Save money

I decided to make a me account. This account is just for me to do as I please.

All my other accounts are taken care after the last three years. I am finally getting it.

1. Cash will always be king.
2. Pay yourself first.
3. Take care of your needs first to leave room to enjoy your wants.

It’s been a while since I have written.

Things have improved for us finanically. I recieved a promotion at my day job with a good raise. We have cleared our debt and have started saving more momey.

As it stands we now have a positive networth. My husband is starting his own small home based business at the end of the year.

We have cut back on much our spending. I am cooking from home now more than before. We gave away and sold half our household items. We cut our bills by 10-15% monthly.

Things are going smoothly.

The system is working.

The savings plan is working like a charm and I don’t even miss the money. I can go to sleep knowing I have some money in the bank in the event of an emergency.

I changed my Amazon.com account to deposit my sales directly into an online account. I don’t even want to have the money in a standard account where I can touch it immediatly.

My birthday is this week and people are sending me birthday money. I have put it in the bank. I like watching the number rise at the end of the month when I review our finances.

I’m trying to find more ways to cut corners and bring in more money.

My review is right around the corner. If I get a raise this year the entire amount is going to savings. I don’t even want to see it.

When I do my surveys for $1.00 I don’t look at it as a time waster I feel like every penny, dime, quater and dollar counts. It all adds up.

I started doing some work on Amazon.com Mechinal Turk. The concept is crazy but fun and everything I earn is adding up.

Multiple Streams of income is the way to go.

Good News!

I was able to have two of the three overdraft charges that posted to my account removed saving me $62 in fees. The first one was from the bank manager and the second one from customer service.

I reviewed my member agreement from my bank and was able to negotiate the removal of the charges because two of the overdrafts hit my account at the same time the refund was processed.

It never hurts to ask.

The automatic savings went off without a hitch.

I had some setbacks with the cash we keep on hand. We ended up spending it way too quickly. I also bought a video game for my husband from J&R music and it ended up being for the wrong system. I took it back with no problem. I went to use my card four days later and ended up getting a overdraft fee because they didn’t process the refund. I called and they said it take up to three weeks for it to take place. Two weeks! I was so pissed.

I ended up getting three $32 over the limit fees. I went to the bank and explained my issue and because I have never had a overdraft before they removed one with no questions asked. I didn’t know about the other two until the next day. Once the other two hit, then the refund from J&R hit my account. So I end up owing the bank $50 dollars.

I am going to the bank to see if they can remove the other charges since everything hit the bank at the same time. The purchase amount equal up to $16 or the $22 that should of been there. If they can’t do it, I’ll pay the overage.

Lesson learned: Always ask the cashier how long it takes for the refund to be processed and check your bank before making any purchases.

I ended up spending some of the money i made this month from selling used books.

The one good thing I did this month was kept and labeled all my receipts to see what I was spending cash money on. This will help me create a clear picture on my spending habits.

I have to be honest that I wanted to go into my special savings accounts over the last week. I didn’t because that money has a purpose and I get paid next week. I can make until then. The bank told me I am a good customer and they will wait until I am paid to settle my outstanding balance.

This month I learned that I have to give more thought to the money that comes in and out of my life. What is worth it and what can wait. I have to stick with my plan because if I do, a few month down the line things will be that much better.

I won a prize in a Redbook contest. I got a envelop from Redbook and almost threw it out thinking it was junk mail but it was too thin so I figured I would read it.

I opened it and the letter said I won one of the December prizes from the magazine. I won a special Rachel Ray cast iron/cassorole pan and cookbook!

Woo Hoo!!!

I did a happy dance all over the living room last night.

The prize will take a few months to arrive but hey, it’s free, I can use it and love Rachel Ray.

I started entering woman magazine contest since early last month. I figure it’s free, it’s fun and who knows what can happen.

Due to my allergies and sleep issues I am taking regular medication. I checked to find out if the manufacture offers a rebate.

One of my allergy sprays offers up to $240 back annually for using their product. I submitted for my first $20 rebate.

I have another nasal wash I use and I get up to $7.50 each time I get refills.

So now I look online for rebate offers or discounts before I buy anything.

Cashed in my coins from my coffee can and I have $19.57. All going to the bank.

My wallet was the catch all for everything I held near and dear. I have decided to put my wallet on a diet.

As of a week ago, my wallet only contains my transportation cards, ID, medical cards, one debit card, stamps and twenty dollars in small bills.

Before I use to carry all my debit cards and other crap that ended up ripping every wallet I had.

I realized that the more ways I carry money with me, the more I am likely to spend. The debit card I carry only has a $100 in the account in case of emergency. Other than that, I carry cash.

It has actually worked out pretty well because I didn’t spend anything in the post holiday shopping rush.

The debit card is only in case something bad happens or I can’t get home for some reason.

Lighter wallet, lighter mind.

Automated.

I have finalized automating my bills, savings and investments.

I called my companies and asked to have my due dates on the bills changed and they were happy to do it once I told them what I was trying to do.

It was a somewhat long process initiating the automatic deposits with two of my online banks. So much security is a good thing.

I have been able to save $150 so far this month. This feels pretty darn good.

I am cutting out web access and the ability to download my camera pics from my cell phone. It’s an extra $15 for my phone and an extra $7 for my husbands. I will cancel my service and and bank the extra money.

I am learning how to use this gift certificates I have been getting in the mail. Today I bought a sports bra from Lane Bryant. I used my $15 gift check for a $24 item.

I have a $10 JC Penny Gift Certificate and I plan to use it to by some thermal pants and shirt for the winter. They are currently on sale.

My husband asked for some clothing and hair cut for the holidays. It felt good to get him some much needed clothing and the hair cut and not worry about which bill to short. Everything was planned so the money he is using now, is from the house money.

He asked me what I wanted to buy myself for Christmas. After careful thought I realized I didn’t want anything. I want to get the items we need for our apartment (blender) and winter clothing done for the both of us. I have the list and am waiting, pricing and checking things off as I go.

With sales, rebates, gift certificates and rewards dollars/points I am going to be able to get everything I need for much less than I budgeted for.

This is my christmas present to myself. No stress about bills or making ends meet.