2024-04-20 15:04
Previously, I indicated that I had no plans to travel again until November. And then I’m planning to drive to Texas with one if not both of my daughters for Thanksgiving. Well, I lied… Read More
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Blogging Away Debt Blog
bloggingawaydebt.com
Are you in debt? So am I. Blogging Away Debt is my blog tracking my progress until the day I am debt-free.
2024-04-18 15:03
Lessons I learned the last two months as I’ve started receiving income again:
Paying everything at the beginning of the month can leave you struggling at the end of the month.
Even wit… Read More
2024-04-12 03:54
Recently my partner and I have been in spring cleaning and home maintenance mode. We’ve had some nicer weather the past few weeks and the black flies haven’t come out yet, so we… Read More
2024-04-08 12:00
A few months ago, a friend sent me some money they owed me via CashApp. I had to download the app specifically to receive the money, because it’s the only cash-sending app my friend h… Read More
2024-03-29 03:20
Spring seems like it’s finally arriving in the Midwest. I’m probably speaking too soon though. Right now there isn’t any snow on the ground, but it could be a fool’s… Read More
2024-03-25 12:22
First a quick update from my last blog post. Thanks for the kind words and well wishes regarding my Dengue Fever (a pandemic currently in South America!). I’m fully better now and hav… Read More
2024-03-21 13:10
The tides seem to be turning quickly. After over a year of seeking and struggling to find work, I have two part time jobs that I absolutely love and pay my bills. Then just this week multipl… Read More
2024-03-19 20:15
I bet long term readers of BAD saw the title and slapped their foreheads, thinking here we go again. Hope will never learn.
However, I am here to show you differently. For the first time, ma… Read More
2024-03-15 19:47
The grass is growing again.
I think I could end my post there with all the pain that thought causes me. Don’t get me wrong. I love my gardening and my yard and all that…but the… Read More
2024-03-14 16:17
It’s been a long time since I was paid by a client to gain new skills. When you’re a freelancer, clients expect you to come in knowing how to do the job. But I’ve been luc… Read More
2024-03-13 15:27
Once again, I was paid a month in advance. As soon as the money hit my bank, I sat down and scheduled payments and reviewed my forecast. Man, it feels good to be on my feet again.
This month… Read More
2024-03-07 15:25
I saw this meme on a friend’s Facebook page (no original attribution was provided), and it struck a chord with me. It reads: “Everything is super important. Until you are sick… Read More
2024-03-03 14:51
Before you all come for me. Although, I imagine my last post triggered some of you and you’ve already let me have it in the comments. My budget in the last post was an IDEAL WORLD, not… Read More
2024-02-29 18:51
123rf
As I mentioned a few posts ago, my partner had a reduction in bonus income, which I’ve been trying to make up for by finding new clients. The first prospect that I found ended up… Read More
2024-02-29 18:37
When I first began interviewing for my new job, I knew I was going to have to negotiate a salary. And for the first time ever, I left my heart out of it. I did not focus on how much the busi… Read More
2024-02-27 17:57
I anticipate getting my first “big” paycheck towards the end of this week. Therefore, I am glad I asked about the credit card idea, mentioned my idea of prepaying my mortgage and… Read More
2024-02-23 14:27
I am so excited to being on my way to getting to really tear into my debt. But I do believe I need to prioritize paying back my personal loans first, then the credit cards. However, I… Read More
2024-02-21 21:09
Well, my goal of Two No Spend Months kind of flopped when my heat went out, my glasses broke, and so forth and so on. I didn’t exactly no spend. But I didn’t spend anything I did… Read More
2024-02-19 18:06
I am hitting the ground running. Because my new work is contract based and I have learned over the years…I am working on a monthly retainer agreement and will be paid in advance each… Read More
2024-02-17 18:24
The last week of December, I heard from a past client asking if I was available for a big role. I was so excited to hear from him. Not only was he one of my favorite clients, but, of course… Read More
2024-02-15 18:28
Pexels
In my last update, I talked about the bonus changes at my partner’s work being worse than expected. I was feeling kind of down about it, but now we have more reasons to be hopef… Read More
2024-02-15 18:07
Outside of the calamities, ie emergencies that popped up, I still think I’m doing pretty good at sticking to my No Spend Months. I mentioned that in addition to my heat failing, my gla… Read More
2024-02-13 19:09
Back in December, I was hired on at a local fast food restaurant as their Catering Coordinator. But after I was offered the position, it kind of stagnated. I was actually kind of grateful as… Read More
2024-02-13 14:35
‘Tis the time of year for thinking about and planning for tax time. As I’m planning to put together our taxes, I’ve prepared by making a tax-credit-eligible donation to my… Read More
2024-02-11 18:46
After the heat going out right before Christmas and then again at the beginning of January, the first thing I had to address was getting heat in the house. I was able to immediately borrow s… Read More
2024-02-09 18:45
On February 23, 2024, it will be an entire year since I had a full time job. And over a year and a half since I had a full time job with benefits.
I walked into work on January 9th ready to… Read More
2024-01-26 04:12
A few weeks ago I wrote about the changes happening at my partner’s work. We learned that the bonus structure was changing in a way that would negatively affect bonuses. Well, unfortu… Read More
2024-01-22 09:54
The White House recently announced their latest student loan forgiveness plan. I’m currently enrolled in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF), but hearing about this lat… Read More
2024-01-12 04:54
© dookdui, 123RF Free Images
At the start of a new year, I always find myself reflecting on my financial goals. Recently I’ve been focused on retirement and making sure we’r… Read More
2024-01-08 11:13
Happy New Year!
I wish everyone a healthy and happy 2024!
‘Tis the season for new year resolutions or intentions. In the spirit of planning the coming year, I wanted to share my 2024… Read More
2024-01-05 16:49
There have been lots of writers here on BAD who have utilized a No Spend Month to make progress in their debt payoff journey. Here are just a few of them:
Parents Coming to Visit and No Spen… Read More
2024-01-03 16:45
I can’t remember if I wrote about my heat going out on 12/22, the morning after History Buff arrived for Christmas.
Thankfully things worked out in my favor and we had heat for Christm… Read More
2023-12-31 14:33
Whoo, boy. I don’t even want to do a recap of 2023. So much loss. So much heartache. And so many struggles.
So that’s it, that’s all I’m going to say about 2023. We a… Read More
2023-12-29 15:19
I wanted to settle the great debate that has been raging in my head for the last, almost year, since my devastating job loss. I have no plans to sell my home. Holding on to this home is what… Read More
2023-12-29 06:14
© studioaccendo, 123RF Free Images
Happy holidays! I hope everyone enjoyed their celebrations this week. My partner and I did things differently this year to keep our holiday festivitie… Read More
2023-12-28 14:56
I stressed ALOT about Christmas and what I could and could not do as far as gifts go. And I definitely waffled between making terrible decisions and staying strong. But I’m happy to re… Read More
2023-12-24 13:45
Before the start of 2023, I set financial goals belonging to 4 broad categories: short-term savings, investments, debt, and travel. With the end of the year rapidly approaching, I want to r… Read More
2023-12-15 04:52
A few months ago a reader commented that my partner and I should set a deadline for making some big decisions in our life, such as deciding if we should move. That comment really stuck with… Read More
2023-12-11 17:15
Money is a scarce commodity, and this means that some people may be willing to do whatever it takes to get some, including stealing. This is one of the greatest reasons why it’s a good… Read More
2023-12-11 14:36
The goals for this last week were:
Week 1 – December 3
Create a $2,500 budget
List/re-list sellable items that might do better during this Christmas season (jewelry, old computer, etc… Read More
2023-12-10 15:51
I have a long history of issues related to my student loans, even across several student loan service providers. I think my loans have been sold 3 times over the course of time that I&rsquo&helli…Read More
2023-12-07 16:59
Preparing for interview #1 at the fast food restaurant made me realize just how much I have changed. I was excited. But not nervous. And felt no shame at the possibility of working fast food… Read More
2023-12-05 17:08
Here’s my first take on a $2,500 budget. This was so hard and I cannot reasonably get it down below the $2,500 at all.
Spending CategoryMonthly Amount
Mortgage1013
Utilities - Water… Read More
2023-12-05 16:48
The holidays are here, and there’s a good chance that you already have a series of events planned. This means that you need to get your home presentable and ensure that it reflects the… Read More
2023-12-04 17:59
The number of theft arrests is alarming. In Pennsylvania, for instance, there were almost 35,000 theft-related arrests in 2019. Nationally, in 2020, police reported over 4.6 million larceny… Read More
2023-12-02 15:53
I am wracking my brain on how to make Christmas special without presents. Don’t get me wrong, I know presents are not the reason for the season. But giving gifts is definitely one of m… Read More
2023-11-30 13:33
This next month is going to fly by. I have enough work to pay January’s bills which gives me some breathing room to chase new ongoing work. Last December I was struggling on every leve… Read More
2023-11-28 21:02
As you have seen from my Tough Decisions and Selling the House posts and the comments, the way forward is not so cut and dry as looking at the numbers. I sincerely appreciate all the constru… Read More
2023-11-27 18:57
As of last month, my only remaining debts are for my student loans and my mortgage. I’ve written before about how I’ve decided to put the student loans on the backburner –… Read More
2023-11-24 04:54
First off, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! Today my partner and I kept it really low-key. I decided to opt out of Thanksgiving this year to avoid all the hassle and expense of… Read More
2023-11-22 19:54
A divorce doesn’t have to take away the sunshine from your life and leave you drained and discontent. That’s because there are ways in which you can revive yourself while going t… Read More
2023-11-22 15:51
I believe I’ve written about this before, but maybe not all as one piece. My house. My mortgage. My thoughts.
First, some background. The kids (Gymnast and Princess) and I have moved A… Read More
2023-11-20 18:02
In the retail world, clear chats between makers and home improvement shops are key to bagging top-notch goods and staying ahead in the game. To ace product sourcing, we gotta amp up our comm… Read More
2023-11-20 15:17
Last week, I was able pay one month’s mortgage payment, leaving me one month behind still and another payment due in just over 10 days. I do not have enough ongoing work to feel &ldquo&hell…Read More
2023-11-17 14:52
The twins’ birthday just passed. This next week will be the first Thanksgiving that I haven’t had all my kids with me. (There were a couple of years when one was away, but never… Read More
2023-11-15 14:05
After I started coming out of my funk from last year, I knew that this year was going to be my year. Needless to say, it hasn’t been.
Not only have I struggled to find a well paying jo… Read More
2023-11-14 12:50
Things are still pretty dire. I am still significantly behind on several “four walls” bills. So there are debt payments that are just not getting paid.
Figured I would get that o… Read More
2023-11-13 21:33
My twin girls are 11.5, but going on 13 in attitudes, interests, desire for independence, and everything else that comes along with the transition into teenage years! They’ve mostly ou… Read More
2023-11-10 14:41
Affording a luxury nursing home seems unattainable; careful planning and consideration, however, come in a clutch to make this goal a reality. It’s quite the goal to achieve, as most h… Read More
2023-11-10 04:39
About two weeks ago, my therapist informed me that he was going to be leaving his practice and transferring his patients to other providers. But since I’ve made so much progress, we a… Read More
2023-11-09 15:31
I may have shared this before (the image that is,) but felt it was a good reminder especially this time of year. The holidays are hard for lots of people. I know they are for me, especially… Read More
2023-11-07 19:52
I mentioned a week or so ago, that one of the ways I was trying to come up with some cash to catch up on bills was selling my diamond jewelry from my ex-husband. I got a lot of flack for my… Read More
2023-11-05 15:37
All of my kids are coming home from Christmas.
They have bought their own airline tickets, taken off work, and are already calling excitedly with plans and ideas.
For a mom who has done ever… Read More
2023-11-03 18:02
Gymnast and I had a tough conversation last week. I was at my lowest and saw no other way. I had to back out of my commitment of helping him out for 6 months after he moved out and ask him t… Read More
2023-11-01 16:38
As of yesterday morning, I have locked in enough work to cover the bills through the remainder of the year. No extra. But with the work I have contracted out, I will be able to cover all bil… Read More
2023-10-31 15:54
I’m sure this post is going to have readers slapping their foreheads at my decisions and priorities again. So just wanted to start off by saying, I realize that spending money on pets… Read More
2023-10-30 15:30
As you know, I am looking for any and all ways to make money. Prolific research surveys is one of my more recent attempts. Here’s my initial review after one day on the site.
Sign Up
S… Read More
2023-10-28 14:56
Continuing from my last couple of posts regarding the current situation and my personal finance choices, I am considering all options. And I do still have options.
The Major Challenges
Mort… Read More
2023-10-27 20:55
My last post about the current situation stirred up a lot of comments on options. And things I should do. And, of course, lots of discourse over me being unrealistic and wrong.
Here’s… Read More
2023-10-27 04:56
Every year it seems like the holidays start earlier and earlier. Are you a fan of how soon the Christmas season starts or is it bothersome to you? I’m the kind of person who puts up t… Read More
2023-10-26 22:50
Things are bad around here. I’m starting to get shut off notices from utilities and so on. I found myself Googling things like:
What jobs pay $200,000 per year
How far behind can I get… Read More
2023-10-23 09:07
Last Car Payment
Guess what, friends! I did a thing! In one fell swoop, I paid off my 2017 car loan. My balance is now $0!
This is my big win to report, as this was my only “consumer… Read More
2023-10-18 20:45
The first site I tried, well, not the first, but the first one that I seemed to be able to make some money, is FreeCash.com. (To date after just a couple of days, I have $1.51 available to w… Read More
2023-10-13 23:47
The biggest question on my debt update was around the car loan for Gymnast. I am going to give some of that back story and my reasoning. I realize that the BAD community does not agree with… Read More
2023-10-13 04:58
gu
As you probably remember from my last post, we hit a deer one night and our car suffered some damage. The headlight was broken and we were afraid there may be additional issues with the b… Read More
2023-10-12 13:02
Any other TikTok watchers on here? I have to admit I have really come to enjoy some of the “skit” creators. Since I don’t really do TV, in fact, I don’t have a TV, th… Read More
2023-10-11 13:30
Some years ago, maybe 4-5 years ago, I tried to get a second job here locally. I wanted one that would 1) get me out of the house and around people a bit and 2) expand my horizons outside of… Read More
2023-10-09 23:29
I just got back from a week in Texas. And before you jump down my throat about the cost, my dad financed the trip in its entirety, including my attendance at my 30th high school reunion.
Add… Read More
2023-10-09 09:18
In my last blog post, I mentioned 3 expensive house repairs we just had to complete. This was for roof repair, a plumbing emergency, and termite treatment. The combined total of these three… Read More
2023-10-05 23:27
Debt DescriptionCurrent Total
CC - Frontier3,857
CC - USAA5,000
CC - AMEX894
CC - Apple500
CC - Amazon1,497
CC - Sams1,106
CC - Wander1,630
Car Loan19,581
Student Loans22,121
Personal Loan #… Read More
2023-09-29 04:53
We’re careful drivers and go slowly on our country roads at night. In the three years we’ve lived out in the sticks, we’ve never hit a deer. But last night we were unlucky… Read More
2023-09-25 09:22
My late Grandmother used to be very superstitious. I remember as a child when something bad would happen she would warn us to be careful because “bad things come in threes!” May… Read More
2023-09-22 04:52
My partner and I set aside money every month for the home and car repairs that inevitably pop up. But I don’t necessarily enjoy dipping into those savings. I try to do everything I ca… Read More
2023-09-18 16:35
I appreciate all the helpful comments on my post last week. I have cut as much discretionary spending out as I can including regular landscaping, etc. Although I can’t eliminate it com… Read More
2023-09-16 15:48
I am working on my debt update. I promise. It’s been months since I really sat down and looked at my finances. It’s terrifying and disheartening. But it’s also one of those… Read More
2023-09-14 14:08
I know, you want all the bad news, all the ways I have screwed up…yet again! And I promise, you are going to get that. But since it has been a while and my life has changed so much ju… Read More
2023-09-12 13:49
I had fully intended to return to writing regularly here last month, but the hits just kept coming. And I could not focus to save my life. (Not to mention, the sense of shame and loss are pr… Read More
2023-09-11 10:00
We’ve updated this popular post for 2023. We hope you enjoy looking back on it!
Telling myself no is getting to be old hat. Sure, there are definitely things I would love to have, but… Read More
2023-09-11 09:10
My last post stirred the pot a bit! That was not my intention, but I am so grateful to the BAD community for your support and comments alllll throughout my many years of being in debt.
Toda… Read More
2023-08-28 09:14
It’s been a long time since I’ve done a coffee chat (like….literally its been years). This is where I imagine us having a little coffee friend-date and getting updates on… Read More
2023-08-24 21:27
© captainvector, 123RF Free Images
This month, we’ve had a lot of routine medical expenses that have all hit at once. My partner went for an annual physical and had some blood wor… Read More
2023-08-14 09:42
A couple weeks ago I wound up testing positive for Covid. This was my second time having Covid and, given that I am both vaxxed and boosted, you might think it was a relatively mild case. T… Read More
2023-08-11 04:52
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not a huge fan of travel. However, one of my favorite bands (the Jonas Brothers) is going on tour this month and is playing a show a few hours away… Read More
2023-08-10 09:41
Debt can be very stressful and heavy when one has no plan. Clearing debt as fast as possible is a smart financial move that leads to peace of mind and financial freedom. Below is a list of s… Read More
2023-08-08 22:06
Having a car can make your life a lot more convenient and even fun. This is especially the case if you buy the right vehicle, as it can go on to save you money by being efficient. Remember t… Read More
2023-08-02 09:47
Opening a gym is an amazing way to make money while helping people improve their lives. In order for you to succeed, you need to have a solid plan and a good idea of what to expect. Have a l… Read More
2023-07-29 17:05
It’s the end of summer already…I am still amazed by how quickly summer whizzed by and how quickly fall is coming to an end. Christmas is just around the corner (yikes!). Last ni… Read More
2023-07-28 12:26
I have started my second trip to Texas. I have a full tank of gas and $50. Do you think we can make it on that?
Don’t get me wrong. I will get paid tomorrow, so I will have access to s… Read More
2023-07-28 04:52
Recently our car hit an unwelcome milestone—150,000 miles. We’re a one-car household and own a red Ford Fiesta that probably dates back to 2012. It’s needed more frequent… Read More
2023-07-26 21:17
Building a home is an exciting yet challenging adventure, especially if it’s your first. The scale of the project may appear daunting at first, but as you embark on the task and the pu… Read More
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