Starting a new blog.

I'm starting over. New Year resolutions are the buzz. I originally wanted to start a blog to earn income. After rethinking my intentions I now want to write a blog to keep me on course. 2009 for me is the year to break the cycle. To break the pay check to paycheck slump I have been in for years. I am sick and tired of every minor financial issue turning into a crisis because my lack of spending control.

I know what I need to do. I am like the college professor that has a wealth of book knowledge but no practical experience. I know I need to analyze my spending, I know I need to create a budget, I know I need a emergency fund, and most importantly I know I am not doing any of this.

This really sunk in last night. My girlfriend and I work very different schedules. We only have a a few hours a week where we can spend quality time together. We only had about 4 hours this evening to be together. Here is what took place last night.

As I am walking in the door I receive a call from my mom. She is in a tizzy (and has every right to be) about being called on a collage loan I have that just came due, and is subsequently overdue. I was under the impression (Mistake) that I had deferred this loan, apparently not. So the next hour and a half was spent on the phone, on hold waiting for an account specialist. It appears I am in the same boat as many others, hence the expected wait of 45 minutes or more. Before I was able to get through the call center closed. OK, nothing else I can do tonight. On with the evening....... Nope.. not yet. I decided to check my bank balance before heading out to dinner, a habit I soon wish to break. I was 99.9% sure everything was fine, again, apparently not. My account was overdrawn. My Internet company posted a $200 (equipment fee) to my account.

Short version on how this happened.

-Company sent wrong parts
-I forgot to mail back (fully admitted to the company)
-Company called last week saying a $200 charge was going to occur if not sent back.
-I explained my current work schedule and that I would get them sent before the end of the week.
-Customer Service Rep said "OK, No problems, just get them sent this week and no charges will occur until next week.
- Apparently not

Another hour was wasted on the phone with little success. So now in a feeble attempt to limit overdraft charges I humbly ask my dad for a loan to cover the $200 and possible overdraft fees.

Another hour spent getting the loan and driving to the bank's 24hr ATM.

I am fortunate that my parents are so willing to assist me.

So now my girlfriend and I had about 30 minutes to eat before I had to get to bed. Needless to say no one was in the best of moods last night.

I am fully aware ALL of this could have been avoided if I simply had a modest emergency fund and a months buffer in my checking account.

This is going to change. I am going to use this blog as a open book with the hope of gathering others that are in the same boat, on the same river, and using the same paddles as myself.

I'm welcoming 2009 with open arms.