I Want This So Bad!

I know it is not good to lust after things, but I have been lusting after this 50″ TV!
“My name is Ms. Ona Mission and I am a sinner.”
I have spent the last 30 minutes or so comparing prices on big screen TVs while I watch Criminal Minds on DVD on my 27″. The funny [...]

Saving for Retirement vs. Paying Off Debt

This has been an ongoing personal dilemma for me: contribute to my 401K or focus on paying off my debt. In previous years, my employer matched up to 6 percent of my contributions, so I contributed that much for the free money match. My current employer does not contribute at all. At one point, I [...]

A Lesson Learned

I’m still not totally back on the wagon yet, but today I’m not feeling so bad about it. In hindsight, I believe my initial plan was too strict. To go from spending money whenever I wanted on whatever I wanted to spending NO money at all – except for absolute necessities was . . . [...]

10 Steps To Begin Your Rise Out of Debt

I am writing this as much for myself as for anyone else who might find it helpful. I fully intend to read over the list regularly as a way to stay on track.

Make a list of EVERY debt you owe. Credit cards, medical bills, loans, mortgage company, people. . . EVERY bill! It may be [...]

A New Beginning

For some reason, I like to begin things on the 1st of the month or the 1st day of the week. Tomorrow is November 1st, so I will officially begin my Total Debt Payoff! I received my mortgage payoff quote in the mail a couple of days ago and I believe that paying off my [...]

Cutting Up The Cards

I now know that I MUST do it. A few weeks ago I cut up my Target Visa and my Hooters Mastercard. (Yes, I actually have a Hooters Mastercard!) I have spent all my cash, and with two days til payday, this evening I used one of my credit cards to pay for pizza.
1.) [...]

Clothing

I ordered a jacket and some clothing from a catalog and took advantage of the delay payment til January option. No interest if I pay it off before the end of January and I fully plan to pay it off when I receive my November bonus, but we all know this can be dangerous ground [...]

Short-Term Goals

I am a list person. I make grocery lists, to-do lists, shopping lists, wish lists, and more to offset my bad memory, so of course I also make financial goal lists. I believe one of my biggest mistakes in the past was setting my goals too high, making it too easy to subconsciously feel like [...]

The Ugly Truth

My financial house is in disrepair! Admitting that I have a problem is the first step, right? The truth is, I sometimes feel like a hypocrite because I give wonderful financial advice to my friends, family, and acquaintances. The problem is – I don’t always follow my own advice! I think that most of the [...]