Retirement has been on my brain a lot lately. A year and a half ago, I didn't even have a 401K. And although my contribution is small and I do not get an employer match, I still feel like I am accomplishing something by having one. I had a 401K years ago, but due to financial "ignorance" I took a total distribution when I was laid off. But....you live and learn.

But retirement has become so overwhelming. According to Merryl Lynch, I need at least $600,000 at retirement. I do have over 30 years before retirement, but how in the world can I save 600K? Pay off debt and put that amount towards retirement? Even then, its not enough.

Retirement has been on my brain a lot lately. A year and a half ago, I didn't even have a 401K. I did have a 401K at my previous employer, but being financially dumb I took a distribution when I was laid off. Not the best decision. But you live and learn. My employer now doesn't match %, but I feel like I am accomplishing something by just having one. Unfortunately, I can't change my percentage for another couple of months, but I plan to raise it.


But retirement seems so overwhelming. How am I supposed to come up with $600,000 (According to the retirement calculator, that is the minimum I need)? Pay off debt, then use that money towards retirement? Find a different way to invest? I have over 30 years until retirement, but the days are just flying by. And I don't want to be stuck with nothing.

This past week we had some unexpected expenses - termite treatment (do it yourself kind), household items, and one of our insurance policies went up. So when I got paid today, I went ahead and did all my financial planning and paying...transferred money away for our utility bills, paid credit card payments, accounted for car insurance coming out in a week. And I have $2.96 left. I even took out cash for us to eat out once this week and filled my car up with gas. So I am hoping that I still have $2.96 left next Friday. Luckily I have groceries and I think I have $10 in my "Food" jar at home in case we need milk or something along those lines. But it will be a tight week. But next week will be better.


And even though I am saving for Christmas and my husband's birthday right now, I will be able to pay 4x the minimum on my 3 credit cards in October. I feel like I'm doing ok.

So I am thinking about my budget. Is my current budget good enough? What can I change? Is the living on cash/jar method the way to go? I have tried to do a budget through Mint.com, but it doesn't seem to work for me. I heard about YouNeedABudget.com today. I don't know anything about it except they want $60 for the year for the software. Are there other budgeting softwares? Should I stick with what I know?

Much to my surprise, I got a raise on Thursday and it was more than I thought I would get. I am excited to revamp my budget and see what I can do with the extra money.

I also survived the step daughter's birthday. I realize that I have a hard time budgeting when it comes to her because I want to give her everything. But she is only 18 once. At least that is my justification.

I also got an unexpected increase in our phone bill. My husband forgot to tell me that there was an upgrade fee that would be on our next bill. At least they are going to retro my raise back a few weeks, so hopefully the extra will cover it.

I wish I could say that I have something great to report, but there really haven't been any changes for me. I have applied for many jobs. Many have told me that I am over-qualified. But they don't understand that its an extra job for me. I have a career, I am just looking for extra money. But I'll keep searching.

I did realize that if I want to get my husband a birthday gift in October, that I need to start saving now. I am hoping to find a really good kayak on Craigslist so hopefully I don't have to go to Cabelas! My mother and sisters are going in on it too, so that should bring the cost down. I also have my Christmas budget planned out. Maybe I will get a Christmas bonus at work again this year and I could use it for something such as debt payments and savings since Christmas will be taken care of.

I also worked on my budget a little bit and found that I will have an extra paycheck in October. So "Lord Willing and the creek don't rise" I will be able to make some extra debt payments.

Well, my budget didn't go exactly as planned. Our vacuum cleaner broke and we had to buy bug bombs. So since I only had $2.00 left, it had to come from the money that was going to savings. (sigh) What can you do?

And I just found out that my student loan was transfered to another company? They didn't call me or email me or anything. At least they haven't yet. But I went to make my payment and I couldn't. They did say they were not counting any payments late for July while they get everything settled.

Its going to be a busy week. Just hoping I can keep my gas use under control.

I can't believe Christmas is in about 5 months. How is this even possible?? To say that I find this a little overwhelming is an understatement. I feel like I have a lot on my financial plate right now, so adding Christmas seems extreme. But I have gone through my budget and trimmed here and there. And I am going to start putting the extra away so I have the cash to spend. Its not very much. If I can ever find a second (or technically 3rd job) then maybe I can use a little of it also. Of course, this is not starting this week, since I will only have 2 dollars. But at least I have come up with a plan. And I think everyone will get homemade shortbread cookies and jams. That should cut down on the gifts.

Well, I didn't do a whole lot this weekend since I was sick. I decided that the best thing to do was organize our closet. It took all day Saturday, and I had to buy some hangers, which only cost $3. I also filled my car up with gas for the week and we went to breakfast on Sunday because I was STARVING by then. So not too bad.

I also figured out that on Friday after I pay everything and take out my cash for the week, I will have 2 whole dollars left. The beautiful thing about this is that I think this means I have finally recovered. It even includes me putting money back in savings. I still need to work back up to some beefier credit card payments, but for right now, this is a victory.

Well, I can't say I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. But at least I don't feel like the train is about to run me over. I'm going to update my numbers (as sad as they are) so I can be accountable for where I'm at. I've been on a real roller coaster, but I've decided I can only move forward.

I managed to make some small credit card payments while I am figuring out my cash flow. I have to come up with $29 that I'm short this week, but I know I can do that. And I think I have my budget on track, but it will probably take another week for it to be in full effect.

I'm sick....I think I have some sort of stomach bug. So hopefully I can use this to my advantage to stay at home over the weekend.

After hitting my bump in the road a few weeks ago, I thought that I would have recovered by now. Not sure why....but I haven't. I feel stuck on a treadmill....that never stops or slows down. My finances feel completely out of whack. How is this? My slip up wasn't that bad, but somehow it has made me feel lost. I've spent money for no good reason - and I don't do that. My budget is nowhere near balanced. How did that happen? I'm losing sleep over it and lost a lot of focus. I go to sit down and look at it all, but its like my brain has been treated like a slurpee and someone sucked all the matter out. Ugh. Beyond these feelings, I have made the decision that I am going to have to get another job. I did it to pay for our wedding. I did it to help pay for our house. So I am just going to have to do it to pay for our extras (Mainly siding for our fixer upper house). How will it work? I don't know. My goal is to work 3 days at the beginning of the week so I still have time on the weekend to do the accounting and paperwork for our own business, work there if I need to, and keep up with the house. I just need the treadmill to stop.

First off, let me say that although I am writing about my mother in a somewhat negative light, I love her. And I am using this as a learning experience and to help with my own self realization.

I found out that my family members purchased the house my mother and her husband are living in. They took money from their retirement and a bonus to pay cash. My mother and her husband are financially unable to buy or finance a house. They are only charging my mother $700/ mo for a 3 bedroom house in a nice area. (Said family members also paid for more than half of a new car for my mother.) But I found out that they aren't making them pay "rent" until JANUARY 2013! Nice, right? Well their 2nd vehicle is having A/C problems, but my mom asked my husband to look at it because they didn't have money to fix it. This is before I found out that they aren't paying any bills right now. How can you be living rent & bill free but you don't have money to pay to get a car fixed. No rent for 2 months???? They should have at least 1000 bucks put away.

My goal is just to learn from this. I've said it before, but I don't want to be 60+ with no house, no reliable car, 2 bankruptcies under my belt, and no retirement. She is a good woman, but financially she is lost.

Ok, last post I was a little disheartened by my lack of financial responsibility/control lately. This is where I'm at.

Was/ Now
Credit Card 1: 527.55/ 515.66
Credit Card 2: 493.94/ 508.25
Credit Card 3: 216.84/ 259.38
Student Loan: 3421.59/ 3433.27 -missed payment

Retirement: 1235.00/ 1306.00
Savings: 1900.00/ 1750.00

I had some payments scheduled while this was going on, so luckily it helped soften the blow. I put $100.00 back in savings because I need it to get back to $1900.00. But now I have to come up with my student loan payment because somehow that got missed! I cannot take the money from savings, so I may have to do some rearranging and change searching to come up with it.

I know that overall its just a change of about $60.00 on my cards and $150.00 in savings, but I feel bad that I let myself do it. Its like when your parents tell you they are "disappointed in you." I feel sad and disappointed in myself. I should have more self control. Soooo..with my tail between my legs I am dusting myself off...and hopefully moving past this.

And I'm still looking for ways to make some extra money...if anyone has any ideas. (FYI - all my free time goes to working at our new business, so I can't work a second job at the moment.)

I never thought the name of my blog would be so fitting. When I say I have messed up...boy have I messed up. I used credit cards, took from savings, took from my household account, and I am so far beyond the lines of my budget. People, I messed everything up. So now what? Do I just try to start over? And how do I get the money to catch up? And further more, how could I let this happen? (Head in hands) I feel defeated.

I started the job I have now a little over 4 years ago. Although I do accounting, I work in the oil & gas industry which was BOOMING 4 years ago. I didn't realize how overly good I had it back then, and I wish I would have been smarter back then. We used to get paid for 5 hours of overtime every week...we didn't have to work 5 hours extra, we just got paid for it!!!! During that boom, I should have been socking that money away or paying off debt, instead of increasing my expenses. I still love my job. We don't have that perk anymore, but it has so many others. But I wish I would have been a little wiser 4 years ago. Amazing how much you can grow in 4 years and how your priorities change.

So glad I have a long weekend coming up. I'm actually off Friday - Monday. Eventhough its a long weekend, I am hoping I can spend as little as possible. Saturday we are going to a event to promote the business. One of our vendors provided us with free tickets and passes, so we are only out gas and food. Plus it will be a great way to reach new customers. My in-laws are coming next weekend, so this will be a great opportunity to finish getting my house in shape. Maybe if I'm busy cleaning I won't spend money.

As a side note...with the Texas heat coming, I decided I really want to buy an above ground pool. So if I want it, I have to find extra money to pay for it. Its a want...not a necessity, but it would be a great summer activity for me, the husband, and the step daughter that we wouldn't have to pay much to enjoy. Part of me says...use that money and put it towards debt. Ugh....torn.

Well...although my weekend wasn't as productive as I wanted it to be it was productive. I am finally done unpacking (Only took me 3 months....Jeez!). I went through each room and worked on everything. Got my office almost completely organized. All I have left is to redo my files and finish my laundry room. Then I can try to do my secondary goal of redoing my budget. So I'm still trucking.

I had a little extra money this last week, so I paid it toward my 3 credit cards. It wasn't a lot, but every little bit helps, right?

When I first started blogging I wondered if financial habits were "hereditary." My mom has never been the best picture of financial fitness. But as the year has passed I have started to look at not only my mom, but other relatives and even friends. My father's family has always lived within their means and had money to show for it. They all owned properties or companies and had healthy savings. My mother, like I've said before, has no savings or home and is a spender. Her brothers, are the same way only worse. And recently I watched a friend take money out of retirement to pay bills and buy a car. So now her retirement is less, plus they will have to pay taxes, and I'm not if it solved the problem. Basically I am just trying to take pieces from all of these examples and realize that I can be like my father's family if I try. And I don't honestly feel like I have really been trying. Just going through the motions.

Lately with our heavy upward swing in expenses I was glad to see some small victories. I got my $50 bonus on my new Sharebuilder account. Eventhough I can't withdraw it right now at least I know I have it. I also got news from my work that my medical insurance is going down! Since my husband started his own business we had to take insurance from my work. (Which I am thankful we can.) But it is going down $40 a week!!! So hopefully I can work that into debt repayment. And finally, I was able to start paying my husband a salary from the new business. So our funds won't be depleting anymore. (And yes our business funds are kept COMPLETELY separate from our household funds)

So small victories but I can't help but have a smile on my face.

Money is all I can think about lately. I need money to work on our house. I need money to pay our bills. I need money to run our new business. I keep thinking, maybe I should get a second job. But I need time to do that and all my time goes into our business or our house and any extra goes to the family. So what do I do? Not sure what else I can cut out or do to make more room in the budget. I know things will get better at our shop....we are just putting profit into more product right now to build it up. And we are busy so I know its going good. I am just trying to make it all work.

Last night I was finally able to cook a meal. It was nice. The kitchen is still a mess, but I can function. I've noticed that I am unpacking very slowly....

Then I bought new towels. Did we need new towels....not necessarily. But I did it. And I bought nice Eqyptian Cotton ones. Was that necessary....no. But I would like to think that they will last longer.

Oh....and we bought a POS system for our store. We were quoted $3100.00 for a new one with the operating computer. I found one that is a little over a year old with the computer and everything else, plus a label printer for $800.00!!!! Super excited about that.

But I've got to stay away from the spending.

At this time in my life, I am having a hard time being frugal. We have this house, which has had many needed repairs. Husband broke the toilet, plumbing to dishwasher is wrong, damaged boards, 2 rooms of new carpet, etc. Although nothing major, $30.00 here, $50.00 there, $500.00 here.....it adds up. Then we also have our new business. Although we are trying to be dollar wise on equipment and displays and things like that, it adds up too. I did manage to find a lot of displays, our counters, and some other useful things at an office supply store that was going out of business. So we only paid $160.00 for everything! But I don't know how to save right now! I can't cook because our kitchen has been under repair...so we are eating out A LOT. I have to buy the stuff to repair the house. We have to buy stuff for the store, so we can have money coming in. So all I know to do is sit at home and unpack and only leave for work!

2 things have been on my mind in regards to produce. I know this doesn't sound like a financial issue, but it is. Last weekend at our new house, while walking in the front yard, I discovered turnips. Just right there next to our porch....lots of them. And it got me thinking. 1 - Can I eat these? and 2 - That means the soil must be good for growing...unless turnips are just easy to grow. So potentially I could have a pretty good garden and save money on produce at the store!

The other thing that was brought to our attention is becoming a garlic farmer/producer. It just requires 1 acre of land, but I don't know all the rules and other requirements. I am sure there is insurance and equipment and blah blah blah. But apparently there is some good money it. Maybe I could go from an accountant to a garlic farmer.

I am back after a hiatus. A lot has happened. We bought a house. My husband quit his job and is opening a business. And we survived the holidays. But I have a lot to think about.

So we bought a house in the country. And when I say country I mean OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS, NO SUBDIVISION, NO STORE FOR 15-20 MILES COUNTRY. And although the new house will cut my commute down about 15-20 minutes, I think I will have to think about my processes and thought paths. Now I can't run down to the store for mile or trashbags! The store is only 15-20 minutes away, but its still not as close as it was. On a positive note, at least I can't just run up the street and do impulse shopping anymore!

2nd thing - Husband and New Business
I have the most faith in my husband, but I have to admit that it is scary. Its scary to go from financially secure to "hold on to your pants." But we do have the seed money for the store and money for our household expenses until the store is going. Hopefully we will be open next week!

But hopefully I can make some progress on paying off the debt and pursuing dreams and goals of my own. I am looking into ways to cut bills, coupon, and just live a more simple life. Can't wait.

I'm back from a hiatus. Lots has happened. We bought a house....just finished moving in last night! My husband quit his job and is opening a business. And we survived the holidays. But the move has caused me to start thinking.

The house we bought is in the country. And when I say country, I mean OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS, NO SUBDIVISION, NO STORE FOR 20 MILES COUNTRY. Although it does make my commute to work 15-20 minutes less, I am thinking about how I will have to change my processes and thinking. I can't go down the street to grab milk or trashbags! And although the store is only 20 minutes away, I may have to have more things on hand. So I think I need to change how I look at things. But a positive thing...no more random trips to the store for impulse shopping!!!

2nd thing....Husband and New Business. What a leap! I have the most faith in my husband, but I have to admit that it is scary. We have the seed money, plus some money built up for our household expenses until the store is going...which is hopefully next week. But going from financial security to "hold on to your pants" is a little overwhelming.

But hopefully I can now make progress on paying off the debt and pursue some other goals and dreams of mine.

I haven't posted since 10/05. We are still trucking along...well maybe hovering.

We found a house...unfortunately it is For Sale By Owner. Who knew this would be soooo difficult. But we are definitely learning a lot and learning how to comminicate even more. We are at a stand still right now because of some issues, but hopefully we will know what the fate of this deal is pretty soon.

Our savings finally hit 10K! Felt like a monumental moment. Then we were hit with 2 car repairs. Alternator on mine and some manifold gasket thing on the husbands! Luckily we had done some side work so we only took $220 out of savings to cover them. Not too bad.

So I'm still here. Numbers haven't changed much, but they aren't getting higher.

So....we are buying a house. The process has been started. We have been approved and gotten all of our financial info to the lender. Its so overwhelming. I can only hope that I can continue to make debt repayments and work to build our savings back up. I'm excited and scared all at the same time.

The last few weeks have been rough to say the least. And not a lot of progress has been made. But here are my totals.

CC1: $721.22 --- $710.39
CC2: $567.36 --- $546.15
CC3: $233.69 --- $267.92
Student Loan: $3918.09 --- $3815.72

Savings: $7000.00 --- $8568.00
Retirement: $476.00 --- $547.05

Everything has been off, including my spending. We have to reach a certain goal in our savings, so I can't take any money from it to pay off the debt. Just feel like the wind has been knocked out of my sails.

Well....I spent some money... and I took it from Savings. $75.00. But although it wasn't necessary, it was nice to do some bargain hunting and I got some great ingredients to do some cooking. I also went out to eat with friends this weekend, but I had some "entertainment" cash budgeted in.

Can't do that kind of stuff all the time, but at least it didn't go on the credit card!

Well...someone decided to post on my blog that I post about nothing useful. Wow....

My blog entries may not be the most interesting to everyone, but its useful to me. It keeps me accountable and helps keep me on track. And we are all on here to learn and better ourselves. So why did you waste your time commenting?

So I am slightly insulted. Because I don't think its that bad. And more so, it kind of hurt my feelings. I'm just trying to gain financial freedom.