So, Febraury. Did it help? Not really a damn bit. Oh, and there are lots of reasons why I am not happier today than I was on the first. But, you want to know the cool part? I am not unhappy because of my Health or Wealth. I've lost 5 lbs, need new jeans, and went down a notch and a half in my belt since the first of the year. As far as finances go, this month I fixed my car and paid off two debts and kept up with my debt snowball. I haven't been writing in my check book like I said I would and I haven't been sticking to my budget but I have been ENJOYING what money can give me a little bit more. I've gone to Autorama and bought a few nice beers and ever gifted some beer to Matt. Really, isn't that the point? I don't want to feel tied down to a budget and I kind of think that money is one of those "good enough" categories. I AM doing my debt snowball, and that is good, but I am NOT really sticking to a budget. That is good enough and I should just let it go and not beat myself up.
So, March. I opted to focus on home in March because it seemed like a good month for it. You never know what the weather is going to do. (We just got our first snow storm of the season like last Friday. In Michigan. Monday morning I didn't need a coat.) March is one of those ICK months for me. It's usually gray and spring is right around the corner but it's not here yet and it's taunting me like a crock pot meal that I have to smell for six hours before I can eat it. I spend a lot of time inside because it's just not nice enough yet. I am simply bogged down by my longing to be outside in the summer sun but I have FOREVER to wait.
That's why, my goal for March, is to enjoy my home.
I love my house. I bought it on my own. I filled it on my own. Then my awesome amazing boyfriend helped me fill it a bit more. But my house does drive me a bit nuts. We have a lot of shit. A LOT. We have clutter and I have a hard time keeping up with keeping it clean because I am "oh so busy" and "oh so tired." Projects tend to pile up for the same reasons. All of this mess makes me feel frazzled and make it hard to rest and enjoy.
What I have planned for March:
-Cleaning
-Decorating
-Cooking
Mostly, I think it will be important for me to chill out this month. When I was home for lunch the other day, I was feeling a bit tired. I usually spend my lunch break eating, squeezing in a quick work out, cleaning, and/or running errands. (One day I got my car washed, got gas, picked up some groceries, went home, ate, and still started cleaning the bathroom.) I had already eaten at work and so I decided that I should take a nap. Pausing in the middle of the day, stretching out on the couch with my favorite blanket and my cats, was wonderful. When I came home at night I was proud of myself for breaking my routine and taking time to chill. I carried it over into the night, making a quick meal and relaxing on the couch. This morning I felt rested and refreshed and way better than I have been feeling.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wealth- My Car
I drive a 2000 Mustang GT. See, fast cars are a THING in my family. Before this I drove a 92 Stealth and an 89 Firebird and I loved them both. The Firebird was my first love but I like to think of the Mustang as my TRUE LOVE. I always intended to drive her as long as I could and then tuck her away neatly in a garage to restore for my first daughter.
But she isn't a Pony anymore. She's a Ripe Old Mare.
I paid her off in July of 2010, a year early. Since then I have been fixing it almost nonstop. That fall it was four new tires, new brakes, a new ty rod (Is that what that's called?), cleaning the cylinders, replacing a wire harness, and a new chord thingy for the transmission. Then my exhaust needed some work that winter and I busted a wheel bearing on a busy road. I've replaced the mass airflow sensor annually. In August, I got two new tires. In November I got in an accident and spent $1000 on body work. (That, actually, was sheer luck. I had an extra hood and my dad and brother are awesome at body work. She looks like a new car.) Another mass airflow sensor last month and another wheel bearing last weekend. RIGHT NOW I need two new tires and a new gooseneck for the gas tank (which leaks if I take corners too quickly or fill the tank) and my brake light is on and my dash lights have a short and my Sirius needs a new antenna.
But I have an idea. I'm not going to say that it will work or that it is brilliant or any other bullshit but it is worth a try.
I am going to open a new account. I am going to use this new account ONLY FOR CAR STUFF. Every month, I will put my mileage check in the account and when I need repairs I will pay for them out of that account. The money I don't use for car repairs will sit safely in that account for use towards a new car. Not NEW new, but new to me. Another Mustang. A newer one that I won't have to fix every damn week. But because I won't be doing it from my checks, it shouldn't affect my debt snowball.
So, let's try it. See where it goes.
But she isn't a Pony anymore. She's a Ripe Old Mare.
I paid her off in July of 2010, a year early. Since then I have been fixing it almost nonstop. That fall it was four new tires, new brakes, a new ty rod (Is that what that's called?), cleaning the cylinders, replacing a wire harness, and a new chord thingy for the transmission. Then my exhaust needed some work that winter and I busted a wheel bearing on a busy road. I've replaced the mass airflow sensor annually. In August, I got two new tires. In November I got in an accident and spent $1000 on body work. (That, actually, was sheer luck. I had an extra hood and my dad and brother are awesome at body work. She looks like a new car.) Another mass airflow sensor last month and another wheel bearing last weekend. RIGHT NOW I need two new tires and a new gooseneck for the gas tank (which leaks if I take corners too quickly or fill the tank) and my brake light is on and my dash lights have a short and my Sirius needs a new antenna.
But I have an idea. I'm not going to say that it will work or that it is brilliant or any other bullshit but it is worth a try.
I am going to open a new account. I am going to use this new account ONLY FOR CAR STUFF. Every month, I will put my mileage check in the account and when I need repairs I will pay for them out of that account. The money I don't use for car repairs will sit safely in that account for use towards a new car. Not NEW new, but new to me. Another Mustang. A newer one that I won't have to fix every damn week. But because I won't be doing it from my checks, it shouldn't affect my debt snowball.
So, let's try it. See where it goes.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Wealth Update
I kind of think that this was not a good month to focus on finances. The problem is that I have an abundance of money this month. I had tax returns and the Infamous C sent me the money to pay his bill that I am responsible for. Then there is my usual income, including my annual raise at the beginning of the month. I still have BF's rent money and a mileage check coming. This is one of those few times when I have the money to go and eat at the "nice" steakhouse in town and go shopping and even, decadence upon decadence, waltz into Radioshack and buy that new antenna I needed for my Sirius.
I'm not complaining but I am damn lucky right now.
Still, I have been mostly responsible. With my tax refund, I've finished up my emergency fund (which I am pretending does not exist) and paid off TWO debts (a student loan and the card I had my roof stuff on). The next debt I have to pay off is about $750 dollars and because of my debt snowball I will be paying AT LEAST $105 a month. I intend to throw as much money as possible at it. I'm just excited to not have to pay 14 different people every month. What's going to suck is when that student loan I put in deferment a few months ago comes back on the list. It's a biggun. Oh, and I bought that Kindle which I've mostly loaded with free books. I just bought my first book priced book.
I'm trying to be good and stick to a budget. I am trying to seek out deals. Today I went to the Goodwill and Charlotte Russe and dropped about $25 on clothes. What did $25 get me? Two blouses, three cardigans, and two tanks to go underneath stuff. The tanks were the most expensive things I bought, at $6/tank, but they were worth it because GW tank tops are often gross. Also, I am trying to put a little money into the house every month. Last month I bought some doors. This month I will either buy doors or some beer and paint so BF can fix the hall walls and I can paint them. (Will Work for Beer is the motto around here.)
I'm doing okay but I am feeling a bit discouraged about my health. I AM having health issues. Not really problems, just issues. So I'm trying to cut back on smoking but don't want to. And then there is my diet which has gone right out the effing window, really. I've been depressed and worried and eating my pain. My weekends have been decadent. I haven't been working out enough, first because of a cold and then because I felt so far behind on everything that I wore myself out trying to catch up and never managed to sneak in my toning.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow is Monday. Monday is a great day for fresh starts.
New Resolution: Write everything in my checkbook once a day. I usually do this but lately it's been once a week and that will not do.
I'm not complaining but I am damn lucky right now.
Still, I have been mostly responsible. With my tax refund, I've finished up my emergency fund (which I am pretending does not exist) and paid off TWO debts (a student loan and the card I had my roof stuff on). The next debt I have to pay off is about $750 dollars and because of my debt snowball I will be paying AT LEAST $105 a month. I intend to throw as much money as possible at it. I'm just excited to not have to pay 14 different people every month. What's going to suck is when that student loan I put in deferment a few months ago comes back on the list. It's a biggun. Oh, and I bought that Kindle which I've mostly loaded with free books. I just bought my first book priced book.
I'm trying to be good and stick to a budget. I am trying to seek out deals. Today I went to the Goodwill and Charlotte Russe and dropped about $25 on clothes. What did $25 get me? Two blouses, three cardigans, and two tanks to go underneath stuff. The tanks were the most expensive things I bought, at $6/tank, but they were worth it because GW tank tops are often gross. Also, I am trying to put a little money into the house every month. Last month I bought some doors. This month I will either buy doors or some beer and paint so BF can fix the hall walls and I can paint them. (Will Work for Beer is the motto around here.)
I'm doing okay but I am feeling a bit discouraged about my health. I AM having health issues. Not really problems, just issues. So I'm trying to cut back on smoking but don't want to. And then there is my diet which has gone right out the effing window, really. I've been depressed and worried and eating my pain. My weekends have been decadent. I haven't been working out enough, first because of a cold and then because I felt so far behind on everything that I wore myself out trying to catch up and never managed to sneak in my toning.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow is Monday. Monday is a great day for fresh starts.
New Resolution: Write everything in my checkbook once a day. I usually do this but lately it's been once a week and that will not do.
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