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.