tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12030417775679561752011-11-27T18:37:15.360-06:00I am a wife and mother living in a one-career household. I have begun making decisions to take control of our financial future (including taking on small jobs that fit into my life and using the $ earned to pay off bills). One of the things that is keeping me focused and motivated is posting my progress on this blog and sharing what I am learning along the way.SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.comBlogger921100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-60558570137336197482011-07-14T12:26:00.003-05:002011-07-14T12:37:13.011-05:00

I am thrilled with the progress my family has made as we focus on making mindful decisions about where our money is going.I don't mean to leave this blog by the wayside, but I am a bit busier these days.Here's a status update...I have taken on a full-time job, which is a wonderful source of additional income.I have made some choices that have slowed down our debt payoff snowball, and I am 100%

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-79296381207198536962011-02-27T09:28:00.002-06:002011-02-27T09:37:00.256-06:00

As I see and read the news of how the economy and the government budget cuts are affecting jobs across the country, I am grateful for the position I'm in...not my professional position, but my financial one.If I were to be laid off, I would be ok. I wouldn't HAVE to run out and get another job. I wouldn't HAVE to do anything but choose what will work for my family.Why? Because I spent the past

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-72344195622142634522010-12-05T10:38:00.002-06:002010-12-05T10:42:49.950-06:00

Every year my husband and I cannot seem to stick to a designated spending amount for our children. We just get swept up in the spirit of the holiday and the joy of giving. What separates this year from all previous ones is the fact that we actually can afford to splurge on our children this year, paying cash for gifts!!What a blessing!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-79202728925041803842010-07-11T09:47:00.002-05:002010-07-11T09:52:26.372-05:00

Today is a day of CELEBRATION!!! Along with having just commemorated our country's independence, I can now celebrate my family's independence....no longer relying on credit cards for ANYTHING!!!I've been busy attacking VISA, and here are the final results...April: Dropped $2,105May: Dropped $2,100June: Dropped $3,000July: Dropped the FINAL $5,100So, VISA is kicked to the curb, and my family is

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-9570047965248173992010-06-09T15:04:00.002-05:002010-06-09T15:06:21.168-05:00

It's been a while since my last post, but that does not mean I've lost focus on the goal to drop debt. I have continued to make payments and drop the balance on the final credit card, and it WILL be gone soon! I will update the total soon.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-54595921104998475632010-03-31T08:15:00.001-05:002010-03-31T08:21:12.985-05:00

Thanks to another wonderful website, www.pinktruth.com, I was discussing with some efriends today just what each of us has accomplished this first quarter of 2010. That got me to thinking about just where I was a year ago in terms of the debt snowball...In looking back at older posts, I can see that just a year ago I still had a car payment AND I still had a home improvement loan, credit card,

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-90156239795030415842010-03-20T17:39:00.002-05:002010-03-20T17:41:29.803-05:00

Well, I tried to avoid it for as long as I could. I didn't want to require anyone to register with the blog in order to post a comment. However, I have had so many spam posts of a "Nigerian Scam" persuasion, that I'm forced to require it.If you ever wish to post a comment, just know that registration is only there to hopefully deter the phishers out there. I look forward to your words of

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-80598628708357556112010-03-16T19:28:00.001-05:002010-03-16T19:30:48.043-05:00

Again, I've let this blog fall by the wayside. However, I have NOT stopped making forward progress in dropping the debt. Since that last post, I've paid an additional $4,200 towards our final credit card. If I were to take a quick peak, I could tell you the exact total we have left, but I'm rather lazy. So, I'll ballpark it...we have just about $8,000 left on that card. Each time the number

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-69182690000106568702010-01-01T20:25:00.002-06:002010-01-01T20:29:37.865-06:00

2010 is off to an INCREDIBLE start!! With only two debts left to pay off, and a second income with which to pay it, we will be in great shape! Yay!!Update:Credit Card Balance: $12,000Student Loan: $18,000This is the year to BECOME DEBT FREE!!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-51385592272284044862009-12-03T07:08:00.002-06:002009-12-03T07:09:57.285-06:00

I've been so busy since the last post that I've failed to keep up with tracking payments. I will update the total shortly, and I look forward to a very Merry Christmas this year paying CASH for all gifts. :-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-59583540208947826492009-10-27T18:34:00.000-05:002009-10-27T18:35:18.554-05:00

Made another little payment to the card. I LOVE watching that balance dwindle.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-64077184526193034692009-10-18T19:35:00.002-05:002009-10-18T19:38:26.417-05:00

At this rate, we will be at a $0 balance in the Spring!!! I cannot remember the last time I owed no money to a credit card. I guess that would be at age 19 before I received my first credit card. How I look forward to saying good-bye to an almost-twenty year relationship with VISA. It's a divorce that should have happened years ago. :-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-183714716083961612009-10-09T13:02:00.002-05:002009-10-09T13:07:13.315-05:00

I am excited to report that, although I haven't been posting regularly, I've been knocking out that debt. Now that the home improvement loan is paid off, I am now focused on that final Credit Card!!!In the past month, I've managed to pay $2,670.This is broken down as such.$350 from our regular family budget.$1,320 from a large check of backlogged pay for my testing job (some of the money was from

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-1557292108627221252009-08-19T11:12:00.004-05:002009-08-19T11:19:00.291-05:00

A good question posted by "anonymous."I work part-time as a test proctor, and the large chunk that I paid recently was the result of stockpiling my checks in savings and then making one big payment. The final payment was made thanks to a sweet and unexpected gift sent to me from my grandparents. Also, the more debts that I pay off, the more money that is available in the monthly budget to put

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-72351603830123155362009-08-18T17:49:00.001-05:002009-08-18T17:51:28.493-05:00

I'm doing a dance!! The home improvement loan is G-O-N-E! Buh--bye!What's left:Credit CardStudent LoanMay seem like a lot, but it's far less than we had before this process started.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-67103239107889464042009-08-17T10:56:00.000-05:002009-08-17T10:57:51.420-05:00

I put one more chunk on the home improvement loan. And, it's almost down to 0. Then, we're kicking VISA out of the house next!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-64978313467117114672009-08-01T07:56:00.002-05:002009-08-01T07:58:37.721-05:00

Made another payment to the home improvement loan. Now, we've got about $2,000 left. I cannot wait to report on this account being paid off and closed.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-76199770550133815782009-07-20T06:52:00.001-05:002009-07-20T06:54:05.250-05:00

Exciting news! I hit a whopping blow to the home improvement loan this week. He's down, but not out...yet. There's still about $2,500 left, but I feel the momentum, and I'll keep pounding that bad boy until he's down for the count.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-11662774295956946732009-05-14T21:22:00.002-05:002009-05-14T21:32:50.414-05:00

I wanted to respond to someone's comment asking how I am able to do what I'm doing.Well, here are a few tips on how I'm making this financial lifestyle change happen...1. I started making a written budget every month, and then the key thing was that I followed it. I know that sounds crazy, but many times in the past I wrote out a budget, but if we wanted something that wasn't in the budget, I

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-3281124049589081422009-05-01T09:10:00.002-05:002009-05-01T09:11:38.758-05:00

Today is a day for celebration! The car is paid off. Next one to tackle? The home improvement loan. I estimate the end of the summer to get that one off our backs. I can't wait. 2009 is going to end with great financial successes!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-88018441495969298842009-03-16T08:47:00.001-05:002009-03-16T08:48:42.308-05:00

Got another paycheck, and I'm off to the bank! I am so close to the finish line I can taste it!! WooHoo!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-13828908646041401572009-03-10T07:21:00.002-05:002009-03-11T07:21:00.917-05:00

So, on my last post I said I would just have the home improvement loan, student loan, and house left after paying off the car. Well, that was a bit of wishful thinking and selective memory. I left out the lovely credit card. What do ya' know? You'd think I would remember that one. I must have bought some wonderful things with it. I'm sure they were necessities. Right? (Insert sarcastic

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-18334247494408840302009-03-10T07:16:00.002-05:002009-03-10T07:18:50.024-05:00

I just paid $900 on my car. The balance is now down to $1,600. I can see the finish line on this one, and I'm so excited! The momentum is building. Once I pay off this one, I've got the home improvement loan of under $8K. Once that's done I only have the student loan and the house.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-27811526137557670552009-03-01T07:25:00.002-06:002009-03-01T07:43:29.678-06:00

I spent 6 hours on Wednesday dealing with what appeared to be a fraudulent charge on our family's debit card. It was roughly $24 charged to a Subway restaurant in a city about 45 minutes away that we never go to. A call to the bank. A police report filed. Then, the detective work began. I didn't have a phone number to the store on my charge information. So, I Googled the restaurant name and

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-47690549527903834512009-02-17T18:33:00.004-06:002009-02-17T18:55:36.634-06:00

It's been too long since I've posted. The good news is that business has picked back up, so I'm bringing home money and tackling those bills. Status update:Car balance: 2,500Home Improvement Loan: 8,300Credit Card: 17,000Student Loan: 19,000I'm confident I can knock out that car payment within the next month. The goals as I've laid them out are as follows:2009: Pay off car and home improvement

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-15933871403116883292008-11-26T13:21:00.002-06:002008-11-26T13:34:49.833-06:00

I had a request to tell what amount of debt I have. I suppose I've intentionally avoided putting this information out there, much like the way we don't like to state just how much we weigh when talking about losing weight.So, I'm stripping down and getting on that debt scale, and the results are:Credit Card: 15,000Home Improvement Loan: 8,000Car Loan: 7,000Student Loan: 19,000TOTAL:

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-876689254764285452008-11-19T06:48:00.004-06:002008-11-19T06:52:37.529-06:00

Patience is indeed a virtue. Although I was disappointed that I had made poor choices that kept me from dwindling our debt for a while (and indeed increasing it through unwise purchases), I am happy to report that the money is rolling in again.I've taken on a regularly scheduled testing session, and we're tightening the family budget a little more to squeeze out what we can from there.I'm very

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-77049696871549356862008-10-04T07:47:00.003-05:002008-10-04T08:05:03.734-05:00

So, the spiral started off with a couple of luxury purchases, then turned into necessary spending. Then, along came a defining moment. My dog got very sick, so I took him to the vet. He had gone from 18 lbs to 14 lbs. And, it turned out he had a tumor the size of a softball attached to his liver. It was surgery (with no guarantee that he would survive or that it wouldn't be cancer) or

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-65753163353750756752008-09-23T16:20:00.003-05:002008-09-23T16:30:38.332-05:00

Well, I wish I could say that I've just been drastically reducing debt. But, unfortunately, I have to confess I have fallen off the wagon, BIG TIME. Well, maybe not big time. But, my balance isn't going down right now.Here's the deal: The summer began, I did very well with budgeting for our family vacation trips to see family. Took cash from savings that I'd saved up all year.Then, instead

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-25724054792819873692008-08-03T22:39:00.000-05:002008-08-03T22:40:21.211-05:00

Another payment made to the card. :-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-44822285993894760882008-07-01T15:10:00.002-05:002008-07-01T15:12:33.118-05:00

I made a $320 payment to the plastic monster on early June, and another $360 a couple of weeks later, AND, I just put $1500 toward kicking that money-sucking monster out of my house & wallet.:-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-21611225568490854272008-05-26T07:03:00.003-05:002008-05-26T07:04:57.202-05:00

I've been so busy that I neglectd to report this payment when it was made. It is becoming an ingrained part of my routine that I just take my check to the bank and plop a huge payment down on the card that it slips my mind to come home and report it on my blog. That is a wonderful situation to be in. It means I've establish a habit of paying off debt!!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-4987089602135941272008-05-01T16:47:00.000-05:002008-05-01T16:48:31.660-05:00

1 more payment closer to financial freedom!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-11057816317735763502008-04-25T10:50:00.001-05:002008-04-25T10:50:36.765-05:00

Yippee!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-32679140043488617332008-04-15T07:45:00.003-05:002008-04-15T07:48:27.299-05:00

Sorry Ed Wallace. Instead of having a $500 car payment (or Fleece...I mean lease payment), I took $500 and put it toward paying off my credit card. I apologize in advance if my decision causes our economy to collapse. I can't say you didn't warn me, Ed.Yes, I'm still utterly annoyed. See previous post if you're confused. :-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-21832660529094272932008-04-10T09:55:00.002-05:002008-04-10T10:00:32.885-05:00

I was listening to Ed Wallace on the radio, and he told a woman essentially that she shouldn't sell her car to get rid of having a car loan because THE ECONOMY NEEDS PEOPLE TO BORROW MONEY AND BE IN DEBT. He said that if everyone stopped borrowing money the economy would collapse. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!!!If everyone stopped borrowing money, started paying off their debts with what they earned,

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-35642631385949652782008-04-10T09:40:00.002-05:002008-04-10T09:42:21.395-05:00

I made another big payment on the card. I LOVE seeing that balance dwindle. Due to a small setback, we will be getting this card paid off by August, instead of this month. BUT, we should have the card AND the home improvement loan paid off by the end of the year. THEN, all we'll have left is the student loan and the house!!! I can't wait.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-63353559217166240172008-04-01T09:42:00.001-05:002008-04-01T09:42:50.918-05:00

Made another payment. I love watching that balance go down.:-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-60138986455631851362008-03-28T16:07:00.000-05:002008-03-28T16:08:21.537-05:00

We got a bonus check, and put it ALL on the card!! Yippee!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-60852361712203135332008-03-28T15:57:00.002-05:002008-03-28T16:07:08.548-05:00

It pays to do some research and make a phone call.I currently have my home phone, DISH, DSL, and Cell bundled with AT&T. I noticed that my DSL rate went up, and I had been told it would stay the same low rate as long as I didn't change my current setup. Well, that clearly didn't change, yet there went my bill, DOUBLE what I had originally been told it would be. Also, my DISH bill went up by

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-78813679387314490412008-03-16T22:02:00.003-05:002008-03-16T22:11:48.733-05:00

Ms. Ambitious posted that question, and it's such an important one that I decided to make it a posting.First, the debt I have paid down is not all credit card. I paid off 2 cars, sold our motorcycle (which we also were making payments on and paying insurance for), paid off and closed a department store credit card, and then paid off a major credit card.What I have left, one more credit card, a

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-67948183152827806732008-03-10T10:28:00.001-05:002008-03-10T10:28:50.393-05:00

Made another payment today! I love it!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-50024446141968542972008-02-27T21:08:00.001-06:002008-02-27T21:09:04.967-06:00

Got a paycheck. Drove to the bank, and paid a whopping $640 on the credit card! Yay!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-609236379452936792008-02-20T09:57:00.000-06:002008-02-20T09:58:14.431-06:00

Made another $400 in payments to the card! Yippee!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-87634412814279154312008-02-11T09:36:00.000-06:002008-02-11T09:37:46.427-06:00

It's not as big as the last payment, but it's a payment. And, more $ will be coming soon...tax refund!!! Payday!!! I anticipate this card being paid off by APRIL!!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-89602803512815744032008-01-12T07:46:00.000-06:002008-01-12T07:47:13.193-06:00

Had a big payday and put a grand on the card!!! I love it!!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-39398617176802238452008-01-08T06:04:00.000-06:002008-01-08T06:06:08.290-06:00

Well, Christmas may have been a time in which I stopped digging OUT of the hole called debt, but the nice thing was that it wasn't a time I started digging down farther INTO the hole. So, life is good. In fact, life is so good, I didn't even post that I'd made this payment over a week ago. Life is good.I'd better get back to my digging.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-38165312895334683072007-12-07T12:57:00.001-06:002007-12-07T13:03:13.988-06:00

If you've been reading my posts, you know that I sometimes talk about other ways in which I'm trying to lower our cost of living, besides just paying off existing debts.For example, I've worked on lowering our electric bill, and I was able to lower our phone bill as well.Well, today I am writing about groceries. The truth is that although they're a necessity, we don't have to pay as much as we

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-42282561394587308682007-12-05T11:03:00.000-06:002007-12-05T11:04:08.087-06:00

It's not a big payment, but it's chipping away at that debt nonetheless. I made a $100 payment to the credit card. Ahh, it feels good to be knocking this sucker out, one payment at a time, until it's gone!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-84952055069078430242007-11-26T14:13:00.000-06:002007-11-26T14:14:32.080-06:00

WooHoo!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-45482261215988513562007-11-09T07:47:00.000-06:002007-11-09T07:49:59.912-06:00

I paid $300 to the last of the credit cards this family will ever see!! I've got a ways to go, but I can SEE the finish line. A year ago my family's life was very different. Fundamentally we were the same, but when bills are on your mind, and looking at the numbers makes a person queasy, life is definitely different for the spirit.Today, I feel anxious in a good way when I sit down to look at

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-72919303987277601212007-10-18T07:48:00.000-05:002007-10-18T07:50:09.098-05:00

It's official!!! Today I pay off credit card #1!I paid $570 yesterday, and today I pay $422.60!! And, that sucker is out of my life, my wallet, my consciousness!It feels awesome!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-17414099672256450572007-10-16T17:36:00.000-05:002007-10-16T17:37:18.623-05:00

And, the momentum begins to build back up!!! I paid 150 to the credit card today, and deposited a couple of paychecks. So, when those get posted, I will be sending another payment. Then, that big paycheck is coming for a month's worth of test proctoring, and I can't wait to put that towards debt.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-85897975225980678512007-10-15T12:55:00.000-05:002007-10-15T13:00:39.919-05:00

It's amazing how slipping even a little bit out of a good routine can derail an entire gameplan. I wouldn't say that's exactly what's happened to me, but I can say that my momentum has been slightly interrupted.First, I chose to take a portion of my income and put it towards a home improvement project that we've meant to do for years. Although this seemed like a very practical choice, I missed

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-13812205394605313212007-09-19T10:34:00.000-05:002007-09-19T10:38:34.691-05:00

Today I made a MONSTER PAYMENT to the credit card. I made a business decision a few weeks ago that I should return what Mary Kay products I could to Corporate for repurchase. I made this decision for the following reasons:1. I had not been working that business since beginning as a test proctor.2. I could not work BOTH as a test proctor and as a Mary Kay consultant (too much time).3. I was

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-43014561942443584752007-09-07T20:03:00.000-05:002007-09-07T20:04:44.223-05:00

Paid $400 to the credit card today!!!It's time for a countdown:Balance before this payment... $3,164 (and some change)Minus $400New Balance:$2,764.00!!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-57889642720926845702007-08-26T07:56:00.000-05:002007-08-26T07:57:30.915-05:00

YES!! It feels great to be getting closer, and closer to a 0 balance. I can't wait until I post that this account is paid and closed. Expect the news in October. :-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-19376287026062689002007-08-23T06:37:00.001-05:002007-08-23T06:38:35.317-05:00

I just made yet another payment to the credit card!! I am almost up to $24,000 debt dropped! When I started this blog in March, I had dropped $21,100. I love seeing the progress here.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-21966382736109748302007-08-19T09:23:00.000-05:002007-08-19T20:18:37.455-05:00

I've been thinking about what it took to get me headed in the right direction toward a solid financial future. It pretty much boils down to the following:AssessPlanAct1. I had to assess just what our current financial situation was. How much money was coming in each month? How much was going out (more than was coming in)? How much were we saving (none, since more was going out than in)? 2.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-84327904199164578572007-08-17T16:51:00.001-05:002007-08-17T16:52:36.128-05:00

Cha-Ching!!!I just paid $100 to the credit card! Oh, it feels so good. It feels better than spending money I don't have!! How 'bout them apples?

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-7605332631711013692007-08-08T07:30:00.000-05:002007-08-08T07:34:58.140-05:00

I can feel the momentum building as I aggressively attack this credit card and bring it to its knees. There is a real sense of POWER when I take control of my money and make IT do what I want, rather than watch it flee my wallet (aka checking account) without regard for me.I love the feeling of control.:-)Mindful spending makes all the difference. Every time I think about spending $, or the

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-83897858951541282432007-08-07T12:43:00.000-05:002007-08-07T12:44:50.339-05:00

Yep, I'm on a roll. Just paid 215 toward the credit card. I am on track to pay it off in October!!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-12297108129058302422007-07-31T06:41:00.000-05:002007-07-31T06:42:41.665-05:00

One more payment to the credit card!! Can't wait to knock that sucker down to $0 and close that bad boy account!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-51885534494932688042007-07-24T10:54:00.000-05:002007-07-24T10:56:34.190-05:00

Payday is here, and I'm making another payment to the not-so-good old credit card. That sucker WILL be paid off before Christmas!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-52929844305366910042007-07-11T21:00:00.000-05:002007-07-11T21:14:40.035-05:00

I've known this to be true with something such as weight loss...that having a network of supportive women friends can do wonders for your success (having people by your side who are going through the same struggle as you, there to cheer each other on toward the finish line). QUESTION: Why hadn't I sought the support and encouragement of my own friends when I set the goal to get on a solid

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-64389311057427187322007-07-05T11:28:00.000-05:002007-07-05T11:29:38.813-05:00

WooHoo! Payday! I'm off to the bank to put $170 toward the card!! I never thought I'd say this, but I wish I could lose weight as fast as I can drop debt. HEE.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-73980800526854606182007-07-03T13:49:00.000-05:002007-07-03T13:50:57.534-05:00

The jobs I am currently working are:1. Test proctor (Approx. $1000 per month)2. Math Tutor ($160 per month)I quit the magazine delivering when I got the test proctor job. I couldn't fit them both in my schedule, and the proctor job paid more per hour and didn't add miles to my car. :-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-20873782106039867922007-06-30T21:35:00.000-05:002007-06-30T21:39:46.885-05:00

Hah! This is just typical.Well, I thought and thought, and although I wasn't ready to cancel the entire cell phone account, I did decide to drop my husband's "add a line" that we pay an extra $10 a month for (which he never uses and rarely even turns on.) The next day, my car broke down. At first I thought, "Well, that's just great!" But, you know what? It all worked out. And, if I had

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-78523424009045337032007-06-19T13:42:00.000-05:002007-06-19T13:52:38.002-05:00

Why do I pay $60 a month for a cell phone? I know...in case of emergencies, I have kids, it's a convenience, who doesn't have a cell phone? Well, for the sake of emergencies, can't I have a 'prepaid phone' that I can use to dial 911?The kids can't talk to me on the cell, and the only reason to use my kids as the excuse would be in the event there's a kid emergency, so the prepaid phone that

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-78373126882557077832007-06-17T13:46:00.000-05:002007-06-17T13:48:24.881-05:00

Yay!! I now have 2 schools that I proctor for, so the debt's just dropping like crazy now!! Yippee!!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-53858654820452792792007-06-12T12:09:00.000-05:002007-06-12T12:14:14.966-05:00

I got paid yesterday for test proctoring and my first week of tutoring a new student. Yay!! I'm putting $200.00 toward the credit card.It is a wonderful feeling to know I'm doing what I can to help secure our financial future without losing sight of my most important job...taking care of my family. I work less than 10 hours a week outside of the house...just enough to bring in some extra money

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-16091871525202322472007-06-04T14:26:00.001-05:002007-06-04T14:35:47.142-05:00

I heard someone say once that you won't change the way you act until you change the way you think. This is absolutely true. For example, if you want to lose weight, but you see doing so as depriving yourself of the foods you love, you just can't act in a manner that will help you lose weight. You are THINKING about it the wrong way. The same can be said for money matters. If the idea of a "

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-29234773239860980302007-05-25T20:02:00.000-05:002007-05-25T20:07:46.766-05:00

I found this book, America's Cheapest Family, at the library and read it in one day. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone who thinks there is no way to cut costs and start getting out of debt. I found so much of this book to be helpful in getting my mind set to tackle more cost-cutting efforts. I've already gone through our 2006 spending to see what our pattern has been, and I've made a proposed

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-86044959782043926682007-05-21T13:33:00.000-05:002007-05-21T13:34:24.061-05:00

I put $350 to the credit card, and it felt GREAT!! I start a new tutoring gig in June, and I'm looking forward to adding that amount to the debt snowball.:-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-2295796234256422012007-05-14T13:04:00.000-05:002007-05-14T13:14:13.042-05:00

Are you being honest with yourself about your financial situation? Money matters are like weight issues. We tell ourselves we don't know why we can't lose weight as we take a bite of a BigMac. We say we can't find a way to cut expenses to save money while driving a leased SUV that gets 12 mpg. We can tell ourselves all the things we want to just to make ourselves feel better right now. But,

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-207924071183762542007-05-04T22:12:00.000-05:002007-05-04T21:41:08.947-05:00

I was playing around on the internet recently, and I came across some online schools for getting trained in real estate. I'm a curious person, so I requested a free catalog (not that I'm going to dive into real estate school or anything, just curious). I was contacted by someone who wanted to answer my questions and help me get started. (I figured I'd ask questions). She explained what I

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-10288358529881412632007-05-03T14:15:00.000-05:002007-05-04T21:11:11.952-05:00

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-58136221096806177572007-05-01T07:53:00.000-05:002007-05-01T07:56:57.259-05:00

Yes, another $300 payment to the good old credit card!! I am so excited to be whittling away at that debt, then closing that account. I can feel the momentum building as I knock out bills one by one.BTW, our electric bill went from $450 in March to $150 in April after I started checking the meter each day and determining just how much electricity we NEEDED to consume and what we didn't. :-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-87974245506712518022007-04-23T22:52:00.000-05:002007-05-04T21:37:50.139-05:00

I've been thinking about the word 'consumer'...as in, "The average American consumer spends $12 per year on toothpaste."What does it mean to be a consumer? Let's look at the word 'consume'.www.dictionary.com defines consume below:1. to destroy or expend by use; use up.2. to eat or drink up; devour.3. to destroy, as by decomposition or burning: Fire consumed the forest.4. to spend (money, time,

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-64725085707005796052007-04-17T15:27:00.000-05:002007-04-17T15:29:08.179-05:00

I just paid $300 to my credit card!! Yay! I will get my first check from test proctoring in the next week or so, and I am thrilled to be putting that money toward this debt. Yippee!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-75565684679937138222007-04-14T15:55:00.000-05:002007-04-14T15:56:52.783-05:00

This week was my first one with the new job. It's going great! I finished my magazine deliveries the end of March, and will be putting that $ toward the credit card this week!!! I LOVE that I am able to make a difference in our family finances by doing just a few hours of work each week.:-)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-14515259450772804942007-04-05T10:44:00.000-05:002007-04-05T08:47:29.996-05:00

Yeah!! I found a GREAT JOB that I will be able to do part-time, mostly evening/weekend, as a test proctor. I am waiting on my test administrator certificate to come in, and as soon as it does, I will begin administering. I'm hoping next week for sure. This job literally came to me. I had been searching Career Builder, I had accepted that the best thing I would find was going to be the

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-40790765699416515782007-03-30T16:10:00.000-05:002007-03-30T16:15:37.385-05:00

Well, my magazine deliveries for March are done. It takes me roughly 5 hours a day for 3 days to complete my route, and that brings me approximately $275 in income after gas expense. I am eager to get that check and DROP more debt!!I am still working on aquiring another job to replace my tutoring income. I interviewed with a restaurant this week and will return next week for the 2nd interview.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-10461735007514386622007-03-22T13:12:00.000-05:002007-03-22T13:15:00.465-05:00

Well, my tutoring gig is up, so I'm looking for something else I can do to replace it. I'm thinking about a weekend job waiting tables at a nice restaurant. Tips can be great, and I enjoyed that kind of work in college. Wish me luck. I'm heading out this weekend to find a good place to work.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-58235677425045551512007-03-16T10:16:00.000-05:002007-03-16T08:17:31.310-05:00

I have always known in the back of my mind that the easiest way to save money was to put automatically put 10% in savings each time you're paid. But, for some reason, I've never been consistent with it. Well, since sitting down and WRITING OUT each amount of money I earn, I automatically calculate 10%, and I put it toward savings. I ALSO donate another 10% to my church. Now, I realize that i

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-64453050854455630012007-03-13T11:07:00.000-05:002007-05-04T21:34:14.652-05:00

I put $120.64 to the credit card today! I have now put 750.64 toward the card so far this month. I just need 249.36 to reach my goal of putting $1,000 toward this debt this month!!!

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-23599654855287241102007-03-11T20:39:00.000-05:002007-03-11T21:06:58.444-05:00

Dave Ramsey, in his book The Total Money Makeover, says something along the lines of, "If you live like no one else WILL for two years, you can live like no one else CAN for the rest of your life."Since just the start of this month, I have paid $630.00 toward a credit card debt. My goal is to pay $1,000 each month until it is paid off. Having a clearly defined goal keeps me focused. Knowing

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-28095514871168201742007-03-09T19:27:00.000-06:002007-05-04T21:31:52.504-05:00

According to the following site, www.didyouknow.cd/creditcards.html, the first official 'credit card' in the USA appeared in the form of the Diners Club card in the 1950s. In the 1970s, when the magnetic stripe was incorporated into cards, their availability and use became more common.Imagine what your life would be like if you lived your fiscal life today as if it were before 1950, if you only

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-75766267429368059282007-03-09T15:01:00.000-06:002007-05-04T21:30:17.025-05:00

Paid $230 to my credit card today. (Magazine Delivery Payday!)It feels good to get below 6K.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-44014051148443689742007-03-08T08:17:00.000-06:002007-05-04T21:29:20.195-05:00

I just made a $400 payment to my credit card!WooHoo!!EVERY time I earn money, it will go toward this card until it reaches a ZERO balance. Then, I will close the account and move on to the next bill.

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-333135562603299312007-03-08T07:44:00.000-06:002007-05-04T21:28:12.915-05:00

Currently I am working the following to further my cause:1. Tutoring 3 days a week (approximately $400-500 per month)2. Magazine deliveries 3 days a month ($280 per month)3. Mary Kay sales ($100-200 per month)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1203041777567956175.post-61395281134475534462007-03-07T19:52:00.000-06:002007-03-08T07:25:11.352-06:00

In the last year, since getting serious about paying off bills and elminating debt, I have managed to do the following:1. Sell my motorcycle 2. Pay off and close a Department Store Card3. Pay off both vehicles (we have NO CAR PAYMENTS!!)

SnoBabyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12055359875526673912noreply@blogger.com0