Creditcardfree's Personal Finance Blog

I Bought Myself a Gift

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:37:05 PST

Today, I did a little pre-Christmas shopping browsing. I didn't buy any Christmas gifts, but wanted to look around to get ideas for certain family members. In the end, I bought myself a gift! Bon Jovi's new CD for about $12.

So much for shopping for others. I think I can consider...

Wii for Christmas - Input?

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:29:09 PST

My family is getting a Wii for Christmas. I purchased the console when the price dropped to $199. But...I hear you need additional remotes. And, of course, games!

It comes with Wii Sports (I think). But, any thoughts/advice on which other game or games I should get?

I'm thinking...

Another $86.24 Paid!!

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:05:32 PST

I made our regular home equity loan payment yesterday. It isn't really due until December 1st. I've been paying the payment a couple weeks ahead for cash flow purposes. Our next regular payment is in 2010!

Of our $118.01 payment, $86.24 went to principal. Our new balance is $5,171.95....

So Close To Retirement Milestone

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:58:06 PST

The stock market rise this year has me tracking and checking our retirement account balances pretty frequently. Turns out we are VERY close to hitting a milestone. Our combined retirement accounts are about to hit 6 figures for the first time. We are less $1K away.

It feels great...

More Debt Paid!!

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:18:05 PST

I made a principal payment towards our home equity loan this evening in the amount of $665.00. This brings our loan balance down to $5,258.19!!

I'm excited to be getting closer to another milestone. Under $5K will be very nice.

So far this year we have paid an additional $8,058.17...

Blessed with Gifts

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:39:15 PST

My parents gave us each $100 for our birthdays. Yipee! I love cash gifts.

My sister gave us beer glasses and beer (for DH), a stainless steel water bottle and yoga pants(for me).

I feel very blessed! Basically, the cash will help offset our own birthday costs. I still don't...

Joined the Gym

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:45:43 PST

Oh my gosh what a crazy day! I went to a gym with two neighbors that aren't currently gym goers. We ALL signed up for memberships. I even signed my husband up, even though he has not visited!! What am I doing?

Actually, we are all really excited. In fact, we are going back up to...

Payday Decisions

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:45:17 PST

It's payday! I do always love me a payday. I know. Incorrect grammer. Anyway, there are decisions to be made and they are not directly related to payday.

I bought a pair of pants and a top from JC Penney a few days ago. We thought we were attending a baptism this weekend. Turns...

Sealed

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:44:40 PST

I made an easy repair yesterday. And it was inexpensive. $3.12 to be exact!!

When we closed our front door, I could see daylight coming in at the top and sides. Obviously, air from outside was coming in as well. Last winter we attempted to add some weather stripping. It didn't work....

What Do You Think of Layaway?

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:45:34 PST

I have never done layaway. I have a friend who has used the service frequently over the years. When we were 16, she used layaway to pay for a leather jacket she wanted.

This is the same friend who recently choose to take out a 401K loan! And she is using layaway for holiday gifts...

Your Questions Answered

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:27:05 PST

Yes, Petunia. I am sorry I asked for questions! But I will answer all of your questions even though most of them are NOT related to finances.

Monetarist or Keynesian? Yes, I had to look this one up. I would guess I lean to the monetarist theory. Less government intervention.

TP:...

Any Questions?

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:49:44 PST

I feel my finances are kind of boring right now. We are just waiting to get paid so that we can pay more towards the home equity loan. This leaves me with little to write about.

So...

Do YOU have any financial questions for me? It's okay, if you don't. Ask away if you do. I reserve...

After the Home Equity Loan

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 08:30:54 PST

The home equity loan should be paid off in February or March of 2010. I'm really looking forward to it, primarily because of our new plan!

We will start funding our girls college accounts again after a little more than a year off. The remaining extra funds will go to increase our...

Help: Printer Decisions

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 06:47:28 PST

Just over a week ago, I refilled the black ink for our printer at Walgreen's for $12.99. I was able to print for several documents. Now, the printer doesn't think it has a color cartridge. But it does. This cartridge may be low on ink, too.

So far I've been trouble shooting. I've...

Small Hang Up

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:00:07 PST

In saving for our taxes and homeowner's insurance, I've come upon a snag. It's my error really.

I told the bank with our money market account to pull money from our regular savings account with our primary bank. Um...we don't have a savings account with our primary bank!! Opps....

Kids Clothing

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:59:25 PST

My daughter's have concerts (vocal and band) next week for school where they need to dress nice. My youngest has a dress, pants and a shirt that will work, but she needs shoes. My older daughter needs everything!

Last night, we went to the mall and hit JC Penney's. My older daughter...

Some News

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:07:28 PST

My daughter's rodents all passed away in October. The hamster died first. Then exactly two weeks later one mouse died. Our oldest mouse, who was getting thin and arthritic, died two days later.

Cause: unknown

They are all buried by one of the trees in our yard. They each had...

My Mail

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:41:54 PST

We received a card from Qwest our internet and phone provider. They want to rewards us for being long term customers with a $50 Restaurant.com gift certificate! Nice. Too bad we have to call to claim it. Not nice.

Our water bill was in the mail, too. The amount was as expected,...

Calculating Escrow

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:33:46 PST

Remember, we deleted the escrow account with our mortgage? Here's the breakdown of how we will save for our own homeowners insurance and county taxes:

$1361.00 March Taxes
$1361.00 September Taxes
$658.47 Homeowner's Insurance (October)
---------
$3380.47 Annual Total
$281.71...

Two Months of 2009 Left

carriefinn@yahoo.com (Creditcardfree) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:26:46 PST

There are only two months left of 2009. Have you accomplished your goals for the year? If not, can you still wrap them up?

I looked at our goals that are on the side bar. We are most definitely on track to save 15% for retirement. It helps that that the goal was automated!!

The...