Week 8 update.............REAL PROGRESS

Hello!!!  So we have had some real progress this week!  We finally got some of our reimbursements as well as a bit more money that we were able to play catch up with.  Yay!!!  We were able to pay off about $4,100 in debt this week!!!  Woot woot!!!  This will save us about $560 per month. Of course this will go towards getting caught up on other things.

We discussed putting some of that in savings instead of paying off the debt, but when looking at the big picture, decided this route, THIS time was the way to go.  

So......We are making progress.  We took my dad out for a late Father's Day dinner, but have otherwise kept spending under control.  I am really proud of us!!!

We also haven't added any new debt.  HUGE accomplishment.  We do love our credit cards.  But after my cut up party a couple of weeks ago, we haven't added any debt or done any sneaky things like get the number off of our statement and use it to buy something. 

So more next week.  Baby steps!!!

         

   

Week 7 Update......

Getting closer.....and closer.......

Well this week has most definitely had its challenges.  I started my new job a week before last but had my first overnight shifts this week.  Holy moly.....My husband has been great with the kids and letting me sleep.  But my house looks like it exploded.....Clothes....dirty dishes...you name it.  

The upside is that I have already gotten my first check.  Yay!  Playing catch up is really nice.  In spite of the "extra" money, we did not shop for any extra stuff or go out to eat a ton.  We did eat out once this week as a family and I had lunch with my sister.  Other than a pedicure, which let me tell you, was necessary (can you say sore, cracked heels?), nothing extra. 

Can I tell you how huge this is for us, for just a moment?  It is really huge.  The hubster and I are both shoppers.  We shop when we are happy, we shop when we are sad, we even shop when we are mad. One HUGE gain for the Smith family.  I think I already said it was huge.  But really....It was huge.

So to give the gory details....Still no money in savings.  This will change next week.  It has to.  We paid off another $321 dollars in debt.  We didn't add any new debt and kept our spending under control.  As tiring as this week has been with the new schedule, it was a satisfying one for sure.  

    

                                      

Subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel!  

Blog:  www.reddersideofpink.blogspot.com

Instagram: Reddersideofpink

YouTube: Redder Side of Pink

Facebook: Redder Side Of Pink

Twitter: @kariannsmith

  

Week 5 Update...

Well, we are in the delayed gratification stage of our debt payoff.  We have worked a ton of hours, sold a bunch of stuff, gotten more jobs and now we wait.  We wait for the money to start coming in from the jobs, the reimbursements to come in from the things that we sold to pay for the trips that made us some extra money and for the new jobs to start.  OH!  But before I forget, I did make $118 dollars this week with my direct sales company.  Yay me!  That was really helpful.

    *Me working in the hotel.  Loved this lap desk by the way.........

It is a bit of a struggle this week.  I have been in a different country and wanted to shop, shop, shop.  But I didn't.  Part of me feels really good about it and another part of me REALLY wishes I could have just bought some stuff.  Not a lot of stuff, but stuff none the less.  *SIGH*  Like I said in the beginning, it is what it is.

Another thing that was a bit different this week was how we handled our food bill.  We did shop a little for necessities {milk, bread, T.P.; Can we please not discuss the catastrophe that happens when we are out of T.P.? Thank you.}; but have been using the stuff that we have to make it through the next several weeks.  We have had 2 of my husband's second job paydays go by now without a paycheck as he is on hiatus for the summer and man does it hurt.  You don't realize how much you depend on that money until it's gone.  

All of that said, we are still in a pretty good place.  Still doing better, not creating any more debt, and looking forward to paying off some in just a couple of weeks.  I think the best thing that's happened in all of this, is that our attitude has changed.  SIGNIFICANTLY.  We are both working on the debt now, neither one of us is in the corner trying to hide from it.  I can not even express in words how much this has changed our relationship and our bank accounts.  It still isn't pretty, but it's definitely headed in the right direction.

We still do not have any money in savings.....Ugh....But maybe by next weeks update I will have better news in this department!  Wish us luck. 

                                 

  *Traveling 31 Style.  I am exhausted, but the outcome will be well worth it. 

Subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel!  

Blog:  www.reddersideofpink.blogspot.com

Instagram: Reddersideofpink

YouTube: Redder Side of Pink

Facebook: Redder Side Of Pink

Twitter: @kariannsmith

Just say NO to giving out your email address

When trying to save money, I have found that getting the emails from Tiffany's and Coach, do not help my desire to shop.  Let's be real: I am a shopper.  I love shopping.  It could be anywhere; Target, the mall, the outlets, online..... ANYWHERE.  I do find though, that getting the emails telling me what sales are happening and promising free this or that with so and so purchase, make my task of lessening our debt more difficult.  

Don't get me wrong, I don't mind getting the emails and will probably sign up for them again when we are closer to our goal.  But right now, they make me sad.  They make me want to buy things.  Yes I am grown up enough to say no, but it's like that friend that drags you down every time you see her. You may leave that person questioning yourself or feeling inadequate in some way or feeling that your significant other is inadequate in some way....She/He is BAD NEWS.  Walk away.  Walk away quickly.  

That's how I feel about the "Retail Email".  Walk away.  Walk away quickly.  Now, I do know that sometimes there are really good coupons or other deals that come via "Retail Email".  But right now, I have to take the lesser of two evils.  Plus, there are a ton of other places that provide coupons now a days.  I still can't get all of them to quit coming to my mailbox.

So next time someone asks you for your email address, think twice.  Are you in a position to look at them objectively, or is it going to be counterproductive with where you are in your financial journey.  For me, I think I will pass........For now.  :) 

Week 3 update.....What a week...........

Holy smokes!  What a week this has been! I started the week with a part time job and ended the week with four jobs.  How did that happen, you ask?  Well let me tell you......

I got a full time job in my field that I will begin mid June.  I will be working three, 12 hour, 3rd shifts.  Not the best hours, but it will keep the most amount of money coming in as day care costs will be minimal. {We will only need two days of day care so that I can sleep, the other times my husband can be with the children}.  I was also offered a couple of classes to teach in the evenings at another college.  While these classes will only last 11 weeks, it will be a great way to boost the income coming into the house to pay off some serious debt over the next 2 months.  I am also a part of a direct sales company and have had several opportunities come in over the last week that will continue to make that a lucrative option to bring in extra money too.  Lastly, I was offered a position to do some program evaluations for a few technical colleges.  This will not be a regular gig, but will allow us to bring in some money a few times a year.  Either way, the extra money is really helpful.  Woo hoo!

As many of you may know, we have been selling several things that are just sitting around, with the hopes of paying off some debt.  Well, SUCCESS!  We have brought in almost $1,400 thus far and this has allowed us to pay off a debt that was costing us $600 per month.  I can not even tell you the huge weight that was lifted when I paid that debt on Tuesday of this week.  

This week was tough as far as temptations to spend money is concerned.  We did eat our 4 times; the first time in weeks.  And we did buy t-shirts for Memorial Day as we have a special American Legion event on Monday to attend.  Otherwise, we did a great job keeping our expenses at a minimum.  We continue to stay caught up on our regular bills each week.  It will become more difficult over the next several weeks as my husband's second job is on hiatus during the summer months.  It will pick back up in August, but that will mean an $1,800 deficit for the next 2 and a half months.  Not the end of the world, but definitely an adjustment.

I was in the shopping mood this week also.  I did really well and other than the t-shirts and a lipstick, did not buy anything "extra".  My sister and I did make tutu's for the girls to wear to the Memorial Day festivities as well.  I did not go over my "blow money" budget for this week and in fact have saved some money over the last few weeks.  

We continue to get calls a few last items on our garage sale and plan to put that money towards our debt as well!  

Have a great week and happy budgeting!

Subscribe to my blog and YouTube channel!  

Blog:  www.reddersideofpink.blogspot.com

Instagram: Reddersideofpink

YouTube: Reddersideofpink

Facebook: Redder Side Of Pink

Twitter: @Rsideofpink