woensdag 27 april 2011

Roommates?

Roommates expires. OK, I know I said that before … but this time I mean it?

Well, my husband and I thought that they would move out. The closed escrow on March 3rd. everyone right? You own a home. You move into it.

Or not.

My brother and his wife (our roommates) has decided to renovate the home before moving to – and there is no easy task either. They have moved the load-bearing walls, tore out of the kitchen altogether, moving a wall in the bedroom, removed furniture in master bathroom and removing floor coverings.

These things are important kinda has compiled back before you move.

So, we still have roommates.

Knowing the move sometime over the next 2-3 months doing with his rent check box quite easily.

I'm going to miss that the check box when it has passed * cough * I mean, I'll miss them when they are gone.

Posted by BEK's on April 11, 2010 at 5: 00 AM i making money | First comment»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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dinsdag 26 april 2011

My b a WOW Moment …

During the weekend celebrated my brother's 40th birthday by throwing a party in a suite at the Hard Rock Hotel in downtown San Diego. Between our family and his friends, the place was packed. The music was fantastic, the food was delicious and it should have been a good night. Should.

My sister and I were sitting on the edge of the Jacuzzi bathtub chatting away while enjoying the views over the city skyline. I do not know how it happened, but is covered by Bank of America raised. My sister recently financed a car by them and of course the "friendly," said her was she an idiot finance through them. "," Also said I would rather die than owe "these lives sucking *% @ #% & 's a shred of my future revenue."

My sister, who knows if my 18 months long battle with b of A, smiled an evil smile and egged me. "Why don't you stop paying them?"

"And further my relationship with the devil?!?! I will not sink so low these scum suckers! " I raged on.

She grinned, I know would explode in a 30 minute "show".

In the middle of my tirade, I happened to find someone interested in my "I hate b i A" speech. Rather than closing the mouth, I have ranted a few minutes longer to my sister and we moved to more interesting subjects such as gastritis, carrot cake and cancer.

My sister excused himself to use the toilet and the person that shows my tirade odd interest came up to me and said: "Hi, my name is Wade. It is my wife, Karen. I've known James for 20 years. And I work for Bank of America … in mortgage division. "

I said ' Hello, my name is Rebekah. It is my husband Chris. James is my brother. And I like to put my foot in my mouth. "

Wade is a laid back guy, but it is a little difficult to return from my assertion that all b IA employees is "horrible scum suckers." He tried to explain that (b) in subparagraph (a) do the best they can do and lose the client forms are commonplace. He encouraged me to try and wished me a good night.

Losing shapes are common? Try again?

The statement of objections. Sorry to my brother. Sorry to Wade – a non-scum sucker.

But I hate still Bank of America.

Posted by BEK's on February 22, 2010 at 5: 00 PM in the making home affordable Program, money & relationships | 16 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Instead of surfing in these days of training

Right now is not yet the day light and I sit here in your workout gear to do so can I get outside and do my morning sun expects to walk/jog/workout. Since I registered my 12wbt Michelle Bridges on the morning of time on the Internet has replaced the morning workout. This is the case, and it forces me to help me give my time to the weight of the net surfing much is likely to be a good thing. There is a Much Nicer instead of reading about this in the life of other peoples lives. So that why I have not been around as much recently.

In the economic field, we support the work of the applicants for our paper to refinance at the end of the week. The biggest thing that happens. We have decided to hold the auto-Fund, and shall apply to all credit card again at the same time, we are waiting for you when you refinance, text, for example, you use the cards they see on a regular basis for the payment of unused quantities. I have spent much less Food shopping just this week, because we are healthier, and what is Kumakain brilliant doing weight loss program is a menu-plans are all worked out for me! The recipes chosen just before going to the shops.

The Sun just appear and I'm off to walk/jog/shuffle my way round the neighbourhood policy prior to the start of work.


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Grass cutting: Murphy to pay a visit.

We have a large yard and garden, that the poor are some of the hard work. Yesterday DH went to cut the grass and our grass-cutter does not start. He took apart and tried all sorts of things, but it seems that only 24 years to be replaced by the wings, it is deemed a good Life. It would cost to repair it.

The DH had all ready to Run out to Bunnings and bring home new. As he leads the front door I reminded him, he can use a credit card and money out of the grass cutter, in the event of an emergency fund for the setting in the Startup dialog box won't appear until you have all the options will be examined. So he bought a home lawn trimmers in world market prices and we will also get some quotes this week that someone cut the grass. Then we decide what we will do our best.

The two neighbors in the street to use the service, is done mowing. It is at a lower cost than other jobs, when they close, and in winter it is not necessary to cut every week.  Our yard and gardens is a lot of clean-up and replanting work. It adds much value when you sell the House, if we can get it to look good, so I ask, what they charge for this as well as the gardens.

It may be that someone is cheaper for us to Do in the long term, such as the DH and I both have injuries, which slows down the work of the us in the Garden. We'll see how much of the quotation marks are.


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maandag 25 april 2011

I thought I bought a foreclosed property, but in fact I bought a worthless piece of paper!

I Thought I Bought A Foreclosed Property, but In Fact I Bought a Worthless Piece of Paper!As you, can imagine a judicial foreclosure epidemic with the nation in the grip, banks are very anxious, mortgages gone bad unloaded. She will do, whatever is legal, what can they from a foreclosed home. Do what is ethical? Irrelevant!

Take for example the beach family in California. They took from their home Paidoff in addition to $98.000 and bought, what they thought was a foreclosed property at auction courthouse. In fact, they bought a second mortgage-a useless piece of paper - and remained with virtually no refuge.

The strands were clever enough to to get the media involved, which of course to the Bank suddenly openness to negotiating a settlement led.

Click here to read the full story. It is a good read.

Fore some good tips for buying a foreclosed home, please visit this page. Labels: foreclosure, Foreclosure_auction, second_mortgage



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Batteries in the freezer: no good idea

batteries in the freezer: not a good idea!Witness who birth was my only daughter, as you can imagine, a very moving experience. My daughter shot from her mother like a rocket, so fast that the obstetrician had to catch it like a football. I was so happy, proud, excited and father grateful healthy baby girl.

In anticipation of the big day, I bought had a very nice digital camera: Fuji FinePix S602Z. I've been this happy since the first day.

Imagine, if it works no longer my disappointment a few months.

I took on that it works because I it too long had left some batteries, and the caustic ooze that some leaks from the decaying cells no longer ruined critical components.

I the camera adjusted solutions as well as I could with cotton swabs and cleaning, which would not damage the camera. Despite my efforts, I was able to give the camera back to life.

I was there for a few weeks, and made send plans to the camera back to Fuji together with a declaration to the expression comes my dissatisfaction with the reliability of the camera. Before a cleaning do, try I decided once again. This time I used a small screwdriver to scrape off hardened materials, could cause the problems in the battery compartment.

Bingo! The camera was back! SOOOOO happy.

I disposed of the old batteries, and went to my freezer to get new.

I was shocked to find that the batteries had I in the refrigerator were all rust and fall apart (see the photo, that, which I clicked above.)

Seems, that in trying to get my batteries, I ended up destroying and waste money! And worse, I ruined almost an expensive digital camera. The theory of the placement was batteries in the refrigerator sound, in my opinion, but in practice, I think the cold has a detrimental effect on power cells. Labels: Batteries



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Names and Debt …

My husband has a very common first name. Along with their common surname, it is quite easy to confuse him with other persons on paper. Over the last year, it started to cause problems.

I have mentioned earlier, there is a person with my husband's name who have terrible credit and collections on multiple accounts. We live in less than 15 miles from each other.

Lazy collections firms undertake searches based on names and last names and proximity to the last known address resulting in …

My husband to get a wide collection of calls recently.

He has to call each one, straighten the confusion and ask them to stop calling. Some do. Others do not. But when one stops, another starts.

I thought we were the only ones affected by this annoying problem until I shared my displeasure with my dentist. She laughed and said she and her husband had the same problem – they had to fight a lien against their home!

Based on pure annoyance and time spent in the fight against this endless struggle, we have decided to name our child 457983. In this way our kid don't have annoying collections calls that do not belong. Sure, they must fight through primary school, but they'll thank me later.

Is it just us? Or do you have the same problem?

Posted by BEK's 22 March 2011 at 5: 00 AM in credit reports/FICO, the life experiences | 30 Comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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zondag 24 april 2011

A freezer full of meat: Food protection gone wrong

A Freezer Full of MeatSo, I made a good life, two years ago, when I camp decided to on some steaks. I own a large freezer and I had plenty of room in there. The cuts I like (shoulder, Porterhouse, rib-eye steak, and so on) would go every two weeks in my local supermarket in the sale, and if I would find a sale of cuts, which I like, I would to anything you buy. Would some days they have so much supply, that I end up with a shopping cart of high with meat stacked. Yes, I have a lot of funny looks.

I thought, I was damn smart. It was hedge diet. I was now, buy quality meat for a very reasonable price, so I it a year or longer later enjoy could, if the costs at some point, would be almost certainly higher.

My plan, but was on me. These days, I eat only rarely red meat. I lost it slowly, and for some strange reason my desire. I still like chicken, Turkey, fish and pork, but the delicious love story that I had with red meat, a food item I thought I would never tired, is no longer.

So, now I find myself trying to limit the waste and financial loss as best I can. I gave away some last summer to friends and neighbors who like to grill. I sold some to a close friend of me $0.50 on the dollar for a series of frozen packages numbers (they like to their German Shepherd only the best feed.) agreed in the other I'm not sure what to do is. I will soon be moved to, and the meat will not likely survive the relocation.

Anyone need some old, but still very pink meat? Labels: Food, frugality, security, hoarding, meat, steak



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Add the snowballs!

I've been flat out since I got back and finally got to the round will be reviewed in the light of the numbers of the March. We are still spending too much Food to buy, so I'm task this month for our food and the reduction of the expenditure. I'm going to buy all coffee/lunch packages when I am on the road this month.  I packed lunch and take a thermos instead. Only it seems to me obsessed to get rid of this debt-to-the minute, all things!

I had the opportunity to pay the extra $ 500 off payday debt this week and if all goes to plan I hope to snowball, a total of $ 3000 + This month. That takes me close to the first credit card-Citibank-paid off and I'm going to kill it completely in April.

I've been listening to Dave Ramsey, and keep me motivated and debt follow-up reports on the FPU class. It helps keep me focused. I only left the debt!


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The art of complaints

The Art of ComplainingMy husband and I volunteer as a host family for a Russian student at our University. About spring break Masha went to see her mother and spent a day and a half in Chicago O'Hare International Airport because their flight was late, they cause their connection to miss.

Masha and I had lunch after their journey, and she told me about their martyrdom while awake 18 hours straight, going counter counter is from flights, was not sleeping and not even to study the luxury with.

"You must write a letter," I told her.

"I no idea how to do," said Masha.

Their dilemma was rooted not only in a cultural difference, but a new generation. With the technological simple E-mail and instant messaging have many people today simply not know how to write a good old-fashioned letter of complaint. However, I have found that, even in the electronic age, a hard copy letter with several CCs, an all power has its own.

As we sat, half wait for our dinner I trade a draft, United Airlines, which began with "Love customer representative." We told her story in detail, including a poignant line, "my American friends couldn't believe that I not even airport vouchers for a Cinnabon purchase get."

Like me letter Masha advised a hardcopy to United, CCing any official entity which could think they, including the Russian Embassy.

Two weeks later she received a letter apology and a voucher for $150 on their next flight.
When I enter middle ages, I discovered that it was actually an art and effectiveness to the complaint. And there are rules.

You look first to the right person which complain. If you had a problem with Wal-Mart of employee, complains but not to this person, this person Manager. Not you shy away from questions, for a supervisor. If I was difficult to negotiate, to a late fee with discover delete the representative who was phone said there nothing I could do. I asked for his Manager. As a result I could never, on account as long-term customers, above, at the end had not only receive a refund on the late fee but also my promotion rate have restored.

Secondly, make sure that you evidence your complaints-have a defective product, input or witnesses.

Thirdly, you follow the old aphorism that honey is more effective than vinegar. Not screaming you, and have a Hissy fit-in particular, if you're a woman like you be be as hysterical instead of right violated. Try to keep to the facts as far as possible, but not shy away from honest and sane vocation, such as insert, "I have shop have all been here my life and never saw such a poor customer service." "As a long-time and loyal customer, I am disappointed in your treatment."

Finally, appeasement hit before a reasonable and acceptable. When my husband and I literally of a Wal-Mart employees when buying an iPhone were chastised, I complained to the Manager and told him that I am happy with a case for our problems deluxe phone. We went home with the case.

Last week I bought a Roomba from KMart. When I bought it, the clerk asked if I wanted the three year warranty, which I declined. When I got home, I discovered that the Roomba were used. I again immediately it KMart for a replacement. While at the service desk, comp I asked the Secretary when KMart would be willing to me the guarantee for the inconvenience. You called her manager, and it was made. I went from the store, as consumers happy and well balanced.

If you believe in business transaction you did wrong were have, not your tongue bite, but respond in a reasoned and respectful manner. You will be surprised by the results. Labels: Doles, complaints, Consumer_rights, Durgagi, KMart, Letter_writing, United_Airlines, Wal-Mart



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zaterdag 23 april 2011

April Bump Update …

It is time for the monthly Bump Update …

3 March:

Sonogram pics could not something clearer-it is a boy. Discovering this information, I think I am much less cautious with my food choices. When I thought it was a girl, I ate fruit and planted. Baby boy may now fruits and veggies … and spicy jalapeño burgers. It is a boy. He can take it like a man.

4 March:

I inform baby boy who wake up hours between 6 a.m. and 9: 00 a.m., not 9: 00 p.m. to 06: 00 Baby spends the next 24 hours kicking incessantly proves its full control over the situation.

7 March:

My husband said I am the least emotional pregnant person he ever met … when I raised him to the floor, blocked him until he could not breathe, and demanded he says it.

10 March:

I thought my mother with a baby would finally stop asking me to have one – and she did.

She asks now only when I plan to have another.

15 March:

Considered writing a press release:

Dear mothers (and you know what you are): you are not in a competition for the gold metal in the world's most difficult pregnancy. I am sorry your pregnancy/delivery/husband was appalling. My, have so far been pretty cool and I want to live in my dream world, the rest will be the same. Do not feel the need to share the same stories over ... and over ... again and again. I wanted to hear the first time.

19 March:

The week before every doctors appointment, I bump up my usual workout routine with slightly longer walking or exercise a little further each day. Every time I see a nurse with her Clipboard, standing near the scale, I think I weigh for the biggest Loser … in reverse.

24 March:

Concerned that almost 6 months, I still don't need maternity clothes. Is this baby also growing?

25 March:

Suddenly need maternity clothes. Belly popped as a Turkey timer.

Posted by BEK's 7 April 2011 at 5: 00 AM in:), about me | 8 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Seriously?!?!?

I swore I would never talk about the stupid making home affordable bluff * cough * I mean, the application again as it has been a nightmare and we have given up hope of everyone but they called me last night. They wanted to, I know my file had been driven to the supervisor and is currently under review.

No, I am not going to get my hopes up, and no, I will not spend hours chasing paperwork, they will lose again and again, but I guess we'll see what happens?

Weird.

Posted by BEK's 15 March 2011 at 5: 00 AM home ownership, making home affordable Program | 6 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Sort of "stuff".

Preparation of the layoffs will continue! I have spent all day yesterday, the sales of the listing, and more ' stuff ' that we no longer want or need to sort. Can I get the things that could be used to pay a little money, but I do not really flea market easily. So, if I may decide, on the basis of a list of eBay: "; See what I can find second hand store or other ways to get money from them. It is difficult, because I really do not know the value, so I do not want to be copied. Things are, inter alia, the
stamp collectionsbadge collectionscollectible booksold chinalots and paintingsgood the image of the English framesantique clothesold gramaphoneold music from old ornaments, I am down, moving, that are going to take me a little longer to deal with the etcSo. The document that you've been thinking of is the furniture. Our home has a large 4 bedroom home with the two mentioned, and, on the one hand, and the office. We only need enough furniture for 2-3 bedroom house with so much it has to go. I am also the father of the furniture here as well. I made an inventory of furniture pieces, we have: 1 Queen double bed1 bed2 one beds2 lounge suites (3 lounges and 2 armchairs) 2 dining tables and chairs (1 x 8 seater; 1 x 4-seater) 2, computer desks1, a large wooden desk2 sideboards2 bookcases2 Office chairs4 the wooden bedside lamps tables2 less drawers1 aquarium1 treadmill1 bookcases2 cheststhe use of the gym1, for a total of bike3 coffee table2x tables1 to 4 drawer for sewing cabinets2x2 application cabinetsv application to the mailbox. large 3 mailbox Laundry cupboard and 1 wardrobe2 Pianos are planning on moving my children, because this year, but they are not good, taking much of the furniture with them. It will feel good about this move. The more I get rid of now, the less I need to be compressed. But I need to provide enough to also keep the House well for sales (hopefully, 12 months). I feel like things are coming together, though. I know what you want to keep and do not care about the furniture.

As more space, then delete to facilitate us to paint and renovate.  We sell ' stuff ' in the money will go to pay off the debt. OK, better get back to it!

Check out the comedy clip about "stuff":
"all in the House is that it covers, pile of stuff" George Carlin


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vrijdag 22 april 2011

(B) of a fight ends … now

I called the b of a in today to check the status of our application for making home affordable program. After passed 7 times, I finally was moved to someone who knew what they were talking about (very few and very far between). He looked through my program and told me about my tax information to 2009 was not in my file.

"I stare at an exact copy of the information I sent. Treasures 2009 was there. " I replied.

"Well mam, I can only tell you what I see," he said, annoyed. "Even the pay cheque stubs you sent was from September. It is too old. "

"It is because I submitted the application in SEPTEMBER. They were current when I sent them ", I said angrily.

"No customer service will accept the old municipality and missing information on the tax. You will need to send anything, "he said coolly.

"Spend hours collecting and packaging information, only to have you lose it and try for three months?" I asked.

"Looks that way, not the" he replied.

I get it.

Finally, I get it.

I understand why people get so fed up, they walk away. I get why they dismember their homes when they leave. I get why our neighbour his house on fire when he was forced to leave. I get why there is so much anger.

We started this process a year and a half ago and I am still stuck at square one.

I must admit, I picked up the phone immediately after again down at Bank of America and dialed our bank. I had plans to end our mortgage checking account just to get attention for this terrible, terrible bank. Miss a payment? Or two? Or ten? Yes, perhaps they would actually get a hint that the fight has just begun, and now I'm ready to play dirty.

About 20 seconds to listen on a particular bad rendition of a Yanni vocals, Hung I.

Who's kidding? As much as I dislike them and wish ill on them as a company, I refuse to change who I am. They may be the largest group of course dirty liar, but I am not.

Thank you to Bank of America to make me miserable. Thanks for reminding me that I cannot stand that under his thumb. Thanks for inspiring me debt free including loan because every minute with you in my life is too long.

Posted by BEK's 31 January 2011 at 5: 00 AM home ownership, making home affordable Program | 23 Comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Catching Up …

I wrote a few posts over the past few months, and even if they are not liabilities related (well, most of them anyway), I thought I would share. No, don't be a baby blog. But be generous. Give me today and I promise I'll remain silent about this. If anything, I hope you can smile at my misery.

10 November:

It was an extra in a Pink line pregnancy test this morning.

I woke up my husband who said, "I do not think that there is a positive," and goes back to sleep.

14 November:

Tried again. Definitely positive.

Took a picture with my cell phone and texted to my husband says, "HA! I told you! "

Not just the romantic moment I expected.

25 November:

Today is first day morning sickness hit … and when I say "hit", I mean "knocked me off my feet, can not even think of food at any time this century". Let my children to communicate on Thanksgiving.

My husband, after hearing that the lack of morning sickness might result in a miscarriage in the future, said: "I am so happy that you are ill."

I hit not him … but it was only because I lie on the floor with a cold Terry towel over my forehead and unable to reach.

7 December:

At 2: 00 a.m., I have an argument with the child. I do not require that sick between 8: 00 p.m. hours and 08: 00.

Children think it is wonderful.

I wake my husband. If I am miserable, he will be miserable.

20 December:

Sank off a pair of pants to the shortened changes. The cashier told me that they would be ready next week. "But they don't fit next week!" I whined. She looked at me confused. "Uh. Christmas mass. "I muttered, apologized and walked out.

24 December:

Tell my husband's family if the child. There is a solid 3 minutes shocked silence.

December 25:

Tell my family about the child. No one believes me.

I am beginning to see a theme here.

My mother asks how Chris reacted when he found out. I made up a story about how we both cried for joy and embraced. God forbid she finds out it was via text in an ' I told you ".

6th January:

Still in salary negotiations for the new position at work. I do not want to come to the table with "disabilities" so I do not mention "baby" the whole thing. Three months, I don't see at all. I cross my fingers that my ab muscles will keep tight at least 3 more weeks … maybe 5.

1 Feb:

The promotion is in your bag so I can share the news!

Posted by BEK's on 7 February 2010 at 5: 00 AM in:), about me | 13 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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donderdag 21 april 2011

Populated from: the truth about debt in America

I saw before recently maxed out, a documentary about the dark secrets of America's banking sector. If you read this blog, you probably already know that debt is bad... but you have probably have no idea how bad it is.

Maxed out focuses on banks and financial institutions, which less than worthy of credit, lend money to people, to know they can not or will pay not their bills. These credit card companies and banks make up the majority of their profits from the late fees, over the limit fees and high interest rates, the for people, the behind on their payments are free of charge.

The documentary covers the shady (and possibly illegal) practices of some of the largest banks of the country, young as she and prey on the poor. Type of credit cards, college kids with no income to ruthless collection agencies, which use scare tactics, the people on their numbers past due debts before food on the table, maxed out is from a mobile, you seriously in question our casual use of debt in this country.

Maxed out is a moving and informative documentary, you think of the banking industry (and Government) is quite different.


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New York Times "Debt trap" interactive

Came across a "debt trap interactive" on the website of the New York Times, and fell in. It is very well done. It was made taken us in July 2008, just before the global banking crisis that in this great recession. But it is still relevant. I compared my debts to others in the United States and was not satisfied with my ranking. Many Americans are doing much better than I'm - and God bless her. Study of the numbers has helped me to realize that I really to ignore the need for the platitudes, mean the friends and related have at me in the last few months, and my ass in gear.

I guess time to a second job. It is very hard, as the labour market is still crap, and I love what I do. But I need much more money, and employment opportunities start increasingly appears. It is a new Casino opening about a 10 minute drive from my place. Many positions need filling. I would no job security-with benefits, natürlich-, however, where I could get way with many reading on the job done. That would be sweet. I've been learning a great time of economy these days, a topic, I was at school due to all to avoid, but now really love mathematics. Real economy is very interesting, and every time, when I learn something relating to economy, I feel much smarter than before I, that particular nugget of knowledge belongs. Viva economy!

To the NYT debt interactive to browse trap, click here. Enjoy! Labels: Debt_trap, new_york_times



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Reverse mortgages: look before you to go in reverse

Reverse MortgageA phrase has densely until the blogosphere was late plug into columns of financial loans and mortgages. I'm talking of course about reverse mortgages, home equity systems or equity release systems. This home mortgage products enable homeowners mature, tilt from properties to the balance of equity in their paid and enjoy spending cash, continued income and the good life, as long as their mortality remains. Sounds great, right? Reasonable equity guardian come the fruits of their work. Right?

However, these are the same consumers home loans borrowers who claimed to get wave to the victim by the refinancing. As a real estate financier and an escrow processor I have my fair share of these "lenders and borrowers confused uneasy eagerly come in forms, which they hardly stopped to check before it as soon as possible to sign the documents." There were no signs of the mortgage finance "Victims", which would later appear, those who say that the conditions of their loans be hornswoggled. The potential borrower have the reverse financing formulas that same aura.

2008-2009 Saved many of these borrowers are hardly out of the large mortgage debacle. The media was full of displaced seniors and heads of households in dismay over their needs looking forward. The keyword of the ruckus caused was "Family."

Most of the people that challenge as their mortgages were issued standard wines had a funny response between their stories. People with 17-inch wheels in the driveway were crying poor to rein in the conspicuous consumerism, which clearly demonstrated their inability or lack of desire (or both) to expenditure after years. No one seemed to look at how these people actually move as their credit margins on the left side of Red lived. But if the home mortgage applications were submitted, the story was much different.

I settled and closed escrows where were surprised wide eyed borrowers to discover that they had connected child care and maintenance payments to their addresses. I saw Hotel doormen claims $45 K in declared income of undeclared work tips properties in the value of $650,000 or more receive. People with very limited education style fresh county recorder stamp marked "sold". And escrow agent make millions came from the high and eyes their files restless as if rabid Wölfe--the Department of the Konzerne--jump may be out to consume it at any time.

Years later, this documentary chickens came roost. People who had convinced them she "good deeds" indeed had not the paperwork won lottery but crashed and burned in hell stated-income.

I processed refinancing mortgages for people living in swanky hotels and celebrity divorce, a payday was that no matter how came out the paperwork. I saw barely read and write Latina women hug babies, show how shot her eyes from all corners of the room to scribble their illegible $800,000 worth of documents name to. These people were not life on a budget, or by using the two years period of adjustment to the preparation of rigid mortgage payments. Looking for free cash on Uncle Sam.

Today we sit in one of the worst slumps in history, thanks largely to a tidal wave of cash greedy borrowers to turn their mortgages as piggy banks get insights manicure, holiday and buy new gas-guzzling cars. Jobs are thin, foreign imports rule starting markets and many Americans figure out that when the Decade is done, they can with much less wealth than they expected at the end. Hungry banks, anxious, which have heyday of quoted dances to intoxicating RAFFI, limbo with home mortgage rates, call back the reverse mortgage to consumer thirst for irresponsible spending slake invented.

As someone who used to work in the escrow, I saw applications cross my desk a lot of refinancing. These people called hourly on the hour to questions, if their money would be ready. And they still get credit cards and maxed them out. I think reverse mortgages are set same dynamics back into place, but when the final round of the mortgage loan jeopardy this time the Fed will make sucking sounds. Labels: Deal with pitfalls, conditions, reverse mortgage



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woensdag 20 april 2011

Social security and prudent financial planning: Friends or enemies?

August 14, 2010 marks the 75th anniversary of social security, and has since then strongly national political debate on the future of concentrated. Democrats would like to paint sole master of the working class and middle class themselves as that of opposing reform of social security and reviling Republicans, which even suggest that seniors earn the largest income not benefit possible. Republicans are digging their heels in facts and figures related to the fiscal folly a Government-controlled Ponzi scheme doomed. Paul Krugman inflammatory column in the New York Times call conservative concern for the future of social security "Nonsense" has been fueled even more heated debate in the blogosphere and social networking sites. Everyone is concerned about social security in this Tagen.Debthelp.TV in 2009 as an SSA press release revealed that "program costs tax revenues exceeded in 2016", and 'the combined assets of the old-age and survivors and disability be overrun insurance (OASDI) trust 2037'. The current debate is about what really these figures mean and whether Americans social security, stable and reliable or status should be on a crisis.Unfortunately only a few economists and financial analysts make mention of the fact that a heavy dependence on benefits social security not prudent financial planning, regardless of the stability of Programms.Der National Academy of the social security published a short in the May 2007 confirmed that American pensioners are received no adequate income replacement, if they depend on social security for a living. According to NASI pensioners replace 70-80% of their income, must maintain their quality of life, but benefits social security replace only about 40%. Furthermore, most American pensioners depend on social security for at least 66% their income retirement with SS benefits accounting for 80% of seniors in the lowest wages make bracket. All pension fund deposit, that less than half of the income of pre-retirement benefits replaced supplemental should no primary source of income! Still, Washington is consumed with taking sides in the issue of the reform instead of educating the public as more secure invest their retirement by sound to do addition savings, debt reduction and entrepreneurship or other income. Financial literacy is the real problem here, and too many Americans are so employed on and subject to social security, that they miss the truth about how well these services actually pensioners cannot cope with.In an article about social security I propose the following: "It is not the responsibility of Government to take care of me at my age..."This is my job. Learned all the wisdom we from our predecessors made been - thrown the window we need to humble and including our means life, so that we can save for a rainy day. We have no more prudent for us, because we no longer believe that the dynamics of life can swing the pendulum to the unfavourable financial stability page. "Americans think that employers, politicians and institutions of different types exist to them not for a particular purpose are used within a limited range care."Whose mission is to plan your financial future, and how much should someone leave on Government to secure their income replacement? No matter how you crunch the numbers, replace income is hard work, and it would be the mind of elected officials, not wise such a crucial function in the retirement be transferred, whether you or not do. Labels: I_C_Jackson, Personal_finance, social_security

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Cough Cough ... Mandatory sick days?

My co-workers came into work one month ago with a nasty flu. When we asked her why she was there, she said she had burned through their holiday at weekends and could not afford to take time.

We tried our best to defend ourselves from her cough, sneeze, and repeated by lots of hand washing and spraying Lysol, but one by one, you saw the whole Department, accompanied the RDR … followed by the surrounding two compartments within two weeks.

Despite my best efforts to protect myself as Rene Russo in "Outbreak", I was overridden by the error, and was on the couch during the three days begging my husband to take me to the ER because death was imminent.

I can be a bit dramatic when I am ill.

One of my coworkers has a husband who is undergoing cancer treatment and his immune system is weak. When she came to the final virus, she had to wear a mask in his home, sleeping in a separate bedroom and use various bathroom in order to protect her husband.

California is working to pass legislation forcing companies to provide between 5 and 9 sick days per year to their employees. Studies show that employees cannot afford time outside and getting work, spreading the flu.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think my company is to blame for the fact that I am in my sofa praying I don't get pneumonia … again, but I wonder if this law would make a difference.

Again, I am not a fan of Government's involvement in something so I have mixed feelings.

What do you think? Should States mandate sick time so fjärrkontrollfunktion me end get sick from infectious employees?

Posted by BEK's 1 March 2011 at 5: 00 PM in work | 32 Comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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I guess why they call it in the event of an emergency fund that!

Thank goodness for emergency resources! On Monday, had not long arrived at work (after about two hours of travel) When the emergency call was interrupted. It was the one to the Almighty, the father had taken a serious turn, and the worst, the calls is not responsible for, and yet I want to be treated in the same way as only a nice or the purpose of the shipment was in hospital.

You know it is gonna come one day, but it still takes some kind of breathing as soon as this happens. I said, only if you want to keep him in pain free, keep him in the hospital, and that I was on the way.

I had to drive back to the Central Office, without knowing how long the bag or what may happen, but prepare for the worst of himself and then drive another four hours. It was too late in the evening when we arrived.

I believe that my father has nine lives! He was than cooperative when they phoned hardly pulse, and extremely low blood pressure, difficult to hear. According to the time we arrived, he had improved slightly, but was still very pale and unwell. During the next few days he has improved and he is still very frail and unwell, he started eating and drinking again. He has been able to provide me with a smile:)

So, it seems that it is not his time right now.

You have just received the title of the home page, and I, and back to work on Monday. I was so happy that the emergency fund! Could not transfer it to my account and the ING does not have to rely on credit cards. I just withdrew the entire $ 1000 as en how long we should be sure to have in the past.

This is our emergency expenses:

Rent a car: $ 270
Accommodation: EUR 160
Gasoline: $ 93
Food, etc: $ 148
Total: $ 671

DD & DS had some grocery shopping when we were gone: $ 140


Grocery shopping this month: $ 459


Good news for the improvement of the Dads, but for how long I do not know. Do I need to supplement Emergency Fund again before I can do more in debt to the monitoring reports. The good news is that you can get low balance in some of the debt, know more, but tomorrow.

The other good thing was that we have reached the home page and you are completely satisfied just flour and refrigerator, do not need to purchase the takeaway this evening. As soon I eat I am off to sleep soundly in your comfy bed.


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dinsdag 19 april 2011

Great news…

Our finances have taken another crazy turn. Remember when I said that we would pay all of the early/mid 2011?

It was before the 10th of November.

What's changed on 10 November?

We found out my July 2011 hospital stay …

To have our first child.

I am so sorry not to have told before. I wanted to wait until the promotion/raise was replaced. The last thing I wanted to be hanging over my head at the negotiating table was my upcoming short term disability. Then after the promotion did not want to say "Hey, thanks for the encouragement. Can we talk about temps now? The reason that I am preggo. "

So how will this change things for our debt? We have decided to pay regular payments in December and January, but after that, we are pushing the pause button on our debt reduction and stashing cash.

When the child is born, we hope to have enough left over to pay a large payment and kill our remaining debt.

How does the blog? The most important part, I'll continue to work to reduce spending, save money and smile while I have a counter that has the amount of our savings. Our debt will stay relatively stagnant but our savings will grow in leaps and bounds.

I hope you will like to read the trip. The next five or so months will be an interesting journey.

I am sooooooo much excited.

Posted by BEK's on 4 February 2010 at 5: 00 AM in:), about me | 67 Comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Urban Sharecropping …

I read about a crazy new trend called "Urban Sharecropping" for a few months ago. Urban Sharecropping is, "homeowners who do not have free time or gardening skills teaming up with aspiring farmers with no backyards. Around the country, new crops of the match-maker is to help the two groups find each other and to take measures that allow both sides to share resources and grow their own food, "according to the Wall Street Journal.

I thought it sounded like a good way to develop my big backyard. I am looking for a farmers need space and graciously offer my back yard.

The Problem?

Lots of people in San Diego have large yards and we're not known for our plethora of farmers – not those who cultivate legal crops yet.

I checked out the Urban Garden share, your website is recommended in the Wall Street Journal article, but unfortunately, the nearest town with lists are in Washington. The daily commuting needs watering can be a touch too long.

I found another article with more useful links and said, "Garden-share remains relatively new but there are signs that it is more traditional. City of Santa Monica filed recently a municipal garden-share location in an attempt to mitigate its 200-person long wait list for community gardens. "I don't know why every city did not implement something like this," Botsman told me. "It is a rather simple. It is cheap and you can add any existing social network. ""

County of San Diego? No dice. Especially in my area in the city where most of the yards is a half an acre.

I might not have found my solution but maybe you can get a farmer or a plot of land, in the spring.

Best of luck!

Posted by BEK's 8 March 2011 at 5: 00 PM in free software, home ownership | 4 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Shopping of Habit ...

I have liked new sofas for a couple of years but, we decided to reduce our debt, save for the couches were put on the backburner. Although I knew that we would buy them, determines each week I look at the Sunday furniture ads and gaze adoringly at beautiful sofa.

A month ago or so, we got a great set of couches in exchange for some manual work, yet …

I caught myself looking at furniture ads in this Sunday paper.

I love our couches. I do not want new ones … so why I watch the advertising?

It has me thinking, how much of our shopping/spending patterns is permanent?

I'm just a crazy type a personality with deep-seated habits? Or find yourself doing the same thing?

Posted by BEK's 1 February 2011 at 5: 00 AM in general personal finance | 7 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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maandag 18 april 2011

Fast Food: Hamburgers at home!

Last night we had Home made hamburgers. They tasted so much better than we can buy the companies! I bought a bag, bread rolls and salad for $ 2,99 $ 1.99.  I was already tomatos, carrots, mince beef and Red root at home. Of course, not of the installations as well as the beef patties to eat for lunch today. It is much more economical and faster than "fast" food trade.

It is really only a few we think ahead and begin to prepare the dinner on a daily basis, as soon as I walk to work. So what is a media player for dinner tonight? Spread the chicken breasts and veggies!  I am out on the road all day today so DD will present when he gets home. It should be ready to serve after the door is within walking distance!

So I have spent another $ 5 this week to bring the total of my grocery $ 119 March for an indefinite period of time.


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Need to Vent-Just one of those!

Yesterday at work had only one day went from bad to worse, the! I love my job, actually, 95% of n, and you have always thought that I continue to work for a long time I could as I get older. But yesterday, as the day draws attention to the fact that the workplace is no longer the policy of the stamina!

A simple way to escalate the situation that someone much younger and inexperienced decided that they knew more about how my work than I should do. They are not even qualified to work in the area. I've done this stuff for almost 30 years. Of course I'm right, I know that my work, I know that, in practice, people train to hell!  and I'm good for what to do. So this person jumped about four or five levels of management, and reporting to me has ended up at State level Manager!

Seriously, these people are clueless when it comes to professional courtesy and respect in their own organization's policies actually knowing. I am fairly can defend myself and to resolve the conflict, but it is just not how I want to spend time at work. I think that these persons are involved in the sale and the reason for the high income level.

I'm just too old and too tired for this kind of Crap.

I got home last night, I felt completely drained and enchanting. I had at the beginning of the sound, and migraine. Sielä only a few hours, and I have been up since 2 am, feeling like I got to know it too Hangover to return again today.  It was another reminder of how much less tolerance and how I am wise health fall to debt can make you feel. This work is needed because I have a lot of debt and it has a large income. Days such as today-just do not want to deal with this stuff longer.

All I want is to have a nice little debt free Center where you can grow your own Potter around the veggies, read, Sew, travel a little, sleep and do some work with young people.  To live within my means, simply, as the case may be. I realized last night that I finally ready to imagine in the future, that does not contain the job. Once again, it is really fired up for this situation in accordance with the MP and to save premature retirement. If it was up to me to pay all the rice and beans in the dark here, but the DH, live is not quite so hard that all I have.

So we will see what will work and you see today is only considered to be thought of as you like to stay at the hotel I pay another big payday in the debt snowball off. I have been a number of crunching again overnight, and you have started tracking my spending, expenditure diary, so I'm really saving money to be ruthless. Anyone else feeling too old and tired of Office politics work?

When is the right age to retire? When you have the power of the Almighty, go to work.

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An anniversary Wish …

I would like to take a moment to wish a happy wedding anniversary to my parents. 41 years ago today, my mom and Dad drove to Las Vegas and married on April Fool's Day.

My dad still insists he married my mother on April Fool's Day, so should he ever feel the need to call off what he could say he jokes.

Now you know where my common sense of humour comes from.

Thanks for the inspiration.

Posted by BEK's on 1 April 2010 at 5: 00 AM in:) | 9 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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zondag 17 april 2011

Tips to the sell stuff on Craigslist

Error in deserializing body of reply message for operation 'Translate'. The maximum string content length quota (8192) has been exceeded while reading XML data. This quota may be increased by changing the MaxStringContentLength property on the XmlDictionaryReaderQuotas object used when creating the XML reader. Line 1, position 8908.Tips On Selling Stuff On CraigslistI used to love selling stuff on eBay, but I lost my love for that site years ago. Selling via online auction on the Internet's # 1 auction site should be very efficient, but for me it's not.

First of all, the fees are too high. IMO, eBay used to be great for both eBay and best-sellers, but these days it's only a good deal for eBay. They dominate the market, so, of course, they're going to charge whatever the market will bear. For best-sellers, the economics of this can only work if you're selling big ticket items. Otherwise, it's almost always a waste of time. IMO, selling anything for less than $100 is tantamount to selling lemonade on the sidewalk in summer. Cute for while, and great for anyone who just wants to stay busy, but otherwise it's child's play.

So I'm very happy to report that I'm enjoying moderate success selling on Craigslist.

Craigslist is far more efficient than eBay. Not only do you not have to pay to list your items, but you also don't have to waste time running to the post office to ship your stuff. The lines at my local post office are furious more often than they're tame, and driving to another location would be a waste of fuel.

Moreover, when you sell on eBay, you're probably going to receive payment via PayPal. In my experience, more often than not, I've had to take yet another hair cut via PayPal's transaction fee. POO!

With Craig's, you list, you sell and the buyer comes to you with cash. Love it another thing I love: the buyer does not have to worry about shill bidding, something that every day still happens on eBay (the clever scammers know how to setup shills that are virtually impossible to detect.)

I have a few tips to share for listing on Craig's:

Include lots of detail in your post. The more detail you add, the more honest prospective buyers are going to feel that you are and honorable. If you can't remember the exact date when you bought your item, include a reasonable estimate, and make it clear that it is in fact your best guess.

So - and this may seem old fashioned - but I always include a "reason for selling" at the end on my posts.

Tell A story: If you can tell a story about your items, do it! Buyers will appreciate it selling that great bike pinched nerve because you developed a and can not cycle anymore? Tell them all about it selling that sowing machine because your ex moved out years ago and left it? Share those details! Buyers often like the idea of telling their friends and family the story behind their Craigslist purchases. Human nature.

Not a good idea, however, to post any fiction. Savvy buyers can often tell when a story is made up, and if they detect even the faintest whiff of BS, they're likely move onto something else in a flash.

Always include an image! If you can't include in image with your post, the odds on a successful sale go way down. I love photography so I always add high quality pics. But even if your images are far from perfect, include at least something. If your image(s) are blurry, have weird tints or are poorly composed, you should make an effort to do better. If you can 't just use whatever you' ve got.

If I have a receipt, I like to scan it, blot out sensitive details with Paint Shop Pro, and include it in my post. I believe this adds much to my credibility as a seller.

If you know your price is fair, stick to it! Some buyers will stop by your house then inject as many complaints about your item as possible. Then they'll say something like, "I think I'm going to pass" to get you to lower your price. Bottom line: if you know your price is fair, then do not fall for any manipulation such, especially if others are interested in your item. I very recently let someone walk out my door when he tried this on me, then later sold my item (a Fuji road bike) a few days later at the price I wanted. Pricing really isn't that hard: setting the right price can seem like a daunting task, but don't stress out about it search eBay for similar items and see what they are going for there. You can also search Craig's to see what others are listing for.

If what you're selling is very unique, and you can't find any comparable items anywhere, I recommend setting a price point that you know is competitive, but that won't have you crying tears of regret after the item sells. Don't lowball your stuff. If it doesn 't sell at the price you're comfortable with, just relist the item after a week or two (Craig's makes it easy to relist.) (In your account, click the [manage] link next to your item to delete your post, then return to your account and click [manage] again to relist it.)

Caveat: relisting your item will cause it to rise to the top of your chosen Craigslist of category, which is great because that translates to a lot more eyeballs on your item. But if you relist your items too often, it'll be seen as "excessive bumping" and Craig's may delete your post. I recommend waiting at least 7 days before relisting any item.

Check the cash: don't trust anyone. Someone may try to pay you with counterfeit money, and not even realize that their money is fake. Happens all the time. Check each note - especially the big ones! -under a bright light. For example, for a bill $100, check for the watermark, red and blue threads, the plastic USA100 strip and the sparkly/raised 100 in the bottom right corner on the front side of the bill. Scammers are not hard to detect: you may be wary about using Craig's because of all the scammers lurking on the site. It's true: there are lots of scammers on Craig's, but, IMO, they are easy to thwart.

The simpleton scammers will reply to your post with something like:

"I'm very interested in your item." I can not buy now, but I'm willing to pay you an extra $30 above your asking price if you can hold it for a few days. "Please send me your name, address and phone number so I can contact you when I'm ready to pick up your item."
Have a good laugh at these and delete them right away. These idiots are so lazy they can't of even be bothered to include details of your specific item.

Some scammers are a bit smarter, and will reply with something simple like:


"Is your bike still available?"
This could easily be a legitimate buyer, but if they later ask for your name, then you know you're dealing with a scammer.

On Craig's, it's very, very simple: NEVER GIVE ANYONE YOUR REAL NAME! You have no reason to. I always sign my emails with either my first initial or one of my nicknames from college. When a potential buyer stops by, again, I use my nickname. You won 't be able to avoid giving strangers your address (unless you deliver), but as long as they don't know your real name you don' t have much to worry about.

I also do not of mind giving out my cell phone number. Makes communicating much more efficient. However, I only reply with it after at least some trust has been established in the initial email conversation (one or two replies if often enough for me.)

Labels: craigslist, eBay, selling_stuff, shill_bidding



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Tax time Eye Opener ...

My husband and I contribute to several charitable organizations throughout the year. Last year, one of them asked us if they could email us monthly messages requesting our promised donation rather than e-papperskopia. They expect such a change would save an enormous amount of money on the costs and I agreed with their new conditions.

I get a lot of email every day. Not that I am popular or important, but because I get junk mail. Every few years I change e-mail addresses but without fail, junk still applies. Because of this are my settings for spam strict. In a nutshell via box spam and capture a non-junk bit or two but it is not a fool proof method.

In my tax receipt that prints from the non-profit organization and realized I had missed three months of payments. Just random months wasn't going missing. When I checked my spam mailbox for one of the few months that was bold reminder e-mail still unread. Apparently a few months it through, while others do not.

I made no payments and set a reminder in my calendar but I can't help but wonder if I'm not the only one whose charitable giving was dropped on the new e-mail system. These three missed payments would have covered nearly two decades in the postage to send a paper copy to me. Fortunately, I fixed it and 2011 will be a more accurate year of payments from me but have someone else experiencing the same problem? Or is it just me, once again shows that I might be the smallest technical savvy person on the planet?

Posted by BEK's 4 March 2011 at 5: 00 AM taxes | 7 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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zaterdag 16 april 2011

Heart + sweat = debt cut student

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Heart + Sweat = Cutting Student DebtFor five years in my late twenties, I didn’t work what most people refer to as a “real job” (though the emotional and sweat equity I expended begs to differ). I was a volunteer in Arizona, and the work I did was as real as it gets! I lived and worked with pregnant women who were homeless or alone, serving as a staff member of a wonderful community called Maggie’s Place. Day after day, I had the extraordinary privilege of watching expectant mothers grow – and not just in their middles! Women came to us uncertain and scared, often having experienced violence, substance abuse, abandonment, or other forms of suffering. In the shelter of our welcoming home, made up of 20+ women and up to eight babies, mothers who lived at Maggie’s Place could learn about parenting, health, education, employment, housing, budgeting, communication, setting boundaries, and a myriad of other subjects in which skills are needed to make it as a single mom. These mothers were the strongest women I had ever met. How was I so blessed to get to share in their lives?
In 2004, I was three years out of college, and growing restless at my job in Pennsylvania. I knew I was fortunate to have grown up in a stable home, and I wanted to do something to help others who hadn’t. I had considered volunteering somewhere full time after high school or college, but didn’t know how it would be financially possible; I had about $13,000 in student loans. I also wasn’t sure where my skills could best be used. However, after several years of feeling unfulfilled in my work, I decided to finally give volunteering a shot.
Though not sure where to start, I discovered a web site for Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (http://www.cnvs.org/), an organization that matches volunteer hopefuls with places that need volunteers. Shortly after I submitted a profile about my background and the type of work I sought, a staff member from Maggie’s Place contacted me. I couldn’t believe it - the community sounded perfect for me! It was in the southwest (I needed a break from the northeastern winters), and seemed to offer most of what I was looking for. The application process began, and I was invited to fly out to Phoenix for an interview in April 2004. The five days in Arizona solidified my desire to volunteer at Maggie’s Place, and upon my return to Pennsylvania, I arranged for a year-long leave of absence from my job. I was sure that I would get the volunteer bug out of my system within that year. Little did I know that I would stay with the Maggie’s Place community for five years!
After a busy summer of tying up loose ends, I loaded down my ’93 Saturn for the long-dreamt-of drive across the country with my best friend. Our week on the road was everything such adventures should be, and I arrived in Phoenix refreshed and excited for this new chapter in my life.
The work of Maggie’s Place was right in line with my values, and my gifts were a good match for the young and growing organization. I loved working with the moms and babies, and I knew I was truly making a difference. Mothers and their babies could stay in our homes for up to six months after the babies were born, so there was time for the moms to really get on their feet. I had thought I was the one who had something to teach, but I learned so much from the moms of Maggie’s Place! Our community was rich and diverse, with each member bringing a unique flavor to the mix. The other volunteers came from around the country, each wanting to use her abilities for the good of others. I was surrounded by a supportive community of people who shared my goals and ideals, and each day brought new joys. The work was hard – don’t get me wrong – but it was meaningful, and I went to bed each night knowing that I had given all I could to whatever challenges the day had presented.
Occasionally I was able to fly back east for family gatherings. Each holiday I was home, relatives would ask how on earth I could afford to be a volunteer. After all, I didn’t earn a salary, I had no 401K, and I had student loans to pay off. What was I thinking? How did I buy stuff? Wasn’t I wasting my hard-earned degree in English education? How could I live without a job? When was I going to rejoin society?
Despite my best attempts to explain, I don’t know if my extended family ever completely got my situation. While volunteering is not possible for everyone, it is often a more viable option than most people think. Here’s how it can work:
The country is full of non-profit organizations that provide services to various populations – families, youth, children, elderly, women, and men; people who are homeless, abused, hungry, disadvantaged, or in crisis due to any number of circumstances. There are projects in education, health and medicine, disaster relief, environmental protection, and community and economic development. There is more than enough work to go around.
Many of these non-profits are run primarily by volunteers, individuals from various backgrounds who commit to work for the organization for a certain amount of time – typically ten to twelve months. If both the volunteer and the placement site desire, these commitments often can be extended. In exchange for their work, volunteers do not earn a salary, but rather receive living stipends. These stipends can range widely, depending on the other benefits the organization offers - I have heard of monthly stipends from $50 - $800 - but basic needs are provided for, one way or the other. If an organization provides housing and transportation for its volunteers, the stipends might be lower. If volunteers are expected to pool their money for a shared apartment and utilities, their stipends will be higher.
For example, during my volunteer time at Maggie’s Place, my monthly stipend was $350. In addition to that, I received room and board, health insurance, access to community vehicles, and auto insurance while driving those vehicles. My only monthly bills were for my cell phone, personal car insurance (since I had chosen to bring my car), and asthma medication. Granted, there weren’t wads of cash left over, but I was still able to afford a few plane tickets home and the occasional meal out. The community was committed to living simply, so it didn’t matter that I couldn’t buy the latest trends or newest gadgets. I was living with formerly homeless women who might have given birth on the street if not for Maggie’s Place; how could I complain about what I didn’t have? Besides, with so many housemates, we could always borrow from someone!
Clearly, I did not choose to volunteer for the financial perks. However, volunteering offered one huge bonus that I wasn’t initially aware of – AmeriCorps Education Awards. AmeriCorps is a federal program in which non-profits can participate, allowing a year or two of full-time volunteering to be possible for many people. At the end of a ten to twelve month term of service, AmeriCorps members are eligible to receive an Education Award of up to $4,725. This money is a voucher that can be used to repay federal and state student loans (Stafford and Perkins loans are common ones), and you may receive two awards in your lifetime - a total of $9,450! This amount is for full-time service; smaller awards are available for part-time service.
You may ask “How do I pay my student loans while I volunteer?” Most federal and state loans qualify for forbearances, which means the borrower doesn’t make payments while volunteering. And while interest accrues while you volunteer, the government will pay that interest when your loan comes out of forbearance. So with two AmeriCorps Awards, plus over $600 of interest that was paid, I was able to knock over $10,000 off my student loans! After applying that money, my loans were paid up for the next seven years, and my remaining balance was quite manageable. Additionally, my husband Jim, whom I married after my first two years of volunteering, served as an AmeriCorps member in the Maggie’s Place office after our wedding. The combined $20,000 off our student loans made it possible for me to continue serving with the community long after I thought I could.
If you have gotten by without student loans, or if you haven’t been able to afford higher education, AmeriCorps Education Awards can also be used to pay for schooling after you have completed your volunteer time. And some schools will even match your award! Not a bad deal, eh?
Before you quit your job, ignore that student loan bill, and commit to your favorite cause, you’ll need to do your homework. Know that:
Not all non-profits have volunteer programs or offer AmeriCorps Education Awards, so investigate.
There are requirements on the number of hours of work volunteers must log, and regulations on the types of work that can count as AmeriCorps hours; these should be explained to you by the organization you go through to volunteer. I was required to log at least 1700 hours between 9-12 months of service; getting those hours was not a problem.
AmeriCorps Awards typically cannot be used to repay private loans, so know who your lenders are.
Education Awards are considered taxable income in the year you use them, so be prepared to part with a bit of the money.
Awards must be used within seven years of earning them.
You don’t have to use the award all at once, and you can split the money between different lenders and/or schools. Full information about AmeriCorps programs can be found at http://www.americorps.gov/.

As a volunteer, my days were full, often with tasks I never thought I could do. I managed a fleet of used, donated vehicles; sorted hundreds of maternity and baby donations; became equally comfortable with the wealthy and the impoverished; assembled and disassembled all kinds of furniture; grew in public speaking, problem solving, and time management; learned all about the social services in the greater Phoenix area; pulled off great celebration parties with little money and donated items that always arrived at the right time; witnessed the births of three babies (and even gave birth to my own!); and saw some of the best and worst characteristics of humanity. Though we did not grow rich monetarily, Jim and I grew rich in so many other ways.

Don’t know where to start searching for a service site that matches your interests? In addition to the AmeriCorps web site, I recommend visiting http://www.cnvs.org/ and http://www.pallotticenter.org/. If you choose the hard but rewarding road of service, you won’t regret it. Happy hunting! I wish you the best.

Labels: AmeriCorps, Greta, student_loan_debt, student_loans, volunteering



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The balance of migration was successful! @-$ 20,800. 99% of the 9 months

In the morning I was called out of the Dads in the event of an emergency situation, I have had just completed an application with the balance will be transferred to the http://info.westpac.com.au/creditcards/card/55dayclassic.  They approved a total of $ 20,800 for two separate card.  So what are we on?

Citibank DH: $ 9400 @ 20.99% of the
Bankwest $ 11.79% @ 8550
NAB: $ 3240 @ 13.24%

It saves us a lot of interest on a monthly basis, so we can reduce our debt more quickly. Better savings, much as if we had adopted a debt consolidation mortgage, so I am happy.

Bankwest-card has now been cancelled. DH: Citibank Card be cancelled soon also.  In order to pay off the cards has to be amended now as I pay them off from the largest number is the lowest. Time is my focus is to pay back to the Emergency Fund, which shall be paid in the following week and then my Citibank Card, which is the balance of $ 3910.

I have tried to reduce the amount of the credit limit in the Citibank Card this morning and they shall adopt, in accordance with the minimum is $ 5000, so I'm thinking it calculated that, next time it is very close to the center of the ring may be revoked completely!

You have just a new debt snowball calculator on our new balances and throw my whole salary on a monthly, which we have worked towards. I've added a link to the promissory note invoice that is selected on the page. If we make it, we could be free of debt, but the House June 2012. Thus, a new target, $ 4200 per month towards debt reduction from April 2011.

Tuned!  .. feels like snow. is how! :)


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Simple money management Tip: use cash

You should know my stance on the use of credit cards for purchases (not!), but debit cards and checks can be also bad. You only feel not same as cold, hard cash. Using real money, you tend to spend less of it. It hurts more, and you are very aware how much you have (it is in the hand).

One thing that we have done as a family monthly personal spending budgets is set and we our money in cash in the first of the month. $100 for my wife and I, and $25 each for the children. The money can eat everything, something, to the movies, be used to buy something.

We started with very little, so that we can see how fast we spent. We will the gradually increased as we learn how to control our expenses and pay off our credit cards.

Remember the first month of the experiment, I ask me, my wife had left it on the 5. how much money for the month. None! As the months have passed (we are 3 month now) we have much better get "extra" cash management on our and we are therefore more products and their financial implications and conscious.

Give it a try and I guarantee it remember your spending habits more meet (and hopefully cause you less to spend).


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vrijdag 15 april 2011

Cheap Exercise …

Most Sundays, my brothers, sisters and I-a to my parents ' House to spend the afternoon together. MOM and dad, ever searching for ways to keep everyone entertained and united, purchased Xbox 360 Kinect as a family Christmas present this year. I must admit, I rolled my eyes I saw my mother pull out cheap black plastic kids toy. This was meant to amuse us all?

We plopped the game console, connected to, and let the small Kinect children play dumb while strife to the mother if it "immature" choice for a Christmas present.

Five very short minutes after watching the children laugh uncontrollably with pleasure, we, the responsible adult shoved the children out of the way and told them to play outside. We started the game and found us laugh hysterically as we ran, jumped and avoided obstacles on our games rafts.

Five minutes later even shorter gasping for breath, we called the children back in and our control of gambling relented.

The game we played was not intended to be a workout program, but judging by the sweat, gasps for air and sore muscles, it was effective as such.

If you want to come in the form as part of your new year's resolution, don't forget expensive gym membership and personal trainers. Play the game that comes standard with Kinect package. The dead are not driven but you should be so evil, should you wish you were dead.

Posted by BEK's 11 February 2011 at 5: 00 PM in health | 5 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Happy President day!

Every weekday in wake up, shower, dress, Pour a large glass of OJ (if we have money for it in the grocery budget), drive to work and look up my computer long before the sun comes up. Our company is graciously allowing to choose our own time and since more people choose later hours, I get much more done in quiet tomorrow. After a while you forget what it is like to drive in daylight.

This morning? I will be seeing …

The back of my eyelids.

For those of you who have the day off, enjoy it, to those who don't … um … I am sorry.

Posted by BEK's on 21 February 2010 at 5: 00 PM in work | «2 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Coupons!

Each day I listen to Wall Street Journal this morning podcast with Gordon. It is a great way to get a 30-minute abridged version of the news.

Morse, shared the top three places in online coupons. I am not a coupon Queen but I like to save money so I thought I would share their top three places with you:

# 1: Coupons.com

The site requires you to download a coupon printer application and I struggled a little with it (but it is mainly because I am a little slow in the technology side … and when I say "slow" I mean I like the technically savvy as a 60 years old). Once I got that out of the way, it was easy to figure out.

# 2: Couponcabin.com

This site focuses more on online shopping. I'm not a huge online shopper so I was not really impressed. The location was also very slow and became computer to sludge. I will not be logged again.

# 3: Couponmom.com

This site was awesome!! Make sure to click the "Learn to coupon" for instructional videos on how to use this site. Sure, I felt stupid watch tutorials on couponing, but I learned a lot. I have registered as a member on this site and plan to try the methods in the weekend.

Posted by BEK's 15 February 2011 at 5: 00 AM in Coupons | 15 Comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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donderdag 14 april 2011

Happy St. for Marge today!!

I was ready to serve as tonight's designated driver for my mad Irish family who believes in Saint Patrick's Day is second only to Christmas.

* We drink is not strong but believe strongly that the beverage is reason enough not to drive *

We wear our matching Irish sweaters, go to the local Irish pub and stay out late watching the fake Irish bands.

Because I wash my shirt last week, Debuts folding atrocity, for "the great day", I realized ...

I scheduled an out of town business trip for the whole week.

Where am I? Sitting in a hotel far from home, wish I was there.

So, in my honor … be sure, has a bowl of Irish stew, don't drink and drive and remember … EVERYONE is IRISH on MARCH 17th!

Posted by BEK's 17 March 2011 at 5: 00 AM in:) | «2 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Short-Sighted Finances …

I am quite focused with regard to the economy. I have my shoulder, my monthly bills, my charitable giving and my cash expenses. It is all fairly organized in my "perfect" little world.

I care not for me to think outside the box "… until this morning.

I've been whining lately about my inability to run as a form of Exercise. While out there, a marathon group drove by and I was tempted to join. I've seen that they happily jogged down the street, smiling and enjoying the beautiful sunshine a day. Suck. I trudged my slow pace and frowned.

When you do my yoga routine, I'm angered because even my mage is not large, it will be in the way of a really good bending distance. My balance is thrown off and my "Standing trees" mimic "Standing trees in a Hurricane".

Although I am really happy about the wonderful growing child, I get frustrated when my body does not move as it used to. The only thing that keeps me sane is the fact that I have a bouncing baby soon and my body (hopefully) will return to normal.

I was watching the news this morning and it with a new Sports Center for the disabled. Only 1 of 10 persons with disabilities exercise their bodies limit they can do. They often do not know how to work out with body which refuses to cooperate. This sport center works to educate people how to exercise while working within its borders. News anchor, interviewed one of the employees suffering from muscular dystrophy. His athletic body turns slowly to one that did not work and he was to help others overcome their difficulties while addressing his own.

My whining suddenly seems sooo ... um ... Wow. It is not a word means enough to describe my whining.

News station was with donations to buy some much-needed equipment for the plant. No, I was unable to pigeonhole this cost in my very stringent spreadsheet of expenditures, but I suppose that I learned to be a little more liquid.

I may not be able to "provide that no one else", but I can still give.

Think outside the box Finance.

Posted by BEK's 31 March 2011 at 5: 00 PM give | 10 comments»
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Original debt: $ 38, 495.86Added debt: $ 1, 781.50Total debt: $ 40, 277.36Paid: $ 31, 928.65Remaining: $ 8, 348.71Cash savings: $ 2,700.00distributed onAuto Loan 1: $ 0.00credit Card: $ 0.00 Student loans: $ 8, 348.71Auto loan 2: $ 0.00vet loans: $ 0.00

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Do your tax dollars work for you - take the credit!

Make Your Tax Dollars Work for You - Take the Credit!It's tax time again, and every day, I hope, my W-2 in the post will come. I'm curious to see how much man and I think owe Arizona, United States, especially since we pay not state taxes in 2009. Rather than State control our paychecks deducted, we have decided that the money be operated the primary school of our Church. We thats right donated our tax dollars in a school! The money we donated used grants to the tuition for students in need. We love the school and believe in the work that you do, this is more, as we have many of the Government programs run by the State can say.

We were organization of the Diocese of Phoenix in the position to do so by so-called CTODP - Catholic teaching. Allows donations the residents up to $500 ($1,000 for married couples together submission) Arizona at a Catholic School of their choice and get a tax credit. For the first time that we heard the CTODP, it was late in the year, so that we do not participate, because we already State was tax payments throughout the year and could shell out more money. In the next year however we changed to our Withholdings that no State taxes have been withheld, and in our paychecks, we donated the additional resources at the end of the year. We know that we Arizona could some money debts, if our tax liability is more than the $1,000 we donated, but we are prepared. And even if we could get a little debt, we were able to children to help visiting otherwise in a position, a large private school, but as a tool of the State Government would be. Now, how is that my tax dollars use I would like to!

To hearing the CTODP I didn't what was a tax credit. I was only with deductions, and I never enough to breakdown contributed at the national level. However, I have learned that it is a significant difference. Tax credits are many benefits to taxpayers is as deductions. It works like this:

Deductions reduce the amount of income on which you pay taxes. If you make $60,000 and issue $1,000 for a charitable donation, you will then be taxed an income of $59,000. Although useful, is not the a huge delle make. A credit is applied, however, after your taxable income is calculated and actually reduced the tax liabilities. So $60,000 and liabilities are $600 when you make the State in control, and you have $500 for a qualified charity donated, you then the State only $100 debt. You are shelling out the same amount of money, but get to choose where it goes, and you pay much less in control. (Credits as follows seem to be currently only available to State and local level and not on the federal level.) (Charitable contributions may be deducted at the national level, although, taxpayers must breakdown prints larger than the standard deduction by the IRS.)

Arizona offers also the charitable tax credit, sometimes known as the working of poor tax credit, where you can donate to many different charities and receive a dollar for dollar state tax credit - up to $200 for individuals, and $400 for married filing jointly. A list of qualifying organisations can be found at http://www.azdor.gov/TaxCredits/CharitableTaxCredit.aspx. Get the CTODP and the working poor credits - what a great way redirect your tax dollars to organizations, that you want to support! It seems also possible, other private non-Catholic schools in Arizona, donations, whether would need to examine this.

If my experience in Arizona, other States offer such loans, in varying degrees. In my research I have come in Idaho, Michigan, and North Carolina, when reading an article I claimed that about 20 States offer them. There are restrictions on the types of charities you can support - most are required to help the poor - if so your State credit offers, get a list of qualifying organisations before donations anywhere. To learn what offers your State, questions you your tax professional, or if you control your own do, the IRS have a link to each State Web site to http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=99021,00.html. If you are in Arizona, http://www.ctodp.org/ is details of the CTODP, and for information about the working poor tax credit, see http://www.azdor.gov/TaxCredits/CharitableTaxCredit.aspx.

Can enjoy obviously, but as follows only it state tax credits, if you pay state taxes. It is important to know, your tax liability, because the credit only to the extent you benefit. For example, if you have to pay only $350 in State taxes, and you get extra not the $500 for a qualified charitable donations, $150 back. In Arizona can however pursue all unused credit for up to five years. If your income has remained stable, you can look at last year's state tax return will get an idea of what is your tax liability this year.

If your state of credits, that which it provides for to qualify, this is a good time, to your paycheck of Withholdings we just a new year started change since. It is a resolution on the support of some good work to make also a good time!

If you are curious about the history of this type of tax credit, some interesting article at http://pewforum.org/publications/articles/charitytaxcredits.pdf or http://learningtogive.org/papers/paper63.html can be found.

Take the credit! Tags: Arizona, Charitable_contributions, CTODP, Greta, Idaho, Michigan, North_Carolina, State_taxes, Tax_credit, Tax_deduction, Working_Poor_Tax_Credit



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woensdag 13 april 2011

It is the older payoffs!

The DH has a couple of years older than me, and I Cut our expenses to the bone hunting, you have started to look for discounts, "more than 50". I was fortunate to come across any national seniors Australia site and Find that they offer a discount card, which is the potential to save us a lot of money.

It costs $ 35 years and in spite of the fact that the discounts, comments that are of interest to me, a lot of work can save 5% on Coles, Woolworths and the use of petrol. My monthly spend Cole or the Woolies is approx a month we spend $ 360 to $ 400 in petrol. So, if we are to assess the $ 760 per month or $ 9120 per year. Save 5% off, which is $ 456 per year.

They also have a buyers Club, with the savings of large items, such as the car that Hyundi I had been thinking about buying when we get our car finally!  And mobile, insurance, restaurants, movies, and much more. So I can see little of the $ 35 investment really paying for us. Nice has certain advantages to an old-age of the 'er ' doubts.


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