Transfer Tuesday July 27, 2012 Paying Down Debt and Investing

 

                   

                             

Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt and slide into retirement debt-free .  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

Our only debt is a HELOC with an interest rate of 2.24% The minimum monthly payment goes towards the PRINCIPAL and the INTEREST.   I am chipping away at the balance until we sell my deceased mom's house that is currently being used as a rental. At that point, we will pay off the rest of the balance.  Until then, I will be sending in payment to this debt and/or to my taxable investment account every Tuesday. 

My last Transfer Tuesday was July 20th, 2021

Previous balance on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $66,798.93

Here comes the monthly finance charge: $124.02

The current balance  with the finance charge is now $66,922.95

Money Moves This Week: 

eBay 10% of weekly payout $21

Monthly payment of $1000

 

 New HELOC balance is $ 65,901.95

 

I recently cashed out a CD that was earning 0.15% ( it was time to renew or cash out) and put that money into my taxable investment account at M1Finance.  

I will put half into my Vanguard Total Stock (VTI) and half into my First Pie which is a collection of personal stock picks. This is the balance as of today BEFORE the transfer of $1000.00

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

How was your Transfer Tuesday? 

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

Transfer Tuesday July 20, 2021

 

                   

                             

Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt and slide into retirement debt-free .  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

Our only debt is a HELOC with an interest rate of 2.24% The minimum monthly payment goes towards the PRINCIPAL and the INTEREST.   I am chipping away at the balance until we sell my deceased mom's house that is currently being used as a rental. At that point, we will pay off the rest of the balance.  Until then, I will be sending in payment to this debt and/or to my taxable investment account every Tuesday. 

My last Transfer Tuesday was  July 13th, 2021

Previous balance on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $67,082.46

Change of plans! I decided to send all the money that came in last week, $283.53 to the HELOC. 

The current balance is now $66,798.93

Money Moves This Week: 

eBay 10% of weekly payout $61

 

 New HELOC balance is $ 66,737.93 

 A referral came through for $50 for my  M1 Finance account.  That is much appreciated! If you use my link and deposit $100 you will get $50.00 and I will also receive $50.00

The balance as of this morning is $872.19

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

How was your Transfer Tuesday? 

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

Checking in on my 2021 Vision Board

 

Back in January, I put together a 2021 vision board.  It is my screensaver on my laptop. I set high goals attempting to balance happiness and success.  By keeping it on my laptop, I am able to look at it every day.  There is a way to make it a screen saver on your phone but I have yet to figure it out. 

I built it using vertical categories in columns, business, personal, financial, travel, and family. The first category is business. On top is eBay with a goal of $31,000 gross sales for the year.  I am on track to meet that goal and surpass it.  Beginning July 1, 2021, I made $17,000 in GROSS sales on eBay alone. 

I also stopped and started and stopped and started a YouTube channel about thrifting.  What I discovered is YouTube is time-consuming and more work than it seems on the surface. Currently, I have 300 subscribers. YouTube success demands consistency. Consistency and time.  YOU must have both to succeed on YouTube.  

I want to open a shop on Etsy filled with downloadable printables. Once you design the printable and upload it to Etsy, the income is basically passive. This has not happened yet. It is a project that I circle back to monthly and am spending time creating cute and interesting printables. 

TikTok. Do you TikTok? While I was recovering from shoulder surgery I had a lot of free time on my hands. TikTok was a welcome diversion from the pain of shoulder surgery.  Before too long the pain was getting better and I decided to start a TikTok for my cat Gary and was able to learn the ins and outs of filming and adding music etc to my videos. As a side note, there is a lot of valuable information on TikTok.  

Then I started a different  Tik Tok channel about thrifting. It is a social media platform that I still enjoy and add to daily. I have made virtual friends and met thrifting friends at estate sales and garage sales.  One TikTok friend and I go to estate sales regularly. I currently have over 5000 followers on TikTok and hope to grow it to at least 10,000 with 30,000 as the BIG goal for now.  ( my TikTok is @happygirlthrift)

In the next vision board post, I will discuss the next column, "Personal".   Have you ever put together a vision board?  This is my first digital vision board.  It took me a bit to figure it out but with the help of YouTube, it was pretty easy.

TRANSFER TUESDAY JULY 13, 2021

 

                   

                             

Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt and slide into retirement debt-free .  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

Our only debt is a HELOC with an interest rate of 2.24% The minimum monthly payment goes towards the PRINCIPAL and the INTEREST.   I am chipping away at the balance until we sell my deceased mom's house that is currently being used as a rental. At that point, we will pay off the rest of the balance.  Until then, I will be sending in payment to this debt and to my taxable investment account every Tuesday. 

My last Transfer Tuesday was  July 6, 2021

Previous balance on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $67,082.46

Money Moves This Week: 

 

eBay 10% of weekly payout $32

Etsy $37.22 

 

Cash Rewards Payouts have all been deposited to our banking account. 

 GetUpSide $72.55

BOA CC Rewards His: $66.78

BOA CC Rewards Hers: $44.20

TOTAL $183.53

Sending $100.00 to my M1 Finance account.  M1 will spread the payment between my first Pie (stocks I selected) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) 

The balance as of this morning is $836.46

I also have a savings account with M1Finance. That side currently has $396.39 in it as of this morning.  This account may be a landing spot for future Required Minimum Distributions (from an inherited IRA) as the interest is currently 1%. The savings account this is currently being used has a rate of 0.01%.

And  I will be sending $152.75 to the HELOC

The NEW balance will be  $66,929.71 I will be sending in at least $0.71 in too.  The cents drive me bananas.  I like it to have no cents showing. 

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

How was your Transfer Tuesday? 

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

FICO 805 _BOA

CASHING OUT REWARDS: Credit Cards ~Get Upside~Ibotta

Today I did a few money moves with our rewards cards at BOA. The credit cards we currently have at BOA allow you to select certain categories for Rewards. 

My card I have Online Shopping 3%, Grocery 2% and all other purchases 1%

My husband's card is currently set to Gas 3%, Grocery 2% and all purchases 1%

I redeemed $44.20 from my card and $66.78 from my husband's card. 

We also use GetUpside an app that you can use to get cashback from gas purchases and some food purchases. Today we are redeeming $72.55  We have not used it for food purchases, but we use it for gas purchases.  Typically we will get 4-14 cents back per gallon of gas purchased. 

It's easy to use.  Open the app, find a gas station near you and select it.  You will have to preselect the grade of gas you are going to get. SAVE your receipt and scan it in when done.  Similar to the FETCH app. 

  Each grade will get a different amount in rebates.  The higher the grade, the higher the potential rebate.  If you refer a friend, you will get a penny for each gallon that they use when activating the app.  My son uses the app for his vehicle and his work vehicle.  He earns a substantial amount for one person being able to use two vehicles.  

The last redemption is for Ibotta.  I need to up my Ibotta game!  I was able to cash out $21.20

Total amount redeemed today:  $204.73

Total for the 2021 Redeemed $442.72

TRANSFER TUESDAY JULY 6, 2021

 Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt.  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

Our only debt is a HELOC with an interest rate of 2.24% The minimum monthly payment goes towards the PRINCIPAL and the INTEREST.   I am chipping away at the balance until we sell my mom's house that is currently being used as a rental. At that point, we will pay off the rest of the balance.  Until then, I will be sending in payments every Tuesday. 

My last Transfer Tuesday was   June 29, 2021

Previous balance on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $67,951.00

We incurred a monthly service charge of $130.96

The updated balance is $67,145.54

Money Moves This Week: 

Paying 10% of gross sales earned this week from eBay: $31.54

The NEW balance is $67,114.00

A payment of 10% $31.54 was sent to my M1 Finance account.  M1 will spread the payment between my first Pie (stocks I selected) and VTI (Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF) 

The balance as of this morning is $800.24

Upcoming MONEY MOVES Payout for ETSY of $38.00

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

How was your Transfer Tuesday? 

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

TRANSFER TUESDAY 6/29/2021

                   

                             

Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt.  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

Our only debt is a HELOC with an interest rate of 2.24% The minimum monthly payment goes towards the PRINCIPAL and the INTEREST.   I am chipping away at the balance until we sell my mom's house that is currently being used as a rental. At that point we will pay off the rest of the balance.  Until then, I will be sending in payments every Tuesday. 

My last Transfer Tuesday was   June 22, 2021

Previous balance on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $67,951.00

We incurred a monthly service charge of $130.96

The updated balance is $68,061.96

Money Moves This Week: 

Regular Payment of $750.00

Payout for PoshMark of $38.00

Paying 10% of gross June Sales from eBay: $166.42

The NEW balance is $67,107.54

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

How was your Transfer Tuesday? 

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

Fraud Friday

 Since our trip out west earlier this month, my BOA credit card has been compromised three times.  Twice in South Dakota and once when we returned home.  I am waiting to receive my THIRD new credit card. 

Not that I mind at all the fraud is detected and quickly handled.  I don't. I greatly appreciate it! It is just so odd that this one credit card is under attack.  

We use credit cards to manage almost all of our daily purchases and bill paying, primarily for points that we can cash out later to either save or pay down more of the HELOC.

I attempted an online purchase last night and that is what triggered the latest fraud event. I am not even sure if the purchase went through or if we will receive the item. I will keep an eye on it. The above image is off the internet.  BOA actually closed my CC and I am not able to use it. 

I check my accounts DAILY using the Personal Capital platform app.  I can see the balances of each account ( savings, investing, and credit cards).  It is the second app I check in the morning after my eBay account.  I love waking up to overnight sales :-)

Have a fabulous Friday and don't forget to check all your accounts for fraud! 

Transfer Tuesday June 22, 2021

  

                   

                             

Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt.  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

My last Transfer Tuesday was  June 1, 2021

Previous balance  on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $68,698.00

Payment of $747.00  VALIC payout (The check FINALLY arrived yesterday) 

Total $747.00

New balance   $67,951.00

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

Upcoming Money Moves:  Redeem Credit Card Rewards from BOA $237.99 - Transfer in progress SIDE NOTE SENT this to M1 finance checking (1% interest APY) 

Poshmark payout $38.04 is being moved from Posh to Checking account ( in progress)  will apply to next week Transfer Tuesday. 

How was your Transfer Tuesday? 

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

What Happened to TRANSFER TUESDAY

 I have missed Two Transfer Tuesdays.  Oops.  We were on a family vacation and the posts I thought I scheduled to post did not. 

All for the best. The check from the VALIC account that should have already been here is somewhere but definitely not here. That was going to be a pretty big payment towards the HELOC.

I will regroup and get back to a regular Transfer Tuesday next week. 

Meanwhile, here are a few pics from out trip to South Dakota and Wyoming.  Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower and the Badlands were a few of the places we saw. 

Transfer Tuesday 6/1/2021

 

                      

Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt.  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

My last Transfer Tuesday was  May 25,2021

Previous balance  on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $68,782.38

Payment of $2.38 sent ( I like it when it ends in zeros)

Payment of $70.00 made from earnings on MERCARI

~~Ebay sales were insignificant this last week. No payment this week. 

 

Total $72.38

New balance   $68,710.00

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

UPDATE: I received an email that the account was closed and funds released. The check should be here for the next Transfer Tuesday. 

Future Money Moves: Submitted paperwork to cash out a small VALIC ($996.00) account from a previous employer. When that check arrives and is deposited I will put 75%  (747.00) towards the HELOC.  I am unsure how long it will take to close the account, hopefully not too long.  

Transfer Tuesday 5/25/2021

 

                      

Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt.  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

My last Transfer Tuesday was  May 18,2021

Previous balance  on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $69,962.00

Current Balance as of today $70,092.38 (Monthly Finance Charge $130.38)

Monthly Payment due 268.65 ( Mid June 2021)

Payment of $1246.00 Monthly Payment 

Payment of $38.00 made from earnings on MERCARI

Payment of   $26.00 (10% weekly gross ebay sales)  eBay 

 

Total $1313.00

New balance   $68,779.38

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

Future Money Moves: Submitted paperwork to cash out a small VALIC ($996.00) account from a previous employer. When that check arrives and is deposited I will put 75%  (747.00) towards the HELOC.  I am unsure how long it will take to close the account, hopefully not too long.  

With the payment of $1313.00  I was able to color in 3 3/4 of the pieces on my Debtris sheet.  

See you next Tuesday! 

Transfer Tuesday

                      

Hello Tuesday!  This is the day that we make an extra effort to pay down our debt.  Most every Tuesday we apply extra cash (whether it be BIG or small) to our outstanding debt.  This helps keeps us aware of and accountable for our debt. And it all makes a difference.

My last Transfer Tuesday was  May 11, 2021

Previous balance  on last Transfer Tuesday Post   $70,314.00

I downloaded a new (FREE) debt tracker this weekend. "Debtris" reminds me of when I had chickenpox 30 years ago and I played Tetris during my recovery. Anyway, the tracker is fun and I like visuals to keep me on track.  There are 200 pieces of the puzzle and each piece is valued at $352.  The tracker has four levels and each level is valued at $17,579.

Today's payment is a payment towards the principal and my first puzzle piece of the game.  I moved $352 from eBay earnings to the HELOC and now the new balance is below $70,000.00

Most of my online sales took place on the weekend and the funds have not yet been transferred to the online checking account. Next week there will be more to share with payments from the other venues.  I was super excited to get the balance below $70,000, and that will change with the next bill and the interest charged, but for now, I am enjoying the small accomplishment.  

 

Total Payment $352.00  (from eBay earnings account)

New balance   $69,962.00

When we started paying down the debt in Sept 2019 we were at $95,853.00

My inspiration for Transfer Tuesday is Pennies Not Perfection

The interest rate is 2.24 percent. We refinanced the HELOC because the first loan was INTEREST only. That was a mistake to learn from. The new loan (started Jan 2021) applies half of the payment to the INTEREST and half to the PRINCIPAL.