I took the GRE last year and applied for a fee waiver. I didn't get it but I was able to take the test at a reduced rate. I am just now getting the refund check! WOO-HOO! So into my account it goes and back out to pay a bill!

I have read Dave Ramsey's book and really enjoyed it. I've also listened to his show and got some wonderful advice and ideas.

I just stumbled across this new method called the Debt Avalanche

I got a ticket in the mail. Apparently I ran a red light on 3/29, I didn't get the ticket til yesterday and owe them $100 by 5/31. There's no way for me to contest it because they have me on camera AND video,lol.

Am I wrong to think that they should at least give you 30days notice to come up with that amount of money?? UGH.

So now I have to re-arrange some things because I don't want to incur any fees on that.

Moral of the story. There are cameras everywhere, be careful.

I owe Sprint $250.47. I discontinued my services because I lost my job and didn't have a way to keep up the monthly payments. I received a notice in the mail today saying I could settle the account for $125.24, 50% of the balance. And they say they will consider the balance settled in full. I wonder does this mean they will notate my account on my credit report that it's paid in full?

I remember Dave Ramsey saying that he didn't think settling was good because you aren't owning up to the full amount you owe. While I understand that, isn't the goal to be debt free by any means necessary?

I checked my balance on one of my student loans today.

$261.00

I will admit, I make the payments every (or every other month)month and never paid attention to the declining balance. I am PLEASANTLY surprised at the fact that I actually have enough money to PAY THIS OFF!!

*throws confetti in the air*

I honestly don't know what to do with myself. I may have to call Dave Ramsey and tell him the good news!

I signed up for this service to find a sitter for my son.

1. They charged me the $40 enrollment fee two times. I emailed customer service and was told that the $40 would be returned to my account.

2. They charged me a renewal fee on Monday of $25 two times.

When I check my billing statements on their website it shows that I've been charged once. Talk about innacurracy. The woman who responds to my inquiries makes it seemm like I'm not telling the truth when I can copy and paste the information from my bank account.

UGH!

I got my stimulus check today.

$637.

Where did it go?
$300 to CitiFinancial Auto
$112 towards a pedicure/facial for my mother (mother's day gift)
$80 to Citibank
$100 to Wells Fargo
Total: $592. Gone in 60 seconds.

It was fun while it lasted.

Ugh.

I have been waiting for about 2.5 months for my GRE fee waiver to come through. I was super excited because I thought I'd be saving $130. Well my application for graduate school was DUE JUNE 1st. Classes start August 27th. It's JULY and I have no friggin' waiver. So I had to go into my bank account and spend $140 to register for the test, I'm taking it Wednesday. Granted this is not a splurge, I need to take this exam but it was money I had not planned to spend and I was angry. But the important thing is that this speeds up my application review which means I can go ahead and lay down concrete plans for the fall.

Now I have $57 until next Friday. Which is fine, I have half a tank of gas which should last me all week, I have food to each, my son has food and diapers. And I can't pay any bills until Friday anyway. I just dont like surprises.

I realize more and more every day that most folks are only a paycheck away from being homeless. Myself included. It seems that I can't get ahead, or can I?

Early Monday morning I notice that my son is BURNING up. I take his temp and its 101. I freak out because in the 6.5 mos he's been alive he's never had a fever. Trip to the ER...motrin and tylenol later, we are back home. But I had to take Monday and Tuesday off to be with him. Not that I'm complaining. I'm not particularly thrilled with my job and he's sick so I want to be with him. Now I'm frantic about the ER bill. Granted I have insurance but I already owe the hospital like 2gs that I have no way of paying back right now.

I guess I need to get out of my rut. Stop saying "I'm going to" and DO. I need to be a lot more proactive about my financial situation. It's not going to fix itself.

http://consumerist.com/consumer/clips/snl-skit-dont-buy-stuff-you-cant-afford-252491.php

HILARIOUS!

I've lived in Florida for almost 2 years and I haven't really worried natural disasters. Until now. The air is coated with smoke..smells like wood chips. And since hurricane season starts June 1...I need to get a kit. I also have been debating getting renters insurance. Everyone says its inexpensive so I will contact GEICO for a quote...I guess it'll be worth it versus havign to replace all my stuff. And I need to do it before something happens.

This morning...8am to be exact I met with a counselor from CCCS. I have about 3grand in credit card debt that he said would take me 2 years to pay off at about $150 a month. I'm thinking about doing it because I realize that the only thing that will help my credit score is making payments every month...just have to figure out where the extra $150 a month will come from.

My business is already taking off! I have scheduled a gathering on March 31st! I am expecting between 7-10 folks to enjoy my pampering products and BUY stuff. *thinking happy thoughts*

I recently switched credit unions and my new account has FREE bill payer. The last one charged $7 a month and I never used it. So I set it up to pay my car note, I'm excited! I think I will add the rest of my bills on there later, saves me time, postage and late fees.

I started my spending journal. I spent a grand total of $10 yesterday. I am gonna try to see if I can go a whole week without spending ANY money. I also returned $34 worth of baby clothes to Walmart that my son doesn't need...they were just cute! I have a bunch of random cash that I am going to deposit back into my account so I am not tempted to spend it.

I'm constantly trying to figure out a way to make more money...thinking about becoming a notary...hoping that I can get my job to pay for it!