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It has been a stressful few days. Today, however, was very productive. In the last two days I’ve had off I got tires, paid [most of] my bills, filed Greg’s taxes, went to the MAC Store to replenish/buy new lip pencils, went to the chiropractor (HELLO STRAIGHT SPINE!!! Thank you insurance for realizing the necessity), and more. Next week I’ll tackle getting a new Drivers License (#3 in two years, SHAME!) and getting an oil change.

What experience do you guys have with addiction? Whether it be drugs, alcohol, smoking, food, internet, or something else. I’ve been surrounded by addiction my entire life in more ways than one. I’m overweight, always have been, and can admit an addiction to food along with many other things. My mother has battled many of fights with numerous drug and alcohol addictions (and turns up to lose each battle). I just figured I’d see what you guys have been exposed to in your lives.

I want to be an addictions therapist after I’m done rocking the MAC world. But I struggle to empathize/sympathize with basically anyone lately for reasons that I’ve faced in the family. When your own mother asks you to piss for her random UA drug test, shit really hits the fan. Yeah, don’t ask.

I’m struggling also right now not being able to live with Greg. We lived together our last year of college and were basically blissful. Engagement is obviously around the corner and right now I live with my father and he lives with his mother. We’re planning on buying his mom’s town home when they buy a house, but four months ago that date was March 1. Well… it’s the 5th and they haven’t even looked yet! I’m buggin’ and stressing not living together and being next to him each night. So many options, yet none of them seem perfect.

What are you guys stressing about this week? For once, there are a few stresses in my life besides work. I guess that’s a good thing, it gives you the ability to check yourself before you wreck yourself, eh?! But hey, this time last year I was basically pissing myself with stress trying to graduate college. Oh how life was so much simpler then; and I didn’t even know it!

PS: Anyone else obsessed with Twitter?! I sure am!

I promise I’ll have some posts with substance soon.

I found this really cool How To Wiki site that really has some great tips on how to do different tasks in life. From really humorous topics, to really serious ones, the site can be pretty helpful!

The first article that caught my eye was How To Save Money. Here is what the author(s) suggest:

• Set savings goals
• Establish a time frame for such goals
• Figure out how you’ll have to save per week, per paycheck, or per month to reach your goal
• Track expenses! If you can’t keep your checkbook in order it will be hard to save money. Use different tools like Excel, websites like PearBudget, or ClearCheckBook.
  
• In order to track your expenses, you’ll need to get into the habit of saving your receipts! Keep a spot in your wallet/clutch/purse specifically for receipts as well as a spot on your desk to add up and use when balancing your bank.
• Trim your expenses. Are there ways you can save money? Not eat out as much? Consolidate your debt? PearBudget’s Excel spreadsheet is AMAZING at having specific categories for your expenses
• Stop using credit cards! I know this is sooo hard and sometimes you don’t have a choice. BUT be sure that every SINGLE new transaction you add to your card, you can pay with either your next paycheck or the money already in the bank.
  
• Have your savings account separate from your checking account. Your expenses should not be coming from your savings (unless an absolute emergency, like today when I just could not wait any longer for new tires!)
• Pay yourself before your frivolous spending. Commit to putting a certain amount of money ($$ or %) in savings each paycheck, each month, or each week. In my 101 in 1001 post, one of the tasks is to save $1/day and depositing $7/week into savings. I’ve yet to do that, but I plan to catch up for each day of the year so far when we get Greg’s tax returns.
  
• We all love shopping, so when you go leave your debt/credit cards at home and take out your already budgeted shopping money with you.
  

Other Wiki How To’s that I thought are totally cool are: How to Save Money on Food, Shape Your Eyebrows, & Increase Your Metabolism.

Hollow-Star.net recently posted about debt & credit cards. This reminded me of the wonderful tools I’ve come across on the wonderful inter-web.

A little back-story first. This is my second go-around at credit card debt. Now, to add on top of that, I have student loans to pay. *sigh* It’s so hard not to splurge when this country has been raised to consume more than we actually have an appetite for.

When I was 18, I worked at Sears… I had both the Sears card and the Sears Mastercard. I also had three other credit cards. By the time I made it to college, only three months later, they were all maxed out! Oh my… what a great stress to deal with. So, I paid them off (about $5000) with my student loan money I received my sophomore year. It was pretty stress free, since I wasn’t actually working for the money - even if I was working for my main income.

So, a year goes by and my credit improves and I apply for a small credit line with Chase. I kept it under control for about 6 months then all of a sudden all these credit offers start pouring in. I figured since I kept my Chase card under control, I’d be fine with another… you know “just in case”.

I FINALLY just paid off my second card, through collections mind you. That’s three years after the fact. *slaps head* and when taxes get here, I’ll finally pay off my chase card. Yes, the card that originally only had a $200 limit… I have over $1k in FEES. So ridiculous.

I currently have ONE card that is active that I use for gas, and gas only. I purchase the gas, and three days later call and make a payment with my checking account. Really only to build my credit back up because I’m at the VERY bottom of the totem pole.

If you can avoid it, stay away from cards. $2k will be easier than the $5-6 my boyfriend and I accumulated in the past two years. I’ve been dealing with “debt” for a good 4 years straight now. My credit sucks, I can’t buy a car, I can’t be added to the mortgage when my boyfriend and I buy a house… it’ll be years before it’s back to normal - if ever. PLEASE take my advice if you can and use the tools I’m about to mention!

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PearBudget.com has been a great tool. It offers a pre-made budget excel spreadsheet that allows you to track (through receipts, always keep your receipts!!) how much you spend on what - which you can determine. Give yourself a few hours to learn the programed cells, it’s very intricate and very detailed. I use this spreadsheet to look back on the month and say “Okay, I spent X amount on gas/dining out/work expenses this month” and try to budget a lesser amount for the next month. It’s worked splendid so far.

I also created my own spreadsheet that I actually use to layout what bills are due on which dates, how much the bill is, and if there is a remaining balance - such as credit cards. I also use this spreadsheet to balance my checkbook. I forget to write things down, and I’m always on this damn machine, so why not do it all at once? This tool helps me not overdraft, and it helps me keep track of when bills are do. I can also determine which paycheck will pay which bills so I know if I have to stretch my money further in time.

What resources do you use to budget your money?