Cutting Expenses: A Little Update

I've managed to cut $30 from my cable and internet bill, and I'm not finished yet! Last month I removed the HBO package from the bill and save about $15. Today I called up the company and downgraded my Internet service and saved another $15! I'll be turning in my HD receiver/DVR box and downgrading to the basic cable package in the next couple of weeks. So, $30 from cable/internet and $20 from the cell phone company--that's pretty awesome! I just need another $15 to come up with the extra $65 I'll be paying in rent each month starting April 1.

Once I get used to pay that new rent amount, I'll be attacking my monthly budget. I have a few savings goals:
1. Stock up my emergency savings fund
2. Fully fund my Roth IRA
3. Save for a down payment on a house

I'm trying not to get overwhelmed with all of this. My summer job(s) will definitely play a role in determining how much money goes toward each of these 3 areas. However, as Scarlett O'Hara says, "I'll think about that tomorrow!"

Cutting Expenses: Part 2

Today I went to the apartment complex office to sign my lease renewal. I was absolutely dreading it. Knowing that I'd be "agreeing" to a $75 rent hike just made me sick. I sat in the office, the property manager got out her paperwork, and then double checked her numbers. After plugging in a few numbers and adding things up, she realized there was some "wiggle room" with my rent. Instead of paying $75 more in rent, I'll only be paying $65 more. It's amazing how $10 difference made me feel. However, I'm still going to act like I'm paying $75 more in rent, but I'll just put that $10 in savings. I still need to work on dropping my cable bill and insurance. Once all that is taken care of, I can add up my total "savings" and put the difference in savings. Somehow, I know all of this isn't going to be a lot and I'll have to find a summer job. Still working on that!

Cutting Expenses: Part 1

Earlier this week I received my lease renewal notification letter from the apartment company. My rent is going up $75! Last year I got the apartment with a "March Madness Move-In Special." Now the rent is back up to "normal" which actually includes a discount for me since I'm a teacher. Part of me was hoping to keep paying the discounted rate while the other part of me knew that a rate "increase" was inevitable. How in the world was I going to find an extra $75 when I already feel like I'm living paycheck to paycheck?

First, I took a look at my bills. What services could I cut or trim back? Today I went to my cell phone company's store and changed my plan. Currently I have an "unlimited talk, text, and web" plan for $79.99. I dropped to the "unlimited talk and text" plan for $59.99. My cell phone is my primary phone and some months I use a lot of minutes and other months not so much. I didn't want to risk going to the lowest plan and then going over my minutes. I'll definitely monitor this over the next few months and readjust if necessary. I also dropped the insurance on my phone. I don't even know why I had signed up for it in the first place, but it's $6/month that just needs to go. Total savings with cell phone company: $26

After I finished at the cell phone store, I went over to the cable sales store. This is one area where I can shave a LOT of money off my bill. I removed HBO ($15/month) from the bill. I'm also looking at removing DVR (about $12) and downgrading to the most basic cable package they offer. It would be an adjustment, but I think I would survive. Growing up, we had no cable television. It was 7 channels and rabbit ears for us. My family would go on vacation and just marvel at the hotels/beach houses that had cable TV. I think I could get used to basic cable and it might actually be good for me!

Second, I'm in the process of getting an insurance quote with a different company. If I can lower my insurance bill without compromising too much on the quality, I'll definitely switch.

Finally, I realize that cutting expenses to save up for the extra I'll be paying in rent is a good idea, but I have to look towards the future. It's very probable that rent will go up again next year. I want to be in a place financially where I could move out into my own place if necessary. My plan is to teach summer school this year. OMG. I can't believe I just typed that. I've NEVER taught summer school before. This was something I was NOT planning on doing, but times are tough and I've got to make tough choices. The plan is to teach summer school this year and put that money towards a house down payment while living off my normal paycheck (I'm on a 12 month plan).

I also have my car accident insurance settlement money coming in, but I don't know when or how much that will be. When it does, it will be a nice surprise and I'm hoping to add that to my house down payment or maybe for a well-deserved vacation.

Rejoined Weight Watchers

I had my first chiropractor appointment on Wednesday and I was told to stop working out at Curves while undergoing treatment. How frustrating! One one hand, I was so excited to get started working out and losing weight. On the other hand, I probably should have waited before starting an exercise program--especially one I have to pay for. I'm hoping I can go to Curves tomorrow, show them my doctor's note, and suspend my membership.

The topic of my weight and blood pressure issues also came up at this first chiropractor session. The doctor was going on about how his mom and sister lost "lots" of weight on Jenny Craig. This got me thinking. If the only exercising he wants me doing is walking, then I'm going to need something more to keep me on track. So I'm going back to Weight Watchers. I joined WW in August 2005 and lost 40 pounds. I went from a size 18 to 12. I looked great and ever since I've been trying to get back on the wagon. Now that I don't have any ex-husband issues standing in my way, it's really time to focus on me. I rejoined last night and have been tracking my food intake as well as learning more about their "Points Plus" program. I've tried other free sites before, but there's something about the "pay to lose" part that really helped me.

One of the suggestions that Weight Watchers (and any diet program) makes is to clean out the refrigerator and pantry and then restock them with healthy foods. I did that today and I ended up making my kitchen more organized. To the right of the kitchen sink, I have upper and lower cabinets. Originally, I had mixing bowls, spices, tupperware, and other miscellaneous items in the upper cabinets and the food stuffs in the lower cabinets. This was not a good arrangement. I couldn't clearly see what I had for food.

Tonight I decided to reorganize my cabinets. First, I tossed any expired items as well as random tupperware (tomorrow I'm going to get new tupperware that keeps the lids and bowls together). Next, I decided how I was going to organize the 3 shelves of the upper cabinets. As you can see from the picture, the top shelf has spices, baking supplies, and drink mixes. The second shelf has items that I'll most likely use in cooking (i.e. pasta sauce, mayo, soups, rice). The last shelf has my "grab and go" items such as popcorn, cereal bars, and other snacks. It feels good to know what I have in my pantry. I'm hoping that this will help me make better eating decisions.

Another suggestion most diet and exercise programs make is to take before, during, and after pictures. I've done' this in the past, but I hate the cell phone-pic-with-half-of-me-in-the-bathroom-mirror look. So, I worked up the courage and asked my boyfriend to take some pics for me. He was nice enough to oblige and I'm not going to post them...yet. Once I start making progress (i.e. losing a size), I'll post the before and during pics together.

2011: Getting Pumped Up!

The past year and a half has been a challenge, but look at all I've accomplished:
1. Got out of an abusive and destructive marriage
2. Did a short sale on my house
3. Divorced
4. Moved in to my own place
5. Survived a near death car accident
6. Started a relationship with an amazing man <3

I'm very excited that 2011 will give me a chance to move on from the bad and move on with the good in my life. Now that I don't have a long list of things I have to do in front of me (i.e. sell house, divorce husband), I can focus on the things that I want to do! This is somewhat of a strange idea for me. For the longest time it seems I've had to approach life as one big laundry list of things to do, but now I can approach it differently. Here are some things I've been thinking about (in no particular order):

1. Keep working out at Curves and eating healthy. I want to be fit and healthy as well as look and feel great.
2. Curb my eating out and shopping. Those trips to the gas station or drive-thru really do add up. Not only will I save money that I can put towards something else, I'll be helping my waistline as well.
3. Fully fund my IRA. I think the maximum contribution limit this year is $5000 and I want to contribute that much. I haven't contributed to it for the past few years because of what I've had to go through, and it's time to get back on track with that. I should have no problem getting to that amount by April.
4. Start saving for a house down payment. I'm never doing 0 down again! I also plan on being more informed this time around when looking and buying a home. I'm going to know exactly what I'm getting myself into.

Four goals for 2011. I think that's a manageable number. I also think this blog will be a good place to write about them and share my progress. It's going to be a wonderful year!

Beating the Holiday Blues: Have a Plan

Last Christmas I was separated from husband. The Christmas before that, he was in a psychiatric hospital for an emotional breakdown. All my plans of what I'd do over the holidays went out the window. I felt lost, confused, depressed, and alone. I wallowed in my misery for a little bit, but I decided there was no reason why I couldn't do the things I had planned on doing. Yes, it was difficult but I was still able to enjoy the holidays with friends and family without overdoing it. I was able to retreat when I needed to and I loved it. I think the Christmas of 2008 is when I read all the Twilight series :) Having a game plan for things to do over the holidays helped me get up and go when I felt like it.

So what am I doing this Christmas? Here's my list:
1. Christmas Eve dinner at home: lasagna, salad, and wine
2. Christmas Eve service at church
3. Probably watch movies and chill out Christmas Eve afterwards
4. Christmas morning: open presents, breakfast, bake pie to take to my parents
5. Christmas afternoon: lunch and present opening at my parents

I'm lucky enough to be enjoying all of this with my boyfriend this year. However, I'd still be doing things alone if I wasn't with someone. Merry Christmas everyone!

Beating the Holiday Blues: Experience the Wonder of the Season

Ok, so how does one "experience wonder"? I think at Christmas time it's very easy to get swept up in the whole mood of the season. Everyone seems to be a little more open, loving, and gentler towards to their fellow man. When those walls are brought down, good things tend to happen and we're able to acknowledge them. Yesterday, I helped a woman at Kinko's send a fax. I stayed with her through the whole process and we had a nice conversation as we waited for the fax to be sent. That's not something I'd typically do, but I enjoyed that moment of plain and honest human connection.

Today I happened to experience "the wonders of the season" with my students. I knew that I would most likely receive presents from a few of them. I just didn't know who. Lo and behold, one of my most exasperating students gave me a tupperware container of homemade pretzel/chocolate/m&m thingies. Sooo yummy! Sure, his mom probably forced him to give them out to all his teachers, but it's the thought that counts!

Finally (and this is the real inspiration for this post), today I became financially free of my ex husband!!! I never thought I'd see this day come. Maybe this is how and when it was supposed to end, but I'd like to think it's a Christmas miracle! Our mortgage company took our offer of $10,000 instead of holding out for more money from us and has settled our debt. I'm just in awe of the whole thing. God has seen me through every aspect of this ordeal and has turned this situation into a blessing.

So, there is hope and wonder to be found this season. Just be open to it and when it comes in (most likely, unexpectedly), savor it!