progress?

Every time I take a step forward and start to feel okay about my money problems something happens and I fall two steps back.

I haven't used my credit card for three months and got the company to lower my interest rate. I've finally been able to pay more than the mininum balance. Tom's clutch on his Jeep goes out and we don't have $600.00 so it goes on the credit card. Progress followed by trouble.

My check is showing part of the stimulus package. An extra $17.00/check. It's nice, but I don't know how long it will last. With this 'extra' money I finally have some breathing room---not much---but a little. Too bad I don't get a raise this year nor do I get a bonus. A nice positive followed by a negative.

Tom and I will rent our apartment for another year. They didn't increase our rent (first time ever), but the water and electricity bills are going up.

See the pattern?

I'm trying, really trying. It's just so frustrating when you take one step forward and fall two steps back.

america saves

it's really disheartening to realize that i don't think i can come up with a savings plan to put away even one month's worth of expenses for an emergency fund in the next year. i'd like to make that a goal for december but i'm dubious since my car insurance costs went up. i think with my meager tax refund, i can pay that off without charging it to a credit card, but just barely. that pretty much leaves nothing left over, except covering monthly expenses. at the moment i'm set for not struggling by the end of the month with only a monthly paycheck, but putting a little aside would be a nice change of pace.

apparently it's also america saves week:
http://www.americasaves.org/

Dear Bills

Dear Bills,

Christmas will be here in two short months. I need some money to buy gifts for the following people: Mom, Dad, Erin, Tom, Grandparents A. and Grandparents S. My family draws names each Christmas (because of my money problems) and I picked my dad and my sister. We set a limit of about $40.00. Which is helpful, but I still need to buy for everyone.

This is where you come in. I can't afford to buy gifts for all these people. You see, I have a lot of bills. I don't have the extra $250.00 (estimate on gifts only) to spend this Christmas. I'm not even sure I have the money to buy a real Christmas Tree (Tom and I make sure we get a good live tree) or the awesome picture cards I want to order. Can you please help me out? Lower my interest rates, give me a month off, send me some money as a thank you for never being late. Anything at all would be appreciated.

Thanks,

A hopeful bill payer

conundrum

so with only a week left before my next monthly payday, i have a smidge more money in my account than anticipated. i am torn; should i pay off one or two of my pending bills (gap, billmelater for my shoes) or should i buy the christmas presents that i'll need to bring/send home so as not to put them on a card at a later date?
there's also the problem that a medical bill may arrive in the next month that would need to be paid immediately.
oh, what to do?

utilities on cards

well, i just had s pay his outstanding electric bill on credit card. a terrible thing, i know. but he has the bill for the house in his name now & he had a transferred balance that he hadn't paid from his old apartment left over. i was worried they'd turn off the electricity if he didn't pay it soon. and his roommates had already given him last month's share.
i'd like for him to be able to learn from my mistakes, but unfortunately that's not how life usually works.
plus he got laid off on saturday. his boss only had 89 hours per week she could fill (including her necessary 40hour/week) for 4 people. not really reasonable & as he'd only been there for 2 months (she gave him his 60 day review, then told him she had to let him go), he was low-man. aiy-yi-yi!

October Blues

It's been financially difficult for me since the last post. Apparently, since I have my debt on one credit card my options for help are limited. If I had debt on various cards, roll out the red carpet, help is on it's way. So, I've been struggling to find someone/somewhere to give me the help, the advice, or the direction I need. I've finally moved past my ashamed phase and now I can't get the help I really need.

On another front, my husband has had $200.00 in overdraft fees since August. We've had major discussions about his inability to keep track of his purchases. If he were keeping the receipts, at the very least, I wouldn't be upset. Instead, he uses his debit card like a credit card and it is creating major trouble. He has promised to keep better record, but only time will tell. Money we have saved from our wedding has been used to pay off these fees.

In addition to all these money problems, I just turn blue around this time. My birthday starts a series of events and holidays that I don't get to spend with my family.

frugality

because of the recent overdraft (yippee! another one in the mail today when i got home), i will be washing my clothes by hand for the rest of the month.
ugh!