Me vs Debt Me vs Debt Recent college grad's mission to get out of debt and master personal finance. I want to share tips, successes, and motivation. I also want some public accountability. Mostly I want to use my money to make interest, not pay it. 
Articles
Donate the Toothpaste
2008-11-11 13:35:00 I signed up to do some volunteer work at a local shelter this morning. As I was reading about the facilities I noticed that they have a substantial wish list. During this past summer I stocked up on many of these supplies (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razors, etc.). Instead of trying to pawn them off on my boyfriend, I can donate them to people that really need them. Plus, I won't feel bad stocking up on more in the future :) If you have a similar surplus, you might want to search out a shelter in your area too. Cheers! More About: Donate , Toothpaste , Volunteer
Donate the Toothpaste
2008-11-11 13:35:00 I signed up to do some volunteer work at a local shelter this morning. As I was reading about the facilities I noticed that they have a substantial wish list. During this past summer I stocked up on many of these supplies (toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, razors, etc.). Instead of trying to pawn them off on my boyfriend, I can donate them to people that really need them. Plus, I won't feel bad stocking up on more in the future :) If you have a similar surplus, you might want to search out a shelter in your area too. Cheers! More About: Donate , Toothpaste , Volunteer
Use it or Lose it... (and I Don't Want to Use it.)
2008-10-25 21:18:00 As it turns out credit cards may not be the best emergency fund. I paid off my Direct Merchants Bank card back in 2007 and I haven't used it since. That and one other card I had through HSBC were closed last weekend. No warning, just 'sorry, your account has been closed due to inactivity'.With credit drying up everywhere, I don't think its in my best interest to rely on currently available balances as an emergency fund. I'll be paying off my National City card in the first half of November. That should bring my total personal debt down to around $3500. (That's over 80% paid!) Broken down, it's $2200 at Prosper with a fixed APR of 8.7% and $1300 at Citi with a fixed APR of 5.99%.I'll continue paying an extra payment or two a month to the Prosper loan (because every extra payment pushes the next due date back one month), but the rest of my money is going towards building my 3-6 month emergency fund. Its a little bit of a loss, but its worth the piece of mind to me. Once...
Use it or Lose it... (and I Don't Want to Use it.)
2008-10-25 21:18:00 As it turns out credit cards may not be the best emergency fund. I paid off my Direct Merchants Bank card back in 2007 and I haven't used it since. That and one other card I had through HSBC were closed last weekend. No warning, just 'sorry, your account has been closed due to inactivity'.With credit drying up everywhere, I don't think its in my best interest to rely on currently available balances as an emergency fund. I'll be paying off my National City card in the first half of November. That should bring my total personal debt down to around $3500. (That's over 80% paid!) Broken down, it's $2200 at Prosper with a fixed APR of 8.7% and $1300 at Citi with a fixed APR of 5.99%.I'll continue paying an extra payment or two a month to the Prosper loan (because every extra payment pushes the next due date back one month), but the rest of my money is going towards building my 3-6 month emergency fund. Its a little bit of a loss, but its worth the piece of mind to me. Once...
September 2008 - Income, Net Worth, Cash Back Review
2008-10-03 12:38:00 This was an ok month for me. It was the first time I've really tracked my spending since last spring. I wasn't sure if I could stick to my budget facing inflated prices. One interesting thing I noticed was that it wasn't too hard to stick to my tight spending restrictions for groceries and gas, but I have totally left other spending categories out of my budget. Donations, computer security, and auto related expenses to name a few. I've read different opinions on how to handle irregular expenses in a budget, but I haven't really tried them before. I usually just take that money from my debt reduction funds as the needs come up. It would be nice to have a rough annual estimate and treat it like a regular monthly expense into a savings account until I need it. That would definitely make it easier to make realistic financial goals. More on that later... now for the monthly review...September ChallengeGoal: $400 $650 Additional Income Actual: $549.51I set the bar a little ... More About: Review , Back , Net worth , Worth
September 2008 - Income, Net Worth, Cash Back Review
2008-10-03 12:38:00 This was an ok month for me. It was the first time I've really tracked my spending since last spring. I wasn't sure if I could stick to my budget facing inflated prices. One interesting thing I noticed was that it wasn't too hard to stick to my tight spending restrictions for groceries and gas, but I have totally left other spending categories out of my budget. Donations, computer security, and auto related expenses to name a few. I've read different opinions on how to handle irregular expenses in a budget, but I haven't really tried them before. I usually just take that money from my debt reduction funds as the needs come up. It would be nice to have a rough annual estimate and treat it like a regular monthly expense into a savings account until I need it. That would definitely make it easier to make realistic financial goals. More on that later... now for the monthly review...September ChallengeGoal: $400 $650 Additional Income Actual: $549.51I set the bar a little ... More About: Review , Back , Net worth , Worth
How many jobs do you have?
2008-09-25 00:25:00 There was a story on NPR tonight about people working multiple jobs to get by. They listed a statistic: 5% of people work more than one job. I work two jobs anywhere from 40-60 hrs per week. For me, thankfully, it is a choice. For many, it is a necessity. How many of you work more than one job? Participate in this poll and feel free to leave a comment. How many jobs do you have? ( surveys)"Working two jobs" from Marketplace on NPR:/**/ More About: Jobs
How many jobs do you have?
2008-09-25 00:25:00 There was a story on NPR tonight about people working multiple jobs to get by. They listed a statistic: 5% of people work more than one job. I work two jobs anywhere from 40-60 hrs per week. For me, thankfully, it is a choice. For many, it is a necessity. How many of you work more than one job? Participate in this poll and feel free to leave a comment. How many jobs do you have? ( surveys)"Working two jobs" from Marketplace on NPR:/**/ More About: Jobs
Free TP at Kroger
2008-09-21 19:07:00 Just wanted to point out that there is another $0.50 coupon for Cottonelle in today's paper which means a free 4-Pack from Kroger .Go here for more Kroger deals. More About: Free
Free TP at Kroger
2008-09-21 19:07:00 Just wanted to point out that there is another $0.50 coupon for Cottonelle in today's paper which means a free 4-Pack from Kroger .Go here for more Kroger deals. More About: Free
CVS Deals 9/21/08
2008-09-21 14:42:00 Here's a couple of money makers from the 2-Day sale items that may be of interest...Loreal Revitalift Concentrate $11.99 Get $11.99 ECB$3/1 Coupon in 7/20 SSNivea Men's Bodywash $4.99 Get $4.99 ECB$1/1 Coupon in 7/20 SSAlso, there is one more week to pick up the Ambi soap at $1.99 for $3 ECB...Go here to see all of this week's sales and coupon matchups.
CVS Deals 9/21/08
2008-09-21 14:42:00 Here's a couple of money makers from the 2-Day sale items that may be of interest...Loreal Revitalift Concentrate $11.99 Get $11.99 ECB$3/1 Coupon in 7/20 SSNivea Men's Bodywash $4.99 Get $4.99 ECB$1/1 Coupon in 7/20 SSAlso, there is one more week to pick up the Ambi soap at $1.99 for $3 ECB...Go here to see all of this week's sales and coupon matchups.
Checking up on the Budget
2008-09-20 14:34:00 So how is that whole budget thing going, you might ask. So far, not well. I'm already over with 10 days in September to go. I'm within my grocery/household/gas budget but some random things came up this month. I made donations to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and a political campaign. Plus, I bought a subscription to All You magazine for me and one for my mom from for an elementary school fundraiser. Then my anti-virus software subscription needed to be renewed, totally forgot to budget for that one. Grr. All little things, that would be fine if spread out over several months, but lump them together and we have a budget disaster.This month is a miss, but I think I can make it to the end without much more damage. I'll be making another batch of my Poor Girl's Chili this weekend. I already have all of the ingredients - beans, tomatos, onions, spices, and cheese. A pot of that usually lasts me about two weeks - as long as I don't burn it. I have enough salad fixin's ... More About: Budget
Checking up on the Budget
2008-09-20 14:34:00 So how is that whole budget thing going, you might ask. So far, not well. I'm already over with 10 days in September to go. I'm within my grocery/household/gas budget but some random things came up this month. I made donations to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and a political campaign. Plus, I bought a subscription to All You magazine for me and one for my mom from for an elementary school fundraiser. Then my anti-virus software subscription needed to be renewed, totally forgot to budget for that one. Grr. All little things, that would be fine if spread out over several months, but lump them together and we have a budget disaster.This month is a miss, but I think I can make it to the end without much more damage. I'll be making another batch of my Poor Girl's Chili this weekend. I already have all of the ingredients - beans, tomatos, onions, spices, and cheese. A pot of that usually lasts me about two weeks - as long as I don't burn it. I have enough salad fixin's ... More About: Budget
Or Not to Save?
2008-09-18 12:39:00 Talking with my man last night made me reconsider the savings plan. Why? You don't want to hear this. I don't want to think this, but... We already have a last resort emergency fund. We have tens of thousands of dollars of available credit between us. Typing that made me a little nauseous. I don't ever want to go back to living on credit, but I could do that before I ended up out on the street.His point was, in our specific situation, it is highly probable that we will both be employed in the near future. There are no guarantees. Whether we have a small savings or none at all, we will be in the same situation: find a new job asap. In the most dire of situations we could turn to our available credit to help us make it through the transition. Ugh. Its true. And on the bright side, if we are lucky enough to keep working, we'll be much better off getting rid of our debt asap.After the high interest debts are gone we have a common goal: saving for the future. But for no... More About: Save , Saving
Kroger Deals
2008-09-18 12:39:00 If you got last weeks paper, clip the coupon for Glade Plugin Warmers, buy one get on free. They cost $1.79 each and you'll get a $2.00 off Kroger coupon for each of them at the register. I got those and stocked up on lunch stuff:Purchase:6 Michelena's Microwavable Meals @ $0.88 each2 Glade Plugin Warmers @ $1.79 eachCoupons Used:Three $0.50/2 Michelena's Coupons (From the pull-out dispenser in the frozen food aisle - my store doubles coupons up to $0.50 so these are worth $1 each)BOGO Glade CouponTwo $2 off coupons (Printed for purchasing Glades)Paid $0.28 out of pocket (literally change out of my pocket) for a 1.5 weeks lunch and some warm scents :)
Kroger Deals
2008-09-18 12:39:00 If you got last weeks paper, clip the coupon for Glade Plugin Warmers, buy one get on free. They cost $1.79 each and you'll get a $2.00 off Kroger coupon for each of them at the register. I got those and stocked up on lunch stuff:Purchase:6 Michelena's Microwavable Meals @ $0.88 each2 Glade Plugin Warmers @ $1.79 eachCoupons Used:Three $0.50/2 Michelena's Coupons (From the pull-out dispenser in the frozen food aisle - my store doubles coupons up to $0.50 so these are worth $1 each)BOGO Glade CouponTwo $2 off coupons (Printed for purchasing Glades)Paid $0.28 out of pocket (literally change out of my pocket) for a 1.5 weeks lunch and some warm scents :)
Or Not to Save?
2008-09-18 12:39:00 Talking with my man last night made me reconsider the savings plan. Why? You don't want to hear this. I don't want to think this, but... We already have a last resort emergency fund. We have tens of thousands of dollars of available credit between us. Typing that made me a little nauseous. I don't ever want to go back to living on credit, but I could do that before I ended up out on the street.His point was, in our specific situation, it is highly probable that we will both be employed in the near future. There are no guarantees. Whether we have a small savings or none at all, we will be in the same situation: find a new job asap. In the most dire of situations we could turn to our available credit to help us make it through the transition. Ugh. Its true. And on the bright side, if we are lucky enough to keep working, we'll be much better off getting rid of our debt asap.After the high interest debts are gone we have a common goal: saving for the future. But for no... More About: Save , Saving
To Save...
2008-09-17 13:41:00 As driven as I have become in my mission to eliminate debt, what I really need is financial security. I have one more variable interest credit card. Its a National City card with a $2700 balance at a promotional rate of 3.99%. In October the rate will go up to 17.99%. I'll focus on paying that off asap, but after that I'm going to begin saving.With about $3500 left at fixed rates, I'm going to tap into my debt reduction funds and start building an emergency fund. Until I have at least three months of living expenses in the bank, I won't feel secure. As much as the logical part of my brain tells me that I'm going to be fine, something inside of me is scared.I'm finally at a point where I'm willing to compromise for peace of mind. Once the NC card is paid in full, I will reduce my debt reduction funds to $500/month until I have saved enough to cover three months of living expenses. At a time when the entire country's financial future is uncertain I'm not going to pani... More About: Save , Saving
To Save...
2008-09-17 13:41:00 As driven as I have become in my mission to eliminate debt, what I really need is financial security. I have one more variable interest credit card. Its a National City card with a $2700 balance at a promotional rate of 3.99%. In October the rate will go up to 17.99%. I'll focus on paying that off asap, but after that I'm going to begin saving.With about $3500 left at fixed rates, I'm going to tap into my debt reduction funds and start building an emergency fund. Until I have at least three months of living expenses in the bank, I won't feel secure. As much as the logical part of my brain tells me that I'm going to be fine, something inside of me is scared.I'm finally at a point where I'm willing to compromise for peace of mind. Once the NC card is paid in full, I will reduce my debt reduction funds to $500/month until I have saved enough to cover three months of living expenses. At a time when the entire country's financial future is uncertain I'm not going to pani... More About: Save , Saving
My Job Security
2008-09-14 14:15:00 Photo by CelesteLast week's profit sharing ordeal really put my situation into perspective. I love my job and I want to stick around long enough to become vested. I went into work with a renewed drive to outperform expectations.Coincidentally this was the day that I had a meeting with my bosses to discuss funding for a project I have been working on. Our sponsoring agency was impressed with the first demonstration and proceeded to grant funding for two more years of work. Since this had already essentially become my project, they decided to make me the Project Manager. I'll be in charge of budget, time planning, monthly reports, scheduling meetings, that kind of thing. Its probably not that big of a deal, especially since I had already been doing most of the work, but I'm really proud that they trust me enough to make it official.From intern to project manager in about a year and a half is actually pretty cool. Maybe I do have more job security than I previously thought, b... More About: Security
My Job Security
2008-09-14 14:15:00 Photo by CelesteLast week's profit sharing ordeal really put my situation into perspective. I love my job and I want to stick around long enough to become vested. I went into work with a renewed drive to outperform expectations.Coincidentally this was the day that I had a meeting with my bosses to discuss funding for a project I have been working on. Our sponsoring agency was impressed with the first demonstration and proceeded to grant funding for two more years of work. Since this had already essentially become my project, they decided to make me the Project Manager. I'll be in charge of budget, time planning, monthly reports, scheduling meetings, that kind of thing. Its probably not that big of a deal, especially since I had already been doing most of the work, but I'm really proud that they trust me enough to make it official.From intern to project manager in about a year and a half is actually pretty cool. Maybe I do have more job security than I previously thought, b... More About: Security
CVS Deals 9/14/2008
2008-09-14 14:05:00 The Song of NatureOriginally uploaded by *Sakura*Already went CVS shopping this morning. I made two transactions to minimize the amount spent out of pocket. I found some of those Ambi soap bars which are an automatic money maker - no coupons necessary - because they sell for $1.99 and return $3 ECB. Without further ado...Transaction 1:2 Ambi Bars @ $1.99 each2 Purex Laundry Detergents @ $2.99 eachCoupons:$1/2 Purex (from today's Smart Source)$8.99 EBCSpent $0.18 Out of PocketGot $8.00 Back in ECBTransaction 2:3 St. Ives Apricot Scrub @ $3.99 each1 Excedrin Gel Tablet 20 ct. @ $3.991 Pack of Clearance Cotton Squares @ $0.24 Coupons:$15.98 ECBSpent $0.24 Out of PocketGot $8.99 Back in ECBOverall good trip. I may go back for two more Purex detergents (its Limit 5). At $1.50 for 38 loads its a great deal compared to the Tide I usually buy. Might as well stock up so that I don't need any more until there's an even better deal! More About: 2008
Profit Sharing? Sweet! (Or is it?)
2008-09-11 01:39:00 I was mildly annoyed to find a Profit Sharing Contribution memo in my mailbox today. I've seen one of these before. Last year, my company doled out a 20% contribution to full time employees that had been around for the previous two years. Even though I was a full time employee at the time and had been there over two years including my internship, I did not qualify.So I glanced at the memo and saw that this years discretionary contribution went out to full time employees with one year of service... as of December 2007. Quick calculation: I started working full time in May 2007 after graduation ... Lost out again!Not so fast. I checked my 401(k) account just for kicks. To my surprise, a hefty contribution was posted to my account yesterday. I'm in! Out of pure excitement, I decided to update the net worth. It seems like cheating because I'm not fully vested yet. This June I will be 20% vested and it will increase 20% every year. From year 6 on, that money's all mine.T... More About: Sweet
CVS Freebies 9/7-9/13
2008-09-07 14:36:00 Nothing too exciting this week. However, the trip was a 'money maker' so I can't complain.Purchases w/ Possible Coupons:$3.99 Revlon Nail Polish (Get $3 EBC, Limit 3)Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, any $1 (10-3-08) SS 8/3/08Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, any $2 (11-16-08) SS 7/20/08Revlon Color Cosmetic Product, any $2 (12-28-08) SS 8/24/08 $2 off any Revlon Cosmetics CRT$5.99 Loreal Face Cleanser (Get $5.99 EBC, Limit 1)LOreal Advanced RevitaLift Moisturizer or Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Moisturizer, any $1 (10-26-08) V 8/3/08LOreal Age Perfect Pro-Calcium or Collagen Remodeler $1 (9-14-08) V 6/22/08LOreal Cleanser or Moisturizer, any $1 (10-12-08) SS 7/20/08LOreal Cleanser or Moisturizer, any $3 on 2 (10-12-08) SS 7/20/08LOreal RevitaLift Cleanser or Age Perfect Cleanser, any $1 (10-26-08) V 8/3/08LOreal Revitalift Complete, any $1 (9-14-08) V 6/22/08LOreal Revitalift or Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Radiance Perfector, any $3 (10-12-08) SS 7/20/08LOreal Skin Genesis Cleanser, any $1 (... More About: Freebies
My Inbox Dollar Check Arrived
2008-09-06 17:08:00 A while back I decided to do a little experiment with making extra money through online surveys and such. Overall I'm not a huge fan, but I can attest that Inbox Dollar s works. The main catch was that they take $3 handling fee out of the check and it takes almost two months to process! Still the check did eventually arrive :) Take that, monthly challenge! More About: Check
2008 Presidential Elections:Truth-O-Meter
2008-09-05 14:35:00 Ok so on the surface, the election has little to do with debt. Sure. But since our country is in even more debt than I am, I feel obligated to try to make an educated decision with my vote. It seems like our government should try hard to be financially responsible just like I do.For me, financial responsibility consists of sticking to a carefully designed budget and bringing in extra income. Although the government works on a much larger scale, the principles should be the same. I want to make sure that the people in charge are going to make smart financial decisions when it come to our money.I'd also like to know that the administration is going to (attempt to) be honest and straightforward with me about how they plan on getting back on track. More than most, I know that getting out of debt is tough. I've made both good and bad decisions in my life. I've worked hard to get things in perspective and I think I know a good financial decision when I see one. So fill me in o... More About: Elections , Truth , Presidential , Meter , 2008
Netflix on Hold
2008-09-04 13:29:00 Did you know you that you can put your Netflix subscription on hold? You can put it on hold for up to 90 days without losing the information in your account. I have the 1-at-a-time plan so this will only save me about $10/month, but every little bit helps. I already have a small stock pile of movies to watch and I can go the library anytime. For now, Netflix will have to wait. More About: Hold
Festival of Frugality is Up
2008-09-03 14:08:00 Almost Frugal hosted this weeks Festival of Frugality . Thanks for including my Couponing 101 post! Here are some of the articles I enjoyed:Digerati Life has an amusing post on Smart Cars and Other Ways to Say No to High Gas Prices.On that note, Five Cent Nickel has a unique way of looking at the issue. He highlights a valuing system from Consumer Reports on how to Get the Best Mileage for Your Car Buying Dollar.My Daily Dollars has a Quick Summer Minestrone recipe, I think I'll try it :)Perhaps I'll pair it with Fast and Frugal Mediterranean Pizza Toast suggested by Our Fourpence Worth.You can tell whats on my mind, time to eat breakfast and get to work! Have a nice day :) More About: Links
Diaper Coupon Giveaway
More articles from this author:2008-09-03 13:05:00 Anybody out there buy diapers? As I described last week, I'm into coupons and deal matching. But I also have to be selective about what deals I go after. I know for a fact that these will go unused if I don't give them away. No matter how great the sale is, I just don't need diapers!So here's the deal. I have $15 in various diaper coupons (Huggies, Pampers, Luvs). If you think you might use them, leave me a comment. Check back tomorrow to see the randomly selected winner. If its you, send me your address and I'll mail them to you. Hope somebody can get some use out of these : )A winner has been selected and contacted! After such a great response, I will surely hold another giveaway next month. Stop by soon or subscribe to my feed for daily updates. Thanks! More About: Coupon , Diaper 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
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