An update of sorts/random

I need to count my blessings.

I've been feeling very blah, bored, and down about what I don't have. I am struggling not to want when really I want it all. It being everything my heart desires... (ie a penthouse and beautiful home furnishings a benz..etc)

I got my tax return earlier this month. It was about $2400. NOTHING went to savings. Some of it is still sitting in my bank account. I paid off another credit card leaving me with one more credit card to pay off *smiles*. I know I should start an ER fund, I do have something going on but nothing that really defines it as an "ER FUND" - I will start the ER fund officially ...sometime.... :S

The balance for the credit card I just paid off was about $1800.

My current balance for the one I am paying off right now is $2850.66

Main money goal for April 2009: Reduce CC balance to $2500.

Secondary: * Get an interior car detail
- reason: spilled milk (might as well get the whole thing cleaned)
- cost: about $150
* Get teeth pulled out
- reason: wisdom teeth are hurting and hard to clean.. was supposed to get 'em
done years ago - now I have to pay .. live and learn..
- cost: about $220

I plan to put down at least $300, but ideally $500, per month until my last credit card is paid off.

I am definitely not as money-worried as I was just a few months ago. Cautious, yes. Paranoid, sometimes. Stable, getting there. Have money? Hell yeah (kinda..uh not really ..maybe?).

I've increased the grocery budget to $50 a week...it's doable but REALLY hard at $20 - $25 a week....we were basically eating the same thing every day.

I've been keeping the thermostat at 0. I want to see if this decreased the utilities bill at all - usually it's about $50 - $60 a month (I live in an apartment).

I was able to "update" my little dining area. Not sure what the theme is but it's kind of romantic, shabby chic:

Already there:

Big gold and black trimmed mirror (kind of shabby chic or goth depending on the surroundings - mirrors really do open up the space!) - $60 off Craigslist

Two Ikea Meltorp tables

2 birch chairs from Ikea painted white

Natural coloured couch from Ikea (separates the dining from the living room)

Little black shelf that sits in the corner and holds plates and bowls

Black and brown plastic mat from Walmart underneath the furniture (I have a little, messy girl)

What I bought within the past month:

A chandelier from Canadian Tire - $90

Lill curtains from Ikea - $6

31 ft fabric used as a valance over the curtains - $47 (that was expensive!! I was not expecting that....oh well. The total I spent on my curtains is still cheaper than other places.)

I'll post a pic or two up sometime. I must say, I actually really love the way my dining room looks :) The curtains really complement the chandelier and the huge mirror opens up the space.

I still want to furnish it a bit more - I'm going to get a shabby chic looking black lamp to put kitty corner from the shelf (beside the couch). I also want to get a different mat, some seat covers for the chairs, different pillows for the couch, a white wooden cutlery box, and...some flowers.

Things I need but I don't want the cookie cutter norm:

A desk/sofa bench for the living room
A children's storage unit for her toys and books - an Ikea one I might be interested in is $304!! Out of my budget at this time :S

I spend soooo much time fantasizing about stuff I want. And stuff? It costs money. The mentality is that we work hard and we DESERVE to have what we want NOW. Credit card debt and the stress it brings is not worth it though.

Besides.. I need to stick to .. "THE PLAN"....

Pat on the back..

I paid off credit card #1 in February..2 weeks before my pay off date (March '09). CC#1 had a balance of $1000 since August. Definitely stepping up the pay off game with the next two credit cards...I can do better than under $200 a month for six months. I've already put in $300 this month for CC#2. Cutting costs and living below my means is essential to accomplishing my goal of being debt-free.

Update

Credit Card #1: Current balance: $400

It will be paid off in a couple months.. $200 was put in in my account and I was just dreaming of new shoes, Starbucks, and bath bombs from Lush but I got home and the first thing I did was put that straight to the card. Can't have that money sitting in my account like that...I would just spend it.. foor reealz.