School

I'm at a crossroads right now. I'm not at all happy with my major right now, and I hate my university. What am I supposed to do? I thought maybe I just needed a change of major, but I don't think that will cut it. I need to get out of here. I don't know where I will go, or what I will do, but I do know that I don't have the money to go to school next semester, so I will use that time to think and search within myself to find what I want to do, and what will make me happy. At least I know that I'll have the ability to get my finances where they need to be. I'm getting a second job, so I'll have more money. We'll see where things go. Until then, pray for me and hope I don't go off the deep end!

Progress

I Feel like I am making some progress. It's hard though. I'm making a little less at my new job than I was as my old one. I'm making a good deal more per hour, but I'm just starting to get the hours I need, and only because I'm pulling extra shifts. However, with the holidays will come more hours, but more expenditures. I got paid yesterday, and I put money in savings and paid a few bills, the others I will pay when I get my next check, before their due dates, and I don't have much money left, but if I hadn't put any into savings, I would have several hundred dollars more. Plus, I'll be getting a few check in the mail because it was my birthday this week.

I'm also taking a big lesson from Christmas 2006. I'm already half-way done with my Christmas shopping. Avon is a great thing! lol I'm not going to have a huge last minute bust and have to pay 200$ in Overdraft Charges. This year, I'm being frugal and smart. Now, I'm working on some rosaries that people have ordered for Christmas. Extra income that I will try to just put into savings and not touch at all. I have a plan and am ready to face the holidays!

Sick

So I'm sick. I mean really sick. Not the flu, but working on bronchitis or something. I'm hoping that I will feel better tomorrow so that I can still go to work. I need the money, and I want to be better for my birthday on Wednesday. Oi vey. Nap time now!

Workin Extra

For the past two Saturday's in a row, we have needed extra help at work. So, I volunteered to work extra shifts. Sure, that put me working 12 hr shifts on both days, but that will give me a hefty paycheck when payday comes around. Not only that, but my boss has seen that I am willing to work extra shifts and I have really proven myself to him. I'm now getting a raise, and when the new schedule came out, I had an extra shift on it. This spreads my shifts out, and gives me the hours. Now, paying off debt will be a little easier.
My birthday it also coming up fairly soon. I'm getting at least $100 from my parents and grandparents which I will use in a different way. This money will go directly into my ROTH IRA. That way, I'm building up my retirement, and I'm not missing that money, nor am I going to be tempted to spend it in a frivolous way. The other money I get, will go into my Condo Down Payment Fund. It's doubtful that I will get very much, but you know, every little bit helps!

Analyzing Finances

I think it is important to analyze your finances periodically. I did this the other day. I realized that I had my "Condo Down Payment" sitting in a local bank. When I opened the account 2 years ago, I knew that the interest rate sucked. I just wanted my money at a different bank that earned higher interest than the one I was currently at, and still have my money close. I called every bank in this town and got the interest rates, and this was the highest rate for the amount of money I had. At .75% I felt I had hit the jackpot. In the process of creating this blog, I realized that this was not a good move financially. I needed to get the best interest for my money, especially when I was looking to put thousands of dollars in the account. I have, as of today, closed that account and when the deposit clears my checking account in the morning, I will transfer that $152 to an account that has a yield of 5.05%. It's a good bit better and it also means I will need to save less principle to reach my goal. Not much less, but less regardless.

Cable Television

I read recently about someone who was working to get out of debt. He said he cut out cable television, saving him $60 a month in his area. Well, I haven't had cable for over 2 years. It was just too expensive to begin with here! Instead, I purchase a season of a television show I like periodically. I do this once every two or three months, and the purchase is less than cable and it's not something that I'm spending money on every month, saving me tons over cable.
The important thing to remember is that cable TV is a luxury. You don't NEED it. I have to have background noise for my sanity. I'm the oldest of 5 kids and now live on my own. I'm used to having noise around me all the time. What I did was when I first moved here was buy some rabbit ears. You don't have to pay any subscription and you can get all the major networks. I realize this isn't for everyone, but when you are struggling just to make ends meet, you have to make some sacrifices. For someone like me who can't find anything that he likes on TV, this is perfect!

Getting Started

So I know it's a long road to get to where I need and want to be. But, this is a start. I never thought I would be back in this situation. However, this time is not nearly as bad as the last. Last time I was stuck here, I was in collections for EVERYTHING and didn't have a job. I scraped by on the $200 a month my mother was giving me. And that was food, gas, and paying enough on my debts to keep from getting arrested. And that almost happened. I scraped by that with the skin of my teeth. But that time I was over $5,500 in debt. Right now, I'm only at $1,800. I say I'm in a much better situation because this time I have a job, and the only reason I have this much debt currently is because I was in school this summer and used my cards to pay part of my tuition, books, and then to survive because I was working about half the hours that I normally work.
So here I am, making a fresh start. I plan on saving some money and paying off my debt, so that I don't have to use credit cards for an emergency. Not only that, but I now have some goals that I am saving for. Mainly a down payment for a house for when I graduate from college. I know that I will get money for graduation, but I want to have at least $8,000 saved up to be able to put a 10% down payment on a home. The place that I would like to move into has a condo for $89,000 that I like. This coupled with the fact that the market is going down nationwide, should help me to make a good deal when I move up there. I think that in 2 years I can amass a down payment for a home and an emergency fund.
So, here's to a new beginning. Bonjournée!

Fincances

So, I really want to move to S'Port. I realized last night that I really need to get my finances in better order. So, I'm going to use this blog to help with that. I'm up for people posting advice, and hopefully I can give others some ideas on how to help with their own finances. Look in the next few days. I'm putting up some more things to help track on here.

"Vacation" Almost Over

Well, tonight is my last night in S'por. I've had a great time. I've eaten and some fabulous restaurantsm got drunk on great margaritas that were 15$ a piece, hung out with other friends I haven't seen in almost a year, and spoke to a class about being from S. LA and speaking French. All in all, it was a great trip, but I'm really sad to be leaving. I'll be going back to a boring life, but I have a new drive and am going to work really hard to get done with school and move up here in the next two years. Got ot start saving now to buy my new condo! I'll get more down when I get back home and get depressed! hehe

Oh so tired!

I was SO tired at work last night! 38 hours with NO sleep! AND I worked! I'm yawning like crazy right now, but I'm not nearly as tired as I was yesterday. When I get off of work at 4 today, I'm driving to S'port! YAY! Une vacance! Finalement. Won't be back in town until Wednesday!

In Patterson

Well, I did school today, then after class drove in to Patterson. I stopped at Sonic on my ay in. The girl brought my food but forgot my dessert. Then, when I go to dig in to my sandwich, I notice they forgot my fries! I used to work there and know it can be kinda hectic, but I was one of 3 cars there! Come on guys! I was very dissappointed, to say the least. Now, I'm in Patterson, I'm hungry, horny, and can't get to sleep! I guess I'm stuck on the net until I can get tired enough to finally fall asleep. The thing that sucks is I have to be awake in 3 hours to drive 2 hours to Baton Rouge. Ain't life grand?

Weekend Plans

Well, I have got a crazy weekend planned! First, tomorrow night, after class, I'm driving in to Patterson. Then, Friday, my mom and I are going to Baton Rouge to go to some meetings with la comunité Belge. I have no idea what's going on, I just know I'll be there! Then I work Friday night and Saturday morning, then off to S'port until Wednesday! I can't wait!

Helping out a friend

So I went see a friend yesterday. She called me frantic. She couldn't figure out how she was going to buy food and gas AND pay her bills. So I drove the 30 minutes out to her house and sat down for about 3 hours and figured everything out. She's now on track not only to keep her head above water financially, but also to get her bills paid off. In her words, when you are on the inside looking out, it seems impossible, but when someone on the outside comes in and puts everything into perspective, things start looking better! Not only did she stop crying, she now has some hope for the future! I love helping out friends!

Tropical System? Part II

Wow, it looks like we may in fact have a tropical system. And it looks like it may head to Texas. Poor texans! This will be like the 4th system to hit this this year. Sounds like LA in 2005! But we're getting lots of rain, which we actually do need. Thank God I didn't have school today! We'll see if I can get off school and work later this week and get up to S'port a few days sooner!

ING Direct

Ok, so I opened an ING Direct Savings account almost 2 years ago. That has given me plenty of time to become acquainted with it. I love it! The other day I even opened a CD with them. They have GREAT interest rates compared with all of the banks here in my town. The highest interest rate on savings accounts has been 1%! 4.2% is great compared to this. If you have 25O$ to invest, you can get an extra 25$! Just send me an email, and I'll get you all set up! Fabulousness! lol

Cleaning

Grr! I HATE cleaning! Especially dishes. I have SO much work to do to clean my house! Wanna help me? lol Just kidding! I do, however, have a lot of dishes to do. It's times like this that I wish I had a dishwasher. Or that I was finished with my degree so that I could own my own home and afford to purchase a dishwasher for myself!

Tropical System?

Is there something wrong with me that I am hoping that a tropical system develops and meanders towards Louisiana? I just want a few days off of school and work! It seems like I should feel bad about this, but I haven't had any kind of "vacation" since May! I need a few days off! Which is why I'm going to S'port next week. But you know, here's to hoping we have a tropical system and I get a few more days than I was bargaining for.

Work

I like my job, and I hate my job. I'm making pretty good money, and decent tips, but sometimes it's just too much dealing with one of the managers! He's such an ass! He's my age, but throws temper tantrums! It's SO childish and immature. His name is Connan but I call him Coonass. Not too bright, but still makes me giggle. Ok, maybe that was a little childish on my part, but I feel a little bit better! Well, tomorrow's another day, and maybe he'll get fired!

Traffic

I hate traffic! I was waiting to cut in earlier, and this jack ass behind me starts honking and cursing at me to go! How the hell am I suppose to go when traffic is bumper to bumper in front of me and I can't get in?! I HATE people! Instead of just being patient, he just starts taking it out on me. I can't wait to get out of this place. Unfortunately, I'm stuck here for the next few years yet!