I have been considering ways to cut expenses. One of the things I was considering was the security area light I pay extra for on my electric bill. The charge only amounts to about an extra $10 a month but that could be an extra $10 towards my wedding, honeymoon and moving expenses.
The idea behind the light is provide lighting to help ward off crime. Yet, does it really work. My previous vehicle (a truck) was broke into, while parked under said light. All it did was allow the criminals to see what they were doing better. Then again, how may other criminal acts were warded off because of it? We may never know.
So is it really necessary? Should I eliminate this expense? Is there other expenses in utilities or monthly bills that can be eliminated?
--- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
----- follow me on Twitter
Discussing faith, business, personal finance, news (business and financial related), politics, and pretty much everything else.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Sidebar Updates
This morning, I took a few minutes to finally get my sidebar updated. As you can see my retirement savings has grown significantly since I had last updated it. In addition, I updated the physical therapy debt and brought that to a remaining balance of zero ($0). The one thing in the sidebar I didn't update yet, is the IRS debt, as I have not received my letter yet telling me what my new balance is after this years tax refund. I do however, expect I will receive that within the next week or so.
Finally, while I was updating this information, I also updated the information contained within the NetworthIQ button in the same sidebar.
--- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
----- follow me on Twitter
Finally, while I was updating this information, I also updated the information contained within the NetworthIQ button in the same sidebar.
--- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
----- follow me on Twitter
Friday, April 23, 2010
Resume
Well, as I pack up my belongings, getting ready for the wedding and big move in 17 weeks, I have my resume updated. It took me a lot of work, writing, then rewriting, the rearranging, to finally get my normally 2-page resume unto one page (as the so called experts suggest).
Below is the body of it, with my personal information removed. Perhaps, I can make that jump to a career in technology (a big thing in Austin) or the financial industry with this move.
Qualifications:
Education:
--- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
----- follow me on Twitter
Below is the body of it, with my personal information removed. Perhaps, I can make that jump to a career in technology (a big thing in Austin) or the financial industry with this move.
Qualifications:
- Assistant Store Manager (4/2008-8/2010)
- Exceptional versatility and adaptability
- Dedication and drive as a hard-working individual
- Entrusted to process confidential employee records such as salary changes, vacation/absenteeism reports, and performance appraisals. Including the use of TimeStar for payroll.
- Delivered excellent customer service through a variety of positions including Asst. Store Manager, Dairy Manager, Frozen Manager, General Merchandise (Health and Beauty) Manager, stocker, cashier, and sacker (carry out)
- Performed management duties by scheduling and supervising staff, consisting of carry-outs, cashiers and department managers as assistant manager of a grocery store.
- Counted and verified (book keeper) daily receipts of the whole store.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and accountability for payroll and employee records, daily sales operations and profit loss statements, including labor reports, bank deposits, and bank deposit verifications.
- Create and distribute a variety of reports using Excel, Word and Open Office.
- Able to design my own personal website using Microsoft Notepad. As well as keep up a blog on personal finance topics using blogger.com. Some knowledge of html using Microsoft Notepad.
- Assistant Store Manager, Seabrook Apple Market, Topeka, KS, 7/13/08-present
- Assistant Store Manager, Falley's, INC/HAC, Inc, Topeka, KS, 1/1999-7/13/08 (also 4/1990-12/1994)
- GMD Manager, Willard's IGA (now Moon's Hometown Market), Osawatomie, KS, 9/1996-12/1998
- Missionary, Jesus People USA, Chicago, IL, 1/1995-6/1996
Education:
- Prairie View High School, La Cygne, KS (Graduated 1987)
- Washburn University, Topeka, KS (Attended 1990-91)
- Central Park Christian Church
- Solid Waste Management Committee (Shawnee County) (3-year term:12/07-12/10)
- Cornerstone of Topeka (3-year term: 2007-10)
- Optimists (White Lakes chapter)(President 10/04-9/05)
- Chesney Park Neighborhood Improvement Association (Vice-President 4/2003-1/05; 1/06-12/07)
- Keep America Beautiful of Topeka and Shawnee County (2006-2010)
- Personal Finance Blogger (since 3/2006)
References Available Upon Request
--- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
----- follow me on Twitter
House On The Market
My house here in Topeka is finally on the market. I was ready to have it on the market last month. However, with the original Realtor retiring, cleaning and some basic clearing of clutter, it is just now getting on the market. I have the house listed for $29,500.
A photographer from the office will come by next week (hopefully it won't be raining) to take the pictures.
--- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
----- follow me on Twitter
A photographer from the office will come by next week (hopefully it won't be raining) to take the pictures.
--- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
----- follow me on Twitter
Monday, April 19, 2010
FTC Reports Top Consumer Complaints
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently released their annual list of the top complaints filed by consumers in 2009. It shows that while identity theft remains the number one (1) category, identity theft complaints declined 5 percentage points from the 2008 list.
However, the most telling is the number two (2) category. That being, Debt Collection, with a total of 119,549 complaints, amounting to 9% of all complaints the FTC received.
Interesting, because the very day I heard this report on the noon news, I had been awaken by a debt collector (on my only day off) at 8:55 AM. This collector claimed that they were calling in regards to a radiology bill from a few months back. When I calmly told them, that federal law requires them to put it in writing. They responded by telling me to stop yelling and started with a barrage of comments, not allowing me a chance to speak.
A perfect example of what Dave Ramsey says of how collectors will do anything to invoke emotion in you.
The Top 15 complaint categories (in 2009) were:
However, the most telling is the number two (2) category. That being, Debt Collection, with a total of 119,549 complaints, amounting to 9% of all complaints the FTC received.
Interesting, because the very day I heard this report on the noon news, I had been awaken by a debt collector (on my only day off) at 8:55 AM. This collector claimed that they were calling in regards to a radiology bill from a few months back. When I calmly told them, that federal law requires them to put it in writing. They responded by telling me to stop yelling and started with a barrage of comments, not allowing me a chance to speak.
A perfect example of what Dave Ramsey says of how collectors will do anything to invoke emotion in you.
--- go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think. Donations are always welcomed (via paypal). -----follow me on Twitter
- Identity Theft
- Third Party and Creditor Debt Collectors
- Internet Services
- Shop-at-home and catalog sales
- Foreign Money Offers
- Internet Auctions
- Credit Cards
- Prizes, Sweepstakes and Lotteries
- Advance-Fee Loans and Credit Protection/Repair
- Banks and Lenders
- Credit Bureaus, Information Furnishers and Report Users
- Television and Electronic Media
- Health Care
- Business Opportunities, Employment Agencies and Work-At-Home Plans
- Computer Equipment and Software
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Forgotten Utility Bill Reappears After 11-Years
Eleven years ago (this past January) I moved away from a small little town, where I grew up for the last time. The town owned the gas and water companies that served the cities residents. When I left I thought I had finished paying the final bill. Well apparently, I hadn't.
This came to light, this past Wednesday when I got a letter from my states set off program, informing me that my $39 refund from the state would be applied to the debt with this small town in my state. I was surprised, so I made a call to Linda and Gary in the City Hall back home.
It seems when I left Jan. 2009, I had in fact had one more bill that had not got paid, or at least completely. The bill was in the amount of $170.64.
In 2005, the City sent this debt to the State of Kansas to hopefully be collected with the set off program. Since last year, I changed my state withholding's from 1 to 0, I didn't owe the state for the first time since 2002. That being the case I had a refund due me, which now I won't see this year either because now I owe another debt that I didn't realize that I had out there.
Still though, if I get it taken care of now, I won't have to worry about it next year, when I do my non-resident Kansas State Income taxes.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
This came to light, this past Wednesday when I got a letter from my states set off program, informing me that my $39 refund from the state would be applied to the debt with this small town in my state. I was surprised, so I made a call to Linda and Gary in the City Hall back home.
It seems when I left Jan. 2009, I had in fact had one more bill that had not got paid, or at least completely. The bill was in the amount of $170.64.
Breakdown of said bill$110.61 - Gas 34.44 - Water $16.90 - Sewer $9.50 - Misc taxes and other fees
In 2005, the City sent this debt to the State of Kansas to hopefully be collected with the set off program. Since last year, I changed my state withholding's from 1 to 0, I didn't owe the state for the first time since 2002. That being the case I had a refund due me, which now I won't see this year either because now I owe another debt that I didn't realize that I had out there.
Still though, if I get it taken care of now, I won't have to worry about it next year, when I do my non-resident Kansas State Income taxes.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
Friday, April 9, 2010
Tax Refund err Or Is It?
Last night, I got my taxes back from my tax preparer. That set me back $110, because of the extra forms that has to filled out for me. The good news is that my Federal Refund will be $1,367 after the $400 work pays credit from Obama. That is a significant jump from the $300 some I got last year. In addition, this year I don't owe the state, instead they owe me $39.
This is all good news, because even though I won't see any of the Federal money, my IRS debt will be significantly reduced this year, making it easier to pay them off.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
This is all good news, because even though I won't see any of the Federal money, my IRS debt will be significantly reduced this year, making it easier to pay them off.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
Community Clean-Up Karma
Here in Topeka, we have an annual clean-up, where the city comes around and hauls of all kinds of stuff that you put out by the curb. They won't haul rocks, limbs, or hazardous waste (paint, chemicals, etc). The catch is that you must live in certain areas of town deemed more low income then others in the census track. The city uses volunteers to conduct this clean-up over two Saturdays. This Saturday, they will be in my neighborhood. Since, I am moving to Austin, and need to get my house presentable to be on the market, it is a fantastic time to get my basement and shed cleaned out of the junk. I have already refilled the trash container that my regular trash guy picked up this past Wednesday. Tonight after work, I will start hauling the big stuff out of my basement, that I have piled up at the foot of the steps. Boxes and boxes of trash that was swept off the floor (or just collected over the years). Pallets, old doors, signs, broken tables, etc. There will be so much stuff that I believe it will be either piled taller then me (5'7") or stretch out into neighbors yards on either side of me. However, no matter, it will be the quickest way to get rid of this stuff, and I won't have to hire someone to haul it off and/or pay extra for my regular trash man to haul it off. Which means it makes perfect financial sense. If I didn't have to work, I would be one of the volunteers going around helping pick up everything people has drug to the curbs.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Update: Yard Sale Change
Yesterday, I made it by the Credit Union to get my change run through the coin counter. The end result was that I had an additional $25.08 from the yard sale. I deposited that amount into my emergency fund, so that I could begin building that account back up to.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Yard Sale This Past Weekend
This past weekend, I along with my fiance held a yard sale. Despite the rain Friday morning we did pretty well. In-fact we did better then we had done in any previous yard sale. Although, I didn't get my roll-top desk, office desk or air hockey table sold, it went pretty well.
We sold a lot of items, even though we will have to have another sale between now and August to try and get rid of the rest. Without counting the coins (which we will run through the credit unions coin counter), we garnered an additional $204. Subtract the $60 we spent for food (mostly Easter Dinner today), we still garnered $144 to help pay for the wedding. That amount will more then cover the $75 for the invitations that we will be placing the order for this week. Of course there will be other wedding items to pay for to, so we will continue saving for them. All at the same time, as we pay off debts.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
We sold a lot of items, even though we will have to have another sale between now and August to try and get rid of the rest. Without counting the coins (which we will run through the credit unions coin counter), we garnered an additional $204. Subtract the $60 we spent for food (mostly Easter Dinner today), we still garnered $144 to help pay for the wedding. That amount will more then cover the $75 for the invitations that we will be placing the order for this week. Of course there will be other wedding items to pay for to, so we will continue saving for them. All at the same time, as we pay off debts.
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Don't Be A Fool
According to Google's blog
Early last month the mayor of Topeka, Kansas stunned the world by announcing that his city was changing its name to Google. We’ve been wondering ever since how best to honor that moving gesture. Today we are pleased to announce that as of 1AM (Central Daylight Time) April 1st, Google has officially changed our name to Topeka.
We didn’t reach this decision lightly; after all, we had a fair amount of brand equity tied up in our old name. But the more we surfed around (the former) Topeka’s municipal website, the more kinship we felt with this fine city at the edge of the Great Plains.
In fact, Topeka Google Mayor Bill Bunten expressed it best: “Don’t be fooled. Even Google recognizes that all roads lead to Kansas, not just yellow brick ones.”
DebtFree4ever.NET is proud to be in
---
go ahead share your thoughts with me now, my ears are open. I'm always eager to hear what you think.
Donations are always welcomed (via paypal).
-----
follow me on Twitter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)