What a difference 4 weeks makes

[Getback]

This was posted a couple of weeks back in FW. I'm about to receive my 4th check. So the time frame starts 6 weeks ago. Mom ,though on fixed income, loaned me money to buy a new central air unit after mine went out during this past very hot summer. So she's the first on the list to get paid off. It's a bit personal but I thought if might give others a reason to look forward.

Four weeks ago I put my last $1.99 in gas so I could make it home from work. Not just any 1.99 either. I searched under the cushions, desk, car seats, and about every place else. Then all the calls to my creditors asking if they could delay a payment a couple of days. My credit cards were staying maxed out and would often go over the limit when interest was added. It was hand to mouth. I think I was on the phone every day calling some creditor or utility about a bill. All worked with me and my credit score never took a hit. Not sure if I ever worked the bills around so much in my life. I kept them all abreast of my situation. Figured that was best and it gave me a feeling of control. I called my insurance agent to see if I could reduce my car and house insurance. They worked with me to drop it a precious $15 a month. Doesn't seem like much but it was to me. Then as I posted my Jeep broke. Mom bailed me out there. At one point I went without auto and house insurance for 7 days. Luckily nothing happened. Then my driver's license expired. Where the heck do I come up with 21 bucks for that. I managed to find it. I did drive a few days without license though. I also did something I thought I would never do and thank God they were there. I went into one of those Paycheck places to see if I could get a small payday loan. They needed a check. I ran out of checks 2 years ago and never had the money to get more checks. I went through several hundred checks to find one where I had started to write a check but made an error. I took that to them and asked if they could use this. They could. So I got some gas money. The fee was $7.50 but I didn't mind too much I had some money to make it. Paid them off the next payday. I also did something else I never thought I would do. I hocked my wedding ring and a table saw. Well at least it was something I didn't have to pay back. I hadn't used the table saw or the the ring in years.

One time I scoured my on-line bank accounts hoping there was something there. There was. Not much but I found $80 bucks. Seemed like a pot of gold. Most of you wouldn't realize it but I took a month or two off FW. Not that I was butthurt by anyone but that I just couldn't take another cut of bad news and there is plenty of that going around these days. The one thing I will tell you is I never felt like a failure. I knew to hang in there and keep doing the right things.

Yesterday I received my second paycheck. In just 2 weeks I have paid Mom $210, made room on my credit cards, have money for gas, and put a small amount in the savings. Then I bought Mom a new 24 inch flat panel monitor. She loves it. Today I'm cautiously optimistic. So far I've done everything I've budgeted for. Work is going very well and I'm excited to be there. Yet you never know.

In March I should have about $1,600 to give to mom or pay off a credit card. Nice dilemma to be in. I think I will give it to Mom. That will reduce my bills by $500 a month by the end of May and then I can snowball that over to the credit card. I'm cutting things close on the budget to pay off debt and save. It's beautiful to see those bills go down and the savings go up. Once I get some security funds in the bank my next major purchase is a Tankless Gas Water Heater. That is something I've been looking forward to for a long time. There are so many things that need fixed from 3 years of neglect but those will have to be done in time and when absolutely necessary.

Things are just so much better than 4 weeks ago. It's amazing and appreciated. I should mention that there are pennies lying around the house these days. Always a good sign.

[homersipes]

been there done that.  We had been saving to buy a house for a couple years, we had saved almost 5000.  Lived in an apartment that the owner was selling.  My sister in law also lived in the apartment and me and her hubby had a dock on the river across the street with our boats.  One day when it was raining real hard he went down to bail his boat out and came back and said that there was watermelon water running into the river.  Low and behold it was our watermelon water.  The septic tank got a leak and the owner didnt want to fix it.  So the stat of vermont stepped in and said we had 48 hours to be out.  So for almost 5 months we lived in a hotel room and spent most of our savings.  I had already had a mortgage in the works, so another apt was out of the question.  I scrammbled to come up with the insurance money and everything.  Finally got moved in and money isnt near as tight as it was when we first moved in. 

[JimmyC]

Well done
Money management is definitely the key to feeling on top of things
It's worth bareing in mind that if you have spare change in a bowl on your side table you are in the top3% of the worlds population
Just a thought of how lucky some of us are
  Jimmy

[pipz]

Well done
Money management is definitely the key to feeling on top of things
It's worth bareing in mind that if you have spare change in a bowl on your side table you are in the top3% of the worlds population
Just a thought of how lucky some of us are
  Jimmy

  

Glad to hear things are going better for ya Getback. Keep at it!

[Golfer]

The best thing that ever happened to me was to make about 1/2 or so of what my expenses were and be really fluff'n broke. You'd be amazed at what you could do without and really know the value of that dollar.

This too shall pass and over time you'll get things back on track and be amazed at what good credit can do for you.

Keep up the good work!

[SmokinLoon]

 

Good for you in NOT giving up, scraping by with every penny, and getting back on your own two feet!!!  There is no greater feeling than to advance yourself in such a nature.

and yes, most red blooded people have either been there exactly where you were and have been able to improve themselves exactly the way you are doing as we all know it isnt easy.  Many people give up, you didn't so good for you!!!

Now... from experience, I can suggest to you that even though you are earning an income and are climbing out of the hole at a good pace, you need to make sure you choose wisely between needs and wants.  Once ALL of the needs are taken care of then you may dabble in to the wants.   

Good for you and best of luck in your continued improvement!!!        

[Penguin]

Good work!  You made it out of poverty and have quite a story to tell.  Things are looking on the up-and-up for you, sir.  Keep the ball rolling if you can, and don't forget to get some LED or CFL lightbulbs, and caulk up any windows (or even parts of windows) that you don't open.  It'll take some capital (7-8$ for a CFL, $20 for an LED, and $40 for a caulking kit) but will save you money on heat and electricity in the long run.  Depending on where you work, consider buying a bike once the money comes together and use it to go to work instead of the car.  It'll pay for itself with the gas money you'll save, and the hospital bills you'll avoid due to poor cardiovascular health.  Ride in fair weather (no fierce [i.e., Gale force] winds, no lightning, no torrential rains) only, though.  If you dress properly you should never feel cold, wet, or uncomfortable, and over time riding to work will become easier and easier as your muscles grow.

Best of luck!
-Penguin