Fruitbowlk's Personal Finance Blog

Helo all,

I found a place that would allow be to pay less than the 30 percent rule of thumb for housing which will free up money and allow me to save more. I also stopped caring my debit cards to curb my spending. I also stop eating out even though we wasn't doing it too offen I love cooking at home every little decision count. I guess that all for now.

ttyl.

I'm struggling financial. I don't make much. But I also don't have any unnecessary bills. I know I need to work on a budget but it's hard. I am able to save but I wand up spending that. I'm so use to spending how I like but I need to ream in since my money is funny. I have cut back a much as I think I can but maybe I'm missing something. I don't eat out a lot. I do go on day trips once in a while. I know I need to buckle done and stop spending. I have decided to leave my saving debit cards at home and just carry my main one. if you all have any advise that you think would help I would appreciate it.

I'm back...............

I have been doing temp/contractor work for three years now and I can't continue to do so. I don't get any vacation, sick or personal time. I'm not able to get any over time. I'm making less than I was when I work for a company full time. I called to request a raise today since I been with this company for 1 year and I was told they don't have it In their budget. They will have to contact the company I'm working at to see if they can free up some money on there end. Which this company is tight with a dollar so I don't see that going well. It's flexible with allowing me to leave and pick up my child but I don't think I can afford to stay. I have benefits with my husband plan but what if they cut that out next year like most companies are doing. My rent goes up yearly and it's was being to be a struggle to main everything. I have made major changes such as finding a free before and after school program. I have switch telephone providers. I have not turned on my ac but once so far. I paid off my car. I would like to move to a cheaper place but it's not looking good as of now. My finances aren't where they user to be as far as savings etc. I know I have to find something else want to get some positive feedback or other people thoughts.

Hello All,

I have made some changes to make my fiancés better, I have changed my bank that I have been banking at for 15+ years. I had too many savings and checking outs I need to merge them. I also tweaked my savings plan. I read an quote in Money Magazine. If you don't need to spend money don't. So I have decide to try and live by that. Bad habit die hard but being broke isn't an option for me.

I was doing so good and everything is seem to be falling apart. I'm behind on bills I'm draining my savings again. After completing BS 1. I'm trying to stay positive but its getting hard and hard. I know things will get better but Darn I hate feeling like I'm failing at saving and struggling to make ends meat. This didn't even happen when I wasn't working. I know I need to start telling my money where to go and do a weekly budget. I just don't have the excitement for it. I'm very upset about this. Oh well this is life.

Hello All,

I'm working hard to save money. I have to rebuild my EF. My rent increased by $20, I didn't plan on staying for another year. we are still paying The IRS. I'm trying to keep a hangle on my Overdraft fees. I did the best thing when I stop letting the bank pay my bill and then take the money out of my account if I don't have it my account will be declined and I'm ok with that. I also realized only because my account is showing it down't mean I have it. My goal for this month is not to go out to eat. Which should be hard since I cook every other night what makes it hard is We run so much that it's easier to pick crap up than to run home and eat on the run but it will be done. Oh yea I check my FICO score not bad not where I would like but I still have time. Well I'm glad that I'm able to do it all with this Job. This will be my third month.

it's funny how people that work every since day is constantly talking about how broke they are. Even when I was out of a job I was able to pay my bills and save a little bit. How come they can't? I wonder if it because they aren't even trying to save 10 percent of their salaries? I have a sister that complains that she is broke all the time, she doesn't have gas, she can't keep her phone on. she can't pay car repairs. She has changed jobs made more some years than other and she is always complaining and know she got my 16 year old niece doing the same crap. If she would stop buy lottery tickets, going out to eat and waiting her money on name brand clothes, shoes she really can't afford maybe she would be able to put money aside. They are always talking about how rich I am. How stupid could you be I'm work everyday and I save and spend money wisely the majority of the times that not being rich that being a responsible adult that want to have a good life for her family. The way I look at it when you see something in someone and you wish you had it why don't you ask them how they do what they do so well. Take classes, read, go on boards like this to achieve your goals. I hope to raise a money conscience child so we talk about saving and spend wisely and yes at 7 years old I'm signing her up for financial class that is age related. Some people are born savings if you aren't that means you need to learn how to save and learn not to complain while doing so.

2013 Financial Plans

I'm so behind but here it is.....

1. Start all over with savings.

I'm trying so hard to get my money back into place but it seems like these overdraft fees are kicking my butt. I had to call and get the overdraft protection taken off my account. I check my account it it show one balance but when I spend some of it I see that I over drawn my account. I'm start from the beginning with savings since I have been out of the work for around a year and a few months. I'm hoping that will help me because I really am trying to getting tired of not having any money on payday. I know I also need to start doing my budgeting sheets again. I thought I was keeping track of everything coming out but I guess not. I'm too blessed too be stressed about this situation. I’m just down today because it's my Birthday Weekend and I had to cancel my travel plans for this weekend it wasn't nothing major just a two day trip to the DC. Since DC isn't going anyway anytime soon I hope to plan another trip when my money isn't looking so funny.

ok, so i got my first check which I divided up into multiple accounts. I have to start back with my goals which to be honest I havent set any this year. I truly want to just get my EF back to a year and start back with my vacation account, my daughters' college fund, and my house fund. I know I have to take one day at a time but It sucks to be behind on your goals.

So I have been out of work since Feb. I just got a new job with a good company as a contractor. I'm hoping to get on Perm if everything works out right. I have been unable to save anywhere. And I had to use most of my savings up so I back to baby step #2. In DR Plan. I'm so excited about getting back to my IRA savings. I feel as if I don't have anytime to waste so I'm going to start saving starting with the first paycheck. As you can tell by my blog post I have been MIA for a while. I just don't feel like talking about money when I don't have any. I get so excited over savings that I can blog about my progress but when I'm not saving or invest etc. I'm so down and out. So hopefully I will have more to blog about with this new job since I have so many account to replish. You all was missed.

Hello everyone,

I haven't been doing a budget but know I need to start. I would like for it to be downloaded my mac so that I could seat down and fill it out. If you know of a free download please let me know.

Hello All,

Now that I have a job close to my home I go home and eat lunch everyday not only does that saves me money but it also allows me to continue to eat healthy and relax in the middle of the day.

Hello,

I have started savings for an house. I have a little set aside but I'm not near the 20 percent that I need. I hope was to be in a house this year but that's not going to happen. So I'm hoping in the next year or two.

I'm so behind but here it is.....

1. Continue to work towards my B.A. Degree

2. Work on a permanent Job Position. (this one is suppose to last six months)

3.Continue to save for a house.

4. Start my Daughter's College Fund.

5 Start a New 401 K

6. Start to calculate how much I will need for my next new to me car. (I give this car three more years before it will need to be replaced).

Hello SA Friends,

I haven't been on here in 7 months. I have been unemployed for 9 months. With no job I just felt like I didn't have much to blog about since I wasn't able to save, invest or spend any money. I'm so happy to be back. I can't wait to blog about my EF, Savings, College, vacation, car Funds. I can't wait to listen to DR and Suzy Orman again. I can't wait to read what everyone on here has been doing since I have been away. Can you tell how excited I am? lol. Let the good time roll.

Hello SA,

I haven't been on here for a while. I have been unemployed for three week. I'm hoping to find a job soon though. I'm taking classes and looking into going back to school for my BA. Finances are good, can't complain.

Hello All,

I am excited to announce that I have completed my 6 months FFEF. I’m stoked. I really can't believe that I'm here. This is such an amazing feeling. WOW WOW WOW. Even though my goal is an 8 months FFEF this is a great big accomplishment for me. I'm feeling so blessed.


Have a great day SA.

I'm doing a great job saving for my eight month EF but I'm saving too much because I don't have sufficient funds for my bills. I think I'm over doing it. I do have a budget but do it a few days before payday. Nothing really changes as far as the bills. I would hate to downsize what I'm saving for my EF but I think I might have to. Oh well I have to be able to pay my bills and saving a good amount of money for my EF before my job ends in August.

I just found a minor account that is giving 6% for the first $1,000. I think that's unheard of now days I had to jump on it.

I'm am looking into opening an esa for my daughter. I'm on babystep 3 but should be moving on in the next couple of months.

I have decided to save all of the overtime that I will receive in my paycheck and add it to my EF. That should allow me to saving enough to survive the period that I will be out of a job.

Great Day everyone,

I ordered a kids program online yesterday but didn't go the correct link which was offering 20% off so I decided to call the site to see if they would refund me 20% and with no hesitation the rep said of course. This is all so new to me I normally just let it go but I realize that it doesn't make sense to continue to do so. Why should I pay full price for an item that is discounted?

I have finally completed my emergency fund for the year of 2010. I have set a goal where I would have like to have been by the end of 2010 and I have achieved that milestone. It’s so exciting to have gotten here. I tell you I would have never thought looking back that I would be where I am today financially I’m so grateful and full of joy. In spite of everything I’m facing in the upcoming year I have never felt so financially confident and really for my challenges.

SN:
My windshield cracked so I have to get my windshield replaced but just like Dave said when you have an EF it's more of an inconvenience than a stress matter.

Enjoy your day SA.

I have done really well this year and I have a lot of big changes coming up for 2011 but I have decided to work on these for the upcoming year.

1. Find a new job.

2. Start some classes towards my bachelor's degree.

3. Keep up with my monthly budget.

4. Continue to buld up my EF.

5. Increase my retirement contribution 6%.

6. Start a ESA College fund for my daughter.

7. Continue to save for a house down payment.

I got my end of the year bonus which went to my EF account. We just found out we won't be getting a merit raise this year. I cashed out 20 hours of pto time. I hoping to place that in my EF account also. I needed some new tires so I had to take a few hundreds out for those which will be replace on payday.

I have been missing in action for a couple of months. I have been saving like crazy not completely on target but I still have a month to see what will happen. Nothing too new going on starting to look for a new job since mine is ending in around 8 months. I need to look into new car insurance since it's connect to my job and other insurances that is also connect to my job. Looking forward to a new phase in life in 2011.

I'm such a goal Oriented person that when I saw this I jumped for joy. This is exactly want I been waiting for. I have set two goals and I'm ahead of my savings goal. And my target day is far off I'm very excited about this.

I went on a 7 day cruise last week to the western carribean and it was the best time ever. While I was there I got two calls for a job.

I was losing concentration for a minute on my finances but I'm back on track and more dedicated than ever. I'm setting goals again and I'm excited to meet them. My first Goal hopefully will be met at the end of this month.

I finally order my computer so I can start to move on to the next major thing which is fully fund my EF. It's been hard try to get pass the three month mark but I know I will do it. I going hard on this to make it to my 6-8 months I would like to save.