Nosavings's Personal Finance Blog

Fixed Expenses: $2,143.75

Variable Expenses:

Grocery $243.17
Travel $80
Dine Outs $263.77
House Hold $35.65
Dry Clean $36.80
Gifts $75
Cloths $135.40


$3,013.54

My first successful attempt on tracking expenses. Not a whole lot of surprises but interesting.

I lost a $1 on a bet. I am not into gambling or hardly bet on anything but a coworker of mine asked for a bet on something that I thought I would win. Nice thought!

On another note, a friend of mine asked me to go for a car shopping with his family (wife and a kid) last weekend. First stop was at a GMC dealer for a SUV. I was surprised with their choice when gas prices are skyrocketing. It is not a big deal for them, I guess, since both of them make pretty decent money.

Next stop was at Acura dealer for another SUV, higher priced than GMC. They both liked Acura and his wife asked my opinion. I said, in this economy and the way gas price is going up I wouldn't buy a SUV.

At the end, they decided to go with Acura. Gas guzzlers aren't going anywhere soon, thanks to the people like my friends.

A couple of weeks back as I was walking towards my train station with my boss, a thought came in to my head about a person who I had not seen for few months. About thirty seconds later the person walks right pass me towards opposite direction. I did not say a thing, just walked away thinking that is scary. Coincidence, may be.

Early morning today, I went to get my coffee. I knew it will cost me around $1.55 for a large coffee. Out of my coin jar I picked (so I thought) up two quarters, two dimes and a nickel. Few extra coins just in case. As I was walking, I saw a dime on the ground but I didn't pick it up. Once I passed that dime, I thought may be I should have picked it up, what if I don't have enough coins.

The lady at the counter said, $1.55. I took a dollar bill out and the coins and what I see is that I have only fifty cents, one quarter, two dimes and one nickel. This is weird isn't it? I am not saying I have this 'whatever' you want to call it but it is somewhat scary to me. A thought preceding an action.

Lately, I have been having weired dreams as well. I am hoping that none of it will not come true.

I just received my stimulus check in mail. I was surprised to see it in my mail since I had signed up for a direct deposit. Now my dilemma is whether to help stimulate the economy or add it into my EF. I have always had a cheap cell phone (free phones) and still do but when I see the ads on TV about this new phone from Apple, it is very much tempting to go spend some of it on that phone.

Other option I have is to spend on some wardrobes. I desperately need some cloths for work.

For now, I will deposit in to my bank account and think through this for few days. I need to stay away from the shopping district over this weekend. How about if I lock my self in my apartment? That should help, right?

I have tried tracking my expenses before too, but I have failed miserably every single time. I am trying it one more time, and failing is not an option this time around. Today is the tenth day of the month and I am happy to report that I have not lost track of my expenses, YET.

One question for those who keep track of expenses, do you track it based up on cash (meaning when you pay it out) or based up on when it is accrued?

I am in search of a CC with a better reward plan. CC I currently use doesn’t offer any rewards. I don’t use my CC much but I pay in full before the due date when I do use it. Since I have been very good at paying in time for last few years, I thought why not take advantage of it? I plan to charge all my purchases and pay it off before the due date. Lets see if I can buy myself an air ticket or two in future. Please help me in my quest to find a CC with a better reward plan. Thank you in advance.

On a personal note, I have been trying to get my self out of the recent downfall. What is a life without ups and downs? I have been facing it head on and I shall prevail at the end. At least that is what I am hoping for.

Lately it has been a bit hectic for me, personally and professionally. Personally, I wish the one who you think understands you better, would actually show that in action. In contrary it feels like there is no one out there who will ever understand me.

Pardon me, needed to rant.

I don’t know how this blog will shape up since I am not much of a writer. Like saving, I need to learn to write as well. Yesterday was NSD and it looks like today will be another NSD. You all must be thinking where in the world I spend my money since I don’t have much of a debt and nothing much in savings to count for. I have some financial obligations/responsibilities that I can’t shy away from and expenses that I can’t avoid. That is why after all said and done, I end up with very little savings. However, I truly intend to make one small step towards a life of ‘savings’.

My first small step: Increase EF to $6K.

Wish me luck folks.

Thank you all for a warm welcome. I guess I am on a right track now.

When I said no debt, I meant there are no major debts but some CC charges which I will pay it in full before the due date. $635.

I went to Trader Joe's for some grocery shopping. $34.76 including a nice bottle of a red wine.

My problem is that I can't seem to save much at the end of the day. I am hoping to change that trend.

I have a major expense coming up during the long weekend of May. Tickets already bought (included in my CC charge above). I need to find ways to cut other expenses during that trip.

Wishing you all moms a very happy mothers day.

Hello All,

Land of "savings and investing" is new to me. Even though I do not have any major CC debts or any other sort of debt, I have not been able to mass any wealth for "ME".

Divorce took all of what I had envisioned as an "investment". Here I am for a new beginning, a fresh start though a bit late.

I have recently started my contribution to 401k. Plan doesn't offer any macth. I thought it will lower my taxes and might just help incerase my "wealth" some what in the long run.

As for savings I have few thousands dollors saved for emergencies. I use CC when I HAVE to amd pay it in full before the due date.

I have been lurking in this site for awhile and now finally "coming out of the closet" to admit that I am an addict of the site.

Good day and a great weekend yall.