Jackie's Journal

I am going to Attempt to not spend the rest of the money I have this week. I have $27 left after Bills and Necessities.

I purchased foods for lunch etc...

I would like to then put this money aside and write myself a Check for that amount to my other Checking Account if I cannot think of anything coming out for Bills this week. I know my Car Insurance will be going out here soon but not this pay period. Friday I will deposit that Check into my other Checking Account.

I went Grocery Shopping and I did not have Coupons and I looked at the Store Sale Ad and didn't see anything in particular I wanted to buy but here is what Happened:


I looked for Store Sale prices and found a few good deals down the aisles.

SPENT: $40.72

According to Receipt SAVED: $3.11 (which is 7%)

Looks bad on paper but the reality is I SAVED MORE:

For Example:

I bought 2 cans of Olives for $1.07 each

$2.14
Store Sale Price: 2 for $3
SAVED: .86 Cents

Maruchan Cup Noodles
Purchased 4 at 29 cents
Store Sale Cup o Noodles: 3 for $1
PAID: $1.16 for 4 compared to $1.33 for 4.
SAVED: .17 cents

I am sure there are a couple more examples but those are the two I can think of right now.

Hmmmm...

IT was DELICIOUS! I bought a footlong since it was a $2 more and then I also had Spaghetti! It looks like I will have plenty of food to eat this weekend.

Nothing really new, my Insurance Company called me back and told me when they would be removing money for my Auto Insurance. And I spoke to the woman about my Apartment and she told me to relax and I will know by the beginning of next week.

Will be working on my Business this weekend.

I picked up a 50 cents off Coupon for Fruit Roll Ups (My DD has been asking for them for a while) and please tell me if I did this right or if it was worth it.

The Store Sale was 3 for $5 and then I had the 50 cents off Coupon for two boxes. Orginal Price is $2.99.



Original: $2.99 a box
Store Sale: 3 for $5
Coupon: 50 cents off 2 boxes

Bought: 2 Boxes at $5.98
- 50 cents = $5.48

5 divided by 3 = $1.67 but I got $1.32 off from each individual box.

REAL Cost: $5.98
Discounts: $3.14
PAID: $2.84 for TWO Boxes...Wow, I basically got two for the cost of almost ONE Box!

Can someone verify please?

Thanks!

Jacquelyn

I have a Point Card from there with more than enough Sandwiches but I am not touching it. Instead of Subway I made Hamburgers and ate Cereal.

Tomorrow I am bringing leftovers for Lunch. Fish Sticks. Today I had one of those $1 Lean meals that I had purchased for Lunches but then I got sick of them.

Friday we are having a Luncheon at work during Breaks and Lunches so I am going to eat there.

I am more or less anxiously waiting to get into my Aparment.

Called Car Insurance and left a message since it was after hours and asked them to leave me a Message as is to when my direct debit goes out every month.

Called the lady from the Apartment and she told me there is no reason for me not to be Approved. The anticipation is killing me.

Friday is PAYDAY LOVE getting Paid every week!

I am getting an extra $300 as a Housewarming Gift from my Grandparents to use for my Apartment.

Apart from that money by Friday I will also have $625 saved for my Apartment.

Spent $1.25 today on a Candy Bar.

Rent $100
Rent for Apartment $100
Child Care $90
Car Insurance $68 (Monthly)
Credit Card $10 (make full payment-Monthly)
Simpleology $49

I BELIEVE that is everything.

I made some Changes with my Taxes and I am getting $100 from Rent.com for picking an Apartment from there website but that will probably be weeks to obtain.

I am going to Pinch every Penny so I can work towards my Goals.

If I want Pizza, Little Caesars has $5 Pizza

If I want a Cheeseburger, Wendy's has a Value Menu for 99 cents.

Really looking forward to get started with Coupons. Reading a Post I See it will only take a few minutes a week.

The only thing I do not get is it worth it to visit numerous Groceries stores, use your gas and your time to get a Good deal or stick with one Grocery store?

I decided to buy Lunch on Monday. I did not feel like making myself something so I ate in the Cafeteria.

My GOAL is to keep track of EVERY Penny going in and going out...like Bills and Misc Items and this week I am just like whatever. EWW BAD ME.

I need to figure out when all my Bills are going to come out my Checking Account so I can figure out how to prioritize the rest.

We had talked about Coupons on Friday and about Growing Veggies in Cans and she said she was going to bring me some tomatoes but she forgot but she brought me Coupons from her Sunday Paper! She knows how I am getting my own place and I was asking her about Coupons and the store. She is going to bring me tomatoes from her Garden this week too!

Jacquelyn

My Daughter turned 3 today so when I made my advanced payment for her Preschool I only had to Pay $90 for this week instead of $100. (I get Paid Weekly).

She had a Birthday Party in class, I did take her some places this weekend to make up for her Birthday.

I will add that money into my $20 Challenge

Jacquelyn

Is DRIVING ME BONKERS!!!

The first week I filled out the paperwork

The second week I was denied but then I had a co-signer.

The third week I had to wait for approval of the Co-signer.

The fourth week I had to Verify my Employment. Brought in Paycheck stubs for 3 months since they were having problems finding out who my Employer was.

NOW I wait till the end of the Week for the FINAL APPROVAL.

I AM to say the LEAST, GOING CRAZY!!! :?

My Daughter will be 3 YAY! I do not have much money because I need to move into my Apartment. But I decided to do all the things she Loves:

Swimming, Park, McDonalds and pick out a Toy at Walmart.

I would like to do some other things more Creative, anyone have any ideas?

Also I am Moving to so I was looking into:

Farmers Market

Coupons

Growing Tomatoes and Onions from a Can? I am going to figure out how that works since I know some people do it. I have the top floor so my Vegetables will get good nourishment and nobody will bother my Veggies.

Bread Store

For a Small City I seem to have all of these in my area, I see while I drive home from work.

I am actually excited to Clip Coupons and Grow Veggies

I just LOVE this DRINK! On top of that I can get it a $1 a bottle at Smith's or any other Grocery store. It has 23.7 Fluid Ounces and

I think this can help me cut down on my Dr.Cheap (Since I can always drink the cheap stuff and get a 12 Pack for $2.09 or any deal, including name brand) soda intake.

I was trying to drink Crystal Light but it was too expensive and irritated my throat.

Water Bottles are really cheap now and I drink that as often as I can. I think it is 16 or 24 bottles 16.9 Fluid Ounces for $3.99 at Smith's and/or other Stores.

I have a Feeling Propel Fitness water will not be on Sale for long

1) Get out of Debt
2) Buy and Own a Condo Free and Clear
3) FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE
4) When ready get a Divorce

No particular order.

FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE is the BIG one for me, I have been seeking it since I was a teenager. I have never believed in working for someone else. I WILL get to where I Want to be this year.

I am cutting off everything that makes me sidetracked or takes away my focus from my Business. I cut all my other 'little' things so I can Focus on my Business.

Overall Consistentcy is the Key. I have not been Consistent and I know it. DO NOT Treat your Business like a HOBBY.

So I am in the process of forming a Marketing Plan. I am looking for JUST A BASIC Marketing Plan. Can someone Help me?

Thanks,

Jacquelyn

ok so far I have Overtime, I will start signing up for it next week. Although they had already given me a Mandatory hour for next week LOL.

Ok Ima Saver had given me some brilliant ideas for my $20 Challenge. I do not buy lunch anymore PERIOD, which would probably cost me $20 bucks a week, I could then add that to my $20 Challenge starting Monday.

So lets say I have $20, now $20 = $40 for $20 Challenge. Add $20 each week I do not buy Lunch YIPPEE!

I also can figure each time I want to buy something from the machine I could add that $1 or .75 cents as well.

I ate out today so I cannot add that to my Challenge (almost $10)

I am unsure about the whole Coupon thing. But I guess I could do a Cost and Compare.

I also shop at Smith's and use their Savings Card so whenever I Save Money I can add that as well. But since I will be moving my local Grocery store will be Harmons so I will have to see if they have a Savings Card.

I have a Coin Jar. That will be added as well.

Hmmmm I figure I could keep this all on a Spread Sheet.

Now as far as Making Money, I want to Promote My Business which I am going to have a Very Focused, Inexpensive Detailed Marketing Plan.

I also want to Save $50 a week like I was at my previous Job.

I get Paid Weekly and I Opted out of ALL the Benefits (I have Health Insurance from another source) and it is just barely enough.

I think between my Daughter and myself I can make do with $50 a week on Groceries.

What I want to do is set aside Money for Savings and Promoting my Business consistently.

At my Apartment I will also be getting Internet and Basic Cable.

Expenses:

Rent $525
Child Care $400
Utilities ?
Gas $60 (a month)
Insurance $68
Groceries $200
Internet and Cable $100
TOTAL: $1353

I will need to live by a stricter budget in order to meet my Advertising and Saving needs.

I will be working Overtime at Work when they need me too but I may just sign up to work from 7-5 pm.

As is to what to do! I know, EBAY...I am really sick of that word. LOL.

I want to do something creative, out of the box kind of thing.

This Challenge as no limits right? Well I need to look at my old Posts and maybe check out some ideas of others to their $20 Challenge.

Jacquelyn

Well I Saving for my Apartment. I found one, I just need to look at it and get a Definite "Yes, its YOURS" I go and look at it tomorrow. I want to get IN!

I already have half as much of the Money I need so I just need to save for the rest and the Utilities and Groceries. I am not worried about
Furniture or anything because I already have some and I have some help with it.

Appliances I am getting on Sale at Walmart and Furniture I am getting from the Thrift Store. I also get Paid Weekly so it makes things easier. I also just Cancelled alot of things I was doing that I really did not need.

Next I am looking at my Debt and getting an Divorce.

ALL the Things I need to do before I Move.

I was tempted to buy some extra Jerky from my Jerky Business but I decided against it. YAY! I will have to wait another month before I get more. Oh well. (Jerky Biz is paid for)

My New Job is GREAT! I got Paid Direct Deposit IMMEDIATELY! And now that I get Paid Weekly I will need to watch my Money more carefully.

So I decided to start a Master Plan List in order to Stay Productive, Save Money, etc...on Excel.

I just started my New Job last week? I know it seems all of a sudden but I have been waiting literally YEARS to be on my own. Even when I was Married

Anyway I get Paid weekly, my concern is how much it is going to cost me to initially move in. I want to move out within 3 months with all the furniture I need and all. I will be getting some help with that.

I am also a little worried with Winter and darker days coming up. Being a Single Mom, you get kind of freaked out sometimes LOL. My brother lives on his own but I think it is different for him.

Anyway looking at Apartments on Saturday and I hope I can find out some information to understand better how much I will need.

With a Company that supposedly has the Best Benefits in the Nation. I also get over $1 more, which means I can get my own Apartment!

So as soon as I am comfortable and working here for a couple of months I will be getting an apartment for my daughter and I. I am really excited. I had cut some expenses so I think it will be fine, I also think I will be able to save some money as well.

Fixed Expenses:
Rent
Child Care
Cell Phone
Car Insurance
Internet
Groceries
Gas
Savings

I think that is everything. I am also working on my homebased business, which I want to one day cover my Rent or Child Care or more.

Jacquelyn

I must admit, I have not been looking out for my Credit or anything and I am looking to improve my Finances and eventually get into a Condo.

So I had been looking into some things. After my training at my new Job I plan to start fixing and paying off my Credit. I heard that there are Great Services out there to assist with your Credit Reports. If anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear them!

Although I already found two I am looking into.

Jacquelyn

Yes, MORE Money and LESS hours. The only problem with it is for 4-8 weeks of Training I am brought down to $7.50 and then bumped up to $11 after training. Which, I need to budget better. I am Excited though!

Jacquelyn

I admit, I am a nut when it comes to Business Opportunities. So, I decided to cut down on some of the Auto Ships that I don't really need. Its like $10 here and $10 there but I am trying to save and build so I am getting rid of My AVON Website, a couple of other companies as well. I will also be cutting down on my AVON spending also. I will also be Organizing alot of things I will be doing as well. I feel very cluttered.

Things I am cutting back on:

$10 AVON Website
$10 GDI WS Domain
$12 Jerky Website (I have another one which pays for itself)
I am going to budget myself $40 per AVON Campaign to spend.

I figure once I start making money I can have more time for those kinds of things. But right now I need to cut back.

I also started eating more downstairs again and so I found $1 Lean TV Dinners and I will take Ramen Noodles.

I don't like being Broke. I really don't. I am going to be getting $200 from my Research study here soon and I just got my Jerky Check and a Survey Check. I guess that will catch me up a little bit. Still going along with my Business persuits. I decided to not just do Jerky but something with 3000% income potential and no its not auto surfing. I am waiting to do that but in the mean time I will be promoting my Jerky Biz so here it goes.

http://www.jerkyisgood.com

Not a good expression but oh well and I know I haven't Posted in a while but now I think I have something worthy of Posting.

I used part of my Tax Return to get a $300 Secured Credit Card and I decided to use that money to Pay off Old/New Debt every month and at the same time build my Credit.

And since I no longer use my Badge to buy food in the Cafeteria and I hardly eat down there and I got my annual raise I decided to have Direct Deposit in a SEPARATE Bank a Checking/Savings account and put $100 every payday.

So this year I think I am covering all the bases...Saving, Paying down Debt and Rebuilding Credit. I Feel Good.

So I went to the Doctor's today and they told me I have Strep Throat and concidentally they are doing a Research Study and so all my Doctor Visits are Free and I also get Free Meds and a $100 after the Study. I will have to miss two days of work (which I have PTO for). I also got a Free Tote Bag!

Well as you can see I have accomplished one of my Goals...I bought a Car...a Goal I am going to get started on is taking care of my Debt and increase my income at the same time.

I am applying for an at home Job that I can do after work and I am getting myself Schooled in Internet Marketing.

Everything I think I ever wanted is starting to fall into place. So I am going slowly get things together. I am Excited!

GREAT DEAL TOO!

IT was a $1900 Car and I spoke to the Owner and told him I only had $1500 well he gave me the Car including the $300 Fees! I am so Happy! So if you are not thinking about the fees the $1900 actually cost me $1200! WOOHOO! Talk about a Deal! I Thanked him continuously and told him I would send tons of Referrals his way!

I decided to put $250 towards a Secure Credit Card and $250 in the Savings Account I opened today!

I will also be depositing $100 Per Pay Day into that Special Savings.

I Am SO HAPPY!

I am still trying to figure out what to do with the $20 Challenge. IF anyone has any ideas PLEASE let me know. I am trying to think outside the box.

Ok well I FINALLY figured out what I was going to do with my Tax Return.

$1,000 for My Car
$500 in Savings
$500 towards a Secured Credit Card to rebuild My Credit

I am then going to Rebuild My Credit this year and Pay off all My Debt.

I am also going to build a couple of Income Streams and do a side Job from Home when I am not working.

That is pretty much My Plan.