HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

I just realized that I have not posted in almost a month!!!! I am at work right now, so I am going to quickly fill you in on the details of my finances and my job in the new year. This month, I am tracking my spending---SERIOUSLY!!! I spend way too much money on stuff and I can't remember what all I bought. I am keeping all of my receipts in an envelope and starting today, I will post a list of things I spent money on. Hopefully, this will keep me in line and more conscious of things I sepnd money on that are not necessary. I already know that I have a few too many guilty pleasures---like my daily cup of coffee and ice cream from Baskin Robbins!

I was off of work from December 24---January 5. I am back and more refreshed than ever! I realize that I don't necessarily dislike my job, I just need to make regular use of my vacation days. I love the career I chose, I'm just not so sure about doing it in the nonprofit realm of things. I have heard that when you are working for a nonprofit agency, you don't get paid much, but there is satisfaction in the work that you do. I feel that way some days, but not often. I will stay prayerful on this and see what the new year holds.

Last, and certainly not least, I plan to change the way my blog looks. I don't do web design well, so I am going to let one of my friends or Mr. HM do that. Anyway, I will post a list of my spending thus far later this afternoon.

My Life, My Love, My Finance

Love ya,
Ms. HM

My Finance: These are MY Confessions

Remember a few years ago when Usher had that song out called "My Confessions"? Well today is my confession day. Okay, here goes. I'm embarrassed and ashamed to admit this BUT,..........I HAVEN'T BALANCED MY CHECK BOOK IN 2 MONTHS! Okay, I'm exhaling. I feel better to have gotten that off of my chest. Now, I'm going off to balance my check book while I'm here at work. (no, I haven't overdrafted my account, I do look at my account everyday online, and it is my personal account, not my joint account that my husband and I pay bills from--he would have killed me by now if that was the case!) I am going to make sure I NEVER do this again!

Photo Courtesy of: www.freewebs.com/usherfansite

My Finance: Saving Up

I got paid today! Yay! (I act like I don't get paid every two weeks LOL!) I'm super excited because I just put away $50.00 in my savings account. You may not think $50.00 is not much, but is is a start for me. I am going to try---I mean I am going to save $50.00 per pay period and contribute it to my savings account. My goal is to save $3,000.00 by the end of the year. Of course, in order to do that, I will have to gradually increase the amount I am contributing to my savings account. Maybe by August I will be saving $200.00 per pay period. I'll see how it goes.

Oh, I'm still searching for another bank. If you have any suggestions, let me know. I am also looking for an Internet bank for my savings account. Holla at ya girl and give me your suggestions.

My Life, My Love, My Finance

Love ya,
Ms. HM

Taking Baby Steps.........

Lately I have been frustrated by the fact that I am taking "baby steps" towards my financial goals and I've had a few set backs along the way. Right now, I'm most frustrated by my income level. Could I make more money? Heck yeah. Other people in my same situation in my profession generally make 2 times the amount I make. By my situation, I mean, recent graduates with the same degree(s), job experience, etc. I chose to take a job making less money in a nonprofit/government type position in order to help those who generally can't get assistance. Do I regret this decision some days? Yeah, I do. On the days that I want to go buy clothes or buy unnecessary things for Skater Boy and the twins. Then, some days when I can't put more than $10.00 in my savings account, I wonder why did I choose this. BUT, there are days that I feel as if I have touched somebody and helped somebody, and that small $10.00 savings is well worth it. Note to self: My value is not determined by my bank account but by my ability to make a difference in this life. I'll continue taking baby steps and knowing that I have to start somewhere. In 10 years, when I make more money and can afford to save and invest more, I'll appreciate it more.

My Life, My Love, My Finance

Love ya,

Ms. High Maintenance