tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:41:25 +0000RandomRetirement403Brandom ramblingsrunningSpending diaryTaxesfitnesshalf.comHair and BeautyHotAzzMessSavingsStupiditykidsmoneyFollow me on my journey as I turn my financial mole hills into a mountain.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger408125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-3724912395661921635Thu, 30 Jun 2016 22:54:00 +00002016-06-30T18:54:00.216-04:00Do you know what your credit utilization percentage is? Easiest way to explain credit utilization is the balance owed as a percentage of available credit limit on all open cards. For example, total credit limit it $10,000 and you owe $5,000 - your credit utilization is 50%. So, why are we concerned about that percentage? What does it mean? Your credit utilization percentage is one of the http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2016/06/credit-utilization.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-2843133799218619940Sat, 14 May 2016 00:31:00 +00002016-05-13T20:31:41.983-04:00Time to bring this blog back to life and keep it going.  I have a few blog posts I am working on: 1. Improving your credit score 2. Building your savings 3. Buying a home 4. Student loan pay off http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2016/05/update.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-264229348956481345Thu, 11 Jun 2015 03:22:00 +00002015-06-10T23:22:51.949-04:00I have been in my current job since September 2013. It came with a decent raise which allowed me to boost my savings a bit, take a few vacations and save more for retirement. However, I now know this job is not a good fit for me. I am in the process of trying to find a new job and relocate to a  new state. More on this as the process plays out. Relocation will cost a pretty penny so I am http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2015/06/work-and-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-95136707341400251Thu, 11 Jun 2015 03:17:00 +00002015-06-10T23:17:27.823-04:00Time to bring this blog back to life. I will be updating on a weekly basis to keep myself accountable. Quick updates:  My savings account is looking the best it has in years. Credit cards are still an issue. That is a post I am not ready to write, and haven't been ready to write in years. School: I am back in school doing an MBA using student loans. No, Sallie Mae is not my servicer...thathttp://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2015/06/resurrection.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-1814821686251061499Sun, 23 Feb 2014 23:14:00 +00002014-02-23T18:14:00.474-05:00Last Thursday night I finally sat down and finished my taxes using Turbo Tax. This is a chore but one that is necessary or Uncle Sam will coming looking for me. I filed both my federal and state taxes electronically and both were accepted within 24 hours. There is a bigger than expected refund coming my way so I have decided to half on student loan and half to my travel fund. The federal refund http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2014/02/taxes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-6538559386391576514Sun, 23 Feb 2014 22:46:00 +00002014-02-23T17:46:48.126-05:00I suddenly had the urge today to blog about my money. Why? Maybe because this morning it hit me that my retirement is coming along nicely but my everyday finances are still in shits and shambles depending on the day. LOL Retirement: My retirement funds are coming along very nicely. I contribute to my pension and an IRA with vanguard. Combined there is about $35,000. Credit card debt: This is ahttp://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2014/02/money-updateim-backtransparency.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-3268593114884690703Sun, 19 Aug 2012 01:43:00 +00002012-08-18T21:43:26.637-04:00I am going on vacation.....woohoo. It was paid for with cash. I can't wait to the in the sun, sea and sand of the Dominican Republic.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/08/vacation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-5579277168970031728Sat, 21 Jul 2012 19:04:00 +00002012-07-21T15:04:19.664-04:00RetirementRetirement savings now total a little over 21K. Slow and steady wins the race. http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/07/retirement.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-2772961550745258563Sun, 15 Jul 2012 15:16:00 +00002012-07-15T11:19:34.128-04:00fitnessrunningRan 1.75 miles this morning. This has been my longest distance ever.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/07/still-running.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-4702707075181205729Sun, 17 Jun 2012 18:05:00 +00002012-06-17T14:05:35.830-04:00fitnessmoneyrandom ramblingsYesterday I did more work in organizing my closet. OMG!!!!! I found more tops that are still new with tags on. There are bottoms that don't fit anymore because I gained a bit of weight in the past few years. The tops fit so I'll be wearing those. As for the bottoms, well I need to continue working on running and other exercise so I can lose some weight. I refuse to buy new clothes at my current http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/06/weight-lossmoneyclothes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-9155736213478780038Sun, 17 Jun 2012 18:00:00 +00002012-06-17T14:00:15.557-04:00random ramblingsrunningRunning is cheap, I work up a good sweat and burn lots of calories. Today's training called for a 1.5 mile run. However, my legs are tired. I'm switching it to Monday. My new running sneakers by Saucony are absolutely awesome. Bought a new dri-fit shirt yesterday at Target for less than $20. This brings my dri-fit shirt total to 3. This is enough for now. Once the weather starts to get cold I'll http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/06/still-running.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-6995497946327948459Mon, 11 Jun 2012 00:59:00 +00002012-06-17T14:00:45.126-04:00random ramblingsrunningwoohoo. Last week I started the Jeff Galloway 5K training program. I was so excited to hit the pavement. Running has been a goal of mine for a while. My knees are finally co-operating (long story). The program calls for a one mile run the first two Sundays. My first mile was 15:37 and my second mile was 14:14. You might ask why is she so excited??? Well because I can run. Stay tuned. Running http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/06/im-running.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-4430455015430137487Sat, 09 Jun 2012 17:04:00 +00002012-06-09T13:04:12.832-04:00The year is halfway done. It's time for me to sit down and calculate how much I would have to throw at my student loan each month to pay off by 12/31/2012. I really don't want to carry this student loan into 2013.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/06/year-is-halfway-done.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-148341910024861711Sun, 20 May 2012 18:31:00 +00002012-05-20T14:31:59.347-04:00My main financial focus is to pay down as many of my bills as I can. The end result is to pull my credit score at the end of the year and see where I stack up. Since buying my condo over two years ago, I have no clue what my credit score is. If I have to guess, I would say it's close to if not above 700. Hope I'm right.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-main-financial-focus-is-to-pay-down.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-2525645582169515929Sat, 07 Apr 2012 23:12:00 +00002012-04-07T19:12:36.886-04:00My birthday is coming up in less than  two months. The plan is to have a fabulous birthday weekend. This requires me to be diligent with my money so that I'm able to treat myself for my birthday. The weather has been great lately, so I don't need the heat or AC. This means a lower utility bill. I've also been taking my lunch to work more. This is an off again, on again struggle that I need http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/04/keeping-my-eye-on-my-money.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-6239997676131531142Sun, 04 Mar 2012 02:00:00 +00002012-03-03T21:00:15.219-05:00I haven't bought non-workout clothes in quite a while. A few weeks ago I was going on vacation with my boyfriend and needed a few things. It was not a pleasant experience. However, I bought some items. After the vacation I took back the ones I didn't wear. I was so happy to get my money back. LOL Fast forward yesterday and I dropped a few almost two hundred dollars on workout clothes without http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/03/prioritieswhere-my-dollars-go.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-8183883781956634137Sun, 04 Mar 2012 01:57:00 +00002012-03-03T20:57:29.585-05:00After receiving a substantial enough tax refund I adjusted my withholding. The extra cash NOW is better than getting it next year. My goal for next tax season is to break even.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/03/after-receiving-substantial-enough-tax.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-7546381336718977397Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:29:00 +00002012-02-25T18:29:02.219-05:00I've accomplished my first goals for the year before the deadline. This is very exciting for me. Now it's time to set new goals. 1. Bring my student loan balance to below $6,000. 2. Save $500 towards my birthday gift to myself. My birthday is in June. 3. Research and purchase life insurance.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/02/finance-goals-april-1st-to-june-30th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-8190265475564346410Sat, 25 Feb 2012 23:03:00 +00002012-02-25T18:03:19.631-05:00I'm finally over the $20,000 mark in retirement savings. This is split between my vanguard IRA and pension fund. The emergency fund is at $5,500. My last student loan has a balance of $8,639. The goal is to pay this off my 12/31/2012.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/02/update-on.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-1893356687600133084Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:08:00 +00002012-01-27T21:08:32.137-05:00This is MY blog. I'm not a professional writer. This is a place for me to share what is going on with me financially. I am not a financial adviser. Please do not take anything here as professional financial advice. My blog is my financial journal. Nothing fancy.Just me and my money or lack thereof.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-disclaimer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-6304173091234956620Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:05:00 +00002012-01-27T21:05:15.359-05:003 goals Complete and file federal and state tax returns. Build my savings back up to $5,000. Last year I sacrificed saving to pay off Sallie Mae. Now it's time to get back to the 'pay yourself first' routine.  My savings account is currently at $1,100. That is enough for any 'oops' moment that might come up.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/01/finance-goals-jan-1st-to-march-31st.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-2475626613055975070Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:25:00 +00002012-01-17T20:25:18.335-05:00It's that time of year....tax time. I'll be filing my taxes as soon as all the necessary documents have been received. This year I should be getting a decent enough refund. If I do, I'll be adjusting my federal withholding. My state refund is always negligible. This year turbo tax will be my software of choice once again.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/01/filing-taxes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-3368157164296231458Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:22:00 +00002012-01-17T20:22:57.215-05:00Today I reviewed my Sallie Mae interest statement. In 2011 I paid $30 less in interest compared to 2010. The accelerated payments in 2011 saved me money, and paid off my loan in full. When paying extra on your student loans remember you'll be saving interest in the long run,and paying off your loan sooner.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/01/today-i-reviewed-my-sallie-mae-interest.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-477288099176200374Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:45:00 +00002012-01-02T22:45:42.965-05:00Now that Sallie Mae is no longer an issue (still waiting on my pay off letter so I can frame it) I have new goals. My focus will now be on paying off the rest of my credit card and my federal student loan (Sallie Mae was a private loan). I've done the calculations and it's entirely possible to pay both off before 12/31/2012.http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-goals.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28761671.post-8274236330493027961Tue, 03 Jan 2012 03:35:00 +00002012-01-08T11:38:25.776-05:00Tips in paying off Sallie Mae sooner: 1. Key is to make multiple payments each month. EDIT!! Please make sure the minimum due gets there before the due date. No use in making multiple payments if they don't get there on time. 2. If paying by check or money order please write specific instructions with your payment. "apply to principal only" or "principal only payment" etc. Anything that would http://tired-of-being-broke.blogspot.com/2012/01/tips-in-paying-off-sallie-mae-sooner-1.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)4