Tag Archives: finances

DAY XLIX

100 Days, ,

Credit card debt: $22,029

My efforts to address this number have been futile. Since last month, the balance has increased by $114. Since September, the balance has increased by $282.

How does this happen? Well, for example, just now I am thinking I need extra jigsaw blades before I start on the deck project I have planned. I had a $25 gift card for Amazon.com, and Amazon’s prices tend to be significantly less expensive than anything available locally, so I shopped online for jigsaw blades. Amazon requires a minimum order of $35 for purchases to qualify for free shipping. I ordered two multi-packs of blades, enough to keep me going for years, or to at least get me through the deck project. After applying the gift card balance, I owed $14 dollars more, which I charged to my Amex card.

That’s how it happens.

I will also need to purchase additional lumber and a quantity of wood screws, and probably a gallon of paint, before I tackle the deck project. I do not currently have sufficient available credit on any of my cards to make that purchase.

Day I: Starting Over

100 Days, , , , , , , , ,

I failed to accomplish most of my goals or to make significant changes or improvements in my life during my first One Hundred Days.

I am going to try again.

Originally posted on Day Twenty-Six and annotated yesterday on the 100th day, here is a revised version of my list of things to accomplish in the next 100 days: Continue reading Day I: Starting Over →

DAY EIGHTY-NINE: Another Tired Tuesday

100 Days, , ,

Feeling worn down and worn out. Day off from work tomorrow. It’s some kind of no-student day arranged by the union. I put in for a personal leave day – only the second time I’ve requested a personal leave day in the seven years I’ve worked at the school.

Apparently one of my credit cards is now offering free access to FICO credit scores as one of the benefits. As of today my FICO score is 716. That is… not good. It’s not “bad,” but it’s borderline. A goal during the next hundred days will definitely be to improve my FICO credit score!

Meh… so much to do, yet all I want to actually do is lay down and close my eyes.

DAY SEVENTY-TWO: (R)October Break

100 Days, , ,

Saturday, 4 October 2014. First day of Fall intersession break from work.

Weight: 200.0 pounds

Credit Card Debt: $21,835.00

What can I do this week to address these concerns?

First step… well, okay, second step. The first step was to pay my credit card accounts that were due – mostly the minimum payment, o’ course. The second step is to get out for a long walk. My distance goal is 10 miles today. I’m going to try to hike up Long Road aka Mokuleia Access Road. Long Road is part of the Peacock 100 trail run route. I was hoping to participate in the Peacock 100 this year. Instead, I got lazy, stopped running, and gained back 40 of the 35 pounds I lost last year.

Exactly one year and one day ago, 3 October 2013, I was at my lowest weight in years, 11 stone 7 pounds, or 161 pounds. Then, on Friday 4 October I set out on a week-long road trip through Colorado and New Mexico with my friend Roger. I set my diet and exercise plan aside and lost all momentum. I only gained a pound while on the trip, but that was in contrast to the two or three pounds a week I had been consistently losing since the previous mid-June. A week after my return I had gained four more pounds. I made a couple of half-hearted efforts to get back on track between November and January, but it didn’t happen. By the end of January I was up to 12-1/2 stone, and here I am today with the morning scale reading exactly 200 pounds, or 14 stone 4 pounds.

My credit cards are all maxxed out. I have three dollars remaining in my bank account. I weigh 200 pounds (BMI: 27.9 ). I’m fat and broke. What a way to start a vacation.

I’m gonna go fill up a water bottle and hit the pavement now.