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/