Jackie's Journal

I must be Crazy but I hate Laundry and I had to wait for the Comcast guy today well anyway I Paid a Service to do one Load of Laundry appx 13lbs and it is GOING TO COST ME $30.49!!! They charge $2.20 a pound then tax.

So I decided next week I am going to go to a Laundry mat, I do have one at my Apartment but I guess I would rather do it at a Laundry place. I know I throwing away at least $25 with having a Service do it.

Expenses so far:

$43.33 Cell Phone Upgrade -I have had the same Cell for TWO Years. It is an older Model Kycera that I have now. I will now be able to have a Pink FLIP PHONE! I do not care for special features or services, I do not like talking on the phone anyway. But I have always wanted a Flip Phone and to finally have something like that makes me happy.
$3.19 (Milk)
$3.25 (Lunch @ Work)
150.00 (Negative in Chase acct)
$30.49 (Laundry)
$5.82 (Food at Albies)
TOTAL SPENT SO FAR: $236.08

Expenses coming up:
RENT $525
Utilities ???
Comcast $166.99


I will be purchasing a Dining Table from Walmart for $100 & a Bookshelf from Shopko for $40 & I am also going to be purchasing a New Printer which costs between $40-$60 and I am still looking for an Indoor Fountain. (Feng Shui)


Well there is My New Update! Thanks you guys for the Comments.

Jacquelyn

Moving into my Apartment & Paid off my Secured CC Completely ($214.23) & that is not including RENT! Still not done. I am happy I had Saved & had that money for my Apartment Fund.

I do not have Internet/Cable till next Saturday so I have been cutting Coupons & Reading Magazines.

I cannot really unpack my Clothes & Books until I get my Bookshelf ($20) & Dresser. (mine)

So anyway, I won't be on again probably till next Saturday evening. THANK GOODNESS FOR A SHORT WORK WEEK!

Today was UGH. I had to go to the Bank to get the Money Order for my Apartment, then I had to go to my Apartment, and I decided to get Lunch and I hate it when I let my stomach decide how much food we should purchase!

Spent:

Apartment Money Order $526.50
MY BANK had the NERVE to Charge me $1.50 for a Money Order! I KEEP MONEY In that BANK!

Lunch at Del Taco $7.91
I wish I didn't purchase as much as I did.

Crazy Spend LOL .75 cents
Wanted Soda at work, WROTE A CHECK FOR 75 CENTS!!! HA! (I don't carry change right now and if I do I put it in my change jar)

I had went out to lunch today (free) and we had waited for our food...it was weird it was taking a while so he brought us Free Dessert Coupons & Discount Coupons!

Nothing else really new except almost all my Bills finally went out.

One day, every day EACH Bill comes out. I paid them all and they all still have not come out. Oh well, least by Friday I will have a new Paycheck.



I compared previous addresses from the old city where I lived before and they are not the guilty ones about the Gas Bill...I had ID Theft against me and I am HAPPY to Say it wasn't FAMILY nor Relatives...you know, possibly relatives...but my FAMILY Paid my bill for me anyway even after I cleared it up with them. That was sweet of them and I told them they did not have too but they insisted.

I was hoping the new balance would show up! I only paid $10 so far but it is $10 less than it was before!

Here is what it says:

8/25 CREDIT CARD - THANK YOU

and now I see a Finance Charge .89

Oh well I deserve it, my last $10 payment on this bill will be $15 and then I will pay off my other Medical Bill.

Just got home from work (was past 10 pm) I get a little freaked out about working at night, for security reasons & I just like to be home in my jammies at night. But I guess with the Promotion its worth it. I have never been past "Entry Level" and this makes me feel alot better about being 'Chosen' I guess you could say. Plus I want to Save the money I have made with this Raise.

I did not spend any money today. I was tempted to purchase Lunch but then I decided against it. I guess I just need to get a little more Creative with my lunch, plenty of ideas in the Forums & Internet Searches.

I don't really have alot to report except I was packing this morning for my Apartment.

Still thinking about my Coupon Gig.

I have been Studying up on Coupons this last weekend and preparing for move into my Apartment.

I am now forming a Plan in place to get the most Convinent use of Couponing & Stockpiling. The Resources available at my fingertips on the web are UNIMAGINABLE!

Tonight I was watching a Katrina special tonight and WISHED I was there to help them during their hardship those 5 days they were there during that Hurricane. And how much they would have needed stuff like this.

My wonderful Co-worker continues to bring me Coupons, she is such a dear. I was thinking of getting her on this or asking her how serious of a Couponer she is. I think she would have a Ball!

Why did I turn to this new Hobby? I think because I think it would be an Awesome Skill to have, all the FREE Stuff & Almost Free Stuff & Rebates. With these these Resources I have it just makes it so much easier to do this also. This is a WHOLE New World I have discovered and it is pretty freakin awesome! ^ With the right Organization I could have this down pat!

I am going to attempt to build a couple of stockpiles to test out. But being busy and all I may only attempt one for the time being till things slow down here again.

$170 Apartment Fund
$100 Rent
$90 Child Care
$10 Medical Bill
$20 Loan Brother
$24.51 PayLess Shoe Source
$25.58 Family Dollar
$17.67 Gasoline
$18.32 Smiths
$13.31 RCM (Refund Cents Monthly)
$20 Doctor Visit for DD
----------------------
$509.39

I think I am going to "Plan" what I spend from now on. I think a couple of those things were a waste. Now we all know when we 'waste' money.

Needed Gas $17.67, I was at a half a tank when I filled. I like it to be full for the whole week plus I am sure that is good for the motor or something

Grocery Shopping - I felt more aware of the Sales that were going on in Smith's. I was not prepped to bring down the house yet but I checked out How Much I Saved and my New Catalinas. I was going to get my Hot Pockets but I am moving into my New Apartment next weekend so I will do it then. I want to make a huge dent with Free Food and Good Deals. Spent $18.32.

Refund Cents - I LOVE reading the Stories on there with all the Free Stuff and Money people had made just FROM GROCERY SHOPPING! Its insane, this is like a whole new game I want to learn how to play and play well. A Hobby.

Also Stockpilesrus.com is an awesome website for Deals also.

I REALLY want to get good at Couponing! I have the Hot Pocket deal down pat LOL

I was introduced to some highly awesome Couponing Websites and I want to start implementing some techniques:

http://www.hotcouponworld.com
http://www.coupongroceryguide.com
http://www.refundcents.com (which I just really looked into today! )

But with this comes TONS of Organization on my part. I am still working on my Organizating right now.

I also need to build my Stockpile also. That I think is going to be awesome to have! My Grocery Budget is $50 a week, it would be great to save at least 50% or more every week and get tons of stuff also. I figure with all the stuff I could get I could build an Food/Stuff Pantry and send my Dad Care Packages. He appreciates those.

Also I should take advantage that my Job has over 120 Employee discounts available and I figure if I can combine with Offers and such I could save some more money.

I just subscribed to Refund Cents! So Excited!

My first stop was Payless Shoe Source and they had BOGO all day so I think I chose a good time to Buy Shoes! I just hope my daughter wear's hers, if not I am not sure if I could return them but possibly exchange them.

My daughter's shoes were $17.99, mine were on Sale for $10 plus I got half off. I cannot remember what the original price of my shoes were. Let me see- ok $19.99.

So here was the deal:

DD $17.99
Sale my shoes $10.00 (Original $19.99)
BOGO -$5 off my shoes
Total: $24.51

Then I went to Family Dollar and mostly bought junk food. I guess I had no Objective on what I needed to buy and that was $25.58

Then I went to Wendy's and I ate off the $1 Menu. I wanted to buy a Big sandwich but I can BARELY finish this one.

That was $6.17.

$24.51
$25.58
$6.17
-----------
$56.26

I rechecked my Balances and I am FINALLY able to go Shopping, I am mostly going for stuff that I need. I also already transferred money to my Apartment Fund and reassessed my Budget multiple times.

My Daughter needs new shoes & so do I and I just mostly want to go browsing. I packed another box, I will do another one tonight. I have tons of AVON Boxes from old Inventory I need to combine (use it for myself-bath & body, used to be a Rep)

Well, check in later. I love this website, the more I frequent the more I am on my toes

My Business is getting response so I need to figure out how to handle it. I have no idea My Jerky Business is doing good. I need to do more with it once I have more time for more Projects.

Jacquelyn

$516 Paid (WITH RAISE )

$100 Rent
$170 Pay towards Apartment Fund
$90 Child Care
$10 towards Medical Bill
$20 Loan to Brother
$18.19 Pizza
-----------------
$408.19


Utilities for Apartment:

Gas $$$ + $8
Power $$$ + 11
Internet & Cable $166.99 (Sept 9th)
then $85.41 thereafter

I had to stay over for an hour to retake my Final for Training for my Job. I ordered Pizza. I figured it was Friday and I am exhausted. I PASSED.

No more getting up at 4 AM, now I can sleep in late...except Monday I will get up at 6 am but just for this Monday only, after that my hours are 11 am to 10 pm. Then in a few weeks I should be able to get an earlier schedule unless I have to work Overtime in the afternoon. I already have two days of Overtime next week that I was given.

I have alot of Packing to do. I think I will get started some more on it tonight.

My brother asked me to loan him $20. I don't expect it back from him so I don't know why I bother using the word Loan. But does it go against my No Spend Day? I would have 4 Total if it doesn't. I almost didn't bring lunch today but then I decided to take my Pizza Rolls from the Freezer.

Also I do not have to Pay the Gas Bill. No need to go into Details but I am just glad I do not have to deal with something that wasn't even me in the first place.

I almost bought Pizza tonight then I changed my mind. I haven't made any unnecessary purchases and I am really Happy about that. I try to eat various foods for Lunch from home. Today I had one of my Budget Gourmets which are only a $1.

I need to refigure numbers for my Apartment Fund:

$900 -------> Sept 1st
$70 ---------> Unexpected Car Insur. Bill

Looks like I will NOT have to Pay Gas Bill. I am going to make an effort to pay myself $170 this Friday so it looks like I will have $900 when I move out for my Apartment.

Rent will be $525.00 and then that will leave me $142.70 for Groceries I believe.

My Power and Gas are turned on and now I just need to call about my Internet/Cable and I will do that tomorrow.

I get to see what my Raise is on Thursday so I can try to pay myself back. I am going to Pay the Gas Bill. At least it will get off my Record and I am already making an effort to pay down my Debt.

I was looking at http://www.credit.org yesterday about paying down my Debt. They are NOT Credit Consolidation. But first I need to get all these minor Expenses out of the way.

I am really upset. I have never had to use a Gas Company in MY Life and I just went to turn on my Gas for my Apartment and someone (I already know what happened) turned on Gas before in my name, the bill went to collections and the amount was for $162.30 and now I Have to Pay for something I never even USED & that was in MY NAME! I know who did this and they are in complete denial NATURALLY. :*( I feel like CRYING. YOU DON't DO THAT TO PEOPLE! The only way to do it is if it is with someone's social security number, Oh man I am so mad and upset. That is just not right. IN MY NAME!!!!! > I have never had my own place and turned on gas and of course THIS happens, of course. If your not rotten then you know at least some people around you are. IT REALLY MAKES ME MAD! I am crying right now, I hate that. I wouldn't ever do that to someone and NOW I HAVE TO PAY IT in order to have Gas in my FIRST Apartment, :*( > You just don't do that period. How come those that try to do good but get screwed by those who didn't?!

I am sorry but this is a Financial thing and I am stuck to do deal with it. :*( :*(

I am right now thinking of a thought out Plan for a Customized Life/Home Organization Planner. I was going to buy one but I decided I can customize my own and Save Money in the process by adding things that I think I need & want in it.

Then my Budget, I almost have everything figured out as it to what is coming in and what is going out every month. But first I have to wait and see what my Raise/Promotion entails. I want to live a Paycheck Behind.

I am also looking at my Debt. I am ready to start Paying it off. I need to obtain my Credit Reports first to see where I stand.

I am VERY Excited about Couponing, Winter Gardening and everything else in between!

I FINALLY feel like I have my Life under MY Control, well at least I am to that Point. I just need to do some more Organizing. Hmmmm....

I want to Save Money, Make MORE Money and Pay off My Debt.

I started Paying My Debt TODAY that I was Ignoring and staring me in the face every time when I checked the Mail. It was a Medical Bill from an old city where I had lived.

I told them take $10 out every Payday (which is every week) and put it towards my Bill. I FEEL SO GOOD! I have been wanting to do it for a while now just never did it.

Also, tomorrow I am going to get a Direct Deposit form at work and put $100 a week into my Savings account.

What a way to turn around the day!

Jacquelyn

With My Car Insurance Company! They forget to CHARGE me for July so they pull out DOUBLE for August!!!! LIKE THAT IS MY FAULT THEY FORGOT! > So now to cover this week I need to pull from my Apartment Account to make up for the rest of this weeks BILLS! Do you think I want to do that! NO! HOW COULD THEY DO THAT TO ME! UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

Well tired and cranky. Personally I do not like being Employed. I have a Great Job though, so I count my Blessings. I discovered today we will be working Mandatory Overtime in my new Job Position. 10 hours a week. 2 hours a day that equals to.

Not bad really because I will get Paid my New Raise and Get Paid Overtime but sometimes you think which is MORE Important? Time OR Money? I will be working from 11:30 AM to 10 PM. Which means ALL that time my Daughter will be at Daycare/Preschool.

So with all this EXTRA Money I will be Saving, Paying off Debt and using it towards My Business. Because I will escape the Rat Race.

Jacquelyn

I spent $15.98 on something
Paid Rent $100
Bought Diapers and used my Coupons for Hot Pockets $16.01
Spent $14.77 on Gas.
And Friday I bought Wendys $3.72

and I also transferred $100 to Savings for my Apartment.



TOTAL SPENT THIS WEEKEND: $250.48

Daycare Monday: $90
Car Insurance 22nd: $68

TOTAL: $158

GRAND TOTAL: $408.48

Sunday will start my Official No Spend Week. Now I have Bills and Gas out of the way.

OMG I just went and used my Coupons, this time I got a Catalina for 3 boxes for $1.25!!! Each box of Hot Pockets contain 40 cent off Coupon off Hot Pockets.

THAT MEANS next purchase:

Store Deal: 6 for $10
HP Coupon: 2 @ 40 cents each
Catalina Smiths Coupon: $1.25/3 boxes of Hot Pockets

$1.67 after store Price = $5.01 (3 boxes)
Minus HP Coupons .80 cents
Minus Catalina $1.25
TOTAL PRICE PAID = $2.96
PRICE PER BOX: .99 CENTS!!! : D

OMG this is the best Coupon I have right now besides the General Mills. : D

Well the GroceryCouponGuide.com is down so I am researching other websites that assist with how to use Coupons.

I want to spend about $40-$50 a week on Groceries and when I move into my Apartment initially about $100 or $150 so I can get all my Staples and I want to use Store Sale and/or Coupon every time when I shop. I still need a List so I can find those Store Sales/Coupons to go with what I like to cook and eat. I am also keeping an eye out for Stockpiles..

Any Recommendations or Help would be Great Thanks in Advance!

I have a bunch of Coupons in my Car that my Co-worker had given me...I think I will buy a Sunday Paper and just Clip Coupons! I still need to go over the Coupon Guide to where to get the BEST Coupons...I move into my New Apartment on the 1st I AM SO HAPPY!

FINALLY FREEDOM FROM FAMILY!!! UGH FREEDOM PERIOD! I do have my Freedom but Renting from Family IS NEVER Freedom! FREEDOM is VERY IMPORTANT to Me. I love doing things my way...always have...now what does that have to do with MONEY??

Well, with Freedom you still need Discipline to make the Right Purchasing Choices. I have my bad days yes when it comes to spending but to know I can do whatever I want and whenever I want is PRICELESS! I had just read a Similar Post and it made me think of my own situation.

Now back to Budgeting and No Spend Days...

I bought a Meal at Wendy's and I know I shouldn't have but we have Assessments every day for the information we learned for the day at Training for the New job and I did not pass today. So in the morning I need to come in before class starts at 4:30 AM (class starts at 5 AM) and retake it. It wasn't necessary a bad day I just want to sleep and relax. I want a Break!

Between thinking about my Budget, my new Apartment and a bunch of other stuff, I just want to get a way for a bit...but I can't.

Today was supposed to be a no spend day too sigh.

Oh well, if you fall off the wagon you just have to get right back on it.

Ok now that I have a Promotion, I need to consider living a Raise Behind and also putting away $40 since my Child Care went down which would equal to an extra $280 a month.

I also want to use my Secured Credit Card to Pay off my Debt as well. I figure since I get Paid Weekly and my Secured Credit Card is Monthly I could figure out a good Monthly Budget in order to pay it all off every month for every penny I spend on Debt since that is one of the original reasons why I got it.

Right now I put Diapers and Gas on it and pay it off every time when I get the Bill. I think I could figure $60 bucks of Debt being Paid off a month and put that in my Budget for Bills. I just do not want to overwhelming myself and then end up screwing up my Secured Credit Card and my Debt also. You know what I mean?

Groceries I think I could manage. I want to budget myself $50 bucks a week and use all the necessary coupons. I really do not need to cook for my daughter and myself but I still like to cook and do not like to deny myself Good Food. KWIM?

Now my Business, this is going to be tough as far as how I need to figure out how much I am going to want to Budget. Hmmmm...I will still need to think hard on that one...I was thinking maybe $20 bucks a Payday.

Hmmmmm........

I LOVE this whole Coupon Gig, I know it may seem like I am doing one at a time but I am just trying to figure out how I am benefiting and seeing if I am using correctly so here is what I got for my Hot Pocket Coupons:

I *believe* the Store Sale Price is
6 for $10 (I will need to double check)

Plus I got one Store Coupon for $1.00 any two Hot Pockets and another Hot Pocket Coupon for 1 for .40 cents.

I figure if I buy two boxes at the Store Sale Price of $1.67 x 2 Boxes = $3.34 and I use my Coupons for $1.40 I will have PAID $1.94 for both boxes.

The Retail Price I Believe is $3.99 each box.

I had been working for the Company for about a MONTH! I was on the floor for less than two weeks!

I got Promoted to a Department and I also got a $1.55 raise! I was worried about things being tight when my new place but NOT ANYMORE!!!

I start Training tomorrow at 5 am!



Jacquelyn