Amberbamber's Personal Finance Blog

Off to the beach!

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 17:46:02 PST

And we're off tomorrow morning! I am so excited. My youngest has never seen the ocean! This is an all cash vacation for 3 days- which is a huge excitement to me! None of it will go on the CC's!

Finally Rain!

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 08:05:26 PST

I'm elated beyond belief! It finally rained here in the greater NC area! Yay! They are saying we only have 115 days of water- scary stuff! Thank goodness I have my rain barrel and have been doing as much as possible to conserve!

Pay day today! I've paid all the bills for October...

CC balances update

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 08:47:57 PST

Ugh- we're slipping. It feels like a black hole that I'm inching out of, then I see light at the end of it, but then I slip and fall 2x further down than I feel I was. It will end, it will end, keep repeating to self.

BOA CC- 2664.23 @ 15.24%
MBNA CC- 6776.09 @ 7.9%
Discover...

Debt free in 6 years

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 06:34:45 PST

That is my plan at least. To be completely 100% debt free in 72 months. Starting in October 2007. That seems far off, but with over $68K in debt, that is about $10K a year just to pay on debt! Wow! I know I can do it!

Two options for the van

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 17:05:52 PST

I've checked with our credit union on a lease buyout to purchase the van. It would be a 72 month loan at 7.49% I've also checked with the bank that we hold the lease with...they will get back with me tomorrow. I'm really hoping that one of these institutions will come through. ...

Kelley Blue Book

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:30:32 PST

UGH- KBB lists the value of our van at 16,900.00 We owe 26000.00

I'm going to call our Credit Union tomorrow and see what they'll do regarding a lease buyout. But I'm not hopeful. Ahhh, tomorrow...

Stupid $#%^ Van Payments

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 15:46:31 PST

Ok- so the ONE terribly horribly wrong decision that I *we* make, was the decision to lease a mini van. So, now I'm trying to figure out how best to purchase the darn thing and mark it up to a lesson learned. So anyway, we are currently leasing the Honda minivan with a payment of...

Debt balance

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 16:28:25 PST

Toyota-Adam 7.20% $10,976.01

Honda-Amber *lease* $27,150.00

Sallie Mae Credit Card 0.00% $6,882.00

Sallie Mae-Adam 8.00% $18,206.08

Sallie Mae-Amber 3.37% $1,574.59

Barb and Dave 0.00% $2,700.00

Bank of America CC 10.48% $959.47

Discover 10.24% $359.31

This...

Friday night

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:21:37 PST

I've been through all of my bills and paid everyone for September! Woooohoooo! That is fantastic! I have also paid some bills for October.

Rundown:
Bills for October
Rent - $800.00 pd half already -$400
Cell Phone $52.00
Van payment- $435.00
Power- $250.00
Sallie Mae-A-...

Just what we didn't need

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:08:40 PST

My Dh's grandmother passed away today. That means he'll be flying to IN for a 2-3 day stay. Meaning eating out and any other misc expenses my DH might be tempted to purchase. Not a good thing on our bottom line this week. I know death is not something that can be controlled and...

When is it worth it?

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 14:20:42 PST

My DH and I argue about money vs. time quite a bit of the time. He works his full time job and then does handyman side jobs on the side. Like 6 days of the week. I would like him to be at home to help me with the kids, or just plain be active in their lives. At what point is getting...

Sept goals

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:44:51 PST

1-This month I would like to not be in the red at the end of the week in our checking account.
2-I would like to start putting money into our IRA's and the kids 529 plans again.
3-Save $250
4-Rework budget
5-Pay off CC totaling $1400

It's been a tough week for me!

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 09:16:17 PST

First my oldest started Kindergarten

Then my baby boy got his 1st haircut!
BEFORE

AFTER

So many changes this week :-(

Life and death

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:11:45 PST

After an unplanned trip to Indiana, resulting in over $300 spent we are now in the hole. School starts tomorrow. Groceries need to be bought. I see light at the end of the tunnel. Tomorrow is at least Friday!

The unplanned trip was to say goodbye to my DH's grandmother....

Busy day

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:26:21 PST

Being a stay at home mom is challenging, I find lots of free entertainment to do each and every day, but what gets me is eating lunch out. With 3 kids, I try to get us out of the house 2-3 times a week. Otherwise they just get stir crazy in and around the house. At least the area...

Back to the grind-MONDAY

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 08:46:17 PST

So, the kids are being relatively good this morning. Always a good thing. I've been able to do some cleaning and play some puzzles with them.

I transfered $1000 from our GMAC account to our remaining CC. Balance that remains is 6782.00 0% interest is up in Sept 07, I believe....

More work

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 10:23:04 PST

DH is working today doing his handyman job...he will bring it at least $75. That will be put into our checking to pay on the CC. Yay- I am so glad to see that balance keep going down each month.

Bad thing- Dh had to get a new tire for his truck. $150- that wasn't expected so...

Woe is me

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 10:46:48 PST

Well, not really. But just one blow after another with my DH's job. It seems they are trying to get him to quit. After relocating to NC, with all of our family in the midwest...we always plan on going home for Christmas. Not this year. They won't let my DH take the time off. ...

3 days of nothing

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 16:09:34 PST

I have been so sick for 3 days. I have wanted to do NOTHING. Being sick, plus having 3 kids, and being a SAHM means no rest for me.
Today I finally feel about 50%.
Things are not looking good on my DH's job front. With the stock market the way it is and the big risk with home...

No spend day:)

darbutt@yahoo.com (Amber) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:36:34 PST

I am making it a goal of mine to have 4 no spend days a week Today both girls had dentist appts, we went, insurance covered it 100%. Yay! Then off for lunch at a friend of mine's. Free lunch! Whooohooo! Came home, naps, then get ready for dinner!

!