Abdicating Responsibility

So I finally got my license back after paying the final amount in arrears towards the judgement against me. In all since Feb 24th I've paid $2,100.00 towards paying it down. They've agreed to accept payments of $100.00 a month, but at 9% interest I think I'll pay at least $50.00 to $100.00 more a month so the interest doesn't kill me.

Paid $160.00 off to debt today and ate lunch for free as well.....Only two more weeks till I can get my license back!

Today was a NSD.....Woo Hoo! Lunch today was on my dad at the pizza shop right by work, but the Bacon Cheeseburger I ate was just awful. I swear the bacon used was Bacon Bits fried in a deep fryer....yuck!

At least the fries were good (shrugs)

Actually I like both a lot. They both have great ideas and methods. I'm very weary of credit cards,and so is Dave. I also like Suze's Snowballing method which is pay off your highest interest accounts first, as opposed to Dave's which is smallest amount first.

If anyone knows when the local chapter of the Procrastinators club is meeting please do let me know!

After years of not filing taxes, I finally sat down and did all back taxes for the years I didn't file. The main reason for not filing was that in 2005 while working at Olive Garden, not enough state or federal tax was withheld from my paychecks. In 2005 I earned about $23,00.00 in gross income and only $380.00 was taken out for federal and ONLY $30.54 for state tax. Now the state of Virginia did the favor of doing my taxes fo me and the tax owed for that year is $1.325.12. Fortunaly now that I've taken hold of my finances ,I called them as soon as I recieved the bill and made payment arrangements.

Now I'am going to wait and see what the Irs will work out and the State of Virginia as to my other years owed are concerned.

List of Returns Outcomes:
2005- Federal $1,524.00 State $1,325.12
2006- Federal $(193.00) State $ 195.00
2007- Federal $(414.00) State $ (21.00)
2008- Federal $(545.00) State $ 10.00
The amounts shown in ($0.00) are refunds.

I'm hoping the refund amounts will offset some of the costs of late fees and interest charges. So I'm waiting for checkmate to be called so to speak.

So when I recieved my new auto insurance policy I read it front to back, yes literally front to back! I noticed that I could at my request have them review my credit report as to se if my payments could be lowered. I thought great, i just removed 16 accounts from my Transunion report which weren't mine and maybe I could reduce my monthly payments.

So today when I went to my agent to pay and inquired about it, she said that they normally don't that but once a year, but If I wanted I should wait at least 6 months. The last policy i had was about $65.00 a month, but now I'am paying $90.63 a month and have a clean driving record showing on my DMV report.

I think on monday I will try to call the insurance company directly and see what they say.

So ya'll might remember that the state of Virginia sent me a notice stating that I owed them $1,325.12 in back taxes. At first I somewhat panicked since the letter they sent made it seem like they were going to reposses my truck, cat and mom.

So I decided to give them a call to see if I could arrange a payment plan with them. Much to my suprise the plans are set-up through and automated system over the phone! It even let me chose how many months I wanted to pay it within,as to if I wanted to pay monthly or bi-weekly, and even first due date.

I must say that I am very impressed with the Commonwealths taxline.The only downfall is that it will 20 months at 7% interest. So I plan to add any extra funds to monthly payments whenever I can.

I had a NSD today because my grandfather cooked lunch for us at work and my father cooked BBQ tonight for us at his house.

Tommorrow I tackle the tax man! YIKES!

That is something I did not know. And they offer over 500 songs as well. Now I will admit that they are not popular songs, but I did manage to find some neat Indie music and some classical too!

From 2005 that is. That year I was working as a server at the Olive Garden and made a Income of about $23,000.00 and they only took out $40.00 that year. I knew I owed but was so scared that the amount I owed was going to be big and boy was it!

Amount Owed : $1,325.12

Boy oh boy, but I'm going to pay this off this as fast as I can. I owe it and there is nothing to be done from complaining. So this will be added to br sidebar as well. Wish me luck! lol

I've been contemplating on rather I should save only a $1,000.00 as a small way to begin an emergency fund. By doing that I could foucus then on paying down debt.

On the other hand by taking Suze Orman's advice by saving 8 months for an emergency fund, I could pay down down debt without having to worry about hitting a snag. And trust me I always hit snags. I guess once I get more of a grab on my finances, I'll be able to get a better picture.

So I noticed they put a sign up announing they were building a CVS store on my route to work , and I was thrilled. I read on various blogs how much shoppers save using thier rewards systems.

So needless to say I signed up for the card and am waiting for the store to go up.

My friends also find it wierd that I no longer carry credit cards or numerous Debit cards in my wallet, instead carrying my saving cards from various stores and shops i frequent.I do admit that is an odd habit for a 30 year old male, but we'll see who is laughing when I'am debt free!

I guess If there was one thing besides my smoking habit, which I'am slowly making progress on, that I would cut out of my budget. It would have to be my eating out habits. I don't spend that much money on eating out, I'd say at least 10 to 15 a week,but for that amount. I could turn that into 5 days worth of food.

I'm such a picky eater that I mainly eat chicken. I love eating Ramen noodles (The frugal dieters dreamfood!) Just as much as I now follow a budget I need to follow a meal plan as well

My smoking habits have changed a lot, not because of health reasons. But because it now never fits in my budget. Plus with the passage of the Shicps (SP)program by congress, the tax on tabacco products is going to raise the cost of a pack up by $2.00 also. It is somewhat amusing that I would cut back on smoking and have nearly cut my drinking by 98%( I used to go to the bar every other day, now only going once every two weeks, and only if someone else is paying)because I'm following a strict budget.

I'm sure my wallet and lungs are breathing a sigh of relief, and that my liver is thankful as well!

Paid $400.00 towards Debt today! and I feel good.

Paid the amount towards the Gieco Judgement, which I need to pay off inorder to re-instate my license.Good to see my sidebar bieng updated every week.And even more happy to see the amount hit the two thousands....woo-hoo

Mine is ImaSaver aka Julie....After feeling that at the age of 30 it was too late to save and fix my credit, Her blog made me realize that it's never too late or too early. In less than the 30 days I've paid off over 950.00 dollars in debt and still managed to stay on budget after years of frivolous spending.

Thanks to ImaSaver (and to everyone on my favorite blog list as well! )and the whole SavingAdvice.com Blogging Community.

Today was my 2nd NSD in a row! Even getting 2 rounds of drinks at 2 different bars...woo hoo... My cousin gave the bar owners fresh scallops in exchange for some free drinks....ah the power of bater and trade.

I'm going to tkae some picture of my job site and post them tomorrow. It's relly neat that I get to work on Scallop boats and at the same time get to work on the bayfront every day. Plus it's very rewarding work as well.

Tomorrow is payday and I'm looking foward to paying some more Debt off.

This is very helpful site which has a variety of coupons, freebies, and a ton of CVS deals. I've been using the blog mainly for the free weekly code to rent a free redbox rental. The CVS deals are simply a steal. To check it out visit the link.

http://feelingfrugal.blogspot.com/

Today was a NSD. Cooked my own lunch, ate Mexican and it was ohhh so good! Then cooked chicken for dinner with Mrs. Dash ( Mesquite )spice. Not even that my uncle had a some free beer a friend gave him, So I've been set for a couple days.
This frugal thing is really starting to catch on with me. I look foward to Friday, trying to pay at least $300.00 towards Debt.

As reported on MSNBC...The Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday released two videos that spoof the popular FreeCreditReport.com commercials and their trademark catchy tunes.


FreeCreditReport.com is owned by credit bureau Experian, which has been engaged in a decades-long battle with the Federal Trade Commission over alleged misbehavior. Most recently, in 2005, the FTC settled charges with the firm that it intentionally misled customers with its FreeCreditReport.com Web site. The FTC said in its lawsuit that the company was confusing consumers who were looking for their congressionally mandated free annual peek at their credit reports. Experian agreed to refund customers, but admitted no wrongdoing.


And yet the commericals still air?

As defined by Wikipedia.
Simple living (voluntary simplicity) is a lifestyle characterized by minimizing the 'more-is-better' pursuit of wealth and consumption. Adherents may choose simple living for a variety of personal reasons, such as spirituality, health, increase in 'quality time' for family and friends, stress reduction, personal taste or frugality.

I must admit that it sounds very tempting in this hustle and bustle world. But I guess my question is that , Is it practical in todays world. It is similar to the lifestyle that Henry David Thoureau lived in Walden. I also stubled upon a free audio link to Walden if anyone wanted to listen to it

http://www.simpleliving.net/main/custom.asp?recid=6.

Enjoy!

So today was a no spend day, as well as yesterday! It's been a while since I've had a NSD an entire weekend. I haven't gone out but I usually spend money at the convinence mart on soda and snacks. This weekend I prepared by going to the store on Friday. I bought food and cooked homemade meals for myself. Trust me I haven't cooked at home in a very long time. It felt good to eat at home and save money at the same time!

So I stayed up late and forgot all about Daylight Savings Time ( Oh yeah, don't forget to turn your clocks ahead one hour) and now , even though it feels liek only 2am or 3am it's now 5:30am.

So yesterday I managed to pay $328.88 toawrds debt. I applied it in the following way.

$310.00 towards the Gieco Judgement
$18.88 towards an old GMAC acccount

Both have been updated in my sidebar info. I'm hoping to have the Gieco judgement by October of this year. Even though it's only $18.88, I feel like any litle bit helps. I'm hoping to start adding to my emergency fund very soon.I mainly would like to pay off two debts before I start saving. Next week I'm going to try taking my lunch to work in order to save money.

So I was just on Myspace talking to my brother. It was then I noticed Citigroup is offering a new Myspace credit card. The card offers crazy rewards such as 6,000 points for changing to the new light blubs or donating can food.....OK, Some 2,000 points for staying below the credit line......GOOD.....and a few thousands for going paperless and on your bills and statements.....WHOA NELLY!


I mean I understand wanting to do good but to con young people into a credit card by offering concert tickets and free fast fast as part of rewards program ,and then to encouraging themto devoid themselves of having any paperwork to have for thier files is somewhat insane. The bad part is I'm sure every person 18-25 on myspace is probably going to fill out that application as well.


HMMMMM....and today citigroups stock fell below $1.00 a share.....WELL WELL WELL.

That's right ladies and gents! Instead of heading to the bar down the road from work like I usually do.I now head straight to the Credit Union and Deposit my check and make my money orders. This new weekend habit has not only helped me on my journey to bieng debt free.It has also helped me lose ten pounds in a few weeks as well.


I'm beginning to wonder if I could lose more wieght if worked out or did cardio.To be honest I've thought about...(well, I guess we all think about it) but I just think of every excuse.

I'm looking foward to updating my sidebar tommorrow!

The Fair-Issac website has informed us comsumers who use the site that Experian the credit reporting agency will no longer provide the true FICO score to comsumers anymore, instead only providing it to lenders and other companies. What they will provide you with is thier PLUS score, which is nothing liek a true FICO score. And one that lenders dont even use , as they pull your true FICO score.

This score is often as a FAKO score since it is practically useless when trying to gauge your true credit score.

I've been trying to save in order to repair my bad credit, I guess I will not be paying Experian for a credit score that not even the lender who pulls it won't even use it.

On a other note I tried to opt-out of the Mail Ad inserts i get 3 times a week and I found the website. But lo and behold the page never sends the e-mail! So after trying about 20 times, I tried using the customer e-mail (which worked the first time mind you) I sent a e-mail threating to file a complaint with the BBB. Hopefully saving a couple trees and the Mailpersons back at the same time.

Well the snow day caused me to lose 4 hours of overtime today. I worked 4 hours on Saturday, but now I will have to use 4 hours of vacation time come Friday. We aren't allowed to use vacation time in order to accure overtime pay. I tried calling 2 debtors I owed since I was stuck home, but they were closed as well.But I did manage to find an year old debt that was about to be reported to the CRA'S that now won't. It was a debt for $18.88 from GMAC Insurance. I'm so relieved I caught it in time too! It's been added to my sidebar. And it will be paid on Friday.....WOO-HOO....p.s. The picture is the view from my bedroom window.

So just a quick update on my license problem. At first I thought it would cost me about $1,200.00 to have it reinstated. Paying a fine of $500.00 to the Virginia DMV and making a downpayment of $500.00 on a judgement from Gieco.

Well it turns out after checking with DMV , that I don't have to pay the $500.00 fine but just a $86.00 re-instatement fee. So with that good news, I sent in the $500.00 to the collections lawyers office and then called to make payment arrangements. Then was told the $500.00 wasn't enough, but instead needed to pay the amount in arrears as well. Meaning I need to apply an addtional $1,600.00 as well before I can re-instate my license.

Suprisingly I'm not upset or angry, as the situation I'm in is due to my poor judgement and past mistakes.What I do feel good about is that , there is $500.00 less for them to charge me interest on. (The interest rate on this judgement is 9.0%) To make my point the judgement was entered on Jan 2001 for $3050.00 and I've incurred over $900.00 in late fees and interest! Talk about learning the hard way. I made the $500.00 payment on 02/24/09 and plan on making another payment on Friday for $400.00.I feel good paying off debt after years of ignoring it.

Suze Orman's website has this free wonderful caculator that accounts for what seems every little expense that occur from day to day. There has been times when I've found a budget format , but there's always a few things that the worksheet leaves out. I found this and it had every expense I have. Try it out !

http://www.suzeorman.com/2009actionplan/expensesheet/

Today was my 1st NSD of the month. I didn't wake up early enough this morning to make my lunch for work today.....but when i got to work some leftovers from a superbowl party were brought in, and saved from the horrid vending machines! Those machines are are to me like kyroptnite was to Superman...I swear i used to spend an average of 3 to 4 dollars a day on vending meals.....But no more change for you vending man, from now on the Bank gets it!

As for my license situation I've figured the total cost to come out to 1,200.00, but as much as that seems I'am not letting it get me down!