Financial Update for Mid-October

Lately things have been very busy for me here. When I am not working online, I am working on the kitchen or I'm taking a break due to my health. Last week I took about 3 days off because I really needed it. I didn't work, I didn't even remodel the kitchen. That is partially the reason why I haven't blogged as much as I should be.

But now I'm back and there are a lot of goals and deadlines that I need and want to meet.

The first thing I need to do is give an update on my financial goals for mid-October. Last month I was able to increase a payment towards old debt. I brought down one of the credit cards to a balance of $900.00!

October 15th-31st

Payu2blog: $20.00
Socialspark: $27.08
Payperpost: $31.00
Private Sales: $240.00
Kontera: $0.22
Adbrite: $0.64

Total: $318.94

Paying Off Old Debt

Today I was able to put an extra payment towards old debt. One of the credit cards that I've been paying off from my previous marriage is now down to a $700 balance! Prior to that it was at $760, so I paid the $60 down plus the $9.00 interest rate to make it to the balance it's at now.

I am so very excited and cannot wait to get all of this old debt paid off! It is always a great feeling when you don't have to take your entire paycheck and pay it towards credit card bills! I am hoping to be able to pay extra towards another credit card next week, but we'll see how it goes. We'll still need money for the holidays and a trip to Oklahoma, but there may be room for debt reduction as well.

September Financial Update

Things are getting better since I've been pulling in a little more money. Even with the loss of a certain company's sales, things are going good. I have added a new company this week called Adbrite. I've already made some sales with them which is awesome since I just started with them this month.

Here are totals for my last two weeks' of September:


September 14-30

Payu2blog $25.00
MySurvey $10.00,
Cashcrate $1.00
payperpost $52.00
SocialSpark $21.45,
Private Sales $180.00
Kontera $0.05
AdBrite $1.03

This brings the total for the two weeks to $290.53. Now while that might not be a tremendous amount of money for some people, it's really decent for me and almost as much as I made when I work at microtel here in Independence, Kansas. Plus, if the next two weeks goes really well, it will be a little bit over what I need for bills, which means I can put more towards one of the credit cards that I am aiming to pay off.

There are only two credit cards that I need to pay off and their now both under $900! The card that I used for emergencies only is no longer being used, due to the interest rates being taken out two times a month. Was this a mistake on their part? As it turns out, no. So the card is not worth keeping in my opinion. If we ever decide to get another credit card for emergencies, I'll take closer look at the fine print the next time.

Speaking of credit cards, my husband was offered one at the bank where our mortgage is. He was pre-approved for $1500.00 and the interest rate was 5.9%. That's really low and something sounded a little fishy to me, so at the time I convinced my husband that he should hold off on applying for it.

Plus, I have this fear that if he does get the card, he'll be spending the money on non-emergencies and we'll be right back to where we started. With the economy as it is, we certainly don't need any more financial debt!

BTW, if you haven't already, be sure to check out Work at Home Mom Revolution's post on: Recession-Proof Strategies for Work at Home Moms and Dads. It's scary to think just how bad this economy has gotten and that we're having to do a bail out. And what if that bail out falls through? What then?

2 week Financial Goal Update

Instead of doing a monthly goal update, I'm doing a 2 week update. Part of the reason I am doing this is because I need to put the information into my worksheet and I can't do that until I update here on my blog.

While my freelance writing jobs were short the last few weeks due to, sickness and natural disasters, I did top the $100 mark, but I'm still short by $76.11 in order to pay the bills for October. So, it looks like I'll be working this weekend to try and make some extra money.

September 1st thru September 12th

Google Adsense: $29.30
Kontera Ads: $0.19
Payu2blog: $15.00
Payperpost: $17.00
SocialSpark: $6.50
Private Sales: $56.00

Total Earned: $123.89
Total Needed: $200.00
Total Still Needed: $76.11 (anything over that will be used to pay off debt and put towards a car)

I want to thank those who visited google and kontera ads. It really helped me meet my financial goals for the past two weeks.

An Update on Financial Goals

Since I wasn't able to put extra towards a credit card last month, I decided to make an extra payment to one of the credit cards today. It was only $5 extra, but it just knocked the debt balance down to less than $950 which is great! I would have put more towards the card, but we're short this month and we have to save what we can for the electric bill and another big bill that we were obligated to pay about a month ago.

At least that credit card's balance is less than $950 now. That makes me feel so much better! And it's actually the card that double charges it's interest rate, so I'm definitely feeling better about things. Plus the electric bill wasn't nearly as much as I thought it was, so the hubby will be happy about that one! Looks like it's going to be a great day, after all!

An Update On My Goal

I haven't had much time to really update my blog or do any work online, due to a tragic death in the family and my birthday being yesterday. Unfortunately this put me behind, so I may be working a lot of hours in the near future unless I get some outstanding paying jobs.

Here is an update on what I have been making. Obviously my goal has not been made for the credit card payment this month and I won't be making an extra payment towards it. I will have to try again for next month.


August 11th
Google Adsense: $1.60
Kontera Ads: $0.00
PepperJam Ads: $0.00

August 12th
Google Adsense: $2.22
Kontera Ads: $0.00
PepperJam Ads: $0.00

August 13th
Associated Content: $4.00
Payperpost: $10.00
Google Adsense: $0.00
Kontera Ads: $0.00
PepperJam Ads: $0.00

August 14th
Google Adsense: $0.78
Kontera Ads: $0.00
PepperJam Ads: $0.00

August 19th
Google Adsense: $0.08
Payperpost: $8.00
Kontera Ads: $0.00
PepperJam Ads: $0.00

ClearVoice Offers $97 studies and Surveys

Here's another opportunity I thought at home moms and dads might be interested in.

I am usually not a big fan of surveys that pay you money, but this one looks promising and so far they haven't filled my email box with a bunch of junk. I have heard that they offered $97 for a focus group. That's really good. I did a focus group last year on step-families and made $250 from it. Not through ClearVoice, however. This was through another company that only does private studies.

I'm giving ClearVoice a try and we'll see what happens. I am told they send 3-4 surveys per a week for 5-10 questions that are quick an easy. Unfortunately it's only 25 cents per a survey. Still, that's 75 cents a week if it only take s a few minutes to complete. $3 per a month. Not much, but it all adds up. Plus if I'm able to get into one of the focus groups, that's a lot more money that can go towards a car and debt!

Update on my Goals

Its been a busy past few days since the kids start school tomorrow. There is a meet the teachers at school, so we're headed to that today and then after that, there is a back to school event going on at the park.

Before I head out, however. I wanted to share an update on my goals. I had about $40 saved for an extra payment towards the credit cards, but I had to use it for today's school events, bathroom pvc pipes to repair the kids bathroom and pvc thread tape to repair the pipe in our own bathroom. Then my husband needed money for drinks at work. The good news is I still have about $15 left, so it's going directly to the savings account I recently opened.

Here's a quick update of my income lately:

August 6th
Private Sales: $50.00
Google Adsense: $3.98
SocialSparks: $10.91
Kontera Ads: $0.00

August 7th
Google Adsense: $3.03
Kontera Ads: $0.00

August 8th
Associated Content: $4.00
Payperpost: $5.00
Kontera Ads: $0.00
Google Adsense: $0.00

August 9th
Associated Content: $4.00
Kontera Ads: $0.00
Google Adsense: $0.00

August 10th
Payu2blog: $5.00
Payperpost: $5.00
Kontera Ads: $0.00
Google Adsense: $0.00

It's been an impressive week, especially for Google adsense! I hope that it continues to be!

Money, Money, Money, Money.... Moooneyyy....

I love trying new recipes and by chance I ran across a recipe that is suppose to be helpful on the wallet as well. The author of the post broke down each ingredient and it's cost. By the time she totaled it all up to what she considers a great deal, was almost shocking to me. Her meal cost nearly $9 for 4 servings! That's pretty hefty, especially since it equals out to over $1 per a person. heck, might as well splurge at McDonalds for that price!

When I make a list for the week for dinners, I can manage $5 for 4 people, just fine. And there's no skimping either. I do understand that cost of prices is a bit higher in some areas, but trust me.. Small towns are a lot worse. They gouge prices because they know you won't drive an hour out of your way to the city and buy groceries.

I remember when I lived in an even smaller town, Sedan, Kansas. The first time I visited their grocery store, I bought what I couldn't live without and left. Back then, buying a loaf of bread through them was around $2.80 a loaf. I can't imagine how much worse it is, now that the economy has reared its ugly head.

Speaking of things rearing their ugly heads.. It's a good thing I only have a dollar on me. The neighbors are having a yard sale and I see a framed picture of coffee art that would be great on the bare walls of my kitchen. I thought they were just setting up for tomorrow at first, and when the kids mentioned wanting to go, the hubby said maybe tomorrow.

Well, when I stepped out my front door I saw the sign for the sale and balloons, flags, etc, so I'm pretty sure they're starting it this evening. Sigh Ohh well.

An Update on my Goals

I managed to make an extra payment towards one of the credit cards I am paying off. Because of the extra payment, That will bring the credit card to exactly $800. I am hoping to be able to pay more towards that credit card, next month.

Also, I was able to put $25 back to a new savings account for emergency funds. I might also have enough to buy a lawn mower for the yard, this Friday.

We finished all of the school supply shopping today for my husband's children. So that takes care of all of the kids. It's been a great day!

Here are the latest break downs of what I am making online to help pay the bills and make my goals. As always, thank you to those who have been visiting ads from google adsense. Every little bit makes me one step closer to paying off the debt and buying a car.

July 31st
Payu2blog $15.00
Google Adsense $0.00
Kontera Ads $0.00

August 1st
Payu2blog $5.00
Google Adsense $0.00
Kontera Ads $0.00

August 3rd
Cashcrate $3.00
LoudLaunch $4.00
Google Adsense $0.00
Kontera Ads $0.00

August 4th
Associated Content $4.00
Google Adsense $0.67
Kontera Ads $0.00

Update on My Goal

Well, I am behind again, but at least I have been working towards my goals. If you're not familiar with what I am doing, I want to pay off the credit card debt I have and buy a car. Those are my main goals. I have other financial goals as well, but those are the first on the list. Unfortunately there were days I wasn't able to work at enough money to put towards my goals. However, there were other days where I made more than enough to put towards my goals. So in the end, it all equaled out. I would like to put more towards the goals to get them paid off faster, but that's another story, another day.

In the mean time, to solve the problem of my hubby not wanting to budget, I am just paying the bills as I get them. So far he's doing good with putting the amount needed for the house in the savings account. :)

July 28th
Socialspark: $25.99
Google Adsense: $1.26
Kontera: $0.00

July 29th
Associated Content: $4.00
Google Adsense: $0.03
Kontera: $0.00
July 30th
Associated Content: $4.00
Google Adsense: $0.00
Kontera: $0.00

An Update on My Goal

I am a bit behind on updating my goal. I actually have about 3 days worth of online work. I worked for an hour on the weekends just to catch up for last Thursday. I am no longer in need of help with my kids. I want to thank everyone who contributed with helping my kids. As of now I am working towards two goals. One is to pay off two credit cards and the other is to save for a car. I'm not even sure which one to start with first. I'll need a car since I am headed back to Oklahoma in September/October for a court date for my kids.

But the credit card I used for emergencies is still claiming an over the limit fee. This means I will have to make a $125 payment this month instead of the usual $40. I had used the card to put the car rental on because they wanted to hold way too much money back from our checking account. This was still an enterprise thing from when I picked up my son. What enterprise did not bother to tell me is that they hold the same amount on my credit card and didn't return it in time, so the credit card charged an over the limit fee. So, after I pay the card's balance back up, I am officially closing that account. I can live without the credit card. Emergency or not.

July 24th
Payu2blog: $10.00

July 25th
Private Sales: $50.00
Kontera Ads: $0.06

July 26th
Payperpost: $30.00
Kontera Ads: $0.05

July 27th
Payperpost: $5.00
Google Adsense: $1.93

An Update on My Kids and My Debt Goal

First off, I must than Bokjae and his beautiful wife for their continued efforts in helping me with my kids. They sent me another $20 last night. They are such wonderful people and two of my great friends. If you have not visited their blog: Listening, Learning, Living, please drop by and say hi. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Donations: $20
Google Adsense: $0.00
Kontera: $0.00
Smorty: $6.00
Payu2Blog: $10.00
Payperpost: $5.00
Associated Content: $4.00

I also met my goal of $12.50 for the day for the credit card I want to pay off. I am very excited about this and will continue to make an effort to meet that goal until that card is paid off. It will be $50 dollars less a month I have to pay towards bills!

Paying Down Credit Card Debt

Instead of paying insurance for a year in advance, I've decided to begin paying off a credit card. The reason for this is, the interest rate on the credit card is much more than what we'll be saving on insurance. Right now the credit card I am wanting to pay off is not in use whatsoever. It's a closed account, so there will be no using the card for any reason.

The balance owed on the card is about $1200. I figure if I can knock out at least $100 or that amount in about 2 weeks, that's doing really good. This will all depend on whether or not I have enough work to keep me busy and also whether or not I'll have to make up any extra towards our house payment. I'll be posting updates and noting the amount being set aside for the credit card debt as much as I can. The way I figure it will take me about $12.50 a day extra to meet my goal. That's not bad at all! :D

If I find that the 12.50 can be easily made, I'll increase my goal for the two weeks after that. I am hoping to have that credit card paid off by December! In order to accomplish that, I'll need to make at least a $150 payment every two weeks. That's $18.75 a day. Not too bad, so we'll see what happens! I am very excited about doing this.

Another goal I need to be working on is buying a car so that I can pick up my kids without having to spend nearly $200 every trip. That's getting to be quite a bit! So I am going to see what I can do with the car goal as well.

Author Suze Orman is a Financial Goddess. Enough Said!

Yesterday I was one of the millions who had the opportunity to download Suze Orman's "Women & Money" for free, thanks to one of my favorite debt blogs, "Blogging Away Debt."

Although the free download offer has ended, please don't let that stop you from reading Suze Orman's financial books. Suze has been featured on Oprah many times. Her advice for women and finance is astounding. I can honestly say, I have never been able to really sit down and take to heart any kind of financial advice...that is until I read a copy of Suze Orman's, "Women and Money." Now this insane writer is hooked and can't wait to read the rest of her financial books for women.

"Women and Money" is pretty simple and straight forward. I think my favorite part of the book is however, how Suze tells us how it all began for her. She is a true inspiration when it comes to women and financial success.

To find out more, please consider picking up a copy of "Women and Money", whether it be from your local bookstore, online or your local library. Believe me, it's well worth the read.

What's For Dinner

Every Friday we head for the supercenter wal-mart to do our weekly grocery shopping. For a family of 7 (when we have all of the kids) I can generally manage to spend around $150 per week. I have been trying to cut down on this bill, but without sacrificing taste or healthy foods. Lately a lot of our dinners consist of pasta since it is reasonable. While pasta may be reasonable it isn't always healthy! Another problem is, pasta gets very boring. So this week I am cutting out the pasta and adding other yummy dishes instead.

The great thing about summer is fresh produce from the local farmers! I love fresh produce and look forward to dropping by their vendors when I am able to. This is a big advantage towards the grocery bill since they are much more reasonable that wal-mart's produce.

Once in a while I do add treats for the kids like snack crackers, puddings or other kid favorites. I would much rather them have fresh fruits and veggies as a snack when I can, but I don't see anything wrong to treating kids to a junk food favorite once in a while.

We also indulge in a dessert once or twice a week. This week I am planning to make a carrot cake with a caramel sauce. I made carrot juice a few nights ago and because I have a juicer, I am able to save the carrot pulp for things like cake. :) It's the first time I will make a caramel sauce to go over the cake, so I hope it turns out well!