I started talking to my old friend from highschool... and i'm going to road trip out to see him in May after my birthday!!!!
I'll be taking the extra $700 from my tax return to pay for my trip... and its about time I did a road trip!!
My taxes are done and I will MAIL THEM BEFORE TUESDAY MORNING... That's my goal.
I'm having my house warming party this weekend... and the grocery budget is completely chaotic as 3 weeks this month i bought groceries for my sister and she gave me money for it but reciepts got lost... everything got jumbled up... then with the party food I bought the other day at Costco.... its a miracle I broke even this month. I only pulled out my marathon reg money from savings... and somehow managed to buy new running shoes, SMOG my car... pay for my taxes via turbo tax... and a slew of other things... although I did discover I had $$$$$ in my wallet that I forgot about... and so I definenely spent that this month. lol...
oh well... we go through one month of progress and another month of more slacking off... but that's personal finance for you. I'll tucker down next month for sure. =)
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Retirement Perspectives--- My portfolio is finally in the Green again...
Year to Date growth:
2009 End: $26,529.33 | 2010 Current: $27,257.88
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,392 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.92 % of my portfolio
• Contributions: $756.22 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary)
• Worth $794.75
o Up 5.09% from inception, +$38.53
o Milestone 2040 makes up 100%
457 Account: Approximately 3.79% of my portfolio
• Discontinued Employer funded plan (interest = pennies)… I get it when I quit… can’t invest it… can’t do anything with it.
o Positive $1,033.06
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 9.47% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested| Worth $2,580.16
o Up 3.2064% from inception. Positive $80.16
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.15%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.87%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 43.62% of my portfolio
• $12,000 Invested | Worth $11,889.20
o DOWN .0923% since inception… Negative $110.80
o ING Strategic Allocation Moderate $11,639.20 | I have 1,414.24 Shares
o ARDVX 2040 $ 0.00
o Money Market Cash: $0.00
o Not deposited Contributions: $250.00 Earmarked for ARDVX
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $16,297.17. Of that I’ve only invested $14,500 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 12.39% If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 16,289.28), my portfolio is UP 0.048% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 40.21% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
Total: $10,960.71
• I’m currently buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less than a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 34 more installments.
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $27,257.88
2009 End: $26,529.33 | 2010 Current: $27,257.88
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,392 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.92 % of my portfolio
• Contributions: $756.22 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary)
• Worth $794.75
o Up 5.09% from inception, +$38.53
o Milestone 2040 makes up 100%
457 Account: Approximately 3.79% of my portfolio
• Discontinued Employer funded plan (interest = pennies)… I get it when I quit… can’t invest it… can’t do anything with it.
o Positive $1,033.06
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 9.47% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested| Worth $2,580.16
o Up 3.2064% from inception. Positive $80.16
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.15%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.87%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 43.62% of my portfolio
• $12,000 Invested | Worth $11,889.20
o DOWN .0923% since inception… Negative $110.80
o ING Strategic Allocation Moderate $11,639.20 | I have 1,414.24 Shares
o ARDVX 2040 $ 0.00
o Money Market Cash: $0.00
o Not deposited Contributions: $250.00 Earmarked for ARDVX
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $16,297.17. Of that I’ve only invested $14,500 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 12.39% If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 16,289.28), my portfolio is UP 0.048% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 40.21% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
Total: $10,960.71
• I’m currently buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less than a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 34 more installments.
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $27,257.88
Saturday, February 20, 2010
My friend donates plasma..
So this past week I started re-talking to my old best friend from freshman year of high school... (Thanks Facebook). He moved away a long time ago and now resides in Utah.
Apparently he got laid off a few months ago... and since he's a broke college student, he donates his plasma to get $$$ to pay his cell and car insurance and gas so he can drive to school...
Ouch...
Apparently he got laid off a few months ago... and since he's a broke college student, he donates his plasma to get $$$ to pay his cell and car insurance and gas so he can drive to school...
Ouch...
If I didn’t work for the government... How much would I have to make to get my take home pay?
$44,163.93… that’s what I made in 2009…
but I only saw $36,239.33 after medicare, federal taxes, state taxes, mandatory deductions and the like. (not counting that home buyers credit...)
But I work for the government… so I don’t pay social security…
In the real world I’d have to make $49,920 just to see the same $36,239.00 because I’d pay way more in taxes and social security...Plus I wouldn’t have the pension…
I have a new respect for my job...
but I only saw $36,239.33 after medicare, federal taxes, state taxes, mandatory deductions and the like. (not counting that home buyers credit...)
But I work for the government… so I don’t pay social security…
In the real world I’d have to make $49,920 just to see the same $36,239.00 because I’d pay way more in taxes and social security...Plus I wouldn’t have the pension…
I have a new respect for my job...
Retirement Perspectives
Year to Date growth:
2009 End: $26,529.33 | 2010 Current: $26,907.33
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,399 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.91 % of my portfolio
• Contributions: $741.98 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary)
• Worth $784.15
o Up 5.68% from inception, +$42.17
o Milestone 2040 makes up 100%
457 Account: Approximately 3.84% of my portfolio
• Discontinued Employer funded plan (interest = pennies)… I get it when I quit… can’t invest it… can’t do anything with it.
o Positive $1,033.03
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 9.59% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested| Worth $2,579.71
o Up 3.1964% from inception. Positive $79.71
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.15%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.87%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 43.15% of my portfolio
• $11,750 Invested | Worth $11,611.27
o DOWN 1.18% since inception… Negative $133.73
o ING Strategic Allocation Moderate $11,461.27 | I have 1,396.014 Shares
o ARDVX 2040 $ 0.00
o Money Market Cash: $150.00
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $16,008.16. Of that I’ve only invested $14,250 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 12.33% If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 16,025.01), my portfolio is DOWN 0.58% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 40.51% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
Total: $10,899.17
• I’m currently buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less than a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 35 more installments.
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $26,907.33
2009 End: $26,529.33 | 2010 Current: $26,907.33
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,399 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.91 % of my portfolio
• Contributions: $741.98 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary)
• Worth $784.15
o Up 5.68% from inception, +$42.17
o Milestone 2040 makes up 100%
457 Account: Approximately 3.84% of my portfolio
• Discontinued Employer funded plan (interest = pennies)… I get it when I quit… can’t invest it… can’t do anything with it.
o Positive $1,033.03
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 9.59% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested| Worth $2,579.71
o Up 3.1964% from inception. Positive $79.71
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.15%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.87%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 43.15% of my portfolio
• $11,750 Invested | Worth $11,611.27
o DOWN 1.18% since inception… Negative $133.73
o ING Strategic Allocation Moderate $11,461.27 | I have 1,396.014 Shares
o ARDVX 2040 $ 0.00
o Money Market Cash: $150.00
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $16,008.16. Of that I’ve only invested $14,250 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 12.33% If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 16,025.01), my portfolio is DOWN 0.58% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 40.51% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
Total: $10,899.17
• I’m currently buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less than a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 35 more installments.
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $26,907.33
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
"Declawed kitty"
Wow, thats feedback, lol.
I should offer a bit of correction:
I only adopt pets from the animal shelter "as-is"... i mentioned the adopting a declawed kitty because the shelter in the city I work for is OVER FLOWING with cats, kittens, ect... and as sad as it is to say, I work in Orange County where people don't necessarily care about the pain the pet goes through to make it "perfect..." Most likely I'd have a selection of declawed Cats to choose from if I go with an older friend and not a brand new kitten... which I might do...
But thanks for all the research and extra knowledge!
I'm still months away from deciding on a pet... but i'm leaning more toward getting 2 who are friends/from the same litter so they have someone when i'm gone.
but thats saying That I decide to even get a pet, lol... but i wouldn't declaw a cat on my own.
I should offer a bit of correction:
I only adopt pets from the animal shelter "as-is"... i mentioned the adopting a declawed kitty because the shelter in the city I work for is OVER FLOWING with cats, kittens, ect... and as sad as it is to say, I work in Orange County where people don't necessarily care about the pain the pet goes through to make it "perfect..." Most likely I'd have a selection of declawed Cats to choose from if I go with an older friend and not a brand new kitten... which I might do...
But thanks for all the research and extra knowledge!
I'm still months away from deciding on a pet... but i'm leaning more toward getting 2 who are friends/from the same litter so they have someone when i'm gone.
but thats saying That I decide to even get a pet, lol... but i wouldn't declaw a cat on my own.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Smog check & Cox & HOA
I just now looked closer at the form... I have to take my car and get a SMOG check...
poooooo!
----
But Cox did credit my account the $84 service charge i wasn't supposed to be charged for. My account still didn't show it when I spoke to someone so I told him to go put me on hold and talk to the people who can change it...
after a few minuets he said the guy wasn't in the office (the dude who came out to fix the connection) so he "in good faith" credited my account and reversed the charge.
I also set that bill up for online payment so I don't have to remember to put a check in the mail. I'm so bad at that.... cause everything I do is online...
----------
I'm going to Pay my HOA online too... automatic deductions from my bank account. I just have to fill out the form correctly. So i'm going to call BOFA and make them walk me through it. I hate paying bills by mail... its sooo slow.
poooooo!
----
But Cox did credit my account the $84 service charge i wasn't supposed to be charged for. My account still didn't show it when I spoke to someone so I told him to go put me on hold and talk to the people who can change it...
after a few minuets he said the guy wasn't in the office (the dude who came out to fix the connection) so he "in good faith" credited my account and reversed the charge.
I also set that bill up for online payment so I don't have to remember to put a check in the mail. I'm so bad at that.... cause everything I do is online...
----------
I'm going to Pay my HOA online too... automatic deductions from my bank account. I just have to fill out the form correctly. So i'm going to call BOFA and make them walk me through it. I hate paying bills by mail... its sooo slow.
Investment strategy changes...
I’m not thrilled with my mutual funds
Back when I opened my Roth IRA in 2007 all I knew was I needed to save… mutual funds took the individual guessing out of stocks… and I choose “moderate” because I didn’t want to be aggressive or conservative. It was the only Roth account I could find that didn’t charge me an annual fee that would eat up my meager savings… and since it let me start with $250.00 and allowed small $100 monthly contributions I was sold since I didn’t have the $2500-$3000 to open one at the “Big” branches… and their fees scared my little balances…
Now fast forward three years later… What really is moderate? I looked at the individual holdings for that fund versus the other three I originally considered and they are all very similar… what I really wish I could do was a Target Date Roth IRA… I like my little 401-a target date account at work... It seems simple enough and I wouldn’t have to worry about changing my allocation as I age. It’s automatic. Set it, drop money into it regularly and forget it.
Luckily I have more mutual funds available to choose from now then when I first opened the account (including new fund families --meaning no fees buy!). I can also participate with what I call the big guns like “Vanguard” and “Fidelity…” but those guys come at a cost, ($20 a transaction or $4.00 for each automatic one… ) And my small balances don’t want to rock those fees… But I want to experiment with a Target Date Roth IRA….
I considered opening one directly at Vanguard because I’d avoid the Sharebuilder buying fees… and I think I could just take my existing Roth and Deposit it into the new one to get that “initial $3000” thing covered… but I’d like to test the water before I cash out the whole fund and dump it into an investment I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with. But if I didn’t transfer the whole Roth over at once I wouldn’t be able to really test the water the way I wanted to… because of the $3,000 initial investment… since I split my $5,000 between two Roths now ($2,000 to CD’s in a totally free Roth IRA; and $3,000 to mutual funds), I wouldn’t have any money left so 2010 would be a lump sum one time contribution... kind of like cashing out my existing portfolio... which I don’t want to do
So I started looking and I think I found my compromise:
ARDVX
It’s a Target Date 2040 fund in a fund family at Sharebuilder so there are no buying fees. Expense ratio is higher than Vanguard, but lower then my current mutual fund. The Dividends are lower than my current mutual funds too…
But I think I want to try it out and take it for a test drive in 2010. I know Target Date will be heavily in stocks but I think it’s time I take my retirement bull by his horns…. Plus I do have my $2,000 in CD’s as a buffer… and that safe pretty pension.
I only need $250.00 to open it… and $100.00 to make additional purchases (just like my current fund). I think I’ll take this month’s investment money and open the account and then put $100.00 a month into it for the remainder of the year.
January $250—Moderate Mutual funds
February $250.00 Open Target Date
March $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
April $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
May $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
June $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
July $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
August $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
September $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
October $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
November $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
December $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
Target Date $1250.00
Moderate Mutual Funds: $1750
CD’s: $2,000.00
Why still put $$$ into the moderate account? (Yield is better, and if I ever want to recover what I lost faster, I got to drop money into it now… buy low, sell high… plus if this target date is crud, I still have my other account.) That and I’m a baby steps kind of girl.
Back when I opened my Roth IRA in 2007 all I knew was I needed to save… mutual funds took the individual guessing out of stocks… and I choose “moderate” because I didn’t want to be aggressive or conservative. It was the only Roth account I could find that didn’t charge me an annual fee that would eat up my meager savings… and since it let me start with $250.00 and allowed small $100 monthly contributions I was sold since I didn’t have the $2500-$3000 to open one at the “Big” branches… and their fees scared my little balances…
Now fast forward three years later… What really is moderate? I looked at the individual holdings for that fund versus the other three I originally considered and they are all very similar… what I really wish I could do was a Target Date Roth IRA… I like my little 401-a target date account at work... It seems simple enough and I wouldn’t have to worry about changing my allocation as I age. It’s automatic. Set it, drop money into it regularly and forget it.
Luckily I have more mutual funds available to choose from now then when I first opened the account (including new fund families --meaning no fees buy!). I can also participate with what I call the big guns like “Vanguard” and “Fidelity…” but those guys come at a cost, ($20 a transaction or $4.00 for each automatic one… ) And my small balances don’t want to rock those fees… But I want to experiment with a Target Date Roth IRA….
I considered opening one directly at Vanguard because I’d avoid the Sharebuilder buying fees… and I think I could just take my existing Roth and Deposit it into the new one to get that “initial $3000” thing covered… but I’d like to test the water before I cash out the whole fund and dump it into an investment I’m not sure I’d be comfortable with. But if I didn’t transfer the whole Roth over at once I wouldn’t be able to really test the water the way I wanted to… because of the $3,000 initial investment… since I split my $5,000 between two Roths now ($2,000 to CD’s in a totally free Roth IRA; and $3,000 to mutual funds), I wouldn’t have any money left so 2010 would be a lump sum one time contribution... kind of like cashing out my existing portfolio... which I don’t want to do
So I started looking and I think I found my compromise:
ARDVX
It’s a Target Date 2040 fund in a fund family at Sharebuilder so there are no buying fees. Expense ratio is higher than Vanguard, but lower then my current mutual fund. The Dividends are lower than my current mutual funds too…
But I think I want to try it out and take it for a test drive in 2010. I know Target Date will be heavily in stocks but I think it’s time I take my retirement bull by his horns…. Plus I do have my $2,000 in CD’s as a buffer… and that safe pretty pension.
I only need $250.00 to open it… and $100.00 to make additional purchases (just like my current fund). I think I’ll take this month’s investment money and open the account and then put $100.00 a month into it for the remainder of the year.
January $250—Moderate Mutual funds
February $250.00 Open Target Date
March $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
April $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
May $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
June $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
July $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
August $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
September $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
October $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
November $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
December $250.00 -> $150 to Moderate, $100.00 to Target Date
Target Date $1250.00
Moderate Mutual Funds: $1750
CD’s: $2,000.00
Why still put $$$ into the moderate account? (Yield is better, and if I ever want to recover what I lost faster, I got to drop money into it now… buy low, sell high… plus if this target date is crud, I still have my other account.) That and I’m a baby steps kind of girl.
Retirement Perspectives
Year to Date growth:
2009 End: $26,529.33 | 2010 Current: $26,691.00
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,406 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.86 % of my portfolio
• $741.98 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary); $763.73 Worth
o Up 2.931% from inception, +$21.75
o Milestone 2040 makes up 100%
457 Account: Approximately 3.90% of my portfolio
• Was employer funded but future contributions discontinued (minimal interest earned)
o Positive $1,033.00
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 9.66% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested; Worth $2,579.27
o Up 3.1708% from inception. Positive $79.27
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.30%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.866%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 42.77% of my portfolio
• $11,750 Invested; Worth $11,415.83
o DOWN 2.844% since inception… Negative $334.17
o Strategic Allocation Moderate 100.00%
o Money Market Cash: $150.00
o I have 1,396.014 Shares
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $15,791.83. Of that I’ve only invested $14,250 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 10.81% If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 16,024.98), my portfolio is DOWN 1.45% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 40.83% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
Total: $10,899.17
• I’m currently buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less than a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 35 more installments.
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $26,691.00
2009 End: $26,529.33 | 2010 Current: $26,691.00
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,406 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.86 % of my portfolio
• $741.98 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary); $763.73 Worth
o Up 2.931% from inception, +$21.75
o Milestone 2040 makes up 100%
457 Account: Approximately 3.90% of my portfolio
• Was employer funded but future contributions discontinued (minimal interest earned)
o Positive $1,033.00
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 9.66% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested; Worth $2,579.27
o Up 3.1708% from inception. Positive $79.27
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.30%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.866%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 42.77% of my portfolio
• $11,750 Invested; Worth $11,415.83
o DOWN 2.844% since inception… Negative $334.17
o Strategic Allocation Moderate 100.00%
o Money Market Cash: $150.00
o I have 1,396.014 Shares
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $15,791.83. Of that I’ve only invested $14,250 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 10.81% If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 16,024.98), my portfolio is DOWN 1.45% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 40.83% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
Total: $10,899.17
• I’m currently buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less than a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 35 more installments.
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $26,691.00
Cox.... evil...... The Tile Company..... The devil
Cox apparently doesn't think I read my statements They are trying to charge me an installation fee when the fee is only supposed to be applied when there is an issue on My end.
and the instal guy told me it was an issue on their end... so they aren't supposed to call me.
but lo-- I open the bill and i'm charged an install fee... So I called and have to call back later today to see if the charge is reversed (the first people said to call back in 48 hours after they talk to the instalation crew). If not, its hell and high water time and I fight those buggers.
I'm also calling The Tile Company again!!!
and the instal guy told me it was an issue on their end... so they aren't supposed to call me.
but lo-- I open the bill and i'm charged an install fee... So I called and have to call back later today to see if the charge is reversed (the first people said to call back in 48 hours after they talk to the instalation crew). If not, its hell and high water time and I fight those buggers.
I'm also calling The Tile Company again!!!
I gave the Doggie back
It was clear from a few conversations that my sister was intending to have me take care of her dog till May when she would be forced to make a decision about moving since she can't move in with her boyfriend if she keeps her other dog. She was under the impression that she could pop by when she felt like it and play with Maxi and then just leave him at my place till she needed her maxi fix again...
Which made it apparent that she didn't care about Maxi's feelings. She popped by to see him while I was at Boyfriends for dinner one night and made him really upset when she left without him. That was when my neighbors found out I had a little doggie living with me... That was my key to call her and tell her to come pick him up.
While he was a very good guest in my home, its that upset maxi I fear. The one who gets really mad at being left for the ___ time by his "owner" that he decides to take it out on my place... That and this week made it apparent that I don't have the time for a doggie in my life right now... and I wouldn't put an animal through hours alone by himself if it were my animal.
A cat maybe, but not a little doggie... and now that he's gone I feel a little more lonely at home, which I think might be resolved by a nice declawed kitty. (I say de-clawed because maxi liked to kneed one of my pillows a lot and I know Kittys do that too and I can just imagine it being shredded to bits).
Which made it apparent that she didn't care about Maxi's feelings. She popped by to see him while I was at Boyfriends for dinner one night and made him really upset when she left without him. That was when my neighbors found out I had a little doggie living with me... That was my key to call her and tell her to come pick him up.
While he was a very good guest in my home, its that upset maxi I fear. The one who gets really mad at being left for the ___ time by his "owner" that he decides to take it out on my place... That and this week made it apparent that I don't have the time for a doggie in my life right now... and I wouldn't put an animal through hours alone by himself if it were my animal.
A cat maybe, but not a little doggie... and now that he's gone I feel a little more lonely at home, which I think might be resolved by a nice declawed kitty. (I say de-clawed because maxi liked to kneed one of my pillows a lot and I know Kittys do that too and I can just imagine it being shredded to bits).
February KIVA LOAN-- Sierra Leone
Location: Makeni, Sierra Leone
Repayment Term: 12 months
Activity: Food Market
Repayment Schedule: Monthly
Loan Use: Buy palm-oil, rice, and oranges in wholesale quantities
Fight For Progress Group: They are small-scale entrepreneurs in the northern city of Makeni. They are seeking a loan to enable them add more goods into their businesses. In this way, they will be able to make more sales and better profit. Consequently, they can better support their children in terms of feeding, clothing and in their academic pursuits.
Fatmata Kamara is the leader of this group. She is 37 years old and was born in Makeni. Fatmata is married to a businessman and they have 4 children. One of her children is in college, 2 are in secondary school and 1 is in primary school. Fatamta has been a businesswoman for 2 years. She sells rice, palm-oil (the most popular cooking oil) oranges, etc. Fatmata will use this loan to expand her business by buying the above goods in wholesale quantities to add to her current inventory.
CURRENT LOANS IN ACTION
Location: Tsetserleg, Arhangai, Mongolia
Repayment Term: 20 months
Activity: Butcher Shop
Repayment Schedule: Monthly
Loan Use: to purchase meat
LOANS PAID IN FULL:
Zenaida Daing
Farming, Sta. Josefa, Agusan Del Sur, Philippines
Elizabeth Aidoo
Food Market, Wiawso, Ghana
Mobateli Plus Group
Manufacturing, The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Paz y Amor Group
Fruits & Vegetables, Dominican Republic
Dustmatov Eralboy
Livestock, Tajikistan
Seccelambras Group
Food Production/Sales, Peru
Rashidat Mumuni
Fish Selling, Nigeria
Karla Vanessa Montiel Barahona
Housing, Nicaragua
Eal Nub
Fish Selling, Cambodia
Atim Irene's Group
Medical Clinic, Uganda
Repayment Term: 12 months
Activity: Food Market
Repayment Schedule: Monthly
Loan Use: Buy palm-oil, rice, and oranges in wholesale quantities
Fight For Progress Group: They are small-scale entrepreneurs in the northern city of Makeni. They are seeking a loan to enable them add more goods into their businesses. In this way, they will be able to make more sales and better profit. Consequently, they can better support their children in terms of feeding, clothing and in their academic pursuits.
Fatmata Kamara is the leader of this group. She is 37 years old and was born in Makeni. Fatmata is married to a businessman and they have 4 children. One of her children is in college, 2 are in secondary school and 1 is in primary school. Fatamta has been a businesswoman for 2 years. She sells rice, palm-oil (the most popular cooking oil) oranges, etc. Fatmata will use this loan to expand her business by buying the above goods in wholesale quantities to add to her current inventory.
CURRENT LOANS IN ACTION
Location: Tsetserleg, Arhangai, Mongolia
Repayment Term: 20 months
Activity: Butcher Shop
Repayment Schedule: Monthly
Loan Use: to purchase meat
LOANS PAID IN FULL:
Zenaida Daing
Farming, Sta. Josefa, Agusan Del Sur, Philippines
Elizabeth Aidoo
Food Market, Wiawso, Ghana
Mobateli Plus Group
Manufacturing, The Democratic Republic of the Congo
Paz y Amor Group
Fruits & Vegetables, Dominican Republic
Dustmatov Eralboy
Livestock, Tajikistan
Seccelambras Group
Food Production/Sales, Peru
Rashidat Mumuni
Fish Selling, Nigeria
Karla Vanessa Montiel Barahona
Housing, Nicaragua
Eal Nub
Fish Selling, Cambodia
Atim Irene's Group
Medical Clinic, Uganda
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
I might have a dog...
Sorry for the lack of posts, but I might have inherited a dog this week. My sister has had two yorkies for a while now--- the first is huge for a yorkie (we think he might now be a pure bred despite papers because he’s sooo large… and she got him in puru) that she’s had for years and years and the second is this tiny adorable little dude… she’s had for about a year.
Well Jake, the big huge mean, very territorial doggie tried to eat Maxi (the cute little new one) for the third time.
Key word: Third time.
My sister can’t bear to get rid of the monster (which has bitten and attacked her as well)… so while she tries to figure it all out, Maxi has been staying with me… Mainly because I feel really bad for him. When my sister brought him over the other day she was so shocked to see him play with toys and prance around because he normally lives in fear in the living room while her other dog stays in the bedroom.
So, for a week I have a dog & hopefully my sister will see reason and realize that Jake needs to have a huge yard, be an only dog, and be with a family that has a lot of time for him… not her crammed apartment and her busy (2 job) lifestyle.
What I worry about is her asking me to keep maxi for good. I could see it as her “getting to see him still” when she comes over… but not having to deal with the sistuation right now. The problem is she’s planning on moving in with her boyfriend in May… and he has a tiny Yorkie that Jake has also already attacked… so those dogs wouldn’t be able to live together either…
And I’m not sure I would even want to adopt Maxi as my own doggie. He’s cute for the week, and amazingly well behaved… but I don’t know if I’m home enough for a dog in “normal land.” He’s the perfect size for my place and I know I’m home waaay more then my sister was, but still. I’m not sure I want a pet yet. I was planning on seeing how much I’m home and maybe getting a declawed cat or kitty from the shelter… Plus I’m not sure if I financially want a pet right now… They are expensive and I’m still settling in…
hmmmm….
Well Jake, the big huge mean, very territorial doggie tried to eat Maxi (the cute little new one) for the third time.
Key word: Third time.
My sister can’t bear to get rid of the monster (which has bitten and attacked her as well)… so while she tries to figure it all out, Maxi has been staying with me… Mainly because I feel really bad for him. When my sister brought him over the other day she was so shocked to see him play with toys and prance around because he normally lives in fear in the living room while her other dog stays in the bedroom.
So, for a week I have a dog & hopefully my sister will see reason and realize that Jake needs to have a huge yard, be an only dog, and be with a family that has a lot of time for him… not her crammed apartment and her busy (2 job) lifestyle.
What I worry about is her asking me to keep maxi for good. I could see it as her “getting to see him still” when she comes over… but not having to deal with the sistuation right now. The problem is she’s planning on moving in with her boyfriend in May… and he has a tiny Yorkie that Jake has also already attacked… so those dogs wouldn’t be able to live together either…
And I’m not sure I would even want to adopt Maxi as my own doggie. He’s cute for the week, and amazingly well behaved… but I don’t know if I’m home enough for a dog in “normal land.” He’s the perfect size for my place and I know I’m home waaay more then my sister was, but still. I’m not sure I want a pet yet. I was planning on seeing how much I’m home and maybe getting a declawed cat or kitty from the shelter… Plus I’m not sure if I financially want a pet right now… They are expensive and I’m still settling in…
hmmmm….
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Car tax
Well, I got the bill for my car tax... and thankfully, It wasn't as bad as I intended it to be.
Last year I set aside $300 after I knew the car tax was trippling... Thankfully my bill was only $170.00.
I'll be paying that this week, and since I got that $316.80 credit from The Tile Company, i'll be taking the leftover $130 from last year and adding $40.00 to it from the Tile $$$ and I'll have next years bill set aside.
Oh the power of planning (and individual savings acccounts at ING DIRECT that won't let me forget what that $170.00 is saved up for.) =)
Last year I set aside $300 after I knew the car tax was trippling... Thankfully my bill was only $170.00.
I'll be paying that this week, and since I got that $316.80 credit from The Tile Company, i'll be taking the leftover $130 from last year and adding $40.00 to it from the Tile $$$ and I'll have next years bill set aside.
Oh the power of planning (and individual savings acccounts at ING DIRECT that won't let me forget what that $170.00 is saved up for.) =)
Retirement Perspectives
Year to Date growth:
2009 End: $26,529.33 | 2010 Current: $26,519.75
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,413 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.78 % of my portfolio
• $727.74 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary); $738.04 Worth
o Up 1.415% from inception, +$10.30
o Milestone 2040 makes up 100%
457 Account: Approximately 3.90% of my portfolio
• Was employer funded but future contributions discontinued (minimal interest earned)
o Positive $1,032.98
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 9.72% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested; Worth $2,578.65
o Up 3.146% from inception. Positive $78.65
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.30%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.866%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 42.73% of my portfolio
• $11,750 Invested; Worth $11,332.45
o DOWN 3.55% since inception… Negative $417.55
o Strategic Allocation Moderate 100.00%
o $250.00 pending deposit into account.
o I have 1,383.576 Shares
o For my account to break even, shares would have to be: $8.32
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $15,682.12. Of that I’ve only invested $14,250 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 10.05% If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 16,010.72), my portfolio is DOWN 2.05% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 40.879% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
Total: $10,837.63
• I’m currently buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less than a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 36 more installments.
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $26,519.75
2009 End: $26,529.33 | 2010 Current: $26,519.75
My Goal is the leave the workforce on my 55th birthday, 11,413 Days from now...
401 Account: Approximately 2.78 % of my portfolio
• $727.74 (Employer Paid 1% of Salary); $738.04 Worth
o Up 1.415% from inception, +$10.30
o Milestone 2040 makes up 100%
457 Account: Approximately 3.90% of my portfolio
• Was employer funded but future contributions discontinued (minimal interest earned)
o Positive $1,032.98
ING DIRECT Roth IRA: Approximately 9.72% of my portfolio
• $2,500.00 Invested; Worth $2,578.65
o Up 3.146% from inception. Positive $78.65
o CD’s ranging from 1.65% to 4.5% (savings 1.30%).
o Current Average CD rate 2.866%
ShareBuilder Roth IRA Approximately 42.73% of my portfolio
• $11,750 Invested; Worth $11,332.45
o DOWN 3.55% since inception… Negative $417.55
o Strategic Allocation Moderate 100.00%
o $250.00 pending deposit into account.
o I have 1,383.576 Shares
o For my account to break even, shares would have to be: $8.32
Excluding my Pension, my variable retirement accounts are worth $15,682.12. Of that I’ve only invested $14,250 of my money (the rest has been my employer). So technically I’ve made 10.05% If I compare all the “free money” and my contributions (Totals 16,010.72), my portfolio is DOWN 2.05% since inception.
Pension: Approximately 40.879% of my portfolio
If I quit tomorrow, I’d just have the cash in the account.
Total: $10,837.63
• I’m currently buying additional time in my retirement accounts from when I was 16-18 years of age (service prior to membership). It’s less than a year’s worth of service credit, but I’ll be paying $33.06 for 36 more installments.
My entire portfolio (if I cashed my pension out today) is worth $26,519.75
Friday, February 5, 2010
Its officially crazy
I'm registered for the LA Marathon... and i'll be walking 16 miles this weekend as I continue to train. $134.44 will be moved out of savings from the holiday pay last month to cover the marathon registration costs.
I also got back my statement from The Tile Company... I got a $316.00 credit for the tile fiasco... but things still aren't settled and I'll be calling them later today again...... So I have $316.00 that I'll get to move into savings!!!
I also got back my statement from The Tile Company... I got a $316.00 credit for the tile fiasco... but things still aren't settled and I'll be calling them later today again...... So I have $316.00 that I'll get to move into savings!!!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
January Spending
Condo Expenses:
• Mortgage Interest: $513.57
• Principle: $137.07
• Additional Principle: $60
• Property Taxes: $125.00 (to escrow account)
• PMI: $52.74
• HOA: $250.00
Giving/Donations:
• LTG $260.00
Automobil Expenses:
• Gasoline: $85.64
Utility Bills
• Electricity: $13.43
• Cell phone: $57.65
• Internet: $65.57 (includes activation fee, plus 1/3 the motum.
Groceries:
• Ralphs: $78.61
• Stater brothers: $9.71
• Henry’s: $28.80
• Trader Joe’s: $73.88
Grooming:
• Haircut & tip: $15.00
Piano Lessons:
• One Lesson $20.00
Marathon Supplies:
• Walmart: $24.08 (fanny pack with 2 water bottles, powdered propel, water, batteries)
• A Snail’s Pace: $21.15 (2 pairs of running cotton free socks)
House Hold Supplies & Toiletries:
• Target: $35.04
Other:
• California Owed Taxes: $55.00
TOTAL SPENT: $1,981.94
• Mortgage Interest: $513.57
• Principle: $137.07
• Additional Principle: $60
• Property Taxes: $125.00 (to escrow account)
• PMI: $52.74
• HOA: $250.00
Giving/Donations:
• LTG $260.00
Automobil Expenses:
• Gasoline: $85.64
Utility Bills
• Electricity: $13.43
• Cell phone: $57.65
• Internet: $65.57 (includes activation fee, plus 1/3 the motum.
Groceries:
• Ralphs: $78.61
• Stater brothers: $9.71
• Henry’s: $28.80
• Trader Joe’s: $73.88
Grooming:
• Haircut & tip: $15.00
Piano Lessons:
• One Lesson $20.00
Marathon Supplies:
• Walmart: $24.08 (fanny pack with 2 water bottles, powdered propel, water, batteries)
• A Snail’s Pace: $21.15 (2 pairs of running cotton free socks)
House Hold Supplies & Toiletries:
• Target: $35.04
Other:
• California Owed Taxes: $55.00
TOTAL SPENT: $1,981.94
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)