Med12's Personal Finance Blog

So I noticed on my latest credit card statement from unnamed big bank credit card that I got charged and $19 "membership fee." Are you kidding me? This was a no annual fee credit card when I originally signed up. Where was the notice that I'd be getting charged this? So, because I'm behind on the bill, they of course are hounding me trying to get me to commit to a payment, etc. I told the guy many times in no uncertain terms that I could not arrange a payment right now. They of course don't care about my situation and are obviously reading from a script so while I was on the phone with him, I decided to mention this $19 fee. He didn't know what to do (but still of course asked me to set up a payment) and finally transferred me to a supervisor. She gave me a courtesy credit on the "membership fee" and I'm happy about that. Every little bit helps. I'll be happy when I get this one paid off (the balance is less than $400 but I just can't seem to shake it!) and can just have it "there" for the sake of building my credit back up.

So, that's my small victory. Granted, that $19 is about to be given to unnamed big box store when I go do some shopping but I'd rather spend it on diapers or food than "membership fees" The long and short of it - it doesn't hurt to be a squeaky wheel - you never know when they'll give you that "courtesy credit."

Hope everyone has a good day!

So I got a raise. It wasn't a lot but it will certainly help. I know I should increase my 401(k) contribution as that amount is pretty paltry but right now I really want to focus on paying off my debts and then I will max out my contribution to my 401(k). Plus, the extra $40/month or so will go a long way towards that goal and I feel that right now that is more important as I don't want to max out my deduction only to retire and have to use all that money for debt payments.

On another note, I'm anxious to get the tax rebate check (as I'm sure many others here are, too) and I'm planning on paying off a couple of small bills. I have to get DH on board with the idea but I don't want to plan too much until we see what the actual amount ends up being. If it's what I think it's going to be - we'll split it three ways probably - 1/3 to debt, 1/3 to savings and 1/3 to spending. Those numbers might end up a little adjusted once the actual amount comes through but that's the preliminary plan.

It's weird that Easter is tomorrow already and we're getting all the little things taken care of. We have two little ones and we'll get some things for them but we focus more right now on spending the time with them - they are too little to really get into the idea of stuff. I'm encouraging that as long as I can!

It's been a while since I've visited...almost two years. I'm still working at the same company and am anticipating a raise soon. That will help even though it will probably only amount to $20/paycheck. Every little bit helps though. We aren't in any better position financially then we were before I got this job. A series of events has conspired against us and now it's my hubby that is looking for a new job. I'm sure something will come through soon as all the "seasonal" jobs are beginning to hire - i just worry about whether it will be enough to make everything work with daycare and all our other expenses.

In the meantime, I'm plugging away and paying things as best I can. I could play the "if only" game and look back and forward but I won't because it really doesn't do any good except waste energy/time thinking about things. So, there you have it. Some days I get really down and out while others I thank god that I have a house and a family that loves and supports me. It's been a tough couple of years and honestly, I still don't really see a light at the end of the tunnel but hey - I could always win powerball tonight! haha.

I'm totally doing the happy dance the past two days. I found out yesterday afternoon that the job I've been interviewing for is putting together an offer for me! Woo Hoo!

What a long road it's been. Nine very long months of looking does not do well for the psyche, marriage or finances. But, things are starting to look up and the challenge now will be to rein in the bills/get current/start saving and making progress on paying things off.

Once I see the offer in the next few days, I'm going to come up with a list of goals to work towards and a list of wants. None of it will really qualify as a need but I of course will have a hard time keeping it separate so I'm thinking if I make a list, it will help keep that in check.

I had the second interview Monday and got good feedback. I also had a third interview Tuesday with the same company. I can't imagine that they won't hire me but you really never know. I'm waiting to hear from them and plan on calling later on this afternoon to see if I can get a status update before the weekend.

I also had an interview for a part-time position yesterday. It went well and I got a couple more contacts for my search. Hopefully something comes through from one of these soon. I also sent out 12 more resumes this week.

So, this week was not too bad. I didn't spend any money until last night. DH and I went grocery shopping and spent more than we intended BUT, DH did something to save some money so that made me happy. He bought bagels and cream cheese instead of buying it in the mornings. He's really trying and even though he is a sucker for toys for DS, it's okay.

I have to go grocery shopping today but I have my ads in front of me and will get down to business with the ads and the coupons. I don't need much really - it's more of a stocking up trip if there are any good deals.

We had some fresh produce from the garden and given to us this week so my produce bill is nothing this week. I think I probably saved about $20-25 in produce alone.

Tonight is an eating out night - we haven't eaten out in about 2 weeks (probably a record for us) but I need a change as I'm going a little stir crazy with the cooking thing.

I went to the same grocery store today and at pretty much the same time as last week but a different day. This week, a guy walked up to me and handed me coupons to use to double my coupons up to $2 for $25/more. Since the three coupons I had were for $1, I "found" $3 today! Woo hoo!

And, the cashier automatically gave me the $10 rebate on the soda...even better!

Today I saved close to $70. Too bad I can't transfer that to a CC or something though.

DH gets paid today. Have to pay some bills but also need to be more careful about how much I leave in the account to get through the week. May not be able to pay as much as I'd like but oh well what can you do? Maybe next week will be easier.

In the meantime, I don't really need to do any major grocery shopping this week as we had a big trip last week but I do need to get to Sam's and pick up some stuff. Sigh - it's always something, right?

I just wanted to put this out there. I have about 25 sample sized packs of Blue Lizard sunscreen that I will never get through but am willing to send along to someone that can use them. I also have a bunch of $1 coupons for Blue Lizard products. Hopefully someone can use them - just PM me with your mailing address and what you want and they will be on their way!

And, you don't have to take them all - you can take as many or as few as you want.

Today is a rainy day but it will keep me in the house. I'm not participating "officially" in the no-spend challenge as I don't go shopping or spend money outside of grocery shopping on a weekly basis. I can't get out of that because I need to get the perishables once a week but that's okay.

I did move my son's wagon so it collects the rainwater from the roof and will use that to water the garden tomorrow. DH used the water I had collected last week to wash his truck the other day which shocked me but also made me happy. I just realized I have some other buckets in the yard that are collecting water right now too so will use those.

I want to get one of those rainbarrels for next year. There are so many spots in our yard that water drips from the roof that it just makes sense. I have some makeshift ones (buckets) but would like to invest in a nice one to put around at least one of the gutters. Also will do more with the composting and gardening next year to get a better yield of veggies.

I have a few things listed on ebay that I hope sell this week but we'll see. I'm also looking for more things to list and will hopefully put some up this week. Per usual, I'm worried about the checking account going into negative numbers but hopefully we will be okay. We only bounced one thing last week due to our miscommunication and this week we may have one thing too due to spending too much at the grocery store. But, our freezer is slowly getting restocked so that's okay.

At the grocery store, someone walked up to me and asked me if I wanted their points to put towards a $20 off on my grocery bill. I said sure and was pleasantly surprised to find that I had enough points all together to use! Yay! There's my $20 savings for the day! Some people are just really super nice.

So I was super worried at the beginning of the week that a bunch of stuff was going to bounce due to DH's lack of communication with me regarding how much $$ was left after the bills were paid.

Checked online today and at most, one thing bounced. I'm hoping that I don't get charged but you never know. I'm not going to call - I'll just build it in and if they don't charge us - it will go to the savings account.

Hoping to get some of the bills out of the way today. It's been tough because we have to make weekly mortgage payments in order to get caught up but we'll manage. Especially if I get that job.

I just got a phone call for a second interview from the one I had last week. Unfortunately, it's not until next Tuesday because of scheduling stuff but that's okay - at least I got called back! Please continue to keep your fingers crossed for me as I keep looking for a job!

So one thing or another always seems to happen. DH and I *usually* communicate very well when it comes to money - you have to when you barely have enough coming in to make your bills. However, over the weekend, he took money from the ATM without asking how much was left after paying the bills this week. Grumble. So, it will be a stressful couple of days until we get a paycheck on Wed. night. I have a feeling we will be overdrafting some stuff but hopefully it won't be too bad. I think it may be time to wrap up all the coins in the house and deposit those! Sigh.

The interview went really well. I'm optimistic about it and am anticipating a follow up phone call this week. I will keep updating!

I've been looking for a job now for about 7 months and it is getting frustrating and slim as far as income. I really don't want to settle and definitely don't feel that I would be with this job but if if doesn't pan out, I will have to revise my strategy and look for something else.

Keep your fingers crossed for me!

A job search is a pretty frustrating thing. Especially when you have a new degree and no experience in the field you are looking to break into. I can do the work, I just need someone to take a chance on me and give me the job. Once they hire me they will realize it was, of course, the best decision they ever made - it's just a matter of getting in the door. I have sent out easily 50-100 resumes over the past 6 months - not just in the mail but online submissions too. It just stinks. I want a job...I need a job...I want MONEY!

Hopefully my interview today pans out and I get a job offer from it. Who knows how long the hiring process will take.