Why Do You Think We Pay High Interest Rates?

by Patrenia on January 15, 2010 · 15 comments

differentrates Greetings friends!  TGIF!!!  I have spent the majority of my time today with a class full of rambunctious 3rd graders.  Needless to say, it’s been a very interesting oneHappy.  But now I have a quick little Q & A that I would like for you to participate in.  Let me give you the details.

Over the next few days here on Personal Finance Notebook, I’ll be exploring the topic of “interest rates” and why they are low for some and extremely high for others.  I know we all want to default to the fact that those who get stuck with the high rates are the one’s that don’t pay their bills, but there are additional factors to consider as well.

I’ve identified a few reasons that I’ll be communicating later, but I do want to open the floor for everyone to list their own.  This is a community of learning and  sharing any ideas related to Personal Finance. Continue Reading >>

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“I Know I Paid My Bill!”

by Patrenia on January 12, 2010 · 12 comments

paidstamp Today, I’ll talk about a minor problem I encountered recently.  It caused some undue frustration, but the outcome was…well, let me just tell you what happened.

A few months ago, I got the opportunity to become a part of an amazing group of people by way of a forum.  As you may know, forums are a wonderful way to connect with like minded individuals from anywhere in the world.  Most forums are free to join and participate in, but the administrators of this forum decided to charge a very special, low introductory price because of the well known connections included.  The intro price? A whole $1.95 per month – for life.  Yep, that’s all…$1.95.

The introductory price was to last only for a short while, so I secured my $1.95 per month for life price immediately.  I had nothing to lose.  If I didn’t get any value from it, I could cancel at any time.  Pretty good investment if you ask me.

Well, about two weeks ago, I tried to log into the forum only to find that there was a bit of a problem.  My username and password were not working.  I tried several times, but no success.  Hmmm… Continue Reading >>

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Five Keys to a Successful Budget

by Patrenia on January 8, 2010 · 5 comments

roadblock If you are planning on being successful with your finances this year, you and a written budget should consider becoming very familiar with each other.

I wish there were an exception to this process, but your spending plan IS your roadmap to financial success.  Every month, I conquer my battle against financial distress by creating a budget.  It’s my battle plan. 

Many times we get discouraged after we attempt a new process only to be stopped dead in our tracks by roadblocks.  Are these roadblocks meant to be a dead end?  No.  A roadblock is an action or condition that obstructs or hinders progress toward an objective.  Very important words – obstructs or hinders – not stop.  Continue Reading >>

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Finalized Your New Year’s Resolutions?

by Patrenia on January 5, 2010 · 6 comments

2010 2010 is here!  WOW!  We are now in full swing and on our 5th day into the new year.  Over the last week or so, I’ve seen a lot of talk on Facebook and Twitter in reference to New Year’s Resolutions.  And I’ve been in thought mode for the last couple of weeks about my own goals for 2010.  I’ll be discussing a few of those here today, but first let me take a step back and talk about the results 2009.

In Reflection…

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve”  - W. Clement Stone

At the start of 2009, I set a major goal for myself.  That goal was to start this website:  www.personalfinancenotebook.com.  Shortly into the year, I purchased the domain name, found a designer and was well on my way to reaching that goal.  What I didn’t realize was that the learning curve for this process would be soooooo steep and I still have the normal daily challenges of managing home and family.  But I know that with God all things are possible.  I just have to keep moving forward.  I’m always up for a good challenge anyway. Continue Reading >>

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The Day We Turned Our Financial Lives Around…

by Patrenia on December 30, 2009 · 15 comments

“One critical day is all you need to turn any “what if” in your life to “what is”.” – Jim Rohn

Have you ever had a day in your life when everything changed?  A day when you realized that life could no longer continue on the same path? 

My husband and I had a day such as that one.  It was a day that resulted in turning our financial future from one of burden to one of relief.  We didn’t realize at the time how life changing that day was.  Let me tell you about it.turn around

Our Story…

For seven years, my husband and I slowly walked down a road destined for continuous struggle.  We married with high hopes and big dreams.  Dreams of financial security which included great careers and a stable family unit.

We didn’t realize it, but from day one, we were in debt.  Small debt, but debt nonetheless.  It included one auto loan and a small amount on a credit card.  We didn’t think much about it because everyone we knew had these same “normal” debt payments. Continue Reading >>

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Setting Goals

by Patrenia on December 23, 2009 · 4 comments

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

goalsetting Greetings everyone.  As we embark upon the end of 2009, I’ve decided to take a moment to sit back and reflect upon 2009 as well as create my goals and visions for 2010.

After much hard work and sweat equity, this site officially launched last month.  It has been well received by many and I am receiving wonderful reviews from visitors about the information posted here.

This has truly been a learning experience – challenging, frustrating and enjoyable all at the same time.  How can this be?  There are many ups and downs, but the joy comes when the finished product is way better than one could imagine.  I’m still excited about this opportunity, but I’ve realized that I still have to wear many hats.

You see, naively, I embarked upon this task and assumed that it would be an easy one.  But the reality is that it isn’t.  I have so many ideas floating around in my head, but when I sit down to implement, it feels as though the flow isn’t there.

So over the next week and a half, I’m really going to buckle down and create a business of value for you, the reader, as well as for myself.  I have to create a plan in order to convey the ideas I need and want to implement.  I want this site to be more than just talking about taking action to achieve financial goals.  I want there to be action with my husband and I, continuing on our journey, as well as helping others to create financially healthy lifestyles.  This is definitely a work in progress and I continue to learn so much as I go along.

Thank you all so much for your support.  I’m looking forward to 2010.  I know that it is going to be great!  I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Are you taking time to plan for 2010?  If so, can you share some of your ideas?  If not, can you share why you are not creating goals?

*The holiday post schedule will be once a week on Wednesdays.  We’ll be back in full swing on January 4, 2010.  Feel free to browse through the archives.  I love getting your comments!

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If you have a question you would like to ask, please feel free to do so by clicking on the “Ask A Question” link to the right.  Don’t forget to subscribe via RSS or E-mail to receive updates from this site!  If you have already subscribed, I want to say thank you.  This website is becoming a success because of you and your support.  I send you much love!Red heart

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Ask PFN…“Nothing Left but Air”

by Patrenia on December 15, 2009 · 8 comments

empty wallet Today, I want to discuss a question that was sent to me a couple of weeks ago by a reader.  Shortly after the launch of this site, she read all of the information and seemed excited about the possibility of being able to take control of her financial situation, but couldn’t see how it could be done at this point in her life.

From a windfall of circumstances which included marriage, a child, lifestyle choices and poor career decisions, she and her husband have found themselves in a place where they pay more in bills than they make on a monthly basis.  Her email to me ended with the following statement:

“I think the envelope method is great, in theory, but what if there is nothing but air to put in it.”

This readers concerns are not unique.  Her concerns are more common than we realize.  It’s very easy to manage money when you are single, but when mixing marriage and children, the whole equation shifts and changes.  You are now responsible and accountable to and for other people. Continue Reading >>

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Weird Online Purchase!

by Patrenia on December 10, 2009 · 8 comments

Hello Everyone,

Yesterday marked the one month anniversary of the “Official Launch” of this site, YEAH!!!!  I must say that I am pleased, excited and grateful for the support that you all have shown.  Thank you so much for subscribing, reading and commenting.  It’s becoming a success because of you!

Today was a power packed day (school luncheons and volunteering), but I carved out some time to reflect on a purchase I made earlier this year that I thought you’d find interesting.  Don’t forget to share in the comments to let me know you were here.  Thanks for stopping bySmile!

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box delivery I have to sing the praises of technology when it comes to comparison shopping.   After this experience, I now wonder if there is anything that CAN’T be purchased online.  This has absolutely been my weirdest online purchase (so far).

The Idea

Earlier this year, I was looking to purchase new tires for my truck.  I called around my city and got some general prices of what the cost would be.  During my search, a thought came to me.  Since the internet was so powerful, was there a way to purchase tires online?  Continue Reading >>

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I Had An Accident!

by Patrenia on December 7, 2009 · 8 comments

minor accident Today, I would like to tell a story about an incident that happened to me last summer and the positive that came from it.

What happened…
It was late July of 2008 and I was working for a small subcontractor in the Baton Rouge area .  They were informed that the large contract they were helping to manage was not going to be extended as they presumably thought.  Because of this fact, the majority of their employees (including myself) were going to be laid off.  I was really o.k. with it, being that I needed the break.

Well, during the first week I was at home, I decided to put my truck in the shop to have a minor dent repaired.   After a week the repairs were done, everything was great and my truck was beautiful again.  The next day, I took my brother to the National Guard Base as he was going on his 2 week yearly military training.  He’d given me some information to give to our mom to take care of while he was out of town.

Continue Reading >>

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Rich – in More Ways Than One

by Patrenia on December 3, 2009 · 4 comments

A guest post written by  Dwight Anthony of financiallyeliteblog.com     

rolleddollars Are you Rich? When I speak those words, many people conjure up visions of being a millionaire on a personal luxury boat traveling around the world.

Unfortunately, this is not really the exact meaning of being ‘rich’ or bountiful that I am indeed talking about. Granted, you must take care of your finances and build wealth in order to be Financially Free someday, but I am speaking of the intrinsic value within you that really makes you rich. You see when you realize that everyday when you wake up and breathe oxygen into your lungs it’s a new day of renewal and one that you should give thanks or gratitude for the things that you have in your life right now. Continue Reading >>

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