Feeling Generous Today…Just Because
It’s Friday!!
I have the day off.
I’m going to get my hur did (translation: “hair done” for you proper folk).
I get paid today - direct deposit - but technically on Monday.
And I’m feeling friggin FABULOUS!!
So I wanna share the love with my FABULOUS readers and here’s what I’d like to do.
Leave a comment in this post. Any comment. Whatever you feel like sharing today. Tell me what’s on your mind. Keep it money related though. For example:
Did you get paid today?
Do you have enough to pay your bills?
How’s your debt reduction going?
Are your utility bills going up? My gas bill was $143 last month, now it’s $152, so I’m just going to die a slow and sudden death.
Did your boss make you wish you had a f*ck you fund this week?
Are your kids eating you out of house and home? What the heck does that mean anyway?
Did your husband buy a new electronic toy that wasn’t in the budget?
I need new tires, but why do they cost so MUCH? *faint*
Do you miss real hip hop as much as I do? Oh wait, that’s not money related.
Ok, how ’bout this? What ya think about the mob bust in NY? Arresting a bunch of senior citizens for crimes committed since the ’70s. LOL The Gabino family is no joke, ya heard! I bet ya their great-grandchildren are well trained to take over the operations. LOL
Is anybody on C.A.S.H. (Clothes, Accessories, and Shoes Hiatus) with Well Heeled?
Are your investments rebounding from last month?
How are the rate drops affecting your savings strategy?
Did you file your taxes yet? Do you owe or will you get a refund?
Whatever it is, tell me about it. Have a question? Drop it in the comments. Then on Monday, I’ll use this handy dandy random number generator to select one person for umm…
What do I want to give away? Hmm…
I have extra copies of each book on my reading list (some I’ve written book reviews for already). Ooh and I have a $25 Amazon gift certificate too.
Oh what the heck, I’ll pick TWO winners!
So go ahead, tell Single Ma if money is on your mind.
[check back on Monday to see if you've won]
~*~*~*~*~*~Work to achieve, not to acquire.
And always, BE FABULOUS!
This blog is the story of my life...a single mom who worked her way from nothing to financial freedom. Subscribe here and follow the rest of my journey.
Hey Single Ma! I think I’m financially bulimic. Not to make light of bulimia at all but its the perfect analogy. I put myself on a budget and try to stick to it and then I end up binge spending! Sale at gap.com? I’m on it. Price matching to zappos and addicted to slickdeals…. and then I (sometimes) go through a purging where I return the stuff I bought. It’s a vicious cycle!!! I’m not spending more than I make or going into debt but I’m not sticking to any goals either. Just wanted to vent that, thanks!!
Did you get paid today?
~Yep…Friday night..just got paid…(remember that song???)
Yep, that used to be my jam! [-SM]
Do you have enough to pay your bills?
~Sure do..all Feb. bills are PAID w/ the exception of my Daughter’s aftercare fee, which her father will pay on the 15th(due date)
WOOO HOOO!
Good morning! Fabulous Single Ma! Today I am feeling fantastic because: my boyfriend is coming over to visit me, I have done my taxes and waiting on my return (yeayy!), I have paid all my utility bills, all credit card bills and my February rent and I still plenty of money left over till the next paycheck on 15th! Who knew, budgeting works:) Umm also I weighted myself this morning I have lost 9 lbs total since the beginning of the year:) So 11lbs more to go!
All and all I am healthy and not broke:) and my loved ones are healthy, happy and not broke too:) What else I need to be feel fantastic for:)
Sounds like you are healthy and wealthy. LOL Your fam is blessed. [-SM]
(HUGS)
I get paid next Friday. I’ll pay half my March rent and groceries. There won’t be anything left. But all my February bills are paid as of today.
Yes , I did get paid today, I do have enought to pay my bills for the beginning of the month, Yes,my co-workers boss makes me wish I had a F**** fund!!!! ( I do not claim that cow as my boss)hehehe, I’m with Well-Heeled on C.A.S.H! I will make it. I’m working so Ms. Sallie (Sallie Mae) can send me a letter ending our relationship!!!!! Is it my computer or the site I need a magnifying glass to read the words???
Hmm, I don’t know. Is this your first time here? I haven’t changed the font size. Can you be more specific? I’d like to fix it because I want to make sure all of my readers are comfortable with the presentation. I can’t please everybody, but I’ll try to make any reasonable modifications if I can. [-SM]
Disclaimer: I apoligiize for any grammatical errors. I can’t see what I’m typing!!!!
Ok can I say that I’m jelly you are off?? I got my hur did on Wed.. wanna see.. *oh wait that’s not financially related*
I was on C.A.S.H. but I found these air max 90’s for $20 I couldn’t help it.. LOL My kids always eat me out of house and home hence my main reason for cutting coupons.. I am excited that my bills are paid, and I got money in the bank!!! LOL still laughin at Swizz Beats.. she ain’t got no money in da bank.. and she walkin round actin all stank.. I can walk around stank.. I got money in da bank.. *ok I need to take a nap and its only 9:36*.. LOL you know I lub me some Swizz Beatz [-SM]
I don’t have a husband but I did buy myself a new electronic toy LOL but its tax deductible.. LOL
Oh and I forgot to share with you that I have a hookup for our favorite line of cosmetic.. and well see what had happened was.. I got my order yesterday and well.. I saved $92.. it cost me a C-Note though.. I didn’t want to spend it but hey hookups come when they come and not when you want them.. Ok let me move on
Sounds like a good deal. When I need to re-up, I’ll give you a call. [-SM]
Hey Single Ma! I got paid today and i had enough to cover my bills!!! I started my first budget this month using pear budget and for the first time in my life I am actually making myself accountable for my spending. I recently paid off 2 credit card bills and I have to more with balances of 950 together. The rest of my debt is small bills under 100.00 my 7500 car loan, and student loans. The total comes out to about 41000. I am going to try to have everything but my student loans paid off by December. I did already go over budget in my misc expenses. I spent 207 buying Dave Kiyosaki’s Cash flow 101 game, but i call that an investment.
That game is so fun. My friends and I used to play it all the time. I’d always choose to be a teacher or fireman and KILT (not killed) the doctors and lawyers every time. The game truly reinforces: It’s not how much you earn, but what you do with it! [-SM]
I got paid yesterday…thanks to BillPay…i don’t have a chance to blow the money. Whatever bills needed to be paid this pay period are paid and the money is gone out of my account. I’ve got a little left over…for food/gas/variable stuff…i can’t wait until this performance review next month. i should be getting a promotion :-D. If not…i’m looking for something new!
Sounds like somebody BETTA SHOW YOU THE MONEY. I aint mad atcha! [-SM]
Let’s see. I weighed the pros and cons of taking a new job and felt like I had my mind made up. Yesterday my supervisor pissed me off and I’m going in today to my 2nd interview for the other co. Maybe my mind wasn’t made up afterall.
Yes, I’ve filed my taxes, but don’t have the money back yet. Which is fine b/c it’s going to savings anyway. I’m still adhering to my budget! Yeah and I actually started the month off great with paying my tithes…
I’m so proud of you for being so focused and determined to stick to your budget/goals. re: the new job, check your email. [-SM]
I am trying to decide whether (1) to commit an $8000.00 downpayment now towards the process of owning a second property next year once the infrastructure for the development is completed; (2) to use the $8000.00 towards building an apartment at my current residence; (3) to use the $8000.00 towards getting a new (second-hand) car as I have to wait forever to get parts for mine (1999 Da.e.wo.o La.n0s) whenever it has a problem and that is happening more frequently these days.
The first option will be a stretch because the monthly payments ($1100.00-1200.00 for 7 years) will make it quite difficult for me to do the other 2 for a while thereafter (4-5 years) but it is an excellent opportunity for future investment considering escalating costs.
If I can do the second and have the apartment completed within the year then I could do the first and maybe the 3rd in about 3 years (once I get consistent revenue from the apartment and the property deal is still available).
If I do the third I may be able to do the second after 3 years and definitely not the first.
Needless to say I need to make a decision very soon.
I know you’re not asking for my opinion, but I’d go with option #2. #3 alone is a necessity but a boring/depreciating alternative. #1 sounds like it would consume your cash flow with no immediate ROI. While you don’t mention the payment for #2, I assume it can be occupied pretty quickly and pay for itself. Plus, as you stated, the revenue will make #1 and #3 viable options in the near term future. However, there is opportunity costs - the property deal from #1 may no longer be available. If it isn’t, what is the likelihood that you’ll find a similar deal? With cash flow as a top priority, I’d do a risk/cost/benefits analysis between #1 and #2. I’d bet money #2 will have the most favorable rating. Besides, I’m greedy (but patient), so I’d I choose the option that would make it possible to have them ALL. [-SM]
Hey Single Ma, Yep it is the font it is extremely small. I rebooted my system to see if it would change but it did not. I’ll try & reboot again later to see if it changes. Thanks, Have a great weekend. My work week starts today.
I’ll increase it a little bit. Is there anyone else having problems reading this font? [-SM]
I got paid last week and 2/3 of Feb. bills are piz-aid! Hence, the C.A.S.H. ends in about an hour, lol.
I’ll let the boss slide since she gave me tonight off, but a big F U to the gas co….$0>$112>$173…WTF? Can’t have my babies gettin frostbite so I had to pay the mofos.
re: kids eating you out of house and home…is there any other way?!
Enjoy your weekend!
I wish I got paid today,lol. However, I do have an interview in a few hours so my I’m praying that this job comes through. I’ve been unemployed for 2 months now and it’s getting stressful but I’m focused! Good luck! I hope you get the job! Email me, I’d like to discuss (and possibly write about) how you’ve managed through 2 months of unemployment. [-SM]
I did file my taxes and will be using that to pay off one student loan, and other misc. bills. I also play to rebuild my emergency fund because I’ve depleted it since I’ve been out of work.
Happy Friday and have a great weekend!
Did you get paid today? Yes I did but I’m only the middle man.
Do you have enough to pay your bills? Yes all paid and accounted for. I’m about to go on line after this and complete the task.
How’s your debt reduction going? There is a plan in place. Like my momma says plan your work and work your plan. I have to start the working part.
Are your utility bills going up? I don’t even want to talk about the gas company – why is there a $90+ charge to transport the gas to my house? I can’t go to the store and get it myself!!! BYTCHES!!!!
Did your boss make you wish you had a f*ck you fund this week? Damn – really want to answer this one but I will let it roll. This is a public blog – you never know who is reading.
Are your kids eating you out of house and home? What the heck does that mean anyway? No kids but my cat can get a little picky – he doesn’t really like that Dollar store brand. LOL
Did your husband buy a new electronic toy that wasn’t in the budget? No husband but I NEED a digital camera and a portable hard drive. Can I get them for $50 bucks – total? :/
Do you miss real hip hop as much as I do? I just found a blog that has all kinds of old skool downloads – hit me up for the link – I don’t want them to get shut down. Something about free music that’s making a bunch of folks mad.
Is anybody on C.A.S.H. (Clothes, Accessories, and Shoes Hiatus) with Well Heeled? I haven’t bought a cute pair of shoes in a couple of months. I think that’s because I have a couple pairs in every necessary color. Black, brown, red, tan, carmel, snake, leopard….
Are your investments rebounding from last month? That’s in the plan your work and work your plan category.
How are the rate drops affecting your savings strategy? See last question.
Did you file your taxes yet? Do you owe or will you get a refund? I OWE!!! They will probably keep that old funky $600 dollars too. B Y T C H E S!!!!
I get paid every 2 weeks, last friday was my payday; but for me this month has 3 pay periods, rather than 2! Woot! My bills are paid and Im working on building my E fund…That gubment refund will come in handy..
I didn’t get paid this week but I will get paid next week. That will be an exciting paycheck because it includes my raise and my performance bonus.
All my bills aren’t paid for the month but I have the money to pay then when they are due. That in itself is a great feeling.
P.S. I need new tires too but I just don’t want to drop the cash on them.
Oh yeah, BTW, I forgot to say you are feeling FABULOUS because your ARE FABULOUS!
Aah flattery. See, that’s why I lub you. LOL [-SM]
Hey Single Ma…
What I would like to share is that this past Monday (my birthday) my shady boss informed me that she wanted to transfer me from our overseas office back to the states… I don’t want to go cause I’m loving my tax free status…
Her bogus move was just the push I needed to finally apply for another job in the area… and it’s 99.9% a done deal…. and the kicker it pays approximately 25K more… Now I have to figure out how I’m gonna invest this extra money… but that’s a good problem…
Hooray for me…
Congratulations and Happy Belated! Just goes to show, when you’ve got skillz, a boss pissing you off can be a good thing.
[-SM]
Have a great weekend
Hi,
Love your blog. I’m considering rolling over my retirement account from my old job.
I’m hoping you or your readers might be able to help me with a question though. I know the IRA limit in 2007 is $4000 and in 2008 is $5000. If I’m rolling over a retirement account from an old job that has $5000 can I split it between 2007 and 2008? Or can it only be allocated to one year?
$4k is the 2007 “contribution limit”, rollovers and contributions are two different things. Here are two helpful PF blog articles, but I’d recommend asking a tax professional. [-SM]
Once I get this answered and done with it, I can finish up my taxes. One less thing to be checked off my “to do”list. Then comes actually setting up an automatic investment program instead of letting things sit in my savings..
Thanks.
I got paid YESTERDAY on a thursday! It was my first paycheck for my new job and was larger than usual. Yay!
money isn’t on my mind… NOT having it is on my mind. i stumbled onto your blog trying to find advice to get ahead financially. i’ve read through a few posts, and i’m definitely bookmarking you for later. your advice is so… real.
i’m not in debt really, but i also don’t have ANYTHING saved. i just got a call from a lawyer / collection agency that a credit card was opened in my name in 2002 and i have 60 days to pay $1500. GREAT. so instead of fighting it, what did i do? agreed to pay it. yikes.
Sounds like you may have been a victim of identity theft. Go to annualcreditreport.com to pull all 3 of your credit reports. If the account really isn’t yours, dispute it. If you have other accounts that aren’t yours, call the credit bureaus to freeze your reports, call your creditors to notify them, and file a police report. Why would you pay it if it’s not yours? If I told you that you owed me $1,500, would you give it to me? If so, what’s your phone number? [-SM]
happy friday!!!
Did you get paid today? I sure did!
Do you have enough to pay your bills? I damn sure did!
How’s your debt reduction going? Better than thought with some extra cash to spare. I plan on putting into my baby’s account.
Are your utility bills going up? My gas bill was $143 last month, now it’s $152, so I’m just going to die a slow and sudden death. It went up for January to $74 which is a jump from $50. But hey, I’d rather be warm than cold.
Did your boss make you wish you had a f*ck you fund this week? chile, try everyday!
Are your kids eating you out of house and home? What the heck does that mean anyway? I’m pregnant so I definitely have cravings or I don’t want food at all. I’m so not motivated to go grocery shopping at all.
Did your husband buy a new electronic toy that wasn’t in the budget? No husband, but I did buy two dvds for myself when I stayed home on Tuesday due to illness.
Do you miss real hip hop as much as I do? Oh wait, that’s not money related. Uh, yea. Girl, you don’t want me to get up on my pedestal about this!
Did you file your taxes yet? Do you owe or will you get a refund? Filed them last weekend, realized I entered the wrong info on Monday, fixed it on Wednesday, mailing off my amendment today. And yes, I will get a tax refund in which I plan to buy a washer and dryer and put money into my baby’s account. Gotta buy a crib before the kid gets here in July!
I get paid every week, which is a change for me. I usually plan everything out for the month so all of my bills are paid, although I can’t by a new pair of N.i.k.e.s (I don’t do heels, am I the only guy that reads your blog daily?) Nope, I have lots of guy readers. They rarely comment, but email all the time. [-SM] My end goal is to have a $0 in what I guess would be called commercial debt. I’m working on my $2500 immediate emergency fund and I’m maxing out my IRA. I’m going to also max out my 401k when I officially switch to the new company ( I could do it with the current one but I’m being lazy). I’ve been calculating my “Inetta the Mood Setta” fund I’m afraid to ask what that is. LOL [-SM] and will be building that soon. And yes I’m pissed about my utility bill, it went from $45.86 to $64.84 this month the rest of the month I’m only using ONE light, and the cleaning lady better not plug up that vacuum! I won’t file taxes until the last day because I ALWAYS owe! That makes 2 of us…I hope Apr 15th never comes. [-SM]
and how can you claim you miss real hip hop when we have Soulja Boy Tell’em screaming “yah trick yah” HA HA my sentiments exactly! [-SM]
last thing…who knew that when you start a business in MD you have to pay a $300 personal tax filing fee even if you didn’t do business that year or own property???? I registered my business in November, had I known that I would have waited until Jan 1
Did you get paid today? Nope, I only get paid once a month on the 26th.
Do you have enough to pay your bills? Yes
How’s your debt reduction going? Fantastic! Paid off a card in full this month!
Are your utility bills going up? Yes, and I’m not quite sure why. I haven’t been tracking and we recently moved to a new place.
Did your boss make you wish you had a f*ck you fund this week? Nope, I actually like my administrator and director.
Are your kids eating you out of house and home? Yes, two young men in the house will do that to you!!
Did your husband buy a new electronic toy that wasn’t in the budget? Umm…not this month! But, I will admit that this happens sometimes but I don’t fuss too much since sometimes I slip up and buy a new purse :-).
Are your investments rebounding from last month? Thankfully, yes.
How are the rate drops affecting your savings strategy? Not at all. Its on automatic.
Did you file your taxes yet? Do you owe or will you get a refund? Haven’t filed this year yet. We are fairly new to the area and collecting recommendations.
“How’s your debt reduction going?”
It’s going great! My wife and I (both 24 years old) became debt free this week! We finished paying off the student loans. Now it’s time to finish out our emergency fund to 6 months of expenses, and then the house fund.
Thanks for all you do Single Ma.
I paid off my car this week without even knowing it. Sounds weird but the website showed I owed more that I actually did and wabang! my final payment was this week. I’ve never experienced paying something off before and I have to say it felt sooooo much better than I ever imagined! It has really added the element of ‘possible’ to the impending doom that once stared back at me from my financial future.
I’m new to this whole blogging thing. Actually yours is the only one I’ve seen so far that makes me want to come back (like every hour!). My financials are scarry at best. Get paid from 1st job on the 15th; 2nd and 3rd jobs are sort of seasonal. Single mom of a beautiful boy turning 8 and was seeking solitude from the crying game that my financials are engrossed in when I stumbled upon your blog just a few short weeks ago. I’ve been back everyday and when I don’t have time to read at the computer I print some out and read it in line at the grocery store. ‘Work to achieve not to aquire’ this is just the attitude adjustment I need. Thanks for the inspiration!
Good morning Single Ma!!! Actually I am having a great morning. I started my day off so WRONG by sleeping in just a bit but my job is flexible so I just got in the office. The bright side on that is that I slept in and woke up to begin reading “Girl, Get Your Money Straight”. The other thing on my mind is taxes. I get a bit of a refund, not much since I decided last year that instead of having more taken out of my check and just sitting in some random government office, I would allow my money to work for me and put a bit from each check into savings. I still over pay by maybe $80, but it’s better than owing. Not to mention I need to track my sister down so we can do here budget and her taxes. . . and help her looking for a new job so that she can at least save a little soemthing. What else is on my mind??? Hmmm… my new niece, born last week, I have yet to hold her so my trip there next week and the fact that I bought her stroller as a baby shower gift, but her mom had already had one. She begged me to get this one but she’s currently using the older baby stroller and car seat, just in case the baby messes up the one I bought. I know I don’t have any kids, but I am still confused on that one. Maybe there is something I don’t know. In a way I think it is a waste of money…
Otherwise, my bills are paid. I paid off 2 credit cards this month! YAY ME!!! And now I only have one left to pay off. I’ve been making large payments on it way beyond the minimum due, so that will be gone soon toooo…
HAPPY FRIDAY!!!
I do get paid today, but am a little bummed for a soon-to-be replaced coworker. I started a temp job 12 days ago, set to cover an assistant who was going on vacay for one week. Midway into my 7-day assignment her boss, Anna Wintour-not!, decided she wants to upgrade to a new assistant - me.
Thing is, I’m SO NOT interested: this woman thinks her life is a movie entitled “The Devil Wears Tory Birch.” What sucks, financially-speaking, is that her “current” assistant has no idea she is about to be got! Girly has been at home sick, still answering emails on her Blackberry. I found out about ‘Operation Can’ through a loophole and I think they’re waiting for her to return to work to let her go…back home!
As someone who was recently laid off, I feel a tinge of sadness for this girl. Corporate America is such a BEAST!
Didn’t get paid today…this 1st and 15th thing is really driving me crazy. The only advantage is rent is always on time.
Debt reduction isn’t going so well because everything is going up faster than my check. Have been strongly considering credit repair company (please advise).
Utility bills going up now thats an understatement. I just got a bill for $283 …….I live in an apartment!!!!!!! Now what kind of sense does that make!!!! For those of you invested in Pepco’s stock you have got to be making a killing because they are killing me and my pockets.
Work in a law firm which means too many egos to go around so I am definitely wishing I had a F. U. fund and a double shot daiquiri with whip cream (at my desk)!!
All 3 of my children are eating me out of house and home even the little one. My 10-year-old is like Mikey (Give it to Mikey, He’ll eat anything LOL). Costco is getting about $300 to $350 a month from me. I don’t complain to much though because I could put kids through college with what I would spend if I go to Giant.
No husband——yet. Still Waiting to Exhale. LOL….I swear TGIF!
Gambino family…..I think they are running out of news up there. Grandchildren in training (LOL)….hate to run into one of those grandsons though. Especially if they are fine and I am still trying to exhale or get my groove back. Might not be a good combination- fine, powerful, and crazy. ROTFL
Did my taxes and it was gone before I got it. Someone needed shoes, clothes, a blazer for a school uniform (what is this Bel-Air) and the list goes on and on. Not to mention I had to do a little something something for myself.
Hope you enjoy your day off. Have a glass of wine for me. I know how you love it so much.
I sure wish today was payday, just to add a little more cushion to my checking.
I handle the payroll for my company, so over the weekend, I need to decide if I am going to change the auto-savings amount. I want to continue saving, but I also am just about ready to drop HSBC. However, I need just a bit more in my E-fund to roll into CD’s. The first paycheck of the month goes almost entirely to rent after my savings deductions, so I have been scrimping and am tired of feeling so poor when I log into my savings account.
I hope someone provides some wisdom about savings strategy!
Did you get paid today?
Yesterday… HOLLA
Do you have enough to pay your bills?
Yep Bill Pay in Full effect
How’s your debt reduction going?
Working on it…
Are your utility bills going up? My gas bill was $143 last month, now it’s $152, so I’m just going to die a slow and sudden death.
Yep .. I had Dominion (electric) on budget bill so its the same amount each month… it was a sweet 25 bucks a month.. they just moved it up to 50…I am not complaining though its better than what I used to pay PSEG( electric) …
Did your boss make you wish you had a f*ck you fund this week?
Not my boss…But my coworker sure the hell did..
Are your kids eating you out of house and home? What the heck does that mean anyway?
Fo Sho … my son is drinking juice & Kool-aid like its water… then snackin all the time..not lookin foward to his eatin habits when he hits those teen years… going grocery shoppin again this weekend… ughhh
Did your husband buy a new electronic toy that wasn’t in the budget?
Not married yet just engaged, but he hasnt bought anything crazy with my hair & nails fund..lol
I need new tires, but why do they cost so MUCH? *faint*
I know the feeling … the good ones are not cheap… I prolly need new ones too as I keep making these 3 hour drives to Jersey to chill with friends & relatives.
Do you miss real hip hop as much as I do? Oh wait, that’s not money related.
I do …. Run dmc … LL …mc lite ….Slick rick ya heard…
Ok, how ’bout this? What ya think about the mob bust in NY? Arresting a bunch of senior citizens for crimes committed since the ’70s. LOL The Gabino family is no joke, ya heard! I bet ya their great-grandchildren are well trained to take over the operations. LOL
I read about this on the metro this am in the express… it was like the second or third page though I wondered about its importance… Anyway I am sure those Mafia guys have they stuff on lock … I doubt they even have enough info to hold half of the ones they caught..but hey NYPD needs to do something other than eat dough nuts so I say knock yourself out
Is anybody on C.A.S.H. (Clothes, Accessories, and Shoes Hiatus) with Well Heeled?
Yep Definitely on break from buying stuff…. though I did notice that DSW double points days is coming soon and they have some new reptile print shoes I may want to go check out…
Are your investments rebounding from last month?
Well nothing for this one… Havent decided to invest in anything yet… besides still working on this MBA
How are the rate drops affecting your savings strategy?
These aren’t good I had a nice 5% rate until recently now its like 3 something… I just went on a mini vacay for my bday so I gotta beef that back up… hopefully these rates will go up at the same time..
Did you file your taxes yet? Do you owe or will you get a refund?
ok so I thought I was really good with this withholding thing and shouldn’t get anything back… then I fill in the things on the tax cut.. It tells me I am gettin a nice chunk back but its subject to the AMT thing so anyway I guess I will file that this weekend..
Ok think I got all these questions… enjoy your day off Single Ma!
I’m with you there Single Ma - Its a Fabulous day. I got paid today too plus got a nice fax expense reimbursement check so I feel like I’m floating in the money. Pay day also means that money gets added to both my 401k and my Roth IRA, so come money I’ll have increased my net worth by over $800 which will put me over the $90,000 mark!!! (And my net worth accounts for all my Feb Bills so I’ll still be over the $90k mark at the end of the month!) Whooohooo!!!! Now I really feel like I’m rolling in the dough.
Enjoy your day off — know the rest of us are so jealous!
Opps I must already be headed for the weekend either that or money’s on the brain because I mean to say “…come Monday* I’ll have increased my net worth…”
Oh, I don’t even know where to begin with my comment/question.
It seems that you have done well in learning to and committing to live below your income (not within but below). That is great! But, from what I’ve read, you have a great deal of income. Do you have any suggestions for someone like me who only makes $35,000/year. Now, don’t get me wrong. This appears to be a decent wage for a single woman who lives on her own with no children, but it’s not. When you consider that a little over 22% of that goes out to taxes (Federal, FICA, Medi, State), well, I already start freaking out. My crappy retirement plan takes 4.3%, Union dues (and they reduced them due to hardship temporarily) 1.12%, Health Ins 1.19%, Health Savings Plan 0.42% and I donate to our Campus Fund (I work at a college) which is 0.28%. So, I bring home roughly 70% of my paycheck. That takes me down to about $24,500/year. I’m barely getting by paying rent (my first apt), car payment (my first new car), utilities, car insurance, student loans and some very, very old debt that I accumulated as a less than intelligent, young 20something.
I really want to make this debt go away but I’m barely able to make min payments. I’d like to figure out how to make better money. I do have my BA. I’m not willing to go into, yet, more debt for a master’s. I live in a small community where jobs are few and far between. I make a decent commute just to make the money I do.
I’ve mulled over the idea of a second job for a while. I’d really like to do something from home, but that poses the question of “what?” I am trying to sell a few things. I have an older car that I’ve posted out for sale. I have a refrigerator that I don’t need right now, so I’m going to post that for sale. That will bring some temporary income, assuming they sell.
What do you suggest?
You may not like my answer, but I can only speak from experience. The saying is really true, it’s not about how much you earn, but what you do with it. Yes, I make a decent living, but I’m able to live beneath my means because I HAVE NO CONSUMER DEBT. My only debt is a mortgage and I have tenants who pay the bill. Living debt free gives me the freedom to invest in ME. Otherwise, debt would have a choke hold on my goals and kill my budget every month.
If I were in your position (single and no children - presumably young and healthy), I’d move to where the better paying jobs are. Let’s face it, you can’t squeeze anything from a turnip. If the money isn’t there, and under-earning is the cause of your debt, then uprooting for more money would be MY solution. I understand it’s not a viable solution for all, but I did it on my own (no family help) and with a child in tow.
Many people who read my blog automatically attribute everything I’ve accomplished to my income. That’s not completely true. I used to be a welfare recipient and there were many years when my income was ZERO. Read one of my life reflection or personal story posts and you’ll see how my life has changed and how my income has “gradually” increased to $100k+ over time. How? I’m a risk taker. Decide what you want, how bad you want it, and do what you gotta do - NO MATTER WHAT - to get it. More debt and another degree is not the answer if you’re not going to assertively pursue more money.
I can give you a million suggestions (based on experience) to improve your finances, but I’ll probably get a 1/2 billion reasons back about why they wouldn’t work. If you limit yourself (mentally) with a bunch of reasons why you CAN’T do something, then you have to change your mindset before you can change your finances. [-SM]
How can I spend the least amount of money at the grocery store today?…
I have been asking myself this question for the past few days since I always go grocery shopping on Fridays. I don’t get paid until the last day of the month. Just my luck it’s a leap year. So I am really trying to figure out how I can spend between 25 - 50 bucks for the week. That’s for a family of two. Does anyone have a sample grocery list that could help me stick to my budget?
Lawd honey, you need to read my grocery strategy post. Lots of excellent advice in the comments. [-SM]
Thanks.
M Lynne
I have to buy shoes today. Not for myself, although I need them. But for my toddler. The prices they charge for those itty bitty little things is outrageous! I’ve tried going second hand, but it only made Kiddo break out in rashes, poor thing. This is so not right.
I didn’t get paid today, but I had a job interview (yeah!) and a job offer today! Since I am currently unemployed this exciting turn of events will put me back in debt reduction mode since I have only been able to afford paying the minimum payments on my credit cards and my student loans are in forebearance until I get a job. So, I’m pretty excited!
Congratulations! Good luck with getting back on track. The faster you pay it off, the less stressful it will be if you have a future layoff. [-SM]
I hope you and BabyGirl have a great weekend!
Trixie
BTW,
Count your blessings, Ma! My Con Edison bill was $240 this past month…and I live in a one-floor, one bedroom apt!!!!!
Hi Single Ma,
I’m a long time reader but I’ve never commented. I don’t know why though. I usually don’t comment on sites that I read, and I read a ton! Your site is my favorite though.
Anyway I got paid yesterday and I did have enough to pay my bills and throw some money into my moving fund. Until my boyfriend’s ex decided to key my car. Now I have to spend $500 to get the car repainted and $25 extra per month for a garage.
I’m sure I’ll go back into lurker mode. Just wanted to say hi!
Single ma…
I have a question. Do you have advice for any grad. students who are trying to make it through school taking out as few loans as possible. As soon as I graduate I am planning on paying back the debt, buying a house, buying my first car and getting serious about retirement. I have an emergency fund and I’m going to open a Roth IRA this summer. Any advice? Which loans are best? How should I be planning for after graduation? Any help would be appreciated.
I got paid yesterday, and sent off the very last payment to the student loans, which means today, WE’RE DEBT-FREE!
I also had an interview this morning. I’m not sure how well it went. I think I talked too much. But I heard that a lot of the other interviewees were boring so I tried to be my “bubbliest”. We’ll find out next week. I still have my other job, so it’s not imperative that I get this, but it’s a move up and a raise and it would mean a shorter commute in about six months.
Congrats on being debt free!! And I hope you get the job!!
LOL @ bubbliest. Next time, just be yourself. They may expect you to still be the “bubbliest” after you’re hired. Imagine having to pull that off everyday? LOL [-SM]
Just paid the mortgage this morning, looking forward to the weekend~
Our gas bill was $198 this month ( always high in the winter) Hubs will take care of that next week.
Kimberly- I hope you get the job
I am having a GREAT day!!
I am working from home so I get to clean my messy apartment, wash my dirty clothes, and run some errands. It has been a crazy week. And I need to wind down. Looking forward to some homemade wings, lemonade, slice of red velvet cake, and watching some movies tonight with my daughter.
Finance related ish:
I decided to do my taxes myself. I am getting a $2629 refund!!!
I received a $50 Amex gift card for a test drive I did. Gonna go get me some new fits for my upcoming ATL trip.
401K is rebounding nicely.
Tis all for now.
HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND MA!!!!!!
i’m about to beat my HR’s ass because my last retirement contribution was definitely deducted from my paycheck… but definitely not deposited in my 403b…. ahhh the joys of dealing with incompetent and chronically shortstaffed HR!!!!
I came into work this morning dreading the status meeting because I was still waiting on some info (that someone else has) to finish the project. My first two emails of the day were the info I needed and a notice that the status meeting is moved to Wed (I’ll be done by then) Yay!
But I’m getting my F-U Fund together, polishing the resume, etc. Today was one of a series of wakeup calls about my job…why am I the one that gets yelled at when it’s other people holding up the flow? It would be one thing if I were management (and paid for it) but I’m just a peon. Time to find a job that either pays better or where I don’t get scolded for things out of my control or hopefully both!
Bills are paid, I e-filed this week for my refund and put in the form to HR to have my witholding adjusted (no more free loans for the IRS).
Do you have any advice for a 20 year old that makes about $250 a week without an investment plan in sight? What would be the first thing she should do when she gets paid?
In college? Save for books and incidentals, that’ll kill the lil paycheck right there. LOL Enjoy whatever is left.
Have CC debt? Pay off debt!
If no to both:
1 - Avoid the debt trap!
2 - Does your family tithe?
3 - Open a Roth IRA and contribute at least 10% of earnings.
4 - Save at least 10% for future big ticket spending.
5 - Enjoy the rest.
Yup, got paid today. Yup, can pay all the bills and save/invest some too.
Job is good. Boss is cool. Work is challenging but not crazy…yet.
Kid is eating lots, but I am ok with that…it is wasting food that I despise.
Don’t mention tires (or brakes either) for that matter–so much money-scared-must run and hide. Shyt happens account is still in recovery mode from the $1K I had to drop on my Bessie last month. Cheaper than a new car, but still…
Investments: on the rebound, but my company’s investment director told me to not LOOK at my 401(k) until the end of the quarter. Why cause myself the pain? He had a point, but you know I am going to look anyway.
Have nothing to say about the crime family…walking away from the crime family:–).
My biggest problem with hip-hop is that it went from “protest and party” to “just party.” It used to be poetry, now most of it is just noise and worse yet, boring.
Interest rate: I’m bitter but rolling with it. Keep the savings train going…
I have nothing nice to say about taxes. I am just going to write the check(s). Damn.
Enjoy your weekend!
I was following a CASH plan but some Jack@ss stole my S/O’s jeans from our laundry room so I had to replace them. On the plus side, I made it in and out of a mall in under 40mins and didn’t buy anything other than 2 pairs of pants for him, even though my favourite store had a sale on.
No paycheck today. However, my renter paid me today. Eight days late which is bad, but I got to collect a late charge. More money for me, YIPPEE!
Hey Single Ma -
I got paid today! Woohoo!
I use an all-cash system for budgeting - I pull $300/week out of my checking (on Saturday mornings) to spend on groceries, fun, whatever. I looked in my wallet this morning, and I have $45 left, which will go straight into savings, on top of my automatic payments. My emergency fund just keeps looking better and better.
My bills are paid, and I’m 9 payments away from credit card debt freedom….. (dancing in office).
I look at my f-u fund almost daily - while I polish my resume, and think about living somewhere where the traffic isn’t insane.
Happy day off, and happy weekend!
Hi! I have a praise. I paid all Jan. bills and have no debt. I will have enough money to pay all Feb. bills as well. I had no food money this week, but I got a drop in child (I do in home daycare) so now I have $25 for food (it’s something-plus I have lots of canned veggies, lots of pasta, and a ham in freezer, so I can make a few meals from my pantry. And we have enough cereal to last another week and oatmeal too.)
Also I filed my taxes and will be getting $3847 back from federal and state (I get head of household & earned income credit being a single mom with 2 boys.) I will:
tithe $400
offering $200 (as a family gift to my sponser child in Phillapines)
life insurance policy -$400 for the year (I am self employed, so I have to pay my own insurances)
2008 great adventure season passes for all of us (our summer fun)-$347
I owe my savings-$300
Summer bill money $2200 (I am taking this summer off to be with my boys) -Becky R
Wow, I wish I could take the whole summer off to be with my daughter. Then again, I don’t know if I’d want to. LOL The closest I get to that is being off mid-Dec to mid-Jan to be with her during the holidays and throughout winter break. Good for you planning ahead! [-SM]
I got paid today. Bills arent the problem. My debt is. I overspent thinking I would get a huge (over 2K) tax refund, but I won’t. So, debt reduction isn’t going as well as I would like. It’s hard being in school full-time, but it doesn’t mean that I want to get rid of debt any less. but I do manage to pay more than the minimum. I go next week to see about student loans for my study abroad trip and to cover fees not covered by my assistantship that have put me 3K in further debt. So, I’m thinking about getting an at home call center gig to make more money and applying for scholarships. (gotta increase the income, right?) I abruptly closed a cc account this week because I made a payment on Jan. 11 when the bill was due Feb. 3 and they charged a late fee. I made another payment Feb. 4. Figuring the dates was too complicated for me when I was trying to overpay and avoid interest so I said forget it just close it. They didn’t even try to convince me to stay so I guess they didn’t value my business anyway. They said I wasn’t eligible to have the late fee waived. Whatev. I should be on CASH but I’m not because I’m losing weight. But I’m only replacing stuff that looks hideous on me. My housemate/landlord only charges me for a third of the electric bill even though there are just 2 of us. bless her.
I got paid last Friday and paid off 2 credit cards. I revamped my budget this week and am so excited to have money still in the bank. Amazing what budgets can help you do. I am on C.A.S.H. however, since I’m losing weight, I buy things after I’ve sold other things that no longer fit. I am concerned about my savings since it’s with ING, but I don’t know where else to move it. I’m on the west coast. The only fortunate thing about living in military housing is we don’t have to pay utilities (yet, there’s discussion of this changing) so we don’t have to stress over rising utility bills. I feel so bad for those who do. Taxes to be filed this weekend.
I got payed last week and all is almost gone due to my ortho taking out multiple payments. It sucks to be me right now… although I have quite a bit in my savings account that I’m trying desperately not to touch. By the way, what is C.A.S.H…did I miss reading an entry?
Probably, if you rarely read the actual posts. LOL [-SM]
Paid today? Nope! BUT OUR BILL ARE ALL PAID. Unemployment has hit our household. We’ve been married 29 years and this is the first time that it’s happened since we’ve become a single-income household. Long story - short… DH and I are living off our emergency fund. No debt other than the mortgage. Cars, our school loans, sons college - all been paid for. We’re blessed! We have our health, our home, our marriage, we can pay our bills, retirement funds and investments are still intact, our adult children are healthy and happy. Now just for that elusive job for DH - ya know, the one that honors an excellent work ethic, desires talent, is within a 30 minute commute of home, has good benefits and doesn’t want you to give them your soul when you join the company. Not asking for too much are we? LOL!!!
29 years of marriage, solid, and strong - IMPRESSIVE! With that great gift, unemployment is a little speed bump. I hope your DH finds the job he wants very soon. [-SM]
Presently we earn 21K a year. In 3 months my DH finally graduates and we move 900 miles for his first job earning about 3x that. I would really like to buy a house but it seems like we will have to rent. Our tax return plus penny pinching I have 11K saved up that we could use to buy a house but I don’t think a single weekend is good enough to go looking at houses. So I am trying to convince myself it will be easier to go house shopping when my son is 4 and my girl is 2. I plan on three years between my girl and the next kid (hate pregnancy, I live pathetically on a couch in the first trimester). I am worried about upgrading how much utilities cost. Our gas + electric hovers around $70/month. But we want a 3 bedroom when we move. I want to triple our grocery budget from the current $140 (eggs just doubled in price!). My husband wants a new computer (because ours is about to die) and I want our first real vacuum. We both have conceeded to get these after we buy a house which will be about 04/2009. I think getting our oldest kid potty trained will save us about $36/month in diapers (but we have no onsite laundry facilities presently for accidents and kids revert after major life events like moving so we are waiting).
Since I am a SAHM I really want to get a Roth IRA in my name and I have been going back and forth with whether I should open my Roth after I figure out where we are placing DH 401K (we just know that there are 55 funds to choose from) or after we buy the house so that we could have enough saved up for a 10% downpayment. I plan on sticking with Freedom Funds/Target Retirement Accounts.
The other thing I haven’t been able to figure out is what people consider a modest sized home anymore 1500 sq ft? 2000? Why does it matter? Only buy what you can afford. [-SM] I grew up in 3000 sq ft and that seems too big too me. My parents rarely turned on the utilities and my kids freeze there in the winter.
Oh and we are working on paying off 50K in student loans. Down from 55K last year, we paid off one of the loans before we switched gears and started saving the money instead.
Sorry about the rambling - thats just the $$ on my mind right now.
A family of four (potentially 5), including 2 toddlers and SAHM, $21k salary (potentially $65k), $11k saved, and $50k in debt. It might be a good idea to delay buying a home until after you’ve paid off more debt, save a down payment, and have a larger safety net. Your life is in a major transition right now and there are too many things left to chance that will put your house at risk. [-SM]
- Do you have enough to pay your bills?
Barely… I may have to break into my money market account though to buy groceries. Long story short, I was subletting a place and the subletter did not pay me January’s rent. I went out of town still needing my rent money and he had an incident that caused him to be evicted by the landlord. He moved out and took the furniture I had in my old apartment with him. He is no longer returning my calls or emails. Sigh… BUT, I am getting my hair did today also! Hopefully it will look great and cheer me up as I eat Lean Cuisine until March! LOL.
Oh wow, I’m sorry to hear that. Take him on Judge Judy. Nah, Joe Brown will set him straight! LOL [-SM]
Did you get paid today?
Nope but I got paid Wednesday and it felt great.
Do you have enough to pay your bills?
Yep…I’ve been doing great paying all my bills right on time. I even made my car payment early.
How’s your debt reduction going?
Its going great since I just started. I contacted one of my credit card companys and am making arrangements to pay it off.
Are your utility bills going up? My gas bill was $143 last month, now it’s $152, so I’m just going to die a slow and sudden death.
I live with my sister and she went crazy because out light bill was $224.00. Its hard living with someone else. I turn lights off everytime I leave a room regardless of the fact that I’m going back in after a few minutes. She leaves lights on all day and her tv on when she leaves the house. And she has the nerve to go out and buy energy saving light bulbs, lol. Ok sure they can help but turning the lights off when they aren’t needed would do wonders as well.
Did your boss make you wish you had a f*ck you fund this week?
Actually, this week…not at all. My boss was out sick half the week and my other boss…well all I had to do was keep people out of his office and he was happy.
Are your kids eating you out of house and home? What the heck does that mean anyway?
Well, I dont have any kids but I am eating myself out of house and home. By the way I googled “eating you out of house and home” and found this from idioms.thefreedictionary.com, eat someone out of house and home (humorous):
to eat most of the food that someone has in their house.
Did your husband buy a new electronic toy that wasn’t in the budget?
I’m not married but I almost went and bought a juicer that I didn’t have in my budget for this paycheck. But I help out….and I’m proud about it.
I need new tires, but why do they cost so MUCH? *faint*
I know your pain. I dont need tires right now but I suggest you do a lot of research before you settle for the price on place gives you. I stopped buying used tires after I had to replace mine 3 times in 6 months (I did a lot of driving back then). I opted for the more expensive ones with the warranty.
Do you miss real hip hop as much as I do? Oh wait, that’s not money related.
Heck yeah. I’m young (23) but old at heart.
Ok, how ’bout this? What ya think about the mob bust in NY? Arresting a bunch of senior citizens for crimes committed since the ’70s. LOL The Gabino family is no joke, ya heard! I bet ya their great-grandchildren are well trained to take over the operations. LOL
HIlarious…most likely that family will never be stopped.
Is anybody on C.A.S.H. (Clothes, Accessories, and Shoes Hiatus) with Well Heeled?
I haven’t bought clothes since December and then it was only a shirt. I don’t even remember the last thing I bought before that. My Hiatus is going to last for quite awhile unless I get this parttime job (interview on the 12th wish me luck)
Are your investments rebounding from last month?
**Sigh** No investments….YET
How are the rate drops affecting your savings strategy?
Again I **Sigh** I’m still trying to decide which company I want to open my online savings account with. But no worries, I’ve still been saving. Just gotta decide where to put it and with all the rates dropping every week I’m confused.
Did you file your taxes yet? Do you owe or will you get a refund?
Haven’t filed my taxes because I’m waiting on one last W-2. I worked for 3 different companies in less that 5 months last year before I left NC. Can you believe it? I was on my grind. I’ve entered all the information that I have and so far I’ll be getting a nice check.
thanks SM… i appreciate the advice. i am going to do just that.
it’s a long story that involves getting my mail sent to a friends house, so i’m pretty sure that’s who did it… and they said one of the bills was paid with MY check, so the responsibility IS in fact mine. so. lost. this is all new to me,
i’m 23 and have two credit cards with very low limits / balances. all this when i’m trying to get ahead financially. so kind of them.
I paid off 2 credit cards, paid the balance of both my renters insurance and my car insurance in full, and I fully funded my emergency fund. Overall GREAT DAY!
Didn’t get paid today, but my federal tax refund showed up in my savings account (direct deposit) - cha ching! It’s all going into a Roth IRA.
Got paid last friday and barely made it through all the bills. Yikes… then my daughter was in a ski accident over the weekend and we dipped in to the e-fund to pay for lodging and transportation (accident was in another city we were visiting.) Luckily she was wearing a helmet and goggles or I wouldn’t be spending my time on this computer. She will be just fine except for a nice scar over her right eye. So, now I’m starting to look at how to pay off any medical bills not covered by insurance (we have a high deductible) and other expenses. Ugh. So far, Febuary is not a great month.
Just wanted to let you know I love your site! But anyway I know the answer to this question but I am going to ask anyway–is there ever an end to debt? Right now I am looking for a full time job and it gets depressing when I can’t find what I am looking for. I am an attorney and the only jobs that I am qualified for will make me unhappy–meaning when I went to law school I knew I didn’t want to do criminal law. Thanks for listening.
Yes, it does end…eventually. Since you have a law degree, I know you have the tenacity to keep pressing until you find what you want. Have you tapped into your network of previous colleagues, professors, school alumni, and old friends? How about some pro bono in the field of law you prefer and to expand your network? Good luck to you!
Didn’t get paid today (next Friday!). I had enough in my last paycheck to pay my February bills except for my credit cards, which are due right around mid-month. I’ve already written the checks for those and stamped the envelopes (no online bill pay… boo!). Those puppies will go out on Wednesday and hopefully arrive on Friday. It’s cutting it close, but I gotta do what I gotta do.
I’m trying to make a substantial dent after a little furnace disaster last month and three appliances went kaput last year so I’ll put $750 toward the furnace bill ($2,500 in repairs and unanticipated oil replacement) and $200 toward the appliances ($1,500 for dryer, refrigerator and stove).
I made the decision not to use savings and to pay these items off through my regular paychecks over the next few months. I know, I know. I hate paying interest but my rate isn’t too bad (6.9 percent). Right now I feel more secure with cash on hand because my company is shaky right now under new ownership. I worry about being laid off and I’m relieved I have six months of expenses saved. I also have tenants who cover my entire mortgage, home owner’s insurance and property taxes. But if 2007 taught me anything, it’s that the unexpected can always happen.
What do you think Single Ma?
I think you’re in a position where cash flow is critical and you’ve taken the proper precautions (i.e. saved 6 months of expenses, positive cash flow rental, reasonable APR on debt). You’ve been dealt a bad hand and things are tough right now. Considering the circumstances, if I were in your shoes, I’d probably do the same thing. Although I’d make sure the CCs were paid on time - no matter what. If not, that 6.9% could go universal default and increase to 22%+ Making an already bad situation, worse. [-SM]
My goal is to be credit card debt-free by June at the latest/ I’ll use whatever I get in my tax refund and I hope that is what finishes it off. My return is complicated this year because I own a house, have renters, donations, etc. and I’m making a special trip home this month to have my CPA dad take care of them. I used to file my taxes by myself and he’d glance over them if I asked.
Can your dad look at mine too? LOL [-SM]
Do you have enough to pay your bills?
How’s your debt reduction going?
Are your utility bills going up? My gas bill was $143 last month, now it’s $152, so I’m just going to die a slow and sudden death.
Did your boss make you wish you had a f*ck you fund this week?
Are your kids eating you out of house and home? What the heck does that mean anyway?
Did your husband buy a new electronic toy that wasn’t in the budget?
I need new tires, but why do they cost so MUCH? *faint*
Do you miss real hip hop as much as I do? Oh wait, that’s not money related.
Ok, how ’bout this? What ya think about the mob bust in NY? Arresting a bunch of senior citizens for crimes committed since the ’70s. LOL The Gabino family is no joke, ya heard! I bet ya their great-grandchildren are well trained to take over the operations. LOL
Is anybody on C.A.S.H. (Clothes, Accessories, and Shoes Hiatus) with Well Heeled?
Are your investments rebounding from last month?
How are the rate drops affecting your savings strategy?
Did you file your taxes yet? Do you owe or will you get a refund?
You copied all the questions but didn’t answer any of them. LOL [-SM]
I filed my taxes and even though I increased my exemptions considerably (from 2 to 7), I’m still getting a pretty hefty refund…. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying.
Yay! I love drawings!! My story is that I did my fiance’s taxes this week and discovered that he didn’t change his withholding like I told him to last year!! I reminded him twice to do it, at which point he got annoyed because I was ‘nagging’. Wah. Well, he never did it, and now he owes a crapton of money. BLECH!
Hardheaded men! *smh* My mama used to say a hard head makes a soft behind. Well, the IRS is about to show him what that means. LOL [-SM]
I get paid on Monday. That’s basically my bills paycheck, so almost everything will come out of that. Whee.
And I am gleefully awaiting my federal return. It should hit on 2/15 or so. (I owe about $9 to VA, but that’s not getting pulled until 5/1. Why pay it early?)
5/1? Aren’t taxes due on 4/15? [-SM]
And since I was on a CASH hiatus for most of 2007, I’m not feeling bad about the clothes and shoes I’ve bought in 2008. My new flats make me grin whenever I wear them.
Shoes? Did someone say shoes? I haven’t had a new pair, in like…over a month! I haven’t been shopping in all of 2008. *faint* [-SM]
Are your utility bills going up?
Good grief, yes. Don’t assume you are going to save on utlilty bills by taking in a roommate, especially when they just moved out of the dorms for the first time. Hah!
Have a great weekend!
For the first time ever, I am planning to put my my tax refund towards my e-fund, and at the ripe age of 50+, am even thinking of not letting U.S. hang on to extra tax payments during the year…because I have some discipline! And I won’t go out and spend it (well, most of it anyway)!
I am on schedule to pay down my debt by end of summer and trust myself to do both..i think of your post on keeping your focus and commitment and it makes me motivated! yeah! Wish I had a bigger clothes budget tho :- /
I’m glad to hear my posts have motivated you. [-SM]
I am proud to have set up a new savings system to also start saving for miscellaneous yearly expenses, car insurance, car repair, property taxes, etc. Last year I didn’t plan well enough for them and wasted too much time wondering which pot the money would come from. Now it’s got it’s own special account. I feel less stressed already.
I will get a refund on federal taxes, probably owe state taxes.
Utility bills were way high last month, so I’ve started lowering the thermostat and wearing more layers. Except I started taking longer showers, so it will probably all balance out in the end.
I have no desire to buy a house but know I will someday and now starting to save for downpayment. Any advice on best ways to go about it, target amount to save, balancing retirement saving with downpayment savings would be great. I am 25 and am amazed how far I’ve come teaching myself about money. Even though I’m not big balling yet, I am taking care of myself and that’s all I’ve ever dreamed of! Have a great day!
Depends on where you live, how much you earn, how much house you can afford, and when you plan to buy. 20% is the ideal downpayment, 10% salary is the ideal savings contribution for big ticket items, and short term savings are typically held in high yield liquid savings accounts (i.e. online or money market). I commend you for having the foresight to plan for retirement and a home downpayment at age 25. You’re light years ahead of your peers and well on your way to a bright financial future. [-SM]
Starting just yesterday, I am saving all my receipts so I can get a budget into place.
I was talking with a co-worker today about her daughter and how she’s just getting out on her own…and how spending $40 seems like the end of the world (well, her budget, really) to her where we blow $40 at the drop of the hat. And don’t even blink an eye!
If you spend $40 at the drop of the hat without thinking twice about it, you are truly blessed. For non-necessities, even $10 make me do a double take. [-SM]
Did I get paid today?
Yes, one a surprise dd, and one expected.
Money that is on my mind is this- my minivan died.
Looking at used, late model Dodge Caravans.
Do I go with the 2006 ugly *ss one with 40k miles and a 48k/3 year warranty for around $16k?
Or upgrade to a shiny pretty 2007 with 17k miles, one year warranty, color I want, lots of extras, starting at 19k?
Bought the last van new- swore I would never do that again because the kids ruined it. My 2000 van still looks new on the outside, but inside, clean but looks like a stain bomb went off.
I choose neither. I’d get my 2000 van detailed for a few hundred dollars and keep on trucking with my kids in tow. [-SM]
I shoulda spent the $15 on a flu shot…ugh.
Wow, that one little sentence was packed with a strong message. $15 is a drop in the bucket. Why do we do that to ourselves? I’m so sorry and I hope you feel better soon. It’s going around my office too. Fingers crossed it skips me. Ugh. [-SM]
I get paid once a month. All my bills are paid and because I finally paid off an outstanding debt, I have “extra -extra” money. LOL
I’ve got to call my insurance company to see why my insurance increased from 76 to 96 dollars. I’m not liking those numbers.
I saw a another smaller laptop (with all the spec I want) today in BB for a great price but N.O.P.E I will not buy it. Why? Because it’s not in my financially plan. I’m on an aggressive saving plan because starting in August I will be back in school full time, I have no plans to work full time and that shiny new laptop just doesn’t seem worth it. Besides, the one I have now is barely 2 years old.
I shop mostly when I think about my love, who is currently deployed. He’ll be home in April so my impulse purchases will come to a halt.
I hope your honey returns to you safely…and very soon. [-SM]
Speaking of a f*ck you fund–I’m a freelancer and I fired my crappiest client today. The one who complains mightily about everything and criminally underpays me. BUH BYE, pal!
My utilities are criminal. I pay $603/month for oil heat (that’s on a fixed budget plan, 10 months a year). My old house is too big. So just think, it could be worse! You could be an idiot like me in a huge Victorian house in a cold area.
Whoa, umm…I don’t even know what to say about that. [-SM]
Hey Single Ma.
Most bills were paid last week.
It’s almost been a week and I haven’t gone to the grcoery store.
I usually go everyday; so that’s a big deal.
Good luck with the coupons. I clip them all the time; but somehow they never make it to the store with me.
HA HA that last part is what I’m afraid of too. LOL [-SM]
HI! I am taking July & Aug. off because after being home with my kids as a nanny and running in home daycare for last 10 years, I am going to start a job outside the home in Sept. I need to have health insurance and start saving for retirement and buying a house. My in home daycare does none of these (but it has kept me home with them all these years.) Belive me though other than Great Adventure and free stuff we will not be spending any extra money this summer. I will also still work my regular Sat, night job in the summer, plus I work two half days teaching social skills to autistic kids in summer as well. But for the most part will just get to hang with my kids. I have never been able to do this, but feel it is important with me going to work outside the home.