Women in Red Racers - Midwest Region

[Sam_2.0]

serious - I love Mint. The site is protected by the same security software we use at work. I figure if its good enough for a company as large & critical as ours (public utility), then it should be fine There's also the option to manually load in the info if you want. It just takes about an hour to set up, and then you are good to go. Its really user-friendly.

[sunflower64]

Got signed up. Happy New Year!

Lucked out with the recall - it will be fixed. We have a loaner until the part comes in ... could be as early as end of January or could be end of March. At least a month or two without wear and tear on our vechile.

[lulu0312]

So glad to see so many members here so far!! Hope everyone had a Happy New Year celebration!

[seriousthistime]

I spent about an hour loading info onto Mint.com. It seems interesting. I added some of my own information manually and figure I'll update the figures on Mint each month. They have interesting graphs and other tools I will have to fool around with. I think I'm going to like using it. Thanks for the encouragement.

[ilkh]

serious, I use mint. It actually sent me an email about a balance on one of my accounts that immediately alerted me to a fraud issue. I don't have everything loaded in there, but I appreciate the weekly updates I get from the site. Again, one more accountability tool.

[cajuda]

Sam814: Thanks for your advice. I'll be sure to keep up with my mortgage--at least the minimum. Same goes for my car loan. Actually my EF fund is also my savings at this time. Will have to rethink that. Thanks again, Sam.

[Minnesotagirl7]

I'm back at work today, and relieved to find that I can access the new boards!

I'm excited to update this week. It will be another turtle update, but at least the numbers are still going down!

[Pants]

Glad to see so many smiling faces here. Hope everyone makes it!

[momofelliott]

just testing , i will update in a few days
wishing everyone a Happy New Year!!

[turbothumper]

Happy New Year everyone!!! ;D I for one am very happy to say goodbye to 2010. It took me from the absolute highest point in my life to the absolute lowest. I bartended NYE and it wasn't too bad. I did have a slight breakdown at midnight. Sometimes I don't even realize the emotions that I have running through me.

So, I took my bartending money (read, extra money) to the casino on NYDay to try out my 2011 luck. Needless to say, it didn't appear to be any better. So, enough with the casino for a while for me. I guess if 2011 is going to be a great year, I am going to have to make my own luck. I kind of had a weekend of blah, but I have a renewed sense of self this morning. This is going to be a great year!

In 2010, I paid off my credit cards and all small non-racing debt. I paid off my car. I paid for my upcoming cruise with cash and have money set aside for spending. I got to a point in my life where my second job is extra money (read lookout SLs, I'm coming for ya!) and I feel like I have a new lease on life. I miss DF terribly and I think that I always will. But, I can feel him smiling down on me and that is a great feeling. I want to make him proud of me. So, this week is about setting goals and preparing to attack the year.

My cruise is the end of this month. 3 weeks from yesterday, I will be boarding the ship. I can't wait!!! This is a MUCH needed vacation. I look forward to fun in the sun!!

[chicg]

Cajuda - the thought behind a separate EF is it's too tempting to keep draining the EF if you anticipate spending from it and if you reach for it too much, you might have trouble defining what a true emergency is. For me, keeping EF separate from other savings helps me not to touch EF and in return, my EF continues to grow. I also don't feel too guilty when I need to pull money from savings if it's for something that I anticipate. Some people refer one account but I tend to do better when I can compartmentalize or put things into "buckets" so having a couple different savings funds for me works best. Good luck!
Turbo - I'm so happy to see your enlightened post! I've been worried about a lot of things lately and it all swelled during the holidays. You've been really inspirational. I hate that you had to endure such a hard year but I think a lot of people are proud of you right now and I'm really happy for the vacation you're about to take, you deserve to relax in the sun!
SPeaking of vacation, I just booked a ticket to visit my friend in Phoenix for my bday. Bdays kind of stink now, not to sound like a spoiled child that needs big parties but I feel like I get left in the dust since no one wants to celebrate anymore, they're busy with kids and husbands. I understand, but when my friend suggested I come out there to celebrate, I couldn't pass it up! I do have one friend here that is always there for me so we'll still probably do dinner and drinks the weekend before or after or something. We're regulars at a little BYOB restaurant, they'll love it if we show up there for our bdays. They do the whole singing thing....I think I'm past the point of embarassment over that, I'll take it if it means free dessert!

[keepinthefaith]

Just curious...do we need to email CoffeeGurl anymore, since we all know where we're going now?

[keepinthefaith]

chicg, I think I just gave you Karma! I was dying to figure out how to do it, and I think I just did! That's for all of the wonderful advice that you take the time to offer up on this board!

[ezlivindreamer]

Update:
8/27/08 12/21/10 1/3/11
Camper $2478.87 $0 $0
CC #1 $7388.83 $2093.46 $3063.07
CC #2 $6328.04 $6128.93 $6151.14
CC #3 $2993.46 $774.23 $0
CC #4 $1683.21 $375.30 $375.30
CC #5 $692.37 $1078.00 $1078.00
CC #6 $261.52 $778.10 $778.10
Gas $0 $0
Clinic $209.00 $209.00
Car Repair $600.00 $0 $0
Taxes $0 $0
Energy $0 $0
TOTAL $16389.08 $11437.02 $11654.61
***EF Fund $154.94 ***
ezlivindreamer 1/3/11 $11654.61 (8/27/08 $24392.21)

[ezlivindreamer]

I got a new -0- for CC #3!!!! i know my total for CC #1 went way up but I've got close to $1000 still to allocate to something, I just didn't do it for this post yet because I think I am going to pay off med bills 1st then put the rest to CC #1. I hope the smileys and formatting and all that stuff gets worked out soon...Happy 2011 everyone! I'm excited for a new start and a new year!!!!

[crazylady14]

I'm here, just got signed up on the proboards. I'll be checking in to follow this move. Happy New Year to all!

[jando]

I'm swear, I'm trying to transition. MSN is such an ingrained habit after 3+ years. I'm re-posting something I just wrote on the old board.

My motto for 2011 is "I control my finances, my finances do not control me." I am in charge. The mall is not in charge, DSW is not in charge, Sephora is not in charge, and TARGET is especially not in charge! I AM! Roar!!!!

Goals for this year:

Add $2k in liquid savings to bring my EF back to $5k.

Take a vacation (hopefully the one we are tentatively planning for Ireland). Pay for it in cash.

Focus on these home projects instead of other material things: Fix garage door. Paint my bedroom. Start planning for twin beds for boys. Touch up paint around the house. Purge. Organize.

I want to simplify. I'm not a minimalist, but I want the things around me to either make me happy or be incredibly useful. My pain in the ass wine bottle opener? Doesn't make me happy and isn't all that useful. Replace it.

Knick knacks stored in the basement? Not useful. Not happy.

Speaking of stuff in the basement - I came across a box of high school photos. I have a real problem hanging onto pictures, I feel bad throwing them away, but I have no desire to scrapbook them or scan them into my computer. I could be convinced to toss them, but I'm afraid I'll regret it later. Thoughts?

[Bank of Mom]

Jando Keep your photos! You will regret getting rid of them later on. I don't have Mom anymore but I do have photos with her in them. Neither can be replaced.

I spent my lunchtime reviewing my 2010 Action Plan and starting my 2011 Action Plan.

I had 8 points to my 2010 Action Plan. ;D I reached all of my financial points and exceeded them. Only one point was not achieved and that was weight loss. I made my medical reimbursement 10 of 12 months in 2010.

#1 had its moments last year. I now have no credit card debt , a small savings account $600, and I have over $2,000 in my HSA ;D.

2011 Action Plan
1. Enjoy life and be thankful for what I have.
2. Be Student Loan Free on or before 11/15/2011
3. Focus on work at work. I have no control over the actions of others, only myself. I have to be at work to reach my financial goals. Suck it up and just do it.
4. Continue with the Gym. Work out 12 times per month at the gym.
4. Weight: Be at or below 155 lbs on 12/31/2011

[shopaholic814]

SERIOUS: Sorry this is late, I only use mint.com for the ease of having all of my account balances in one place. Nearly 50% of all the transactions on my cking account get mis-categorized & it is a big pain in the a$$ for me to go change them all, so the budget aspect of the site does me no good. At one point last year, I actually canceled the account b/c almost all of the transactions were showing up doubled-what a giant mess!! So I keep mint only for checking the balances.

JANDO: I completely agree with you on the idea of having only the things around me that make me happy/fulfilled. My house is full of junk, but I have a hard time getting rid of some of the stuff just in case I/we need it someday. But, I am trying to work through it all b/c I am so tired of the lack of storage space for the stuff I NEED b/c the stuff I DON'T NEED is hogging up the valuable space!!
How do you guys get words highlighted? I've tried CTRL-B like the other board, but I get some strange pop-up about organizing my "Favorites"!!! This is so wierd

[shopaholic814]

JANDO: After reading my post, it sounds like I should be on an episode of "Hoarders", but I'm nothing like that. I say the house is full of junk, but its no where near as bad as it sounded!! FYI!!!

[ivanabgrn]

OK... I'm HERE... I guess... That was totally weird that my account just went "poof"...

Anyway, Ivanabgrn back on the air. Anyone not see my post at MSN about my being down a roomie? At this rate, I'm just like "Whatever"... I'm in no hurry to worry about it at the moment. PHR test is this weekend, so I have enough stressors on my plate at the moment!

Update to follow shortly...

[ivanabgrn]

Turbo: Which cruise line are you going on and what trip are you going on? I'm going on one in three weeks myself, Royal Caribbean 4 day - Port Canaveral, Coco Cay, Nassau, etc...

[jando]

Bank of Mom - Most of these photos though aren't of family. They're of HS friends, and some are cut in random shapes that probably used to hang in my locker or fit small frames. Some are wrinkled. I have plenty of others in albums, so I think this box of loose photos I'm going to toss (it's just a small box). After all, isn't that what yearbooks are for? :-) I'll keep the prom and cheerleading professional photos that are mixed in (can you believe I used to be a cheerleader? lol) and then I'm just going to store all the albums together in a plastic tote.

Next I need to go through the boxes of books. In fact, I shouldn't even go through them, I should just immediately haul them to half price books to sell.

Shop - it did sound a little like hoarders, but not that bad! lol. Luckily, I have not run out of storage space, but I never want to get to the point that I reach capacity. It's a 3+ bedroom house with a decent amount amount of closests and full un-finished (1890s) basement and 2-car garage. I never need that much stuff!

[chicg]

Keepin - you're so sweet, thanks for the karma! Now I need to figure that out so I can give a little thanks to all of those that help me!
Shopaholic - haha, you don't sound like a hoarder. One trick I learned to help with the purging process (read about it in a book and have seen the concept on a few of those orgazational HGTV-type shows) is the "outbox." Go through some stuff that you don't use or think you might want to get rid of. Don't try to tackle the whole house in one day, just pick a room or 3 boxes in the basement or one drawer, etc. Make a keep, toss, donate and outbox pile. Outbox is for the stuff that you think you want to get rid of but then you keep saying "what if". Outbox doesn't mean you have to get rid of it right away, just put it in the box and let it sit for a week or two. Often once you take the initiative of getting the item out of your closet or go through those boxes, chances are you'll realize you don't need/want it. It also eliminates the "ripping off the bandaid" concept, you won't feel like you have to get rid of everything all at once, you can detach gently from it. I've definitely kept clothes for the "what if I want to wear it" for way too long, once they're in the outbox and sit for 2 weeks, I usually laugh at the though of being so bent on keeping them for so long. I've never once looked for something that I got rid of. I'm VERY GOOD at purging now!
Jando - great goals!
Bold - I only figured out how to do it when I went back to revise a post, that's when the full menu and all the smiley's came up. THere are codes to do all that, you'll see the codes in your post if you go to edit. Make your edits with the little icons that pop up, then it will show the code in your text.

[ivanabgrn]

Ivanabgrn 4075 1/3/2011 (16,315 8/19/09 M1082)
Payment Prev Bal Curr Bal
CC #1 - - 0
CC #2 100 250 2470
CC #3 - - 0
SL 110 1715 1605

SOON TO BE UNDER 4K!!! So... Insight... I'm due a week of PTO payout, which will be on the 1/15 check. I'm thinking of using this to pay off my student loan, which will then free up an extra $200 a month just in time for me to go back down to one roommate. What do you all think? I know it's "good debt", but I will be honest, I only am going to be getting credit for $53 of interest on my 2010 taxes for it... So I'd almost rather free up that $200 sooner rather than later over a measly amount of tax write-off... And it will feel nice to be out from under that required installment amount.

[shopaholic814]

JANDO- I don't have much space here, 4 people living in 2 BR, 1 bath, in about 1000 sq ft, but I do have a basement and a storage room there that I just went through about 3 months ago to reorganize. I obviously didn't get rid of enough stuff. What I have a major issue with is toy storage for my kids, DH is a slob & won't clean up after himself, and I am terrible at organization in cupboards & closets. I would love to have a professional organizer come help me make our tiny house work for us!!

CHICG- I have actually used that concept before, but obviously not enough!!!!! Someday I will get it all done, what I would love to do is to rent a huge dumpster & just throw away 70% of our belongings. I save clothes just in case I ever lose weight & fit back into them....duh, by the time I lose enough weight to fit into them they will be horribly out of style!!! HAHA I'm actually better with ripping off the bandaid if I am in the mood to purge. Its after my head has cooled & i'm not as pissed about the clutter that I start putting stuff back. Thats when I get into trouble!!! Plus DH refuses to get rid of anything, which makes it difficult to get this place decluttered.

[shopaholic814]

IVANA- I agree with you, pay off the SL with your extra $$$. Just be done with it. Unless you need to fund an EF, or savings for insurance, medical, etc... go for the payoff!!!!

[sapphire62]

Happy New Year!! I've been lurking the midwest boards for a couple of years and look forward to officially joining. Are we here to stay for now??? I have seen a few post... I'll gather information and then jump in for 2011. I see we have the option of inserting a table. I wondered if tables would work since the cut n paste options from excel leaves things scrambled. Has anyone tried this and can you actually print in these tables?

Attachments:

[sapphire62]

Ok the tables are not that easy either... I could get things to line up. I did notice that there is a preview button next to the post reply button that you can use to see how things will post.

[sapphire62]

ETA: that should read couldn't get things to line up