November 30th, 2007 at 08:12 pm
So I was looking at my Sallie Mae account. I have three loans, only one in repayment. I was looking at the measly $304.97 balance and I was like, why exactly am I not just paying this off? I have about $1500 in my checking account. So I made a payment online for the entire amount. So long Sallie Mae, you are outta here, girl! Well, at least until I have to repay my graduate school loans, ha!
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Debt diet
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November 27th, 2007 at 10:55 pm
I decided to write down my goals for 2008.
EMERGENCY FUND:
Contribute $245 to my three accounts. My goal is $15,000 in 3 years, my current balance is just over$5,000.
DEBT:
I have about $2,000 on a credit card. I will contribute $500 plus the amount of my monthly purchases every payment.
My original Sallie Mae loan is now at $300. With automatic payments my loan will be paid off in about 4 months. My grad school loans will begin repayment 6 months after my December 2008 graduation.
My car payment will be $326. After finishing with the credit card balance I will contribute the extra to the car payment.
RETIREMENT:
Continue contributing $400 biweekly to my 457. That is an annual contribution of $10,400.
Continue to fund my Roth IRA to the maximum. That will be $5,000 in 2008.
HOUSE:
My payments are $313 biweekly. I occasionally get a few pennies interest from a savings account and will transfer to principal. Otherwise, my payments will continue as is for this category. I'm more focused on the other debt.
CAREER AND SCHOOL:
In somewhat related plans, I want to focus on school and looking for a new job. I'm off this week since I worked the holiday (12 hour shifts for 4 days) and I'm writing papers and taking civil service tests.
The lady asked why I wanted to take the test again since I scored so well. I told her that I wanted an 80 on the test. I scored a 74. She said that few people score so well and I must be a perfectionist. I'm not. What I am is really motivated to move on to a better position.
I took another test since it hadn't been 28 days since I took the one that I wanted to retest on. Next time I'll take a different one again. I'll keep taking them until I'm where I want to be.
What are your goals???
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General musings,
Debt diet
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November 25th, 2007 at 03:49 am
Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University on CD is on clearance and I bought it. I've been listening to it in my new car. I enjoy listening to him, I don't pretent to believe or follow everything he advocate, but he inspires me to do better.
I'm determined to pay off my student loan and credit card in 3 months. I will then attack my car loan and grad school loans. Repayment isn't for 18 more months on the grad school loans so I will concentrate on the car loan which is at a low 4.94%. The grad school loan are at 6.8% and the student loans in repayment are at 7.25% with a $300 balance. The original balance was over $7,000.
My car loan came in at about $17,300. The grad school loans will be $20,500, but I'm getting several thousand back once the tuition is paid. I guess I will put it on the car loan before the grad school loan.
I just bought Alicia Keys new CD at Best Buy online. Just $9.99 and free shipping!
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Savings stories,
Debt diet,
Spending stuff
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November 19th, 2007 at 05:38 pm
I've been thinking a lot about my next job. I'm not considering staying in the same position once I finish grad school. It's insane to even consider it. I wouldn't put out $18,500 to stay in the same position.
In my Organizational Behavior class I have to write a paper that details my Personal Strategic Plan. I'm glad that my professor chose this particular subject for the paper.
I do have some dissatisfaction at my work now. We have administrators that have such little regard for what we do and how we do it. I'm tired of feeling so belittled.
I've actually applied for some jobs at DHH that would give me an immediate 10-14% percent raise, with another 4% raise after 6 months. I would lose me shift differential, but working evenings is not conducive to school right now so that's okay.
I'm nervous about this because I think my mom will question my decision, but at the end of the day I'm the person most qualified to know what's best for me. I'll have to wait and see how much of a commitment a new job will be if I get an offer and weigh the pros and cons. I'm just waiting for the call...
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General musings
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November 8th, 2007 at 04:21 pm
I sold my car Tuesday for $2,000. I'm happy to have it sold. I probably could have gotten more if I had been patient, but I wanted it done with and I was trying to do something good. It was somewhat of a stressful transaction for me and next time I'll know what to do differently.
I'm using the money to pay off my credit card and student loans for good. That will be such a good feeling. I was thinking about using it to pad my emergency fund, but Dave Ramsey has inspired me to get Sallie Mae out of my life!
Turned on the heater last night. 68 degrees is a little hot. I'll have to try lower the next time I need it. I may ask for an electric blanket for my birthday or Christmas.
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Savings stories,
Home sweet home,
Debt diet
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November 2nd, 2007 at 11:19 pm
I picked up my new car yesterday. I love it. It's a white 2008 Toyota Corolla LE. I did the internet pricing so got a price below invoice price after the incentive. Yes, I know all about used vs. new cars and depreciation. I'm satisfied with the decision that I've made.
Two people have come by to look at my 1997 Toyota Corolla. I think I have a buyer. I'm settling for $2,000 but I feel good about the potential buyer. She really desperately needs a car. Violet, that's my car, is looking especially nice. I vacuumed her all out and got her washed. I almost hate to sell her.
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Spending stuff
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