http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php This is a forum to support followers of Dave Ramsey in getting out of debt and building wealth. en Sat, 13 Mar 2010 11:12:57 GMT vBulletin 120 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2251 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:13:24 GMT I printed off an amortization table so we can cross of our balances as we make snowball payments. I made our first snowball payment this past Monday and will be able to make the second one for the... I printed off an amortization table so we can cross of our balances as we make snowball payments. I made our first snowball payment this past Monday and will be able to make the second one for the month at the end of March. I am not sure if we will continue to make extra payments twice in the month or just once, but for this first month I was too excited to just hold onto the money and wait. We have a long road ahead of us - 33 months.

I did buy one thing this month that was completely not Compact-ish. In November I received (2) $50 gift cards from work for a project that I really bent over backwards finishing for a client. In the letter with my gift cards my boss wrote that he wanted me to use one gift card to buy a new iPod shuffle since he knew my old one had recently broken. I have been hem-hawing about how to use the gift cards and decided last weekend to go ahead and buy the Shuffle since I really like running with music. I am now the proud owner of a new hot pink iPod shuffle. The other gift card we'll use for our garden. The total cost of the item was $60, so we used $10 from our entertainment budget to cover the remaining. ]]> Boston340 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2251 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2250 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:18:25 GMT wow, today is the 4th anniversary of our house flooding, otherwise known as the worst day of my life. I always start to flip out during the entire month of March every year, it seems like we... wow, today is the 4th anniversary of our house flooding, otherwise known as the worst day of my life.

I always start to flip out during the entire month of March every year, it seems like we always have that really hard rain that we had when it flooded and it brings back the panic, the helplessness, the memories. We had that rain yesterday morning. Today it is raining again, but thankfully not hard. I love rainy days, just not in March lol.

For 4 years now we've been fighting in court over the flood (maintenance issues, lack of responsibility on their part) and it doesn't look like there's an end in sight. They just keep dragging us along which is very frustrating.

I have come to hate my house and it's location. I fear being tied to it forever because of these issues. I just keep praying that justice is served and it is made right by the parties who did wrong. The person who had the most responsibility in this of course got off scott free which causes me a ton of anger (he claimed bankruptcy and named us as creditors so we can't go after him) and he knows that he did wrong but it doesn't phase him at all.

All I can say to that is that he will get his, God will see to it. ]]> NicoleB5 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2250 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2249 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:04:19 GMT Even though I've not used a credit card at all in months (yay me) I've still kept the plastic around for 'in case'.
Tonight I started closing those that still remain open and WOW it's such a trial!
The disdain oozing out of the people on the phone in the retention departments is palpable, with them 'warning' me of all the horrors that will happen should I close their respective credit cards. My credit will be destroyed, I'll miss out on those points, I won't be able to transfer and heaven forbid I need the cash they would happily loan me on the credit card...the frustration and irritation when I simply acknowledge the insanity of my closing the account and yet still say I want it shut down....

Ugh.

Just...exhausting. ]]> woobums http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2249 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2248 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:55:48 GMT Okay, so I think we've got it figured out. Our priority remains to pay off the HELOC. But in order to maintain sanity, marital harmony, etcetera, I've readjusted the baby steps to suit our reality. Also, our extensive sinking funds I've included in our FFEF, since that is actually how they would be used in the event of an actual emergency. We really don't have to pay the house insurance as a lump sum. It would cost us no more to pay it monthly, for instance. Same thing with the car insurance. Really, in the end, the only serious tweak is moving the vehicle loan to after we start saving fully for retirement and ds' college.

Why? Because dh is a serious car guy. He loves them. Can't resist them. Loiters around ebay motors and craigslist 'just to see what's out there'. What I've seen in the last few years as we've paid off various car loans, is that it flips a switch in his head, and suddenly he feels he can 'shop' for a new car if the old one is paid off. I'm hoping that if we delay the vehicle pay off for a year or two, it will give him more time to enjoy having more security (and less car), so he'll be less anxious to spend money on a nicer vehicle than we need. We'll see. ]]> eljayem http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2248 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2247 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:46:39 GMT We haven't fallen off the wagon, I've just been slack on posting anything lately. Since I coach high school baseball I get really busy when the season rolls around.

Our total current debt now stands at $42,348.45. That's a mere 43% of the amount we originally started with. We had to slow down the progress this month and next because we found out we did not pay the government "our fair share." However, we forecasted that we will be finished with everything except house debt (1st and 2nd) in October of this year. And once we start on the 2nd mortgage, it should take us right at a year to pay that off. Guess that's the price you pay when you live way outside your means. ]]> bdbull http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2247 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2246 Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:22:26 GMT Ugh. So, my home computer has died a horrible horrible death. Occasionally I can pull it up enough to attempt saving the pictures I loaded on there but never printed. It lasts for 15 minutes and... Ugh. So, my home computer has died a horrible horrible death. Occasionally I can pull it up enough to attempt saving the pictures I loaded on there but never printed. It lasts for 15 minutes and then gasps and passes out again.

I do actually need a computer - for work, for my daughter's schoolwork, and most recently I was going to use it to get stuff posted on craigs list to sell.

I can get a useable desktop for about $500...does that come from emergency fund or where? I realize to some not having a computer wouldn't be an emergency, but I have to be available to work on an on-call basis, so I do actually need it.

Ughity ugh ugh ]]> woobums http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2246 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2245 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 05:03:36 GMT I think that's the only way I'm going to make it through this: being short sighted. When I look at the big picture, and at any step after BS2, I get SO overwhelmed and feel like I won't EVER manage it. I feel I've started so so so very late that it's never going to work. My daughter will be starting college in 3 years (hopefully). I won't even have my FFEF complete by then. I just....ugh. So I have to look at the here and now and forget the future b/c it's just too daunting.

Just had to get that out. ]]> woobums http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2245 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2244 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:10:34 GMT I've been doing daves plan for almost a week now and just in that short time I already feel better and my stress levels have gone down a LOT!

Dave Ramsey is not known at all downunder, so I do FPU online and I know that I need to connect with others doing the same thing if I'm going to stay the course. I'm really excited about being debt free! A week ago I was waking up worrying about how to pay the bills, now I'm waking up with ideas on how to find extra money LOL!

I made an agreement with a cc :shark:to make a payment by the end of the coming week. yesterday they started texting me to call them about an overdue payment. I can't wait to get them off my back!

I also got an amended tax bill yesterday and it is now $3500, but the good thing is that the tax office in Australia are really helpful about making payment arrangements, they have been wonderful while I have been sick ( almost 12 months) and working less. So i can negotiate with them without any penalites or harrassment.

Anyway I'm looking forward to getting to know people here and sharing the journey with you all :wtg2: ]]> Jan-mymoneytree http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2244 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2243 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:09:48 GMT It's performance review time and I got a small raise for the year (effictive April). It's the smallest raise I've ever received from the company, yet I wasn't expecting any raise because of the economy, so I still feel pretty good. I'm not sure how much I'll actually see after tithe, taxes, and 401K shake out, but probably around $35-40 per month extra. We had a budget meeting tonight and all of the raise will go towards increasing our food budget. It's such a wonderful feeling to be able to tell your money where it goes - "on paper, on purpose." ]]> Boston340 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2243 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2242 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:54:36 GMT How ridiculous! As I'm sitting in my 'Dumping Debt' lesson of Financial Peace University, my tummy is rumbling and all I can think about is the Boston Market, Arby's, and Taco Bell that are right next door to the facility.
While I'm learning about going gazelle, I'm IMMENSELY distracted by the thought of a yummy roasted beast sammich at however many dollars per.

Class lets out.
I get in my car.
And drive straight home to my ever so boring yet paid for leftover pasta.


Yay me.:biggrin:


(Though I still want that sammich) ]]> woobums http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2242 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2216 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:20:17 GMT Intended / Actual INCOME: 8500.00 / 8515.43 Additional from: R15.43 - Interest earned TAXES: 85.00 / 85.00 - Unemployment Tax - paid 718.00 / 718.00 - Income Tax - paid Intended / Actual

INCOME:
8500.00 / 8515.43
Additional from:
R15.43 - Interest earned

TAXES:
85.00 / 85.00 - Unemployment Tax - paid
718.00 / 718.00 - Income Tax - paid

FIXED EXPENSES:
235.00 / 235.00 - Internet
100.00 / 100.00 - Cellphone
1461.80 / 1461.80 - Car Loan
342.08 / 342.08 - Car Insurance
285.00 / 285.00 - Tracker
692.00 / 692.00 - Medical Aid
250.00 / 250.00 – Electric
500.00 / 500.00 - Groceries
1000.00 / 1000.00 - Rent
320.00 / 320.00 - Storage
4.00 / 4.00 - Bank Service Fees

VARIABLE EXPENSES: (some estimated a little higher to ensure its covered)
850.00 / 850.00 - Tithe
112.70 / 112.70 - Water & Waste
550.00 / 391.44 - Petrol & Tips
300.00 / 125.75 - Cigs
16.00 / 8.25 - Banking Fees expected
400.00 / 212.43 - Blow/Entertainment

ONCE OFF EXPENSES:

BALANCE:
278.42 / 0.00 - Send to savings for apartment deposit

TO DO LIST:
R2401.80 to Absa on the 28th ]]> Qessentia http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2216 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2240 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 15:50:06 GMT I'm procrastinating. Taking FPU, and this week's assignment includes writing out the detailed detailed down to brass tacks zero based budget.
Quickie budget was so much easier, as it's the Big Bills and they are simpler to document. It's figuring out what happens with all the other dollars that is daunting. That's also why I'm doing Financial Peace though, isn't it? To get a grasp on things?
Woof.

Okay. Enough stalling. Gonna pour another cuppa joe and Just. Do. It. ]]> woobums http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2240 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2239 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:51:30 GMT I'm mulling over some things as DD moves into middle school-

1) Should I give in on DD purchasing school lunch? Perhaps increase amount of money she can earn so that she is purchasing the lunch. But, that's still more expensive than packing a lunch.

2) Camps. I really enjoyed camp experiences as a child. Wow-prices vary widely but it's more than I realized.

3) General stuff to do. The playgrounds and free activities that were a mainstay don't seem to be as appealing anymore.

Mmmmm...... ]]> purl2 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2239 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2238 Sat, 27 Feb 2010 04:14:12 GMT We have to come up with a "sick" fund.

To pay for various remedies (we generally use homeopathy, and that's not a one-size-fits-all thing, so many remedies can end up being stockpiled), teas, elixirs, and, yes, takeout food for the exhausted caretaker. Generally things like garlicy and/or spicy soups from the Chinese place, to help boost the caretaker's own immune system.

For today, I'm glad the "extra" part of the snowball is kept to the end of the month (aka Feb 28), to be thrown with the normal absolute no matter what part of the snowball at the beginning of next month (aka Mar 1), because we could snag some from that money when DS decided that throwing up all over the carseat, and later on the bed, was the thing he needed to do.

But what we need is an envelope, say 50-75, that just sits there until it's needed, to cover these things, just in case I ever start throwing that snowball earlier (a goal).

And that's what we need. ]]> malkabean http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2238 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2237 Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:05:26 GMT February was a very successful month for us. The only thing we bought other than groceries and spending our entertainment money was more socks for DH. He is working a construction job now and... February was a very successful month for us. The only thing we bought other than groceries and spending our entertainment money was more socks for DH. He is working a construction job now and needed good quality socks to wear with his steel toed boots - $16. He does need some more work pants and I am planning to check Goodwill next week for those, that will fall under March.

The Compact is really forcing us to evaluate needs vs. wants and to get creative - either by borrowing or doing something ourselves. I ran out of moisturizer this month and googled "homemade moisturizer." Guess what, I'm still alive after using olive oil on my face one day and coconut oil the next day. I decided I like coconut oil better and I truly think my complexion is better than a store-bought mosturizer. I'm nervous about what will happen when I run out of foundation and mascara, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Total spent this month other than food and entertainment = $16

Total towards 2010 goals
$286 extra towards mortgage (the big snowballs will start in March)

$1900 towards water/sewer issue (we have about $3000 to go that we have not been billed for yet) ]]> Boston340 http://www.livinglikenooneelse.com/forum/blog.php?b=2237