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.