When I got the mail today, I had received my rebate check from my National City Everyday Rewards Visa! I am so excited! Of course, I had been checking my rebate amount each month when the statement came, so last month when the rebate balance was $99.25, I was a little bit bummed. (Once you hit $100, the check is mailed). I missed my check by $.25! I was patient, and received it with my statement this month. I’m going to use this check to make a payment on that student loan. I’d love to go out and buy a new digital camera, but I’m going to be responsible and keep chiseling away our debt. It’s for the best. Here’s my proof of payment: I don’t know why, but I always enjoy seeing copies of people’s checks, especially when it involves them making money online, or easy money! Do you think I should use the check for paying on the loan, or do something fun with it?

The financial institution I work for is set to announce its earnings tomorrow.  I went out after work with a few other office managers who seem to think that after tomorrow we’ll all be out of jobs because our bank is the next to fail.  While it’s a concern, I don’t think that is truly reality- yet.  I am one of the optimists and I say that we’re going to be fine. If all the people would stop freaking out about IndyMac bank failing, then so many other banks won’t be in trouble, like others are predicting.  I can’t even begin to tell you how many questions I have had about FDIC insurance and how to style accounts so that they are covered in the past few days.  It’s been horrible.  I am tired of telling people to add a beneficiary to their account to get $100,000 extra FDIC coverage!  I understand it is my job, but I also feel that consumers should do a good job of educating themselves on their money.  I had a customer today tell me [...]

I am so proud to announce that we owe less than $9,000 on the student loan! Lately, every little extra “snowflake” money I get, I am putting towards this. It feels good to be under a “monumental” number, like the thousands. I am debating whether or not to put some of the stimulus money towards it. I am also expecting my quarterly bonus on the 15th of next month, so I may put that towards it too. At least some of it! It feels really good to be making progress on paying off this debt. I’ve been worried more about saving lately, and a lot of our extra money has been going right into savings. I think tonight I’m going to sit down and create the sub accounts with ING that I’ve been meaning to. I am not a spreadsheet person! I like to have it all visualized for me. Once I get that done, I’ll have a better idea of how much money I have allotted for each fund, and then go from there. I think it will work [...]