How I got out of $26,000 of debt before getting married?

My Favorite Coupon Sites!

2011-10-21T20:48:00.002-04:00

Today, I am participating in "Show Us Your Life" over at Kelly's Korner.

I recommend the following sites:

1. The Krazy Coupon Lady- I go to this site each week to plan out what I am going to buy. This site is a must before I go shopping at CVS, Walgreens, ShopRite, or Safeway. I love how this site is organized!

2. Coupon Divas- I love her videos about couponing. She is so fun and her videos are great if you are just starting out with couponing.

Here is a link to her videos: http://coupondivas.com/videos.html.

3. For the mommas- I just discovered this site but I am going to use it as another shopping trip planning site.

A few tips I have learned a long the way-

First, couponing is all about organization. You need have an organization system that works for you so that you can easily find your coupons. Secondly, like anything you get out of it what you put into it. If you spend the time to clip, organize, and stragetize your shopping trips you will be sucessful. Lastly, I treat coupons like CASH. I love that I save so much money with coupons and it is a fun challenge for me each week to see how much I can save.

Happy Couponing!

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

How I told my husband we were pregnant?

2011-07-16T14:18:00.004-04:00

Hi,

I just wanted to share with you "how I told my husband we were pregnant after going through IVF?" Please go here to read my surprise.

How are the coupons coming along?

I am posting to Kelly's Korner SUYL series.

Best wishes,
Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Coupons equal cash

2011-06-15T09:28:00.003-04:00

I am treating my coupon learning the same way I treated getting out of debt.

1. I recognized I had an issue
2. Took inventory of my weaknesses
3. Got organized
4. Educated myself about the topic in 2004 that was debt and money in 2011 it is saving money with coupons

This quote is sticking with me:

More money isn't the answer. Saving money is. Getting more for less is a matter of changing how you think.

My Coupons notes follow to help you learn along with me...

1. Treat coupons like cash

2. Look in stores for peelies, tear offs, in store coupon books down the aisles

3. Set aside several hours a week to collect coupons, scan circulars, and hit the stores

Make a point of becoming aware of the promotional materials around you and start your own savings stash

You need to make a plan

Set s goal- save 20% this month off your grocery bill and 30% the next month and so on,,,

Filing your coupons system-
Make folders for Sundays for example the labels would look like this:
3/14 RP
3/14 SS
3/14 PG

Search coupon databases for existing coupons you have filed away

Devote 5 hours each week on coupons and shopping

Try paying for purchases in cash

Pick your stores that you will shop at weekly- CVS, Safeway, Target

Store to make money at Rite Aid (need to get up reward card)

More money isn't the answer. Saving money is. Getting more for less is a matter of changing how you think.

Essentials:

Oral care
$ toothpaste
$ dental floss
$ toothbrushes (adult/kids)
$ oral teething soothing cream (baby)
$ before brushing rinse

Best wishes,JanieP.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

When the reality of debt sets in...

2011-06-07T04:55:00.003-04:00

I found a great blog post about when the reality of your debt sinks in if you are a young person of 28 years of age. They realize that they took out too much debt and can't pay it off as quickly as anticipated. My realization of my load was prior to 28, however, I remember that realization so well. I still remember where I was driving on the beltway and the time. It was a terrible feeling to just realize that it would take me 5 years to pay off my debt. Actually, it was truly shocking.

Here is more of that blog post if you want to go over and read it: http://blogs.smartmoney.com/paydirt/2011/06/06/for-debt-laden-young-adults-reality-bites-at-28/?mod=rss_&link=SM_home_blogsum

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

The Krazy Coupon Lady

2011-05-30T20:31:00.004-04:00

I am now 10 weeks pregnant! Plus I just found out that daycare is $2,000 a month for infant care. I would really love to stay at home so I am doing some serious research about coupons. I found The Krazy Coupon Lady.

I love this site because you can learn about coupons, organization, and they help you find the best deals for that week.

Please go check out: http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

I think you will like it.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Saving is healing

2011-04-01T04:54:00.002-04:00

I have been consumed with the entire IVF process as of late. However, I did read recently that "saving is healing" and I loved this passage. I know personally that saving money does make me feel good. Even if it is $5 a day into my bank account it feels so good to do that. I feel like I am doing something good for myself. Therefore, if you can try to put $5 into your savings account today. You will feel better. Saving is healing is my moto today. Best wishes, Janie P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Have you ever heard of Cash Flow?

2011-03-01T20:34:00.002-05:00

Are you familiar with the cash flow concept? If you took an accounting class or read a finance book in school you probably have come across this concept before now. If you don't know what cash flow is I will trying to explain now. Cash flow is the amount of cash that is coming in and going out. Basically, it is a way to watch the flow of your money. How much money are you making and spending? While watching my spending over the past few months, for my coupon project, I have thought of a new concept called stuff flow.

Stuff flow is the stuff that flows in and out of my life and house. I have realized that stuff flow is a big problem for me. I don't have a process in place to deal with my stuff. My stuff is costing me big in both time and money.

This month I am going to do some soul searching about my stuff. What purpose is my stuff serving in my life? Why do I have so much of it? How can I eliminate my stuff?

This stuff is dragging me down and causing stress.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Financial Journal

2011-02-13T21:27:00.005-05:00

The rules of money are probably Ben Franklin-type rules, such as never squander it, don't be a spendthrift, be very careful, you have to account for what you're doing, you must keep track of it, and you can never ignore what happens to money.

- Michael Phillips, The Seven Laws of Money

So, for IVF last week I went to a nutritionist to discover some of my bad eating habits that I have to change for pregnancy. She had me keep a journal of the time I eat, what I eat at that time, and how I am feeling just before eating. This journal was illuminating for me. I tend to eat really bad around 3 pm each day because I am either tired or stressed from work. She asked me to eat my veggies and fruit servings for the day in either breakfast or lunch because after 3 pm begins my poor food choices.

After doing this activity for the nutritionist, I was thinking that I should also do this for my financial life. I will keep track of where my money is going and avoid impulse spending (especially around 3 pm at the vending machine or work cafe on bad food choices) for the next two weeks. At the end of the two week period, I will review my financial journal and see where I have been impulsive with my spending.

Do you want to join me with the financial journal activity?

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Earnings Timeline

2011-02-12T05:57:00.011-05:00

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I am going to expand on my Financial Timeline series here. This post will be about my Earnings Timeline and Net Worth to date.

So, I got my Social Security Statement in the mail this week and I always check it against my earnings for the year to check for accuracy. I believe that everyone should do this as part of getting your financial house in order.

Look at the three columns on your statement when you are checking for accuracy-

1. Years You Worked 2. Your Taxed Social Security Earnings 3. Your Taxed Medicare Earnings

Here are my taxable earnings since 1995 (I rounded numbers for privacy reasons):

1995 - $1,500

1996- $3,000

1997 - $2,000

1998 - $2,000

1999 - $700

2000 - $2,000

2001 - $200

2002 - $400

2003 - $10,000

2004 - $35,000

2005 - $45,000

2006 - $54,000

2007 - $64,000

2008 - $81,000

2009 - $86,000

Over a 15-year period I earned $386,800 of taxable income. But once taxes are taken out I probably brought home $193,400 during that same 15- year period.

I calculated my January net worth to be $90,579.44. Therefore, from my earnings I "spent" $100,000 dollars during that 15-year period. Honestly, I don't know where that $100,000 dollars went. I know $26,000 plus interest payments went to the credit card companies. I had a wedding, went on a honeymoon, purchased a car during that time period too. This was an eye-opening experience for me. It has made me want to pay more attention to my spending especially what is coming in and going out (cash flow).

Was this post helpful?

I do have a word of caution about this post. I live in an expense place in this country so please don't compare your earnings to mine. I do have a college education and I am a tough negotiator which has increased my earnings. If you are interested in my negotiating skills please leave a message below. I will be happy to devote a blog post to negotiating skills in a job and in life.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

My Financial Life Timeline

2011-02-06T12:39:00.006-05:00

Have you made a timeline of your financial life before? If you said no, you are not alone because I haven't either until now.

Here is my financial timeline by years-

1980 - 2003 Mooch off parents, had some side jobs made a total of $10,000 during those years

2003 - 2004 Moved out on my own, made $15.00 an hour and started getting into debt up to my eye balls

2004 - 2008 My salary continued to increase and I realized I had to get out of debt

2008 - now Debt free and trying to start a family through IVF

I think I will do a more detailed timeline next. I may even do a timeline for other areas of my life too. I think it brings clarity to your daily life- looking at the big picture. I should probably do one for saving and spending next.

What does your financial timeline look like? If you would like to leave a comment I would love to hear what your timeline is like. Is it like mine?

Best wishes,

Janie

Coupon Book

2011-02-04T05:29:00.001-05:00

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You all know how I have become the coupon queen as of late. Then I happened to find this great idea for a coupon book. I am still in the process of figuring out my coupons but this is awesome inspiration.

Go over and check it out.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

A Getting Out of Debt Story Of Inspiration

2011-02-03T05:06:00.004-05:00

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You may or may not know this about me but I love to decorate my house. Decorating my house is a hobby for me and I love to do it inexpensively as well. I look all over the Internet for inspiration and new ideas. Then one day I found the Thrifty Decor Chick. I have been reading this blog for about 2 years now.

My heart was so full yesterday when I read this blog post about her and having NO MORE DEBT. Please go over and read this story. She had a lot more debt than I have ever had and now she is out of it. All gone! It is such a story of inspiration and I am so excited that another person has joined the debt free club.

I think it is a wonderful story and I just had to share.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Coupons

2011-01-14T04:37:00.003-05:00

It has been a few months since I started using coupons. I can tell a difference. I have even started a coupon club with my girlfriends. We clip out coupons and send them to each other each week. My favorite places to save money are CVS with the extra care bucks, Giant they double coupons, and Target overall prices are cheaper.

Our grocery bill was about $150 a week on average and now it is around $50 to $65 a week. I would recommend coupons if you are serious about saving money on groceries. However, the process and getting started can be time consuming. I probably spend 5 to 6 hours each week on this coupon project. I think it will become easier as the months go on.

Here is my to do list:

1. Binder to organize coupons

2. Clip coupons every Saturday morning from newspaper

3. Organize clipped coupons into binder

4. Make price list- go to all of the stores that you shop at and write down the prices of the items that you purchase most often and associating prices

For instance, we could purchase Bumble Bee Tuna at CVS for 1.99 at Giant for 1.69 and Safeway for 1.99. So it is best to purchase from Giant or on sale at CVS for 66 cents when it goes that low.

I hope these tips are helping you. Best of luck. I will be back with more tips.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Coupons

2010-11-28T11:20:00.003-05:00

I am saving massive amounts of money with coupons lately. My new mission for 2011 is to teach everyone who reads my blog about the mysteries of saving money with coupons. It really is like free money if you know how to play the game and are willing to devote some time to searching for coupons.

My personal journey starting in 2004:

1. Get out of debt
2. Learn about money
3. Start a family (in the process of IVF)
4. Learn about saving money with coupons

I can't wait to share all of my new found knowledge with you.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Free Stuff at Vista Print

2010-11-09T10:50:00.002-05:00

I am in the process of shopping for Christmas gifts for my family and I wanted to share with you a secret of mine. I do a lot of my shopping at Vista Print and I get the free stuff. So, I only pay for shipping. I would recommend checking it out here.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

America's Cheapest Family

2010-10-03T07:09:00.004-04:00

I wanted to introduce you to America's Cheapest Family. My husband showed me a clip from the Today Show last week about this family. Now, that I am doing a lot of family planning and looking at our grocery bill I am hooked on America's Cheapest Family. I would recommend checking out the website here.

Also, if you want to get updates about my IVF journey you can go here.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

I am alive...

2010-09-16T18:35:00.002-04:00

You are all so sweet. I have some of the best blog readers around. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers. Doing IVF has taken a lot out of me. I haven't really been focusing on finances at all. However, I have been watching our monthly food bill. I just had a conversation with a girlfriend and she said that her biggest expense is food. We spend $700+ on food a month. My girlfriend spends $1200 a month for a family of 4. SHE couldn't believe that she spent that much. I would make sure to check those sneaky expenses. We all have to eat but maybe our choices aren't good for our wallets or our waist lines.

Food for thought...

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Five Cent Nickel

2010-07-18T09:44:00.001-04:00

I stumbled across this blog and thought it was a good resource: www.fivecentnickel.com. I hope you enjoy it too!

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Thinking Your Way to Wealth

2010-07-05T19:43:00.002-04:00

I was reading an article in a magazine about lessons you can learn from America's millionaires. The lessons are:

They think long term
They're not afraid to take chances
They live below their means
They save
They invest wisely
They're "tax-smart"

I think this is a good list. What do you think?

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Being In Debt Vs. Wanting A Baby

2010-06-21T17:48:00.002-04:00

Oh my! I don't know which I would consider the biggest struggle of my life. I know how difficult being in debt is and now I am just starting the IVF journey.

As I am getting started with IVF I am seeing a lot of similarities between these two struggles. I wonder if my struggle with debt was preparing me for this one. While I was in debt I was anxious, emotional, uncertain, had to be patient, work hard, and seek emotional support. I am using all of these skills now during this IVF process. However, this is pulling at my heart strings a lot more than $26,000 worth of debt. Money is money! A life is a life.

Do you ever feel like your struggles prepare you for something bigger in life? Is your debt shaping you in ways you never imagined?

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

IVF & Finances

2010-06-05T07:51:00.003-04:00

So, I am going to continue to actively maintain this blog but I may not be posting as much. Due to learning that I will need to do IVF to get pregnant. I am now entering into a new chapter in my life. On June 3, 2010 I learned of my new chapter in my life and have decided to write about it here.

How much do you think this is going to cost? For one cycle, it can be between $10,000 and $20,000. This is just for one cycle and it normally takes a couple 1 to 4 cycles to get pregnant now. Or at least that is what the doctor told us on June 3rd.

I am sure I will find plenty of articles about couples who have financed this process on their credit cards. I will keep you posted.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Thank You and Newsletter

2010-05-31T09:01:00.005-04:00

On this Memorial Day Weekend I would like to say, thank you to all of the men and women who serve and have given their lives for America. I am forever grateful for the scarifies you make so that we the American people can be free. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

The other day I got a newsletter in the mail. These are the statistics that I found in the newsletter:

- Over 75% of college graduates will graduate without knowing how to balance a checkbook

- Finances are the number one cause of divorce in this country

- The average college student graduates with over $4,000 in credit card debt and over $80,000 in student debt.

- 46% of all Americans have less than $10,000 set aside for retirement

These are shocking but not surprising to me. Can we make a pack today? If you know how to balance your checkbook can you teach a recent college grad how to. I think this is so important to pass on your knowledge to someone else. It makes the world a better place.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Do you judge others by their spending habits?

2010-05-27T20:47:00.002-04:00

Do you judge others?

I do. Sometimes. But I try to stop myself when I feel myself doing so.

I have found that a lot of people judge others for their spending habits. It is easy to do. For instance, I can't believe she is spending $300 on a pair of shoes when she has 3 children and there are starving children in this world to feed.

The next time you feel yourself judging someone else think about why you are judging them in the first place. Do you feel inadequate? Are you jealous? Do you think you are better than the person?

I really try not to judge others because I really don't know what is going on in that person's life. Why they are making the decisions that they are making?

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

College Grads & Money

2010-05-17T21:28:00.004-04:00

I have been out of touch lately because I am helping my husband find a job. This has been a team effort.

It is that time again and lots of college students are graduating. This is such an exciting time for many and a good time to talk to the college grads in your life about money.

Here an article as a starting point for a conversation: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-money/blog/college-solution/5-financial-tips-for-college-graduates/2064/

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.

Counting my losses...

2010-05-04T15:57:00.002-04:00

My husband's work situation is taking a toll on me. So many things have been put on hold because of it. I am so upset because I was planning on getting pregnant this year. But now that the job situation is the way it is we will still have to wait. Which makes me begin to think about all of the losses I have had in my life. I just recently heard about a doctor who tells her patients to write down all of their losses on a sheet of paper. Here goes...

My losses are:

- my mother leaving for an extended period of time when I was a child, I felt so abandoned
- losing childhood friendships
- feeling the heartbreak of my first relationship
- my parents divorce
- my loss of innocence
- my childhood home being sold
- death of my grandparents
- singlehood
- husband's job loss
- time

I can't think of anymore at the moment.

How does this all tie into personal finance you might ask? It is about debt. One of my biggest losses of time, money, and personal sanity was due to being in debt. I wish that I had money smarts earlier in my life. But I can't go backwards and I can't dwell in the past. So, I am going to reframe this entire situation in a positive way.

a. By the time I do have children, I will know more about personal finance.
b. I get to devote more prayer time to those struggling right now.
c. I get to devote more of my time to answering emails and helping those in need.
d. I have more time to educate myself.
e. I have more time to save for the baby's nursery, etc.

So, it is not all bad. Maybe you can think about a difficult situation you are dealing with right now and you can think of a way to reframe the situation in a more positive light.

Best wishes,

Janie

P.S. You have come to the right place if you are looking for information about getting out of credit card debt, paying off credit card debt, money tips, or for a friendly place if you are struggling with getting out of debt.