I mentioned previously that I needed to sit down and write a letter of dispute to ChexSystems, about the same account that had plagued me on my credit report. Today I got the fire lit under me, because my account was denied for the VirtualBank application I had completed, because of this fact. I am angry that it had an effect on this, but also cannot comprehend why a savings account would deem this information important, as it doesn't operate in the ways that a checking account would. Anyhow ~ the letter is off and sent. I am hoping it will be resolved quickly so I can contact VB and have them reassess my application. We'll see. If you have a similar situation, here is the link on how to contact ChexSystems and file a dispute:

https://www.consumerdebit.com/consumerinfo/us/en/chexsystems/disputes.htm

Other than that, had a pretty good day. Cleaned, cooked (which is a milestone, I never cook, SO does that) and generally got myself situated/organized with everything. Just waiting for Thursday, payday, so I can send some more money off to the CC companies :O)

Much has changed since my last post - SO and I moved to a new apartment (his new job), and I had my surgery for carpal tunnel on my right wrist. I am still healing but feel much better now. I honestly didn't expect it to kick me in the butt as much as it did, I am good with pain and it's an easy surgery. It just left me tired for a few days, as well as frustrated that there were many things I couldn't do by myself without help. I expected to be up and about but I laid around for about 2 weeks. Timing was not good - we had to move the weekend after my surgery, only 5 days after. I couldn't do much, thank God we had help, but still. It was a rough day. I didn't have internet service until yesterday (boy was I suffering from withdrawal! lol) so I had to climb through a thousand plus emails. Fun stuff. Anyhow ~

I haven't been tracking our spending as closely as before. I plan to start doing so again, I think I'll start next week since we're already into this week. We still have been attempting not to waste money, but expenses always pop up with moving, and I am definitely over budget. Moving truck, groceries for the new apartment, various odds and ends, oh and a new battery for SO's car. Life happens sometimes. We're also waiting for a full check from SO's job. He got paid yesterday, but it fell so that it was only for one week. Oh, and they paid him less than he is supposed to make an hour, about $2 less. So that is supposed to be adjusted. The money he did get paid is going to go towards his tooth - he has to go to the dentist, has a bad infection in his jaw from an impacted wisdom tooth. Not fun.

Some good news is that I paid off my Dell computer (not sure if I already reported that), and sent off $250 to Best Buy the other day, so only $533.53 is left on that debt. If all works out, I will have this paid off by latest October. I am basing that off of just my main job, but once I restart the 2nd job it should be much sooner. I can't wait!

Friday I received an email from my supervisor at my old second job, the one I gave up voluntarily when I was diagnosed with carpal tunnel and realized I'd be unable to work for awhile. She was offering me the position again if I wanted it, as they had just gotten a college student to cover for the summer. She said if I am interested I can have it I am very happy, I really thought they were changing the staffing plan all around and my position wouldn't even exist anymore ~ woohoo! This job is so easy, the people are nice, and the hours are 4:30-9. It brings home an extra $250 for a 22.5 hour work week, after taxes. She said she realizes I may not have an estimated date of return, but just to keep her updated. I am thrilled, I can't even express it, because this will help me so much more in my overall plan.

This whole experience with SO and his job has left a sour taste in my mouth. His job is of great benefit due to the fact that we do not pay rent or utilities. The (obvious) downside is that we are out of a home should he lose his job. This is not something he wants to do long-term, but he feels kind of stuck right now - the easy quick fix is for him to get another superintendent job (like he has done), so we continue to live rent-free. He is also still trying to figure out what he does want to do, because his interests tend to lean toward things he physically cannot do due to his knee: police officer, firefighter, etc. His dream? To own an autobody/customization shop. It is difficult to make certain things reality, but we'll see what can be done about that one day.

Anyhow, my whole point is that I have my after-debt goal: I am buying a townhouse/condo. Not a house, they are really expensive in NJ, and the above fits our needs and budget. Also, I think it would be smart to start out that way, as we can build equity and have something to our names when we do go for a real house one day. My goal is to have a down payment by this time next year. I planned on doing this without the second job, so I am delighted because this is an easy extra grand a month right into my account. I will get rid of all the debt first and then all that money will be directly deposited. Another benefit is that I will be receiving a settlement because of my surgery, between $6-10k I was told by my lawyer. SO also has a larger settlement due to him for his knee surgeries. Now, we may not go right out and buy a house by this time next year, but I want to know that if we need/want to, we can.

Tomorrow is my surgery, so I will be away from the computer for awhile...whatever will I do I hope it heals fast.

As much as I'd love to tell you I spent $85 this week, or even exactly the $105 I budget for, it isn't so. Probably part of what makes it worse is that I knowingly didn't stick to my budget. You have to listen to my excu...reasons first.

* We are moving shortly, so we didn't feel it would make sense to go food shopping really (not that eating out makes more sense, but...oh well.)
*We went in search of some items that would be good to sell at the local flea market/eBay, and SO purchased a set of items online that cost $75, but according to him, will be worth it. We'll see. I'll let you know how that goes. He did provide some online proof of how well the item has done... so we'll see.

These are really the only reasons I have. Basically eating out so much did us in. It doesn't even matter that we had 2 no spend days, because we more than made up for it!

Amount & Description

$18.05 ~ Circle K convenience store
$13.28 ~ Wine.com - bar item for bridal shower gift
$47.74 ~ Exxon gasoline
$13.80 ~ Wendy's
$32.06 ~ Pizza
$25.77 ~ Walmart
$42.00 ~ Money taken out of ATM
$10.00 ~ CVS Pharmacy
$24.21 ~ Denny's
$27.52 ~ Goodwill
$2.84 ~ Lowe's
$76.96 ~ HSN.com
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$334.23 Total

= $229.23 over budget

I have to say it was nice to order out. We haven't really done that in a long time. It wasn't worth the extra money that was spent, but I am okay with it. Every once in awhile, I think it's okay to splurge. I think I have made some progress in converting SO, because when I showed him the weekly spending, he got angry at us for not being smarter about the eating out.
I think I have pointed out that even when mistakes are made, usually good things come of it. Plus, some of the money we spent is supposedly going to make us money too ~ but like I said, I'm not holding my breath. SO is excited so I don't want to take that away from him. I will watch and see what happens. This is his thing, his idea, and he's been talking more about making/saving money, so I think he's got my fever.