I'm starting off the month with three property photo requests. $45 to be added to my new to me car fund. I just have to remember to transfer the money from my main checking account and put it into my ING account.
While I don't have any real estate clients, at least I can pick up a little money on these property shoots.
Showing posts with label car fund. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car fund. Show all posts
Monday, March 3, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Still on a Second Job Hunt
Hot on the heels of my whinging on about my budget, I'm still in the hunt for a second job. As I knew, the Real Estate job is not exactly bringing in tons of clients. I've got a whopping two clients and that is two more than I had last month. I do think it will net me a decent commission at some point this year.
My prospective job in the animal field a 2.5 weekends a month (which would be ideal in terms of time and money) is still just that, prospective, and may or may not start until late March. Frustrating....
If I had the second job I could with a slightly clearer conscious, go new-to-me-car-shopping. The verdict at the last oil change was the next tune up or repair would be yet again close to $1,000 and I'm not willing to drop $1,000 on the next car repair (not when I have over 230,000 miles on this car and it is now starting to show it's age) when I would rather put it toward a new to me car purchase. If I had the second job, I could swing a car payment and the increase in the insurance and have to bite the bullet with a slightly high interest rate car loan.
I was given a couple other suggestions for some prospective work and I am going to go back and pursue those as well. Onward and upward!
My prospective job in the animal field a 2.5 weekends a month (which would be ideal in terms of time and money) is still just that, prospective, and may or may not start until late March. Frustrating....
If I had the second job I could with a slightly clearer conscious, go new-to-me-car-shopping. The verdict at the last oil change was the next tune up or repair would be yet again close to $1,000 and I'm not willing to drop $1,000 on the next car repair (not when I have over 230,000 miles on this car and it is now starting to show it's age) when I would rather put it toward a new to me car purchase. If I had the second job, I could swing a car payment and the increase in the insurance and have to bite the bullet with a slightly high interest rate car loan.
I was given a couple other suggestions for some prospective work and I am going to go back and pursue those as well. Onward and upward!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Small Steps for Many of Us
I know from what I've been reading in PF blogsphere that folks are all over the map with respect to where they are with their finances. I've read a couple blogs where folks are too concerned with reducing debt, sticking to a budget, etc to think or plan about investments. A couple new PF bloggers wonder if they will ever get to the point where they will have investments to worry about. Some PF bloggers blog daily about how the stock markets ups and downs affect their net worth on a monthly basis. They voice concerns over interest rate drops, etc, all very valid concerns.
I currently have a 401K that I rolled over to a Roth IRA. I have not contributed to this plan in a number of years, mainly because the past few years have been fiscal hell for me and any money went toward debt and other bills. It’s in my plan for 2008 to start to contribute to it again. I can set up an auto deposit to it and I probably will in the next few months.
When you are in a debt reduction plan, contributing to an IRA or 401K may be the last thing on your mind. If you are lucky enough to work for a company that offers a 401K, I'd suggest signing up for it and contributing what you can, even if it's the minimum amount. It's an auto debit from your paycheck and after a paycheck or two, you will hardly notice the difference in your income, trust me on this one. I used to read my statement each quarter and fiddle with my shares in the various funds, I loved seeing my money make money, I hated seeing my 401K lose money. That was a different point in my life.
I can't be too bothered at this point to worry if my ING on line account has lowered it's interest rate again. Quite frankly, at this point I'm just dammed thrilled with myself that I contribute to the account and am creating a savings account for myself. Perhaps in time I'll worry about falling interest rates, but right now I have other things on my mind.
My new fiscal life means I currently have the following:
1) My main checking account-I pay all my bills (less medical) from this account.
2) An HSA account-for my share of my medical that is not employee covered-I deposit a certain amount of cash each month to this account.
3) A second checking account- that is earmarked as the Emergency Fund. Each pay period, I have a direct deposit of $100 to this account. My goal for the end of 2008 is to have $2,000 in the account, I currently have $250. It is an interest bearing account with no service charge if I fall below a certain dollar amount.
4) An ING online account-$25 every pay period is deposited to this account and any extra money made from second jobs, pay per post (sooo little at this point in time), etc goes to the main account then is transferred to the ING Account. I'm earmarking this account as the car and vacation fund.
The HSA and the ING account were both opened just around the time I had my Trustees meeting. I needed to become more in (or take back) control of my finances. They had just been out of my control for so long.
Sure I'm more than a little envious of those folks who have nice portfolios, they have worked hard to get there. Some PF bloggers have been working on their portfolios for while, in time the rest of us will get there as well.
Small steps, baby steps, the journey begins with the first step...
I currently have a 401K that I rolled over to a Roth IRA. I have not contributed to this plan in a number of years, mainly because the past few years have been fiscal hell for me and any money went toward debt and other bills. It’s in my plan for 2008 to start to contribute to it again. I can set up an auto deposit to it and I probably will in the next few months.
When you are in a debt reduction plan, contributing to an IRA or 401K may be the last thing on your mind. If you are lucky enough to work for a company that offers a 401K, I'd suggest signing up for it and contributing what you can, even if it's the minimum amount. It's an auto debit from your paycheck and after a paycheck or two, you will hardly notice the difference in your income, trust me on this one. I used to read my statement each quarter and fiddle with my shares in the various funds, I loved seeing my money make money, I hated seeing my 401K lose money. That was a different point in my life.
I can't be too bothered at this point to worry if my ING on line account has lowered it's interest rate again. Quite frankly, at this point I'm just dammed thrilled with myself that I contribute to the account and am creating a savings account for myself. Perhaps in time I'll worry about falling interest rates, but right now I have other things on my mind.
My new fiscal life means I currently have the following:
1) My main checking account-I pay all my bills (less medical) from this account.
2) An HSA account-for my share of my medical that is not employee covered-I deposit a certain amount of cash each month to this account.
3) A second checking account- that is earmarked as the Emergency Fund. Each pay period, I have a direct deposit of $100 to this account. My goal for the end of 2008 is to have $2,000 in the account, I currently have $250. It is an interest bearing account with no service charge if I fall below a certain dollar amount.
4) An ING online account-$25 every pay period is deposited to this account and any extra money made from second jobs, pay per post (sooo little at this point in time), etc goes to the main account then is transferred to the ING Account. I'm earmarking this account as the car and vacation fund.
The HSA and the ING account were both opened just around the time I had my Trustees meeting. I needed to become more in (or take back) control of my finances. They had just been out of my control for so long.
Sure I'm more than a little envious of those folks who have nice portfolios, they have worked hard to get there. Some PF bloggers have been working on their portfolios for while, in time the rest of us will get there as well.
Small steps, baby steps, the journey begins with the first step...
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Sods Law
Of course, just as I was feeling all smug last week redoing my budget, and seeing improvement towards my goals, my car goes and has a transmission meltdown, yup, literally a meltdown.
It's as if the car knew my bankruptcy petition was going through. I woke up Wednesday AM, went to work and could smell something 'hot' in the car. Popped the hood, did not see or smell anything and did not think about it until Friday evening when I could really smell the hot. Did not see anything, but just as a giggle, I checked all my car fluids (oil, transmission, anti freeze) and low and behold, the tranny was low and took almost 3 quarts of fluid. NOT a good sign.
Mechanic has told me the transmission is leaking, has partially fried itself, needs to be replaced, has lent me a loaner car, can't fix my car until Wednesday and it will cost $1100. We can't find a used transmission or a rebuilt one in the area, I know I also tried calling around today as well. That is my paycheck plus and will really set me back in my financial goals for November. Really sets me back.
Not being credit worthy at this point means repair and diligently saving for a new or new to me vehicle. That $1100 would be better spent on my emergency fund, student loans, etc, but must go to car repair. The quest for a second job has to be kicked up a higher notch. UGGHHH
It's as if the car knew my bankruptcy petition was going through. I woke up Wednesday AM, went to work and could smell something 'hot' in the car. Popped the hood, did not see or smell anything and did not think about it until Friday evening when I could really smell the hot. Did not see anything, but just as a giggle, I checked all my car fluids (oil, transmission, anti freeze) and low and behold, the tranny was low and took almost 3 quarts of fluid. NOT a good sign.
Mechanic has told me the transmission is leaking, has partially fried itself, needs to be replaced, has lent me a loaner car, can't fix my car until Wednesday and it will cost $1100. We can't find a used transmission or a rebuilt one in the area, I know I also tried calling around today as well. That is my paycheck plus and will really set me back in my financial goals for November. Really sets me back.
Not being credit worthy at this point means repair and diligently saving for a new or new to me vehicle. That $1100 would be better spent on my emergency fund, student loans, etc, but must go to car repair. The quest for a second job has to be kicked up a higher notch. UGGHHH
What I'm Saving For
In the spirit of my previous posts and in recognition of what Gates VP had on his site, here are the things I am saving for
1) A new car-now the primary goal as my car just had a transmission explosion and until I am more credit worthy, must be repaired until it can be replaced. If I'm gonna have to have a car note, at least let it be for a vehicle I really want to have
which at this point is one that runs, has AC and I can fit all my animals in!
2) A new TV, flat screen with a DVD play in it. Not only is my small TV on it's way out, the DVD player is not working well at all either. This particular TV was found on Overstock.com, a site I have used for gift and personal purchases. Since I don't have cable or satellite and my "TV watching season" is almost upon me (December to March), I'd really like to have a new TV.
3) Funding my emergency fund.
Hats off to Saving Diva for also taking the challenge and posting on her site the items she is saving for as part of her personal finance plan!
Thursday, October 18, 2007
A Couple Changes and a Couple Goals
I've made a couple changes to my money progress tab. I opened an ING savings account, and I dumped the other monies I had into one account. I will set up separate accounting for them over the weekend. After the car issue, I had to dip into each account (since I did not have an Emergency Fund) to pay for the overdue and unexpected service.
Part of this process is re-organizing my finances, priorities and my life.
Goals for the next few days
1) Take on line course.
2) Re-evaluate needs and wants and make a list.
3) Set monetary goals for Emergency Fund, Car Fund, etc.
4) Get my hair done.
5) E-mail three people I have been neglecting recently.
Part of this process is re-organizing my finances, priorities and my life.
Goals for the next few days
1) Take on line course.
2) Re-evaluate needs and wants and make a list.
3) Set monetary goals for Emergency Fund, Car Fund, etc.
4) Get my hair done.
5) E-mail three people I have been neglecting recently.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Sometimes You Have to Really Love Your Neighbors
In one of my earlier posts, I mentioned my car was running a little funny and would probably need some work. Well that day came sooner, rather than later. Yesterday it decided it did not want to start. It has a fairly new battery, but I tried a jump anyway to see if for some reason the battery was running down. No such luck. To say I was unhappy in an understatement. Being stuck at my house at 8:30 AM, no decent tea or coffee and a non working car made me an unhappy person.
I have this great item that is a portable battery jumper. I got it at Costco for like $50 and it has been great. A friend of mine recommended it to me (no TOLD me I needed to have this item) after letting his battery die one time in the middle of nowhere. It can jump start your car, has an air compressor to inflate a tire, and also has a light so if you are really stuck, you have some light. The only thing this model does not have is a standard plug to plug in a low voltage item. I carry this in my car for all of my away trips and it's already been used about 4 times by other people. I can't tell you the number of people in this world who don't carry jumper cables in their car.
I woke up my neighbor (not realizing she had gone to bed at 4 AM) and she also tried to jump the car with me (in case my gizmo was not working), still no luck, the car would almost start, almost turn over, then would die. My very nice neighbor gave me the keys to her daughters car and said take it! My very nice neighbor also helped me get my car towed to the garage by using her auto club towing service ($50 compared to the $152 I was quoted by the local tow service). My very nice neighbor is letting me use the kids car again today.
The garage I took my car to is a new one to me, it was recommended by a co-worker and I thought I'd give it a try. So far the report has been a good one. Instead of some massive repair bill, they have told me I need new spark plugs, new wires, an oil change (that was on my weekend agenda anyway) and a bit of a tune up. So my visions yesterday of an outrageous repair bill hopefully is gone. The tune up obviously bites into my car fund budget, but when your only source of transportation needs work, you have to make it work.
I'm filling up the borrowed car with gas (something the neighbors daughter will love when she gets home from university tonight) and am planning on getting my neighbors a small gift to thank them for their kindness.
I have this great item that is a portable battery jumper. I got it at Costco for like $50 and it has been great. A friend of mine recommended it to me (no TOLD me I needed to have this item) after letting his battery die one time in the middle of nowhere. It can jump start your car, has an air compressor to inflate a tire, and also has a light so if you are really stuck, you have some light. The only thing this model does not have is a standard plug to plug in a low voltage item. I carry this in my car for all of my away trips and it's already been used about 4 times by other people. I can't tell you the number of people in this world who don't carry jumper cables in their car.
I woke up my neighbor (not realizing she had gone to bed at 4 AM) and she also tried to jump the car with me (in case my gizmo was not working), still no luck, the car would almost start, almost turn over, then would die. My very nice neighbor gave me the keys to her daughters car and said take it! My very nice neighbor also helped me get my car towed to the garage by using her auto club towing service ($50 compared to the $152 I was quoted by the local tow service). My very nice neighbor is letting me use the kids car again today.
The garage I took my car to is a new one to me, it was recommended by a co-worker and I thought I'd give it a try. So far the report has been a good one. Instead of some massive repair bill, they have told me I need new spark plugs, new wires, an oil change (that was on my weekend agenda anyway) and a bit of a tune up. So my visions yesterday of an outrageous repair bill hopefully is gone. The tune up obviously bites into my car fund budget, but when your only source of transportation needs work, you have to make it work.
I'm filling up the borrowed car with gas (something the neighbors daughter will love when she gets home from university tonight) and am planning on getting my neighbors a small gift to thank them for their kindness.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Budget Update
Since this is Monday, it is time for a budget update as a part of my new leaf on life.
As I stated in my previous post, i got an overdue check for a freelance gig and have have earmarked it for my car fund. Only $5895 to go.
I also started my budget planning in earnest as I had said I would. I use propane to heat my house and right now propane is at a cheap cheap price. I have asked my supplier to fill the tank and sort of get a jump on the winter.
I also got a bread machine on freecycle and made my first two loaves of bread. One a french bread and one an herb bread. The herb bread was pretty good, the french bread a bit damp (too much liquid?) but so easy to make. I'm hoping to use the bread maker at least once a week to make a fresh loaf. I figure it cost me about 60 cents to make the bread (including the electricity for the bread maker). It costs me about $3.29 for a loaf of any bread at the grocery store.
My list of needs and wants is actually very small, I don't have much to ad to the previous post at this point. I need slippers, I want a new TV. I don't think I"ll need too much in the way of winter clothes at this point, (socks, a new pair of gloves).
Now you may say, What has budgeting got to do with Bankruptcy and bouncing back from it? It's all about planning and being fiscally responsible. I need to start now making those changes that will help my credit score and allow me to be the responsible person I was. Planning a budget and sticking to it is the first step.
I reccommend you use some sort of software. Quicken, Microsoft Money all have budget worksheets. Do some research and check out the various budget sites. Below is the snowball method of paying down your debt (taken from the web site, http://www.personalfinancebudgeting.com/). If I remember correctly, Suze Orman uses this method as well. According to my cousin, this is how her son was able to pay off all his debts in less than two years and buy an amazing home as well.
Use the snowball technique.
Identify your smallest debt (debt one).
Pour every available cent each payday into paying down that debt. Pay the minimum payment on the other debts.
Once you have paid off that first debt, identify the next smallest one (debt two).
Add the amount you had been paying on debt one to the minimum of debt two, and pay that amount.
Let the snowball grow with each debt you eliminate.
As you continue, your snowball will get huge, and your progress will seem to multiply.
Keep a chart of your progress.
Plan ahead how you will celebrate the successful elimination of each debt along the way. But don't celebrate in ways that would slow your progress. Be tenacious. Don't let anything get in your way.
As I stated in my previous post, i got an overdue check for a freelance gig and have have earmarked it for my car fund. Only $5895 to go.
I also started my budget planning in earnest as I had said I would. I use propane to heat my house and right now propane is at a cheap cheap price. I have asked my supplier to fill the tank and sort of get a jump on the winter.
I also got a bread machine on freecycle and made my first two loaves of bread. One a french bread and one an herb bread. The herb bread was pretty good, the french bread a bit damp (too much liquid?) but so easy to make. I'm hoping to use the bread maker at least once a week to make a fresh loaf. I figure it cost me about 60 cents to make the bread (including the electricity for the bread maker). It costs me about $3.29 for a loaf of any bread at the grocery store.
My list of needs and wants is actually very small, I don't have much to ad to the previous post at this point. I need slippers, I want a new TV. I don't think I"ll need too much in the way of winter clothes at this point, (socks, a new pair of gloves).
Now you may say, What has budgeting got to do with Bankruptcy and bouncing back from it? It's all about planning and being fiscally responsible. I need to start now making those changes that will help my credit score and allow me to be the responsible person I was. Planning a budget and sticking to it is the first step.
I reccommend you use some sort of software. Quicken, Microsoft Money all have budget worksheets. Do some research and check out the various budget sites. Below is the snowball method of paying down your debt (taken from the web site, http://www.personalfinancebudgeting.com/). If I remember correctly, Suze Orman uses this method as well. According to my cousin, this is how her son was able to pay off all his debts in less than two years and buy an amazing home as well.
Use the snowball technique.
Identify your smallest debt (debt one).
Pour every available cent each payday into paying down that debt. Pay the minimum payment on the other debts.
Once you have paid off that first debt, identify the next smallest one (debt two).
Add the amount you had been paying on debt one to the minimum of debt two, and pay that amount.
Let the snowball grow with each debt you eliminate.
As you continue, your snowball will get huge, and your progress will seem to multiply.
Keep a chart of your progress.
Plan ahead how you will celebrate the successful elimination of each debt along the way. But don't celebrate in ways that would slow your progress. Be tenacious. Don't let anything get in your way.
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