Three Paycheck Month!

This month has been going fairly well. I again resisted a very discounted watch I’ve been eyeing for the past few months and I was able to put $500 into my loan savings account. I’m not stoked that Great Lakes Higher Ed still did put my $1000 payment all toward one loan, but at this point, I’m just happy to have it put toward all the loans. I’m down to four there, which in itself is a step. I’ve paid off over $9,000 since last July!

Overall, life just keeps getting better as that debt goes downward. April brings a situation that only happens once and awhile. It will be a three paycheck month for me. This means that, because of how paydays and the weeks in the month fall, I will be getting an “extra” paycheck. 

Really, I’ll still have to make sure that I have enough money to cover the next month’s bills, but there should be extra to put toward savings. The best way to handle a three paycheck month, is to not do anything differently. Don’t spend extra. Don’t buy more watches. Don’t put too much into savings so that you can’t pay bills the next month. 

I’ll be excited for that extra paycheck, so I’ll have to try and contain myself also. I’m still going for promotions at work in hopes of a raise and/or stability. It would be so fantastic to post about it when that happens. Until then, enjoy your three paycheck month - If we’re on the same schedule. 

Quality Matters

I finally buckled down to get a new screen protector on my phone. It surely has saved me multiple times when I've dropped my phone on the concrete.

I reordered one that would be fresh and without cracks, because I've finally gotten worried the cracks would weaken the protection. I ordered a replacement. There were two options. One for $3.99 and one for $5.99. I did a comparison and thought the cheaper option would be just as good.

I was wrong. The cheaper option is just a flimsy piece of plastic and not the tempered glass I appreciated.

I really should have just fronted the two extra dollars to get what I knew I wanted. Now, I'll be reordering the more expensive one and essentially paying an extra three dollars. I should have paid for the quality I wanted.

I've found that I'm moving away from wanting everything and now I want fewer, but higher quality things.

March Net Worth

February proved to be a good change of pace. I made a few impulse buys, but they were all within reason. I tried to curb my spring spending and make good choices about my tax return. I ended the month at -$58,494.56, which is +$2,671.26 from last month. 

Thanks to my tax return and smarter habits I was able to make really good progress this month. I am excited that I've made it this far. I'm so close to paying off $9,000 since last July. That is one of the steps on the timeline by my desk at work. I keep seeing how close I am and how I wish I could color it. 



Thanks everyone for the support and views. It's good to know people are seeing this. It definitely holds me accountable. 

Spring Fever

March brings spring fever. For Valentine’s Day I picked up hyacinths for my granny and mom. I did this mostly to show them I’m growing up and finally able to give them gifts too, but also, because that smell made me yearn for spring.

Every season I get excited and want to buy things. In the fall, it’s warm scarves, pumpkin doughnuts, and mittens. In the winter it’s hot coco, sparkly ornaments, and Christmas gifts. In the spring, it’s flowers, nautical prints, and sandals. In the summer, it’s soft serve, baseball tickets, and boat shoes.

The hardest part of the change of seasons is resisting the urge to go out and buy all the things and foods I’ve missed for months. Here are a few ways I “resist the urge”:

• Switch out your closet. When I go through my wardrobe for that new season I realize that I have a lot of pieces that I may have wanted to buy out in the stores. Most likely, I got a few new pieces for cheap at the end of the season and forgot that I even had them.

• Split the splurge. If I have a hankering for some pumpkin doughnuts or soft serve, I’ll take my sister or friend along to split both the calories and the cost.

• Change out your home accessories. This spring I’ll take off the extra fuzzy blanket and get out lighter linens. I know some people that switch out their paintings and extra items by each season. It keeps things fresh and can be done for cheap if stored in the basement or closet.

• Allow yourself to have some fun. Going completely cold turkey means that when I finally go to Trader Joe’s, I’ll go home with five bouquets of flowers. This month I may buy a car wash instead of a drink out one night.

• Get outside. My puppy loves to go to the park. He’s almost two and he loves to go visit his “friends.” A walk around the park with a dog that absolutely loves life is the best way to celebrate spring. A ride on the bike trail or seeing a local softball game are great ways to be in the season without spending a dime.

I know I will make a few impulse buys this month, but I also know why. I know that I want to get into the new season and celebrate. I’m so thankful to have friends and family to join me out in the (hopefully) nice weather.