Random Fabulous Financials
My mortgage company approved my request to delete escrow, so now I can pay my own property taxes and hazard insurance. BUT – my first tax bill was due on December 1st and I just found out yesterday. Not off to a great start, huh? I have until December 31st to pay without penalties or interest. Whew!
Over the course of 2009, my financial software tells me that (on average) I spend the following every month:
- $2,000 on bills – expected
- $2,400 in savings – nice
- $700 on personal & entertainment – I should cut back but I know I won’t
- $135 on gifts – one gift for my mama increased the ‘real’ average
None of this surprises me. My financial life is so predictable.
I failed my cash only experiment. I’m connected to Amex and USAA at the hip. I may have to be really desperate before I give up my credit cards.
After 3 months of indoctrination, I think I like my new job. I can see myself working here for a very long time.
My Christmas shopping is almost done. I just need two more things – something Dora or Tinkerbell and a F21 gift card.
BabyGirl said she didn’t want anything for Christmas. Ha, yea right!
An office holiday party that cost $50 for lunch during office hours and with a cash bar. Are you serious?
Some elite schools are replacing all loans with grants in financial aid packages for undergraduate students, regardless of income. If we get into school #2 (my preferred #1 choice), my worries may be ova!
What random financials are on your mind today?
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Have you read the Fabulous Financials comment policy lately?
DH told me he’s going gift shopping today. We have a budget, he usually goes over (not by a lot, but still …). Makes me NERVOUS!!
Whew. Feel much better. Was going to post that on Twitter but he follows me so …. I usually freak out around the holidays, even though we put gift money aside every month. I refer to January as holiday hangover month.
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hmmm
im going into the new year green 1,500 in savings – Congrats! [-SM]
debt reduction per month will be 1,000 – Cool. [-SM]
giving increase 400 (for 3 months) doing a giving challenge – Do you blog? I’d love to hear more about this. [-SM]
bills and expenses including entertainment 800 – Wow, your monthly expenses are low! It’s all relative of course. [-SM]
praying for Debt freedom by December 2010! – You can do it! What’s your plan? [-SM]
[Reply]
Hi SM,
I’ve spent the last couple of weeks reading through your archives and just got done!
You are such an inspirational woman, and as a result I am even more motivated to soar in my career now. It’s been amazing reading your journey over the last few years, and I hope you continue to blog.
-Tol
Cool, glad you’ve enjoyed reading about my journey! Can’t wait to hear about yours. [-SM]
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random financials on my mind:
Deposit for the house
Shopping for intimates and food items
budget for xmas gifts for the nieces
my book budget for christmas reading.
Book budget for reading…aaahhh never considered a budget for that, but I sure need to limit myself these days. [-SM]
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I’m confused. It looks like the elimination of loans will only be for LOW income students. Surely BG would not qualify?????
You might want to read the entire page. [-SM]
[Reply]
Hey SM!!
My blog I just started it a week ago to journal my last year (prayerfully) in debt. I am currently working the dave ramsey snowball and have paid off 20,000 in two years making 28,000 a year. Its all been a blessing and next year im gonna go hard and knock the rest of this debt out!!
Thanks for sharing your blog I love it!!
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Nope, still don’t get it SM. Although you state that “Some elite schools are replacing all loans with grants in financial aid packages for undergraduate students, regardless of income,” the link clearly states LOW INCOME. Anyway, there was no reason for you to be so rude & snarky in your comment, it was simply a question. I asked only because I thought it would apply to me in the future. I guess you only like comments from people who fawn over how smart & great you are.
My comment – “you might want to read the entire page” – was not rude or snarky. It was a recommendation to read the ENTIRE page, which I see you still did not. The only other option is to copy and paste everything for you and I’m not going to do that.
Re: your last statement, did that make you feel better? [-SM]
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