Re: my cat, the grief is still there, but I'm feeling bette. We are looking into becoming a foster home for cats/kittens that need nurturing. Doing that in a way to guard my heart from what happened, not ready for the permanent replacement just yet. Also, I do have an idea of the cat I want next and until it shows up, this is a way to fill the hole in my heart and bring some kitten antics back into the house.

********

Now onto my debt.

What I am going to do, from now till the final pay off date is, track my progress monthly. The graph on the right side of the site will change each month (hopefully downward motions only...lol). In the blog part, I'll break down where I was and where I am. Also in the far right column, I have a quick and dirty cheat sheet of debt. Ok, here is where I was 1/8/08:

Here is where I am as of today:

1. PayPal Buyers Credit. Last month $112.50. Today it is Paid in FULL!

2. Capital 1 Visa. Last month $468.92. Today it is Paid in FULL!

3. Orchard Bank MC. Last month $1,027.70. Today it is Paid in FULL!

4. Old Navy Card. Last month I owed $683.44. Now I owe $432.86.

5. Toyota Car Loan. Last month I owed $2,057.68. Now I owe $1805.40.

6. Target Visa. Last month I owed $2,470.1. Now I owe $2,126.78.

7. GA Taxes. Last month I owed $2,183.74. Now I owe $2,183.74.

8. Capital 1 Gold. Last month $2,910.32. Now I owe $2,625.43.

9. William & Fudge. Lasst month $3176.81. Now I owe $3,026.81.

10. Federal Taxes. Last month $6,934.03. Now I owe $6,934.03.

11. Direct Student Loan. Last month $7,776.56. Nw I owe $7,690.45.

12. Sallie Mae. Last month $24,050.68. Now I owe $23,897.83.

Grand totals: Last month I was $53,121.83 in debt. Now I am $50,723.33 in debt.

In the last 30 days I have paid down $2,398.50, resulting in me paying off 3 credit cards. Now for some fuzzy math, bear w/me, this is a convoluted story, try to stay awake ;)

Back in January, I got "pre approved" for up to 10k @ 8.99% w/free balance transfer. Let me back up a bit more. When I first added up my GA Taxes, I must have missed a year, b/c I was off a few hundred bucks, actually owing bit over 2k and not the $1500 or so I thought.

Ok, so I'm getting these offers and then I get the tax bill and then I get a "convenience check" from Capital 1 Gold.

(There is much more going on behind the scenes, including 3 phone calls to the GA IRS, finding out one of the years went into collection, DESPITE the freaking fact that I already paid it and now I have to call them tomorrow and figure out why this all happened.)

Anyway, anyway my thinking was this: use the CC check to pay the tax bill then do a Balance Transfer to the new card.

Well, I ended up getting approved for $600 bucks. Yup. Before I knew it, $500 went to Cap 1 Gold. @ first I was pissed, but believe it or not, this all worked out for the greater good.

Remember the miscalculation on my part? (2k not $1500?)

Well I wrote out the CC check for the $1500 and mailed it on the 14th, bill was due on the 15th. After my 2nd call to the GA IRS, realizing it was over a week and no check posting, I went online and paid each year w/the cc.

By doing a balance transfer of $500, I was able to free up much needed space and the next day I went ahead and paid it off (that Juniper card will ONLY be used for car related purchases such as gas and oil changes, minor things I can pay in full each month).

*Whew*

Long story short, my cap 1 gold now has my GA Tax bill on it.

Now the next part of the story is, I felt my "true" debt didn't reflect the actual picture so I made a minor change to the chart and how I'll log things.

Target Visa card is the card w/the Federal taxes on it. I went ahead and removed the taxes from both credit cards. Each month I will report the pay down amounts separately. It won't be an exact science. Until the credit card part of the debt is paid off, I'll just leave the tax debt as is. All payments will simply count towards the older debt. Of course I'm not factoring in interest. When the cc part of the debt is paid off, I'll count the final payments on the same card, as tax debt. If that makes any sense @ all.

So now what? According to my overall breakdown for this year, updates in bold.

With that amount, @ the very least I'll pay off all the smaller credit cards:

PayPal Buyers Credit - (Paid in Full!)
Capital 1 Visa - (Paid in Full!)
Orchard Bank Card - (Paid in Full!)
Old Navy Card
Ga Taxes
Toyota Car Loan
Capital 1 Gold
and $1900.72 toward Williams and Fudge.

In the short term, that means over the for the next 10.5 months I need to pay off the Old Navy Card, Capital 1 Gold Target Visa*, Toyota Car Loan, GA Taxes and $1900 towards Williams and Fudge for a grand total of $8,448.78.

*since breaking out the tax debt from the cc's, the target visa balance was smaller than the cap 1 gold card.

********

Last thing, as this is my first full week w/o job #3 and I'm almost caught up on missing sleep. I started to reread a few entries and realize I left a few things hanging. I PROMISE. Tomorrow I am going thru all entries since the year started and conclude the cliffhangers.

In an effort to be 100% transparent and honest to myself, for the rest of this week I'm going to spell out exactly how much I owe, it burns me up I don't know my state taxes yet, where applicable, give a brief background on how the debt spiraled back out of control (specifficaly the credit cards)

As of today, I owe the following:

1. PayPal Buyers Credit (PBC) $112.50 out of $900.00
2. Capital One Visa (C1V) $468.92 out of $950.00
3. Old Navy Card (ONC) $683.44 out of $750.00
4. Orchard Bank (OB) $1,027.70 out of $1,1100
5. Capital One Gold (C1G) $2,910.32 out of $5000.00
6. Target RedCard Visa (TRV) $9,404.13 out of $9500.00

Card #1 - PBC $112.50

Logged into PayPal to make a purchase, took a chance in opening another line of credit, instead of getting the actual card, I got a line of online purchasing credit.

Card #2 - C1V $468.92

The majority of purchases on this card was made before I moved and a few household items.

Card #3 - ONC $683.44

Plain and simple, a lack of self control and thinking after all my "hard work", I "deserved" nice clothes. This after me spending the weekend of Black Friday returning almost $1k worth of clothes and goods. I vowed to myself, I have enough clothes and shoes to last me for a long while. Nothing, no matter how cheap it is is worth the hours I put in w/the part time jobs and when I really look @ how many hours, how much my feet aches to get a bi weekly check of about $250 if I'm lucky, and I can just charge up $150+ w/in 10 minutes, it makes me queasy.

Card #4 - OB $1,027.70

I thought I was doing the right thing by putting my food shopping on this card and paying it off in full each month by making $75/week payments. I had everything scheduled w/my online banking and must have missed the dates b/c the weekly payment stopped and next thing I know, the card is just about maxed out.

Add to it, a spontaneous order of a product I saw on TV, buying it for the house, back in Sept/Oct I was buying up a storm on household improvement items as you'll learn in later purchases, this is where I stand.

Card #5 - C1G $2,910.32

This card financed me moving, from renting the truck, to buying furniture for my room. It also fed me, despite buying food on the OBC, I started eating out more and more and more.

Card #6 - TRV $9,404.13

The bulk of the damage on this card came from buying a whole lotta clothes and household furnishings, then returning almost $800 worth to free up room to pay my federal taxes.

Ugly ugly ugly.

My plan of attack, is to go back to a tried and true method that worked for me in the past, the debt snowball. Working 2 part time jobs, I was able to put away a chunk of money to tide me over in the coming lean months as hours dry up and I may take a leap of faith and leave one job to find another that pays more. My modest goal is to continue to pay the minimum on all cards, while I throw @ least $500 to the smallest debt, then roll that over + the old minimum payment to the next highest.

Using that method alone, I shold have the C1V and the ONC card paid off in 2 months, and will then have $500 + $12 + $40 to add to the OBC and so on and so on.

********

On a positive note, I finished my first personal finance book of the New Year, truth be told, it didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, but it is a good reference and gave me some background insight on specific debt issues I had, like the federal taxes. Let's just say I'm glad I nipped it in the bud when I did, like I actually had a choice.

Next up, I'm going to give Suze Orman's new book a read. That book I got mainly to get the free $100 from Ameritrade. Even though it's an investment account and my funds are tight, I can put aside $50 a month. After 12 months, she gives you $100 reward, which is way more than I'd earn having $600 sit in a traditional savings account.

I originally stated

Going forward, I'll update my monthly progress after the 15th. All my statements end the end of the month and the two capital one cards ends around the 7th.

Being that my credit cards are now paid in full (bwah!) this is my final update!! (booyah) In it's place, and the new category I alluded to, will be the Loan Repayment Progress Chart (boooo!)

Here's the credit card progress chart from December 06:

Here's my January progress:

Thanks for the memories...NOT!

I update my credit card progress on or around the 15th.
Here's the debt chart from November 06:

Here's the credit card progress chart from November 06:

Here's my December progress:

The minimums are as follows:

Rollover minimums from 3 paid off cards: $96
Capital Gold: $89
Total Minimum: $185

My 10% snowball is $236.84.

Towards the end of the month, I'll update the debt chart to the right and post the numbers for the other 4 debts: Williams & Fudge, Toyota, Sallie Mae and Direct Loans. The last day in each month I'll post my revised Net Worth.

A beautiful thing to log into my account and see this...

This is my Orchard Bank Mastercard as of today:

I've done the deal.

As of today, I've paid off 3 credit cards:

Target
Orchard Bank Mastercard
Capital One Visa

I may not have been ready, but I bit the bullet and got it done. What does this mean in the long run?

A few things.

The minimums now get added to the 10% snowball, $236.84 ,and all go towards the Capital One Gold card.

The minimums are as follows:

Target: $48
Orchard: $27
Capital Visa:$21
Capital Gold: $89

Making Decembers payment $421.84. Not a bad chunk of change. On that card, I have 2 more majorly necessary purchases to make. I knew they were coming and while I've been stalling on getting the work done, I'm just going to get it over with. That'll make that card go up a couple hundred dollars this month, but that will be the last charges I make till the big payoff.

Man, if I can end the year credit card free, can you imagine? It's like the antithesis of the season. Now's the time people go into debt up to their eyeballs and worry about it in January. I have the chance to just have loans to focus on the 07. That'll be a great day! :)

There's no value in resenting what must be completed. Just get it done, and then there will be nothing to resent. Don't waste your time worrying that something will go wrong. Just get started, and cross each bridge as you come to it.

Stop looking for excuses and reasons to put it off until later. Focus instead on the real value that will flow from making it happen right now.

Instead of seeking to avoid effort, look for how you can put real joy into that effort. Imagine choosing to get it done and really meaning it.

Be delightfully free of the unfinished business that follows you around and holds you back. Get busy and get it done.

Add energy to your moments as you transform your burdens into blessings. Choose right now to get it done. - Ralph Marston

God, I could bold the entire text in those words of wisdom.

That said, last night I paid off the Target Card ($427) and Orchard Bank Mastercard ($692.77).

*big gulp* and I don't mean the 7/11 drink ;)

This payment is the 10% snowball monies ($236.84) + bonus monies I made in Oct/Nov, I still have to tally it all up to see if I have some more I can put towards the next credit card debt, Capital One Visa.

Starting next month, the minimums I was paying to these too expired cards, $48 + $27, will now rollover to the Visa card, for a whopping December minimum of $332.84 ($48 + $27 + $21 + $236.84)

Also coming in December, I'll start logging the bonus monies I net.

Following Capital One Visa, is my Orchard Bank Mastercard. According to their site, I've been a Valued Cardmember Since 2001. Bwah! Anywhoo, another card I came periously close to paying off, till I lost my damn mind. They also raised my credit limit from last summer. I think it was $700, and is now $1000. I think they smelled a big payoff coming and got scared. Heh

As of this posting the owed amount is: $693

I will update this post as I pay down on this debt.

11/24/06 Update: This card is has been paid in full!

Going forward, I'll update my monthly credit card payoff progress after the 15th. Two statements come in @ the end of the month and the two capital one cards comes in around the 7th.

Here's the credit card progress chart from October 06:

Here's my November progress:

The minimums are as follows:

Target: $48
Orchard: $27
Capital Visa:$21
Capital Gold: $89

My 10% snowball is $236.84. That + $48 will go to Target, the rest will get the minimum.

Towards the end of the month, I'll update the debt chart to the right and post the numbers for the other 4 debts: Williams & Fudge, Toyota, Sallie Mae and Direct Loans. The last day in each month I'll post my revised Net Worth. Or in this case, shall I say Net Lack...heh

Are we havin' fun yet? *groan*

No time like the present to dust off an old category. Let's all hope this go round, I make it longer month 8 eh? AND I don't relapse...*snort* Bringing this monthly feature back, I've also revamped the chart. Included on it is ALL my debt car loan and 3 student loan payments. I feel more honest doing it this way...patting myself on the back for nearing paying off my credit cards was 1/2 hearted as I always knew in the back of my mind there was more. Way more.

As I'm restarting, this month'll be just where I'm at. Next month the compare & contrast fun begins!

Here's the debt chart from October 06:

The green arrow is the debt I'm paying off first.

Here's my standing in spreadsheet format:

The minimums are as follows:

Target: $20
Orchard: $28
Capital Visa:$25
Capital Gold: $97

My 10% snowball is $236.84. Seeing that it is more than I owe on Target, the extra will roll over to my Orchard card...and so on and so on...

Jeebus, 8 months? Has it really been that long?

Well let's get too it shall we...

Here's the debt chart from April 06:

Now for May of 06:

The green arrow is the debt I'm focusing on first.

Here's what the progress in spreadsheet format:

As you can see, as of today, 5/17 I am Capital One Debt Free WoooOooOOO HooOoOoOoOo!

Orchard Bank, I am now lQQking @ you. *snort*

I'll now start paying them the old $62 I was throwing @ visa, plus the required minimum payment, $32, making their total monthly payment: $94.

Last month, it was quite iffy whether or not I'd get visa taken care off what w/@%$% gas money and driving out of town, but I pulled it off and as professed, am quite happy :D

Now that I can just about see the end of this particular debt tunnel, what's next? Man, the REST of my debt. *sigh* I'll have to face it all @ some point but doing it w/the momentum of being credit card debt free, considering how LONG I've been in credit card debt, will be a great motivation.

Later on I'll update on the gas/water fiasco.

I keep forgetting I promised to tell the tale of why Orchard goes up or down so little each month. I confess, I use the card. *sniff*

Bu--bu--but...not to charge up lavish gifts and such...noooooo! First of all I'm too close to the limit so there's not much room to go. Actually I use it online when I make a purchase from a company I don't want to have my debit card # the only catch is, I must already have the money and the plan is, to pay it off as soon as the charge clears.

Sadly, I'm not always on time w/that.

So I forgot to add that on to the minimum payment and end up bumping up the balance ever slightly. It's not a *huge* deal b/c the following month I either double up or end up paying off the recent charge, but by that time I tend to forget and rather than send Orchard more funds, I put that towards the Capital One Gold card.

Ideally, I'd like to have 1 card that I use and pay off in full each month. On that card will go gas purchases and maybe groceries, though that bill tends to be rather high and I rather pay it weekly. But gas is good and while I'm not terribly interested in having huge amounts of credit, I'm really toying w/having the Capital One Gold card reduce my credit to $1000 from $2500, I want the card to be used and paid off for reporting reasons.

While my credit may suck in every other possible way, I can have 1 bright mark amongst the blemishes.

A much more timely update than last time ;)

Here's the debt chart from February 06:

Now for March of 06:

Just a reminder on how the chart works. The green arrow & text is the debt I'm focusing on first. Since Capital One Visa has been PAID IN FULL, I retired it from the list and shifted things around. I even got fancy and updated the arrow to make it...er...greener...and...um...bolder...lol

Here's what the progress in spreadsheet format:

As for my repayment plan, well I'm still doing the revised minimum of $62 and tossing all bonus monies @ it, which this month *crossing fingers* I may have a few tricks up my sleeve. Details to come...

As for Orchard, it's the bane of my existence, more on that later too.

$703.20 down from 11/14/05 to today. One of the reasons the Capital One cards are so easy to focus on, is I don't use those cards @ all. Matter of fact, I don't even know where they are. I either cut them up or hid them many moons ago.

The Orchard bank went up slightly, more than slightly I paid $100 this month out of shame on how high it got, is b/c of vacation travelling.

I drove to see my mom and used it to pay for gas and an oil change on my car. Not sexy purchases by a long shot, but still. It was the one card, I still walked with and each month would put a purchase or two on it. I made sure to pay off the recent purchase + the minimum balance but obviously haven't made any huge dents. As of this month, it's hidden too.

The Gold card is down $66, and while part of me feels like, :eyeroll:: big whoop, considering the damage I put into the Visa card, I'm happy. Especially since back in November I dreamt I'd be making a huge dent in the Visa card.

March's dream? If all goes well, I can make a big dent in Capital One Gold over the next two months.

Sounds familiar? It should.

:)

Next time I check in, I'll examine whether I should go ahead and start up 2-3 more websites.

Been a few months since I updated this puppy, but that doesn't mean I haven't made any progress. ;)

The last time the debt chart updated was in November 05 and it looked a little sumthin like this:

Here's how it look as of February 06:

Just a reminder on how the chart works. The green arrow & text is the debt I'm focusing on first. Now that the Capital One Visa is dunzo, my Capital One Gold is next in line.

Hard to seen the moves in the graph, but the data looks like this:

When I next update the chart, the end of March, I'm going to remove the zeroed out visa graph, when they are all zeroed out, I'll bring them all back for a final encore. I'll also update the total owed #'s to remove everything above 1800. The way it reads now, my total debt looks less than each card I'm repaying.

Tomorrow, my repayment plan. On Wednesday I'll tackle why the Orchard card went up 15 bucks.

I don't think it's hit me yet how much progress I've made.

Good news on the repayment front, though I skipped updating the graph for two months, more b/c I was avoiding this site than anything else, but I've made a bit of a dent.

Now, the last time you saw the chart for August 05 it looked like this:

Here's November 05:

Hard to seen the moves in the graph, but the data looks like this:

$200 down in 2 months, I meant to make more progress on the Capital One Visa debt, since that is my focus, but, Orchard Bank membership fee set me over the edge, I got them to refund that one by the way, and gas prices in late Aug/all of Sept threw me for a loop. I ended up charging gas, but paying it off, in addition to what I pay each month just to keep Orchard from getting out of hand.

If all goes well, I can make a big dent in Capital One Visa over the next two months. Today I just made my payments as normal, but by the end of the month, I'll pay $200 and in December @ least another $200 if not more.

Tomorrow I post an update on my $100 investment experiment. It's turning out to be a tad more tedious than I hoped, but there is still hope so I'm going to stick with my plan.