est1987.net » General

Protected: First Up to Bat..

Raely B. — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 04:04:50 +0000

Protected: Mama’s Boyfriend.

Raely B. — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:07:56 +0000

Budget Renovations

Raely B. — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 16:41:35 +0000

I finally sat down at my desk, which I haven’t seen for months because of all of the clutter, and concocted a budget that is almost fool proof. School starts in about two weeks which means I’ll be getting the bigger “Refund Check” and I plan to make wiser choices about what I that money will be spent on. I have decided to pay my rent 4 months in advance which is $3200. Even after paying that much upfront, I’m left with almost $2500. After multiplying, dividing, adding, and subtracting, I couldn’t help but to wonder what I’d spent all this money on in the past. I’ve spent money on clothes, shoes, etc. but that still doesn’t add all the way up. The only conclusion that I could draw is that I’ve been extremely careless and I refuse to keep this up any longer.

I’ve always been good at saving money and budgeting. That’s something my mom and dad always made sure I understood. I’ve strayed from the path, but now, I’m focusing more on my future. This summer hasn’t been an extremely hard one, but I’ve had my moments where I’ve held on to a dollar like my life depended on it. I plan on making life as easy as I can. As long as I stick to this budget, I don’t see how life can’t get easier.

There still are a few things that I need to get, and a few things that I want to get. I’ve separated those into two lists. I make about $2300/month. By paying in advance, I had dedicated $400 a month towards my rent until I receive another check in February. Here is what my budget looks like:

$2300 NET – $400 rent (after advance payment) = $1900 NET

Now, I still have the following expenses:

Expense	Amount
Electricity	± $130
Daycare	$100 (premium)
Cell	$75
Auto Insurance	$87
After School Care	$67
Grocery	$140
Gas (auto)	$240

So..

$1900 – $839 = $1061 disposable

After taking care of the Necessities List, I’ll focus on a few of my wants, which will only receive funding from my paychecks. I refuse to touch my savings for something that is not needed. (~~Too bad for the iPad, but I’m still considering..~~ The iPad has been moved to the Necessities List. #dontjudgeme)

Another method that I’m thinking about adopting is the use of both my accounts. The plan is to have money directly deposited into the two accounts for two different purposes: Account #1 = Rent and Account #2 = Miscellaneous Expenses. My parents used to do this and I’m considering it just to see how well it works for me.

What are some of your tactics/methods when it comes to your spending?

Protected: “Feeling” the Void.

Raely B. — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 21:22:27 +0000

Unlike

I’m Alive.

Raely B. — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:00:00 +0000

I’m quite aware that I’ve been absent from the blogging scene. Life hasn’t been hectic but I had to switch my focus to other things. I finished the semester with a 4.0 which is something I’m very proud of. Such an acheivement makes me very optimistic about starting the new semester. Although I won’t be graduating this semester, graduation is quickly approaching.

For the next few weeks that I have off from school, I’ve decided complete my To-Do List since I have more time. I already know the fall semester is going to be somewhat hectic because I’m taking more online classes and I’m in the works of revising my schedule to make it less stressful. It’ll all work out. I plan to work very hard. It’s something about an A in a math class that tells me I could do anything. Math is definitely not my favorite subject.

My daughter starts school on August 23. I’ve already gotten all of her school supplies and a few uniforms, so all that’s left are her shoes and a few other things. She’s excited about starting Pre-K and I’m overjoyed that she was able to get in. Hopefully this will be a good school year for the both of us.