The Odd, Tangled and Organized Life

 I have a paid off 2012 Subaru Impreza. I love my car. Sheila (my car) has gotten me out of snowbanks and through blizzards, sometimes swimming through snow up to the bottom of the door. Love Subarus. Well, with this new approach to my spending, and not borrowing anything, I'm not going to get a loan for a new car. Instead, I will save for a newer car. Not brand new (unless I can buy it outright), but I still want all the bells and whistles. And it will be a Subaru. You kinda need all-wheel drive in Minnesnowta.  So, I made this decision and I'm looking at the oil change that I need to do in September. The dealership also listed that a transmission fluid flush is recommended and a water pump and timing belt replacement. Called the dealership and got a price quote for everything. $1600! That's more than the emergency fund will have. Currently I have $592 in the emergency fund. I took out $300 from the SmartyPig fund where I was putting half my DoorDash income.  Add in $713...

Happy Tuesday! I'm still blogging! Woohoo! Nothing has changed on the financial route - same savings and debt. My life insurance payment came out of my checking account today, so that's everything that was scheduled for this paycheck. My online banking total matches what I have on my spreadsheet. Let's talk about the M word - Money. For some people, it is a bad word. It has so many bad connotations. I read a book last year - a Jen Sincero book that pretty much says what all the wealth management, money making books say - change your mindset about money and let it all flow in. I currently make $17.99 an hour and work 40 hours a week. After taxes, medical insurance and 401k, I take home about $1035 every 2 weeks. My bosses have always said “Don’t talk about your pay with your coworkers.” Well, if any of my co-workers find this blog and read it – this is what I make and I’m talking about it. Now, they say this not only because the subject of money is taboo, but because ...

Today is payday! It is a day I love (because I get money), but also hate (because I have to pay bills). So, let's break it down. Good news - yesterday I finished an order for some planner stickers for a friend and she paid me. So, I have $27.89 going directly into my savings account. Yay! And I had $17.70  left in my bank account prior to today. So that's going into the savings account, too. My paycheck this week was $1035.33. $250 goes into the grocery account and $25 goes into my savings account. My phone bill was automatically debited - $71.45. I paid the monthly minimum on my Christopher and Banks Credit Card - $37.00 Paid off an overdue medical bill - $81.48 And other than my mortgage, that's all I have to pay off this paycheck. I'll make my mortgage payment on the 1st, after I get my VA benefit check. So, right now I have about $356.68 left. I'm going to get my nails done on Monday, so that will take out $35.00. So $321.68 to start paying next pa...