Debt

The monthly budget is a work in progress. In addition to budgeting I MUST work on getting out of debt...seriously! It's so NOT Sexy and beginning to cramp my style. Unfortunately, I use my one and only credit card to live. I swipe that little piece of plastic way too much. I'm a firm believer in DIY if at all possible. Recently, I spoke with a "...for ONLY $200 WE WILL GET YOU OUT OF DEBT!" agency, yeah, BS! For $200 every two weeks/$400 a month after you "go through" the never-ending program. I work too hard to give my pennies away.
First step, renew my membership with www.annualcreditreport.com , its been a while since I checked out my report (6 months maybe?). I have a feeling something has changed ... A 1-800 number left me a voicemail at 9:20pm a few evenings ago. Aint that some S*#T?! I'm NOT having that! I have a weekday off from work this week. During that time, all creditors( good, bad and ugly) can expect a nice letter from me. With faith, a lil time, and patience I will be set!

Procrastination

One of my biggest efforts will be to break my awful habit of procrastination. In an effort to stay focused I now realize that it is necessary to channel optimistic and positive energy into everyday tasks. I've created many lists for different things now it's time to check them of one by one. I'm putting on my boxing gloves I will not go down without a fight!
Procrastination~ It has become one of my hardest walls to climb. There's no rime or reason for it's existence in my life. Waiting until the last possible moment has costs me MAJOR money. During the evening I am tired and want to chill. Instead of taking time during the evening to prepare for the next day (clothes, paperwork, packed lunch for the next day) I put everything off till morning. In my mind I plan to wake-up early so I can prepare for the day. Well, that NEVER happens! Unfortunately, I wake-up late rush myself and son (Sooo HORRIBLE!) I usually have to purchase breakfast, eat in the car, and have that daily morning talk with my little man all in a matter of minutes. Again, I am late for work loosing money and my mind by the second. Uhh... it can be so frustrating! Major changes are ahead. I will not try to change everything at once...begin with baby steps...stay tuned.

My New Ride

I live in a city where almost everyone rides a bike. There are multiple non~profit bike programs in my neighborhood! My son goes to a bike camp where they learn how to fix bikes and ride safely. With all that said, I did not think about owning a bike.

There are a lot of gas stations in my neighborhood too... LOL! Recently, the gas stations have been scamming customers by charging an extra fee for using credit. Well, credit/debit is all I'm gonna use to buy gas so I had to really search around. Finally I found a gas station that didn't charge a extra fee and the price was alright. I filled my tank and left feeling disrespected by the amount of money I had to spend. This past weekend it hit me; Saturday, to be exact I was on my way home riding in my car chilling with the air conditioning BLASTING it was so HOT! I was grateful I had a full tank of gas. Next thing I know I am stuck in bumper to bumper traffic(DANG!). 5 minutes go by, then, 10-20-30... AN HOUR! I am pissed! I watch every minute as my gas meter gets closer to the halfway point while physically moving nowhere. Oh... but there were people moving all around and thru traffic...bikers. That's when I decided to purchase my new ride.



Is it not LUVLY? The only thing misssing is a basket. The purchase was not a splurge so no worries. I kept my budget in mind so I was able to negotiate the price which was originally $80. Luckily, I rode away for half the price.

Tweaking the Budget

I can not believe it is the middle of July (Yikes!). I was in Target yesterday and purchased Nothing! Yeah I said it....Nothing! When I entered the store Back-to-school ads were everywhere! School shirts, pants, backpacks, pencils...it was too much for me to handle. Not to mention I have to shop for supplies for my lil man and myself. Dang! Why didn't I include this into the budget?! You live and you learn! So, $10 dollars a month will be the amount I will budget, save, put to the side for school supplies.

Short~term Pain for Long~term Gain

Short~term Pain for Long~term Gain yeah...yeah...yeah. Do I believe it? Yes, but why does it have to be so painful.
The Pain: working 12 to 16 hour days, co-workers getting on my last nerve, minimal time to spend with my lil man, tired all the time.
The Gain: Money.
God willing when this is all over I will be enjoying the Gain.

July Budget

Rent $300
Nah’s Tuition $500
Utilities $135
Health Insurance Premium $132
Cell Phone $130
Gas $88
Car Insurance $130
Phone/Internet $58
Dinner/Lunch Out $60
Tithes $80
Clothing $60
Laundry $20
Entertainment (Movies, parks, videos) $60
Education (Tutoring, School trips) $60
Gifts: Holiday, B-Day $20
Groceries $150

Savings

Just in Case $ Account $25
Nah’s College Account $25
My 1st Home Account $25
I Need a New Car Account $25
Getaway Account $25

Total: $2083

The Pennies are Counted

I will not quit! Keeping account of all pennies was not an easy job but someone had to do it. Good news, I did overkill some parts of the budget however, managed to save some extra money that can now be allotted to a specific accounts. With the help of mint.com July’s budget should run smoothly!

Rent $300/$300
Nah’s Tuition $500/$500
Utilities $35/$275 The A/C Bill was ridiculous!
Health Insurance Premium $132/$132
Cell Phone $130/$120
Gas $80/$86
Car Insurance $130/$130
Phone/Internet $24/0
Dinner/Lunch Out $60/$100
Tithes $40/$80
Clothing $60/$120
Laundry $20/0
Entertainment (Movies, parks, videos) $60/$90
Education (Tutoring, School trips) $60/0
Gifts: Holiday, B-Day $20/$20
Groceries $150/$94

Savings

Just in Case $ Account $25/$50
Nah’s College Account $25/$50
My 1st Home Account $25/$50
I Need a New Car Account $25/$50
Getaway Account $25/0

Total: $1901/$$ Spent June $2247

* $346 over

Change

When I started this blog I chose to write about money, savings and how I will reach my financial goals. However, the more I post or think about posting I remember that the purpose of this blog is to share whatever I feel like sharing.
Not long ago, I would dream safe small dreams and thoughts. Then, I was asked, what do you live for? For months I've been stuck in a rut thinking about the answer. I have big visions for my life. I envision myself succeeding beyond my wildest dreams. I want to give a shout~out and special THANK YOU to my fellow dreamers. Thank you for being my rock and inspiration in the time of need. Today I had to walk alone and that's OK. Time alone has given me strength and I now know that I have not reached my limits, this is not as far as I will go in life. I made the decision a while ago and confirmed it today that I will no longer go through the motions in life, I am not going to live another day without joy and passion. I've seen sooooo many sad depressed people on the streets of Philly. That won't be me! I will not accept complacency or mediocrity. Life is too short.

Dreamlist

I'm a dreamer by nature. So, I take a few minutes to dream daily. With budgeting and hard work these dreams will come true!
A Vintage Bike... The cost of gas is Ridiculous!

Dream Vacation Sweet! No work all play! I could chill and relax with no worries.

A Digital camera to take pics while I'm on vacation LOL! Currently, I am clicking away and running to Walgreen's to get the pics developed. That's so not cool...

Wow! How nice would it be to have on of these?

Last but not least amount of $$ I dream of owning a used Land Rover

Try Mint!

After a hours of adding up receipts and budgeting papers I'm fed up! No more spreadsheets they are too time consuming and I'm still not finished. I've read about MINT through other blogger's posts but hesitated in giving it a try. Well...I think Mint is the program for me! I entered my accounts and BAM! all my pennies where calculated and categorized. How Luvly and convenient is that?

www.mint.com

Time Is $$

June is over and it is time for me to tally up the pennies! I know that I fell a little off track with my budget but it's OK! Now I know what adjustments need to be made. I'm going to try a different spreadsheet or program...Excel is taking up too much of my time. It's July 1st and the new budget is not finalized...uhh! Suggestions please