eve amedeus

I took the license test at the DMV after there was some confusion about how my license application was actually an application for renewal as opposed to an application for a brand new license (since I had a license in this state before I moved to New York and let it lapse). I passed the written exam (the driving exam was not required) with two mistakes; one of the questions I skipped and forgot to go back and the other I really did just straight up guess… and guessed wrong. But license renewal tests allow for three mistakes, so I was in the clear.

I received my brand new state license in the mail early this month and have now completed the two steps I needed to finish before I could start on this goal proper. So, now I’m saving up for motorcycle riding lessons ($250 or thereabouts for a full course), but other things keep getting in the way, like my number 1 goal to get out of debt, etc.

Still, I’m putting a little away each week from my tips for a class, so hopefully soon I’ll have enough to afford it.

I finished paying off the Chase Platinum card!

Update on what I still owe:
—Chase Rewards HRC: $3170
—Capital One: $2210
—World Points: $2550
—Chase Platinum: DONE HELL YEAH

...which brings the total down to $7930. (Last time I checked in, my total credit card debt was $8015.) My little list will now be only three lines long because I’ve finally paid off my Chase Platinum card and it’s done and DONE. (The account was closed last year around this time, so I was just paying it off.)

I’m still trying to decide how to celebrate paying off one of my cards, but I kind of wanted it to be a family thing and not just a “I’m going to make a nice lunch for myself for once instead of just eating sliced cheese while standing in front of the open refrigerator” thing, but the family’s kind of been thrown into chaos because an extended relative is moving in this summer. I’ll get a picnic or something in there somehow.

The Capital One card actually went up from last time (it’s the only card that still has an open account) because I got a flat tire and had to pay for a new tire once I figured out that I couldn’t just plug the old tire. Ugh. Well, I guess that’s what a credit card is supposed to be for, right? Emergencies, or whatever?

Anyway, I’ve still been paying it down along with the other cards, so my total balance still dropped a little, flat tire notwithstanding. I also got a tiny raise at work, so every extra penny (and sadly, it really is just pennies) is going toward these last three cards. YOSH! I can do it!

And then I have to think about student loans. /cry T_T One thing at a time. Credit cards now. Student loans later. (Much later. /sob)

Update on what I still owe:
—Chase Rewards HRC: $3240
—Chase Platinum: $100 (!!)
—Capital One: $2000
—World Points: $2675

...which brings the total down to $8015. (Last time I checked in, my total credit card debt was $9644.)

I actually did what I said I was going to do, which was put my tax refund toward the card with the lowest balance. I did that and now I owe only $100 on my Chase Platinum card, which I will be paying off completely in July. The account is already closed, so the next time I update this goal, I should have only three cards to think about!

I still get annoying phone calls about “creating a plan to restructure [my] debt”—whatever the hell that means. Usually, though, the caller wants to know if I have at least $10,000 in unsecured (ie: credit card) debt. I used to say yes because I couldn’t really remember, but now I’m going to grin and say, “No, thank you. Goodbye” and hang the damn phone up.

I want to celebrate paying off one of my cards, but I’m going to have to figure out a way to do it without buying anything. Maybe an afternoon in the park with a picnic lunch? Hmm, I’ll think of something.