Hi, everyone. It is payday once again. I had an adventurous month of July, which required a lot of patience, gritting of teeth, and some money. I also have some good stuff to report. First, the good stuff:

1) I have opened two new savings accounts, one for escrow on my house, and one for self improvement. I created the escrow one when we received the notice of shortage on our escrow account (mentioned below) and I thought if I could save up over the entire year for this expense, then it would not be such a hardship when I do have to make a payment. The self improvement is not work related, but personal.

2) Today is payday, so more money went towards debt, savings, and retirement. Specifically, I have added $40.00 to regular savings, $40.00 to car savings, $40.00 to house savings, $5.00 to AAA/car tax savings, $3.00 to Escrow, and $1.00 to self improvement.

Now the bad news. The following stuff all happened to my husband and I in the last month:

1)June 23rd - The battery in our car went dead and we had to have it replaced. I put the cost on cc #2 so I could get points, but then paid off the charge, partially with a transfer from regular savings and other funds I had. amount ca. $171.94.

2)July 24th - our house air conditioner was not keeping up with the demand so we had it serviced. I absorbed this cost into the checking account. $96.00.

3) Also sometime in July, our house computer needed a new hard drive. This amount was charged to cc #1. amount ca. $113.00

4) Also sometime in July, we received a notice from our mortgage provider that our escrow account for the mortgage had a shortage and we could either pay the shortage now or have a higher normal payment. We used primarily cash we had on hand to handle this payment. I did not want a higher payment, so I paid the charge. $173.84.

5) July 26th - the starter on our car died and we had to have it replaced. I personally thought the cost was a little outrageous. I was also outraged that on the day I had the battery replaced, they said the starter and alternator were both "fine." My dh said that it is possible for the starter to be "fine" one day and just dead the next. I even used a coupon which got me $40.00 off of what the charge would have been. Arrgh. ca. $336.00

After #5 above, I felt just exhausted and ready to quit. Because August has 3 paydays for me, I am using this current paycheck to try to put things back in order and then get back to normal bills next payday. It will take several paydays to get the credit card #2 paid back down, though. How do you all deal with situations like this when they all happen around the same time?

Hi, everyone. I have good news and bad news on my 52 Week Challenge. The good news is that I am still doing good on my challenge, but the bad news is that I had to make a couple of steps backward. I had to replace the battery in my car because it went dead. We were not sure if it was the alternator or battery at the time it happened. Between the diagnosis and the battery installation, it was $171.49 or something like that. And that was with a $20 coupon I had earlier printed off the internet, anticipating needing to replace two more tires on the car. I put it on cc #2 to get the rewards points. I made payments to it from both checking and savings to avoid the balance getting out of control. I am not letting that slow me down and am forging ahead.

Previous 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2652.67

Car Savings Deposit $40.00
House Savings Deposit $40.00
Professional Savings Deposit $20.00
AAA/Car tax savings Deposit $5.00
Medical Savings Deposit $5.00
Credit Card #1 Payment $40.00
Credit Card #2 Payment $10.03 (from mrrebates)
Credit Card #2 Payment $58.28 (dh's payment)

New 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2870.98

I have more progress to report on the Challenge front. I got paid today and so more money went to debt, savings, and retirement.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2468.74

$20.00 paid to cc #1
$40.00 regular savings deposit (automatic)
$40.00 car savings deposit
$40.00 house savings deposit
$20.00 professional savings deposit
$9.00 AAA/tax savings deposit
$1.00 medical savings deposit
$13.93 paid to cc #2

New 52 Week Challenge Deposit: $2652.67

On another note, the mortgage is down even more, and retirement is up. In fact, the retirement is more than my mortgage for the first time.

Hi, everyone. It's Friday and payday! Wheee!

I have more progress to report on the Challenge front. I got paid today and so more money went to debt, savings, and retirement.

Prior 52 Week Challenge Balance: $2278.74

$40.00 paid to cc #1
$40.00 regular savings deposit (automatic)
$40.00 car savings deposit
$40.00 house savings deposit
$20.00 professional savings deposit
$9.00 AAA/tax savings deposit
$1.00 medical savings deposit

New 52 Week Challenge Deposit: $2468.74

I have also cashed in my rebates in the amount $10.03, but I won't see the deposit until about July 1st.

The saddest thing I have heard about in my universe this week is that my nephew, still a young adult, died in an accident. He was a passenger at the time. Police are still investigating to find out who was at fault. Fortunately, he had health and life insurance which is paying for all of his expenses. I think his parents were kind of worried about how to pay for his funeral, but are relieved of that at least.

Hello, everyone. I got paid today, so more money went to savings, retirement, and debt.

Prior Challenge Balance: $2020.46

$40 regular savings deposit
$40 car savings deposit
$40 house savings (windows) deposit
$20 professional savings deposit
$1 AAA membership/car tax savings deposit
$1 medical savings deposit

New Challenge Balance: $2162.46

My bank's website is having fits right now or I would make my payment there. Will post more tomorrow.

I also have a lottery ticket and some change to turn to bills tomorrow. I will deposit the money and make a small payment to cc#2.

Mortgage is down and keeps going down! Snoopy dance in progress.

Hi, everyone. Awhile back, my stepdaughter had some dental work (wisdom tooth removal) done and was not able to pay for her portion on her own. My dh and I agreed to pay it for her and hoped she would pay it back someday. She did have dental insurance at the time, so that paid for a portion. It seems between the two payments, that there was surplus. We just got the refund check today. It is speedily making its way of to cc #2 as I type this.

Prior Challenge Balance: $2003.46

$17.00 refund from SD's dental surgery

New Challenge Balance: $2020.46

Hi, everyone. I get paid again tomorrow, so more money will go towards debt, savings, and retirement.

Prior Challenge Balance: $1825.46

Deposit to Regular Savings $40.00
Deposit to Car Savings $40.00
Deposit to House Savings for Window $40.00
Deposit to AAA/property tax savings $1.00
Deposit to Medical savings $1.00
Deposit to Professional Savings $1.00
Payment to cc #1 $55.00

New Challenge Balance: $2003.46

I have also already allocated for the mortgage in the checkbook, paid the gas and electric bills, and allocated $20.00 towards 2 new rear tires on the car. I had the front tires replaced
s several weeks ago and will need to to replace the rear ones in a few months.

I only have $31.00 to go on the needed allocation to pay for the rest of the new window! Woo-hoo!

More progress. It just keeps on a rollin' in.


Prior Challenge Balance: $1750.07

DH's payment to cc #2: $65.28, bringing the cc #2 balance to $188.80

Cashed in rebates at mrrebates and applied to new window (house savings): $10.11, bringing the balance to $154.22

New Challenge Balance: $1825.46



Yahoo!

Hi, everyone. My stepdaughter, who lives with us, gives us money for rent, etc. twice a month. Much of the time I put it towards a credit card or other debt. This time, I am putting it towards the Challenge.

Previous 52 Week Challenge Balance $1726.07

$20.00 rent money from stepdaughter deposited towards house savings for new window (brings house account balance to $140.11)

Also, while rummaging through my purse for a deposit slip this morning, I discovered an envelope with $4.00 in it I had earmarked to put into savings, except somehow I never deposited it. It goes to my Challenge, too! I deposited the whole $24.00 this morning. That brings the house account up to $144.11. Woo-Hoo! I only have $80.89 to go on the funds needed for the new window.

This brings my new challenge balance to $1750.07.

Hey, everyone. I'm just a little snoopy dance moment. My mortgage is now under $69,000. I think we are still upside down though compared to the market value. Oh well, I did not buy a house to get rich, anyway.

Hi, everyone. I got paid on Friday and since then, several things have happened.

Prior Challenge Balance: $1383.05

Paid $5.00 to cc #2

Regular Savings Deposit $40.00

Deposit to Car and House Savings $40.00

Purchased a pair of shoes on line for $99.97, which saved me at least $50.00

New Challenge Balance: $1518.05

I also purchased gardening supplies and had my garden tilled so that I can spend more on eliminating debt and eating better organic food.

I also allocated 1/2 of May's mortgage and $20.00 for future replacement of 2 more tires. More money went into retirement also, but I am not counting that in the Challenge.

My husband and I also paid a deposit of $225.00 for a new window for our house. It will come to us and be installed in about 8 weeks, when we have to have the balance of $225.00. I have $40.11 in the House Account right now and will work to accumulate the rest in the next 8 weeks. I have some funds coming from mrrebates on May 1st, so that will help.

Former Challenge Balance: $1333.05

Extra Payment to cc #2 $50.00 (instead of the planned $20.00)

New Challenge Balance: $1383.05


I decided to use the $12.10 I got from mrrebates towards buying a pair of shoes I badly need. I have about $30 more in cash for that also and need a total of about $80-$100.

Former Balance: $1267.77

Paid $65.28 regular payment from dh's monthly check to cc #2

New Balance: $1333.05

Hi, everyone. I got $7.01 from selling a book online. I immediately sent it to cc #2.

Old Challenge Balance: $1260.76

$7.01 sent to cc #2

New Challenge Balance $1267.77

I will have more payments to make to cc #2 over the next week with cashed in rebates and such. I will post a balance of cc #2 when that is all done.

Prior Challenge Balance: $1130.76

Automatic Deposit to Regular Savings $40.00
Payment to DH's Hospital Bill $30.00, bringing the balance to $40.44
Slush Fund Deposit $20.00
Payment to cc #1 $40.00

New Challenge Balance $1260.76

Future Items to Add to Challenge:
1) sold a book for $7.01 - will get deposit in about 3 days
2) cashed in mrrebates for $12.00 - will get deposit next Tuesday
3) Make DH's regular payment to cc #2 next Tuesday $58.28
4) will make regular payment to cc #2 tomorrow $20.00

Hi, everyone. I got paid today and so more money went to savings and debt. I have not been counting my contributions to retirement or mortgage payments, because those things are more or less on auto pilot, but I am still doing them. My objective this year is to pay off debt and build up savings.

My prior challenge balance: $932.76

Contribution to Regular Savings $40.00
Contribution to Car, House, Medical, AAA/Tax Savings: $78.00
Slush Fund Transfer $20.00
Payment to cc #1 $40.00
Payment to cc #2 $20.00

New Challenge Balance: $1130.76

I also cashed in rebates at mrrebates. I will get the deposit April 1st and immediately put it on cc#2.

My retirement also went up some and my mortgage down. Yeah!

We also recently got our tax return. We have spent some of it so far and have specific plans for the rest.

$1167 federal
$177 state

Total $1344

Paid Plumber to Have Toilet Fixed $50.00
Paid for New Wave Enviro Water Filter $54.00
Paid for New Guttering On Front of House $196.00

We have not had it done yet and don't yet have a quote, but we will be buying 2 new windows for our house and having them installed.

With the rest, we will be paying off DH's hospital bill #4, which is about $70.00, and the rest will get sent to cc #2.

The last part with windows and payoff of medical and credit card debt frees up monthly expenditures so we will have more money for other things in multiple ways: 1) will likely lower electric and gas usage, which in September, will mean our equal payment amount will get lowered significantly and 2) will lower our monthly payments on debt, so we can concentrate on payments to other debts.

We know for certain to our existing windows are a major factor in our electric and gas usage. Last summer in July, it was very hot in our house, particularly the kitchen. My husband saw an article on the internet about how you can use foam insulation boards like these

Hi, everyone. I keep money in what I call a slush fund for usually non-emergency related unexpected expenses. I usually only keep about $40 in there. Recently, I discovered there was $60, so I took $20 and put it towards credit card #1.

Previous Balance $912.76

payment from slush fund to cc#1 $20.00

New Balance $932.76

I will be getting paid on Friday and will have more payments and savings deposits then.

Hi, everyone. Today I took the day off so my dh and I could go to a nearby town to run an errand that had been scheduled for awhile. I got paid today also, so I have more progress to report on my 52 Week Challenge.

Previous Challenge Balance: $754.48

$58.28 payment to cc #2
$30.00 payment to dh's hospital bill #4
$40.00 regular deposit to regular savings
$10.00 payment to cc #2
$20.00 deposit to slush fund

New Balance $912.76

I will be making a payment to cc #1 and depositing funds to my other savings accounts. I will post those tomorrow.

Hi, everyone. As you can see from the left side of the screen, my savings is nearly cleaned out. A relative has died with no savings or life insurance. My dh and I were called upon to help with funeral expenses. The husband says there is a "cancer care" policy, but is not sure if it has a death benefit. If our money is not needed, we will get it back, but will have to wait and see.

Prior Challenge Balance: $675.23

Savings Deposit $40.00

Credit Card Payment to cc #1 from checking $20.00

Credit Card Payment to cc #1 (extra money we had from something allocated for but did not buy) $3.12

Credit Card Payment to cc #1 dividend from savings account (found money) $6.13

Credit Card Payment to cc #2 $10.00

New Challenge Balance: $754.48

Hi, everyone. More money in and more money out.

Previous Challenge Balance #647.83

$20.00 paid more to cc #1
$7.40 got some money from selling a book and put it towards cc#2

New Challenge Balance $ 675.23

Woo-Hoo!

Well, I paid more on debt and want to report on a pet peeve of mine.

$608.86 Previous Balance of 52 Week Challenge

$7.00 Money Previously Allocated for Something We Wound Up Not Buying (saved money twice there!)
$20.00 paid to credit card #1
$11.97 rebate money paid to credit card #2

This brings my balance to $647.83!

Because my employer called off work today due to bad weather, I am probably saving money because I am not out buying something. But that's hard to calculate.

My pet peeve regards cc#2. I got it in 2005 about 4 months after the discharge of my chapter 13 bankruptcy. The company charges an annual fee to use the card. Of course, I could pay it off and cancel the card, but then I would be cutting off my oldest currently open credit line. Not good when I hope to refinance my house some day. So I will keep it and keep it paid off when I get it paid off.

Hi, everyone. I paid some on dh's medical bill, bringing the balance to $96.00. I also put some money into savings and paid to cc's. I will post those balances later.

Previous Challenge Balance $479.86

Payment to Dh's medical bill $30.00
Payment to credit card #1 $50.00
Deposit to savings $49.00

New Challenge Balance $608.86

Hi, everyone. I got $5.95 from selling a book, so I set up a payment to cc #2, bringing the balance of that card to $396.00.

That brings my challenge balance to $485.81.

I also got a rebate of ~ $11.00. I won't get it until about Feb. 1, though.


Oops. I made a mistake and counted the $5.95 book sale twice, so I am back to my previous balance, which I think was about $479.86.

Hi, everyone. Not a whole lot of progress, but some.

$20.00 regular deposit to slush fund every payday
$5.95 selling a book on cash4books - paid to credit card #2

This brings my Challenge total to $479.86.

On Saturday, I am going to donate some old clothes and clothing items to a charity thrift store. I need to calculate my tax writeoff for next year.

Hi, everyone. I got paid today, so more money is going to the 52 Week Challenge.

$40.00 to the Car Savings Account
$40.00 to the House Savings Account
$40.00 to Regular Savings
$9.00 to the AAA/Car Property Tax Account

This brings my 52 Week Challenge Balance to $453.91.

I have not done any credit card payments yet. I will do that later and post about it tomorrow.

Another $5.00 in from a survey company and another $5.00 out to one credit card.

So, that brings my total to $324.91.

Well, this has turned out to be a lot of fun watching the money just roll in and go out to be paid on my credit cards, medical bill, and to savings. Here is my progress since my last update.

I have noticed that since it is a savings game, most people are putting their money into savings, but I need to pay off debt more, so that is why I am putting much of mine into that.

Previous Balance: $139.91

$20.00 survey payment - paid to credit card #2
$50.00 regular credit card payment - paid to credit card #1
$30.00 regular payment to an outstanding medical bill
$80.00 regular deposit to car and house savings accounts

Total as of 1/7/2014: $319.91

Woo-hoo! I love this game!

Around the end of the month, I expect to get a check for $50 for survey participation. And a little after that, I will get a rebate check from mrrebates.

Here is my 52 Week Challenge Progress So Far:

credit card #2 payment $58.92
credit card #1 payment $3.99
regular savings deposit $40.00
slush fund deposit $20.00
credit card #1 payment $7.00
credit card #2 payment $10.00

Total So Far: $139.91

I am so surprised at my progress far. I have only been doing this since last Friday. This is not all I will be doing this week. I am waiting on the appliance repair man to fix our fridge and then I will pay more to credit card #1 and deposit more to savings.

My goals progress this year has been terrible. I admit it, but I'm not going to give up or beat myself up about it. Instead of critiquing my progress on the goals, I am going to examine my overall progress since the end of 2012 based on looking at key areas of my finances.

1) Total savings.
At the end of 2012, my total savings in all my accounts was $2350. Now, it is $765, but I have had to pay for significant car problems this year. I did not go further into debt with the car problems, but it did hamper my savings by having to nearly clean out the savings and then try to rebuild it.

2) Credit Card #1.
At the end of 2012, my total on this credit card was $1957 and now it is $3120. Ugh. No excuses.

3) Credit Card #2.
At the end of 2012, my total on this credit card was $765 and now it is $478.25. I did charge it up some before finally committing to pay it off, so that's why the balance is not lower. I have been paying the minimum plus $56.00 on this credit card. It has 17.9% rate, so I want to pay it off first. Woo-Hoo! It's not huge, but it feels big to me.

4) Mortgage.
At the end of 2012, my mortgage balance was $70,717 and now it is $69,406.99. We have been paying the minimum payment plus $13.41 (that is the amount we would have to pay if it was a late payment and an easily confrontable amount). We will increase this amount gradually in the later future.

5) Retirement.
At the end of 2012, my retirement balance was $46,330.00 and now it is $62,395.79. I did not really do anything major, but with the guidance of a financial advisor, I dumped some funds and other investments that were costing me too much and not giving much return. This is the biggest overall success I have had in 2013.

This is so totally awesome, but there is a lot of room for improvement in 2014. I am going to be concentrating on paying off Credit Card #2 and buildings savings up. I will track my progress and post it.