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Archive for January, 2018

January Updates

January 30th, 2018 at 01:28 pm

We have had a sick household and are finally recovering. Luckily we weren't down for long.

I have not heard back from that lady after I gave her my resume. She told me that it may be a while before her boss was ready to start calling people. Frankly, I'm not holding my breath but it was a good opportunity to make updates.

Actual income from the side biz (not paid yet, just worked completed and invoiced) = $2,285.00. Not bad. DH and I are looking to add more clients.

We are selling furniture and odds n ends that come from these vacant homes. So far, we earned $50 from that and we have a lot more to go through and list. I'm finding that Facebook marketplace is the fastest way to sell (compared with Craigslist and Let Go). For smaller items, we may try eBay. DH and I are amazed at how fast the items we list are selling and we hope this streak continues. We are setting the money aside but we haven't decided how we will use it.

This side income obviously fluctuates each month. If I knew we can count on a base minimum each month I would feel so much better.

January Earnings and Projection (Side Biz)

January 11th, 2018 at 05:41 pm

Here are my numbers based on what we have been assigned so far:

Jan 1 - Jan 10 earnings: $440
Jan 11 - Jan 31 (projected): $2,910
Total Jan 1 - Jan 31 = $3,350

Most are inspections.
One is a door lock change.
And the big number is a bid to tarp a roof and empty out a house and inspections assigned. There are expenses, such as fuel, tarps, wood, nails, and trash bags but those are minor.

Possible New Job - Need Your Feedback Please

January 9th, 2018 at 11:10 am

A lady, whose apartment I inspect, and I had a conversation six months ago regarding her job change and the new company she is with. After that conversation, I haven't put a second thought about her new job but I do remember telling her that if there were openings, I would be interested.

Fast forward to last week. I schedule her six month inspection and she asks me to bring along my resume because she wants to give it to her boss because the company is hiring. I said ok and asked no questions.

The day of the inspection (yesterday), I arrive and she tells me about the job. It is her job because she was promoted. She tells me all about the position and the company and that she has been "talking me up" to her boss. I gave her my resume with a cover letter and my personal business card.

Mind you, I'm currently employed, but my company is facing the end of the current contract (September of this year) and we may either remain or be picked up by a new company. I don't think my job is in any danger of being eliminated, but who knows? I enjoy my co-workers very much.

Here are PROS to the new job as I know them:
Salary
New job: Somewhere in the mid $40k (DOE)
Current job: $38k (for the last 10+ years)

Raises
New job: Every year
Current job: No raise since 2008

Annual Bonus
New job: Every year (generous according to her)
Current job: Never

Commute
New job: 4 miles from home
Current job: 22 miles from home

Schedule
New job: 8 hour day - flexible hours and possible work from home when needed (as in Hurricane Irma or when feeling sick)
Current job: 8 hour day - fixed 7-3:30.

Skills Challenge
According to the lady, practically the same job I'm doing now. Sometimes its slow.

Advancement Opportunities
New job: the company is growing and some people are retiring soon which means an opportunity to move up.
Current job: Only if I go to another project (most likely in the Middle East) or the corporate hq in another city. In other words, none.

CONS:
New job: No health insurance (dental, or vision) is offered. According to the lady, you shop your own insurance and the company reimburses you for the premium. Now she is single so that is easy, but I have a family so I don't know if they would do that for family coverage. This would affect my husband and #2 DS (21 y/o and in college). I am in the VA system and #3 DS is on Medicaid due to his disability.
Current job: The whole enchilada, though I pay about $400-ish a month.

New job: 401k is deferred until 1 year of employment anniversary. I did not ask if they had a company match for contributions. (Though I have an IRA where I rolled in my old 401ks and I contribute a little to that).
Current job: 401k with company match up to 6% with immediate vesting.

Time Off
New job: 14 days per year which includes vacation and sick days.
Current job: I have finally earned three weeks vacation after working eight years. I accrue some fraction of an hour each pay period for paid time off (sick time). None of it is use it or lose it. As of now, because of my folks' health issues, I'm in the hole by three days. If I leave without it reaching back to zero, the company will take it from my final earnings.

So that is what I'm grappling with. I don't know if I will be contacted or not, but if I am, I want to feel assured that I'm not missing anything. I would love your feedback!

Personal Maintenance

January 8th, 2018 at 01:16 pm

On the personal maintenance front:
Haircut - 2 inches off. $17.00 - I do this as needed.
Pedicure - $22.00 - I do this every 5-6 weeks.
Manicure - $10.00 - I do this annually. I do it myself the rest of the time.

Please, before the criticism comes about a mani-pedi while I have debt, understand that I set aside a little each paycheck for personal maintenance.

I don't need to explain, but I will: I'm a fat girl. My pudgy middle roll under the ribcage and boy does that hurt! Needless to say, I can't comfortably reach my toes and work on them without doing some sabotage.

I could have waited on the haircut and manicure, but there is a possible change of employment opportunity and I want to be ready with a professional polish.

Side Biz Earnings 1/5 and 1/6/18

January 6th, 2018 at 05:19 pm

Earned $50 for a property inspection yesterday on 1/5/18.

Earned $150 ($50 each) for three inspections this morning.

Total for literally 90 minutes work is $200.

I went to get more supplies from the property manager and asked for my check. I earned from October - December $750.

All that, however goes into the business account. Like I mentioned in a previous post, we need to make over $5k to make a profit.

Credit Consolidation Twist

January 5th, 2018 at 07:44 pm

CC2 balance transfer over to CC1 hit today. $6,841 will have the 2.99% APR until 3/31/19.

Now I have one credit card payment with split APR (see sidebar).

End of story right? Wrong! CC2 is now offering a 0% credit card balance transfer. My credit limit with CC2 is $12,100.

Here is what I'm thinking of doing.... After everything clears, I'm going to transfer the $12,100 from CC1 back to CC2 for 0% before the deadline (2/28/18). Since that payment is distributed to the oldest APR first (9.9%), then the remaining balance will only have a 2.99% APR.

CC1 new balance will then be $5,900 with a 2.99% APR until 3/31/19.

CC2 new balance will be $12,100 with a 0% APR, also until 3/31/19.







Earned A Gift Card

January 4th, 2018 at 06:23 pm

I earned a $5 Walmart gift card from Microsoft Rewards.

Income and Expense 1/2/18

January 3rd, 2018 at 02:15 pm

Side biz earned $50 for a property inspection and $40 to re-key a door.

Size biz expense $124 for annual background checks.

Total earned today = $90
Total income YTD = $160
Minus expense = $36 profit

2018 Estimated Expenses is $5,000. Once we pass $5k, we will be earning profit.

Consolidated Credit Cards

January 2nd, 2018 at 06:30 pm

I updated my sidebar just now, so here is what I did.

CC1 credit limit is $18k. I transferred enough from CC2 to reach my credit limit.

I tapped into my emergency savings fund to pay off the remaining balance on CC2 to bring it to zero.

My goal is to pay this off in 24 months and not add any consumer debt, Lord willing.

Thank you Credit Card Free for your advice!

Amber, you have motivated me to get my debt down.

I look forward to sharing my progress this year. Please pray for me!

Income on 1/1/18

January 2nd, 2018 at 01:20 pm

Earned $70 from side gig (two property inspections)
Received $60 from my parents (I ordered some meds for them and they paid me back)

Side gig funds go to the business checking account.

The $60 will go to the EF for now.

No spend day yesterday.

I'm still contemplating how to make the credit card balance transfer work (see comments from the previous entry).

In other news... it's freezing in Northeast Florida, so much so that we may even see some snow flurries tomorrow (I know, Northerners are saying "ha, ha, that's cute!)

Stay warm friends!

Need Some Advice

January 2nd, 2018 at 12:02 am

So CC1 is offering a 2.99% APR for balance transfer. I have until March 31, 2018 to make the transfer and then the rate is good until March 31, 2019. After that, the transferred funds will be subject to whatever the variable rate will be at that time.

If I transfer the balance from CC2 to CC1, I have one year to pay off the entire balance, which as it stands now, is just under $20k.

Here is the promotion:
"Lose some rate with an introductory/promotional rate as low as 2.99% APR* on balance transfers through March 31, 2018. Just transfer the balance from a non-VyStar credit card. If you donā€™t have one yet, apply by phone or at any VyStar branch. The special low rate will apply to qualified balances until March 31, 2019. After that, your standard variable or non-variable APR will apply to any remaining balances. And, of course, there are no annual fees, no transaction fees, and absolutely no inactivity fees. Saving money is sure to make your new year happier."

Here is the small print:
"* APR=Annual Percentage Rate and is current as of January 1, 2018. Introductory/promotional rate is valid on balance transfers from non-VyStar loans/credit cards through March 31, 2018. All loans subject to approval and actual rate may vary and is based on an evaluation of the individualā€™s credit history. Rate on unpaid balances returns to standard variable or non-variable APR (currently as low as 10.35% - 14.75% APR) on April 1, 2019. Programs, rates and terms are subject to change at any time without notice. Certain restrictions apply. Balance transfers and cash advances do not earn rewards points or cash back. Business and Savings Secured VISA cards are not eligible for this promotion."

If it were you, would you go for this offer?