About Me

Denise

I'm a freelance journalist and crafter who dreams of starting my own business-- a hometown Tiki bar. I am a former New Orleans Bourbon Street bartender.

The challenge: I can't use my primary income to fund the tiki bar. I can only use money I earn in other ways. Part of the challenge will be to develop new, creative revenue sources. It's like a pumped-up,long-term $20 challenge.

**2008 Tiki fund goal: $1,500**
$1107.31 in fund, $392.69 to go

***Monthly Tiki Fund Total***

Sept: $0
Misc. writing
Saving act. interest
lottery tix

August: $74.17
$5.03 Web sales
$37.50 eBay profit
$24 Google Adsense
$5 festival prize
$2.64 saving acct. interest

For a full breakdown of Tiki fund money, visit my $20 challenge page.

***Personal Savings Goals for 2008***
$5,000 into my IRA
$2,000 into hubby's Roth IRA
$2,000 into 529 plan
$6,000 into savings account
$3,600 into brokerage account
$650 into new car fund
Total: $19,250

***Progress Report***
$5,000 in my IRA. GOAL MET!
$2107 to Roth, GOAL MET!
$1500 to 529 plan, $500 to go
$5343 to savings, $657 to go
$2355 to brokerage, $1245 to go
$463.17 in car fund, $186.83 to go
Total: $16,768

***
Debt to pay off:
Student Loan: $14,348.68
(Down from $40,000 in 2001)
By the end of the year, I'd like to pay an extra $1,000 on top of my normal payments.
***
Mexico Vacation Goal: $6,000 by Feb, 2009
Fund total: $3,872.53
***
All of these goals will be a little harder to reach this year because I am now self-employed and the hubby and I had our first baby in April.

We have always lived on one salary only. But we aren't quite sure how a new baby and giving up my full-time job are going to affect our finances.

***The Big Picture***
Me 33, Hubby 35
-No credit card debt
-No car loan
-House paid off because we moved to a cheaper city

My Pages

Overwhelmed

June 18th, 2008 at 09:01 am

Two weeks ago I found out my dad is dying of pancreatic cancer. I'm overwhelmed and haven't sorted out my feelings, so I will keep it brief. We don't have much time. Maybe another 1 to 6 weeks.

I just lost both of my grandparents. Grandma in July 2006 and Grandpa in July 2007. Now this. I wonder how much more I can bear.

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments »

11 Responses to “Overwhelmed”

compulsive debtor Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 09:03 am

So sorry to hear about your dad, Denise. Hang in there.
littlemama Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 09:19 am

Sorry about you dad. I can't imagine what you are going thru. (((hugs)))
JanH Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 09:36 am

Oh, wow, Denise. I'm so very sorry about your Dad. You're going through tremendous pain right now. Prayers go out to your whole family.
cindyg86 Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 09:57 am

My thoughts are with you and your family.
miclason Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 10:11 am

((hugs)) sorry to hear about all that has happened.
tripods68 Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 11:21 am

I totally understand. My thoughts and prayer to you and your entire family.

My stepdad's father who lives in PA is also dying with lung cancer. So I know what you are going through right now. God bless.
baselle Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 04:30 pm

My thoughts are with you and your family. {{{HUGS}}}
aevans1206 Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 04:33 pm

I will pray for you! My father has cancer and it's been one hell of a road. Please, by all means, with a new baby--take care of yourself!!! Find someone to sit for the baby if you need too!!!
aevans1206 Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 04:34 pm

By the way, I would offer my own services if I lived anywhere near you
Petunia Says:
June 18th, 2008 at 10:26 pm

Oh, Denise, I'm so sorry that you and your family are going through this. I have experienced something similar and it is hard.
mom-sense Says:
June 19th, 2008 at 06:29 am

Prayers to you and your family. So sorry.

Thrift-o-rama and the quest for a Tiki Bar

One girl's quest to shore up her personal finances and save for her own business

Overwhelmed

11 Responses to “Overwhelmed”

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