Struggling to be debt free

Just a quick update.  I just made a payment on my student loan and I now owe $9,999 (with interest calculated through 10/15/15).  I'm down into the 4 figure range!  Whoop!! My next goal is to have the balance down to $8,000 by the end of October.  My next payment is not due until September of 2020!! Okay, gotta go catch a plane, toodles!

I'm so glad it's Friday.  I'm tired and worn out, it has been a long week.  Payday is looming next week, on Wednesday and I cannot wait to make a payment on my student loan.  I think that paying off debt is like a drug, I'm always waiting and anticipating the next payment.  While I don't think it's likely, I am really hoping that the firm gives Christmas bonuses this year.  I could really use the cash to pay down my student loan.  I usually just save the money, but this year, since I am getting so close to paying off the loan- I would definitely give it to Sallie Mae!  I wish the partners would give the money based on merit and not just give money to everyone.  I have worked my ass off this year, even working an entire weekend just recently at the request of my boss. Not to mention the many days I have been on the road at 5:00a.m. for work trips.  Oh well. I'll try not to worry, God has been giving me little blessings this year- just in the n...

$300 utilities $100 groceries $1739 student loan $33 alarm system $200 spending $50 savings $100 gas I have been spending a lot this 2 week period and I am less than halfway through it.  I really need to curb that and fast.  I think I am just generally exhausted.  I am hoping to get a a chance to take some vacation time soon. I have to attend a conference for work in a couple of weeks and I need to make sure I have some nice appropriate clothing and footwear so that will cost me a bit of money.  I think I have generally what I need, but I have gained some weight so I might spend a little on a new dress and maybe some flat shoes for running through the airports. Also, I may need to purchase a few odds and ends for makeup.  I will worry about that next weekend because I hate clothes shopping.  That's all for now.

So probably about a month ago, I received a raise at work.  Just a small 5% raise- which now brings my total salary just over $80,000 a year.  I also received a promise that I would receive another 5% raise once the firm's finances turn around- that raise would bring my salary up to the mid-80s. I appreciate the raise because I need the money.  I need to finish paying off my student loans and start putting money away for retirement.  However, I really feel as though the only reason I received the raise was because my boss feels he can buy me to make me stay at the firm.  I have encouraged, cajoled and basically begged him to take on more work over the last 4 years.  He has refused, he is in his 60s, he has suffered a lot of tragedy and he is tired/bitter.  He doesn't really want to work anymore.  I'm in my 30s and I am concerned about money because I am and single and I need to work for 30 more years in order to be able to retire.  If I hav...

 I made my mid- September student loan payment today and it already processed.  The outstanding balance is now into the $10,000s!! I owe approximately $10,540, with interest calculated through September 30, 2015. I'm almost into the 4 figure range!! I originally had a goal to get the balance down to $10,750 by the end of September, but I think I will modify that goal to $9,999 by the end of September.  I will get into the 4 figure range by the end of the month!! I'm excited, but trying not to get too excited.  I just need steady progress through the end of the year.

So I got contacted by a legal recruiter head hunter on Friday.  It was out of the blue and I'm not sure how my name came across her desk.  I didn't have much time to speak with her because I had a conference call to jump on within minutes of her call. She said she did not have much information about me because our firm does not have a website.  She asked me to send her my resume and whether I was interested in looking at new opportunities.  I told her I would send her my resume and that I was interested in new opportunities.  I got her email address and confirmed her name.  A few hours later I googled her to see if she was legit and apparently she and her agency are legit.  I don't know how this works and I guess I should get some information before I move too quickly into engaging with her.  How do these headhunters make money? Shoot, maybe I should look into a career as a headhunter.  I wonder how much they make??? Every time I meet with ...

$1,480 mortgage $492 student loan $60 pet plan $90 groceries $200 spending $100 savings $100 gas I'm so tired, I can't think straight.  Long day of travel for work and I really need to go to sleep. I've been up since around 3:45a.m. and driving since 4:45 a.m. It's now after 9:00p.m. Zzzzz!!!

I'm officially down to a balance of $12,393 on my student loan! I'm loving the progress at this point. My next goal is to have the balance down to $10,750 by the end of September. For my end of August payment I was able to put $661 on the loan: that included my regular $492 payment, some leftover money from various budgeted areas from the previous 2 weeks and a health insurance premium rebate issued by the firm. The minimum monthly payment due on the loan is $150.82.  Anyways, based on that $661 payment, I don't have a payment due until May of 2019.  The original end date for the loan was August (??) 2030.   If I am able to stick with my plan I should be able to pay the loan off at the end of January of 2016, cutting 14 years off of the loan. Here is a month by month total: (2014) December $23,650 (2015) April $19,408 May $18,939 June $16,632 July $14,824 August $12,393 I'll admit, as I get closer to the finish line I'm getting even more impatient....