Baby $tep$

When I created my 2015 Vision Board, I made a commitment to MYSELF that I would work diligently to make the dreams and goals on that board become REALITY. One of the many areas that need focus is the one concerning my financial situation. It's deplorable! I don't know exactly where I went wrong, I just know that I took a terribly wrong turn and it's NOW time to get back on the right track.

For months, heck...maybe even YEARS, I've been wanting to do something to "make things right". Of course, the longer I waited, the worse things got, and at some point I just stopped trying altogether. I froze. Now...here I am.

Don't count me out though. I'm still in the game. And since I'm still in the game, I can still get my "financial house" in order.

Yesterday, I attended the 1st of a 9 week class to help me figure out how to dig myself out of the mess I've made for myself. I wasn't really sure WHAT to expect, but I can say that I left feeling hopeful. I left with the realization that I don't have to "eat this elephant" all in ONE bite, but instead...one bite at a time. (Now I know I shouldn't have to say this, but I know how folks are, so here goes:NO...I am NOT referring to an ACTUAL elephant. I don't eat elephants. It's just a term.)

Although the road ahead is quite daunting, I know that it is a road that I MUST travel if I am ever going to be able to purchase a home, or car, or ANYTHING that requires "good credit".

Yet I fully understand that "financial freedom" will NEVER come until I put in the work.

So...here's to the next 9 weeks. I look forward to completing the course and having a feeling of "I can do this" vs. "How do I do this?"

Let the DIALOGUE begin: Have you ever experienced "financial ruin", and if so, how did you bounce back?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Money...Don't Mention It!

Ok. So! There have been some MAJOR changes in my household over the past two days, and when I say MAJOR, I mean: ASTRONOMICAL, HUGE, LARGE-SCALE changes.

As a result, some things have had to go, namely Internet service and Cable. And if I can cut anything else loose, I will. We are now at the point where if we don't NEED it, we can't HAVE it. That pretty much means, roof over our heads, clothes on our backs (old...nothing new), and food in our bellies (meaning...whatever is in the fridge and cupboards RIGHT NOW...no buying anything new).

Yes folks, things are about to be EXTREMELY tight in my household for who knows how long. Nevertheless, I have FAITH. Faith in Jehovah Jireh (The LORD Will Provide).

Although I've been in tight situations before, I have NEVER EVER been in one THIS tight...EVER. But if I know anything, it is that there is NOTHING too hard for God...NOTHING. So this GARGANTUAN (and possibly life-changing) thing that I am going through right now is NOTHING for Him. He's got this, and He's got me...so I won't worry.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: What is the tightest financial situation you've ever been in, and what was the end result?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Makin' a Dollar out of Fifteen Cents

Some of you may recall from back in 1985 a song titled "Money's Too Tight (To Mention)" by Simply Red. That was one of my favorite songs by a really great band.

What I find interesting is that the song is as relevant today as it was in 1985. If the presidential references were omitted one really wouldn't know WHEN the song was originally sung. Yep folks, not much has changed since 1985...at least not for THIS girl.

So, as often happens, I found myself singing the song today as I contemplated the work that needs to be done on my 7 year old car. I am so very thankful that she still works, yet that never really lessens the blow when something breaks.

For example, earlier today I was asking about estimates for a windshield replacement because mine is cracking...little by little each day. So I put that on my "to-do" list to get taken care of.

Before I came home this evening, I stopped to get my oil changed only to be told (and shown) that something else needed changing as well. Some belt that was on the verge of snapping. Mind you, the guy showed me the belt and yes...it was on its way to snapping. That's about all I could tell you though. So...the $29.99 that I had in mind for the oil change immediately increased to an amount that I won't trouble you with...but I assure you that it was WELL above $29.99

As I sat for over an hour waiting for the work to be done, I could sense myself beginning to be angry. Angry that I had to shell out more money than I had originally planned. Angry that I'll have to spend even more to get the windshield replaced. Angry that on top of those things, I still have day to day household stuff that needs to be taken care of. And I began to feel overwhelmed, sensing myself about to cry right there in the oil change place. Not crying because I'm a wimp, or sad, or can't handle life, but just wanting to cry because times like these are when I am most aware of the "singleness" of my situation, and really wish that there was someone else who could step in and handle the "car stuff"(and so much more)for me. Sometimes I just get tired of making ALL the decisions. Not trying to be a downer, it just is what it is.

Nevertheless, the work was done, I pulled up my "big girl pants", paid what was owed and came home. Not a tear was shed.

But once again my eyes were opened to just how much work there's still to be done in order for me to get to where I WANT to be. I'm thankful for what I have, thankful that I AM able to pay for unexpected expenses when they come up, but looking forward to being in a place financially where every expense doesn't have to be so thought out.

Mind you, I am a bit of a miser so even with $1,000,000.00+ in my bank account, I would STILL be frugal. I've always been that way and always will be, no doubt.

So...at this point, 1 of 3 things need to happen for yours truly:

1. I work hard/smart to get to where I want to be financially.

2. I marry rich.(Of course, I'd be marrying for more than money...those who know me would attest to that. Yet 4 or 5 zeros before the decimal point sure would be nice).

3. I win tonight's California Super Lotto Plus

Yes folks, I will be happy with ANY and ALL of the above. That's not too much to ask, is it?

Now...Let the DIALOGUE begin: Do YOU play the Lotto? If not, why not?

Talk to me!

Til next time...

Coming to my senses

This passed Sunday in church the visiting minister preached from Luke 15 vs 11-24. The verses that stood out most for me were verses 17-20.

They read: “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father."

I saw myself in these verses with regard to my financial situation. To most folks, I am broke. To others, I am one of the "working poor". Yes, I have a job. No, I am not up to date on my bills. As a matter of fact, the only bills that I am able to pay each month are my rent, car insurance, phone, cable (the very very basic package...and I once had that shut off for four months to try and get a handle on things), internet service, food and gas.

Yet there are some pretty biggies that I didn't list that simply have not been paid because they can not be paid. There just isn't enough money. Well, at least that's what I thought...until Sunday's message. I now realize that I have been fooling myself.

Yesterday I sorted through all of the bills that have not been paid for MONTHS and when I was done, there was a sea of bills around me. HUNDREDS! Yes, many are from the same creditors who just keep mailing past due notices month after month after month, which have now become debt collection notices, and I have decided that it is time to reconcile those accounts. It will probably take me the rest of my life to do so, but it's what a responsible adult must do. I must pay those bills, someway, somehow. Sure, it'll probably mean that I will have to do without a WHOLE LOTTA STUFF (which is crazy because I don't have or buy much as it is), but it that's what it means, then that's what it means.

So, the first step in the process is to contact my creditors and see what/if anything can be done about reducing the amounts that I owe. Once that's done, I'll figure out what step two is. Bottom line is this...I am ready to be a LENDER and not a BORROWER.

I have come to my senses and it's time to get my act together. It won't be easy, I know, but what in life ever is.

Let the DIALOGUE begin: For those of you in deep debt (like me), what are YOU doing to get out of it? Do you see a hopeful light at the end of the tunnel or do you feel like the light is just a train coming to run you over?

Talk to me!

Til next time...