Refinance!!!

I am in the process of refinancing my house. So far it looks like a hell of a good deal and I will be able to knock off almost 2 points on my interest rate, meaning more $ in my pocket every month while at the same time building mo' better faster equity. Right? Isn't that how that works?

We are hoping to get a closing date in September. Please, Lord, please! I just have to have the appraisal come in at a certain amount and then the closing costs will be rolled painlessly into the loan. This will help me SO much!

In other financial news my household budget is done through Dec. 2012 and by then I should really be doing very well and completely back on my feet and then some post-divorce financial nightmares.

Household Budget Done Thru 12/2011

Yes, I have DONE my entire budget through Dec. 2011! Is that extreme? Hey, it just makes me feel like I got my financial situation under control. Every dollar is accounted for. If most people DON'T do a household budget--which is certainly the case--no wonder people always get in trouble financially speaking and have to use credit cards. FUCK. THAT!!!

I went to Costco last night; Mr. Wonderful put me on his account b/c he's well, wonderful! It is very easy to spend money there but I only purchased 3 items (including a humongous thing of toilet paper. I better not have to buy TP for months and months now!).

So Upset about This Debt

So I have over $14K left of my ex-husband's custody battle debt to pay. In return, he signed off on my house, my retirement accounts, my car, my income and my current checking and savings accounts. I am quite upset about being stuck with this debt. The right thing would have been for him to take it off my hands. But that's why I'm divorcing him, b/c he is not the type to do the right thing. I am ecstatic however, that I have my life and my assets back. Forever.

I can only pay $300/month for the rest of 2010. Next year I hope to jack that up to $500/month. If so then I should be done paying it in mid-2012? Hopefully.

Think I'll Be Ready for Next Year's Taxes

I have spoken w/H.R. at Job #1, already changed my W4 at Job #2, and once I change my W4 at Job #1 around July-ish, I should be fine for next year. THANK GOD. Now I just have to survive writing a big fucking check next week.

Now This is Rough

I did my taxes earlier this week on TurboTax. It said I will owe over $3500. I am appalled and don't know how that can possibly be right. Therefore I will go visit a real tax accountant on Tuesday. I am screwed however, b/c I am now having to file "Married Filing Separately" so no matter what, all of a sudden my tax rate will be higher.

So much for going to Africa this year. That $ was my Africa trip. Looks like that'll have to happen next year. And this accountant will need to prepare me better for next year. FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Budgets done for Vacations

Upcoming vacations that have line items in my household budget:

• Las Vegas - 2 or 3 nights/3 or 4 days, haven't decided yet (April)
• Chicago - 3 nights/4 days (May)
• Virginia - 3 nights/4 days (June)
• Missouri - 4 nights/5 days (July)
• Botswana, Africa - a week and a half? not sure yet (prob. October?)
  

Each vacation has several hundred dollars applied to it except for the Africa trip which has at least a couple grand applied to it. There will no lodging costs for the Chicago (Stefano got the hotel) or Missouri (staying at Brandone's house) trips and for part of the Virginia (staying w/Bean for at least a couple nights) trip.

Killer Deal on Shoes

I am wearing a very nice brown suede pair of classy pumps that I got for $6--down from their original price of $70! I also got another pair of brown leather pumps that I paid $6 for--down from their orig. price of $65! How, you may ask? From the clearance rack at JC Penney. Another 30% off the sale price. And finally using a 15% off coupon from doing their online survey. Ta-da! Damn, this shit turns me ON!!!!

Budget 2010

So far I've done my household budget up to May 2010. Things are holding steady and I should even be able to start up a Roth IRA around February. I am guessing I'll look into installing it at my credit union.

There's some extravagant things I still want to include in my budget and with some planning, I should be able to do most of them. Tops are:

1. Microdermabrasion session (deep facial cleansing)
2. New bedroom set/new mattress
3. New dining room set
4. New home stereo system
5. Bigger flat screen TV for downstairs w/entertainment cabinet
   
6. Lasik surgery on my other eye???
7. Upgrade my basic cable to include premium movie channels
   
8. and of course, lots and lots of trips: Vegas in April, Virginia in June, Missouri in July, and Africa in October. And I want to pay cash for all of them!