Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Total Money Makeover...

Okay everyone...sorry for the lack of posting. I hope you had a wonderful holiday. =)

I got Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover and I started reading it today. I just got to a point where he said he convinced millions of people to change their lives - to have a total money makeover. Then he asked, "Are you Next?"

Yes I am!!!...Be back soon. =)

Monday, November 15, 2010

Personal Finance Resources...

So what if your favorite personal finance book that you recommend I read?

Over the next month, I will commit to reading 2-3 personal finance books, reviewing the works and developing a debt repayment plan.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Raise and Bonus...

We had a team meeting yesterday and we will be receiving raises and bonuses this year. I've been with the Bank since 2000 and I have always received a nice bonus. Come to think of it, I have also received some kind of increase each year too. I should get the numbers in December before I go on vacation for the last 2 weeks. I am really looking forward to the time off.

I have a new blog post over at Windy City Bliss. I am going through the 22 Law of Attraction Processes outlined in Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks. This process is unique because it's supposed to help improve your finances. I am going begin using the process on Monday and report on my progress. Fun!

Have a great day!!! =)

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

New Blog and 2011

I am loving my new blog Windy City Bliss. Check me out. =)

I will be posting a new financial plan for 2011 soon. =)

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

October 2010 Recap...

I am back to posting regularly here and over at Windy City Bliss. I am really enjoying the new blog and I have some exciting posts (at least I think they are) over there and I hope you enjoy them. =)

Here is my recap for October 2010. I am still doing my counseling sessions and I am happy to say that I am making a lot of progress. We are no longer exploring what happened in the past but we're moving on to what I want in the future and that includes dealing with my finances. We branched into that discussion last week and I am going to finally come up with a plan to get financially free. Fun and Exciting right?!?!

Here is the thing...what you're going to see in October, November and December is my savings account drop. Trust me...that is not the end of Chitown's world. Next year is going to be GREAT!!! I am so excited. Just read and watch. You will see improvement in every area of my life. =)

This chart is a lot to take in but it basically how I've done this year. This is the first time I really tracked in so much detail and I think it's helpful to get a glimpse of the 2010 picture. Basically, there hasn't been a lot of change in my net worth but my debt has gone down each month.

Here is the budget breakdown for October along with more detail below.

  • Part-time Job: It's gone. No more part-time job going forward.
  • Transportation: This will decreased going forward since I am no longer driving downtown for work.
  • Food & Dining/ Grocery: I did really good in this category for October. Only $15 over budget for both categories. (thumbs up)
  • Personal Care: I ordered more mixed chicks for my hair and bought a $40 Groupon for an hour long massage.
  • Clothing and Shopping: I purchased a few purses from Coach during the Labor Day sale, got some clothes dry cleaned instead of shopping for more clothes and purchased a phone charger and car accessory my iPhone.
  • Health & Medical: I got reimbursed $97 for my dental which will show up next month.

My credit scores are still improving as I continue to pay down debt. This new scoring system blows my mind when I think that an 802 credit score can actually be considered B credit when it used to be considered A credit. I am still really pleased that I have very high credit scores and that I am maintaining my commitment to pay everyone on time.