Nerve center is "set up"

I hung my second board up last night and now everything looks more organized. Mom thinks what I am doing is a great idea and she may encorporate it also into her and dad's bugeting plan. Now I feel 100% better. Will have to take a picture and post it.........YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The "war" room

I have decided to put my OCD to good use.


Yes...you read that correctly.

I am going to buy a cork board at Wally World so to pin up all my lovely bills.....nice feeling huh?

It will be hung next to my bulletin board and will begin tracking my bills, payments and every lovely thing in between so that I quickly reach my desired goals.

Today everything is "goal" oriented...do I see a theme? :^)

PRAYING for overtime soon!!!!!!

With a wedding to get to (not to mention hotel expenses), paying off bills---I want overtime.

...shall pray to the overtime god and see what happens.

I want to get back on track and towards my goals faster.....I don't care....I will live here at NARA and just plug away, bring in 2 thermoses and yeah bring in a picture of a house to keep my motivational level on an even keel.

Home Ownership

Good news from my finance counselor.

My budget looks good....keep it on track. That bulletin board is being put to great use.

Credit score not bad but could be better and in a year's time with diligence, perseverance and keeping the goal in mind I could be a homeowner as early as next year.

It's the recession stupid!! (Part II)

One thing I am learning albeit kicking and screaming is that when price$ are gouging you out you gotta take measure$ to curtail previous spending habit$ and never is this more prevalent when you want to buy a home.

People learn habits--good ones and bad. The older you get the harder it is to break a bad habit.

What I have come to realized is at times I can really dig myself a hole when it comes to being thrifty.

Our federal pay increase was paltry compared to what certain members of Congress and the

Senate give themselves. The increase is not reflecting the cost of goods and services...so what is this gal to do?

Time to start researching better and proven ways of cutting corner$.

I never had anyone show me how to manage a budget. That pretty much was left up to me.

Now I am realizing how important it is to be frugal.

Website:

http://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/5878.html

Dept. of VA Housing Program

Because I am a veteran who was honorably discharge I am entitled to buying a house with no downpayment via my certificate. I am setting up an appt. to speak with a VA rep for the lending program. Whoo hoooo!!!!!

Disabled veterans can receive additional benefits through the VA housing program.

Either way...A wonderful opportunity for any vet contemplating the American Dream:

Eligibility Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I get a Certificate of Eligibility?A: Complete a VA Form 26-1880, Request for a Certificate of Eligibility: You can apply for a Certificate of Eligibility by submitting a completed VA Form 26-1880, Request For A Certificate of Eligibility For Home Loan Benefits, to the Winston-Salem Eligibility Center, along with proof of military service. In some cases it may be possible for VA to establish eligibility without your proof of service. However, to avoid any possible delays, it's best to provide such evidence.Q: Can my lender get my Certificate of Eligibility for me?A: Yes, it's called ACE (automated certificate of eligibility). Most lenders have access to the ACE (automated certificate of eligibility) system. This Internet based application can establish eligibility and issue an online Certificate of Eligibility in a matter of seconds. Not all cases can be processed through ACE - only those for which VA has sufficient data in our records. However, veterans are encouraged to ask their lenders about this method of obtaining a certificate.
Q: What is acceptable proof of military service?A: If you are still serving on regular active duty, you must include an original statement of service signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which identifies you and your social security number, and provides your date of entry on your current active duty period and the duration of any time lost.If you were discharged from regular active duty after January 1, 1950, a copy of DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge From Active Duty should be included with your VA Form 26-1880. If you were discharged after October 1, 1979, DD Form 214 copy 4 should be included. A PHOTOCOPY OF DD214 WILL SUFFICE.....DO NOT SUBMIT AN ORIGINAL DOCUMENT.

Websites:

http://www.mortgagecalculator.org/

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/index.htm

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/eligibility.htm

http://www.homeloans.va.gov/sah.htm

Bulletin board I plan to buy

One step at a time....................this will be a nice visual aid

Step by step

One thing I have learned from the financial fitness class is that sometimes you have to break up your goal(s) into manageable pieces. When you do that it makes it easier to attain.

I realized that human nature can sometimes have good intentions but if you overwhelm yourself when trying to obtain a goal sometimes that goal is never attained.

It is far better to methodically plan things out (especially for the big ones like buying a home) then jumping in with both feet. Yeah, sometimes diving in is all good but when you sometimes do that you can forget the little stuff...make mistakes along the way and not accomplish everything you are setting out to do. Or, you are so overwhelmed that the goal is never realized (something I don't even plan on thinking about).

It will come true.

So buying a home takes little steps....not just diving right in like I wanted to intially with all my excitement. I realize that it has to be planned out...reasonably and with care. When I do that my dream will come true.
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Attaining Goals in Simple Steps By Ronald Shepard
It’s Not The Big Goals That Count Most

In my opinion, the biggest problem in attaining goals is setting too many or setting those that are WAY out of reach (i.e., buying a $650,000. house on an annual earning of $50,000.) However, I do believe even those seemingly unreachable goals can be often accomplished when we break down our process into smaller goals.It is the smaller goals that can be achieved more reasonably and effectively; it is the smaller goals that lead us on the path toward our eventual rendezvous with the larger goal. Reaching the summit of a mountain is not accomplished by a “single step.” Primary to reaching any goal is breaking it down into simple, attainable steps. Buying that $650,000. house is attainable when setting smaller goals that lead you toward that dream.

Believing We Can Do It

When I truly believe I can do something, I work everything I can to make it happen! Sometimes it takes several tries, a great deal of exasperation, sweat, and sometimes even tears to accomplish a major goal, but the core of the work must come from a place of strong, personal belief in ourselves. Without a strong belief in our own abilities, we can accomplish very little. There are many times when self-doubt creeps in and tries to consume us. If we stop believing in ourselves, we set ourselves up for defeat. And unless we have a truly supportive mentor, we MUST believe in ourselves because many times family and friends (even when they express well-intended concerns) can foil our best intentions in a flash. That’s not to say our best allies, mentors, and advisers can’t be family and friends, but our personal power of believing in ourselves is critical in reaching any goal we desire to attain.

Setting Goals Consistent With Your Values

Have you ever set goals for yourself that were really someone else’s goals for you? Many of us have been in that position. That’s not an easy place to be. In fact, it can be detrimental to self-growth. Defining our personal values is important when defining long-range goals. There’s nothing more disappointing than reaching a goal that runs contrary to our values. It’s like climbing a huge mountain and suddenly realizing when you reach the summit that you’ve climbed the wrong mountain. Define your values and design your destiny around them. Ask the question, “How will my personal values be enhanced by the goals I choose?”

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I do agree, when your goals are in alignment with your personal values it will make things easier. I don't want to climb up the wrong mountain as Mr. Shepard states in his article. For me a waste of time. Your goals should be in alignment with your destiny...your heart and in the end will make you feel like a fuller, happier person.

Websites:
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol9/goals.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?Attaining-Goals-in-Simple-Steps&id=236538
http://ezinearticles.com/?Five-Steps-To-Attaining-Any-Goal&id=539136
http://www.goalssuccess.com/2006/08/attaining-goals-in-simple-steps-by.html

Excitement of reviewing new homes

With this being a buyer's paradise I have been checking out homes within my price range here in St. Louis and the county (however this little shopper would stick with a fixed interest rate).

It is amazing what you can get for your $$$$....I mean especially where I live many homes have been on the market for more than six months. I have seen signs foretelling of the sellers' woes with prices reduced. I am salivating at the thought of getting into one myself.

Website:

http://www.stlouishome4u.com/

The Power of Positive Thinking

The power of positive thinking is no secret. You simply have to believe this world, your life has many wonderful opportunities waiting to happen.

I am a firm believer that our Fate is what we make it. Yes, outside forces can interfere but also look at how you deal with them.

Once you find your true path...run with it...don't walk. Martin Luther King had this to say about taking action:

If you can't fly, then run.

If you can't run, then walk.

If you can't walk, then crawl.

But whatever you do, keep moving.

On the right path

I was awarded a scholarship through Catholic Charities to take a class in home ownership. I am sooo excited!!!!!!!!! They will teach me the basics of home lenders, keeping my fiances in check and then once the classes are completed I will be given a list of potential lenders who work with Catholic Charities for home ownership. From what I understood Habitat for Humanity also assists individuals who take these classes.

Owning my home is a dream of mine...yes the grand American dream. I cannot describe the tumultuous feelings I am experiencing knowing that soon I can stop renting and really be into a place I can call my own. I will use this opportunity as a door of opportunty, of freedom.



On the right path!

$$$ The American Dream: Where has it gone?

Discussion at work:

The amount of dollars spent so far in this fruitless war could feed every American here in the states for 20 years and 1/2 children alive in the states would be able to go to college for free. We borrowed money from the World Bank and Kuwait now owns those loans. Sad but true.

• What has happened to our proud nation?
• Where are we going with this war?
• What is the future of Iraq?
• What is the future for America?
• What is the the future for our children?

We are handing to them on a unfathomable debt upon an ornate silver platter a debt which will take generations to pay off. Gas prices on the rise yet again. Paying $3.29 a gallon, wages not increasing to keep up with the economic downturn, people foreclosing on their homes due to the lagging housing market. I wish we as Americans can unite in one voice and demand Washington...this administration to clean up their act but perhaps since we are not people in power our voices are silenced. I am so tired of how my country has become a whipping boy of the world. Tasteless jokes, bad government/business decisions, a losing war, dead soldiers whose families grieve their loss every day, Iraqis dying in droves over what?

I know this post is sad but also a wake up call. Americans need to come together and make a change and we can....with the upcoming elections in November you have to voice your opinion. If not we may have more of the same. I think Obama can...I want a fresh man like him in the White House. What has seasoned politicians done so far for us. For the US of A? Look where we are economically and politically. Our businesses, our homes, our families, our very existence is so dependent on DC. Our international reputation is a joke. I know some people out there believe voting is a waste of time but I honestly do not.

Make a difference.

WHERE are our priorities?