I am almost finished reading the book (see other post in this forum) and was inspired to get going on my own Total Money Makeover.  I'm off and running!!  Baby step #1 is to save $1,000 as fast you can so that you've got some fall back money.  This is to prevent you from using your credit card in case of emergencies, which always happen when you don't have the cash to deal with them.  So I listed some books on half.com and am prepared to sell some things on eBay.  I even broached the subject of getting a second job with my hubby.  And then it occured to me - I've been in a stock club for a few years and have a small amount of money in that group.  Enough to cover the $1,000 and pay my DH back for an airline ticket he pre-paid for me.  So I made the tough decision to dissolve my partnership in that group.  I know it's the right thing to do, and I'm still going to pursue other "found" money.  I am lucky to have the $1,000 cash already and I am blessed not to have to take drastic measures to get that first $1,000; but I don't want to stop the momentum I am feeling!     I am taking my recycling this week, and I am returning a Christmas gift to Old Navy that didn't fit.  Instead of buying something else, I'm going to take those dollars and apply them toward my debt.  Every $1 counts! 

happy dance happy dance

Murphy's Law is real.  My car needed it's 90,000 servicing, plus I wanted them to check out a couple of other things.  Grand total when all is said and done after the repairs that will be needed:  $1,150.     The book (TMM) talks about Murphy taking up residence when you aren't able to deal with it, and the book is right!  Luckily, I have that money coming from my stock club buy-out, so I can pay cash (and DH will loan me the $ for a week or so until the cash arrives).  I was really looking forward to paying off 2-3 cards with that money.  Oh well.  At least I won't have to dip into the $1,000 emergency fund.  (I so hope I didn't jinx myself by saying that........)

I'm off to photograph future eBay listings. 

YES!  That's a major relief.  MAJOR. 

I paid off my first credit card today!     It was a small balance, but it was also the highest interest rate, so I'm very happy.  The stock club money arrived, and I still have my $1K emergency fund in tact, so I was okay to start attacking the debt.    Now that I have a small cushion I am changing my withholdings on my paycheck from 0 dependents to 1 dependent.  If I have to pay taxes at the end of the year I'll be able to do it.  Hopefully DH and I will buy a house in 2008 so I won't have to worry about additional tax payments. 

That's awesome!!!   Wait till you get to the point where you don't need to use credit cards anymore!! Such an awesome feeling to work towards!

I feel stalled on this area of my life; can't the paychecks come more frequently?!  LOL  I had such momentum, I think I'm just feeling it relax into everyday practice at a normal pace.  I still need to post some stuff on eBay to supplement my income.  I will say there has been very little frivilous spending.  A couple of lattes and that's it.  That is a huge life change for me! 

I used to get paid bi-weekly, and now get paid weekly at my new job. While I am basically still making close to the same amount, it feels like I always have "more" money on hand now.