I'm Around.

I have been really busy lately, so I apologize for the lack of updates!

I do have one quick thing to write about, though. I got my first cavity filled yesterday and also got my bite wing x-rays done at the dentist. The total cost was $190, which I paid in cash. For that, I am very proud. I am getting what I need done, but not going into debt. Yay!

I am getting my next cavity done next month, and this time it will be $140 because I don't need x-rays again.

It's strange how panicked I was at first over this, but all it took was some budget tweaking. If I didn't live on a budget, it wouldn't be possible.

Meals - Week of 3/1

Every Sunday from now on, I will be posting what's for dinner each weeknight. Today at Wal-Mart, I only spent $23 on food because I'm working around what I have in my pantry and freezer already. I'm hoping I'll be able to continue this trend. C always eats dinner with me, unless otherwise noted. =)

Today (Sunday): Hamburger Helper with steamed broccoli and carrots. My neighbor, M, and her boyfrend, A, are eating dinner with me and C tonight.

Monday: Eggs and pancakes with fruit cocktail (I like making breakfast for dinner sometimes).

Tuesday: I'm coaching a soccer game, so the parents will be providing dinner for the team. C will have to fend for himself if he wants to eat. :P

Wednesday: M cooks for A, C, and me.

Thursday: Soccer fundraiser at CiCi's pizza, so me and C are eating out (C will pay for both of us).

Friday: Mac and cheese with green beans.

Saturday: Probably eating out and watching the UFC fight, because a friend is visiting from out of town. C will pay, however.

For lunch during the week, I'll be packing PB&J with an apple and some carrot sticks. I always eat oatmeal for breakfast.

February Update.

Sorry for my lack of posts lately! My week has been somewhat chaotic, which I am about to explain.

First of all, C left for some Army training on Wednesday. He'll be back on February 19th, so I've been catching up on things like cleaning my apartment that are somewhat neglected while he's here. Haha. I do miss him though. =)

Secondly, during the week, I accepted the position as the girls soccer head coach at my school. It happened really fast, but this is going to be really good for me. I'm halting my martial arts lessons for a few months so that I can save more money, so now I have time for coaching. An added bonus is that at the end of the season, I get paid $500! So between no martial arts lessons and the $500 I'll make from this, I should have another $800 in savings by June. At the minimum! So, the coaching position has solved my second job dilemma for the time being. When the season ends, I can look for something to fill in the summer months with.

In addition to all that, I will be transferring my Discover Card balance to a 0% for six months card from my bank. That should allow me to put a huge dent in paying it off since all payments will go on the principal.

I wish my budget wasn't so out of whack this month. I probably won't be able to save much, if anything. But I'm still thankful that I won't need to add any *new* debt (except for maybe that pesky dentist appointment that's at the end of the month...sigh).

How is everyone doing for the month of February?

P.S. I also updated my sidebar at the left with the total amounts I owe. ;)

Weekend Update

My budget is already out of whack for the month of February.

First of all, my hair dryer died so I needed to buy a new one. That was the least of my worries, though. I did my taxes Friday night, and I owe the state $901. I am not pleased! However, my parents are graciously giving me a gift of $901 to send in to cover it. Bullet dodged. I didn't ask them for the money--they offered of their own accord. I am only getting $89 back from the feds, but it beats having to pay them.

Second, those pesky overdraft fees did hit--to the tune of $105. I called my bank, only to speak with the most unhelpful customer service person ever. However, when I went to visit my branch in the afternoon, and talked to my personal banker, she did everything she could to listen to me and e-mailed her supervisor to see about getting some of those fees refunded. Hopefully, that will happen--if not, it's a stupid tax on my part. I really like my bank, so I'll be disappointed if this can't be fixed (even partially).

I explained to my personal banker about wanting to pay off my credit card, and she said that the bank has a credit card with 0% interest for 6 months and then 9.99% after that. It's a way better rate then what I have now, so I applied for the card and will be moving that balance over. Then at least all monies I pay go to the principal.

Finally...she told me that my credit score is 717!!! This is absolutely wonderful, even though I no longer believe in using credit. It will still help me in a few years when I'm ready to get a house. Now...remember, I'm 24 years old so that is an extremely high score for my age. =)

Today I'm on a mission to find a part time job. I'm hoping to either be a server in a restaurant, or to cocktail waitress at a bar or lounge. My good friend Y is coming with me because she's looking for a side gig as well. It would be nice to work somewhere with a friend!

February Budget

Payday is coming up on Friday, so with that in mind, I'm going to post my February budget. Please comment and tweak where you see fit!

Income: ~$2,200

I'm not sure on the exact amount yet because I just changed my tax withholdings, and I'm finally on the correct salary scale at work beginning this month, so I'll find out when it's direct-deposited Friday.

Rent: $600
Utilities: $75 (electric and water are on one bill; I don't have any gas appliances)
Internet: $50
Cell Phone: $83
Car Payment: $264
Car Insurance: $90 (this will go down in March--a separate post on that will be written soon!)
Discover Card: $81
Ninjutsu/Kickboxing Class: $110
Ninjutsu Weapons: $36 (these are required, and Sensei will kill me if I procrastinate on this any longer)
Summer Savings: $150
Prescription: $30
Doctor Co-Pay: $20 (I have another doctor's appointment besides the dentist in February)
Food: $150
Gas: $150

After all those expenses, that leaves me with $401. However, next month is when I am going to the dentist, so I know I'll be spending $59 for the exam and at least $80 for the cleaning. If they require me to have the x-rays in order to take me as a patient, I'll have just enough to cover that--but I'm really hoping that if I'm polite but firm and promise to come back in a few months for them after I can save up for it, they'll let it go for now.

Some other notes:

• I didn't budget for entertainment, because whenever C and I go out, he always pays. He has to go to some Army training stuff for a couple weeks in February, so he won't be around, but I usually just hang out at home and entertain myself online or get stuff done around the house. I spend time with my neighbor a lot, and it doesn't cost any money to have a board game or video game or movie night at home. We also cook dinner for each other during the week and eat so we can catch up (as opposed to spending $ to go out to dinner!).
• Valentine's Day is next month--C will be gone on the actual day, so we'll be celebrating it late. That means that I can get chocolates and and a card for him on sale the day after when they're all marked down a whole bunch! =)
• Since I'm trying to make sure I have enough money for summer, I don't have much of a debt snowball going currently. I've just been moving all extra into my savings account. I'd rather have too much than not enough, and I can use all the extra cash later on as a huge snowball all at once.
• I'm doing without buying any new clothes, or "stuff." Definitely not needed, nor do I have the space in my one bedroom apartment anyway! =)
• Items like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, laundry detergent, toilet paper, etc. are included in the Food category.
  

That's about all for now--I'll check in this week!