Togetherness

Well, I completed one full week at my new job. It's quite an adjustment. The commute means less time in the morning to do some of the chores I was doing. I didn't realize I was working at home before I went to work. Oh, well.

Earlier this week my husband joined the gym. This fascinates me because he has no job. Anway, he said he might like to start weight training. I told him he was welcome to come with me one evening. So tonight was the night. He is a rookie. I don't think he's done any weight training in his life. But I must say I enjoyed the company. It is true that working out with a buddy is more fun than working out alone. He kept saying he was helping me prepare for when I get my first client. Funny guy that husband of mine.

Come on and take a free ride

Today I had my trial ride on the commuter van. I had to be at the lot at 6:30 this morning. I was a little early because I didn't want to miss it. I got on van and met the driver and one other passenger. She is the van coordinator. I had spoken to her yesterday to set up my trial ride. We drove to another commuter lot to pick up two more passengers. The driver and these two people work at the same company. Evidentally, there is one other passenger who was not on the van today. He works for the Government. He will be on the van tomorrow. Everyone was very friendly and really seemed to want this to work out for me. We listened to Christmas music on the way to work and on the way home. Perhaps that will help me get into the Christmas spirit.

When I got on the van, I felt a calm come over me. I didn't have that tense white knuckle feeling that I have when I get on the interstate in my car to drive the 30 miles into the city. The ride home was even better. I almost fell asleep in the back seat! I get another free ride tomorrow, but I'm going to sign up. I was in my office by 7:15 and home by 5:30. I feel like I lowered my stress level from 10 to 2.

The Creative Festival of Frugality

If you found your way here from the Festival of Frugality Mixed Tape Edition...Welcome and thanks for stopping by. An extra special thanks to Cheap Healthy Good for hosting and creating the musical theme!

I enjoyed all of the posts at this Festival, but here are my three favorites.

The Good Life on a Budget explains how she saved more than 50% shopping on Black Friday. I never go out on Black Friday. I always think it's going to be too crowded and that everything will be picked over. Well, my mind is now changed. Next year you'll see me out early and looking for the deals.

After shopping vicariously through Good Life, I clicked over to Finance and Fat for my mantra reminder: Live below your means.

Finally, I love the warm weather. In fact, a dream of mine is to live where the temperature never gets below 80 degrees. Lazy Man shares how economical it is to visit Aruba. I'll definitely put it on my list of items to budget for.

Well, thanks again for stopping by and much gratitude to Cheap Healthy Good for hosting!

The Giving Tree

Yesterday at church the Giving Tree was up and decorated with tags that represent children from our less fortunate sister parish in the city. When my children came to church with me, I would encourage them to select a tag and use their money to purchase a gift for the child they selected. Since they no longer choose to come to church, I select the tags for them and encourage them to purchase a gift.

Well, yesterday there were additional tags on the tree. They looked nothing like the "give an unwrapped toy" tags. While I was supposed to be listening to the profound sermon, I found myself distracted by the new tags. I always sit in the first pew, directly in front of the tree. So I was staring intensely, trying to figure out what the new tags were. Then one tag that was partially opened jumped out at me. The inside read:

Mary Smith (not her real name) needs a coat, sweater, hat, and gloves size 10.

Can you feel my heart melting? How could I leave that tag on the tree now? Mary needs winter wear. I read it. I can't just ignore it. Now, I have to select Mary's tag and give her the gift of warmth this winter, don't I?

There should be no dilemma, should there? But there is. Should I just go to the big W or big T and purchase a nice ensemble for Mary? Or should I go all out and go to an upscale children's store and get something extra nice for Mary? My debt shackle release program tells me that I should research this, compare it to my budget and be sensible about my purchase. But my heart is telling me that poor little Mary has probably never had a high-end winter ensemble and even though I really shouldn't stretch my budget this way, she deserves it.

What should I do?????????????????????????

Frugality Continues in the Workplace

It's so easy to think about savings, spending less, and being environmentally friendly at home. However, these are habits that must be cultivated. As such, it's important that these principles carry over into all areas of our lives including our jobs.

So I would like to share with you the opportunities that I have to practice these habits at my new job. I used to work at a firm and now I work at a Company. This Company is void of perks, such as free coffee, teabags, and bottled water. If I would like a beverage, I have to buy it in the little coffee shop or the cafeteria in the Plaza. There are two vending machines on the my floor. One for junk food and the other for soda and water.

There was a time when I would have thought nothing of purchasing refreshments to the tune of $5 to $10 per day. But now that I'm on my shackle release program, this is a super huge deal to me. I drink 2-3 cups of coffee every day. At $1.64 per 16 ounce cup of coffee or tea, that would be nearly $5 per day or $25 per week or $100 per month. Yikes! That would be $100 that I'm taking from my debt snowball -- not a chance!! Not to mention how many disposable cups, plastic lids, and sleeves that I would use if I were to purchase coffee daily.

Let's talk about bottled water. My goal is to drink at least 64 ounces of water every day. Hmm. Let's think about this. If I buy three 20 ounce bottles of water from the vending machine (no tax there, but tax at the coffee shop) at $1.25 per bottle that would be $3.75 each day, $18.75 each week, $75 each month. What did I say before...Yikes!

So here's my plan. Today, I purchased a 4-cup coffee maker and a pound of coffee for work. I'm also taking my favorite mug with me. The savings will be nearly $175 per month.

The last thing I'd like to share with you is my commute. Now I will be commuting about 60 miles round trip. Up until now, driving that alone would not have been a big deal to me, but it is now. I've decided to join a van pool. My parking expense is going to be $90 per month if I drive. I think that money would be better spent in another area of my life, don't you. Say, for example, my shackle release program. I drive an economical car, but it still needs gas. Joining the van pool would be a savings on gas and on the environment. There will be less fumes in the air from my vehicle. Something I always forget about is wear and tear on the car and additional miles on the car. My husband says that I will pay more in car insurance if I drive the longer commute, but that I may be eligible for additional discounts if I van pool.

So need I say more? Providing my own refreshments and joining the van pool helps me spend less, potentially save more, and leave a smaller carbon footprint.

C2

My son is 16. He has his learner's permit and is taking driver's ed right now. As you can imagine, he is ulta-eager to get his license. I suppose this is a good thing. He doesn't say much, but I would imagine that having his driver's license will give him a feeling of independence. For his dad, his sister, and me it will mean less chauffeuring.

Before I made the commitment to move beyond the shackles of debt, I planned to take out a car loan and buy myself a car. Then I was going to give him my car to drive. But now that I am an avid blog enthusiast and someone who is committed to paying cash for purchases, I've had a change of heart. I recently told C2 that if he would save $1,000 by his birthday, which is at the end of June, that he could purchase my car for the $1,000. He has a job and by my calculation, this is doable for him.

I have also decided two things when it comes to transportation for myself. First, this coming week I'm going to research using a van pool for transportation to work. I know there is a fee, but I'm hoping that it will be less than the $90 a month it costs to park in the city. I will also save on gas by using a van pool. Second, the $250 that I was paying to my credit card that I just paid off is now going to a car fund. I've also added $50 to that, making the total to my car fund $300 per month. If all goes as planned, by the end of June I should have $3,100 towards the purchase of a vehicle for myself. And as you all know, I will be buying used.

How am I doing?

It's been a very hectic week. I started my new job on Monday and then yesterday was Thanksgiving (whew)! Last Friday, I made a total of the amount I had spent this month. I'll tell you, this budgeting thing takes time and commitment. Plus it's a work in progress!

Anyway, as of November 16, I spent a total of $1,371. My income was $1640. I took $100 from my pay as cash for discretionary, which left me with $149 in my account until this Friday. The largest expense was groceries, which was $501. I spend about $70 every two weeks on supplements and I include that amount in groceries.

As for my debt reduction, I paid off one credit card using retirement savings. I'm relieved that I don't have that debt, but emotionally I feel that I should make a plan to pay that back. My normal debt reduction activites were the $250 to my remaining credit card and $100 to the medical expense. I've updated my financial freedom chart on the sidebar through today.

I am so inclined to say forget this, but I think about how disciplined I was when preparing to compete. I know I need that same commitment and focus to release my debt shackles and become financially lean and strong.

A Trip to the Carvnival

If you are stopping by from the Carnival of Money Stories hosted by living off dividends: Welcome! Thank you for visiting! I hope you enjoyed my Bill Me Later post.

There were many excellent posts at the Carnival this week. I totally relate to the piece submitted by Millionaire Mommy Next Door. My husband is unemployed right now. I often worry about what may happen if he isn't working soon. I sincerely wish the reader who wrote in all the best.

Becoming & Staying Debt Free's post How to be a debt free shopper reminded me of the time many years ago when I went to the grocery store with a $100 bill. I only needed eggs and I had no list. I spent the entire $100. I agree that we should make a list for Christmas shopping. I am proud to say that I have a list and a budget for Christmas gifts this year. It's a first for me. What about you? Do you have a list and a budget for Christmas?

Finally, there are the Simple Habits that Lead to Wealthbuilding posted at Wealthbuilding World. In my journey to free myself from the shackles of debt, I am working hard to develop these habits: save, invest, and delay gratification.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you enjoyed the Carninval of Money Stories.

The Country Club

I think the first day at my new job went well. Our office is on the top floor of the building and my cubby looks out over the highway and the river. It's a great view! Do you know how sometimes you just know you made the right decision? It's just a feeling in your heart or deep in your soul. That's the feeling I have about this job. I feel like this job has been waiting for me. I want to bring plant to the office and spruce up my area. I feel blessed.

I left the job at the country club. One might ask, "Why leave a job at the country club?" I left because I was seeking opportunity--that's the main reason. It was a country club because there were perks that I didn't realize were perks. For example, a coffee maker on every floor. That meant free coffee. Bottled water on every floor. That meant free bottled water. Reimbursement for parking.

For me opportunity outweighed the perks. I think I'm going to like my new job!

My First Day

I was born in the south in the town that my parents called home. My dad was drafted into the army before I was born, so I spent my childhood moving from place to place. When I tell people this, they always remark, "Oh, you're an army brat!" I guess that's right.

I have three younger brothers. Each of us was born in a different place. One brother was born in the northeast, one in the Carribean, and one in Europe. Whenever it was time to move, my mom made it sound like it was going to be this great adventure. We were always so excited because we were going to experience a new city, state, or country. We always looked forward to making new friends. It always sounded wonderful. And from what I can remember, it was always wonderful.

Today is my first day at my new job. Whenever I have a first day, I think of my mom and her enthusiasm about change. Am I nervous? A little. But I am also excited about the possibility of being in a new place, meeting new people, and experiencing this new adventure.

Those Expensive Frames

When my husband lost his job in September, we lost our benefits. That meant that I had to sign up through my work or we'd have to go on COBRA. When I met with the human resources director to go over the information she told me that vision was covered by the health insurance company. She's the director of human resources. She's part of the decision-making team for the firm. Who was I to question her or call the insurance company to confirm that this was good information?

Yesterday was my last day working at this firm, which means that we will be uninsured until December 1. I decided to get my eyes examined and get new glasses before leaving because it has been a number of years since I've been to the eye doctor. I went on Tuesday with the understanding that I wasn't going to have to pay anything.

Well, how wrong was I? While I was waiting to see the doctor, the eyeglasses sales person suggested that I pick out my frames, with her help, of course. So I start trying on frames. I wasn't paying attention to the prices of the frames. Then I picked the frames I liked the best. I'm still thinking that I'm not going to have to pay any money and that all of this is covered by my health insurance.

I was very wrong. None of my $688 frames, coating, and prescription is covered. In fact, the $135 eye exam itself isn't covered. The doctor's office is going to submit the bill to the insurance company. It's not going to matter. When I got home, I pulled out the paperwork, and it's not covered.

Then I thought to myself I should cancel the glasses, ask for the prescription and then go to the big W or the big T for frames. Here's where you know I am still in denial...but I really, really like the frames that I picked out. So I'm going to let this ride. I do have an HSA that I can use to pay for those expensive frames.

Becoming financially healthy is a challenge. I know now that I have to be sure of what my benefits are before I go to the doctor. The eye doctor said he wants me to have three tests. I made the young woman at the desk write down the names of these tests because when I get my insurance at my new job I'm going to ask if they are covered expenses. If they aren't covered, I'm going to call the doctor's office to see how much they cost so that I can budget the money.

Some frugal hacker I am. Will I ever learn?

Procrastination

Yes, procrastination. For some people it's television. For others it's video games. And still for others it's perusing catalogs. But for me it's Spider Solitaire. That's right...Spider Solitaire. I could sit for hours playing that silly game. I rarely win. Yet I continue to play and play and play. When I finally stop it's because my arm hurts. I look at the clock and berate myself for spending, oh, no, wasting so much time playing Spider Solitaire.

Yesterday was my last day at the firm. I had one remaining vacation day, so I took today off. Monday I start my new job. But today is my day. Because I snowflake on the weekend, I thought I could use this day as a declutter day. Earlier this week, I committed to decluttering my closet. So that's my goal. This evening I'm celebrating my departure from my old job with a few friends and then going to C2's football game. It's the junior varsity conference championship game. My son's team is undefeated.

I'll bet you're wondering what all of this has to do with Spider Solitaire? Up until now, a day like today would be procrastination day. I would make my task list in my head and then tell myself I was going to play one game of Spider Solitaire. Three hours later I would kick myself for spending so much of my valuable time procrastinating.

Today my list is on paper. Writing things down means commitment. Today I commit to conquering Spider Solitaire.

Bill Me Later

Last Christmas I decided that I wanted to buy myself a present. I decided that because it was already after Christmas and my friends and family had already given me gifts. I just didn't think it was appropriate to ask for something else. Plus my birthday is 3 weeks after Christmas, so more presents were coming. :-)

The truth is that I wanted a $200 pair of Ugg boots from Zappos. As you well know by now, I did not have $200 to buy the boots. However, did you know that there is such a thing as Bill Me Later? Well, there is. It was right on the Zappos website right next to the free shipping. It said that if I used Bill Me Later to buy the boots I didn't have to pay for 90 days! Yipee!! So I figured it out. I could use Bill Me Later to get the boots and then I could make a payment every time I got paid and the boots would be paid off within 90 days and I would pay no interest. Am I too smart or what???

Well, my party pooper husband said, "That's still buying on credit." I said, "What are you talking about? I'm not paying any interest!" He tried to explain that not having the money to pay for the boots up front and using Bill Me Later was still like taking a loan and that if I paid it off before the 90 days it was an interest free loan. (He's too smart for me.)

This week I received an e-mail from Bill Me Later. The subject of the e-mail is Important Information about Your Bill Me Later Account. (By the way, I haven't used this account since I bought the boots.) Then it reads:

We're glad to have you as a Bill Me Later customer and we wanted to let you know about an important limited-time benefit that has been added to your account for the holidays. Now through January 15, 2008, we’re giving you a set amount of Holiday Spending Power. Your total Holiday Spending Power is $2,500, and as of 11/12/07, you have $2,500 available for your use.*

How lucky am I that Bill Me Later wants to give me an important limited-time benefit? That's exactly what I need...NOT! Holiday Spending Power? I don't think so. It's more like holiday turn the key in the shackles just a little bit tighter. Up until now, I would have been thrilled to receive some holiday spending power. This year...I'm good. I think I'll pass.

Cars: New vs Used vs No Car

Paid Twice and the M-Network will be discussing this issue this week and Paid Twice has graciously invited bloggers to join in. Thanks, Paid Twice.

When my husband and I were first married, we bought new cars. Probably because we had done no research on purchasing a new vs used car. After the last new car purchase my husband announced that we would not purchase another new car. Of course, now he had done some reading on new vs used.

I went back to work several years ago after being home with my children for 16 years. I announced to my spouse that I was buying a brand new Toyota Corolla. He tried to talk me out of it, but I told him that I had wanted a Corolla when we first got married (at that time I allowed him to talk me out of it) and I was going to buy one. He took me to Enterprise where we once had purchased a used car with only 15,000 miles on it and tried to convince me to buy a used Camry or Avalon. I just wasn't having it!

Earlier this year, my husband bought a used economy car. It's a 2004 and only had about 30,000 miles on it. I think he paid less than $9,000 for it. I thought he got a good deal. I went with him to the lot to purchase this vehicle. While he was completing the paperwork, I was looking at some of the automobiles the dealer had on the lot. One really caught my eye. It was Toyota Camry. It was a silvery-grey color. It had a sun roof and leather seats. It was absolutely beautiful. It looked brand new. I looked at that big print-out that gives you more car details and my mouth dropped! This Camry was a 2002 model. It only had 20,000 miles on it. You will never believe what this car was listed for. I couldn't believe it myself. I had to run back to my car to get my glasses to make sure I was reading the sticker correctly. This silvery-grey 2002 Toyota Camry with a sunroof and leather seats and only 20,000 miles on it was listed for $14,000!

That was the clincher for me. I am a convert. It's used car or no car.

Carnival of Debt Reduction #113

No Credit Needed is hosting this week's Carnival of Debt Reduction. Many thanks to him for hosting, including my post and providing a comment to it. I have much admiration for No Credit Needed. He is debt free and provides helpful tools to those of us who are working hard to become debt free.

To those of you visiting my blog for the first time from the Carnival of Debt Reduction and to all of my regular readers: Welcome!

Two posts on this week's Carnival are very introspective. They are Why are People in Debt at Journey to Financial Freedom and 3 Insidious Causes of Debt at Debt Reduction Formula. I think about why I'm in debt often and I ask myself, "how did I get here and what can I do to get out from under this debt?" Well, My Journey To Eliminate Debt explains just what to do in her post part 3 of a Where Do I Start?

I hope you enjoy these and all the posts on this week's Carnival. Thanks again for stopping by!

International Phone Dictionary Day?

I didn't know it existed, but Happy International Phone Dictionary Day! If you are stopping by from the Carnival of Money Stories, welcome!! I'm honored that you decided to check out my blog. I'm thrilled that my post made it into the Carnival. There are so many great posts. Here are three that caught my eye.

Millionaire Mommy Next Door submitted a post about committing our goals to writing. I totally agree with her. When a goal is in my head, I consider it a dream. When I put it on paper it becomes a reality. Several years ago my spouse and I sold our condo and made a list of about 20 things we wanted to do with the proceeds of the sale. Believe it our not, we accomplished about two-thirds of those items. I really think it's because those tasks were on paper and posted where we could see them every day.

Me vs Debt is cashing in her savings bond. This is going to help her achieve her November goal. This is a story about savings bonds, but here again is an example of committing a goal to paper and making it happen.

Free Money Finance explains how to attend law school without racking up the debt. I will definitely start reading more over at his site. One of my goals is to get my master's degree. I want to find out how I can do it for $5,000.

Well, I hope you enjoy the Carnival. Thanks, BeingFrugal for hosting!

Financial Freedom Account vs Emergency Fund

Recently I wrote about my new commitment to budgeting and keeping track of every penny that I spend. It's actually going well. It's amazing the difference in my attitude just because I'm writing things down. It's as if I've lowered my debt shackle stress level from 10 to about a 7. More about my spending habits later this week.

As I continue working toward developing sound financial habits, I 've been thinking about my financial freedom account. Is it a short term emergency fund or is it my 3-6 months of living expenses fund? I'm thinking that my financial freedom account is the latter.

I do need emergency fund for short-term or immediate emergencies. Otherwise known as things I used to charge on the credit card. Examples that come to mind are car repairs and tires and minor home repairs. In the past medical expenses that weren't covered by the deductible would have been in this category too, but now I have an HSA.

I am going to use my financial freedom account to build up 3-6 months living expenses. This account is already in place and, for now, I deposit $25 every two weeks into this account. Of course, once I am free of the shackles, that deposit will increase. I have yet to open my emergency fund. I am going to do this within the next two weeks. When I gave my notice at work last Monday, I found out that I get paid for any unused sick time at one-half my pay rate. This came as a pleasant surprise. I feel like I'm getting an instant emergency fund!

Inspirational Blogs This Week

I am new to the world of blogs. In fact, I posted my first blog a month ago. Since then I've tried to post at least once a day and I've been reading lots and lots of blogs and carnivals. There are so many carnivals! I think there is a carnival for every subject. Last week I did submit an article to the Carnival of Debt Reduction. This week I didn't submit any and next week I am submitting 2 articles to 2 different carnivals: Debt Reduction and Money Stories. I hope they all make the cut.

I was inspired by so many postings this week, but here are 4 blog articles that I found particularly inspirational this week.

At A Penny Closer, Melissa explains that she is a person of her word and that Don't Get Me a gift really means don't get me a gift.
Cynthia over at debt-marathon is fortunate that she and her husband had a dialog before going into debt for a computer for her father-in-law.
Here are two couples building their relationships on honesty and openness. What's better than that?
Fat and Finance's article on Deadlines and Burritos is one that I can relate to. I often eat to relieve stress.
Finally, I really enjoyed Golbguru's illustration of cashflow for dummies. Up until now my cashflow has been exactly like his first three examples. Now I am aiming for #7!

A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

How true is that? I finally sat down and put together a budget. I asked my spouse to look at it, make changes, and plug in his numbers. He said that he would and then he told me he already had a budget on his msmoney. I said, "You never told me that." He said, "You never asked." Touche.

I have discovered that a budget is a work in progress. I compare it to fitness and weight loss. I'm going to have to constantly work at it. It's perpetual.

There are 12 expense categories on our spreadsheet, but only 8 apply to just me.

Debt
Food
Giving
Insurance
Investment
Personal
Savings
Transportation

Because I have been lax in tracking my spending, (all right, I've never tracked it) I took a look at my bank accout for October to plug in the figures. In October I spent approximately $2,284. My net income from my full-time job and my snowflaking job was $2,891. That means at the end of October I should have had $607 left over. I never saw it. Where is it??????? Where did it go??????? I'ts no wonder these debt shackles are so constricting.

Perhaps I should begin tracking my spending right now! What do you think?

Risky Business

In an earlier post I mentioned that my husband is out of work. He lost his job in September. Unfortunately, that was the spark I needed to get serious about my financial health and my future. I told him this. Also, I explained my plan to him. I told him that I was going to pay down my debt by June 30, 2009 and then I would begin working to help him pay down his debt. I figure that using the snowball method the only debt we should have by the end of 2010 is the mortgage and home equity.

Well, a couple of weeks ago I came home from my snowflaking job and he asked me if I had a few minutes to talk. I said I did. Then he said, "Tell me how much you owe on your credit card because I'm going to take some of the retirement money and pay it off." I took a real deep breath. Then I asked, "Are you sure you want to do that?" I reminded him (like I really needed to) that he's not working and that maybe it would be better if we waited until he was employed again to discuss this just in case we need that money to pay the mortgage, heat or electricity. He replied, "No, let's just do it." I always remind him that I look like I have a lot of debt compared to my income because of the mortgage, the home equity, and we have a joint credit card that I've never used but he always uses. He said that this way since I'm job searching if a prospective employer checks my credit (which we know has happened) it won't look so bleak.

The next day I sent him an e-mail with the balances on the two credit cards that I have. One I had closed at the end of September and the other is still open, but I don't use it. In fact, I'm seriously considering closing that one too. He said to take the money from our joint checking and pay down one of them. So I did. I paid down the one that I had closed.

My spouse is ultra, ultra conservative. He rarely takes risks. So you can imagine my surprise when he suggested this risky business.

Crazy Eights

I've decided to tag three more people for this meme. That will be 8 bloggers tagged. I figured since this is called Crazy Eights I should tag 8 people.

So I'm including Borrower Servant Lender, Me and My Marbles, and Green Panda Treehouse.

I've been tagged for my first meme!

jvw over at The Good Life on a Budget tagged my for my first meme! I am very excited. Thanks, jvw!

This meme is called Crazy Eights. It's kind of involved. I really had to think about some of these things, but I think I've got it together.

8 Things I'm Passionate About
1. My spouse
2. My daugter
3. My son
4. Fitness
5. Nutrition
6. My shackle release program
7. Warm weather
8. The beach

8 Things I Say Often

1. To my family: Love you lots
2. To my children: Be safe, good judgment, best behavior, have fun
3. At work: How may I help you today?
4. To my spouse: ...and one more thing.
5. Instead of Good-bye: Make it a great day!
6. To Congratulate: Continued success!
7. In response to "no way!": Way!
8. To myself: If it's to be, it's up to me!

8 Books I've Read Recently

1. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
2. The ACE Training Manual
3. Google for Dummies
4. Web Design for Dummies
5. Positive Thinking Every Day by Norman Vincent Peale (this is daily reading)
6. Second Chair by Lohn Lescoart
7. Orchid Beach by Stuart Woods
8. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

8 Things I want to do before I die

1. Live to be 100 so that I can receive my letter from the President
2. Live in Hawaii
3. Visit an historically inn and spa in every state and have at least 2 spa treatments
4. Speak Spanish fluently
5. Earn a master's degree
6. Earn a PhD.
7. Become a personal trainer and nutritionist
8. Become a professional bodybuilder (very expensive sport)

8 Songs I can Listen to Over and Over

1. Any song by Earth, Wind, & Fire
2. Lost Without You by Robin Thicke
3. I'm Bringing Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake
4. Any song on Michael Jackson's Thriller album
5. Fantasy by Mariah Carey
6. Celebrate by Kool & the Gang
7. Bills, Bills, Bills by Destiny's Child
8. You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin

8 Things That Attract me to My Friends
1. Honesty
2. Sense of Humor
3. Non competitive
4. Good Listener
5. Good Talker
6. Understands that time apart is all right.
7. Loyal
8. Trustworthy

8 Things I Learned This Past Year
1. I can only focus on one big goal at a time.
2. Spend less than you earn.
3. Blogging is a fun way to express yourself, meet new people and stick to your goals.
4. Bodybuilding is a very expensive sport.
5. Your children have their own minds and are going to do exactly what they want to do whether you like it or not.
6. I am disciplined.
7. Save.
8. Invest.

Now, I'm going to tag Melissa at A Penny Closer, Cynthia's Debt Marathon, Dump the Debt, Mrs. Micah, and Debt Free Revolution

Like fine wine...I'm aging

Last year about this time I received an official-looking letter from the Social Security Administration. It was my Social Security Statement. I opened it up and glanced over it. I asked my spouse (because he's received several of these over the last few years) if I needed to keep it. Since he said that it wasn't really a big deal, I tossed it in the trash.



On Friday, I received another one. This time I decided to review it. It looks like a newsletter and has a lot of explanation about what Social Security means to me and my future. There are two charts in it that totally intrigued me. One is my earnings record. This chart lists my taxed Social Security earnings and my Medicare earnings every year since I started working. The second chart is my estimated benefits. It lists how much income I would receive if I stop working at age 62, age 66 & 8 months (full retirement age), and age 70. Of course, the longer I work, the more I'll make. Believe me when I say that the amount I would receive per month at age 70 is pocket change. It certainly is not enough to maintain my current standard of living even with my new philosophy of spend less than you earn.



I look at this as another wake up call for me. I'm really going to have to put retirement savings on turbo charge!



So here's the plan.



First, the company that I'm going to work for automatically enrolls you in their 401K immediately at a contribution rate of 3%. Thank Goodness for that. I figure they must know my savings track record. :-) I'm going to commit to increasing my contribution to 6% by this time next year. That's the maximum they'll match. Also, I'm going to rollover my profit sharing funds from the firm I work at now into my 401K.



Second, on July 1, 2009 (the day after my complete shackle release) I will begin making the maximum yearly contribution to my Roth IRA.



What a wake-up call. How many do you think I need?

PS I was just talking to my spouse. He's advised me to put my profit sharing in a traditional IRA. He said I'll have more investment options.

I'm getting old, no, I'm aging

On January 15 I will be 50 years old. There. I said it. This year on my birthday, I cried on and off all day long. My spouse was very supportive. He said, "Why are you crying? You're healthy and you look great." You know how I responded. That's right. I said, "You're just saying that to make me feel better!" Then I continued my pity party.


So 50 is rapidly approaching, which means that retirement age is rapidly approaching. Ugh! I feel that funk coming over me again. I don't think the funk is a feeling of sadness as much as it is a feeling of SHOCK. Looking back (you do that a lot when you're approaching the half century mark), I think when I was in my 20s, I was oblivious. Why think about retirement? That is so, so far away. When I was in my 30s and early 40s, I guess I figured this day would come. I just didn't realize that I needed to be prepared for it. But now, 70 doesn't seem that far away.

Anyway, there is a reason for all of this reflection today. I'll get to my point in the next post.

Good News

Good News!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was offered the job and I accepted. Unless I fail the background check, I start on November 19. Good News!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know I always tell you that I'm from way, way back in the day. Well, applying for a job is nothing like it was back then. First, I applied online. I'm amazed that my resume was selected as one that the supervisor should review.

Second, there's this background check, which includes a credit check. I always pay my bills on time. In fact, I have never been late or missed a payment. I don't know whether that is something to be proud of or not. I do have a lot of debt as all of you know. And quite frankly I am embarassed that it is now going to be exposed.

We all discuss the many, many reasons we want to become debt free. An employer doing a credit check now ranks very high among my reasons to release the shackles of debt.

Second Interview

I mentioned in a previous post that I had interviewed for a new job. That was about a week an a half ago. Well, yesterday I sent a follow-up e-mail, inquiring as to whether or not I was still being considered. The person I interviewed with e-mailed back and said that I was. She said that I should be hearing from the administrative assitant. Then she e-mailed me again to ask if I would be willing to participate in a telephone interview. Of course, I said, "Of course!"

Today I had the telephone interview with two people. One is the head of the group and the other is counterpart to the woman who would be my supervisor. I thought that the interviews went well. I felt good about them. The job sounds like something I want to do.

I guess you're wondering what this has to do with releasing my debt shackles. I'm not sure. But I think that this job would pay more because it's in the city and it's with a major corporation. It would also be like a promotion. Plus I'm ready for a change.