Lately, I've been looking at getting a new car. Not just new to me, I want actual new. I've been looking into the Kia Soul and I want one. I've test driven two at different dealers. One wasn't brand new, but really close as it had 33,000 miles. It had the options I wanted like fog lights, moon roof, and the better sound system and in addition, it had leather seats. I'm not a big fan of leather seats, but it was still really nice.
Now for the downside... There is no way I can afford the payment as well as the insurance payment. The law requires that I have both or neither, so I ended up with neither. I even priced out a lease plan for it, and it was just out of reach. This makes me very sad. I feel like I've worked so hard, and I can't have anything nice for myself.
So, on to the plan. Remember that one of my New Year Resolutions was to pay off my high-interest credit card bill? I'm doing well on that one. So I came up with a plan. Now I will have an incentive, but for a huge incentive, I have to have an equally huge goal.
< drumroll, please >
If I pay off ALL of my credit card debt, I can have a new car.
*Whew!*
I have a total of three credit cards and all of them have a balance. Total balance for all three combined is a whopping $8,200. I feel like if I can pay that off by the end of 2013, I've earned a new car.
I have been working hard for a very long time, and I will continue to do so. Now I have set a goal for myself and I plan on reaching it. I have been at my new job for six months already and I still work a couple days a week at the Zone, so I will just keep my nose to the grindstone for a couple more years, pay off my stupid youth, and then I will have earned such an adult thing as a new car.
Wish me luck and lots of overtime!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Pay commensurate with workload
So the topic has come up twice with two different examples over the past few days of how some people get paid so much, while others barely get paid.
The first example I came across was professional athletes (football, in particular was noted) who complain when they don't get paid more than a couple million dollars. I understand that this career is hard on the body and is generally short-lived, but what they make in one year many people can make last the rest of their life. Why squabble over a million dollars when we are still very obviously in a recession? That money could be better spent elsewhere. Examples include schools, homeless shelters, charities that benefit the homeless, and employing displaced workers.
The second example was politicians (named were the salaries of those in the Senate and House.) How can these people, in good conscience, make more than twice the AVERAGE salary? I think their pay should be commensurate to their constituents. Again, I understand that this may be a short-lived career, but there are career politicians. I would imagine that this job includes a lot of problem solving skills, but so does a law enforcement job. And law enforcement professionals have to make life and death decisions in a split second while politicians take years to pass a law.
I wish I had any of these people's salary for just one year. I would have my bills paid off and most likely have a reasonable savings. Instead I will continue to sit here in my office making split second decisions regarding deliveries and whether a plant will have to close because I can't get their parts to them in time, while they lose millions of dollars every minute they are not running. Too bad I don't make the low end of the national average salary scale.
The first example I came across was professional athletes (football, in particular was noted) who complain when they don't get paid more than a couple million dollars. I understand that this career is hard on the body and is generally short-lived, but what they make in one year many people can make last the rest of their life. Why squabble over a million dollars when we are still very obviously in a recession? That money could be better spent elsewhere. Examples include schools, homeless shelters, charities that benefit the homeless, and employing displaced workers.
The second example was politicians (named were the salaries of those in the Senate and House.) How can these people, in good conscience, make more than twice the AVERAGE salary? I think their pay should be commensurate to their constituents. Again, I understand that this may be a short-lived career, but there are career politicians. I would imagine that this job includes a lot of problem solving skills, but so does a law enforcement job. And law enforcement professionals have to make life and death decisions in a split second while politicians take years to pass a law.
I wish I had any of these people's salary for just one year. I would have my bills paid off and most likely have a reasonable savings. Instead I will continue to sit here in my office making split second decisions regarding deliveries and whether a plant will have to close because I can't get their parts to them in time, while they lose millions of dollars every minute they are not running. Too bad I don't make the low end of the national average salary scale.
Friday, March 4, 2011
The Irony
This morning, Dale and I went to breakfast and the news was on the TV. One of the stories was about a church group protesting at a military funeral. Really?
First off, this is a CHURCH group. I would think that they might have the tact to leave the dead in peace to rest. How ticked would they be if someone picketed the funeral of someone close to them and the picketing was because of the job of the deceased?
This person most likely died in service to this country. He died for your right to free speech. Do him or her a favor and stay silent for a moment to appreciate this. I hope this moment is long enough to allow the family and friends attending the funeral to properly say their goodbyes to someone who was taken from them way too early.
Just, RAR!
First off, this is a CHURCH group. I would think that they might have the tact to leave the dead in peace to rest. How ticked would they be if someone picketed the funeral of someone close to them and the picketing was because of the job of the deceased?
This person most likely died in service to this country. He died for your right to free speech. Do him or her a favor and stay silent for a moment to appreciate this. I hope this moment is long enough to allow the family and friends attending the funeral to properly say their goodbyes to someone who was taken from them way too early.
Just, RAR!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monster Trucks!
The other night, Dale and I went to see Monster Jam. This is getting to be an annual event and I'm loving it! The races are kinda boring to me, but they are decent photo ops, usually.
But then comes the freestyle and that's just too fun! That's the most exciting part. That's where they are jumping, smashing, and sometimes wrecking. SO many good shots in Freestyle. One truck this year had been having a rough time earlier and we could hear the misfire. He went for the BIGGEST jump, and one wheel didn't land on the dirt in the best way, so he flipped and wrecked it, but in a rather spectacular fashion.
The major downside of this year is that the ticket said no cameras, so I didn't bring mine. I guess it meant no video cameras since there were a lot of flashes going off in the crowd every time one of the trucks jumped. But not having my camera, I was able to focus on everything that was happening, and not just what was in my viewfinder.
But it was so much fun like it was last year. I think this is going to an annual outing for us. Glee!
But then comes the freestyle and that's just too fun! That's the most exciting part. That's where they are jumping, smashing, and sometimes wrecking. SO many good shots in Freestyle. One truck this year had been having a rough time earlier and we could hear the misfire. He went for the BIGGEST jump, and one wheel didn't land on the dirt in the best way, so he flipped and wrecked it, but in a rather spectacular fashion.
The major downside of this year is that the ticket said no cameras, so I didn't bring mine. I guess it meant no video cameras since there were a lot of flashes going off in the crowd every time one of the trucks jumped. But not having my camera, I was able to focus on everything that was happening, and not just what was in my viewfinder.
But it was so much fun like it was last year. I think this is going to an annual outing for us. Glee!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Wants vs. Needs
So during the slow times at work I attempt to reach the end of the internet. Tonight I went through my e-mail box that I use for my occasional stuff. Anything less pressing goes to this "other" address. Tonight I was going through and found a link to an Oneida sale. I know that they have great things for the kitchen, so I sneak a peek.
Lo and behold, they have the dishware I want at a crazy discount! Instead of service for four costing $156, it only costs $50! I want it! And the design I want is available in round and square. I figure I'd get a set of each. They will mix well and then I'll have plates when I have more than one or two people over. I have put a little thought into this...
The downside is that I have dishes, and I don't NEED any more. I have some savings, but student loans are coming around, and I don't know what that will do to my finances. Do I really NEED to spend $100 on $300 worth of dishes? Not so much.
Lo and behold, they have the dishware I want at a crazy discount! Instead of service for four costing $156, it only costs $50! I want it! And the design I want is available in round and square. I figure I'd get a set of each. They will mix well and then I'll have plates when I have more than one or two people over. I have put a little thought into this...
The downside is that I have dishes, and I don't NEED any more. I have some savings, but student loans are coming around, and I don't know what that will do to my finances. Do I really NEED to spend $100 on $300 worth of dishes? Not so much.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
New Year Resolutions
I know it's a bit early, but I want to start planning now. I have a couple things I want to do. Most of it is just trying to clean up my life.
1. Pay off a certain credit card. It isn't the highest balance, but it's the highest interest. I've been slowly chipping away for years, but I feel like I should have made more progress. My goal is to have this ENTIRELY paid off by the end of the year. My credit and credit cards are a huge weight on me and I want to get rid of it. I have better things to pay for and now that I make a little more money, this is possible.
2. Shine my sink. It is the first step in using baby steps to tidy your home. My mommy has been part of FlyLady for years, and the house has been looking much better. It is all about doing little things for a little bit of time. An extremely messy room is a pretty overwhelming task to attack, but if you just work on it for 15 minutes, it is more manageable. You are more likely to work for 15 minutes than you would be to try to attack the whole thing at once. Then with the first 15 minutes down, you feel as if you accomplished something and you're more likely to return.
There are a lot of other things that I want to get into soon like taking more photos and learning how to use my grandma's old sewing machine. But those are little things that just require mustering up some patience to sit down and learn a few things on my own.
Any other resolutions out there yet? What about your resolutions for this year? How'd you do?
1. Pay off a certain credit card. It isn't the highest balance, but it's the highest interest. I've been slowly chipping away for years, but I feel like I should have made more progress. My goal is to have this ENTIRELY paid off by the end of the year. My credit and credit cards are a huge weight on me and I want to get rid of it. I have better things to pay for and now that I make a little more money, this is possible.
2. Shine my sink. It is the first step in using baby steps to tidy your home. My mommy has been part of FlyLady for years, and the house has been looking much better. It is all about doing little things for a little bit of time. An extremely messy room is a pretty overwhelming task to attack, but if you just work on it for 15 minutes, it is more manageable. You are more likely to work for 15 minutes than you would be to try to attack the whole thing at once. Then with the first 15 minutes down, you feel as if you accomplished something and you're more likely to return.
There are a lot of other things that I want to get into soon like taking more photos and learning how to use my grandma's old sewing machine. But those are little things that just require mustering up some patience to sit down and learn a few things on my own.
Any other resolutions out there yet? What about your resolutions for this year? How'd you do?
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Green Energy
I have always been a bit of a tree-hugger. When we would go camping, I loved to just walk through the woods. Hemlock Gorge was always where I felt "at home" and would spend the majority of my time there. I haven't been there in a couple years and the last time I did go, it was after they had found and destroyed an infestation in the trees. I think it was the Emerald Ash Borer that had infested the trees, but the infested trees had to be removed so they didn't harm the healthy trees. Sadly, many trees had to be taken out. What was once my refuge had become open and odd to me. It was no longer home, but a strange place that hardly looked familiar.
Growing up, we also had recycling bins on the porch, and all we had to do was put the recycling out with the trash every week. It would be picked up in a separate truck and I was happy to be doing a little to help the environment.
Since I have moved out of my parents' house seven years ago, I haven't been recycling because I don't just put it to the curb for pickup. But since I've started my new job, the little voice in my head pushing for recycling is getting louder. At work I see a lot of paper and plastic waste.
I have been trying to print on the backside of old paper and refill my plastic bottle instead of getting a new one. When I'm done with the bottle I try to take it to my boyfriend's parents' house because they recycle.
Since I went to MIAT, I have been paying more attention to green energy and alternative energy. It is continuing to gain momentum and I'm excited about this. I have been thinking about getting a house for a while now, and I would love to use some form of alternative energy. I was thinking about solar panels, but they are pretty costly. Since a main focus of the training of the Power Tech Institute is wind energy, I have started thinking about that. A windmill in the backyard could be fun and a great learning experience.
I guess this is just my ramblings of wanting to do more and feeling pretty helpless about it.
Any suggestions?
Growing up, we also had recycling bins on the porch, and all we had to do was put the recycling out with the trash every week. It would be picked up in a separate truck and I was happy to be doing a little to help the environment.
Since I have moved out of my parents' house seven years ago, I haven't been recycling because I don't just put it to the curb for pickup. But since I've started my new job, the little voice in my head pushing for recycling is getting louder. At work I see a lot of paper and plastic waste.
I have been trying to print on the backside of old paper and refill my plastic bottle instead of getting a new one. When I'm done with the bottle I try to take it to my boyfriend's parents' house because they recycle.
Since I went to MIAT, I have been paying more attention to green energy and alternative energy. It is continuing to gain momentum and I'm excited about this. I have been thinking about getting a house for a while now, and I would love to use some form of alternative energy. I was thinking about solar panels, but they are pretty costly. Since a main focus of the training of the Power Tech Institute is wind energy, I have started thinking about that. A windmill in the backyard could be fun and a great learning experience.
I guess this is just my ramblings of wanting to do more and feeling pretty helpless about it.
Any suggestions?
Monday, November 29, 2010
Don't leave me alone with a coffee maker...
So tonight has been my first night on my own at work. It has been rather uneventful on the work front. I have released one aircraft so far. I have also had to call a pilot to ask about when I set up his Customs for a scheduled run... Overall, not anything exciting.
But in the world of things that happen at the office that could be messed up anywhere... Well, put it this way: I should not be allowed to go near a coffee pot. It doesn't matter how good the intentions are, I need to keep away.
Tonight, I decided that I would make a pot of coffee for the Hot Standby guys. They have to come in just in case the airplane on a scheduled run breaks. That way we have a recovery team waiting in case they are needed. Thank goodness they are not usually needed.
So I went to make the coffee... In my mind, you put coffee and a filter in the basket above the pot, then you add water, put the pot in place and press "Brew." It would seem that this is not the case. I poured the water in and within seconds, the "Ready to Brew" light came on. I took this as a good sign. That is, until rather warm water came running out. There was no pot, no basket, no nothing waiting for the liquid so it went all over.
I spent way too much time and way too many paper towels cleaning this up. (We have cheapie paper towels... they don't do much.) Anyhow, I made a mess, and I've learned from this. Don't go anywhere near a coffee maker!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Movin' on up!
Since I was last on here, I have gone to school, graduated at the top of my class, got my FAA dispatcher license. And my apartment even feels like a home.
So many people ask what I do... it's hard to explain. I guess I do everything to make a trip go as smoothly as possible. I do paperwork, set up Customs, set up fueling and loading and off-loading.
Now my goal is to get rid of my debt. It has been hanging over me for far too long. My goal is that if I get at least one of my cards paid off, I will be that much closer to paying off the other one. I'm trying to spend less on gas by driving the Chrysler instead of my truck. I wish I could afford to get a "fuel-sipping economy car." I figure if I could find a car that could keep in line with my "car" account with fuel and payment included, I can afford it. But so far, it's not working out...
Now with the new job, I can get a commission check! I can use that to get ahead, or save up. I haven't figured it all out yet, but I will! I'm excited and a bit confused about my future, but I know it will all come out well as long as I keep a positive attitude.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Moving forward and treading water....
Lately I've been feeling SO accomplished, yet I also feel like I've been standing still. It's not that I want to completely change my life (again) but I just want to have some more adventure.
So far this year....
-I've finished rebuilding a car motor
-I've started helping to rebuild another entire CAR - ground up.
-I'm moving to a place that will save me bunches of money...
-I'm saving money to pay off my insane credit card debt
-I've been doing well in management.
But I've been trying to take more photos and do a bit more travel and the like.
I'd like to save up enough to get a separate hard drive for my photos and my music.
I want to go to Chicago (possibly with my ladies.) For fun and photographs.
I just feel stalled. I can't even get my stuff packed because my roommate took up any and all extra room to put boxes. I cannot walk though my kitchen or my living room! It's like I'm just choking, No room to move freely.
My plan when I move is to keep my place clean and presentable at all times. Anyone who knows me, knows that I stink at housekeeping. I am also try to better my personal appearance...
I'm just trying to improve myself.. I know I can be better, so I am pushing myself a little harder... That is the only way to get results.
And to switch to absolute randomness... my mouse is dancing. I'm using my boyfriend's laptop computer and not using the mouse. I'm just sitting here innocently typing and the cursor just dances across my screen!
So far this year....
-I've finished rebuilding a car motor
-I've started helping to rebuild another entire CAR - ground up.
-I'm moving to a place that will save me bunches of money...
-I'm saving money to pay off my insane credit card debt
-I've been doing well in management.
But I've been trying to take more photos and do a bit more travel and the like.
I'd like to save up enough to get a separate hard drive for my photos and my music.
I want to go to Chicago (possibly with my ladies.) For fun and photographs.
I just feel stalled. I can't even get my stuff packed because my roommate took up any and all extra room to put boxes. I cannot walk though my kitchen or my living room! It's like I'm just choking, No room to move freely.
My plan when I move is to keep my place clean and presentable at all times. Anyone who knows me, knows that I stink at housekeeping. I am also try to better my personal appearance...
I'm just trying to improve myself.. I know I can be better, so I am pushing myself a little harder... That is the only way to get results.
And to switch to absolute randomness... my mouse is dancing. I'm using my boyfriend's laptop computer and not using the mouse. I'm just sitting here innocently typing and the cursor just dances across my screen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)