Thanks California!

I'm sorry, but where does California come up with crazy parking rules and parking tickets galore? While on vacation a couple of weeks ago, I managed to rack up two fines, one of which I thought okay, I get it, but one I was completely baffled by. Like, there is no parking at all at anytime on the streets in Fullerton. Okay, where are the signs? Oh their posted at city limits. Well, I'm from out of town. Was I suppose to run up to the Welcome to Fullerton! sign and scan. Well, I didn't and the people we were visiting recently moved there so they didn't think to tell us. They even got a ticket as well.

California gives you the option to contest, which I did by writing and was written back with if you pay, we'll let you request a hearing by mail. But you must pay. Whatever. I just sucked it up and paid it, but feel fourtunate to have two responsible and understanding friends who were willing to split these tickets three ways. I honestly didn't understand friends I don't think until I met M and W, and I'm glad I have them now to lean on. Total damage for my share, 24. I am owed 16 by M and owe W 8, we paid on our cards and just split the cost evenly.

Spending Report
Tuesday 7/7/09
31.00 City Of Fullerton
3.23 Nyquil

Wednesday
4.24 Starbucks (mmmm)
4.00 Taco Bell
6.00 W

A Sleepy Monday

I was out of town this weekend and feel like I'm going to be spending the whole week catching up! I have not gone grocery shopping, my laundry made it from the dryer to the couch and Rambo is currently passed out on bedding that has seen better days. But, I managed to clean the kitchen, my bathroom is picked up and the dishes are clean! Not to mention I managed to cook a meal with enough leftovers for lunch. ;) Unfourtnately, I'm not feeling under the weather and now is so not the time to get sick. My big boss is out of town and I have a pool party planned for Friday evening. It appears to me that I'm going to do a spending recap, down some vitamins and catch up on Dance Your Ass Off, my new guilty pleasure.

Monday July 6th
Lunch w/ W- 5.00
Energy Drinks 2 for 3.00
Decluttering Day One- A Whole Years worth of Glamour magazine
Day Two- Bodysprays floating around the bathroom
Day Three-Food ( corn pops, snack puffs and cookies taken to my work)
Day Four- A overly stuffed Walmart bag filled w/ trash from my car. ( I know I know)

So I spent 8 bucks today w/ my leftover money from my trip that I had from that 69 dollars. It appears I actually spent 61 and had some cash floating around here and there. Woohoo! Hopefully I can remember to pack my lunch so I'm not tempted to buy anything tomorrow. And I'm glad to see some of my decluttering is coming along nicely, but I know I can do more!

Serendipity

I'm Back!

I am glad to be back in my cozy little apartment with Rambo. I missed him, sort of. I think it's good sometimes for couples to be seperated sometimes. At least for me. This weekend, I realized how lucky I was to have somebody like him. At times we take each other for granted, but this month I am making a new goal of mine to show him in little ways how much he means to me.

My trip was good except for my dad's babys mama drama. All I had to say about that was, seriously? My dad and I had a nice time after our heated discussion and I finally feel like we're ready to turn a new leaf and leave the past in the past for now. I really hope it works out between us as well and my dad keeps his word. I also had a fun time bonding with his fiance, she's a nice lady. My dad also gave me 25 for gas which I used on the way home. Speaking of money for gas, how did I do on my trip budget?

I CAME UNDER!!!!!

Woohoo! Out of my planned 75, I only spent 69 of it which makes me so proud! I could have kept it cheaper, but I splurged on some Jack N A Box on the way there and some coffee this morning. It was great though and I'm really happy with my spending over all.

July 3rd Spending
Hair Appointment 59.00
Jack N A Box 6.26

July 4th
Ice Tea 1.08
Kiwi Strawberry Drink 1.94
Chow Mein 3.33
Photobooth Photos 3.00
Headbands 4.31

July 5th
Starbucks 9.42 ( was reimbursed 5.00 back)
Target 29.81 ( bought some things w/ a family discount)
Dillards 6.45 ( Lucky Brand Necklace on super clearnce)
Gas + Ice Tea 22.33

Woo. I am kind of tuckered out so I shall be turning in now. But I hope everybody had a nice weekend and stuck to their spending goals! I sure am glad I did and now even more so proud. :)

Serendipity

Fourth Of July Weekend! And Spending Recap!

Happy Fourth Of July Everybody! I'm actually going home for the weekend, which is a real bummer since Rambo was given the day off on Saturday because his work was slow. We never have the same days off unless we're on vacation, which doesn't count. Oh well. My birthday is right around the corner after all.....

Before I leave to see my dad, I will be getting my hair done. I made an appointment after I sat with my budget and even though it almost wipes out my misc/fun budget, I'm tired of it. I have roots that are over two inches and my bangs feel like the shaggy dog. I try to space out my hair appointmets, even more so since my budget was so tight. After my hair, I'm packing and then driving for 2 1/2 hours to hopefully spend sometime with my dad. If your a long term reader of mine, you understand our relationship is strained. I almost didn't go this weekend due to the fact that he is still a liar as he proved this week, but I feel like I need to sit with him in person and let it out. Because my problems with his ways are getting worse and I feel like if we don't try to fix it, I'm not going to be the best daughter for much longer.

July Spending & Goal Conquering

July 1st- No spend day! And a workout in the gym. Nine more to go!
July 2nd- Starbucks 4.39
Taco Bell 4.96
Target 6.49
Petsmart 3.85
31.00 snowflake paid for drinking w/ W on the strip.

Target and Petsmart were both work expenses that came out of my misc fun which I already have been reimbursed 1/3 of. Unfortunately, I spent that last night when W and I were partying on the strip. I let my 31.00 snowflake pay for this, which I still have some left, so I can tip my hair lady.

My blog will be a bit quiet unfourtunately, until I come back on Sunday. My dad has internet and the computer is in my room, but I don't feel comfortable about this blog unless it's somewhere no one can aceess the history to, like my home computer or my work one.

Again, Happy Fourth Of July!
Serendipity

My Car Insurance Company Can Suck It

I don't it's so much my car insurance company themselves, State Farms, but the actually people working under the agent. And I don't think it's the agent as much as it's the people. There incompetent. Case in point.

I signed up in March because they were way cheaper for full coverage when I got my new car. I was offered a student discount, paid my first month and all was well. Then after my first payment was taken out of my account I realized it was ten dollars more than what we had originally agreed upon. My student discount was taken away because my GPA was factored differently than on my transcript. Okay......

Last month I noticed my May payment was never taken out. I had altered my arrangements with my poilicy and she never put my payments through. Okay. So I drove over in person, paid with a check and made sure all was clear. So, was I surprised when I saw what had taken place with my checking account.....

My car insurance was taken out at the amount of 220.64. Ummm, not my correct payment amount! It was supoose to be 139.83. They took the incorrect amount and then reversed once a rejection went thru. Because I only had 180 in my checking. Because it was improper funds, I was charged not one return fee of 35 dollars, but three more overdraft fees of 35! Coming to a grand total of 140 in return/overdraft fees charged to my checking account.

I was so frustrated because none of this should have happened. There was no reason my account should have been charged so much. I called my bank to try to correct the overdraft fees, which a Wells Fargo representative will be reviewing. And my insurance company?

The office manager apoligized but played dumb. Bitch, why have yout not updated any of my information? You've had over a month and I could have sworn you did it in front of me. I only sat there for about an hour while you talked about your sisters ice sculptures at her wedding. Grumble grumble. I explained I nolonger have my car insurance money due to the overdraft fees the incorrect payment caused and I think that I needed to be comped this month due to already having three consecutive problems with this company, not by anything I did, but because they file their paperwork inproperly. And not only did it bother me, it cost me 140 dollars!

I went as far as to explaining I nolonger felt safe with them having my information, I will be paying in cash and money orders from now on. It's a bummer, and will probably be a hassle, especially since they aren't open until I'm already at work. I might feel indifferent depending on how they react to this situation, but I just can't believe they would not fix my stuff. And I never, ever, was quoted 220, even after my discount was gone and I still had all my policies going full force with add ons.

But, I let this anger drive me to the gym. And I tried to jog it all out. But, I'm still angry!

As anybody else had problems with State Farm or insurance companies for that matter???

Serendipity

July Goals......

So, I got kinda down on myself this month. I cried, moped and belittled myself for not having enough oomph to, how shall I say this, get shit done? There's so much I want to accomplish, such little time to do, so much energy to do it with. Whats a girl to do? Well, while reading my Self magazine, I found an answer. Okay, it seemed inspiration anyways. This month's interview is about Jillian Michaels, and while alot people call here a nazi, I admire her for her honesty and good intentions, even if their produced in a drill sergant type of way. Her noteworthy quote....
"To have a different life, different options or different opportunities, you yourself needs to be different." Hmm, words for thought anybody? So this month, I'm looking into different ways to get myself where I want to be, emotionally, physically and finanically.

1. Find cheap entertainment.
I have a pool, a gym membership I don't utilize, and access to tons of free things in Las Vegas, but hardly take advantage. I spend alot of money eating out, socializing, drinking, etc, it's time to see what else is offered. It's hot so cruising the strip is out, but the four dollar matinees that I can bring food from home in never sounded so good..........

2. Budget! And write down where my money goes.
I want to stay on track and write down wherever my money goes. What comes in ( paycheck, passive) and what goes out. I always think its easy to chart this, but it gets in the way or I forget it. Tis a challange!

3. Use the gym ten times.
If I don't use my gym ten times this month, I'm chucking my membership. The end.

4. Etsy
I have an etsy store that I would like to put some more time in. I would also like one I can advertise on here with, and make somethings for it. I'm thinking some cards and maybe a scrapbook layout or two.

5. Take Some Time For Me
I need some me time. Plan and simple. If I can't take care of myself, I'm no good in other areas of my life and I need to remember that.

6. 31 Things in 31 Days
I have decided due to the possibility of moving, 31 things must leave. I got rid of a ton of stuff two months ago, but still, I feel like more needs to leave my presence. It's hard because I want to chuck some stuff of Rambo's but again, not mine. Just my things must go but maybe he'll feel the urge too, no?

7. Freelancing.

Alot of people are looking into freelancing. I'm a pretty good writer when I get passionate about something and remember to spell check. I'm thinking about exploring online magazines and web zines to see what opportunities await me. Actually, I'm just seeing what options I have. I love my job but nobody wants to be, or for that matter, needs to be pigeonholed.

Serendipity

Updates, Budget & Getting Back Into It

So, I updated my sidebars today! I am happy to say I have made $91.00 in passive income this weekend alone. $60.00 went to my groceries and shampoo run, the other $31.00 is sitting at home hiding in a gift wrap bag. I'm scared of deposting it before I know where I want it to go, because I'll spend it. :( But since knowing myself is a good trait, it remains hidden till I say.

I sat down this morning and ran some numbers with my first official summer hour paycheck! I'm so excited to see it and I feel it will be much better to work with it because let's face it, my school year ones are puny and depressing. So depressing I just felt alot better knowing that my money was there incase I needed it, without a definate plan. No more!


Estimate- 750
Car Payment 220 ( it's 215 but I pay over the phone. 5 dollar fee. Speaking of, where is my payment book?)
Gym Membership 31.00 ( im giving myself this one more month and if I don't go more then ten times, it's history)


Leftover after Fixed- 499

Household Expenses 130
Gas-80
Rambo Car Repairs- 100
Trip Home-75
Misc- 114

Whew. I can finally knock some stuff out ( like getting Rambos car fixed!) afford a trip home with some flex money ( hoping to keep it as cheap as possible!) and some more wiggle room with groceries and gas. Gas is because I'm driving five hours this weekend and groceries is because I would like to be under and start some snowflakes.

Since I feel really good about this, I want to become more involved with my blog! I know alot of people are talking about some pf blogger cool down, so to speak, but I don't want my blog to be as sparatic as I've been making it. I love my blog to pieces and I love all the wonderful bloggers I've gotten to know along the way! So I want to start my daily spending loggins, write about my goal progress as I knock them out and basically just keep an account as I chug along my way to financial freedom or at least, a good finanical state!

Serendipity