10.17.07

last credit card payment

Posted in Finances at 3:56 pm by Paloma Cruz

Today I made out my last payment to Consumer Credit Counseling, or rather to Money Management Inc (the by mail service). This is the last credit card payment I have. All of them are up to date and paid off, or will be shortly — once MMI sends out the payment this month.

Of course, I know now that going through MMI hurt my credit score. And, yes, I’ve looked at it, it did hurt my score.

I didn’t know any better when I started. All I knew was that I was drowning in debt and needed help. MMI helped me.

I still have a few outstanding debts. Things that are overdue or have gone to collection agencies. My next step is to settle those.

Then I will start to rebuild my credit score. At the same time, I will save and invest money for my future.

Wish me luck

09.21.07

favorite podcasts

Posted in Finances at 12:46 pm by Paloma Cruz

My two favorite daily podcasts:

I play these on my computer throughout the day. They’ve been very helpful and incredibly informative.

09.15.07

Service Engine Soon

Posted in Finances at 1:33 am by Paloma Cruz

No sooner did I write about everything being okay than my car’s “Service Engine Soon” light came on, and the motor is making a funny noise.

This last time was the fourth instance of my car needing major repairs this year. I console myself that it didn’t need anything but regular maintenance and new tires in the two years prior to that, but it’s a small consolation.

When is it time to start thinking about a better car?

09.14.07

my car broke down and it’s all good

Posted in Finances at 3:39 pm by Paloma Cruz

I got a new radiator, water pump and all the extras that go with it, including towing fees and labor. I am $1,200 poorer, which I paid in cash. I was inconvenienced for a weekend.

So why is it all good? I had the money. I didn’t need to use a credit card. I didn’t need to borrow money. I didn’t need to send in payments late or go hungry or wipe out my savings.

I had the money.

I’ve spent the last year trying to build up my rainy day fund. It hasn’t been fun. It’s been slow, steady work. But I can see that it’s worth it. And, in the end, that’s the best incentive of all.

05.05.07

this makes me think twice about buying a house

Posted in Finances at 3:57 am by Paloma Cruz

Recent reports show that Houston is leading the nation in late mortgage payments and foreclosures. Not a good sign for someone who is thinking about buying her own place in the next year or so.

Resources:

  • Late mortgage payments rise
    Figures indicate foreclosures likely to increase for Houston homeowners
    – reported by the Houston Chronicle

04.03.07

national spending increases

Posted in Finances at 10:13 pm by Paloma Cruz

Hispanic Business is reporting that consumer spending increased 0.6 percent in February, and personal incomes also increased by 0.6 percent.

Both figures were double what had been expected and should help to alleviate recession fears that have been growing because of a deeper-than-expected slump in housing and troubles in the domestic auto industry.

Resources:

03.28.07

I’m going to get kicked out

Posted in Finances at 10:37 pm by Paloma Cruz

I just know that i’m going to end up being evicted from my apartment complex. My brother refuses to even consider that we may be even a little bit at fault for the complaint. He wants to go to the apartment manager and demand more information (which I tried, unsucessfully).

He’s upset and angry and ready to do something stupid.

My concern is that I’m still unclear on why why neighbors complained. We don’t play music, loud or otherwise, especially afterhours. What does “excessive noise” mean? Did I slam a door? Did I have the TV on? Did my restlessly going up and down the squeaky stairs late bother them? What was it?

If I don’t know exactly what the problem was, then how can I make sure that I don’t do it again?

And what will I do if I end up evicted?  Is it even possible to get another apartment after that? Will I be in default of my lease here, then? Would I have to pay off the remainder of the lease, whether I live here or not?

I have to admit, I’m more than a little worried. I have very bad luck. I have very very bad luck.

Send me your good thoughts.

why aren’t you rich?

Posted in Finances at 10:30 pm by Paloma Cruz

Jeffrey Strain gives us 10 Reasons You Aren’t Rich, just in case you were wondering:

  1. You Care What Your Neighbors Think
  2. You Aren’t Patient
  3. You Have Bad Habits
  4. You Have No Goals
  5. You Haven’t Prepared
  6. You Try to Make a Quick Buck
  7. You Rely on Others to Take Care of Your Money
  8. You Invest in Things You Don’t Understand
  9. You’re Financially Afraid
  10. You Ignore Your Finances

Of course, Jeffrey give explanations, details and stuff. :-)
(Found via Get Rich Slowly.)

03.27.07

mistakes with money

Posted in Finances at 10:36 pm by Paloma Cruz

Get Rich Slowly has a great post listing 10 Common Money Mistakes. The one that captured by attention:

Not saving enough. Glink writes: “Building wealth isn’t about how much money you earn each year; it’s about how much money you don’t spend.” When you’re just starting out, it’s difficult to find money to save. But even a little is better than nothing. Work to build an emergency fund. If you have the surplus, by all means max out your retirement plans!

more on lease violation

Posted in Finances at 1:52 pm by Paloma Cruz

I spoke to my apartment manager about the lease violation/noise complaint. I told her that I’ve never received a complaint like this before and wanted specifics.

The specifics are vague. Basically, the complaint is that we were playing music and making excessive noise after hours. What the excessive noise was remains a mystery. And I don’t recall either of us playing music Sunday night (the night the complaint was made, via phone).

I have to talk to my brother to see what he was doing that night, but I’m pretty sure that we weren’t playing music. Regardless, I still don’t know what the “excessive noise” referred to, other than it was something besides the alleged music.

I told the apartment manager that, without knowing specifically what the cause behind the complaint was, it increased the likelihood of my inadvertently repeating the behavior. She made sympathetic noises and offered no real advice.

At this point I’ve been told that I can write a letter to refute the complaint, which will be added to my file.

What happens if we receive another complaint? I start looking for a new place, whether I want to or not. Maybe now is the time to start looking for a lawyer.

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