Random Thoughts…Part-Time Job!

I really hate feeling so financially restricted but whose fault is it anyway… bad choices or no action over the years cannot be eliminated in 12 months; I know that; but now what? Taking my ex-husband back to court for Child Support Modification might alleviate some financial hardships but I’ll still need extra cash to help pull me out of this black-hole. A part-time job will give me a little bit of cash flow but my time is stretched already! If I got a part-time job I still wouldn’t be able to afford car and/or car insurance for Brandon; so I will still have to drive him around to afterschool events. Not to mention my after-work commitments; not too bad in the fall terms but spring and summer is very demanding (no overtime I’m salary). Something going to have to give…just don’t know what! L Would love any suggestions…

ORP….ORP…ORP

Optional Retirement Program (ORP)…Small steps…

Does anyone know what to do with it? I’ve been working at Florida State University for 17 years and I will confess that until the WeLiveFit! Challenge I may have looked at my ORP account once a year in December. Now…however, I make it a point to check-up on my ORP account and have done some homework to ensure my account is invested wisely. Admittedly, this process is not easy and if I didn’t have help form a very good friend (Susan) and my young bother (Gil) I would have ignored it for another 17 years. So, yes it could be confusing but it’s your investment choice and in my case it’s $5,487 a year that the University contributes to my fund and I must invest wisely for my future. I’ve made some changes; small ones but nevertheless practical ones. Part II of this process will follow.

Vote…Vote…Vote….

Vote for me and Brandon to win the Blu-Ray Player and a subscription to NetFLIX!

Okay, so you guys know how difficult it was for me to give-up my DIRECTV with DVR…but I had to do it! Wants over needs! I loved it…I could watch my favorite show when I wanted; never had to worry about missing a show…it was just there waiting to entertainment us. I’ve been living without it for months and I miss it but I had no other alternative; it was a luxury. I disconnected it saving $74.38 a month; around $893.00 a year; I got a TV Converter Box using the Department of Commerce coupon for $40.00; I paid $10.74. I also purchased a Philips MANT940 Indoor/Outdoor HDTV Antenna for $34.40 and get all local channels crystal clear (ABC, FOX, CBS, CW & more) and some sport channels. Now… all I “need” is a DVD recorder; but I know “Want or Need”…so it will have to wait…but if you vote for our video once a day until August 11st at:http://www.welivefitchallenge.com/about_the_program/welivefit_blog/vote_for_your_favorite_family_video_here

I could be happy again…Please vote every day until August 11^th for the Garcia Family video but vote only once a day…

We’re back!

I wish I could say we have good news from our trip to New York…but we don’t. My sister is not doing well and we don’t know how long she has left. I feel so useless but I take comfort in knowing that she was pleased to have Brandon and I visit with her. We were able to get her out of the house if only for a bit of fresh air and she seems to be pleased. I’m back in Tally and I just can’t stop thinking that my sister was just waiting for us to visit with her to finally let go of this life and move on. It may be that I’m having flashbacks of my father and brother Robert’s passing; they passed on within 24 hours of visiting with me and Brandon. I will continue to remain positive and hope for the best…

4^th of July bust…

I spent $163 and didn’t have fun… I couldn’t let go…I was constantly worry about running out of money or overspending! I guess, I had too many thoughts running through my head… I’m going to court on July 10^th for Child Support Modification, New York this weekend for 13 days, finding suitable accommodation for Baxter while we are gone, and the money to pay for this all. Nevertheless, I did enjoy visiting with me brother and their family but all in all; I would have been just as happy at home.

4^th of July….Confessions!

The 4^th of July has become one of the biggest Garcia’s family traditions for the past 7 years. Four days of food, fun, and family bonding. My four brothers, their immediate families, Brandon and I meet in Orlando at our older brother house and we have a great time. This year however, I have no money to contribute to this event and that’s going to be okay with the boys as long as we are together but then the questions! I will have to explain how I managed to become so financially lame. I will have to confess my financial short comings. They all think I’m doing alright; not rolling in dough; but not living paycheck to paycheck or living off credit cards. Growing up I was always smart with my money… I don’t want them to be disappointed in me…but isn’t that one of the reasons we don’t talk about money with friends and families…I guess this weekend will change that… Admittedly, I’m better off now; then six months ago; thanks to the WeLiveFIT! Challenge!

Disappointment!

I’ve been setting some practical short term financial goals every month for myself in order to remain focus. It started with getting rid of unnecessary expenses, creating a budget, cutting up my credit cards and this month living off my monthly salary. It started off great…I’ve met or surpass my goals in the past months. My goal this month was to go without using the only credit card I have left (just for emergency); I was doing so well until… I took Baxter to the veterinarian office for his 6 month check-up. Baxter is health but it was time to renew his Heart Worm bills…not in my budget this month; so I had to use the credit card. It was only $62 and it was the only charge this month. I guess I’ll keep trying…maybe next month.

GOOD NEWS!!!

Okay, my suspicion about Florida State Credit Union was correct… I called today and they confirmed that they are having some difficulties converting to a new system and have some glitches. Although they are not reporting any negative activity to FICO as last payments (which I don’t have); the problem is that FICO interprets that as a missed payment…but they are in the process of correcting this mistake. I have reported the mistake to Equifax; so let see what happiness!

July 10^th… Do I really need a lawyer?

July 10^th is the day I go to Leon County Court House for Child Support Mediation! Do I really need a lawyer? Now, I put it off for several years because like most people in this situation; I didn’t want to deal with the DRAMA. But why should I be the only parent picking up the financial slack…I’ve been doing it for so long and to some extent is why I’m in this financial circumstance. After all Brandon’s father is quick to take the credit and glory for how well Brandon turned out with just the bare minimum support! I was hoping that he would be fair and just agree to the Modification but again I was wrong! In fact, he hired a lawyer…so, now I guess I will need one as well. I still believe this could easily be worked out without lawyers and the money saved could benefit Brandon directly but I’m the only person that apparently believes this; my friend told me “only a fool represents himself in a court of the law”. My trust in our judicial system is fading. What should I do? What would you do?

FICO SCORE DROPPED 47 POINTS! WHAT!!!

My FICO Score dropped 47 points…don’t know why; it make no sense! I started my week excited with the hope that this month would be my 1^st credit card free month. I was sure that this month my credit score would jump another 10 points…but to my surprise it dropped 47 point from April to June! I hope it’s a mistake. I’ve compared April’s report with June’s for hours yesterday, trying to figure out where I went wrong. I fact, I found positive news…the balance on my accounts have dropped within that time frame by $10,955.00…so what happened. The only thing I could discovered is that Florida State Credit Union where I have my car and home loan have not report any payments for April and May; but that impossible those payment are payroll deducted bi-weekly… I hope my coaches Betty O'Brien and Mandy Atkins can help me figure it out!