Using Paypal Even if You Don't Have an Account

     Since I deleted all my accounts on paypal I have no way to pay for things online other than using my debit card.  Not having to just touch a button to purchase something is a good way for me to re-think useless and spur of the moment buys.

  However, not having Paypal can be annoying if you'd like to donate to something (or purchase something you really need) and don't have an account.  I found out that you can actually use Paypal without an account which is awesome.  Here are the steps below!

      1- Hit the "donate" button on the website you're at

      2- Enter your donation amount

      3- Enter your credit or debit card info into the boxes under "Pay with Credit Card or Login"

      4- Hit "Review Donations or continue" to finish.

Voila!

Sara

Getting Rid of PayPal

  I am slowly getting back onto the Dave Ramsey plan.  I have fallen off the wagon folks yet again and its hurting my money, and the life I want to live!

  Even though I feel like I've cut down on my credit card usage, I am still over-using my primary checking account as well as a few other accounts that I have.  So, today I decided to do away with my Paypal accounts. 

I love Paypal.  It's amazing.  And super easy to use which is making it such a huge downfall for me.

If you're attempting to live on a budget and/or use Dave Ramsey's system and you have a Paypal account, I encourage you to examine how you use it and determine if it might be best to get rid of it. 

Let me know what you think and decide!

Sara

Exciting News

Lord willing, barring any setbacks, my car will be paid off in January!!!  That will be around $250 a month that I can put towards my credit card bills that I'm working on.  So very excited.


Now, I'm just praying and knocking on wood that my car doesn't start messing up!!

Sara

Free Falling {Debt}

 
I won't mention how long it's been since I've posted on here.  Let me just say that it's partly because I've forgotten about it (not from lack of being reminded by my friend Brittany) and partly because I've been racking up some credit card bills like there's no tomorrow. 

  It's human nature, classic lack of self-control. I admit it.  That's the only way to grow, being honest about your failures.

  So, I have approximately $2,500 in unpaid credit card bills.  This is on top of normal, monthly bills that I have.  This amount is probably not as high as the majority of other Americans.  But you know what? I've never wanted to be like the majority, or even close to the majority! 

  Things came to a head for me, once again, last night as I was paying bills and wondering how I was going to get one bill paid.  My anxiety over that bill was crazy!  Plus, my mom saw the amounts that I owed and began giving me some constructive criticism!  (Does anyone else have a mom like that?). 

  The truth is, I don't want to have debt hanging over me like a literal black cloud.  It really, truly does cause stress, unneeded stress at that.

  I am back on the Dave Ramsey plan.  I'm going to focus on getting my lowest bills paid at a time. 

  If you've been struggling with finances and need a shoulder to rest on (or cry on as the case may be), leave me a comment! I'm sure we can commiserate and maybe even hold each other accountable.

  In a year (I hope it will be that quick). I want to be debt free and able to spend what I want when I want to.

  Who will join me?

Sara

Italy, Here I Come!!!

  I just paid for my Italian tour in April!!! I am so excited you guys!  I am also nervous but that isn't what this blog is about so I won't go into it!

  I have enough money for this trip because I was saving up for a really nice camera.  Then, my friend and I began discussing trips to Italy and I decided that it was better for me to upgrade to a cheaper camera and turn my "camera fund" into an "italian trip fund". 

  The begining of last year, that's what I did.  I saved over 2 grand in probably two to three years. 

  If you want something, save for it.  Never think that what you want to do is out of reach.  There is always a way.

Sara

It Made Me Want to Dance and Sing

  Since I don't have my notes with me from my Tuesday night Financial Peace class, I will just give you a nugget that REALLY stuck out to me and made my night as my friend was going thru the lesson with me.

  She said that at some point I would be putting at minimum 15% of my pay (before tax) into my 401K.  To which I responded, "But what about my bills?"  Her reply?  "Your bills will be paid off then and all the money you make is YOURS to DO WITH WHAT YOU WANT!!"  Of course, that moment was me having a blonde second but her response floored me and TOTALLY made me that much more excited to be completing the Financial Peace course. 

  Guys, after I get my $1,000 emergency fund and after I get 6 months worth of bill money saved up (for emergencies) I get to KEEP all the money I make. 

  But not only will I keep it, I can give it, donate it, buy people nice things, etc etc etc.  What I've always wanted to do but have been constrained because I didn't have the money!!!

  Isn't that exciting?! 

  If you haven't heard of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace Plan, check it out.  If you don't have the funds to spend on it, try to find a friend or family member who has the information and who is willing to share.  It is well worth your search or your investment!!!!

 Sara

It's Like Rationing

  I got paid last week and that pay started my new budget without using credit cards! 

  It is more freeing, I will say. 

  On Saturday, for the first time in I don't know when, I went inside (GASP) a gas station and paid cash!  It is an inconvenience especially if it's rainy but I know it's what I have to do.  And a little inconvenience never hurt anyone. 

  I was also able to purchase some really cute pink nail polish without going into my weekly "blow money" since I made sure to budget a few dollars a month for cute cosmetics that I couldn't resist.

  I will say, however that I am nervous about gas.  This weekend, I will be traveling to Raleigh and Wake Forest and the gas does get eaten up quickly when going that far.  And I only have a certain amount left for gas til my next paycheck.  But we shall see how it goes.  I will let you know!

  Just a little update on how my life without using credit is going.  =)

Sara