Journey Towards Financial Freedom

Hey, everybody! No, I am not dead and I didn't decide to abandon you guys and my blog. But I am having a lot of trouble with my laptop at home to access the internet. So, I usually access my email at work during a break or a slow day. Because I work at a university, today is a very slow day because all the students have vacated the campus. But the work still goes on, so here I am.

Anyway, I have a bounty of coupons that I would like to share and hope that someone has some that I can use also.

Here are the coupons I have:

Colgate Toothpaste
Orbit Gum
Chuck E Cheese's
Betty Crocker Seasoned Skillets or AuGratin Potatoes
Hamburger Helper Microwave Singles
Egg Beaters
Fleischmann's
Slim Jim
Ore-Ida
Reddi Whip
Orville Redenbacher
Frank's Red Hot Sauce
Banquet Boneless Chicken
Act II Popcorn
Crunch N Munch
Sara Lee Products (Dillon's Coupon)
Air Wick
Lysol
Edward's Key Lime Pie
Energizer batteries
Soft Scrub
Hunt's Snack Pack
Betty Crocker Frosting
Betty Crocker Cake Mix
Glass Plus
Off! Outdoor Candle
Nestle Coffee Mate

Coupons I Would Like to Have:

Oscar Mayer Lunchmeat
Hellman's
any kind of wheat bread
Cheerios
Life Cereal
Heinz ketchup
Star Kist Tuna
Manwich
Folger's Coffee
toothbrushes, any brand
Floss
Tom's of Maine Toothpaste
Kraft or Velveeta Macaroni and Cheese

If you would like to work out a trade, please send me a message with your email address in it, so we can exchange mailing addresses.

Howdy, blogging friends. My DH just told me that there is a copy of long version of The Secret video on Google video. Because it is a copyright protected video, it may be pulled off soon, so be sure to watch it soon.

Click here to watch:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-187863946880995823&...

I got the following from a co-worker and she got it from someone else, so I don't where it came from.
---------------------------

For all my wonderful women friends with Love. I wanted to share this with all of you - it says it all.

One Flaw In Women
Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens,
but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy
and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer
when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel
and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about
a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member,
yet they are strong when they
think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss
can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you
to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what
makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their
family and friends.
Women have vital things to say
and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.



Please pass this along to all your women friends and relatives to remind them just how amazing they are.

Hello, everyone.

After a great deal of thought, DH and I are selling our car. It is a 1968 Ford Mustang and we will be sorry to see it go. DH is having some health problems and we would like to pay off some credit card debt. We have set up an ebay ad for it, but for some reason it is not showing up. He has also listed it in craigslist. Here is the link to the craigslist ad. If you are interested, please click on the "Reply To" link at the top of the ad.

http://joplin.craigslist.org/car/281947105.html

I got a check from a survey company in the mail. I took it right to the bank and put it in my money market account. It's only $5.00, but it's $5.00 more than what I had before.

Yippee!!

Howdy, friends and neighbors.

I just got back from the grocery store and I have to tell you about some really weird stuff about my shopping trip. I wasn't really looking for any special bargains. I did take a long some coupons that I got from Kashi, but I just put it out the universe that whatever I needed would be provided to me. For once, I didn't really concern myself so much with the cost, but whether I got everything I needed. I didn't bring a calculator and didn't stand around debating the per unit cost of anything. Everything I needed was on sale. I just got what I needed and would up spending under my allotted amount for the week.

I had a coupon for $1.00 of 2 packages of Farmland sausage. Farmland sausage was on sale Buy One Get One Free, so I got 2 packages of sausage for $1.29 total, when they normally are $2.29 each. I also had a $.40 cents off coupon for 2 cans of Manwich. Manwich, which is usually $1.31, was on sale for $1.00 per can, so I basically got 1 can free. I had 2 $1.00 coupons for Hungry Man or Swanson dinners. Swanson dinners were on Closeout for $1.79 each, so I got two dinners for $0.79 each.

The other weird stuff is that I am one week from payday and I have approximately $300 in my checking account. I just got a hospital bill in the mail. I think I will go ahead and make a payment. This is so weird, but I am not knocking it.

Ever since I started with the Secret Challenge, money seems to be multiplying in my checking account. I am not doing any really extraordinary, just thinking about it differently. I don't allow myself to worry about credit card debt. I just pay it like I would any other bill and get on with life. I am not allowing myself to worry about money anymore, like whether we will get a house or not. Does everyone need a house? Not really. I am just turning all of those stuff over to the larger powers in the universe and allowing them to decide how it is all going to come out.

At my work the other day, I saw an email where a group is collecting canned goods for the poor. I have decided to share in my bounty and buy some extra canned goods and take them to the group.

Howdy, everybody. I have a Secret.

My DH just sent me an email about a free online course about The Secret. You will receive six, easy to complete lessons by email and learn how to create anything you want to in your life.

All you have to do to sign is click on the link below and complete the simple form. Be sure to sign up quickly, as it is available for free for only a limited time!

The Secret Online Course

Sorry, everyone. I haven't made many posts lately, and definitely not a Challenge post, in quite awhile. I haven't been feeling well, but I am feeling better now.

Anyway, I was doing laundry and found $0.82 in my pants, bringing my Challenge total to $19.81.

Woo-hoo!

Oh, take a look at this photo. I guess there's no crime in this town!

Up until recently, I had been keeping all of my appointments, reminders, etc. on a palm pilot. Well, one day I went to check for the time and day of something and it seems all my data on the palm is toast. I have no idea how it happened, but it did. I had not backed it up to my computer in months, as I never could get it to back up correctly. Anyway, I have chosen this opportunity to simplify my life. The frequent beeping of my pilot to remind me of something or another was always a little annoying.

As I am trying to be frugal, I did not go out a buy a new calendar or planner. I have located a number of free sources where you download what you need, print it, and put it into an existing or new notebook or something of the sort. I had one of those professional portfolio things that I used when I went to interview for my current job. It has a 3-ring binder inside, so that is what I am using. I was so grateful to have found these wonderful options, that I knew I had to share it will all of you.

DIY Planner
http://www.diyplanner.com/

Calendars - Print Free
http://www.printfree.com/Calendar_files/2008calendars/Calend...

Oh, and on other stuff, my debt amount is down to $6,938.83, becuase I paid some on all of my debts yesterday. I also rolled $5.50 to deposit to Short Term Savings today. This feels great and I feel really properous. I have enough money for everything I need right now and I feel terrific.

Happy February, Everybody!

Hi, folks. Some weird stuff is happening in my universe. I have checked my checking account balance. I am about 1 week from my next payday and I have about $300 left! This is unheard of! I don't want to question good fortune, but this is definitely weird. I haven't been doing anything differently.

DH and I have agreed that when the truck gets out of the shop (it is in the shop for mechanical work), we are going to take it to another shop to have the rear windshield replaced. The rear defrost does not work because some idiot prior owner cut the wires that make that work! Go figure on this one. I sure can't. After having that repair, which is supposed to be about $200 or so, I will transfer whatever is left to the short term savings.

A few days ago when I discovered this excess cash (which I think is due to a combination of factors, like lower health insurance and less driving due to bad weather), DH and I decided to revamp how we have been doing our money. I am going to build up the short savings to $300. Then, while still making regular deposits each month to short term savings and dream savings, I will begin to whack really hard at the credit card debt. My APR is currently 18%. I had the balance down to $1961, but because of the high APR, my amount due skyrocketed to $1992! I figure the only way to combat this is start hitting it really hard with payments that are 2 times the required payment. I have not charged anything to this card in months, but I have been making regular payments of more than the minimum, plus also making payments out of my Challenge money.

After I did my grocery shopping today (the whole store was on sale, so I saved over $19.00 with a coupon and bunch of stuff on sale), I realized I had forgotten to buy a loaf of bread, so I went back to get it. After paying, I thought "I should stop and give these people some koodos." The Dillon's store here recently starting getting Penta water, which is way better than any other bottled water on the market. See the website for Penta Water for why it is so good and good for you. I stopped and filled out a customer comment card thanking them for obtaining this product for the store. I feel so fortunate, because the last time I was able to buy this water on a regular basis was when I lived in St. Louis and that was almost 2 years ago.

I have collected coins and bills totaling $6.50 for a deposit to my checking account. When the deposit clears, I will send it directly to the credit card.

I am beginning to fell really prosperous and wealthy. I am continuing to see the debt amount coming down and down and down. It's very exciting and inspiring at the same time. I am also continuing to see my savings and retirement go up and up and up.

I just talked with the retirement guy from the company I use through my work and we adjusted my allocations to be more aggressive. I just started contributing last year and I am 36. I need to start being more aggressive with my investing since I have had a late start. I hear some investment people say you can figure in what you social security benefits will be into your "income" you will receive when you retire. I am not sure there will be social security when I retire, so I don't intend to depend on it. When my raise comes through next spring (probably about 3%), I am going to increase my retirement contributions by 1% and also my budget allocations for debt payoff and savings.

I have an extra $.19 to add to my challenge money, bringing my January total to $18.49. I told my dh about a book on the giveaway shelf at the library that I thought he might like me to pick up. It only costs $.50 and he gave me $.69. He called the extra money "transportation fees." Go figure. ;P

Hello, everyone. I just requested a check from one of my survey companies. It's only $5.00, but when it gets here, it's going right into my Challenge money and to the credit card before it can be spent on something else.

Howdy, friends and neighbors. I sent $17.00 of my Challenge money to the cc today. I deposited it on Monday and had to wait for the deposit to clear.

I had a very low spend day. I did not drive, because my car is still stuck in the ice and also the passenger door will not close. It's a very old car. I don't know if that has anything to do with it, though. I got a ride to work with a co-worker and took the city bus home. The city bus is kind of an odd way to phrase the "bus" we have here because the "bus system" is two busses than make the exact same route around our town. It only costs $.50 to ride. The last time I paid $.50 to ride a bus was in 1994 when I had to ride the bus a couple of times in Springfield, Missouri during bad weather! I took my lunch with me and only bought a soda out of the machine.

This is not really a picture of our bus, but it looks a lot like it.

Hey, I was just doing the laundry and found $1.30 in change in pockets of clothes. This brings my Challenge total for the month to $18.30.

This is fun!

I think it's important to not only think positively, but to laugh a lot. I think it takes your focus off of any problems you may be having, financial or otherwise.

I go to YouTube sometimes and look at funny videos about animals, kids, or other stuff. I just saw this funny video on YouTube that is hysterical. I thought you guys might get a kick out of it, too.

Fun With a Deer

I just noticed something weird about my paycheck. It's $21 higher than usual. I doublechecked to make sure they charged for health insurance (yes) and retirement (yes). All okay there. Then, I remembered that the health insurance premiums went down due to lower costs incurred by members. We found this out during the annual insurance meeting in September. I had just forgotten about it until now. It looks like I can re-do my budget. I feel really prosperous, even though it's only $21. I am so thankful for good health and for having a good job with health insurance. This is really unexpected and I really feel like celebrating. (Hear a serious, Walter Kronkite-like voice here.) No money will be spent in celebrating this win.

Wow. This is fun.

Howdy, folks. Well, the sad story is that I had to use my $38.20 in Challenge Money for a trip to a nearby city to take my husband to a doctor. However, I did find $17.00 cash after searching through my purse, pockets, etc. which I am going to deposit to checking on Monday and swiftly send it to the credit card before it can be spent. This brings my January challenge amount back down to $17.00 and my credit card balance to $1961.83. I also made payments on our medical bills, bringing our total debt to $7080.20. Yeah!! I don't think I can go to the bank until Monday, though, because there is a winter storm warning in effect and our car is not starting reliably. The storm is supposed to pass around Monday, I heard. The roads are also icy and makes even walking somewhat treacherous.

I also reinstituted a rule I had been using for awhile. At the end of a pay period (day of payday), whatever money is leftover in my checking from last payday I will divide up equally among my Dream and Short Term Savings accounts. For awhile, I had not had any leftovers or at least not much and so had not done this. I had $62.76 leftover in my account Friday before payday, so I divided it and put it into the two accounts. I like this game.

I just found a dime on the laundry room floor, which brings my total for January to $38.20. All this money is rolling in in dribs and drabs, but it is rolling in.

Hello, everyone. Wow. Today is a great day. I think today is going to be a no-spend day for me, as I have mostly just been reading email and blogging all day. DH and I will probably do a Harry Potter marathon later.

I am so grateful for the things I do have. I am grateful that I have a good job with lots of job security. My predecessor in my job left with a lot of things that need to be done, but that just adds to the game for me. I am having fun with it, so it's not always really like work.

I just found out that a chiropractor is practicing in the town where I live. He practices the same kind of chiropractic medicine (Sacro Occipital Technique) as another doctor I knew in St. Louis who did amazing work on health problems I had. My arm had been hurting for weeks and I suddenly found out this new chiropractor was praciticing. With a couple of treatments, he got my arm to feeling much better. I am so thrilled about that I could just dance on the ceiling.

Hey, I just found a penny in my wallet. I have no idea where it came from, but I'm going to just put it in the piggy and be grateful. This brings my total for January to $38.10.

Yippee!

Hi, everyone. I just got my copy of my AAA magazine, Journeys, for this month. There is an article on saving money that I thought other people might find valuable.

Make Money Matters a New Year's Resolution
http://www.aaajourneys.com/readweb.asp?articleid=145&activeblock=1

See you later everybody.

Hey, I just got the gas bill today and found a surprise. It seems that the deposit that we had to put down to open an account earns interest. The company credited $6.29 worth of interest to our bill, so $6.29 more will be going to the credit card on Friday the 12th. This brings my total for the month to $38.09.

A blogger named Autumn has a great blog on this subject at http://autumnxbutterfly.savingadvice.com/2007/01/06/money-online_20042/.

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Someone else posted a blog about online stuff they do for pay. I have surveys sites that pay me or enter me into contents to win money. I don't make very much money from these sites, but I do make enough that once in awhile, I am able to put a little extra towards the credit card debt. Hope this helps you all out in your $20 Challenge or just putting a little extra jingle in your pocket. I always stay away from the ones that demand my home phone number, as survey people can be worse than telemarketers about calling in the middle of dinner with seemingly endless surveys.

E-poll
http://www.epoll.com/epoll/clients/logout.htm
At E-poll, you can get gift certificates, gift cards, movies passes, etc. No cash as far as I know.

Opinion Outpost
https://www.opinionoutpost.com/index.php
You can get cash from Opinion Outpost and filling out enough surveys.

Ad Paid
http://adpaid.com/ptr/pages/index.php
Look at advertising online and when you accumulate a certain number of "clicks," you can redeem your clicks for cash.

Lightspeed Panel
http://us.lightspeedpanel.com
Lightspeed Panel is a survey site that surveys members about all sorts of topics. After collecting points, you can redeem your points for cash, gift cards, merchandise, and music downloads.

National Family Opinion
http://www.mysurvey.com/
NFO is another survey site where you collect points for doing surveys and redeem those points for cash, gift cards, merchandise, etc.

Harris Poll
http://www.harrispollonline.com/
Harris Poll Online is a survey site where you collect points and redeem them for merchandise. I have yet to see cash offered, but I could be wrong. I got a really cool case for my laptop from this place.

I'm adding another $.03 to the challenge, which brings me to a total of $31.80 for the month of January.

Woo-hoo! This is fun!

I have another $4.05 to add to the Challenge. That makes $31.77 for a monthly total so far.

I like this rollercoaster ride!

I don't usually do movies reviews, but I just had to tell you all about this movie, "Pursuit of Happyness", because it is so inspiring and humbling. It is based on a real story about a guy named Chris Gardner, who had no education beyond high school, no money, and no other resources. He had several dead end jobs, including being a door to door salesman. By accident, he finds out about an internship for future stock brokers and applies. In the next six months of stock broker training, he was evicted from his apartment, constantly without money, and sleeping in homeless shelters, but he survives and even thrives. I will let you find out how it ends, but it's an inspirational story and a great movie that I think we should all see.

I really feel thankful for being able to go to college and graduate school. I had scholarships and grants while I studied and got out of school owing very little on student loans. I now have a job in the field I trained in and love my work.

Hi, everyone. I decided to check my retirement account online to see how it is doing. I don't check it very often, so I figured New Year's Eve would be the perfect time. I have only been contributing since July and already have $3432.36. Wow. I had no idea it would grow so much in only 6 months. At this rate of growth, I could have close to $10000 by the end of next year. I like this. We can just adjust how it is invested at any time, but we can't choose specific stocks, bonds, etc. I think I will let it ride another year and then open an IRA in 2008. While I love working in my library, I don't want to have to work when I am 70 or be living on food stamps and social security. I want to have fun and travel then.

Howdy, all.

Well, the end result with my $20 Challenge is a surprising $18.50. Not bad, I say, seeing as I started it on Dec. 26th, I think. I had budgeted $100 to the cc, so I sent that plus this $18.50 to the cc. I'm feeling really jazzed.

Add on top of that the fact that the college I work for has health insurance, which we only have to pay for twice a month. Since I got 3 paychecks in the long month of December, I have about $27.00 extra in my account. I am putting that on my $20 Challenge for January. Wow. That's cool. I've already met my $20 Challenge for January. I'm not stopping there, though.

I went grocery shopping this morning and saved $14.55 with store specials, my store card, and using my own bags.

I also made regular deposits to my Dream Account and Short Term Savings Accounts.

My husband will get his first paycheck, probably about $250, from his new job on Tuesday. It is the first step to getting our truck fixed so we can drive it. In the meantime, our car is also not very reliable, as we think it may have something wrong with the transmission. I have been riding my bike to work for the last 2 weeks (yes, it has been very cold, and some days, very warm here in the midwest) which has not only save me a lot of gas money, but has given more strength and stamina. (I have asthma, so this is important.)

Despite the car and truck problems, I feel really fortunate and blessed to be a part of this group that shares ideas about how to save money, the struggles to pay off debt, and create a better life. I want to wish the best for all of you and your families for 2007.