1 Broke Disgruntled Sista

I'm back!

2008-11-11T06:44:00.000-08:00

I'm back, and I'm not so broke and I'm not as disgruntled as before. That's not to say I'm balling, but I have gotten a grip on my spending and I'm back on the road to saving and paying down debt. I've even picked up a few new hobbies! I'm teaching myself to sew and I have fallen madly in love with scrapbooking and as some of you may know I'm a writer. In an effort to streamline this thing we call blogging, I'm going to merge my two blogs. This blog has been sitting here basically untouched and sorely neglected by me, while my other darling Inside the Soul of QueenJoya gets all the attention. Since I PAY for that one and This one is FREE, I'm definitely laying the other one to rest. I just need to come up with a name...Inside the Sould of QueenJoya 1 Broke and Disgruntled Sista???? That's too much to say! Anyway I think I'm going to leave ISQJ open another month and then for the new year I'm shutting her down. That's an extra hundred dollars a year I can use toward my debt, or my hobbies. I just need to figure out how to not lose my old posts.

Peace *2fingas*

Financial Ruins

2008-04-08T06:48:00.000-07:00

I'm at my wits end, and on the brink of financial ruin, if I haven't already jumped over that cliff.
I've reduced my monthly expenses, yet at the end of the month I'm still in the red. Because of an emergency my emergency fund is now depleted, and I'm very very DISGRUNTLED! It's nobody's fault but my own. Two years and I haven't unlearned these deadly habits that have promised to keep me in financial ruin. I just needed to vent and I need prayer. I will rebound from this. This IS my rock bottom, I have no where else to go but UP!

Peace *2fingas*

Writing it Down Makes Sense...(and other random thoughts)

2008-03-14T10:18:00.001-07:00

I feel as if someone felt sorry for me and changed my light bulb, because I had an aha moment this morning and I could see the light bulb over my head! LOL!
Write down what you spend, keep track of every dollar, save your receipts, this will help you get a grip on your finances. Why have I IGNORED this advice for so long? Yes, I've tried it in the past but wasn't consistent or disciplined enough to see real progress so I let it go. Well as I shared with you in my previous post, my check book is BALANCED down to the penny, this here people is history in the making. This morning as I was going through my checkbook and adding up my cash receipts, I noticed a lot of frivolous spending $116.23 to be exact. Do you know what I could have done with that money? EXACTLY! I got paid this morning so what I'm going to do is transfer $116.23 into my ING account...YaY me!

WRITE IT DOWN! It's working I see, I'm not paying NSF charges and it feels good to know exactly where your money is going.

I cut my living expenses...I think. I moved from a three bedroom ranch style home with a patio, yard and screened in porch (can't forget about my fireplace) I paid $900.00 per month rent, the house was a bitch to heat and cool (oops can I say that?) I had gas bills ranging from $150-$330 and electric bills ranging from $125-$323 most months we were right at the high end of that range. I had to pay a yard man to cut my grass, well he wasn't really a yard man...he was a crack head who walked our neighborhood with his lawnmower and gas can cutting my neighbors yards. They trusted him so how could I not? (We were the only black family living in that neighborhood so I gave the brother some play). Something was always leaking so my water bills were extremely expensive for a family of four $100-$125. I had direct t.v., at&t, cellphone service for three phone (family share) and not to mention car insurance on three vehicles.

I MOVED! I had been living in that home since Hurricane Katrina destroyed our home in New Orleans and I appreciate my landlord giving us a place to live (well he didn't give us a place to live he RENTED it to us) But it was time for a sister to raise up outta there. So I found an apartment *faint* I have NEVER lived in an apartment, it's four bedrooms two baths. A large living/dining room area, a HUGE kitchen with plenty of cabinet space. I have a nice front porch to sit on, (I see black people) you just don't know how much you miss your people until you move away from them. My 19 year old and 16 year old sons no longer have to share rooms. The arguing hasn't stopped completely but I have more peace and quiet. My favorite feature of the new apartment is I only pay $450 dollars a month! Clean, safe, affordable housing and the best part of all....my mommy lives three doors down from me! I only cook on weekends!!!! How cool is that?

*I got side tracked*
Anyway just the move alone has cut my expenses, I need to see how the electric, gas and water bills compare, I won't be able to report on that for a few months though. I did have to get a storage because I had a lot of furniture that couldn't fit in the new apartment...(I had a love seat in my bedroom at the old house) I had my own fridge because when the old one broke the landlord never replaced it. I guess he has to replace it now! I'm thinking about having a garage sale I can't see me paying $70 bucks a month to store that stuff for more than a year. I told myself I'm keeping it because my oldest boy will be 20 in May and since he decided college was not for him and he wanted to drive trucks and do carpentry, he has until he turns 21 to get those Trades under his belt and then his bedroom becomes my prayer/sewing/scrapbook room. Those things in storage become HIS, FOR HIS FIRST APARTMENT!

I'm a reformed shop-a-holic and I have my moments. I can say this though internet window shopping has curved my urge to impulse shop. Another way I'm staying on the reformed band wagon is I NEVER pay FULL PRICE! I just refuse. I know coupons and discount codes don't give you a license to shop but when I need a new shirt for work because I burned the collar off of my nice black dress shirt (trying to save money by not putting it in the damn dry cleaner) having a discount code makes me not want to kick myself.

Yesterday my oldest boy child came to my office and insisted that I come with him downstairs to the credit union. He opened his OWN savings account. I was so proud of him! He is on his way.

Dollar Bills Yall...

2008-03-11T09:19:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a long time since I've reported on here, and I wish I could tell you that my finances are all together and my credit is repaired. But I can't I've failed miserably with tracking my spending, over the past year I've paid outrageous NSF charges because of my inability to balance my checkbook and I have the dispute letters in my purse, haven't mailed them yet. Now I actually need to revise them because when they were drafted I didn't do that correctly so my procrastination did help in that instance.

The spreadsheet...I did create it and can I just tell you I hated it!!! I don't like having to MAKE myself sit down and enter data but that is apart of learning discipline and gaining control of my finances. DISCIPLINE is a LEARNED behavior and am I ever learning. I am pleased to announce that after paying almost $200 dollars in NSF charges I've gotten a grip on my checkbook and reality. The reality is I can't AFFORD to give away money like that, and the reality concerning the checkbook is...IT's BALANCED! For the first time in almost a year and a half my checkbook is balanced down to the penny. My ING account is still going strong and I've even taken advantage of some of the saving opportunities my bank offers. So I've had some good with bad mixed in. In my next post I will report on how I cut my living expenses and my shopping habit.

I, 1BrokeSista promise to post at least once a week on dis here blog!

Spread Em...

2007-10-23T08:57:00.000-07:00

Boondocks by Aaron MacGruder

You can go ahead and shot me for not posting over here regularly. I do have an excuse, I'm in school! Full-time no doubt and I work FULL-TIME and at the end of the day I have to muster up all th energy I have to spend time with my disgruntled teens. They have to get their quality time from me. Anyway, I'm taking a CIS 146 class which translates to a not so basic computer class, which I'm acing by the away because it's all about Micro.Soft Office. Well I'm on the Excel unit and when we are done going through each project in the book we have to submit a personal project. A Spreadsheet and the instructor gave us themes but those were kinda basic wack! *I know, nobody says wack anymore* I'm developing a spreadsheet that will track all of my debtors. It will list the original creditors, the original amount owed, the amounts owed after late fees and interest. This letter will also track my disputing process, because a lot of that stuff they SAY I owe I don't! And dammit I'm not going to pay it and I am tired of living under the weight of debt. I figure it will be a great way to get an A on a project and it will finally force me to organize or should I say streamline this process. I know I'm in for a fight but so far the fight is going good. Credit Boards.Com has been a big help. I will post the spreadsheet over here when I'm done with it.

Doing it the Old Fashion Way

2007-07-11T12:59:00.000-07:00

One of the Keys to Financial Freedom and Success is tracking your spending, and that is an area where I have failed miserably! I don't keep up with my spending if I have to logon to the computer and pull up a spread sheet and enter the numbers, that won't work for me...the reason being is I'm staring at a computer all day, so I don't want anything to do with a computer when I get off from work. So having said that I will be doing it the old fashion way...like grandmomma did, I brought myself a ledger and will be recording ever y dollar spent in this book so I can look at how and where my money is spent. I've also put a temporary cease and desist order on my credit and debit card usage. I tend to spend more than I can afford when I whip out that fantastic plastic, so to get my mind right I will be only carrying around a certain amount of cash for purchases. Now I will continue to use my cards to pay my household utility bills that way I can earn all those perks I've grown to love! Anyway tonights homework for me is work on a new budget, the old one no longer reflect our lifestyle and my income and I'll report back to you guys on how that's looking.

Peace *2fingas*

Yawn, Nod Yawn

2007-07-11T10:32:00.000-07:00

I've fallen asleep at the wheel and just experienced a head on collision with debt, the frustration that comes from being the owner of debt has caused these stress induced migraine headaches that plague me. Yes I'm even more disgruntled! I applied to several apartments (remember the last post about renting a cheaper property so I can save money?) Well that's not going to happen because all of the decent apartment complexes...who am I kidding even the worst apartment complexes pull your credit file. And having said that 1BrokeSista has to stay where she is because nobody is going to rent to me with jacked up credit. I even explained it to one lady *Look lady I've been the victim of identity theft and submitted all the proof of that and she said oh that's fine you should get in* Why that heffa asked me for MORE proof that I am paying certain bills *blank stare* Lady how can I give you proof that I am paying a bill that is being disputed as identity theft???!?@#? Needless to say 1BrokeSista almost went to jail on that one because I WANTED MY APPLICATION AND ALL MY DOCUMENTS BACK...I mean since you said I can't live here why do you need to keep MY personal documents? I digress...
Anyway I just pulled my credit report and there are potentially 21 negative items on my file *blank stare* I can't lie to y'all this has been a very discouraging process that's why I haven't been blogging about it. But I know that as long as I keep working at it praying about it and changing my attitudes about bills, credit, and money, I will be ok! So anyway 1Broke Disgruntled Sista is back!

Yes I'm Still Alive!

2007-03-23T07:33:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!
I know, I haven't been home and I didn't leave the light on but forgive me.
I've been too disgruntled to even talk about it yall. But here is a quick update. I went to battle with the "Man" aka I've been disputing incorrect information on my credit report. I have gotten so much REMOVED! YES I SAID REMOVED! Now it's round two. I am going meet with Michelle (Money Lady) we're going to go over my report and discuss the next plan of action for to get this remaining six thousand dollars off of there! It has gone up since last we spoke because SOMEONE HAD AN ALLTEL PHONE IN MY NAME. It's coming back as mine so We have to take care of that, $1425.....I don't know a MOFO ALIVEEEEEEEEEEEEEE that I want to talk to that much.

I have decided to move to a cheaper rental property because I need to get this debt off of me so I can purchase a HOME. Currently I am paying rent which resembles a house note of $900.00, rent in a half way decent hood would be between $500-600 hundred. It's a thought.

Word on the street is I've Kicked my WICKED shopping habit..."Hi My name is 1brokesista and I'm a shop-a-holic!"

I'm currently able to squeeze out a hundred bucks a month towards my ING savings and $25 a month for each of the Disgruntled teens.

I got a little discouraged because I want a home of my own, I realize now that God is saying NOT NOW! One step at a time so I know once I get this stuff out of the way I will be free to move about the country freely!

I am back people!
I will be blogging regularly about finances debt and surviving.

Peace*2fingas*

My Personal Finance Goals for 2007

2006-12-20T12:50:00.000-08:00

With the New Year right around the corner everyones making New Years Resolution, except me, because I never keep them. But when I set goals, I work with all my might to reach them, so having said that, here are a few goals I've set for myself and the Family for 2007.

1. Create a Do-able Household budget. I'm reviewing the year and seeing where cuts need to be made and going from there.
2. Become HOME OWNERS in 2007.
3. Pay off debt. (Well on my way to doing that)
4. Teaching children more about finances (Making it a family affair)
5. INCREASE my Credit SCORE I want to hit over 670, I'm way below that.

And those are the goals right there, I've been reading up on the the various laws concerning Credit Reporting and Credit repair. I've gone to war with the credit reporting agencies and to date 12/20/06, eight NEGATIVE items have been removed from my credit report. That was just in round one, and I did my disputes all online, I was impressed and know that the Lord is on my side. Round two, I got my New Orleans Hood face on and I'm going at it straight LEGAL using all the legal jargon. I will let you know what happens.

I've put myself on a schedule so I will have time for God, children, ministry, man, school and blogging! That's right a Sista gots to blog. You will be hearing back from me really soon.

And this Christmas...Will Be a very special Christmas!

2006-12-20T12:28:00.000-08:00

I am back in the land of the financially savvy! I have been on hiatus improving my lot in life and am proud to announce that I finished my first semester with a 3.0!!!!! Thank You Thank you very much *bowing gracefully*

As we near the end of this year I have so much to be Thankful For! First for life breath and every person I love! I thank God that even though hurricane Katrina tore my family apart we're all somewhere safe and alive! Thank you Jesus! Others weren't as fortunate.

I am especially thankful for all you folks in the blogasphere (did i spell that right?)

You have inspired me and made me see the light at the end of the tunnel I am well on my way to financial freedom. Thank you all for sharing your lives, your wisdom and knowledge to inspire people. God Bless you all. And I'd also like to wish Ms. Single Ma a happy Born Day!

Sister you will never know how much you've inspired and motivated this single disgruntled mom.

Peace and Blessings

I love Blog Thingies!

2006-12-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

If you know me and some of you do from the other not so private blog, you know I love blog thingies!

"I ordered a Frappuccino, where's my fucking Frappuccino"
"Jay-Z, Linkin Park Crash"

Caffe Vanilla Frappuccino

Smooth and sweet, you fit in to almost any crowd. No one would suspect you of being a coffee tweaker!

What Flavor of Frappuccino are you?

"Momma, People don't know that when they are around me they are in the presence of greatness!"
BrokeDisgruntled Pre-teen girl

People Envy Your Confidence

You have the attitude and self esteem to take on anything. Failure is beyond not an option for you - it doesn't even cross your mind.People envy your ability to take on any challenge ... and they're secretly afraid you think you're better than them. You don't. You're just sure of yourself.

What do People envy about you?

Yawn!!!!!!!!!!

2006-12-01T06:45:00.000-08:00

Hello world...it's been a minute.

And a Sista been on her grind, I've been watching my spending and decided to go to battle over my credit report and get that score to rising! Got some good news last night, I started disputing some things I thought were incorrect and not all were deleted buy FIVE were! Just like that, they must have saw my mean mug when I was sending out those dispute letters.

Christmas shopping is done and the grand total for Broke and Disgruntled teens is.......$280.00. I got everything on their wishlists which wasn't much, ordered the stuff I couldn't find in the stores online with free shipping during the cyber sales and I feel great!

DisgruntedPre-teen girl wanted an acoustic guitar, a bratz manequin (she loves styling hair and playing in make-up), the Cheetah Girlz 2 movie, and I purchased her Skinny women can't cook by Monique. My baby girl loves to cook and try new things! I also got her a Bratz Diamonds doll (Sasha of course)

Disgruntled Teen Boy wanted a new basket ball, Madden 2007, an acoustic guitar, and a air hockey table. His lil something extra something something was a cookbook as well. Dude told me a couple of months ago that he was going to be the Next G. Garvin and we were going to travel all over the world cooking good food and tasting wine. I'm ready! So I got him G. Garvin's cookbook. Mother's we have to teach our son's how to cook! My boys are 18 and 14 and both of them can cook FOR REAL! Oh yeah I found this artist value pack online, it has a bound sketch book, a large drawing pad, and another fancy drawing book for my son. I haven't ordered that yet. He's going to work on a cartoon about personal finance as he sees it. It's going to be funny just because of who this child is. I'll scan them when he's done.

Disgruntled Oldest Teen boy thinks he's grown and decided he wanted to move back to Louisiana, which means I will wire him a few dollars and be done with it!

It's safe to say that I will stay within budget for the children this holiday season.
Christmas 2006 Budget for the Disgruntled Teens $400.00

That's the least amount of money I have EVER spent on these characters since I've been their mother.

Peace and Blessings
I think I will be able to post on a regular basis after finals.

Peace*2fingas*

Emergency Fund

2006-10-12T16:30:00.000-07:00

Ya know I have one of those...an emergency fund, and guess what? It came in handy the other day when I brought my van in for two new front tires and all this other stuff was wrong. I knew something was wrong with the silver bullet it was shaking and acting all crazy *no pun intended* So I took her in to the shop, 3 hours and $950.00 later, the bullet was back on the road, no shaking two new tires, tire rods bearing joints an alignment labor and parts. Thank God for the emergency fund! If I didn't have it I would be walking to work right now which is something I need to consider if I'm gonna look super fly in that wedding dress come April.

I was disgruntled about shelling out that cash at first but ya know what? I need my ride. Thanks Single Ma for inspiring a sista to start one of those things.

I'm off to class!

Peace *2fingas*

P.S. if any one wants to donate to the emergency fund leave me a note! HAHAHAHAHA! I gotta replace that money.

National Honor Roll

2006-10-12T16:14:00.000-07:00

This is a letter I received in the mail on yesterday evening...

To the Parent of:
1brokedisgruntled teen son
Timbucktoo High School Honor Student

Dear BrokeDisgruntled Sista,

It is my great pleasure to congratulate you on your child's upcoming selection for induction into the 2006/2007 National Honor Roll.

In just a few days you will receive an official Letter of Commendation from me along with a student profile form which must be returned by 10/20/06, to ensure accurate publication of 1brokedisgruntled teen son's biography.

This award will bring additional attention to your child's college and scholarship applications. 1brokedisgruntled teen may well enjoy widespread acclaim. To make a long story short, baby boy got skills to pay the bills and he just brought home his progress report dude got all A's. I've been training him since he was a baby that using his brain and a relationship with God would be the key to his success along with other things. I' m going to break down and pay the 60 bucks for the profile and all that jazz, and he just got one more thing to add to his resume! I do not plan on paying for his college education and one of the main reasons I work in academia is because of the benefits one being the BIG ASS DISCOUNT ON TUITION. And if the Disgruntled kids decide they don't want to attend here, which is a top tier public institution, they'll have their grades=scholarship money and work study along with a regular part-time job, with a little assistance from their disgruntled momma to get them thru.

Peace *2fingas*

It's been a minute!

2006-09-26T11:50:00.000-07:00

I know I know, I haven't been posting lately, but life just got turned up 400degreez! A sista been getting her grind on. School three times a week, Tuesday, Thrusday, and Saturday each class 3 hours long. I got the Broke Disgruntled Teen and Pre-Teen to contend with, not to mention this full-time gig...8am-5pm Monday thru Friday. And they wonder why I love wigs, weaves and hair pieces! It's been cool though, I am enjoying school and really understanding math, I should have taken the special bus math along time ago and saved myself some headache and some financial aid money. I have been negelecting both blogs and my website...Sorry Single Ma, but I am doing as I'm told UPDATING!

The budget spreadsheet: It's there! I use it I am tracking our spending, it's good seeing where all my money is going and it helps when I need to make cuts and adjustments.

I have paid off another small debt! Yeppie!

I got my good faith papers, a sista is buying a house! Yeppie!!!!!

Oh Yeah today a sista got a 41cent raise. Yall know i got a nice raise in July when I took this new position that works me like a Slave!

Something interesting, I had $200 dollars set aside for groceries and was all set to go shopping,
when that inner voice stopped me. Yall know I talk to myself, it told me to clean the deep freezer and I did. Yall buried under that ice was a mountain of meat. I must have been on some type of hot dog binge because if I didn't have 11 packs down in their I didn't have any. I found steaks, shrimp, ground beef, chicken, hamburger patties, fish among other things. Needless to day I didn't go shopping that day and we haven't ran out of food yet. But it pays to clean out those freezers, deep freezers and pantries.

My mind on my money and my money on my mind so I've been watching my spending, but I've also learned from Single Ma that you have to spend something on yourself, so with that said during the customer appreciation sale at Catherines *yes I'm a big girl* I purchased myself a $220 dollar black leather blazer for $107.00 and yesterday I took a trip to bath and body works, I almost lost my mind in there, they had a sale 25-40% off. Purchased me a Sweet Pea gift basket regular $59 bucks got it for $29 and I got my beloved japanase cherry blossom body spray, lotion and body wash in a cute basket with a bath sponge all for the low price of $17.49.
This fragrance almost put Sweet Pea to rest for me but I still hold on. Ha!

I will be peeping in and updating when I get a chance to breatheeeee! Yall be praying for a 1brokesista!

Insurance Companies and screaming teen girls

2006-09-07T19:18:00.000-07:00

This is what I spent my extra money on this month and the month just began!
2 tickets to the Christ Brown up close and personal tour.

Tomorrow I have to have oral surgery and thanks to my dental insurance who won't cover the cost of me being put to sleep to have just 1 wisdom tooth removed even though it has decayed and the nerves have errupted, I have to come out of my pocket with $300+ dollars. I know that's a run on sentence but I'm in extreme severe pain and that's how I feel. And the pain all started Monday night~them damn yelling lil heffas! I wish I could get up and personal to Ne-Yo or Chris Brown right now I'd choke the shit outta them! But of course it's my own fault we had damn good seats I could smell they breaths and the the music up front is even louder! Yall this tooth hurts so bad. But I would like to give a special shout out to my medical insurance company who did cover the cost of my prescription of Darvocet *big smile* my co-pay was only $3. In about five minutes I should pass out.

Ok pray for me yall I'm kinda edgy and been extra disgruntled this week. My poor fiance is gonna leave me if I don't let up! LMAOOOO! But I love him *in my sha nay nay voice*

Peace 2fingas!

Budget SpreadSheet

2006-08-31T07:52:00.000-07:00

Well, eventually I had to break down and do a budget spreadsheet. SingleMa is going to send me a sample spreadsheet *as soon as I email her and ask her for it*. But in the mean time and in between time I needed to get it all down in one place to evaluate what's really going on in my wallet. It's bleek yall! Since the Hurricane K we had to rebuild start over and all that jazz. I took a pay cut, not ungrateful because I have been employed since September 19th, and in less then a year I have been promoted. I have had a little help from the FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, not much still not ungrateful every little bits help. Anyway I checked out this spreadsheet of mine *is that one word or two?* All I can say is God is GOOD! I make less, my expenses are more and yet we eat, the lights have not gone out we have everything we need and then some. What has sustained us? God and a savings account. I didn't realize how heavily I relied on my savings *not the e-fund* My pay was being deposited directly into my savings account and I would purchase a money order to pay my rent *.50 cents* And guess what the pay check thats deposited in this account didn't cover my entire rent payment. The savings supplemented the lack. That's why not splurging when we get that unexpected money is so important. It has literally kept me and my family afloat.

Now a sista done got a little raise *Thank Ya JESUS!* I's almost back to making the bank I was in New Orleans...

My savings can marinate, I can pay my rent without dipping. I changed my direct deposit from my savings to my checking and I'm paying another bill on my eliminate debt plan. We can even see the light of home ownership!!!!!

Oh yeah the spreadsheets! They WORK! and as I get better at tracking my spending my spreadsheet will get more detailed. Eventually I'll use that Quicken 2006 Pimpin hooked me up with!

Anyway
Catch you guys later!

The Winds of Change are Blowing

2006-08-28T06:42:00.000-07:00

Contemplating Change
Change is a funny thing. Although most people say they want to change — so they can have a better life, with more love, more dreams, and more fun — the fact is that many of us are afraid of change. Faced with the real prospect of it, we look at our lives and decide that being where we are right now isn’t so bad, after all. Better the devil you know than the one you don’t, we tell ourselves. … It’s a place where your life isn’t really that great, but it really isn’t that bad, either. It’s just so-so.

Well, I happen to think that life should be better than “not that bad” and more than “just so-so.” Life should be exciting, challenging, and — ultimately — fulfilling.
— David Bach, Smart Couples Finish Rich
Quote borrowed from Debtspiration
My priority today is to closely examine my life, my spending habits, and my goals. I have set a deadline...a debt deadline. October 1st, 2007 1brokedisgruntledsista will be debt free! Period pointblank! I will post my budgeting progress later on. It's going ok. Change is hard but neccessary, as long as I remember that I will meet my goal.
Oh yeah...Saturday was my Birthday! I turned 26 for the 9th time! How's that for numbers!

This Weekend's Festivities....PRICELESS!

2006-08-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

Roundtrip Plane Ticket.....$257.00
Gift for my sister...............$100.00
Faking an illness................7.75 in sick hours
Misc. Purchases................$52.00

Watching my sister exit the building with her diploma in her hand and hearing her announce "I'm finally something bitches!"
=PRICELESS!

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate my big sister on finally finishing something since high school *her words not mine*
I am so proud of my sister!

To celebrate her husband cooked a big dinner for family and friends, and the next night we partied!!!! Oh it went down we closed the club down. It has been a year since the hurricane sent us all running in different directions. I decided not to follow the rest of my family so this was the first time I had seen them since we parted last year. All Imma say is New Orleans natives took over that Houston club. Gotta stop there cause what goes on in Houston STAYS IN HOUSTON!

I'm not disgruntled today!
Peace *2fingas*

Breatheeeeeeeeeeeeee!

2006-08-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

*Inhale* *Exhale*

This new position got a Sista working like a SLAVE...FA REAL! I'm not complaining, just super busy! We're interviewing a new office associate this week so I can move into my new office and get my recruiting on! (got me working two positions darnit!)
I've still made time to read some of my favorite blogs though. Right now I am in the process of developing a budget. Help me please! When you guys developed your budgets how did you break it down? Should I keep my entertainment money in a separate budget? Groceries! *rolling my eyes* (thinking...where a sista with an ebt card for sale when you need one)
I digress. Anyway I'm already buying off brands like a mutha which I don't mind. I grew up in the hood dirt ass poor so we were to happy to get anything let alone an off brand. Anyone have some money saving tips on how to cut the grocery bill down.

Me and the power company have ended the power struggle! We came to a compremise, Yall know I was figthing them every step of the way...we settled on budget billing and they retroacted it and I only ended up paying 160.00 which is REALLY good considering the bill was $352 dollars and the new bill came in at $347.00. In the winter time my bill hits me right at $147-153.00. Hey I have an almost all electric house! I'm cool with budget billing literally!

It feels weird not paying a car note this month but for some reason I've neglected paying all the other bills like the gas bill, the phone bill. I don't know but I have decided to go onto automatic pay with all the bills that way they'll all get paid on time.

1BrokeSista decided to get her broke ass back in school...I flunked out the first time wasted a shit load of money so I took a different route. I'm starting from the bottom floor and enrolled into a 2 year program at the local community college. When I'm done with that because I'm in a transfer program I can transfer over to the University where I am currently gainfully employed and take advantage of the first class FREE and all other class 50% off!
Oh yeah...my classes at the community college... 1BrokeSista got grant! The grant paid for all 3 classes and I have $207.00 left over for books! *Doin da Cabbage Patch*

When I get a breath to breathe I will answer SingleMa's question she posted here A Decision that Changed my Life . 1BrokeSista done been through some stuff but it was certain thing's that shaped and molded my life. AnyWho...I gotta go back to work and earn this new pay!

I can't wait until I get my degree...I been if-ing at it for a couple of years now and basically wasting my money, but a Sista got her MIND right now!

Leave me some tips please I need help and my life is getting busier and busier.

1BrokeSista
Peace *2fingas*

American Pimp

2006-08-09T20:05:00.000-07:00

Ok tonight I'm sitting at home with my brokedisgruntled fiance clicking thru the channels. *I hate when he does that* Well anyway it falls on a show called American Pimp. Lawddddd hap mercy on all us! Yall I know I'm going to hell but I laughed my ass offffffffff! One thing for certain 1brokesista couldn't be a Ho on the stroll with no pimp. You know what I can't even describe this show, I can say it is something I watched growing up because I had an uncle who was a pimp and my step dad had him a couple a hoes on the stroll behind my mommas back. Oh when she found out! I learned how to fight watching my momma Whup Dat Trick!

Ok Ok this blog is about money so my question of the day is...do Pimps and Hoes pay taxes? I mean do the IRS audit them and put a lean on all they stuff like they do ours? Do they have retirement plans and health insurance? When a pimp retire from the pimp game where does he work? I wonder what his transferable skills are...he would be a damn good telemarketer.

But for real I totally understand the game being from the streets, I understand the bondage that a woman has to be in to allow someone to manipulate her mind.

But watching this show is so funny! Just listening to these dudes.

If ya can answer my question about the tax issue please do.

Peace*2fingas*
1BrokeSista

The Score

2006-08-09T07:50:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm back on that, seeing as though CREDIT makes the world go round, I'm stuck in neutral with a poor credit score. So I'm doing a couple of things to try and make this right. First thing, I'm paying what I owe! Plan and simple. Second I'm disputing what's not mine. Some years ago I was the victim of identity theft, a very cleaver and devious person she was. Used my social for a couple of years without me knowing it. Until I applied for credit, and the person running my social stared me blank and in the face and "Ms. 1BrokeSista, you're deceased!" *Blank Stare*
Counting to ten...Slew of cuss words pouring from my mouth *I wasn't saved at that time*
Needless to say the person died under my social and I had to jump through hoops to prove that I am indeed ALIVE! I am ME I didn't die yet! Darnit if I'm dead then who am I? *sigh* I'm getting worked up again. Well that person God bless the dead also left me with some parting gifts by way of my credit report. Thanks MUTHAF!@#A! I digress.
The third thing I'm doing is secured loans! They can be your best friend when you're trying to start over. I have a little money tucked away *outside of my emergency fund* and what I am in the process of doing is securing a secured loan. Pay off a a portion of my debt with the funds, and then have a monthly payment to the credit union, payroll deducted. I build my credit score and once the loan is paid off (in 6 months). I'll simply take those same funds and do it all again until my debt is all gone. And what that will leave me with is a couple of loans paid in full and on time. Anyway I'm off to the credit union to get this party started right!

Peace *2fingas*
1BrokeSista

I wrote a check today... made out to Debt

2006-08-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

Today I wrote a check and I made it out to University Hospital in the amount of $88 dollars. That means I just reduced my debt by $88 dollars! Why am I sharing this with you? Because it is my hearts desire that I encourage you, getting into to debt is easy, when your a "Big Spenda" you have all the friends in the world. But when you're broke you have no friends no one cheering you on none of that. So today I cheer you on! We are going to get out of DEBT! And when we're back on top "we'll say hello to our little friends". But most importantly we will spend wisely, no splurging and NO KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES!

Peace *2fingas*
1BrokeSista

This heat got me twisted!

2006-08-03T12:34:00.000-07:00

It's so hot where I live until its NO laughing matter, It's just hot for no reason. I am not going to the place call HELL i can't do it! My weave won't hold up down there and me and the devil will be some fightin somebodies! Cause a sista likes her ice water (can't afford soda) and a sista likes her air conditioning! So no wonder why her power bill is $$322.00 Ohhhhhhhhh! Lawd what is we gone do? That's just too much money to say i keep my thermostat on 76 at all times! So right now because I'm very confrontational and love to debate*cough argue* me and the power company are in a power struggle and looks like they're winning. BrokeDisgruntled momma enlighten me though, she said that there is help for "us"/Hurricane Katrina evacuees, refugees, run away slaves, with our power bills and what have you. I'm actually contemplating using the assistance because this is just plain ridiculous. The reason why I say contemplating is because I am the type of person I never take that type of assistance unless I need it need it need it. I feel like if I take assistance I don't need I'll actually be blocking someone who does. It's just not right. Now my brokedisgruntled momma on the other hand be signing my kids up for free clothes and supplies and all kinds of stuff that I never take because I just don't take stuff we don't need (she was doing that before the storm). We lost EVERYTHING in hurricane Katrina and God has restored my family and BLESSED us BEYOND measure so why knock someone else? Yall bear with me because of this new budget and bill pay plan I got myself on I'm seriously trying to talk myself into taking this assistance.
I don't know we shall see how the power struggle turns out and I will go from there.

1BrokeSista
Peace*2fingas*

Keeping SCORE (My Score: 514)

2006-07-31T15:16:00.000-07:00

As stated in the title I'm keeping score and they are too. You remember that cell phone you let get turned off and u simply went and got another one without paying the balance on the first one? It just hit your credit report and brought down your score. That credit card you MAXED out and said. "oh forget them they have more money than they need". It just hit your credit report and lowered your Fico Score. Everytime you're more than 30 days past due on a credit account it is reported to Equifax, Experian or TransUnion or all three. It just depends on who that company can afford to report to. Smaller companies normally report to one, larger companies report to all. I don't know enough about all this to go into detail all I know is my score is 514 do you know what that means? IT MEANS I CAN'T BUY BUBBLE GUM ON CREDIT! (thats why I'm disgruntled!) I can blame it on society, da white man, I can blame it on the rain but the blame falls soley on my shoulders, I did it, I made this mess. Now I had some help from an even dumber then me about finances Ex Husband and a Disgruntled uneducated about finances single mother, but at the end of the day that score belongs to me.

So here's the only tip I can give; Pay your bills on time, if you can't pay the balance in full when the bill comes then For GOD's Sake DON'T CHARGE IT, that means you can't afford it.
Keep track of what's on your credit report disputing any descripencies.
For more detailed tips and advice check out my favorites over there starting with Single Ma, she even answers yalls emails.

*This Information was taken from My FICO Score to read the entire article please go to that website.*

FICO Scores are calculated from a lot of different credit data in your credit report. This data can be grouped into five categories as outlined below. The percentages in the chart reflect how important each of the categories is in determining your score

These percentages are based on the importance of the five categories for the general population. For particular groups - for example, people who have not been using credit long - the importance of these categories may be somewhat different.

Payment History
Account payment information on specific types of accounts (credit cards, retail accounts, installment loans, finance company accounts, mortgage, etc.)
Presence of adverse public records (bankruptcy, judgements, suits, liens, wage attachments, etc.), collection items, and/or delinquency (past due items)
Severity of delinquency (how long past due)
Amount past due on delinquent accounts or collection items
Time since (recency of) past due items (delinquency), adverse public records (if any), or collection items (if any)
Number of past due items on file
Number of accounts paid as agreed
Amounts Owed
Amount owing on accounts
Amount owing on specific types of accounts
Lack of a specific type of balance, in some cases
Number of accounts with balances
Proportion of credit lines used (proportion of balances to total credit limits on certain types of revolving accounts)
Proportion of installment loan amounts still owing (proportion of balance to original loan amount on certain types of installment loans)
Length of Credit History
Time since accounts opened
Time since accounts opened, by specific type of account
Time since account activity

Your score considers both positive and negative information in your credit report.
Late payments will lower your score, but establishing or re-establishing a good track record of making payments on time will raise your score.

1BrokeSista
*Peace 2fingas*

I have a plan do YOU have a plan?

2006-07-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

Ok, Ok I've got my wig back on and in place and I've settled down.

I'm not getting any older and no matter how hard I try my children are getting bigger (I tried to stop em!) The economy is on the verge of collasping (my opinion) Gas is off the charts and the price of food is right up there with it. Seeing how the world around me is changing I had to come up with a financial plan so we (me my future broke and disgruntled husband and my broke and disgrutled kids) can SURVIVE!

"Hi, my name is 1brokedisgruntledsista and I'm a Shop-A-Holic and I'm in Debt"
The first step is admitting that there is a problem and in my case it's ME!

I've learned the painful way that if it's on your Ass then its not an ASSET. Armed with that knowledge I had to develop a plan to get out of debt and stay on the reformed Shop-A-Holic wagon.

Step 1
Realize what matters most in life, everyone's different different values drive different desires. To me being a good steward with what God has blessed me with is what's most important, glorifying Him with what He has given me is my #1 top priority. I can't glorify Him if I'm constantly focused on buying me the latest (knock off) of the new hot styles. This is what started me on the road to recovery as far as shopping goes.

Step 2
Develop a plan! "If we fail to plan, we can plan on failing" I don't know who said that but it works for me so here's my plan:

I started my emergency fund a few months ago and reached that in no time just by cutting out my emotional shopping. Baby steps, I set the fund goal at $2000 bucks and we now have a fully funded efund. I do plan on increasing it but I have to get the debt paid down first.

In my post "Ain't worth Jack Spit" I listed my networth and debt, a big chunk of my debt has been eliminated! Thank Ya Jesus!

Here's a breakdown of a large part of the remaining debt. *This isn't all of it...I'm taking baby steps*
Keep in mind all of these accounts have been turned over to collections so my poor credit score is exactly that POOR!

Sprint $222.62
University Medical $219.00
University Medical $88.00
University Medical 452.00
SBA $1,712.00

With the van note being eliminated ($250) and I just received a pay increase which will be $311 additional dollars on each pay check before deductions of course. That's $872.00 additional dollars a month give or take. Now being a sister who is NOT going to live above her means I am attacking this debt and getting it out of my life FOREVER!
Since we lived comfortably on the old salary which is still the current salary until Aug. 1, 2006, we shall continue as if the promotion and raise never happened. The additional funds will be applied to debt and 1brokesista's retirement fund cause I wanna lay on the beach with my girl Single Ma and sip Margarita's when we retire!

Track my progress! I give myself until Jan. 1, 2007 to get rid of the 5 bills above. I'll keep you posted and the elimination begins the first paycheck the new salary kicks in!.

Peace*2fingas*

Break it on Down

2006-07-25T13:38:00.000-07:00

Well a couple of weeks ago I posted how I wasn't worth jack spit!!! (Yeah I thought that title was cute too) Anyway a few things have changed, you see the one that says car loan? Well it is no more! That sucka is paid in full thus far reducing my debt. I'm still back flipping and thanking my Lord.

DebtsMortgages 0
Student Loans $12,000
Credit Card $1,600
Car Loans was $8,000-now $0.00
Other $5,000

Total Debt $18,600

Now everyone is not going to agree with me taking my financial blessing and paying off the van first but hey, I had to do it. Here's why, I have poor credit and the interest rate on that loan was off the chain HIGH I saved a couple of thousands paying that off first.
*I also gave to my church I didn't just get blessed and didn't bless the house of the Lord*

The actual car note was $250 per month so that money will be allocated toward paying down the debt. Later on or tomorrow I will list each debt and the balance so I can have a running total and high light them red when paid!

As mentioned in my last post I received a promotion meaning a $5000 dollar a year raise, half of that will be invested in Disgruntled Sista's retirement/Roth IRA so she won't be broke and disgruntled in her old age. I wanna be laying on the beach sipping on happy drinks! The other half will go towards paying off all debt until it is eliminated. Then those monies will be saved and/or invested. The plan is to continue living on the current salary.

I have so many things going on in my head I am forcing myself to blog it or write it down (that's my ADD kicking in).
I went to the library since I'm broke and checked out Suze Orman's book "The Money Book for the Young Fabulous & Broke". Started reading it last night and immediately joined her YF&B club. The book is full of wonderful easy to understand and apply advice and the website actually is interactive and it developed an action plan for me according to my circumstances.

I have homework that I'll post here as well. Anywho I need to get busy I got my credit reports and I need to dispute some things on there and the other stuff I need to get busy paying...(I have my ex husband to thank for a lot of that). No need crying over spilled milk he will and shall get his.

A sista feeling kinda good
Still Broke but feeling better
Peace*2fingas*

Welcome Back

2006-07-24T21:11:00.000-07:00

I've been on vacation and while on this vacation some very interesting things took place.

Interesting thing #1
Broke and Disgruntled Sista got a promotion along with a decent raise! Thank Ya Jesus!

Interesting thing #2
Broke and Disgruntled Sista got to attend the Black Writers Conference in Dallas...
some of the best money I've ever spent, it got me on track and serious about my writing. Thank Ya Jesus!

Interesting thing #3
Broke and Disgruntled Sista was blessed with a financial blessing and paid off her van! Doing triple flips up the aisle all while thanking my Big Daddy My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! That's my Boy Fa Real!
*and the urshers fan 1Brokesista cause the heffa done passted out*
I'll break all this down more on tomorrow but I just had to share with everyone.

Peace *2fingas*
1brokesista

Ain't Worth Jack Spit!

2006-07-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

Ok so today I thought it would be a cool idea to see just how much I'm worth and as you can see from the title and the numbers below, I ain't worth Jack SPIT!Some of the numbers are slightly off because I don't have th paperwork in front of me it's at home. In future posts I'll be breaking all these numbers down and coming up with a strategy to pay off the debt, increase my net worth, and control my spending. Net Worth
( June 2006 )
Assets
Cash 2,100
Stocks 0
Bonds 0
Annuities 4,132
Retirement 3,500
Real Estate 0
Cars 12,000
Personal Property 10,000
Yearly Income 24,000
Total Assets 55,732

Debts
Mortgages 0
Student Loans 12,000
Credit Card 1,600
Car Loans 8,000
Other 4,000
Total Debts 25,600
Net Worth $30,132

Peace *2fingas*

1BrokeDisgrutled Sista

I've had it up to HERE!

2006-07-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

Hi,
I've been lurking around in the blogosphere for sometime now; reading and commenting on blogs that or focused on finances, debt, investing, budgeting, etc etc.

I have my favorites and I thank each individual for taking the time out to open up the most sensitive part of their lives to the internet world. Thanks for showing me that I can obtain financial freedom and live a debt free life.

People perish for a lack of knowledge...
That statement has never been so true. I had no one telling me Sista save your money, Sista, pay your credit card bills on time, Sista investing is the key to wealth. Sista..."If its on ya Ass then it's not an Asset".

Well it's a brand NEW day because Sista is not going to waste another moment sulking over past (last week) bad spending habits. I'm going to objectively look at the amount of debt I've accumulated over the years and actively eliminate it with a relentlessness that resembles that of the Terminator!

I am DISGRUNTLED so please please please people don't leave me dumb ass comments! *You have been warned*

Since I've never been one who's partial to really expensive designer clothes I don't think I'll have a problem with that aspect of the recover but I am a on the wagon Clearence and Sale Shop-a-holic! I am!...I never buy anything full price if it's not on sale or I don't have a coupon for it I don't buy it. But ohhhhhhhh don't let me fall into my favorite clothing store and they have a sale going on....Like Young Joc says, "Meet me in the Mall it's going Down"! Guarantee it's going down.

I am no financial guru, as a matter of fact I HATE MATH! I can count and I can calculate interest oddly enough, but I will be pulling and learning from other professionals and people who should be professional, like Single Ma and her Fabulous Financials. That Sista is Fabulous Fa Real. I wanna be like her when I grow up financially. Anyway I need help yall cause Momma Broke and Disgruntled didn't teach me Jack about handling money.

Until Tomorrow
Peace *2fingas*