Caoineag's Personal Finance Blog

Financial chores accomplished

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:27:29 PST

I paid off the card that wanted to jack my interest rate up to 30% (but don't worry, after two months of paying on time they would refund 10% *note sarcasm*) with a 0% offer yesterday. This really should be the last balance transfer because all my interest rates are locked in now (aka...

My Financial Priorities

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:47:40 PST

1 Pets
Got rid of saltwater tanks, limit toys and treats to reasonable level

2 Video Games/Bikes
Try to buy used, replace as things break

3 House Repairs
Plan cash expenditures to level needed

4 Financial Independence
Pay off debts quickly, keep saving for retirement

5...

I'm so excited, I just can't hide it

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:31:09 PST

Yes, I am singing that song in my head. Blame the adrenaline rush of lifting weights this morning.

We finally have our new trikes! And this weekend is supposed to be gorgeous. Soo much fun. We plan on taking them down to the old trail that we used to ride all the time on our road...

Random Updates

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:57:30 PST

Spent $110 on groceries this past Thursday but that included stock up and Thanksgiving meal prep so its hardly surprising. Still feels weird to have it more than $30 though.

I rejigged my numbers again(I know, you are completely shocked, I never do that) and I can pay off one of...

1st Payoff.

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:18:48 PST

Today I am paying off the first of my remaining credit cards. $4344 going poof. This would be more impressive if it was my largest remaining but sadly it is not. However, we are in the final stretch of the pay off so all is well.

Hint of things to come

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:11:41 PST

So hubby suspects that his current workplace will be offering him a permanent position within the month, it was a condition for his manager to give up her best workers to another department. Should be interesting to see how this plays out, especially since base pay tends to go up when...

Thinking of doing a budget diet...

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:44:07 PST

By that I mean, cut our allowance for the months of December and January to $100 per week (includes groceries). It would let us build up some more savings so that I felt more secure. I think I have just gotten used to having a set amount of money in savings and would like to keep it...

Another interest rate hike

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:38:20 PST

So my Citicard who was the only card that hadn't raised rates due to market conditions, just jumped mine up 4.4x its current level. Ouch. I always feel like I did something wrong when I get increases like that but in my head, I realize that its just the economy and record defaults....

Refund!

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:10:58 PST

My TV just went on sale so I will be getting $100 + tax back. It pays to watch the sales online when you have a 60 day price guarantee.

What percentage of your income goes to paying off debt?

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:18:35 PST

I tend to send over 40% of our income towards debt. As a result I expect us to be rid of the debt by July. That said, I sometimes wonder if we focus on repaying debt so quickly that we forget to enjoy the here and now.

I am a big fan of the 50/30/20 budget but don't actually put...

My personal rate of return

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:01:07 PST

I used a calculator to figure that since I have started my retirement accounts my personal rate of return has been 18%! Since I have only had a retirement account for 2 1/2 years, that's not super impressive but does show the advantage of buying low.

I am pretty sure it will drop...

Cheaper project list

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:20:52 PST

March 2011 Electric panel + wiring
Sept 2011 New Asphalt roof
Sept 2011 New Siding
Sept 2011 New Gutters
Sept 2011 New Fence
March 2012 New Furnace
Aug 2012 Bathroom remodel
Sept 2012 Refinish hardwoods
Jan 2013 Newish car
Jan 2014 Payoff student loan early

I...

My project list..ugg

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:09:00 PST

July 2010 Last of cc debt paid off
March 2012 New metal roof
April 2012 New siding for carport and top of house plus new gutters

Sept 2012 Replace fence
Oct 2012 New electric panel and wiring
May 2013 Bathroom remodel
Aug 2013 New furnace
May 2014 Refinish...

End of October Update

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:02:25 PST

I have been writing a lot of blog posts then not publishing them lately. Lots going on just not really blog worthy or even easily explained.

So I guess this will just be a general update. We are finally going to buy our recumbent trikes for bike riding. We are doing it in the fall...

Prepaid Cell Phone Update

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:25:23 PST

Well, I still have about 267 minutes to use up on my current phone but I have ordered a Net10 phone. While the Tmobile was easy and cheap, the phone didn't actually work in the house so everytime I answered the phone I had to go outside. Far too obnoxious. Assuming I wasted my remaining...

Finally some progress

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:20:30 PST

Received the first settlement offer which was twice what I was thinking it would be (my insurance had been kind on the depreciation). As a result, I do have a base number for the month of October now. It will probably be a couple of months before the final tally is in but I am okay...

Should I have waited?

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:09:28 PST

My ethernet port was broken on my computer. The port is part of my motherboard which doesn't have any room for expansion (can't just add an ethernet card). I ended up deciding to upgrade the major components since I needed to replace them anyways (likely excuse).

I probably spent...

Fix it or Replace it, hmmm

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 07:09:09 PST

My computer is dying a slow painful death. At 5 years old, 5 moves, 1 of which was cross country and many dusty apartments, it is clear that something is seriously amiss (black screen). I am thinking graphics card. I suspect that my ethernet port is not far behind (though hard to test...

September Networth and other updates

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:34:09 PST

Finished! No more changes on this month. Normally I do networth at the beginning of the month and just alter it as necessary but don't think I will be doing that for October, simply too much will be coming and going for even a beginning estimate. I hate it when I can't plan out my...

Trying to get to normal

crystal.pilon@gmail.com (Crystal) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 09:52:48 PST

Its harder than it seems after a break in. I decided that instead of waiting, I would get the few items I need to feel normal in my house. The rule is, do I care if I have spent this money if tomorrow all my stolen goods are returned. I am also basing this off of what I can afford,...