“Elevated” business casual is the description my boss gave me this week when he spoke to me about my clothes since the weather has turned warmer. (Via a text message.) And I had to agree that...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/04/new-clothes-needed/
Today I thought I’d share how my somatic therapy experience is affecting my approach to finances. First, I just want to say how much I enjoyed Ashley’s latest post, which has inspired this re...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/04/how-somatic-therapy-is-affecting-my-approach-to-finances/
It’s funny that my last post was about investing. Today’s post is almost the antithesis of that! One of my relatives (extended family) is inheriting a large sum of money. A larger sum than I�...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/04/the-great-taking-documentary-review/
Previously, I indicated that I had no plans to travel again until November. And then I’m planning to drive to Texas with one if not both of my daughters for Thanksgiving. Well, I lied. Or rathe...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/04/going-to-texas-last-minute-decision/
Lessons I learned the last two months as I’ve started receiving income again: Paying everything at the beginning of the month can leave you struggling at the end of the month. Even with money c...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/04/hopes-debt-update-april-2024/
Recently my partner and I have been in spring cleaning and home maintenance mode. We’ve had some nicer weather the past few weeks and the black flies haven’t come out yet, so we’ve been doi...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/04/spring-cleaning-home-maintenance-and-learning-to-drive/
A few months ago, a friend sent me some money they owed me via CashApp. I had to download the app specifically to receive the money, because it’s the only cash-sending app my friend had (I alre...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/04/investing-with-cashapp/
Spring seems like it’s finally arriving in the Midwest. I’m probably speaking too soon though. Right now there isn’t any snow on the ground, but it could be a fool’s spring. The fact that...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/03/making-summer-plans/
First a quick update from my last blog post. Thanks for the kind words and well wishes regarding my Dengue Fever (a pandemic currently in South America!). I’m fully better now and have opted no...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/03/more-money-more-problems-2/
The tides seem to be turning quickly. After over a year of seeking and struggling to find work, I have two part time jobs that I absolutely love and pay my bills. Then just this week multiple pas...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/03/paid-in-flowers-and-food-and-quality-time/
I bet long term readers of BAD saw the title and slapped their foreheads, thinking here we go again. Hope will never learn. However, I am here to show you differently. For the first time, maybe e...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/03/hopes-travel-plans-and-the-garden/
The grass is growing again. I think I could end my post there with all the pain that thought causes me. Don’t get me wrong. I love my gardening and my yard and all that…but the weekly mainten...
It’s been a long time since I was paid by a client to gain new skills. When you’re a freelancer, clients expect you to come in knowing how to do the job. But I’ve been lucky that my new cli...
Once again, I was paid a month in advance. As soon as the money hit my bank, I sat down and scheduled payments and reviewed my forecast. Man, it feels good to be on my feet again. This month I ha...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/03/hopes-debt-update-march-2024/
I saw this meme on a friend’s Facebook page (no original attribution was provided), and it struck a chord with me. It reads: “Everything is super important. Until you are sick. Then you reali...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/03/financial-responsibility-from-work-related-illness/
Before you all come for me. Although, I imagine my last post triggered some of you and you’ve already let me have it in the comments. My budget in the last post was an IDEAL WORLD, not my reali...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/03/saving-for-christmas/
As I mentioned a few posts ago, my partner had a reduction in bonus income, which I’ve been trying to make up for by finding new clients. The first prospect that I found ended up only needing m...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/landed-more-work-and-back-in-therapy/
When I first began interviewing for my new job, I knew I was going to have to negotiate a salary. And for the first time ever, I left my heart out of it. I did not focus on how much the business ...
I anticipate getting my first “big” paycheck towards the end of this week. Therefore, I am glad I asked about the credit card idea, mentioned my idea of prepaying my mortgage and so on. It wi...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/making-the-plan-now/
I am so excited to being on my way to getting to really tear into my debt. But I do believe I need to prioritize paying back my personal loans first, then the credit cards. However, I’ve foun...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/looking-at-credit-card-debt-differently/
Well, my goal of Two No Spend Months kind of flopped when my heat went out, my glasses broke, and so forth and so on. I didn’t exactly no spend. But I didn’t spend anything I didn’t HAVE TO...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/unexpected-blessing/
I am hitting the ground running. Because my new work is contract based and I have learned over the years…I am working on a monthly retainer agreement and will be paid in advance each month. Sin...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/hopes-debt-update-february-2024/
The last week of December, I heard from a past client asking if I was available for a big role. I was so excited to hear from him. Not only was he one of my favorite clients, but, of course, I wa...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/four-weeks-of-interviews/
In my last update, I talked about the bonus changes at my partner’s work being worse than expected. I was feeling kind of down about it, but now we have more reasons to be hopeful. It seems lik...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/still-looking-for-more-work/
Outside of the calamities, ie emergencies that popped up, I still think I’m doing pretty good at sticking to my No Spend Months. I mentioned that in addition to my heat failing, my glasses brok...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/must-be-able-to-see/
Back in December, I was hired on at a local fast food restaurant as their Catering Coordinator. But after I was offered the position, it kind of stagnated. I was actually kind of grateful as I wa...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/hows-the-part-time-job-going/
‘Tis the time of year for thinking about and planning for tax time. As I’m planning to put together our taxes, I’ve prepared by making a tax-credit-eligible donation to my kids’ school. W...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/tax-time-arizona-tax-credit/
After the heat going out right before Christmas and then again at the beginning of January, the first thing I had to address was getting heat in the house. I was able to immediately borrow some s...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/02/addressing-the-issue-of-heat/
On February 23, 2024, it will be an entire year since I had a full time job. And over a year and a half since I had a full time job with benefits. I walked into work on January 9th ready to go he...
A few weeks ago I wrote about the changes happening at my partner’s work. We learned that the bonus structure was changing in a way that would negatively affect bonuses. Well, unfortunately the...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/01/the-bonus-changes-are-worse-than-we-thought/
The White House recently announced its latest student loan forgiveness plan. I’m currently enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF), but hearing about this latest plan def...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/01/newest-student-loan-forgiveness-plan/
At the start of a new year, I always find myself reflecting on my financial goals. Recently I’ve been focused on retirement and making sure we’re on the right track. I’ve been playing aroun...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/01/retirement-calculators-and-using-what-i-have/
Happy New Year! I wish everyone a healthy and happy 2024! ‘Tis the season for new year resolutions or intentions. In the spirit of planning the coming year, I wanted to share my 2024 goals. For...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/01/2024-financial-goals/
There have been lots of writers here on BAD who have utilized a No Spend Month to make progress in their debt payoff journey. Here are just a few of them: Parents Coming to Visit and No Spend Cha...
I can’t remember if I wrote about my heat going out on 12/22, the morning after History Buff arrived for Christmas. Thankfully things worked out in my favor and we had heat for Christmas. First...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2024/01/the-first-opportunity-of-2024-heat/
Whoo, boy. I don’t even want to do a recap of 2023. So much loss. So much heartache. And so many struggles. So that’s it, that’s all I’m going to say about 2023. We are no longer looking ...
I wanted to settle the great debate that has been raging in my head for the last, almost year, since my devastating job loss. I have no plans to sell my home. Holding on to this home is what I wa...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/decision-made-im-not-selling/
Happy holidays! I hope everyone enjoyed their celebrations this week. My partner and I did things differently this year to keep our holiday festivities affordable and low-effort. Instead of doing...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/affordable-holiday-festivities-and-changes-at-work/
I stressed ALOT about Christmas and what I could and could not do as far as gifts go. And I definitely waffled between making terrible decisions and staying strong. But I’m happy to report, tha...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/two-dollar-christmas/
Before the start of 2023, I set financial goals belonging to 4 broad categories: short-term savings, investments, debt, and travel. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, I want to report ...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/reporting-on-2023-financial-goals/
A few months ago a reader commented that my partner and I should set a deadline for making some big decisions in our life, such as deciding if we should move. That comment really stuck with me an...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/feeling-like-weve-figured-out-our-priorities/
I am excited to share that with the exception of one credit card, I am up to date with all payments. It took some doing, but I’ve got a plan for Christmas, thanks for all the suggestions. I wil...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/hopes-december-debt-update-2/
Money is a scarce commodity, and this means that some people may be willing to do whatever it takes to get some, including stealing. This is one of the greatest reasons why it’s a good idea for...
The goals for this last week were: Week 1 – December 3 Create a $2,500 budget List/re-list sellable items that might do better during this Christmas season (jewelry, old computer, etc.) Researc...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/preparation-week-1-results/
I have a long history of issues related to my student loans, even across several student loan service providers. I think my loans have been sold 3 times over the course of time that I’ve been b...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/student-loan-services-are-at-it-again/
Preparing for interview #1 at the fast food restaurant made me realize just how much I have changed. I was excited. But not nervous. And felt no shame at the possibility of working fast food agai...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/interview-update-2/
Here’s my first take on a $2,500 budget. This was so hard and I cannot reasonably get it down below the $2,500 at all. This budget doesn’t include everything. I kept eliminating line items an...
The holidays are here, and there’s a good chance that you already have a series of events planned. This means that you need to get your home presentable and ensure that it reflects the holiday ...
The number of theft arrests is alarming. In Pennsylvania, for instance, there were almost 35,000 theft-related arrests in 2019. Nationally, in 2020, police reported over 4.6 million larceny theft...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/how-to-protect-your-home-from-theft-this-holiday-season/
I am wracking my brain on how to make Christmas special without presents. Don’t get me wrong, I know presents are not the reason for the season. But giving gifts is definitely one of my main wa...
https://www.bloggingawaydebt.com/2023/12/no-ideas-for-christmas-got-an-interview/