Yes, I Am Cheap

It's time to see how I'm doing! It's the first time I've been able to check in since January and I seriously need to make sure I am focusing on my debt again. Work isn't everything right?! Right. So just to refresh you I have a dual goal of saving $1,000 in an emergency fund and lowering my debt. Let's see how I'm doing.

January 1, 2010
Student Loan #1 $1,871.04 @4.5%
Credit Card #1 $1,019.12 @13.99%
Credit Card #2 $3,907.79 @13.99%
HELOC $45,070.66 @3.875%
Student Loan #2 $38,301.68 @3.3-7.5% (it's a bunch of Grad School and Undergrad loans together)
Personal Loan $1,580.52 @9.45%
Car Note $0
Total: $91,750.81

March 1, 2010
Student Loan #1 $1,679.61 @4.5%
Credit Card #1 $900.50 @13.99%
Credit Card #2 $3,867.84 @13.99%
HELOC $44,610.13 @3.125%
Student Loan #2 $38,154.67 @3.3-7.5% (it's a bunch of Grad School and Undergrad loans together)
Personal Loan $1,322.16 @9.45%
Car Note $0
Total: $90,534.91

Savings: $445

With all the the things I've had to spend money on in the past two months I'm surprised that the balance on everything fell! I've spent money on the new computer but that was offset by the refund adjustment from 2008. I also had to pay for some maintenance on the car, $100 in tolls plus gas, dental work and a gym membership. I also had to pay for new glasses which I paid for in cash and I had to get a new bed. The bed is already paying off with less visits to the chiropractor. That debt will pop up on March's result. I'm expecting to get about $200 reimbursed from my job for the gym membership which will go right to the credit card. They're actually kind of slow and I have to check in on where my moolah is. That's me working towards bucket list item number 27 - lose 30 pounds, as well as my annual goal of taking my fat ass to the gym.

I have to complete and submit my taxes for 2009. When that comes in I'll dedicate half the money towards ONE specific bill and half to savings. I'm leaning towards the credit card because it's the highest balance with the highest interest rate. It only makes sense I guess. This month you'll notice that I am almost halfway to my goal of saving $1,000. I'm hoping to add another $200-$250 to the savings account over the next month. Even better, eBay is now paying for itself and contributing some income to the boyfriend. YAY! The profit margin is low, but it's better than nada.

What else? I want to take a break. I need just a mini vacation. I'm trying to work it into the budget and I know that I need a break but I want to put the money towards a debt. I'll let you know about that. How did you do this month?

It's been a busy couple of weeks. I practically moved into the office while working on a project but now I've busted out and I'm free! Well, not exactly free but now I will be able to get home a few hours earlier than I have for the past month. I also learned that when you work for more than 12 straight hours, you get paid double time after the 12th hour. Who knew?!

Couple of things to update you on.
1) Dog pushed my laptop off the bed so now it's officially dead. I mean kaput.
2) I revised 2008's year's tax return, sent it in and already got the check. I didn't know the IRS was so efficient.
3) I used the refund money to buy a new laptop and I got it from a friend of my brother's so I saved almost $200 on my laptop. You know I'm cheap.
4) I was right about our current W-2's being wrong. We have new ones that they issued so now I can file my 2009 taxes.
5) The eBay is picking up and commanding more time but more time equals more money
6) TUMS is great!

More to come soon. I will be able to get back to my normal publishing schedule and update you at the end of the month on my financial situation. Things are trucking along pretty well. I'm FOCUSED.