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Getting a little better now. You know, since I didn’t go and spend a load of money today.
I just got my Capital One statement today. Consider the following: I charged $363.94 on it during the billing period, and paid $100. Conclusion – BAAAD! BUT – oh snap! Magically, my APR went down to 20.8%! Debt number below has been adjusted to account for the interest being slapped on.
Alright… last night, I bought a bag of sunflower seeds. I used to be hooked on the things, and wouldn’t mind getting hooked on them again – they stave off hunger, and are a good, healthy replacement for cigarettes. Also, you know, almost ran over a drunk on the way there, but whatever.
We had a big ole hazmat incident down at Foodland today. Had Snyder’s friend from 39 run in to CVS to get me a bottle of soda ($1.58, and no, I didn’t know bottled water was on it’s way over) and a pack of smokes ($3.99, I know, I just bought a pack yesterday, I’m a bad boy… hence the sunflower seeds).
I’m also learning that I should really use that swell ledger that comes with checkbooks… that way I’ll know what I actually have to compute these balances, rather than having to figure out what checks haven’t been cashed yet every day.
Is it annoying that I’m analyzing each and every little purchase? I’ve got to justify them somehow, I guess.
Starting Balance: $142.40
Spent Today: $6.96
Made Today: $0
Profit Today: -$6.96
Average Daily Profit: -$99.94
Overall Profit: -$199.87
Debt: $8827.54
Ending Balance: $123.37
Popularity: 1%
Here’s the damage:
Inspection and necessary repairs for my truck (2 used tires, a bulb, and a wiper blade) – $155.76, check
Cigarettes – $3.39, cash
Antifreeze (truck’s been running a little hot lately) – $9.53, credit card
Two loaves of bread (with which to live off of PB&J) – $2.52, cash
A bunch of gas for my truck – $40.01
I did, however, deposit the “dividend” check I got from State Farm, a whopping $18.30.
The job situation is still looking pretty grim. September 3rd is the last weekday at the park, and then it’s just Saturdays and Sundays until September 29th. It’d be pretty awesome if somebody would finally just give me a job, instead of screwing me around with their help wanted signs and ads. I’m also in a bit of a transportation catch 22 – I don’t have the money to get my scooter fixed, but without my scooter (thus forced to drive around in my gas hog of a truck), I don’t have money to get the scooter fixed.
Starting Balance: $286.86
Spent Today: $211.21
Made Today: $18.30
Profit Today: -$192.91
Overall Profit: -$192.91
Debt: $8773.24
Ending Balance: $142.40
Popularity: 1%
I currently have $101. In cash. Thank my Where’s George? obsession for that. <stops writing to enter a new hit in his spreadsheet> I also have this swell plastic cat litter jug, for my daily loose change. It would be utterly awesome if I could muster the willpower to wait until it’s filled to the brim to cash it in. I won’t be counting it every day, or paying attention every time I throw change in it, but it does currently hold a whopping $15.35 that won’t be considered for the time being (kind of like all those student loans I have, I’ll worry about them when it comes time to start repaying). The checking account holds $185.86.
Didn’t make any purchases today, but will be spending quite a bit tomorrow. The cats need litter. I probably won’t be springing for the Tidy Cats Small Spaces again. Or, maybe I will – let’s face it, when you get the cheap stuff, you get what you pay for: crumbling beyond compare. The big one tomorrow, though, will be my truck. It’s in for inspection at the moment, and got a pair of used tires on the back for $60. Also in the forecast is this speeding ticket. Ugh. Also, the monthly insurance charge on my LFCU loan kicked in today. $8.82 added to my debt.
Sorry, I’ll try to be a bit more coherent in the future.
Starting Balance: $286.86
Spent Today: $8.82
Made Today: $0.00
Profit Today: -$8.82
Overall Profit: -$8.82
Debt: $8723.70
Ending Balance: $286.86
Popularity: 1%
Originally my plan involved percentages of minimum payments. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but failed to account for the fact that I don’t have an unlimited supply of money to pay off my debts. Then, I figured I would focus more of my attention (and money) on my higher interest balances. It makes sense, as it should save me money in the long run. However, the one month that I did that (last month), I was more or less pulling numbers out of my ass, which I really didn’t care for. So now, the plan is this: Keeping $200 on hand at all times for day to day expenses and unexpected ones as well, I will then dispose of the rest of each paycheck to my creditors based on the percentage of my total debt for which they comprise. Now, that doesn’t mean that I will simply take $200 off the top of each paycheck and send the rest away… I will of course account for whatever is left from the previous, or any money I have over that threshold as well.
Popularity: 1%
Probably one of the smartest financial decisions I’ve ever made – I bought a motor scooter. I had been wanting to get something on two wheels for a while, and when my sister spotted one over on 12th Street and told me about it, I pounced on the opportunity – and she loaned me the money. I am reaping a ton of savings on gasoline by replacing my 12-14mpg Ford F150 with a 75-85mpg Longbo Adventure as my primary vehicle. I figured roughly 4000 miles on it (or was it 4400?) will be the break-even point. The lack of interest on the balance can’t be beat, either.
Popularity: 1%
