local papers for ads for seasonal hiring.

Kiddie Spa! $20 pedicure

Apparently the economy is not all that bad.

Click here for the article on a Brooklyn kiddie spa that charges $20 for a pedicure.

Suze Orman on Oprah today

'Stop living a lie'.

Powerful words.

College Students turning to food banks for help

Click here to read the story.

This is new to me. I thought all broke college students survived on ramen noodles, stale pizza and hot dogs. I know I did.

Things at the part-time gig are bad. Sales are down considerably. The hours are less and hence my paychecks are less. In spite of all this I am not worried. Why? I have a small savings cushion. It gives me peace of mind. I am even more aggressively paying off debt, revising my goals and forging ahead.

My Wamu taken over by Chase

As of September 25th I am now a Chase customer. Now is the right time to close my wamu account and stick with the credit union and ING only. I've had the wamu account for so long, that I just kept it open. Now they have been acquired by Chase it is only a matter of time before the free checking and all that is gone. Chase does not do free without strings attached.

The Economy in Crisis

The economic news keeps getting worse. Lehman Brothers collapse, AIG near collapse, Wamu might be next...blah blah blah. How does it effect me? What am I doing differently?

Nada, nothing, zip, zero, zilch. I will continue to save and pay down debt just like I've been doing before.

I've been eating out more lately because of my busy schedule. My strategy has been to eat breakfast at home, and split lunch in two for dinner later. So far it has worked sometimes. I need to have some Weight Watchers frozen dinners as back up. They are cheaper and somewhat healthier than buying lunch everyday.

**Singing** I got money lots and lots of money.

See update of sidebar.

It is not exactly at $2,000 but it is close, so close I can taste it.

Financial Updates

My goal is to open a third CD the first week of September. This would put my total in CD's at around $2,000. If am able to get this done it would be a huge accomplishment. Then it hit me this morning, all three CD's will mature before the tax deadline. So, I will open an IRA before the April 15 deadline.

Time to do my research on IRA's.

It may appear as if all my savings is tied up in CD's which the majority of it is. However, my savings account balance is hardly ever below 500 and I am never more than 8 days away from my next paycheck.

The balance owed on my car is less than 7,000. It would be nice to pay this off before years end. However, I will play it by ear and see what happens. This would mean putting almost $1,800 per month for the next 4 months or so. This seems to be a very lofty goal by my calculations. Never say never.


Uncle Sam and I have an understanding. This September am gonna pay that mofo what I owe him and after that he won't bother me no more. As for Spitzer, Pataki, Patterson or whoever is in Albany...I'll get to you when I get to you.

Congratulations to Michael Phelps

8 gold medals at the 2008 Olympics....history has been made.

Rent Increase

As of 12/1/08 my rent will increase 4.5%. This all the more reason for me to pay off debt and buy a co-op or condo.

R.I.P Bernie Mac and Isaac Hayes

The good ones are gone too soon.

Savings

The second CD totalling $700 was opened today.


'Slow and steady wins the race'.

Repeat after me: I did not get into debt overnight, so I will not be debt free overnight.

Bridezilla's finances

OK..wait....let me stop cussing like a sailor.

This chick Brandy is tacky, cheap, rude and broke.

She walks into a pay day loan place to get a loan without any paperwork. Because the clerk denies her the loan, chick goes crazy about being discriminated against. Huh!!!

Her credit cards are maxed out and she has no money in the bank. However, she is still spending money on her wedding as if it grows on trees. I would love to see a follow up episode in a year.

Where do they get these brides from?? They get worse with each episode.

Savings Update

Today, I officially passed the $1,000 mark in my savings account. It has been a long time since I've saved over $1,000. Currently I have a little below $1,300. Yeahhhhh, gooooo meeeeeee.

I will not touch, I will not touch, I will not touch, I will not touch.

$600 is currently in a CD until January.

I will be opening another CD in about two weeks. This will be after next paycheck and it will put my savings to over $1,700 (including the CD). I will transfer at least $700 for my next CD.

New York State Budget Issues

New York State is going through budget/financial issues just like the rest of us.

NYC Transit Issues

This is a public service announcement.

To all the NYC Transit performers:

It is 11:30 pm and I just getting off a 12 hour day. I don't care why or what you are performing. Shit as long as you don't kick me with all the jumping and flipping you are doing. However, am too tired to clap, and to broke to give you any cash. As a matter of fact I do not carry cash. I did not ask you to perform any dance so no I don't feel like clapping.

The fare might be going up next year. You paid for one seat so that means you are entitled to ONE SEAT ONLY...take your freakin bag off the damn seat.

To the person that stole my transit check, even though you found it in the building and my name was on it, happy swiping. You could have just dropped in my box or under my door, ding ding, look at the intercom system the names are right there. Hope you were satisfied with the few hours you got cuz it is now inactive. Take your thieving azz to the station and buy your own.

It's all in my head

My relationship with money is ALL about psychology. I have all the tips and ideas in my head. Spend less that you earn, save for retirement..blah blah blah (yeah this is what I hear sometimes).

To overcome my psychological issue when it comes to savings I have stared putting the emergency fund into 6 month CDs. Once it grows by a few hundred dollars I open another CD. This may seem impractical, maybe even crazy to some people. I can hear the questions now, why not just leave all the money in a regular savings account? Well, because I will find bills or something else to spend the money on. If I know it is sitting in a CD I will not touch. Am not a psychologist so please do not ask me to explain. Saving for retirement is easy, it is saving for emergencies and short term issues that is my downfall.

The CD solution is the only thing I could come up with.

Am open to suggestions.

5 Reasons I love Washington Mutual Bank

1. The free checking account is really free. It also includes one overdraft credit per year.

2. Free money orders for those organizations that don't accept online payments.

3. Branches within walking distance to my job and home.

4. The customer service is great.

6. The hours are very convenient.

My goal for 2009 is to buy my own home

Let the preparations begin.

Radom Tidbits and updates

I received a 3.5% raise at the part-time gig.

I am no longer living check to check, waiting for the next check to come in and having it spent before it came in. Breathing easier now.

My back taxes are paid off.

Today I sat down and looked at my yearly income going back 5 years. Oh how far I have come. Next year promises to be better and brighter.

Is it so hard to give up your seat dude? Do you not see that she is wayyyyyyy pregnant? Arggggggghhhhh get your arzzzzzz up. sheesshhhh.

My savings bar will be updated soon to show that I am past the $1,000 mark. Can't wait to get there.

What is your limit on gas??

My limit is $4.75.

Currently gas is $4.39 where I live. Once the price reaches $4.75 that will be it. I will park the car until it goes down (at least that is the plan).

Keeping up with the Jones

I work in an office that is 90% female ( do guys do this too)? Now that the warm weather is here, it seems to be nothing but competition among the 'girls'. As a pf blogger, I am watching all this and it makes me sad. Of course, the conversation naturally turns to me and my non $500 gucci bag wearing self.

Did I also mention these girls all make below $45,000? Am not judging (hell who am I fooling, I am) but why complain about being broke, but have a new purse next week. Then complain that you are not getting paid enough. Well, you are not a wise keeper of what you are getting paid now anyway.

It would be so easy to fall into this temptation and mess. However, I am going to stand on the sidelines and look at my big financial picture. It will keep me focussed.

99.2% APR

Just saw an ad for cashcall.com. In the fine print that was flashed across the screen I saw that ridiculous APR.

Has anyone else seen the ad? Please tell me that my eyes are deceiving me, after all I was not wearing my glasses. I am afraid to even go to the website and see for myself.

Is that APR even legal?

New discovery at the supermarket

Uncle Ben's Ready Rice.....loves it. It is probably more expensive than just buying regular rice, but I have not looked at the price. It is perfect for a single girl like who does not like to cook.

Why do you work a second job???

That is the million dollar question I keep getting asked. It is to the point now where the question is annoying. Why would someone work a second job? Duh!!! to make more money..now let it rest people. These are the same people in my circle who complain about lack of funds. Go figure!!

When the air gets hot...

the shoppers go shopping. What is it about the hot weather that makes people go crazy. Sales at the part-time gig have increased with the rising temperature. Interesting!!

Ross Dress For Less

OH Yeah!! I went into one of these stores in south Florida today for the first time. My head was spinning. Now I see what Single Ma is talking about.

Saving my second paycheck

My goal to save the check from the part-time gig did not start in April as planned. There were a few bills that had to get paid up. However, it will start with the first check in June. The direct deposit has already set up to my savings account.

Amex and the torn, taped up application

A writer from the NYPost tore up his Amex application, taped it back together and was still approved for the card. WTF???

Are the credit card companies this desperate for business.

Read about here.

Unbelievable.

Enough Already

Enough about .......

the recession

housing crisis

student loan crisis

price of groceries

gas prices

democratic nomination race for president

The media coverage in the past week has me on overload.

Random Tidbits

The price of gas in my area is $3.75. I am not looking forward to summer at all.

My goal is to resign from the part-time gig by the end of the year. That decision depends on a few factors. However, the longest I plan on doing it is next summer.

I am in the process of updating my wardrobe. The best part of all is paying in cash.

Credit Cards as a tool

For the first time I am proud to say credit cards are not my enemy. They are a financial tool, which if used wisely can reap great benefits. For example, my spanking brand new $100 gift card to Marshalls. Oh!! the joys of shopping with someone else's money.

I am less stressed out these days about my finances. Why? well, I have a few dollars in the bank. It is not a lot, but there is a certain amount of peace knowing if something minor happens, I got it covered.

403B Rollover

Is there a wrong or right time to roll over a 403B from an old job? I am rolling it over to Vanguard. However, with the markets the way it is, is now a wrong time roll over?

Saving my second pay check

Starting with the first payroll in April my goal is to save the entire paycheck from the part-time gig. The hours have declined in the past few weeks. I will be back to regular schedule in a few weeks. This is my new mission. It is not a huge amount of money each month, but with regular hours can add of to around $600 per month after taxes.

Am so excited with this new goal.

Cash flow planning

Car insurance bill is due at the end of April. Normally, I pay half of the 6 month premium. My goal is to pay the entire bill at once.

MTA MTA Oh how I love thee

How can an organization provide progressive deteriorating service and still charge more for said service?

Just follow the lead of the MTA.

The cost of the subway fare went up this past Sunday. I still have not been able to get a seat in the mornings, and must be squished in the evenings. Oh and my train goes 5 milers per hour.

Random Thoughts

A coupon to a store is not a license to shop.

I am me. I may not be the most stylish or flashy. So, your flashy-brand-name-wearing-no-pot-to-piss-in-behind need to just get over it.

Stop complaining. Get a solution.

I have decided that my ultimate goal is to pay my car off this year. Had a lightbulb moment and realize this would be quite an accomplishment.

The price of gas no longer gives me the hives. Public transit all the way. Now if only I can get the people who take NY subway to be a better judge of size. Your size 12 behind cannot fit in the seat a size 2 just deserted.

Taking care of my own hair is not as bad as I thought. Plus it is a whole lot cheaper.

I was watching CBS News Sunday Morning

Random facts I learned from this morning's show:

Musician Kenny G majored in accounting in college. He also asks the right accounting questions before decided to go on a tour. He was one of the initial investors in Starbucks.

Suzie Orman says we should not buy more than we need, which is why she only has one pair of earrings.

One million dollars in hundreds is about a nice 22 lb package.

Paper money is not paper, but cotton and linen.

Bill Gates and Warren Buffet plays bridge. I wonder if playing bridge will make me rich.

OH and some fool, sorry I mean entrepreneur is selling plots of land on the moon. Is that an oxymoron?? Plots of land on the moon?? Da hell!! I wonder if I can get a mortgage to finance that. The deed is called a Lunar Deed. There are people out there who are buying it. $19.99 and a part of the moon can be yours. LMAOOOOOOO

Increase in credit card offers

Ever since I consolidated my credit card debt the number of credit card offers have increased drastically. Before the consolidation I almost never got any offers....this week alone I received four....yes 4. Straight to the shredder I go. Now I see how easy it is to get into the cycle of credit card debt over and over again.

Well, credit card companies TBB is not playing around. She is paying down the debt consolidation loan through payroll deductions. So go away and leave her alone.

Did anyone catch the Oprah Winfrey Show last night?

This show was soooo sad. There was a lady who was deep in debt after her husband died. He committed suicide and left her with thousands of dollars in credit card debt, a huge mortgage and no job.

I missed the first few minutes of the show. However, that was the gist of what I got.

Bottom line: Ladies there is no knight in shining armour who will take care of you forever. Even if you are a stay at home mom, make sure you are in th loop where finances are concerned. Know where all the financial documents are, know how much money is coming in and going out. This information is crucial.

Additional information on the show is available at Oprah.com.

Has the 'recession' hit home?

It has for me. Sales are down at the part-time gig which means hours are also down. This decrease my bottom line (a.k.a) paycheck every two weeks. I am learning to adjust by making sure I keep my variable expenses as low as possible. My budget is tight and every dollar is needed. This means any reduction is felt.

Has the 'recession' being to touch anyone else?

I am actually looking forward to those $600 - $1,200 rebate checks. Hopefully, consumers will decide to spend a portion of it.

A raise is on its way

A raise was just approved for a little over 6.5%. Now lets see how much Uncle Sam and his munchkins gonna take before I can see my share.

To retirement and beyond!!!!!!!!

The pension contributions have started. My retirement picture looks brighter each day. Short-term my financial picture is still a bit bleak but am making progress.

Slow and steady wins the race.

Recession!! The sky is falling!! The tax rebate savior

Recent financial news has me feeling like burying my head in the sand, and not coming up for air.

Am I the only one that feels like that?

Best Buy Customer Service Sucks

I will never again attempt to buy anything from BEST BUY.

A word to BEST BUY management, customers come first. If you did not have customers you would not be in business.

To management at the store at 622 Broadway in Manhattan, if you are not going to answer the phone, then the option to speak to a 'sales' associate should be taken off the menu. I guess you guys met your sales goal for today so you are not interested in answering the phone and speaking to additional customers.

My w-2s have started to come in. There is one thing that is shocking. The part-time gig brought in over $12,000. Huh!!!!!!! 2008 will not be that high since the hours have been reduced. However, I really need to get a handle on where that money is going.

I made another sale on half.com

Love that site.

$161 for 10 minutes of work......

Gotta love credit card companies. I was able to convince them to give me credit for the finance charges.

My day to day goal

is to not use my credit cards.

Now my credit card debt is consolidated, I use only one credit card. It has my netflix membership and tolls. I make sure to leave it at home so that I am not tempted to use it. I can't wait for those $0 balance statements to come in the mail.

Tax Time Again

How exciting! I am starting to get my documents together for tax time. It does not mean I will be doing my taxes early. I will be filing electronically for free via the State Farm website. However, I will wait until April 10th or after, LOL.

I am still paying back taxes from last year. Oh the woes of being childless and propertyless (is that a word) in NYC.

To Do List

Here are the things I have done so far financially:

1. Filled out the forms to contribute to my pension.

2. Consolidated credit card debt. (see December 28th post)

Things still to do:

1. Roll over 403B to Vanguard from previous job. (The package is sitting on the coffee table)

2. Build up emergency fund to $2,000.