This Journey Called Life

New Year, New Me!!!

2012-01-27T18:17:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year Readers!

I can't believe the last time I posted was in June! Yikes!!! So much has happened and I am feeling so blessed. In July I started my new job as an Assistant Principal at a high school and I completely love it. This week was one of those weeks when a lot of challenging things happened and even with everything going on I can honesty say that I love my job.

But I also have another new love. In October I had a beautiful, healthy baby boy who is the love of my life. His name is Dhani and he is absolutely gorgeous and happy and just makes me look at life very differently.

Its time for me to get back on track with my finances and goals but I also want to write about the joys and challenges of being a working mother, wife, and this journey we call life.

Ah... it feels good to be back in the saddle!!!

5:50 AM

2011-06-13T05:50:00.002-04:00

Its 5:50 in the morning and I'm feeling good. I hear the birds chirping and I'm in my new office listening to the Kirk Franklin "Hello Fear" album. This is my last full week of working as a teacher. The students are gone, yearbooks are given out and tomorrow is graduation.

I haven't posted much but I feel like I'm back for good. Baby is good, husband is good, rental property is good and I have a new job. I'm going to be an Assistant Principal at a high school with a salary in the low six figures. My family is very happy about this because we will be able to give more, help my little brother pay for college, and pay off debt and save.

This job is a prayer answered. Many years ago I prayed to God and asked him to give me a job that would help me build a legacy for my family including my little brother and sister. Last month my little brother, who turned 18 last Thursday, called me and told me some things that broke my heart. The only place I could turn was to God. I cried and cried, and prayed and prayed for a breakthrough so that I could help him. I prayed that God would heal the hurt in both of us.

And he did.

My little soccer player is kicking up a storm.........and I need to get ready for work.

Blessings

I'm going through Changes

2011-04-27T07:16:00.004-04:00

Hello Dear Readers!!!

I hope you all have been well during my 2 and a half month hiatus. The time I wrote a post I had just found out I was pregnant and was in the midst of killer morning sickness. Now, with much joy I can write that the morning sickness is over ( Praise God) and my husband and I are having a little boy.

We also moved... last week in fact. We decided it would be best for us financially to rent out both parts of duplex ( we own) and rent a house in a quieter more family friendly and convenient neighborhood. We found a great house in a beautiful multicultural area of the Delaware Valley and we love it. In fact a couple days ago I came out of my house to go to work and a little rabbit was hopping around on our lawn.

So with all this newness, there are changes in our budget, goals, and more. I can't wait to start posting about them.

I have to say

2011-02-28T21:28:00.000-05:00

I'm pregnant and sick as a dog! Will post more later!

Brakes, Tires, and Batteries

2011-02-07T16:33:00.002-05:00

My car needs several maintenance requests taken car of as soon as possible. The month of January was tough and there was something wrong with my battery. Every time the temperature hit below freezing I would always have to start my car with the automatic car starter. I had some money in the car fund last month and I used it to buy a new car battery.

Now I hear my brakes grinding. Right now I have about $150 in my car account and I am going to use that to shop around for brakes. I hope I can buy them and have someone put them in for roughly that amount.

Finally, I need new tires! I have never replaced the tires and my truck I have had it for a year come May. I have no idea how much tires cost and where to go to replace them. I know that sometimes places like Sears have buy three get one free deals but I don't enough know how much one costs.

Time to research!!! Once I figure out how much it should all cost I will up my savings to the car account so that I can get them done sometime in March.

In closing, one thing I have learned about saving for purchases is when I save and pay for something rather than put it on my credit card or have my husband buy it, I appreciate it more. With my car getting close to 90,000 miles its important that I keep some money in my car account for maintenance and other expenses that will occur with my car.

I will max out my Roth

2011-01-31T07:30:00.000-05:00

This is the year I will max out my Roth IRA. I have been saying that I would max it out since I was like 20 but I have never done it. Alas, this will be the year! I have already set up payments of $208.00 to come out every two weeks, and during the month of January I didn't even feel it.

February is a new month and I'm ready to conquer it. By December 31, 2011 I will have $5000 in my Roth IRA account.

Are you maxing out your Roth IRA account this year?

Working, Working, Working

2011-01-30T17:37:00.003-05:00

During the month of January I was doing a contract job that is finally over. Yes!!! It was alot of work that had me extremely tired. During the day I was teaching my lovely ninth and tenth graders and then in the evenings I was teaching adults. Essentially I was planning for six different lessons every day! I love teaching but it really does take a lot out of me.

The good news is that this week I will be getting a little over $2500 for this work and it's going right into the emergency fund. The other good news is that this contract work added a couple of new lines to my resume and I have some phone interviews lined up for positions in the Fall.

2011 is looking good and its only just begun!

You can not make all people like you

2011-01-15T16:11:00.003-05:00

but you can rob them of a reason to dislike you.

That was my Napoleon Hill Thought of the day. Mr. Hill goes on to write that because everyone is so different, with different interests and such, it is impossible for an individual to be loved by all who know him or her.

Read this:
You can cement your relationships with others by making sure that you are a person of character, one who is predictably honest, straightforward, and ethical. When you follow such a code of conduct, you may not be sought out by others who do not share your value, but you will be respected by all who know you. And in the end, self-respect will mean far more to you than mere popularity.

I want to make sure that I am person of character and that my life follows that quote and this scripture:

"... Love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself" Luke 10:27

I know if I follow the above....... then every little thing is gonna be alright!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Photos Galore!!!

2010-12-22T06:05:00.002-05:00

I know its a little late but I am thinking of getting my parents and my mother in law photo books for a late christmas gift as well as the video and video highlights of our wedding. A couple of weeks ago we received a dvd with 599 of our wedding pictures on it, last week we received our wedding video, and we also have a cd with our engagement pictures on it. We must put them to use!!! So I'm thinking of using shutterfly to create photo books for them. Has anyone ever used Shutterfly to create a photo book? Are there any other sites that you can recommend? I am more concerned about quality and design more than price, it is a gift for the parents after all!

Saving Saving Saving

2010-12-15T08:05:00.003-05:00

Hey Y'all

Nothing really exciting is going on at this end just trying to save a lot of money. My husband and I are trying to have a large lump sum saved and in a money market account by the end of the month. I'm trying not spend money when I don't need to so that we can meet our savings goals. Even though I quit my part time job at the hotel I still have extra money coming in that replaces the income that was lost. I started working for an educational non profit and the work is fun yet challenging. I also have been doing some networking and there may be possible full time job opportunity at the company starting first or second quarter 2011.

I am reading Return to Love by Marianne Williamson and am loving this book, I also am reading A Course in Miracles which is a really difficult book to read but I am enjoying it and learning mucho about love and forgiveness. I may write a few posts about it. My interests have changed and I'm not in to writing so much about finance anymore. I keep saying it but there is truly more to life than money!

Have you learned any life or money lessons lately?

All things come to an end

2010-11-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

As I am writing this I am finishing up my last hour and ten minutes at the part time job. In fact, by the time you read this I will be at home,, in my own bed snuggled up next to my husband. I have been at my part time job for 5 years, including working overnight every Saturday and Sunday for the past four years and its about to be over.

Tonight...

I checked in my last guest

Ran reports for the last time

shifted through receipts and had deep conversations with the best coworkers a girl could have... for the last time.

I am so thankful for this job! Through the years I have met so amazing people who have given me great insight and advice on how to live my best life. I also have had the opportunity to travel to some amazing places. This was the job that got me through college, and grad school, and grad school again. This was the job that helped me buy my first place and started me on saving for retirement.

Not to be dismayed... a new chapter is starting in my life and I have big plans for it.

Before I file my taxes!

2010-11-22T18:48:00.002-05:00

There is one thing that I need to do before I file my taxes, and that is make sure I max out my Roth IRA, I should have been contributing this entire year but I didn't so now I have 5 months to make sure that its maxed out. I am not filing my taxes without doing it. If I max it out I will have roughly $30,000 in retirement savings. It's not much but it is certainly a start.

I also want my husband to if not not max it out, at least put $2500 in it. He is in sales and does not have any retirement savings whatsoever and now is the time for both of us to get started on it (before the children and other obligations come).

I'm looking at my goals for this year and several of them didn't happen. I was more focused on the wedding planning and a lot of the money that I would have put towards savings and debt went to our destination wedding.

Are you maxing out your IRA, 401K, 0r 403B this year?

Happy Birthday to Me!!

2010-11-15T11:43:00.004-05:00

On Friday I turned 27 and enjoyed a beautiful day in Atlantic City, breakfast, the movie "For Colored Girls", and a shopping spree complements of my husband. I also took Friday and today (Monday) off of work. Today I am focused on all the things that I want to do this year as well as cleaning the house and getting quotes on certain repairs that are needed before we can rent the house out.

I'm still thinking about different goals I want for this year but as soon as I figure them out you will be the first to know.

How was your weekend? Anything exciting happen?

Finance Charges are a ......

2010-11-05T16:34:00.002-04:00

I never realized that finance charges were so much. I never really paid attention to interest rates because my credit cards were always paid off within the month. I guess this summer grad school in another city and a wedding to pay for was a little too much for the budget. I still have one big card to pay off and got hit with a $50.00 finance charge, and $50.00 is waayyyyyy to much to pay for interest.

I vow that I will never get into credit card debt again!

And can't wait until this card is paid off!

I'm focused Man!!

2010-11-03T09:57:00.003-04:00

Focused on working out. I went to the gym on Monday with my coworker and took my first class, Body Pump. Boy did it pump my body! I am still sore two days later, but its all good. I'm working those muscles. Yesterday I took a rest day but I will be back at it today taking a class called Rush Hour. Here is my gym line up for the rest of the week.

Wed- Rush Hour class

Thurs- Run

Fri- Tight Ends class

Sat- Rest

Sun-Run

Saturday and Sunday may switch because I work Saturday night and go right to church on Sunday morning. After church I usually crash and by the time I wake up the gym is closed. I'm focused on getting fit. On my vision board in January I put that I wanted to lose 35 pounds. I'm down 25 with 10 to go. My big goal is to lose 10 pounds during the month of November. Can I do it??? You bet I can!

Weekly Health and Fitness Goals

2010-10-31T20:21:00.004-04:00

This week my goals are health and fitness focused.

I will go to the gym 4x this week. 3 days I will be doing the couch to 5k program with strength training, and one day I will take a class.

Everyday this week I will drink 64oz of water

I will not eat anything with refined sugar or flour in it as well as no milk

I think the only way to keep track of my goals is to write them down so I will probably post on the blog. Tomorrow is November 1!!! A perfect day to start fresh.

Do you have any weekly or monthly goals that you would like to accomplish?

Fun Filled Weekend

2010-10-31T20:12:00.004-04:00

I'm sitting in bed winding down after a fun yet tiring weekend. Friday night I worked, saturday morning I taught Saturday School, then I went home a slept for a little while. Saturday evening I hurried up and got my niece a $25 gift card from Old Navy and stopped by her party for a little bit. She is only two and the house was filled with 2-10 year olds. It was nice for a moment, but the noise and kids running around became a bit overwhelming. Saturday Night I went to work and was so tired I didn't make it to church this morning. This is the first Sunday in a month of Sundays that I missed Church but I will be right back the next Sunday.

Since we don't celebrate Holloween there was no candy for the trick or treaters at our house. In fact we weren't even there! My husband is a major football fan and we participate in his family's fantasy league so today we went over to his Aunt's house and had dinner, watched football, and just had family fun. I can't wait until I quit my second job so that I can do this more often.

All in all this weekend was good! We paid off my American Express card and I only spent $30.00 the $25 gift card to Old Navy and a card for my niece.

I wonder what this week will bring! I am thinking about goals for the week.... do you have any?

Super Super Thankful

2010-10-29T20:07:00.003-04:00

I am just filled with with thankfulness... and not just because my American Express credit card is paid off.

Today I started working out again, with a coworker... and just the half an hour we did on the treadmill walking and ab/leg exercises had the endorphins flowing. I have a busy day tomorrow as my husband's niece ( i guess she's my niece too now) is turning two. So, its going to be a day of running around getting a present and stuff for the party coupled with teaching Saturday School in the morning. Only God gives me the energy!

My husband is working a second job as well... I am so proud of him and he is making lots of money (in sales). Right now a lot of it is going to debt but pretty soon we are going to be saving, saving, saving.

I am thankful for all things I am learning during this period in my life. I am taking nothing for granted!

Friday will be a good day!

2010-10-26T10:00:00.001-04:00

I love Fridays, not just because every other Friday is a pay day but because it's the beginning of the weekend and the weekend for me = working at my part time job, God Time on Sunday and football!!! Okay, to be honest I also love Friday because it's pay day!

This Friday is going to be extra special because I am paying off my American Express card!!! I owe $1633.14 and my husband is helping me pay it off. This will leave me with three more credit cards to pay off.

Target- $844.06

Gap $973.48

Juniper $2698.89

The Target and Gap will be paid off on my birthday and hopefully my husband will help me pay off the Juniper card on Black Friday.

Oh Friday How I Love Thee!!!

It can all happen so fast!

2010-10-26T04:42:00.002-04:00

One month I'm attending graduate school and two months later my consolidated student loan payment from undergrad is due. And I almost forgot to pay it. Well I did forget to pay it on time because for some reason I thought I had a six month grace period, but I didn't because the payment was due on the 18th of October.

I paid it 5 days late.

The next payment is due November 18 and I already have an automatic payment set up through Bank of America.

Being late on a student loan payment will never happen to me again!

Leaving the part time job

2010-10-21T04:58:00.002-04:00

The part time job has run its course. I have been there five years and counting and the money is no longer worth it. Sure I loved traveling the world staying in luxury hotels but now my taste has really changed and my need for privacy and relaxation when traveling has caused me to start renting apartments and villas.

Also, I am tired of working 7 days a week, when I do have the weekend off I feel normal. I'm up during the day visiting friends and family, grocery shopping and doing fun things with the hubby. When I do have to work at the part time job I get depressed, angry, and really have to pipe myself to go in there.

I have faith that God has other plans for me. Recently, I started going back to church on Sunday Mornings.... right after work and my faith is being built back up. The extra money is nice... but its not worth my sanity or my health for that matter.

I was thinking that I was going to last until the end of the year but I don't know if I can do it. I'm teaching honors classes at school as well as staying after school until 5pm pretty much every day to grade papers do tutoring plus teaching Saturday School from 9-12 every Saturday. Something has to give and right now... its the second job.

Do any of you have part time jobs? How are they working out for you?

Term Life Insurance

2010-10-09T21:49:00.004-04:00

How many 20 somethings have term life insurance? I'm just asking because I hear Suze Orman talk about it all the time and on her segment How am I doing it is one of the types of insurance that make up the " insurance" score.

When I logged into my mint account today it also recommended term life insurance from the company ING Life Insurance which is a subsidiary o f ING Direct. From doing the free quote it seems that I can receive a 20 year term insurance policy of $600,000 for only $302.00 a year.

Because I'm married with a house, lots of student loan debt, and the possibility of children coming soon, I think I need term life insurance to take care of my family in case of my death. However, I'm not sure and am going to do a little more research.

Are they are any other 20 somethings that have term life insurance?

FYI: As I was writing this post a commerical for Suze Orman came on and next weeks show will be devoted to insurance.... Hooray!!!

I must confess!

2010-10-04T18:41:00.002-04:00

I have been a bad girl. I did a lot of spending on credit cards for the wedding and our first month as newlyweds. Right now all the money from my paychecks has been going to credit card debt. Thankfully all the debt should be paid off by my birthday which is in the middle of next month. Boobee says that once I pay off all the debt ( almost $8000 of it), all the credit cards are going back into the freezer. I couldn't agree more! I am so done with credit cards!!

There's more to life than money

2010-09-17T05:26:00.004-04:00

As a PF blogger and someone who grew up very poor... i tend to live, breathe, and constantly think about money. This morning's devotional made me realize that I need to take some moments and breathe, because simply there is more to life than thinking about savings, debt, credit, and retirement all the time.

Anyone ever read this verse?

Matthew 6:25-27, "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life--whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?" (NLT)

It reminds me that everything will be taken care of, and when I look back I my life I know God has always taken care of me. Today I'm smiling because of that, and because of have faith that "all things work together for the good".

I got paid today, but I'm not focused on the money. I'm glad I have a good husband, a job, friends, and family and an outlet where I can write my thoughts... because there is really more to life than money.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Paying Off Student Loans

2010-09-09T03:26:00.002-04:00

I am slowly paying off my student loans but I will not be rushing to pay off my $22,000 consolidated loan from undergrad. Its at a measly 4.25% and the monthly payment is only $140.00 a month the monthly payment will not be affecting my monthly budget that much. I also have graduate student loans that are at a higher interest rate ( like 6.25%) and those will be my first priority.

I'm still working on a repayment plan aka snowball for the graduate loans which come out of deferment in Feb and will post as soon as I complete them.

Are you snowballing your student loans or just paying the minimum?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Plunking my Plateau

2010-09-06T14:49:00.003-04:00

This month I joined Singlema's plunking my plateau challenge. My goal is to lose 10lbs this month. We started on Wednesday and at my weigh in yesterday I lost 1lb. This week my goal is to lose at least 3lbs.

I'm organized, I meal planned for the week and went grocery shopping. I will be packing my lunch the two days this week that I have to go to work, and will be doing a workout dvd every weeknight this week as well as drinking 640z or two liters of water a day.

Here is the dinner meal plan for the week lunch will include leftovers and salad, and breakfast will always be oatmeal with berries and eggs

Monday: Chicken Cacciatore (made in the crockpot) with whole wheat pasta and spinach salad
Tuesday: Leftovers with greens, beans and bacon soup
Wednesday: Chicken and Shrimp Gumbo ( made in the crockpot)
Thursday: Leftovers with soup
Friday: Soup
Saturday: Date night dinner at an Indian restaurant

I am so excited to eat clean, get my mind right and plunk my plateau!!!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Just one pic

2010-08-30T09:31:00.002-04:00

from our wedding day. It was pure bliss!!! I can't wait for the pro pics and video to come back.

I promise

2010-08-28T17:14:00.004-04:00

during the month of September I will cook more.

With both us being busy it has not been a priority to menu plan, cut coupons, grocery shop and cook. To make matters worse, the crock pot broke and its been too hot to slave over a stove or the oven. But now is the time for me to learn how to cook and cook at least three times a week.

Why?

We spend way to much money eating out and now we are eating out at more high end restaurants. Also, my taste buds are changing and I want constantly want to eat fresh food, natural foods, different fruits and vegetables and different ethnic cuisine ( I just discovered Vietnamese food and am in love with Pho and anything with crispy noodles). I would love to learn how to make the foods I love because I'm sure I could save beaucoup de money, and experiment a little bit.

The only way to keep myself accountable to this is to post what I cook. So I will be posting a few pics and recipes every week.

Do you have any quick, healthy and delicious recipes I could try? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

I'm married Now

2010-08-23T16:12:00.003-04:00

We could not have asked for a better wedding day, ceremony, and reception. Everything was perfect, truly truly perfect.

We are still honeymooning but pictures will be up soon.

YBP

My Bridal Shower did one thing

2010-08-16T04:46:00.002-04:00

I had so much fun!!! My sister in law and cousin in law through it for me and I was so surprised. The day started off great. My cousin in law and I went to the Spa and had facials and then looked for some more stuff for the wedding the I got home, opened the front door and heard surprise and saw all these people in my house.. It was all my in laws, and there were a lot of them. Everything was decorated so beautifully and there was a pole in the middle of my living room.

One of my cousins in law is a certified stripper/pole dance instructor and taught us all some moves. After a couple drinks the usually shy bride to be was even on the pole. I got so many gifts, and we played so many games and just had an all around good time. I really feel like it was the best evening of my life. My sister in law even designed a little slideshow of me and Boobee and the bridal party.

When I woke up on Sunday I had a major hangover. I think it was my first hangover ever and it did not feel good at all. Even though my stomach felt like it felt horrible there was a smile on my face that came from such an amazing outpouring of love.

I am so blessed

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Investing in a Housekeeper

2010-08-04T01:28:00.003-04:00

We have taken the plunge and we are not looking back. As a graduation gift I asked Boobee if he could have a housekeeper come and clean the house before I got back. The last thing I wanted to do after being engrossed in books and case studies for the whole summer was to come back to a dirty house that I would have to clean. Being the great fiance that he is, it was done and I came home to a clean, pleasantly smelling house, which made me very happy.

I posted a status on Facebook about having someone come clean the house and several of my colleagues and married friends also hire housekeepers to clean their house. Many of them have said it is the key to a happy married life, and I totally believe them.

The total cost for them to clean the house was $50.00 which is not bad at all. I asked Boobee if we could splurge and get them 2x a month or once every two weeks just to tidy up, clean the the bathrooms and sweep, mop and vacuum.

I am beginning to take the mindset that it's okay to pay for some things if it saves you time and gives you a certain peace of mind. I work so hard during the day and between the two jobs I work 7 days a week. The last thing I want to do is come home to a dirty house that needs to be cleaned.

In a couple of weeks the housekeeper, maid, cleaner, or whatever you want to call it will be back to clean our house. In fact, every two weeks she will be back. One less thing I have to worry about during our honeymoon stage.

$100 a month is a small price to pay for a clean house and a few extra hours of rest.

Do you utilize a housekeeper? Why or why not?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Bought My Wedding Shoes

2010-08-03T22:23:00.004-04:00

I bought these shoes from Piperlime.com to wear with my wedding dress. They are simple and elegant. My wedding dress has a lot of bling on it so I wanted my shoes to be not so blingy if you no know what I mean.

They got pretty good reviews and at this point I just need something to put on my feet. Plus they were only $59.99, they would have been more but I had a $10.00 reward for having a Gapcard.

What do you think?

YBP

I'm a graduate

2010-08-03T12:18:00.002-04:00

I'm a graduate with my second masters degree!!! Yeah for Me!! I came back home on Sunday after spending a month and a half in NYC finishing up this degree. It's all over and done with but boy did the bills pile up. I have 17 days until my wedding and am spending the day trying to get myself organized and get everything back on track.

One thing I have noticed is the closer I get to the wedding the less time, energy, and money I have for myself. I have only accomplished one goal this year and my credit card bills haven't been paid in full in a couple of months.

Sigh...

In order for me to figure out where I am going I have to figure out where I am at right now.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Reached a Goal!

2010-07-23T06:34:00.003-04:00

It's 6:30 this morning and I seem to have gotten up on the right side of the bed! I have had whopping cough for the past week and its been killing me. It's still here today but not as extreme. The major project I had been working is on is pretty much complete as of 10:00pm last night.

I also saved my goal of $500 for Christmas presents. Whooohooo!!! This means will not being using the credit cards this Christmas!

I am learning to celebrate the many small blessing that life offers, they deserve just as much attention as the large blessings.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

I'm not dead!

2010-07-19T20:36:00.003-04:00

Just frantically finishing up a major, major project. I also wanted to stop by and let you know that I am signing up for my first 5k. I was inspired so much by Singlema and October 10, 2010 it will be going down. I just have to ramp up my training for the next couple of months.... starting tomorrow.

Lucky for me I probably won't be doing this on my own. I posted status on facebook about it and a bunch of my coworkers will be doing it with me. I'm really grateful for their support and encouragement. This year has been the beginning of a lifestyle change for me that I hope will continue for the rest of my life.

I will be back in a couple weeks with some more changes.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Helping Another Sister Out

2010-06-26T03:57:00.004-04:00

First, let me preface this post by saying I am not a Personal Finance expert. I write based on my experiences, my love of personal finance and what has worked for me. But I am so excited that a reader has asked me for advice, little ole moi!!! Why am I excited? Well, because this is what I love to do, help people find a way to reach their goals and make their dreams come true. But enough of that for now. Back to B.C

She wants to know what she should do regarding her credit card debt of $600, when she starts law school in the Fall. Should she

1.Pay of the entire $600 balance with her law school student loan check

2. Pay the over limit amount and set up six automatic payments to establish a good payment history.

Simple enough right?

First I have a couple of questions

1. Will you be going to law school part time, or full time?

2. Do you have any other income coming in besides the student loan check?

3. Is this your only debt besides student loans?

4. Do you have an emergency fund?

Now if I were you I would pay that balance off with my check. Why? I think credit cards are the DEVILLLLLLLLL, and I only use them for what they are worth. I usually pay off all my balances in full and have a really great credit score. I would then put the card in a tupperware dish full of water and freeze it so that I don't use it anymore, or you can cut it up. I am overly dramatic which is why I freeze mine.

Whatever you do, do not close the card!!! Leaving the card open and unused will actually help your credit score while closing the account will damage it.

Next, I would use any other income ( I think you said you were starting a new job in July) I have and build an emergency fund. Start with trying to put at least $1000 in it and put that in a money market account to be used only for emergencies. When you get paid contribute a set amount each month to the account until if reaches 8 months of your expenses.

I hope this helps you. I think if you do this, stay away from debt and live by a budget every month you will be well on your way to becoming a prosperous lawyer one day!

Fellow readers, what advice would you give B.C?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Keep the Faith Friday

2010-06-25T11:50:00.005-04:00

I have a quote for you on this Keep the Faith Friday. Nothing personal finance related but a quote that will awaken you spirit and hopefully cause you to push forward with your dreams in spite of the obstacles around you.

We have all probably probably heard this quote at sometime or another in our lives but sometimes we need to hear it again.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

This quote comes from author Marianne Williamson's book Return to Love. We are all meant to shine, so find your gift, liberate yourself from fear and become the talented, fabulous, brilliant, gorgeous person you were meant to become!!!

I know I am!

The Last Supper

2010-06-24T11:27:00.004-04:00

......in my beloved Crockpot!

Crock pots are a great way to make healthy, inexpensive meals for those of us on the a budget and with very little time. I actually use mine alot.

Last night before I went to bed I put some oxtails and shortribs in the crock pot to cook on low. The smell of them woke me up early this morning. I hurried downstairs to check on them and broke the lid right of the pot. I am truly saddened by the this event but overjoyed that I can finally buy a new one.

When I wanted to buy a new one Boobee wouldn't let me because he said we had a perfectly good one, but.......NOT ANYMORE!!!

I have been looking on Amazon.com and see several models that I am interested in. I can't wait until fall, I will be making chili, gumbo, stews and soups every week. I'll let you now what model I decide on but for now all the fun is in looking at different models and comparing prices and features.

Do you crock pot? What are some of your favorite recipes?

YBP

It worked, it really worked!!!

2010-06-23T18:08:00.002-04:00

I was watching part of Oprah's debt diet today and David Bach was talking about playing "The Credit Card Game". Never played... neither had I until today. The Credit Card game is simple. Your goal is to try to get the credit card companies to reduce your interest rate or any other fees such as an annual fee or service fee, etc. They try to deter you or tell you it can't be done but you have to threaten to close out the account or ask to speak to a supervisor. It may take a few phone calls and a lot of talking but if you are persistent you can win the Credit Card Game.

Here is how I won:

I have one credit card from about 6 years ago that has an annual fee. This is the first card I got after I jacked up my credit in college and was just happy to have a credit card, I didn't care what the fee was.

The fee is $48 and I just did not want to pay it so I called the company up to begin round 1 of the Credit Card game.

First I talked to Steve. I told Steve that I have been a member for 6 years, never paid late and would would like to have the annual fee removed from this year. Steve had the nerve to tell me that I would have to pay the fee because there was nothing they could do to remove the fee. He then proceeded to say that the annual fee is in the contract and they can't just remove the fee. He said, " if we remove the fee for you then we have to remove the fee for everyone, and we can't just do that".

I then said, "Steve can I speak to your supervisor?"

Steve said, " Sure but there is really nothing that she can do. We are not allowed to remove the fee.

I said "Okay, I would still like to speak to him or her."

After being on hold for about two minutes, Pam ( the supervisor) came on the line and that is when I pulled out the big guns. I started off sweetly with the usual formalities such as "Pam how are you, good I'm great, thanks"

but then... I said the magic words: Pam I have been a member for 6 years and have always paid on time, this is my only card with an annual fee and I considering closing it out because of the annual fee.

Pam said, "Okay, hold on let me look a little deeper into the account." Then she said, " listen I can not totally take away the away the $48 fee but I can reduce it to $8.00.

A discount of $40......... I'll take it!

I thanked Pam for her time, and hung up the phone.

And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, is how I won my first time playing the Credit Card game. I'm sure I could have gone further and tried to get a credit for the $8.00 but I didn't want to be greedy. It was pretty easy too.

Have you ever played The Credit Card Game? If so, how did you fare? Did you meet a liar like Steve? If you haven't played take some time and play, you never know what you will win!!!

YBP

Sometimes Good Things Happen

2010-06-23T17:24:00.003-04:00

Today I received a bill from the gas company that said the gas bill for the month would be $99.00. I can dig it. SmallbudgetBigStyle told me about budget billing last year and I have been on the plan ever since. The bill fluctuated based on usage and was usually $124.00 or $165.00 (I believe that was in the winter).

Based on my usage for the year it seems that they adjusted my budget billing and my monthly payment will now be $99.00 a month.

We also were able to lower are cable/internet/ phone bill to roughly $175.00 a month. That was from almost $250.0 a month... eek!

I am grateful. This just shows that good things do happen!!

What financial blessings have you received this week?

Allowance Challenge

2010-06-22T10:13:00.004-04:00

Chitown over a windy city blues had a great post on possibly using the allowance system to control spending.

Basically this means you are giving yourself a set amount of money to spend each week and after you have spent it there should be no more spending. Reader Aaren commented on how she puts $250.00 a month into a separate checking account that is simply for her allowance and gas. There are several other PF bloggers that are trying the allowance system as a way to focus on goals such as saving more and paying off debt.

I want to try to use the allowance system for one month and would love to have some people participate with me so we can hold each other accountable.

I know DD is moving in the beginning of the month and the first weekend of the month is also the 4th of July but lets all see if we can pick an amount for an allowance to give ourselves for the month. Perhaps we can post at the end of every week how we did with spending and what we bought with our allowance. We can update on our blogs how we did each week.

Who's in??

A lump

2010-06-21T09:42:00.002-04:00

This is one of those days in which I have a lot of things going on and I need to write down what I am going through. I don't blog for money or any other satisfaction. I blog because I love to write, I want to empower others, and even be held accountable for my actions. I am always truthful in everything I write and will continue to be. My life is changing and there is more to my life than finances. Thus, my future posts will be about more than finances. I actually think I will make the move to a self hosted site that I can personalize and share with you more about me and the things I love, people and things that inspire me and more. Life is too short. I'm going to live my best life now and never look back. I can't be concerned with what happened in my past, or the people who say negative things about with me who don't even know anything about me.

I found a lump in my breast. Today is Boobee and myself's 3 year anniversary, I am getting married in 61 days...............I found a lump in my breast, but God is a healer!

Malignant or Benign, its funny how one lump can change everything!

YBP

Do you pay for trash pick up?

2010-06-19T17:14:00.004-04:00

Apparently I will now have to! The city instituted a fee of $150 fee for all residents who own commercial and multi family homes. Those homes occupied by the owner and not rented are exempt from the fee.

I don't mind paying for trash pickup. I know that several people in other counties that have to pay for the trash pick up. I would rather pay than put all that trash in my car. My problem is that my trash pickup is coming at 8, 9, and 10 pm at night.

Alas, I guess it you get what you pay for. The tax base in the city is shrinking drastically and the money has to come from somewhere.

Do you pay for trash pickup?

YBP

To Prenup or not...is that the question?

2010-06-19T14:54:00.001-04:00

As most of you know I'm getting married in August. I am so excited and can't wait to be in Jamaica with some of my closest friends and family. However before the wedding there are some things that need to be taken care of and one of them is deciding if we should sign a prenuptial agreement.

The goal of a prenuptial agreement is to protect the assets of both parties in the event of divorce. There is really nothing wrong with that but as a Christian I do have issues with it.

From the biblical perspective marriage is a covenant until death do us part. I am beginning to believe that if one has to plan just in case the marriage fails then why get married at all? Protecting one's assets is very important as well, but should I be protecting them the person that I love?

I really wasn't thinking seriously about signing a prenuptial agreement until my father who is minister brought it up and insisted I should think seriously about it. Boobee and I came together from very different financial backgrounds, I being the more focused on money while he was much more of a free spirit. In the past three years that we have been together I have seen some growth, and growth takes time. When we met I was a teaching and going to school full time had realitively good credit ( which could have been better) and was dreaming about owning my own home

In the past three years.... much do to his help I have:

Saved money and bought a house ( while living in his apartment and not paying rent)
Bought one car, paid it off, and bought another one
Saved an emergency fund
Graduated
Contributed to my Roth, 401k, and 403B
Traveled the world

When looking at it like that there seems to be no need for a prenup! We are a team and that is that.

However, there is one little nail that changes what is seemingly a no brainer to something that requires lots of thought....

I will let you know what that one nail is tomorrow.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

The cost of a perfect smile

2010-06-19T11:00:00.000-04:00

In my quest to have a perfect smile by the age of 30 I decided to venture last month and get some braces.... for the second time.

You heard it right... this is my second time doing the braces thing, except this time I got the clear ones!!! The first time I never finished my treatment because I moved to Philadelphia for college, but alas they are back on.

Why did I get them??

My sneaky dentist, that's why? First she told me I had to get my wisdom teeth pulled. Did that in October and boy was I in pain. It actually took me a while to get over it so I didn't go see her at my usual 6 month visit. I waited 9 months before I let her put her fingers or any other little instruments in my mouth.

...and just when I think its all good she goes and tells me I need to get braces right away or else my teeth are going to spread up and out. Now that is the last thing I need. She gives me the card to the orthodontist and the next thing I know I'm in his office for a consultation.

Now the cost:

The total cost of the braces was about $5300 ( Did you you know braces cost that much? I didn't).

My insurance paid $1200 towards the cost of the braces.
I had to put $200 down at the first consultation, at the records appointment, and when they first put the braces on.
Which leaves me with at total of $3500 left to pay within the next 18 months.
Each month when I go to the orthodontist to get the braces tightened it costs me $194.00. For now I have been putting on my debit card but you best believe at the next open enrollment I will be using my pretax health savings plan so that way I get a little tax deduction on the money I use to pay for this procedure.

I think one of the reasons why the braces are so expensive if because I have the clear ones. I still have the mental wire but the brackets are clear, and in a couple of years I will have close to perfect teeth. By then I think I won't be an anonymous blogger so you will be able to see the before and after pics.

ahhhhh... the price we women pay for beauty!

Until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Keep the Faith Fridays

2010-06-18T17:17:00.005-04:00

Divorcing Debt has a new weekly post called Faith Fridays and I loved the idea so much that I told her that I was going to cosign on it.

The Bible says that "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Matthew 17:20 also says that "He replied, because you have little faith I will tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as this mustard seed you can say to this mountain move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible to you."

Wow!!! The power in the word of God.

However, we must remember the The Bible also says that Faith without works is dead!!! So we have to have the faith to believe that are goals and dreams will become a reality but we also have to work at it. But guess what??? Sometimes we will fail, sometimes there will be mountains we have to climb or stumbling blocks that will try to deter us, make us stop pressing towards our goals. Best believe that there will be people that will try to persuade us not to follow our dreams, there will be those that tell us what we want to do is impossible.
Do not listen to them!!!

You can succeed!!! See yourself Debt Free! See yourself with that fully funded emergency fund! Envision yourself with your dream home with you own business. Envision your family restored. Think about the peace and happiness you want to have.

Again, there will be mistakes and setbacks along the way, and every one of them is an opportunity for you to learn something. In the end, it's not always about reaching your goal, but its about what it took and all you learned on your way there.

Sometimes, it really is about The Climb

It's not about how fast you get there, its not about what's waiting on the other side. It's the climb.

Keep the Faith!!!

YBP

Bills and the significant other

2010-06-18T01:03:00.000-04:00

Do you and your SO combine bills, equally divide bills, or have a joint checking account that you use as a "household account"?

Boobee and I do have a joint checking account however, we only used it to pay the mortgage.

That is all going to change August 1. All our bills are are going to be paid from the household account.

Right now its nothing like that. I put my part of the mortgage in the joint account and then pay the gas bill, water bill, car payment and car insurance out of my account. Boobee puts his part of the mortgage in the joint account and then pays the electric, cable/internet and cell phone bill out of his checking account.... when he remembers.

We sat down and calculated what are monthly expenses were and including our parts of the mortgage it comes to $1760 a month.

We have decided that we are going to split that amount in two for a total of $880 a month. Every two weeks we are going to put $440 in the "household" account and that should cover all our expenses for the month.

We are also going to add $2000 into the household savings account which will be a short term emergency fund for any and all household issues. We both agreed that this would be a great way to manage all our monthly expenses and make sure all the bills are paid on time ( and for me that means as soon as the bill comes in)

I can't wait until August.

If anyone can tell me how to post my budget spreadsheet onto blogger I would greatly appreciate it.

YBP

Sometimes you just need another pair of eyes

2010-06-17T18:37:00.002-04:00

Another pair of eyes brings a different perspective on certain situations. That's why I love the power of blogging and the community that comes with it. Sometimes the second pair of eyes comes from someone close to you, and in my case it was when Boobee gave me so advice.

I had been putting a lot of wedding expenses on credit cards with hope of paying them all of, however, more expenses came due and it seemed I was just working to pay off credit cards. I was frustrated, confused and pretty much on the verge of an emotional breakdown. Boobee was able to calm me down and show that I could pretty much pay off all the cards with my next paycheck.

There is one more card that I have to pay off that accumulates interest, and that will be paid off in the month of July.

If it wasn't for Boobee I would probably be in bed crying or something ( I truly am dramatic like that).

Sometimes another pair of eyes looking into a situation is all you need.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

I'm going through changes

2010-06-16T20:56:00.004-04:00

Have y'all heard that song by Ledisi? She is one of my favorite singers. Her voice is filled with so much emotion, and passion..

If you haven't please check her out.

The reason why I am bringing her up is because I am going to through major changes in my mind, body, spirit, intellectually, spiritually, financial and even politically.

I will talk more about it later but I wanted let the world know that I am so grateful for everything God has given me, even with a the changes, and challenges.

When I look at what is going in around me I can be nothing but grateful.

My tenant died in the apartment below me on saturday.
A friend from college just found out she has a rare form of cancer in her heart and lungs.
Numerous people very close to me are having an extremely HARD time paying their bills and looking for jobs.
Several people I know are in horrible relationships which are affecting me by association
My fiance lost both his father and his grandmother in the past three months.

I have been feeling a lot of pressure lately and have been wallowing with a spirit of selfishness, and complaining to God about all the things that I want that I don't have but then God told me to reflect on the things that I do have

A relationship with him
A fiance that truly loves me
Excellent health ( including a weight loss of 23 pounds, thank you!)
A home
Two really good jobs
A brand new to me car
Good friends
3 college degrees

... and the list can go on and on.

What are you grateful for???

YBP

Pressing towards my dreams

2010-06-05T03:38:00.004-04:00

I'm on a path to make some of my dreams a reality. I can imagine,

me somewhere on a island, in my own house built just the way I like it, with an outdoors living room that includes a pool, situated on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. I'm laid back, bohemian scarf on my head, sunglasses covering my eyes, occasionally glancing at the landscape from the pages of a good read. Inside I have a small office so I can work at home, expanding my already successful business (more on that later). I spend three to 4 months a year at my second home, living a simple life surrounded by nature, growing tropical fruit and just grateful for the opportunities, gifts and people brought into my life, and always finding ways to pay the beauty and blessings of life forward.

But for now reality. Right now I feel like I'm bursting at the seems. Perhaps, this is preparation time and something big and exciting is going to happen.

In order to make my dreams come true I need to do two very simple things.

First I need to pay off my student loan debt! Then I need to start making more money so that I can save more.

All my dreams are coming true..... sooner rather than later. I just have to focus on them!

YBP

THEY GOT ME!!!!

2010-06-05T03:00:00.002-04:00

I'm talking about the IRS!

Earlier this week they sent me a letter saying that I owe them $1400 from tax year 2008. I don't know how or why but I have to find out soon and pay them their money. I do not want the federal goverment on my back.

Oh, and as my taxes are getting more complicated each year I am no longer doing them myself.

Anyone know a good CPA in the Philadelphia area??

YBP

First, the tree

2010-06-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

Remember the tree in the back of my house that was on the list of repairs?

Well, I had someone come a give me an estimate on it and its going to cost $425 for it to be cut down.

I think $425 is a really fair price. Last year when I had received an estimate a company was going to charge me $500. My, how a year changes things!

I'm going to call them tomorrow afternoon and set up an appointment and hopefully get it cut down next weekend. I hope next weekend we can do the tree, toilet in the half bathroom, and maybe fix the ceiling fan in the master bedroom.

That should make for a fun weekend!!!

YBP

Beaucoup de Student Loans!

2010-06-01T10:11:00.007-04:00

Last week my final installment of student loans for my graduate program went through so I have a final grand total for my federal student loans ( for undergraduate, and two masters)

and that total is......... ( drum roll please)............

$75,739

it is certainly not as much as some of my other blogger friends but it is a lot to me! I wanted to be debt free by the time I am 30 but in order to do that now I will have to make sure at least half of my income for the next three years goes to student loans.

That is a major commitment but I don't want to carry this debt into the my next decade. However, I still want to travel and have a little fun too.

I also probably will qualify for the federal government's loan forgiveness program where I pay a certain percentage of my income to the loan and it is forgiven after 10 years, but really, 10 years is a long time.

...Sigh... what would you do if you were in my shoes?

YBP

House Repairs Galore!

2010-05-28T14:01:00.004-04:00

We have a few minor projects that need to be done on our house. We had planned to move and rent it out this fall but I believe that we will have to wait until next fall.

Here are a few of the projects that need to be done

half bath toilet replaced
roof fixed for a couple of minor leaks
tree in the back of the house cut down
filling some holes with cement around the sides of the house ( more on this later)
a few rooms painted
back of house pointed
weedy scrub in the front of the house replaced with an Azazel bush
new grass and landscaping for the front of the house

Our refrigerator is also on its last leg so that will need to be replaced soon.

I figure we will start at the top of the list and work our way down. We should have it all finished by next August, right???

This is why all homeowners need a emergency fund or an emergency fund and a house fund!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

I unoffically hit a goal!

2010-05-28T13:54:00.004-04:00

I have a $10000 emergency fund...

although $6000 is on hold in Chicago at the Wedding Resort's bank. As long everything goes as planned and our families don't tear up the villas we should get it back by the end of August.

When the money is in MY bank account I will feel like its truly official.

Now unto the the next goal!

YBP

Off for a mini vacation!

2010-05-28T09:15:00.002-04:00

We are going to upstate PA this weekend for some fishing, yard sales, and family time. We are driving up in the car so we will have to pay for some gas and tolls. Boobee's grandfather and cousin ( who is one of my bridesmaids) will also be coming so hopefully they can help pay for some gas and tolls, but if not we have it covered.

We are staying at a hotel where I get a discount so the cost for the entire three days we are staying is under $300.00.

Food will be taken care of by family for the most part, so I am budgeting $250.00 for the entire trip. This also includes a gift for a little cousin's birthday. I will be saving all receipts, to see if I can do it.

Wish me much success!

YBP

What should I give for bridesmaid's gifts?

2010-05-27T08:49:00.002-04:00

My wedding is less than 3 months away. I cannot wait to be in Jamaica with my closest friends and family!

.... but I have a dilemma!

What should I give my bridal party as gifts? I am already paying for their dresses, and supplementing $200.00 to their stay, as well as paying for hair, makeup, manicures, and pedicures on the big day.

Do I have to give them something else as gifts? If so what?

I feel like what I am doing is already enough!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Not too Happy!!

2010-05-26T09:44:00.004-04:00

I have been very frivolous with my spending. I have close to $4000 in credit card debt that I have to pay off within the next two months. Mostly expenses associated with the wedding.

I am so mad at myself!

I need to go back to tracking my spending. I am so thankful this is the end of the month! June will be a brand new start!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

I am my sister and brother's keeper!

2010-05-21T09:13:00.003-04:00

My family dynamics are quite strange. I was adopted when I was 15 along with my younger brother and sister. I know and am close with several members of my biological family except my mother simply because I don't know where she is at the moment.

I also have several siblings, including adopted brothers and sisters, a foster sister, and my biological brother and sister.

I am the oldest child in terms of my biological family. Thus I feel an obligation to take care of my brother and sister. It doesn't help that I remember my mother's last words to me before giving us up for adoption were "Do Better than Me"

My brother is 10 years younger than me which means he turns 17 this year and hopefully graduates from high school next year. One of the reasons I want to eliminate as much debt as possible is because I want to pay for his college education. He wants to be a police officer and plans to attend a Junior College for two years.

After researching the various community colleges in their area where my parents live it seems the cost of tuition will be around $4000 a year, or $2000 a semester. I hope to pay for this so he does not have to take out any loans and will be speaking with my parents about him getting a job and paying for his books and living expenses.

I bring him up because right now he is not working and last week he hit me up for money for his prom, in march he asked me for money to buy his girlfriend a gift for her birthday, and in Feb, he needed help to buy her a Valentine's Day gift. His birthday is also in two weeks ( he will probably want money as a gift), and I have to pay for him and my sister to attend my wedding in Jamaica.

My sister, also hit me up for money last week. She was in a really rough living situation ( she is 24) and wanted to move to her own apartment. She has no job but she is in online program for a degree in Human Services. She needed help paying to move to her own place as well as help with the deposit so I gave her $500. I consider it a gift, because I know I won't get it back.

Both siblings hit me up for money in the same week. Sigh!!! Sometimes I wish our family situation was different because I know that some of our faults are because of the circumstances of our childhood. Perhaps that why I feel I have to help them out as much as I possibly can.

Thus, for now and until the day I die, I will be my brother's (and sister's) keeper.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Making Slight Changes to 2010 goals

2010-05-21T07:00:00.001-04:00

Most of my 2010 goals are on track except for one

paying off $20,000 in the student loan debt!

I know for sure that is not going to happen. I will be changing that to a goal of paying off my small private loan that has a balance of $4750.

The loan should have really been paid off but I don't pay it every month.

I know, so sad, so irresponsible!!!

I wish I could set up automatic payments for this but because it's a small non profit company I have to write them a check every month, and most months I forget!

From now until the end of the year I am making a commitment to myself to pay this loan every month, and pay it off by the end of the year.

Help keep me accountable!!!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

How much do you give for gifts??

2010-05-20T23:16:00.003-04:00

Even though I haven't been blogging I still am reading some of my favorite blogs. J.Money over at Budgets are Sexy had a great post a few days ago about giving $100 as a gift for weddings, birthdays, etc. This post struck a cord with me because several people I know have gotten married, are getting married, having showers, graduating, getting older, etc.

I always wonder how much I should give as a gift at these events, and recently I have just started giving $100.00. My fiance's step brother got married, I gave them $100.oo as a gift, my mother in law's birthday was last week, I gave her two $50.00 gift cards. Two of my siblings have birthdays coming up, guess what their gift will be??? If you guessed $100 you are correct.

I think $100 is a reasonable amount to give for any special occasion.

If you give monetary gifts how much do you give and why?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Didn't get the job!

2010-05-04T09:41:00.001-04:00

Well I didn't get the job!

The reason being because they won't allow me to leave school early. I did however ask if I could work there unpaid for a couple of hours each week. The lead interviewer was quite surprised that I asked for the opportunity to work unpaid but told me that we could work it out. I will be speaking with her late next week. Who knows, maybe this eventually turn into a part time job later on down the road.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

May is National Fitness Month

2010-05-03T09:40:00.003-04:00

Did you know that?

I didn't until I read Fabulous Financials by Single Ma. She is the first blogger I began reading and she still inspires me to this day.

She has set some goals for National Fitness Month and I have decided to go ahead and also commit so some fitness goals.

My fitness/health goals for May are:

Work out 4x per week. 3 days doing C25k and strength and one day elliptical and strength
eat a veggie at every meal
Drink 64 0z of water everyday
Lose 10 pounds by May 30, 2010
Keep God at the center of this whole fitness/weight loss thing by continuing with a weekday devotional and journaling in a google document with my accountability partner.

Do you have any fitness/health goals for the month of May in honor of National Fitness month?

Nervous!!

2010-05-03T09:29:00.002-04:00

I have an interview today.

I haven't interviewed for a job in over 5 years!

I am soooo nervous!!

This job could mean no weekend overnight work for me!

I straightened my hair for this interview and it is rainy and humid outside which means by the time my 4pm interview is here my hair will be a ball of frizz.

But I'm still smiling!!

Good things come to those

2010-05-02T01:52:00.002-04:00

who wait.

... and that was what I did as I was trying to figure out what DJ I should book for the wedding.

My first choice was a DJ that was recommended by the resort that cost over $1000 which did not include playing songs for the ceremony or mics for the officiant and singer.

Luckily, I peruse this forum for other brides who are having destination weddings and one of the women said she was using a certain DJ and that he gave her a really good rate. Last weekend was her wedding and she posted a review that said she loved him and he was so accommodating, and stayed way longer than they paid for, etc.

When she first recommended him I had to emailed him to ask him for a quote, but when he sent it I never looked at it ( too busy doing other things)

Don't you know he quoted $450 for 5 hours which includes mics and other things for ceremony. He had also emailed me the contract and requested a $100.00 deposit.

Don't you know I filled out that contract and sent him the deposit in a heartbeat.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Investing in myself

2010-04-29T09:30:00.004-04:00

I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks because of have been spending some time getting my thoughts together and investing in myself, plus I am finishing up my grad degree and have mucho work to do.

So here is a recap of what's been going on in my world!!

Since Boobee and I agreed that saving $20000 in an Emergency Fund before we start any other financial goals I have been feeling more secure about life in general. $20,000 is about an eight month emergency fund for us and that will be met before the end of the year.

I am slowly getting back on the debt snowball bandwagon. I have begun making payments to my $4700 loan with the hopes of having it out of my life by September.

I'm contributing to my 403B again. Why?? Every little bit helps. Since my progress is slow with my debt snowball I figured the least I could do was continue beefing up my retirement accounts.

I guess I work better when I am focused on one goal at a time, and right now with the wedding taking up a lot of my expenses I am putting my Roth IRA contributions on hold until August. Then its just $1000 a month until December ( goal # 3 will be complete)!

I have a job interview on Monday!!! It's for a part time position in the district that I work in. I had a phone interview this past tuesday and they want me to come in for a face to face interview. It pays more money than my other part time job and its 3 days after school from 2-6 and one saturday a month. My school day gets over at 2:30 but when I told my principal that I was going to be interviewed he said that he would work something out with me if I get the job. Now I just hope they will allow me to start August 2 which is when I am done with school and back from NYC.

I am praying that I will not have overnight work in my near future.

I have been on the Atkins diet for 30 days now and am feeling great. I am not going to weigh myself this week because Aunt Flo is on, but next week its on.

I got new glasses, found out I have to get braces again, and am going to see world renowned dermatologist Susan Taylor this week.

Now I just need to get my wardrobe together!

Until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Whats going on in YBP's world?

2010-04-21T07:30:00.005-04:00

There are a lot of things going on but nothing I feel like separate posts about so here goes...

Wedding Photography update

We decided to go with the $3000 package instead of the $5000 package. It just is more feasible. Within the next couple of weeks we both are going to give $750 to the company, then we will probably pay of the rest in July or August.

When we get our disk of images we are just going to make our own albums for our parents instead of buying them already made from the photographer.

Emergency Fund

Last night at dinner we decided that our goal would be to have a $20000 emergency fund by the end of the year. This trumps the $10000 that I wanted and will be a fully funded emergency fund for us. Once this is complete I will mos definitely be sleeping a little lighter.

Moving

After the wedding we are going to be fixing up our house ( the small things that need to be done) and putting it up for rent. We are then planning on moving into an apartment for a year until we are prepared to buy our next house or rental property. The cash flow we would get from renting out our house is very good, so by the end of 2011 we will have a fully funded rental property account and significant savings to buy or next place.

Health and Fitness

I have been on the Atkins diet since April first. Thus today is equals 21 days on this new way of life and 11 pounds lost. My body and gluten products which are most carbs do not go well together. Because i have not eaten them in 3 weeks I feel like I just have more energy and am able to focus more.

Spiritual Life

I am getting closer to God. I have been waking up every morning to do my devotional and worship. Boobee and I have been going to bible study at his church for the past two weeks. I have been praying without ceasing and trusting in God. Even the disappointments that we have had in the past couple of weeks are just opportunities for God to show his glory.

Work

I have been applying for jobs in my school district. I don't want to teach any longer but instead move up into some type of administrative work. A position has become open in my actual school building. Today I am going to talk to my principal to what I can do to apply for it. Right now I am only teaching 90 minutes a day so I will essentially have the rest of the day to work with the person that is leaving so that I will be prepared for next year. I will let you know how it goes.

Wedding

Today is April 21, 2010. We have four months until we get married. I am so excited. I know our wedding is going to be a blast. We were thinking we were going to have about 40 people in Jamaica but now its looking at 25-30. 25 of our closest friends and family in Jamaica being pampered and just enjoying life.... I can not wait!

Christmas

Its never to early to be thinking about Christmas, and we decided that we are going to spend this Christmas somewhere warm, inexpensive, and outside of the US. I would love to go to some country in Africa, but Boobee wants to go to either Barbados ( the country my fam is from), the Dominican Republic ( where my biological father's family is from) or Brazil.

Oh where should we go?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

YBP has a new car!

2010-04-14T21:20:00.002-04:00

The car is outside my house, a black 2006 Hyundai Tucson v6 with 67,000 miles on it. I bought it in New Jersey for $1650 down and a balance of $12,565. My monthly payments are going to be $234 a month. However, I will hopefully have this paid off in a year and a half at the most which means I will be paying close to $1000 a month on a car.

Why a new car?

I had a funny feeling that my 2000 VW Passat was going to die. It kept shutting off out of nowhere. When we took it to the dealer on Monday they said it was a wiring problem and they would check the wires. However, there is over a mile of wiring in the car. They searched for 6 hours but only charged us for 2 and still could not find the faulty wire. The car is sitting at the VW dealership until we decide what to do with it.

However, before I knew all that I had begun my search. Like I told you, I wanted something inexpensive, reliable and safe ( I also wanted an SUV). This led me to both the Hyundai Sante Fe and the Tucson. Monday evening I went look at a Sante Fe at a dealership near me which I did not like at all and on a whim went to Jersey to look at a car I saw on autotrader.com that had no picture.

Once I saw it and drove it I knew it had to mine, luckily the dealership was willing work with me. Perhaps it was because my credit score was in the 700 range??? I don't have to make my first payment until 45 days from Monday, I have a warranty ( 2 year comprehensive) and the process was very simple and easy.

What's funny is that I kind of felt like I was calling the shots. I got to work out a payment that I liked, I picked the day I wanted the loan due on, and they didn't ask me for paystubs and such. It made me feel good that they felt I could be trusted with money.

The whole not needing pay stubs thing kind of surprised me because I thought they would need proof of income. I guess they really trusted that I was a teacher ( which I really am)! They do make copies of pay stubs for most people. Today when I picked up the car to take it home I watched the salesman make photocopies of this young Hispanic man's pay stubs who was buying a car.

Interesting... huh?

Now I need to know ... what I should do with my old car?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

My credit Score rose!

2010-04-12T22:12:00.002-04:00

My credit score from Transunion is a frigging 714!!!!

Go Me, Go Me, Its my birthday!!!!

That is only 86 points away from my goal of 800 by the end of the year. Who knows if I will make it but just being so close is making me happy!!!

How do I know that's my credit score?

Well I went out today and bought myself a new ( new to me) car!

Before leave I just want to say, car dealers really treat you special when you have a good credit score.

The Car is dead

2010-04-11T17:35:00.003-04:00

My car is sitting in front in front of my house not working. It has not worked in the saturday morning. Thursday evening it died on my fiance, and we towed it to the Volkswagen dealership. Friday they gave us a loaner car and fixed what they could but told us that the wiring corroded underneath the car and it may give us more problems in the future. It was fine the rest of friday but Saturday morning it wouldn't start. We tried everything we could but nothing. I didn't go to work on Saturday night and the car is still not working today. We are going to tow it to the dealers on Monday.

I have been looking on Craigslist for a nice beater that is reliable but haven't found anything. Now I am thinking about financing another car something used, reliable, and under $10,000.

Any suggestions of what $10000 can buy?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

My car is dying

2010-04-09T20:42:00.003-04:00

My car is slowly dying. I have taken to the shop a couple times within the past few months for the same problem, something with the alarm system. When we took her in today to get some wires changed the Serviceman said "you might want to think about looking into getting another car".

It's almost like my 2000 Volkswagen Passat is on life support. Any day now it will be time to release her from life. Which means I need to find another car soon! I really don't want another car payment but I need safe, reliable transportation. I am hoping Old Gracie can last until after the wedding or even until the new year.

By then we will have (Lord Willing)

a fully funded emergency fund roughly $20,000
roughly $20000 in student loan debt paid off
a good estimate of what my loan repayment amount will be when my loans come out of deferment
hopefully a higher income doing something in educational administration
a fully funded Roth IRA

Im giving this to God because that is all I can do. I would love a used Volvo XC90 but we will see. I have faith he will work it out, but I am also going to do my part by staying on track with my goals and savings.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Allowance Anyone?

2010-04-06T17:46:00.002-04:00

A dear blogger friend of mine Aaren has given me so many ideas on how to make saving money easier by using my ING Direct Savings Account. I am so thankful for her and the advice that she has given me.

Another idea she mentioned was using the ING Direct Electric Orange Account as a Allowance Account in which she transfers money from her linked account to the EO account to use for different purchases.

Can I just say I LOVE THAT IDEA!

so, I'm going to try it out. I have been spending a lot of money on hair products and makeup (I was a late bloomer y'all LOL)

I rarely use my electric orange account and this would be a great opportunity to not only use it but to separate my blow money from my Bank of America household expenses and everyday account.

Thoughts, Comments or Questions??

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Wedding Cost Blues

2010-04-05T10:15:00.004-04:00

Yes, I've got them and it all has to do with the photographer. Now that I am thinking about it do I really need to spend $5500 on the photographer? That is really half my wedding budget.

Here is what the $5500 includes:

up to 8 hours of shooting on your wedding day
2 photographers
online hosting of images for easier ordering ( up to 90 days)
complimentary 2 hour photoshoot the day before or day after the wedding ( Trash The Dress)
copyright free CD/DVD of all edited usable photos
2 DVD slideshows show the events of the wedding day ( approximately 100 images)
250 print credit
1 16x20 Gallery Wrap Canvas Print
2 5x5 parent albums (20 sides) 50 images
1 10x10 flush mount album 80-90 images

The next package is $3500 and this is what it includes

Up to 8 hours shooting on your wedding day

2 Photographers

On -line hosting of images for easy ordering (up to 90 days)

1 10 x 10 Flush Mount Album (20 sides) approximately 50 Images

100.00 Print Credit

1 DVD photo shows, approximately 100 selected images that tell a story of the days events

These photographers are some of the best in Jamaica. I'm just very frugal and this is a lot of money to spend on pictures!!!

My dear readers.... what do you think?

until next time think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Are you truly using ING Direct?

2010-04-04T21:07:00.002-04:00

I know I am.

I have started 3 sub savings accounts with ING Direct. They have three different purposes. One is for Christmas 2010, one is for Car expenses and repairs ( which includes my six month insurance renewal, registration, inspections, and oil changes) and an account to fund my summer in NYC. I eventually will add more money to Christmas Account and make it a Birthday/ Christmas Account.

As it stands I am contributing $50.00 every two weeks into each account for a total of $300 a month.

I am so not trying to use credit cards this year for anything (okay, I am putting wedding expenses on credit card, only because I'm paying international vendors).

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

A funny thing happened

2010-04-01T17:50:00.004-04:00

A few days ago I got a letter from my mortgage company that my escrow payment had gone down by $6.00 and now my new monthly payment was going to be $1298.

If anyone has the reason why it did this please let me know!! I am assuming it has something to do with PMI insurance going down, but that is just a guess.

I was so excited about a decrease of $6.00 that I didn't look at the rest of the letter.

Come to find out a surplus check for $382.02 was attached to letter.

I only found that out after I was about rip the letter up and throw it in the garbage. Thankfully I didn't and now the emergency fund gets a nice little bump in it.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Car Insurance update

2010-03-26T13:21:00.004-04:00

Yesterday I was wondering if I should pay my car insurance premium off every six months when I renew or if I should continue my monthly payments with the $4.00 surcharge.

Well I decided that the monthly payment thing just does not work for me. I told the lovely lady at Geico that I would like them to charge my full premium amount to my credit card ( remember it's only $348.50) on the date that it is due (April 2o, 2010). I will then pay it off when the bill comes.

Some I readers gave me the idea of putting a little bit more money in my Car Fund so that in October when its time for me to renew I will have the money in the account and pay for it in full instead of putting it on a credit card.

So this is what I did...

I changed the biweekly automatic savings to my car fund in my ING Direct savings account to $50.00. $100.00 a month will go into the car fund. When it is time for me to pay the full premium on October 20 I will have enough to simply transfer the money to my ING Direct checking and either mail them a check or use my check card to pay the balance in full.

Also, whenever my car needs an oil change or new breaks or some other minor repair I will have money in the car fund to pay for it.

Thanks for all the comments!!! I owe this to you!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Should I or Shouldn't I

2010-03-25T22:39:00.003-04:00

I wondering if I should go ahead an pay my car insurance in full for the next 6 months. It just doesn't make sense for me to pay a monthly installment as well as a $4.00 Premium Installment Charge.

Especially when the total cost of to renew my policy for the next six months is only $348.50!

Note.. I only have liability insurance on my car now that it is paid off.

I am thinking that I am just going to put the $348 on a credit card and pay it off before the bill gets here.

A question to those who own cars. Do you make a lump payment to your car insurance companies or do you make a monthly payment?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Half mine

2010-03-19T14:12:00.003-04:00

My home computer and printer is half mine. Remember I put the $2100 purchase of my 27 inch IMAC on my credit card???

Well yesterday and today were pay days for me. Two jobs=two paychecks back to back. I sent half the cost of the purchase to the credit card company today and have the other half set up to be taken out on April 1, 2010. I said I would have it paid off by April and it will be!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Just looking....

2010-03-19T13:43:00.005-04:00

at my student loan balance makes me want to scream. I don't mind having a mortgage but my student loan debt is driving me crazy. I want it gone ASAP!!!

My federal loan debt stands at $69570

and I also have 0% interest loan from a private organization that is $4875.

I just want it to be over... ( in my Keyshia Cole voice).

When I am done with my second Masters program this summer I will probably have a total of $80000 in federal loans.

One of my goals is to pay off at least $20000 in loans this year I wish I could pay off more. I don't even want to begin to think about what my monthly payment would be for this mess.

Starting September 1, 2010 my salary goes up to $61686 from my full time job. I also applied for an adjunct professor job at a local university so if I get that I am hoping to at least bring my income up to $71000.

Hopefully, I am able to double the amount I pay off from $20,000 this year to $40,000 next year. This will leave a balance of $20,000 to pay off in 2012, and that should be relatively easy.

Stay tuned for SMART Goals related to getting rid of these loans.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Strange feelings

2010-03-18T10:52:00.004-04:00

It seems like the more money I save, the more money I want to spend. The higher and higher my emergency fund gets the more comfortable I feel spending money.

Not a good look at all!!

Anyone else feeling the same way?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Yeah for my part time job 401k

2010-03-15T21:19:00.002-04:00

I haven't been keeping up with the markets recently but today for some reason I decided to check and see what the balance of my part time job 401k was.

As I logged onto the account I was surprised to see this figure:

$5505.67

woozers!!! I have been working at the part time job almost 5 years ( in September it will be 5 years) and this is the balance of my retirement account. I have often changed my contribution rate but have always contributed. Most of last year, even with the markets down I was contributing between 10 and 15 percent.

This year with paying for the wedding and trying to get out of debt I have kept the contribution rate at a measly 6%.

I had thought about quitting the part time job after the wedding but am thinking that I may have to stay until the end of september.

Why?

A note posted on my retirement account states " The 2009 Retirement Savings Plan Company match will be posted to accounts in September 2010."

There is no way that I am turning away that free money.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Christmas Fund started

2010-03-13T14:40:00.002-05:00

Hi everyone,

I am in Charleston, SC for a wedding but finances are on my mind. One of my goals for the year is to not put any Christmas gifts on credit cards as I did last year. I was considering opening up a Christmas Club account with one of the local credit unions, however I figured ING Direct was just as good.

As you know I have a ING savings account for my 5 weeks in NYC, as well as a ING savings for car expenses. I also utilize my ING checking account to pay for any expenses that come out of those savings accounts. Today I added another ING savings account to the ones that I already have called " Christmas Account". I will fund $100.00 a month from now until December giving me $900.00 to use for Christmas presents.

How are you saving for Christmas?

Until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

To color or not to color....

2010-03-06T21:22:00.004-05:00

that is the question.

A few weeks ago a few coworkers and I were talking about hair color. One friend was talking about how she wanted to get her hair colored but was scared to because of the damage. Thus, began my thoughts on coloring my hair.

I am thinking that I would like to do some multicolored highlights in my hair something similar to this:

since I am natural it will look similar to this as well, although my hair is longer. I am wondering the financial costs of coloring ones hair. I know for a fact that I really want it done by a professional so I will probably go to an Aveda Salon.

I am also wondering about damage and maintenance.

What is your experience hair coloring? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

I want....

2010-03-02T13:24:00.004-05:00

this

and these

and anything from this store

I don't know when I began to become more interested in what I wore, but now I feel like my wardrobe is not fit for the up and coming star that I feel I am becoming.

Have you seen Anthropologie's sweaters and cardigans???? They are to die for!!!

Maybe its time to start saving for a new wardrobe.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Preparing for a summer in the city

2010-03-01T14:49:00.002-05:00

Those of you that have been reading my blog for the past year know that I am in a grad school program that required me to spend last summer and this summer coming up in New York City at a certain school on the Upper West Side. Last year I funded my 6 weeks in the city through income that I get in the summer from being a teacher and my part time job.

This year I will fund my summer in the NYC differently. I have an ING Direct sub account strickly for my living expenses this summer. Every month I put $100.00 into that account.

As it stand right now I have $225.00 in the account. However, by the end of June I will have $625.00 in the account. Finishing off these classes so that I can graduate was supposed to take six weeks but it is looking like me and my cohort will only have to be there 5 weeks (from the last week in June 28-August 1. This will give me $125 a week to spend for food, transportation to Philly and back on the weekends ( only $22.00 round trip with my megabus), and possibly metrocards. Last year I lived close to school and close to Harlem so I walked everywhere, and the only time I used public transportation was to take the train downtown to catch the megabus.

My only other concern is housing. Last summer I dropped $2000 on a room six weeks. I had to pay for the whole month of June even though I was only there for the last two weeks. This year I am going to negotiate my sublet. I refuse to pay more than $1100 for 5 weeks, and still would like to be within walking distance of everything.

Around May I will start the hunt.

This morning I heard birds tweeting when I woke up. It has me thinking about spring, and then summer, school, my final project, and then.... my wedding.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Considering focusing on Saving

2010-02-27T01:01:00.003-05:00

I'm considering focusing my energy on making sure my emergency fund is at $10,000. I am very close to $6000 and I can save $4000 in two months. I am so proud of Chitown of Windy City Blues for completing her short term savings goal and it has pushed me to focus on my savings for the moment.

So 10grand it is. I just have this feeling that it is probably good to save as much as possible before the wedding. I don't want to be stressing about emergencies during the first year of marriage. We are also thinking about moving out of our part of the duplex, renting it out and moving into an apartment. We are going to need extra savings for that.

In fact, I am going to stretch and move my savings goal up to 20grand by the end of the year. The way it looks we will fall somewhere close to 17 and 19 thousand in savings by the end of the year, so why not make it $20000.

Thankfully, I'm a pretty frugal person by nature.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Do you crockpot?

2010-02-23T10:07:00.005-05:00

As in cook with a crock pot or other slow cooker.

I do! Not as often as I would like but I giving up fast food for Lent so I will be doing all of my cooking at home ( starting from today).

I know we are all very busy and using a crock pot makes eating healthy so much more easier. You put all the ingredients in the pot before you leave work in the morning and by the time you get home you have a delicious, healthy meal waiting for you, and a house that smells like Sunday dinner.

Last night I made Chicken, Shrimp and Beef Sausage Gumbo in the crock pot. This is boobee's favorite dish so I make it at least once a month and it will last us about two days. I just found this yummy recipe for slow cooked chicken that I am going to try tomorrow. Of course I don't follow the recipe exactly and neither should you! Believe me, I am going to kick this recipe up a notch with some Cajun seasoning, chicken broth, jerk seasoning, and Cayenne pepper. We like our food a little spicy.

Today after work I will go shopping for the ingredients, and will make it before I put it all in the crockpot before work tomorrow. I'll let you know how everything turns out.

Do you use your slow cooker often? If so what are your favorite recipes?

Until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Goals for the Week of Feb 22

2010-02-22T14:20:00.003-05:00

In case you didn't know, I am a very goal oriented person. I have a moleskin planner that I use as well as my igoogle checklist, and google calender. I set up my own personal deadlines for savings, bills, retirement etc, and not only do I set up automatic payments from my bank account but I also write everything down in my moleskin ( expensive but quite useful)

Here are my goals for the week of Feb 22

1. Work out at least 3x a week (hopefully at the gym, my knees are sore from the 30 day shred so Im taking a break.
2.Write 2 essays for the fellowship I am applying to (out of the six I have to do)
3. Eat clean- cook all meals, no eating out this week.
4. Drink 640z of water everyday ( I am almost done with my first 320z)
5. Lose 2lbs this week
6. Do devotional every morning with boobee (my fiance) and Bible study in the evening.
7. Have a budget meeting for the month of March with boobee

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

I think it would be grand

2010-02-22T11:53:00.003-05:00

to have a $20,000 fully funded emergency fund. As me and my fiance prepare for our March budget meeting I am going to see if there is a way to work this in the plan for this year. That would make me feel so much more comfortable with life.

I also think it would be grand to have no student loan debt. I have 3 years to move this monkey from my back. We won't start trying to have children until we have no debt.

Finally, I think it would be grand to prepay my mortgage. If we could pay an extra $1200 to our mortgage every month it would be paid off in 9 years. Imagine being 35 and living in a paid off house.

Where they do that at??? LOL

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

The costs associated with a Destination Wedding

2010-02-22T10:35:00.003-05:00

Wedding Planning is in full effect. We only have six months (as of yesterday) until the big day. From June until the beginning of August I will be in finishing up a graduate degree in NYC so not much planning will be going on. It was important for me to front load so things so that when crunch came I wouldn't feel the stress.

We budgeted $12000 for our wedding and from the looks of it the wedding expenses will be a little under $1100o. We also have to pay for our stays at the resort, airfare and the honeymoon and that is not included in the wedding budget.

We also think we are going to have to pay for some family members so that might bring us way over budget. But so far so good. As I am looking over the spreadsheet that has all our costs on it, the most expensive thing we are paying for is our photography.

Are you ready???

A whopping $5500 is the cost for our photography. However, they are the best on the island of Jamaica and all we will have after the ceremony is over is pics... right!!! That is the way we are justifying spending this insane amount of money.

The next biggest expense is our stays and airfare. Airfare to Jamaica is about 379.00 per person round trip and for one person to stay 5 days 4 nights all inclusive the cost is $1244.00. Thus the total cost per person to attend our wedding for guests and ourselves is $1623.00.

Is that expensive???

Well, we are not staying at a traditional resort. We rented out 6 villas on the beach in Negril and every villa includes its own chef, bartender, and housekeeper/bartender. The total max amount of people at the resort is 40 and 38 guests plus my fiance and I =40.

Next time I will go into more detail about the other costs.

think prosperous thoughts

YBP

I'm back at $5000

2010-02-19T20:57:00.003-05:00

well not actually, but I have $160.00 being transferred from my checking to my TD Ameritrade Account on Monday that will bring my savings up to $5000. Yeah!!! For me!

I also actually got a refund from my school that I am transferring to my Emergency Fund next week and with my automatic Transfer on March 5, will bring my emergency fund up to $7000.

I also got a great idea from a fab blogger that I have been reading lately, Chitown over at Windy City Blues. After I reach my $10000 goal which will probably be before my wedding, I am going to start a small joint emergency fund with my fiance of $2500, in a money market account at our local credit union.

Essentially that will grow to become our emergency fund...and my savings will just be extra savings.

This brings me to a question that I have been pondering.

Should married couples have separate checking or savings, joint checking and savings, or a combination of both?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Sometimes a girl has got to do...

2010-02-19T08:43:00.002-05:00

what a girl has got to do!

That is exactly what I did on Monday when I went to the Apple Store in King of Prussia Mall and dropped almost $2000 on a 27 inch Apple desktop computer and printer. I put the joker on a credit card too!

Oh well! It will be paid off by April 1.

My Dell laptop that was my home computer was slowly dying. It recently caught a virus and wouldn't even turn on. I hated being in my home office and did most of my work and internet surfing on my work laptop while lying in bed.

Last weekend I cleaned my office, moved my bookshelves around and on Monday we set up the computer. It's really starting to look like a workspace and I have spent oodles of time in their this week.

My roof is also leaking. It needs to be fixed. The job is going to come up to around $750, which is not bad... I think. We are going to cash flow it, and get it done soon.

There are a lot of other things going on which include a possibility of a career change. More on that later.

Until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Yeah for Progress!!

2010-02-09T20:12:00.003-05:00

I paid off my small ( $1800) student loan balance. Its all gone!!! I celebrated by buying myself a wool/cashmere Anne Klein coat and some leather/cashmere lined gloves from Macys.

Total cost for both $120.00!!!

My next thing to pay off is a $4800 loan. I am giving myself to the end of April to have it paid off. I am thinking that I might celebrate that accomplishment with a new bedroom set and some curtains.

Paying debt off is fun if you celebrate every milestone!

Do you reward yourself once you reach a goal? If so, how?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Can I tell you a secret???

2010-01-31T03:00:00.000-05:00

of course I can. I trust you. By the end of February I will be 50% closer to reaching my goal of having a $10,000 emergency fund.

With a little money from my second paycheck in Feb, my tax return ( thank God I own a house or else I would be owing the gov't money) and a little 432 windfall I received from a project done at work, I will have 5K in my E Fund.

Yes!!!

You can't tell me nothing!!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Attacking debt with Gazelle Intensity!!!

2010-01-30T23:15:00.003-05:00

My small student loan will be paid off on friday. I set up and automatic payment of $830 to the company and that will take care of it.

Next I have a $4875 0% interest private student loan to pay off. I am giving myself until the end of April to pay if off.

My vision board is in the front of my mind.

Paying off student loans while they are in deferment, where dey do that at??? LOL

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

One step closer to maxing out my Roth

2010-01-25T08:53:00.003-05:00

Every journey begins with the first step, right? Well, I have taken the first step to making sure that I fully fund my Roth IRA. That is one of my 2010 goals. This morning I set up automatic savings of $417.00 a month starting in February for the rest of the year to go directly from my checking account to my Roth IRA account. I figure a couple months out out of the year I will have to add a couple hundred more to the account since I didn't start my contributions in January and then I will be maxed out.

It helps that I know have my vision board hung on the wall in my bedroom, so now I have the opportunity to look at my goals everyday and make plans to reach them.

I'm excited about this year and all the amazing things that are in store. I feel more at peace this year then I have ever felt in my life.

God's perfect peace is a wonderful thing!

Until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

Saving money to get fit.

2010-01-15T23:48:00.005-05:00

Week 1 of living a healthy lifestyle is going quite well. Many people complain and say that they just don't have the money to get in shape or join or gym, or whatever but I have realized that really that is just an excuse.

On a side note: A personal pet peeve of mine is people who make excuses or label themselves a victim. I can't stand it!! I take responsibility for everything that I have done, and my own weight gain. I mean I subconsciously knew I was going to gain weight if all I did after I came home from work is sleep. Not good!

So when I decided I was going to get in shape I picked up a few things that would help me on my journey.

Jillian Michaels 30 day shred DVD 10.00
5lb weights 12.00
Work out Mat 20.00
Water bottle 5.00
Journal to document journey 1.00

I spent 48.00 to get started on this journey and boy is it worth it. Every day after work I do my 30 day shred DVD and every night when I get done I feel it.

I use my water bottle ( 32oz) everyday and fill it up twice to get my recommended 640z of water a day, thus buying no more bottled water.

I also have a gym membership at Ballys that costs me 30.00 month.

That's all I needed to get started.

Now the cost of eating right is totally different subject. I am going to a farmers market tomorrow and have planned out my meals for next week. After watching Foodinc I refuse to buy meat at the regular supermarket so I will only buy free range, grain fed beef and chicken as well as locally grown fruits and veggies. I'm thinking this is going to cost more...but it is totally worth it.

What are you doing to live a healthy lifestyle?

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

The path to weight loss

2010-01-09T19:41:00.003-05:00

starts with one small step.

One of my goals this year is to lose 35 pounds. Right now I fluctuate between a size 12 and 14 and would like to move down to the a size 8, before my wedding on August 21.

I love food and I hate exercise but I am going to take this goal one day at a time. I have started drinking 32oz of water a day ( next week I plan to drink 64oz day), not eating after 6pm, and on Monday I start Wellhelled's 30 day shred challenge.

I also will be going to bed at 8:30 every night. I did that this week and realized how well rested and more productive I was at work. Researchers say that adequate sleep helps with weight loss.

One day at time, that's my mantra for the year.

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP

2010 Financial Goals

2010-01-02T00:54:00.004-05:00

2010 is here. 10 years ago I was a junior in high school dreaming about what college I would have graduated from and what my life would be like. This week I spent time visualizing what I want for myself this year and in this next decade. I am also in the process of finishing up my vision board so that I have a visual representation of what I want in my life.

With that being said, here are my financial goals for 2010

1. Build a $10000 Emergency Fund
2. Pay off $20000 in Student Loan Debt
3. Max out my Roth IRA
4. Have a Credit Score of 800 or higher
5. Start a Christmas club/gift account at my local credit union
6. Pay cash for the wedding !

Building the 10000 emergency fund should be quite easy. I have several windfalls that will be coming including a large ( 5600) deposit I put on the resort that we are getting married at, that will allow me to reach 10000 or more, actually I can probably make it to $14,000-15000 but 10000 is playing it safe, I know I can do that.

Paying of $20000 in student loan debt. Each month I set up automatic deductions for all my bills and about 70% of my income will be going to paying of debt (which is loans), I also have 5000 in loan forgiveness credit that will be given to me in September so I will be applying that to my loan.

Max out my Roth IRA. I don't know which is easier putting $416 a month into a Roth or waiting until the end of the year and putting $1000 a month? What do you think?

800 Credit Score??? Can I do it? I think I can. No late payments, no maxing out my cards, and paying down student loans will make me look more favorable to lenders when it is time to buy that next rental property

Start a Christmas club account at my local credit union. I will slowly be moving most of my banking to my local credit union for better rates. One thing that I did this year that I will not do again next year is put Christmas purchases on credit cards. While I will pay them off this month, putting the expenses on credit cards was something that I would not have to do if I planned ahead. My goal is to have $500 by Christmas and that managible.

Pay Cash for the wedding!!! This should be relatively easy because the whole wedding is costing us less than $12000. We just do not want to incur any wedding debt because we are working so hard to pay off other debt. We have spoken with all our vendors and have come up with a payment plan schedule. We are going to cashflow this baby!!!!

Tommorrow I will post my health, fitness, career, and spirtual life style goals. This is just the beginning of a healthy and prosperous year and decade!

Credit Card Increases Galore!

2009-12-28T16:30:00.004-05:00

I received some major increases to my credit cards within last couple months. When I do use my credit cards I always pay them off when they are due and never leave a balance but these increases will assist me in getting the highest credit score possible for when I go house shopping again.

Here are the cards that have given me increases and their new balances

Macys $2500
Barclay Bank $2500
Home Depot $2000
Target $1000
Gap $800

With all my cards I have a total of $11000 available credit with no carrying balances. Not bad for someone who got her first credit card in college, maxed it out and had it fall into collections.

Maturity makes a difference!!

until next time, think prosperous thoughts

YBP