Going for Not Broke

My car has been acting up lately. I cannot tell you how much I wish I could afford something else without having to go further into debt. In order to get back and forth to work, ultimately, that may be exactly what we do. But I'm calling that Option Z. For now, I've been doing what I can to earn a little extra to send to our creditors. I signed up for MTurk , a site through which users can do a wide range of tasks for pay, through Amazon a few weeks ago, and after the latest car trouble, I decided to put the site to use. Here's my take on MTurk: You would have to have little debt AND a rather low cost of living to be able to make a living working through the site. For my current purpose -- earning as much extra as I can to help pay down debt -- it's OK, but I won't be reaching my goal anytime soon. Most tasks are time-consuming so it would be tough to even be able to earn minimum wage doing them. You can qualify for higher paying tasks, but I don'...

Every now and then, I go online and find a calculator that will breakdown how long it will take to pay down my debt. I like to see it amortized so that I can see at a glance how many months it will take for me to knock milestone amounts, such as $1,000, $5,000, etc., from my total debt. One of the best calculators I've found is at What's The Cost . This one gives users the options to see how long it will take and the total interest they'll pay if the take on their debt by balance and by interest. The problem, though, is that sometimes, once I see that how long it's likely to take, I start feeling rather overwhelmed by what we owe. That's what happened to me last night. I ran my debt on the calculator right before bed, then I had trouble sleeping. I'm trying very hard not to feel overwhelmed but rather feel spurred to action.

I mentioned in a previous post  that I haven't been showing much self discipline financially so far this year. Thankfully, for now, I'm having a spell of doing better. Sitting down and seeing exactly where I am helped get me back on track. Hopefully, I'll continue to do better. First off, I'm going scale back the anniversary party  I was going to hold for my folks to just a big family dinner. I was going to do games with door prizes, but now, I've decided to just make lasagna using my mom's best recipe. It will still be costly, because it will be dinner for at least 20 people, but it will still be easier on my pocketbook. The next thing I hope to do is to figure my checkbook* daily. I have a tendency to try to keep track of it mentally, then when I start to fear that I might've left something out of my mental total, I'll charge necessities, like gas or diapers. So far, for the last week, I've done better with my checkbook. And knowing exactly whe...

For several years, my husband and I have kept track of our total debt and spending with spreadsheets charting what goes up and what goes down. On a monthly basis, we would get together and look at where we stand financially. My thinking was that seeing just how much we owe would force us to keep that total in mind and strengthen our resolve to pay it down. Overall, I think it's helped, but it alone hasn't been enough to inspire us to eliminate all of our bad financial behaviors. If it were, we would've been a lot better off several years ago. It has, however, inspired us to be a little better about our spending. I know this because we haven't been as diligent about the spreadsheets since our daughter was born. I say "we" because my husband is further behind in his share than he typically is, too, but I haven't really even tried to keep up with my part, especially this year after all of the long trips back and forth to visit my dad in the hospital. Even...

See that wonky-looking stuff on the right of the screen? That's what my iMac is doing these days. All in all, I can't complain. I bought it in 2006, so I got seven good years out of it. I was in the middle of my twice-yearly freelance project when it started this, and at first, rebooting would get rid of it for a little bit. Not so much now. I want to buy a new computer, but I won't. I have a laptop that works fine but runs much, much slower. I'm in the process of transferring all of my necessary files to flash drives. Scribus Update I had mentioned in a previous post that I was going to use Scribus as I worked on my freelance project this time to see how well it worked. I knew my computer's days were numbered, and rather than buy Adobe InDesign again (which I'd have to do because CS2, the Creative Suite version I have, will not work on a new operating system) I thought I'd see what my other options were. Well, it was slow going key command...

Since 2006, I've had a freelance project that I work on twice a year. The work takes about two weeks, which would be a lot less if I didn't have a full-time job to do at the same time. It's given me my share of headaches, but for the most part, I've enjoyed the work. It gives me lots to read on local history, it's work I'm comfortable doing, and it pays decently. Now is the time of year that I have to work on it (hence my absence from this blog recently) but unlike in the past, I had a lot of trouble getting into the work this time. Rather than just diving right into it, I would find myself surfing the web, checking email, doing the dishes, you name it. My change in attitude could be due to a lot of things: I've got a toddler now to keep up with, my work schedule has changed, the format of the work has changed, and I've been feeling very behind in my housework. However, I think the ultimate reason may just be that for me, this project has run its cou...

The dry rice failed to bring my phone back from the dead , so my next step was to take it to a tech shop. For $30, they were able to get it to come on again, but it gave me a light shock a few times. Also, the battery life percentage wouldn't update without doing some reboot by holding the on button and menu button for 10 seconds or so, and even that only worked a few times. After that, the same key combination would just take pictures. In short, I now have a new smartphone, and, as much as I tried to talk myself into getting something else, I got another iPhone, which contributed significantly to the higher credit balance I mentioned last time.  Part of me is really disappointed in myself that I didn't just opt to go back to a dumb phone. After all, I got by just fine for years that way. But, just like I suspected I would, I rationalized the heck out of buying another because I didn't want to lose my calendar, the few apps I've purchased, and all of the other pluses th...

On Monday morning, I awoke to find my iPhone  partially submerged in water in the Eskimo Joe 's cup I keep on my nightstand. I remember vaguely waking up in the middle of the night and checking the time on it. My guess? Afterward, I tossed it into the cup. I've been kicking myself a lot since then. First, for buying the phone in the first place. It was pricey, but I had gift cards that I was able to apply toward it, plus I told myself it would come in handy as I try to grow my home business (in short, I justified the heck out of buying it). Secondly, as I was purchasing it, I thought, "Hey, I'll save money by NOT buying the insurance." Thirdly, I've really grown to love it, which makes me really, really, really want to run out and replace it right now. According to online sources that I came across thanks to the Twitter hashtag #iPhoneInWater (and my husband's friend who works on gadgets for a living), sealing the phone up in a bag of dry rice for thr...

After seven years of dutiful, reliable computing, my iMac has started showing its age. It's manifesting in weird glitches, such as not letting me load photos. After a quick reboot, it will work fine ... for a while. Seven computer years equals like 75 human years, right? There have been at least four new iMacs since I bought mine, and the software updates on everything from browsers to operating software make getting a "tune-up" seem a little impractical. However, buying a new one presents its own problems. First of all, the price tag is way too hefty for me right now. Because of how this year started for me , I'm further away from my goal than I was six months ago. I don't want to make that worse by spending money I don't really have. Secondly, my current iMac has  Adobe CS2, which contains InDesign desktop publishing software that I depend on for a freelance project I do twice a year. My current version of Creative Suite wouldn't run on a newer c...

Birthday Surprise I got a coupon via email for a $5 discount on my next order from ArtBeads.com . I recommend anyone who enjoys beading to sign up to receive offers in your email inbox, too, so that you don't miss discounts such as this. Five dollars will buy a lot of beads! (Well, seed beads ... ) Cat Food I came across this offer for a free sample of Sheba cat food at Walmart.com. I have no cat, but if I did, I'd be signing up. Dieting Atkins offers a free starter pack that includes three bars (yum), a quick start guide and calorie counter. I got mine more than a year ago and was pleasantly surprised recently to see that it still offers the deal. It's limited to one per household per year while supplies last, so I just requested a second pack.

e-book image of "How to Write a Business Plan" by Mike McKeever As I switch focus to my hobby (crafts) for extra income to help me pay down debt, I've been toying with turning it into an official business. Enter thoughts of writing a business plan. Part of me thinks it isn't necessary. Why not just make stuff then try to sell it? Then, if it eventually gains enough traction that I want to go full time with it, then write a business plan. Everything I've read, though, makes me think that having a business plan might inspire me to put more effort into it than a "going with the flow" mentality does. Will it boost sales? No clue. But I do know that the two or three times times I've tried to sell my crafts so far have been money losers. I've spent more on vendor booth space than I've ever generated in sales. I can identify a few issues, the biggest of which is that I don't have much to sell. Perhaps a business plan would help m...

I'm not proud of the fact that after my daughter was born, I gained a bunch of weight that I've yet to shed. I have fat clothes, but only a few. And a few that I do have, I've loaned to my pregnant younger sister when she's dropped by after work and has wanted something to wear besides her work uniform while we hang out together. I've yet to get anything back from her that I've loaned lately, and so, my wardrobe is smaller than ever.  The urge to go shopping has been very strong lately.  Each time I see her, it crosses my mind to ask for them back, but I've yet to get the gumption to do do. She won't yell or anything, but I just worry about looking petty. Ideally, I'd lose some weight so that I can get back into my regular clothes, but that's easier said than done. Meanwhile, I have no shorts in this sweltering weather. I really want to shop. I gotta get my clothes back. And lose the weight.

I've had a lot on my mind lately concerning how little some of the things I do for extra money pay. I've done some writing via online sites that, once time spent researching a topic and fretting over and rewording my work are factored in, pay way below minimum wage. With time, I know I'd get faster and could eventually get bumped up to better pay. However, in the meantime, though, I'm spending hours on something that nets me about $5 after taxes. It's work I enjoy, but it's also time away from my daughter that doesn't gain me a whole lot of headway in my quest to eliminate debt. Therefore, I've decided to focus my efforts mostly on crafts, which I've done on the side for about 10 years now. Am I good? Eh, I'm not horrible. But I think with greater focus on it, I can get better. To start, though, it would pay less than the online writing. Hopefully, though, after several months of dedication, I'll be able to turn that around. This doesn...

Anna Nalick's song "Breathe" has a line that sums up me. It goes: "These mistakes you make you'll just make them again If you only try turning around." It's been a rough year for us financially. On the home front, our heating-and-air unit crapped out to the tune of $5,000 and our roof started leaking. Add to that, my dad had major surgery three hours away, and during his nearly three-week recovery time, I spent a lot of money on gas, hotel rooms and dining out. Then, after he was released and was home just a little more than a week, he got a bad blood infection and wound up right back in the same hospital again for another three or four weeks. (He's doing well now.) The thing of it is, though, is that when tough times hit -- and they don't even have to be as tough as this year has been -- it becomes very easy for me to say, "Well, if I gotta charge A, then what's the harm in charging B, too?" Then, before you know it, I'v...

For once, I can say that I haven't had the time to blog because I've been doing work that actually pays me. I did some web-page writing. I was slow at it, and for two weeks worth of sacrificing my spare time, I made roughly just $80. My hope is that it will lead to better- paying gigs later. Fingers-crossed. If it doesn't, though, I still plan to continue working the extra as much as possible. I NEED to pay things down more quickly.  For some reason, I've been feeling the weight of how much we owe more strongly lately, and I just really am ready to see some significant progress.

This year has been tough on our pocketbook. My dad had major surgery , and because he was hospitalized three hours away, we spent a lot of money on fuel, fast food and motel rooms. Thankfully, he's finally home, and we're hopeful his health with continue to improve. Also, I got speeding ticket. I fully admit speeding, and I make no excuses, so I have no one to blame but myself, but that was still $150 we didn't really have. Plus, my daughter had hearing tests that are going to cost us a couple hundred (thankfully, though, her hearing is fine), our roof is leaking, and my husband has to have some costly dental work done. We've put a lot of things on our credit cards to accommodate, so, so far this year, we've made anti-progress. Here's hoping the rest of the year goes better.

This has been a challenging year for my family. My dad had a precancerous tumor on his pancreas and is recovering slowly from the surgery to remove it. He's had a couple of setbacks, one that lasted three weeks, but we're all hopeful he'll be back on track soon. Partly because of that, I want to host a family get-together. Mom and Dad will have their 45th anniversary this October so that seems like a perfect time to hold it. I think I have a lead on a FREE place big enough to accommodate my siblings, their kids and my parents. As for the rest -- the food, decorations and activities -- I'll have to plan according to what's on sale and when. Immediately after that, I'll be planning a baby shower for my kid sis. I hope to get the same venue for both parties. Again, though, I want to keep an eye out for deals for decorations. There is only so much I can do about the food in advance, but I figured I'd start setting aside money for both feasts now.

I found this article very enlightening. Time Magazine -- Bitter Pill: Why Medical Bills Are Killing Us I've often wondered why medical bills are so high. When I've contemplated starting my own business, my biggest reason for not taking the risk is the fear that without employer-sponsored health care, my family and I would not be able to afford it. A month's health insurance for my family would cost more than $400 a month, and that's with a $5,000 deductible. Who can afford to pay that when you don't know from month to month what your income will be? Perhaps if the doctor bills were a little more reasonable, health insurance would be more affordable for everyone.

Well, my break took a little longer than I expected. My dad's recovery took a short detour when he got an infection, but he's doing good now, my freelance project is mostly out of the way, and the consignment sale is behind me. I did MUCH better at the consignment sale this year. I got just a little more than $200, and my first act after depositing the check was to send an extra $100 to a creditor, and with how much time we've spent out of town lately and staying in hotels while my dad was hospitalized, I wish it could've been more.

Because of an illness in the family and pressing deadlines on a freelance project and on the consignment sale , I'm putting this blog on hold for the next couple of weeks. My next post will be March 6 (hopefully.)

Last year, I participated in a local consignment sale that sells all kids items . I made $37 for the work I put into it, which is more than I could've hoped for given how little I had to start off with. A few weeks ago, I signed up to participate again. I have a few weeks to go through everything, get it all tagged and ready to go. I can also take some items that got left behind last time. Hopefully, I do at least as well as last time. Speaking of Consignments ... Our local newspaper ran an article a couple of months ago about local consignment stores I found really interesting. One of the store owners featured in the story said she had a consigner who shops local garage sales for cheap finds, then sells the items at the consignment store, receiving a check from the consignment store that averages about $800 a month. Of course, that doesn't account for the money she spends at the garage sales buying the items to begin with, but even a net income of $400 a month on consignm...

Over the weekend, I saw a film via Netflix called " Hungry for Change ," which talks about the benefits of a raw food diet. Because my husband and I could both stand to lose weight, and because we don't want to pass along our unhealthy habits to our daughter, I decided to incorporate more raw foods into my menus. Therefore, I'll be buying a lot more fresh produce in the coming weeks. And, I need to be diligent about cutting up and preparing the veggies before they spoil so that the money spent doesn't go to waste. I hate tossing out uneaten vegetables and fruits, but yet I find myself doing it now even without buying as much as I plan to as my family tries eating more greens. To start off, though, I spent extra money. I bought a few kitchen gadgets I don't already have that can help me prepare veggies more quickly: a mandoline slicer, spiral slicer and a blender. Hopefully, I put them all to good use, otherwise, that's just even more money down the dra...

Thanks to a tummy bug my daughter had then gave to me, I'm a day late posting for this week. Hopefully, I'll be back on track after this. Grocery Shopping The last time I went grocery shopping, I went to a Walmart Supercenter at which I haven't shopped in a couple of years. I wasn't happy with that Walmart's ground beef selection. Most of the packages were 75/25 (25 percent fat), and I prefer 90/10. There was only one package of 90/10, and it was so bloody I didn't want it touching my other groceries. Therefore, I settled on two 2.25-pound packages of 85/15. To make matters worse, the packages didn't weigh out as they were marked. The first thing I usually do after I unpack the groceries is weigh out the ground beef so that I can divide it into as many 1-pound packages as I can get, then turn the rest into 4-ounce hamburger patties, then freeze it all for later use. Therefore, for the two 2.25-pound packages I bought, I should've come up with fou...

Last month, I posted about the new heat-and-air unit my husband and I had to buy. It cost far more than we have, so we had to go further into debt. I don't remember how much it cost exactly, but it was somewhere around $5,000. For a heater, we got a heat pump, which costs a little more than a regular furnace, but the salesman said it would save us money on electricity in the winter. I don't remember by what percentage, but I knew it should be significant. So, when our utility bill came this month, I did a year over year comparison to see how our first month with the new system compared to our electric bill from the previous year. It was $60 lower! I was blown away, and in doing the math, it looks like it saved us close to 40 percent on our bill! However, if the past month was warmer than the previous year, that would make a difference, too, so I can't say for sure how much we saved, but it does look promising so far.

For the first time in months, I took on a little freelance work this past week. It won't net me a big huge payout -- I'll get about $10 total -- and trying to meet my deadline on it cut into my blogging time Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. I hope this is the start of my momentum building. The more I do the work, the faster I'll get at it, which will make it more worth the time. In the meantime, though, I just keep reminding myself that every little bit will help me meet that ever elusive goal of zero debt.

I've been hoping for a chance to install the foot pedal onto my home computer so that I can do some transcribing practice. I'm a fairly fast typist, but translating what I hear into text isn't as easy as just copying something that's already written down. Over the last week, though, I've had a tough time sleeping and I've been battling a rather nasty cold. The result: I haven't done a thing with the foot pedal yet. Hopefully, the next seven days will yield better results. Debt Assessment I wouldn't trade my daughter for anything, but since we've had her, I've become even less organized than I was before. It's been months since my husband and I have looked at our total debt, something we used to do on a monthly basis. I think looking at our total debt periodically is good for us. It's one thing to know it's too high and file it away in the back of your mind, but it's something else to get reminded, to see whether you're...

Because I need to make time to earn extra money, I've decided to cut back my posts here to Wednesdays this year. Occasionally, I might have more than one in a week, for instance, if I see a super good deal I'd like to get the word out about, but in general, all new posts will be on Wednesday mornings only. New Year's Resolution: Make a Huge, Huge, HUGE Dent in My Debt