the word i don't know

NO.

One little word.

It gives you a lot of power.

Too bad I don't know how to use it.

That's why, tomorrow, I get to meet with the vigilante parents during 3rd period. That's why, I get to listen to them spout off ideas of how to fix problems that don't exist in the magnitude described.
That's why, tomorrow, I get to go into a meeting with my defenses up and my backbone slowly melting, leaking down my pencil skirt and onto the cheap blue carpet.

But, the woman who asked me is my friend, and she needed my help.

HOW COULD I SAY NO?

return of the working girl

Well...

Where do I begin?

Ok, so money. Things were crazy for awhile. I went back to work and that meant finally getting paychecks again. I actually got a bonus check from work that I didn't expect. I can thank my kids for making some fabulous fcat gains and helping Ms. Layendecker pay back the people she owes. I am almost all caught up.

Plans for the new year?

I've begun the application process for National Boards. It is going to be a long and tedious process. Very time-consuming, but if I make it, the pay off will be grand.

Other cool things?

I was nominated for Teacher of the Year at my school. It was really sweet for people to think of me! I doubt I will win, but just being nominated is an honor in my book. Also, my department had more nominations than any other! Yay Language Arts!!

I met an awesome guy online. That is all I'm going to blog about that...for now.

My friends and I are having a blast playing trivia every Wednesday night and having girls night with our favorite doctors every Thursday.

What else?

Screw money. My summer was awesome. See for yourself.

secrets and lies...or was it lovers??

So...

Enough crying about not having money.

I have done the following positive things:

1. Cleaned out my junk drawer and organized my bills. Believe me, this was not an easy task. And holy shit, I have a lot of bills.

2. Emailed a good friend to see when he can help me set up a budget. A budget that will work. A budget that will get me out of debt and keep me in cute shoes. Because I need shoes. Because right now, at Target, sits a totally adorable pair of Mary Janes that should actually be in my closet.

3. Set up all my bills to the online bill payer on my computer. Most of them were on there, but I had to add a few.

4. Call Dr to negotiate timely pay-off of $167 bill that I did not expect. Timing is beautiful thing.

And all for the warding off of cervical cancer.

5. Arranged to go home to see dad and sister for their combined birthdays, sans gift, but offering awesome homemade birthday cards. Got promise from parents that they will buy me some groceries.

I had to ask my dad for gas money. I do not think I have ever had to do this in my life. I am not kidding. How was I more responsible at sixteen??

Oh yeah, I didn't have a mortgage. Damn adulthood.

So, maybe I've hit an all-time low, but the new school year is starting, and that comes with a raise. Lots of games for me to sell tickets at and make extra cash to pay back what I've had to borrow. I think I love teaching, because I get the excuse to start over every August. Woohoo, job perks for the underpaid.

No more moaning! I've accepted the fact that I won't be debt free in one year. I am going to change my goal to two years.

And at the end of those two years...I think I might like to try something new.

Until Payday...which is still two weeks away!!
WG

que$tion

Taking out a personal loan to pay off credit card debt...

what are the pros and cons?

personal advice?

is this a better option than consolidation counseling?

won't you hand me a shovel OR i am so in the hole

Seems like every blog starts out about how I don't blog enough.

Perhaps I should come clean.

I am slightly embarassed about my financial situation. Well, embarassed, and stressed out beyond comprehension. So blogging about it means a) admitting to my problem and b) staring it in the face and c) sharing it with strangers.

The situation is this: I am broke. Flat broke. I do not even have 2 cents to my name. I got a refund check in the mail today from Montreat for $10.77 and I cried in relief. I found $8 in cash in my piggy bank and sang eight praise songs. I am so broke.

I have been living off my credit card. This weekend I was in a wedding, and I had to charge all my expenses while I was there. So, further into debt I go. There was the airport parking, the hotel, all my meals, my hair, the taxi ride to the airport, eating at the airport, the hotel in atlanta when I got stuck overnight, and putting gas in my car on the way home. This just frustrates me, because it drives me further away from my goal. But - what choice did I have? I could have said no to being in the wedding, but how do you do that to a friend whom you love? The one thing I should have done differently was NOT get a hotel when I was stranded at the airport. My only excuse was that I'd gotten about nine hours sleep in the past three days, and prior to the two hours flight I sat on the runway for three hours, and I think I was slightly delirious when I arrived in Atlanta at one a.m. to be told I couldn't go back to Jacksonville until 7:30. I should have slept at the airport, but at that point, tired, cranky, ready-to-kill-someone-for-a-pillow Lindsay overruled Working Girl.

I have some options. I could take money off the line of credit I have at the bank, and pay it back in installments. A very sweet friend of mine offered me money, and as freaked out as it makes me to borrow money from people, I feel like I have to do it.

I am really scared. I have like, absolutely no cash. I have become a hermit. I am sitting in the house, afraid to leave because if I drive somewhere, it is gas money and I'm afraid that I'll spend money. I am digging through the pantry to make any and every meal. I have bills to pay, and I'm going to have to negotiate with the companies because I can't make them this month.

This has never happened to me. I am the financially responsible daughter. I am the daughter who got on my sister's case for mismanaging her money. I am the daughter who doesn't make mistakes. Or at least, the one who isn't supposed to make mistakes.

People tell me all the time that I am too hard on myself, and I agree, but I really hate screwing up. I really thought that I would be okay not having a job this summer. I really thought it was okay to go out and spend $40 on clothes in June. I ate out and drank out and spent out - not really thinking about the two weeks I'd go in August without a paycheck. And now I'm scrambling, because now I am screwed.

I hate money.

been busy, don't tell

Oddly enough, it has been a crazy busy fun summer.





I spent time in my beloved Montreat. My planning team became like a family to me in our one short week. I can't even begin to tell you how much these people mean to me.


The money situation is rough right now. I don't think I'm going to make my one year goal. I think I'm going to make an honest effort to dig myself out of the hole as much as I can, but I do not think that one year was realistic, especially with the circumstances this summer. One, I was too lazy to get a job. Two, I have three weeks without pay. Three, the onset of HOA. Four, everytime I turn around, someone else is getting married. Five, I'm only one person!! Six, this is making my head hurt.

But, it was a great summer...and it isn't over yet! Stay tuned! WG will be back in full swing when the school year starts!

bad, bad girl

I know, I haven't blogged in awhile! So much for blogging four times a week! What can I say, I'm a rebel.

Well, not really. I almost always follow the rules...in every aspect of my life. So breaking my own rules seems okay, after all, I have the power to forgive me.

Hmm...money-wise things are okay. I figured out the paycheck scenario. It came a few days late, but it came nonetheless. In one day I am leaving for Montreat (!!!!!!!!!!!) and I Can. Not. Wait. To. Be. Back. It's home. Also...free meals for sixteen days! Can I get an AMEN from the conservative budget congregation!

I have also been good, and paid all my bills online through my bank's super easy bill payer system. Now, hopefully, nothing will be missed and I won't face a nasty late charge situation.

I have found ways to be frugal in all aspects of life. Number one, I cancelled my blockbuster movie pass. Saves about $20 a month. Its sad, but I've stopped using it since I've been spending time with my fabulous friends...S, F and T. Thanks girls, for bringing me out of the couch slump! Hearts and kisses!

I also, finally, sent back the stupid modem to the stupid internet company. That should save $40 a month.

Well, I do need to start paying my condo fees, which will be about $140 a month. Seeing as how I saved $60...now I just need to work the system and find the remaining $120 a month for that. I will get a raise next year, which helps, and my school got an A...which means a bonus in October and the paying off of my laptop!! Hopefully (there's that word again) no other bill will pop up in between!

I've come to the realization that I might not pay off my debt in one year, but I feel good that I'm taking steps to control my spending and pay down what I owe. I plan to attack National Boards full force when school starts. If all goes well, it will up the numbers on my salary. Then, of course, I plan to drive myself into further debt by going to graduate school...but you can't put a price on education, right?

Well, in about 36 hours, I'll be on a plane on my way to Montreat! Luckily, my hotel has wireless access, so I'll try and blog once or twice. I know you won't forgive a hiatus.

Much love to my three readers!

Until payday,

WG

ps--I'm even frugal in my search for Mr. Right Now. Check it out. Its like online bargain hunting for a date. You've got to weed through the guys who use their cell phones to take pictures in the bathroom mirror of their two pack abs, but perhaps I can snag a great deal on clearance??