I’m still doing OK with my bills, but I haven’t made much progress on the savings or debt snowball. It’s my own fault, all about me not putting aside my wants so that I can do this. Over the past few months I’ve done more clothes and shoe shopping than I really needed to do. Well, I did need a few progessional tops for hot weather that I could wear to work, but I didn’t need as much as I bought. The good news is I’m actually wearing the shoes and clothes I bought, they aren’t just hanging in the closet. That aside, it wasn’t necessary.

So, I went through my budget and my goal of all debts but student loan paid off by the end of 2008 probably isn’t going to happen. However, I can still get them all paid off before next summer begins – except the student loan, of course.  So, I sent an email to my family that I’m trying to get my savings going and become debt-free so I don’t plan on travelling this year, not even on holidays. I think they’ll be OK with that, but I figured I should put it out there.

I really fell off the wagon for a while, but the economy issue has scared me straight. I’m not all gloom and doom and thinking the world is going to end, but I’m trying to be practical — not easy for me, but necessary.  Also, I work for a nonprofit organization and slashed budgets don’t tend to favor the social services. Of course, that’s when we’re needed the most, but that’s the way it goes. Granted, the nonprofit I work for runs itself like a business and is fantastic, but we still get a lot of our program funding from government grants.

I’ll post more details regarding my goals later, but wanted to post something to remind myself that I’m working on it, if anyone is left out there.

Whew! I fell off the wagon pretty hard over the summer and have had a very hard time getting back on. I’m afraid I went on a bit of a spending spree, and once I started it was very  hard for me to stop. In the meantime, some of my bills have been sliding and I haven’t been paying extra. I’m disappointed in myself, but am determined to climb back on top of this mess.

The good part is that, although it feels like it, I’m really NOT starting back at the beginning. I accomplished a lot for those six months I was on my program, paid off many accounts and paid a lot on other accounts. So yes, I did sabotage myself and have to do some digging before I can get even again, but now that I know how to do it and that I have less to pay off it does help.

I don’t have a huge amount to buy for Christmas, as we pick names and buy for one person, thank goodness. I’ve already paid for that and am just waiting for it to arrive in the mail. I’m buying my little nephew a movie and a book in addition to that. Then I have Tim. I have one item for him already (small) and another small item on the way. He’s buying me a nice winter coat that I need, as mine is short and I froze last year getting to work in the city.  We are also planning to visit my parents for Christmas, but it’s only a 5-hour drive and we’ll be staying with them so we won’t have to put out a lot of money. Of course, we’ll help pay for food and such while we’re there.

So, my next task is to go through that pile and figure out a realistic budget that will get me back on track, then redo the budget paydown.  I’ll post more about this after I finish these steps. I think just posting here again helps, as it solidifies that I’m working on this again.

There are a few things going on that are taking some money from my plan. I figure that since I’m blogging about what I’m doing well I should also admit to some weaknesses. Otherwise, I’m not being completely honest with myself.

1. I fell for a few more of those book clubs. Stinkin’ stink! Luckily, they have low requirements so after buying two books that I want and would buy anyway, I can cancel. I really have a weakness for books, in case you hadn’t noticed. I’m good about responding so I don’t get the ones they automatically send, so that’s a plus. It’s very easy for me to go on the Internet when I receive a mailing and decline the choices for the month — much easier and cheaper than filling out the little reply card, getting a stamp on it and mailing it back, hoping it gets there on time. This really is something I need to watch. I’ve been spending more on books than on stitching lately, which is strange.

2. I’m going to the Rush concert tonight! They are my favorite band and the last two times they’ve come to town I haven’t been able to afford it. I haven’t been to a concert in probably 10 years. I didn’t think my friend and I were going to be able to go (long story), but she knows someone who knows a Ticketmaster broker and got us some really good seats. We’re actually in seats, not on the lawn. Of course, I had sticker shock when she told me the price – $125! However, I’ll pay her when I get paid next Friday (she’s OK with that) and I’ll have a great time. It’s more than I like to pay for a concert, but it’s my favorite and I probably won’t go again for another 10 years. How the heck do people afford paying for a bunch of these concerts every year?

3. I may be going to Seattle in August. My sister and I were trying to get together in September. One idea was for her to fly out here and we’d go to Gettysburg for and extended weekend, also visiting Antietam. I’m planning on doing this anyway, but by myself I’m going to stay in an inexpensive place for one night, possibly two. If we both went we’d stay longer. Anyway, a friend of hers is also trying to get together with her sister, who lives in Baltimore. So, they thought it would be fun do do a sisters thing for a few days in Seattle. Now, Seattle in August — how lovely will that be compared to the icky Philly weather that time of the year? Plus, I’ve never been there. My sis has offered to use some of her airline miles for my flight, which is a big help, but I’ll still need to bring a few hundred dollars for spending money and to help with the rooms. It’s not definite, and with all the goofy schedules it’s very possible it won’t happen.

4. I NEED NEW GLASSES! I’m getting these in August. If I do nothing else, this has to be done. My glasses are 10 years old. I’m sure I need a new prescription and my frames are getting all chipped. Now, in the past I’ve gone to places like LensCrafters and have done OK. This time, I think I’m going to spend a little more and go to my friend’s eye doctor who is spectacular. It will cost more, but I’m going for two reasons: 1. I’m getting older and want to be sure my eyes are taken care of so I can continue with my needlework hobby without problems; 2. This guy bought a snowglobe in Dallas for me to give to another friend’s son when he heard that I was collecting them after his shelving broke and his whole collection was destroyed. I don’t know — I really appreciated the fact that he did this for me and my friend’s son, both of whom he’d never met, and I feel that I want to give him my business.

So, that’s what I’m going to be spending money on over the next month or two. The good side? If I actually do all of the above (Seattle is a big question mark at the moment), I will have the cash to do it! I won’t have to put anything on a credit card. The only “payment” will be my usual “thank you” for my sister. She makes good money and likes to bring me out to see her and ends up putting the flight on her miles and such. I usually end up making her something nice for her apartment, as she appreciates the needlework but doesn’t do it herself.

Also, I will still be able to pay off that other settlement offer I received. I’m paying that when I get paid next week and can swing it, even with the $100 I’m paying my friend for the Rush ticket. My savings will take a hit, though — I’m not taking any money that I already have in savings, but I’ll be putting less in.