Why Did My Credit Score Drop?

I have been doing very well with my budget.  My bills are being paid on time with a little extra.  Our debt is gradually dropping.  I checked my credit score, and I was shocked by what I saw... My credit score DROPPED!

Immediately, I began searching for any bills that I had not paid.  I couldn't figure it out.  Why did my credit score drop?  I found nothing!  I felt like crying.  All that hard work for absolutely nothing positive!  Travis had no idea what happened.  Let's just say, I freaked out.  I began thinking that nothing good is going to happen for us.  I began thinking that we'll never own a home.  I began thinking what's the point in even trying to pay off my debt - it won't help me anyways.

A few friends of mine know a lot about credit scores, mortgages, loans, and business-y stuff.  One night, while we were all hanging out having a few drinks, I brought it up to them.  I asked them, "How do people do it anymore?  Why is it my credit score drops when I do everything right?"  They started asking me a few really smart questions that I would have never thought of.

The greatest debt I have is student loans.  The credit cards are really nothing.  When I confessed to my friends how much I owe each month to student loans, it was roughly 60% of our net income.  Yup, that's right.  We pay 60% of our take home pay to student loans.  Because our credit card debt is so low, it's actually not a negative thing since we pay it off each month with a little bit of roll-over.

Your credit score is actually affected by your income to debt ratio.  I did not know that!  While we sat here thinking that if we paid off my student loans within 10 years, it would be better for us and that my credit score would improve.  Nope, it sure doesn't.  Your debt needs to be AT THE MOST 40% of your net income.  To qualify for better interest rates, your debt needs to be about 30% of your net income.  If your debt is over 40% of your net income, it reflects negatively on your credit score.  So even though we are paying off my student loans at the lowest current rates they offer for a 10-year repayment plan and paying off the principle, it doesn't increase my credit score.  Sure, we'd be saving more money in the long run... but it isn't helping us now get our footing in the real world.

If I increase my repayment plan to 20 or 30 years, it will boost my credit score and give us lower monthly payments.  It could possibly boost my credit score enough to qualify for a mortgage.  I brought up consolidating my loans... is that a good thing or a bad thing?  In my situation, it would be bad.

Because I am pretty well organized with my student loans, consolidating would not do me any justice.  It would negatively affect my credit score.  I have a variety of different student loans - some at low interest rates and some at high interest rates.  Consolidating would give me a higher interest rate than majority of my student loans.  The best decision for me is to keep them separate, pay the minimum balance, and then use what I have left to pay off the principle on my highest interest rate loans.  Consolidating would cause me to pay about the same or significantly more than if I just keep them separate and first pay off the higher interest rates in comparison to the principle balance for each.

So there you have it.  To help your credit score and prevent it from dropping, you must keep your debt at or below 40% of your net income.  If that means pushing my student loans off to a 20 or 30 year plan, then so be it.  It will definitely benefit us more than paying off the student loans right away.  After all, we still have our 10 year plan to paying them off - it just shows on paper that we plan to have it paid off in 20-30 years, showing that we are more financially responsible and trustworthy with our credit.

Feeling Down: Update

Due to our low income and lack of health insurance, I went to the local Neighborhood Health Clinic yesterday morning.  I was very pleased with my visit.  My nurse practitioner knew exactly what I was talking about.  Why that is such a relief, I don't know.  Normally, when asked why am I being seen, I have to explain that I have two birth defects.  When I say Intestinal Malrotation, I get confused looks and am asked, "what is that?"  It's not very comforting to hear medical providers have to ask ME - the patient - what is Intestinal Malrotation.  It's actually scary and makes me worried that I'm not going to get appropriate care.  I've seen doctors answer my questions with shrugs and "I don't know".

First, when I went in, the Medical Assistant was new.  I'm totally cool with working with new people.  They have to start somewhere, and I'm very patient with them because I understand what that's like.  She was very sweet.  Her biggest obstacle was the computer to enter information into - and the program looked complex so I can't blame her for taking a while.  Hey, at least she wasn't poking me with a needle!  In Bloomington, I had a new EMT practice putting an IV in my arm....  about 45 minutes to an hour of agonizing pain in my left arm!!  But hey, they gotta learn some time to save another person's life!  I'll be a guinea pig.

This nurse practitioner asked ME the questions.  When I told her where my pain was, she began asking me the important questions.  When I told her where the pain was located, she began asking me if I had other conditions that could be causing the pain - such as kidneys, pancreas, appendix, or my right ovary.  She asked me if I had acid reflux, and when I said yes and told her what I took for it (Gaviscon for those who are interested in awesome heartburn and acid reflux relief - it's great!  I recommend it!) - she was able to explain to me what she thought was happening.  I felt relieved that someone at least had a hypothesis!


***Warning: Gross, TMI part!  Details are important, but if you are sensitive to gross details, skip this part***

My nurse practitioner asked me some important questions that I think others who experience Intestinal Malrotation pain should know.  So I am going to share those with you.  First, she asked if I was constipated.  I said yes.  She asked how long had I been constipated.  I told her it ranges, probably on and off for 3-4 days, sometimes more, sometimes less.  This had her concerned.  She asked if my stools were hard.  I said, no they are soft.  She explained that constipation usually involves stools being hard.  Since mine were not, she asked about the size of my stools.  I told her they are very thin.

The nurse practitioner then asked if the pain I have been experiencing felt like burning.  I said no.  It feels like something is stuck.  It feels full.  And she asked if I had pain after eating.  Immediately, I said yes.  My husband was with me simply because I was in so much pain I couldn't drive well.  He and I have witnessed everything together, so we are totally cool with discussing such details with each other.  And because of my condition, he'll ask me occassionally about these details if he notices anything abnormal.  There have been times when I've been in the hospital that I was seriously drugged up on pain meds that he's had to speak on my behalf, or I've been unconscious from pain that he's had to speak on my behalf.  Anyways, this is when he stepped in and said that when I eat, my stomach automatically swells while I'm eating.  By the time I've finished eating, I look 3-4 months pregnant (and we know because I was at one point in time!).  I told my NP that I get extremely tired after eating.

She asked me about nausea, and I said yes.  I always feel like I'm going to vomit.  Because I have not, my NP said that my bowels have not twisted, but they could be positioned awkwardly.  My NP said that if the pain persists and I do vomit, I should go to the ER immediately. However, she said that something is causing a small block, and that's making it painful.

She asked me about gas - have I been passing gas more frequently or burping more frequently.  I said yes.  She thinks that my Intestinal Malrotation and my acid reflux are working against each other and creating more pain.  She believes that I could be experiencing a common side effect with Intestinal Malrotation relating to Intestinal Peristalsis - meaning that something could be preventing my digested food from moving through my intestines.

Because of my symptoms and history, the NP prescribed me Docusate to help with constipation.  So far, I have been taking 2 a day as prescribed - and while I am passing stools - it feels like my freaking miscarriage.  It hurts so much, I can't even work or sleep.  Not going to lie, I've been back and forth to the bathroom, crying every time.  I'll be in there for over an hour with little or no luck.  Who gets laxatives and still can't poop?  I guess, people like me....


***OK, we've passed the gross part.  YOU CAN READ NOW!***

Because my pain is in the upper abdomen and along the right side of my abdomen, it can be difficult or time consuming to find exactly what is causing the pain.  So many important organs fall along the right side of the body, and with patients that have Intestinal Malrotation, their intestines are included on that right side.  The Neighborhood Health Clinic cannot do x-rays on the spot.  So I have to wait until Thursday to get abdominal x-rays.  It takes about a week for her to receive the x-rays, so I have another appointment with her that following Thursday.  She's going to collect my medical records and review what procedures I have had done already, and see what tests and procedures I should do now after she reviews my x-rays.

I'm very lucky I have a job that is flexible with me.  I've still managed to pop into work once in a while.  I worked half a day yesterday, even though I was in pain.  Everyone told me not to bother working today.  My father-in-law has been very sweet about it.  He's been making sure I'm still OK, checking on me once in a while.  He brought me icecream last night, but I was in such pain I couldn't eat.

Travis has been my rock - as always.  I love him so much.  He's been taking care of me every second he can.  I don't know what I'd do without him.  Last night, I cried for so long.  Here I have a degree, but with my condition I can't have a career.  I can barely work with this kind of pain.  Here, I have so much in student loans to pay back, but I can't even use my degree.  Hell, I can't even find a good job with my degree.  And I told Travis I feel guilty.  I've put us in debt to have a degree.  I was the reason we were in medical debt.  And here I am... I can't even offer a good paying job to help cover expenses and give us a quality life - a normal life.  All I want is to be content and normal.  With my condition, how on Earth will I be able to have kids?  I can't just take a day, two days, or a week off of being a mother.  He can't do it all alone.  I feel so completely responsible for the stress we are under and the debt we currently have.

I do have hope.  Today, I was able to finally purchase health insurance for 6 months.  I researched health insurance for pre-existing conditions and I found one through MultiPlan.  My plan is only $117 a month.  I have no lifetime limit.  For pre-existing conditions, anything that costs $0-$10,000 is covered up to 70%, with the maximum that I would be required to pay is $3,000.  Between $10,000 - $15,000, it is covered 80/20, with the maximum that I would be required to pay at $4,000.  From $15,000 to $2 million, it is covered 100%.  For anything that is not pre-existing, I have a $50 co-pay, and for health and sickness visits, I get 3 for 6 months.  My health insurance is covered through STAR Financial.  On top of that, most hospitals, doctors and specialists in Fort Wayne will accept this plan.  No procedures or treatments will be denied coverage.  However, I was required to get life insurance, which is included in my $117/month plan.  My life insurance is through Fidelity.  Can't say I won't need it... after all, Travis and I combined almost died 4 times during our relationship - so who knows! lol It couldn't hurt.

If you have a pre-existing condition and are looking for a plan similar to mine, I would recommend calling 1-866-421-7010 to get a quote.  The individuals I spoke to are Chuck and Yvonne.

Feeling Down

Recently, a couple of people I know personally told me that they loved reading my blogs.  WHO KNEW?  I didn't think anyone really read them, so I stopped blogging back in August.

This is my confession.  I'm lazy.  Let's just be honest here.  If I don't have to do it, I won't do it.  Unfortunately, such a vice is more hazardous than enjoyable.  It's definitely my biggest sin... SLOTH.  It sounds terrible.  It's not an attractive trait at all.  And I've realized it's a habit that's making me unhappy with life.

I think what happened to me was that I settled in my disappointments about my life.  I focused on the negative.  I look at our bills every month and look at our income, and I cry.  I think of the amazing apartment we had in Bloomington, the joys of being free to roam, and seeing my friends and family randomly at my door every single day.  I loved it.  We had our furniture, whether it was hand-me-downs or purchased, and we were happy.  We had our privacy.  We had our alone times.  Travis and I really loved being just the two of us.  And then I look at where we are today...

I love our family.  They have been incredibly supportive.  We'd be homeless if it weren't for our generous and loving family.  I've been blessed.  But it breaks my heart every day to see our income is less than it was before moving to Fort Wayne, our monthly bills are the exact same amount as when we lived in Bloomington, we've sold a good portion of our furniture, and we pretty much live in a bedroom at my father-in-law's and my grandfather-in-law's home with the rest of our items stored in a friend's warehouse.  This is not where I expected to be 10 months after moving to Fort Wayne to pursue our life together.

Being a recent graduate, I'm scared.  I'm scared that Travis and I will never afford a home of our own.  I'm scared that I'll never have the career to support my family.  I get frightened when applying for jobs - as silly as it is - because I'm afraid I don't know what I'm doing or how to sell myself to a potential employer.  After all, what experience do I have to offer?  I'm intimidated by the amazing talent that my fellow peers have.  And most of all, I'm scared about my health.

Ok, ok, I know, tons of people have heard the story.  I have birth defects.  Intestinal Malrotation (IM) and Bicornuate Uterus (BU).  With no health insurance, I don't go to a doctor like I should... like I need to.  We just cannot afford it right now to go as often as I need to and to pay for the medications and treatments I need.  What makes it worse is the pain.  It hits me out of the blue.  And when it does, I cannot do anything.  It's paralyzing.  If I had the money to afford medications and regular treatment, I wouldn't be in such pain.  We've tried applying for MedicAid, but I have to be disabled or pregnant.  We've tried applying for the Healthy Indiana Plan, but we were told it'd be 2 years before I could receive insurance since the waitlist is so long.  Previously, when I applied for insurance on my own, I was given a quote, then told I was denied.  Fingers crossed, Travis may have a job at a local popcorn factory that would give us insurance.  If he gets the job (which I'm confident he will), we'd have a 90 day period to wait before we can finally have insurance through his job.  I'm counting down the days....

These past 24 hours have been pretty agonizing.  My IM and GERD have been giving me a lot of pain and issues.  I noticed something wasn't right last month.  When I called the local Neighborhood Clinic to schedule an appointment, they said there wasn't any openings for over a week.  When the receptionist asked for the reason behind my visit, I told her I had no idea if it was my IM or GERD giving me such terrible pain.  I don't know what's going on.  She scheduled an appointment for me for tomorrow morning.  We're taking money out of our emergency fund for my visit tomorrow.  I can't wait any longer to find out what's happening.  We will see what's going on with my innards tomorrow.  I'll keep my followers posted.

Boosting Credit

I've basically come to the conclusion that I should not take credit advice from anyone that does not handle credit on a daily basis.  We had been struggling to boost our credit for a long time.  See, the reason why we chose to seek out a professional to review our credit report is because we didn't know a single thing about how credit actually works.  Because everyone's credit is different, rules change.  What would boost my credit may not boost your credit... in fact, it could potentially hurt it.  However, something I do that hurts my credit score could be exactly what you could use to boost yours.  Plus, there are a million grey areas when it comes to credit scores.  How much does getting an Old Navy credit card actually affect your credit?  When applying for a job that asks to see your credit report, does it affect your credit positively, negatively, or does it stay stagnant?  Does a Victoria's Secret credit card affect your credit score more than a mortgage?  If you pay off your debt entirely, is that actually going to boost your score?  The answers are always different depending on your own credit history.

For example, I was trying to figure out how to quickly boost my credit score.  I was at a mid-500 range.  I couldn't figure out why it was not going up when I was paying my bills on time!  A friend suggested I get a small retail credit card to boost my score.  Sure enough, when I applied for a credit card at NY & Co., I got denied.  AND it didn't help my credit score at all!

I decided to get a free trial through Score Sense.  For one week, I gave the online credit checker a try!  And to my surprise, I really liked it.  Score Sense shows you how your credit score changes over time on a very simple and easy to read graph.

It sends you an e-mail when there is a new alert  -  which is great for preventing identity theft.  It tells you the moment there are any changes on your credit report.  My first alert was on August 1st.  It told me that my credit score improved because I paid off medical debt.  It also told me that out of the three credit agencies (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax), TransUnion was the one to update this first.

There is a ScoreCast, which allows you to see how your current score will be affected.  For example, if I paid off all of my credit cards completely, my credit will increase dramatically.  However, if I paid off my student loans completely, my credit score will increase the same amount as if I paid off my credit card debt entirely.  It helps you prioritize what areas you need to focus on to improve your credit score.

And there is a Dispute Center which helps you dispute errors on your credit report.

To top it off, Score Sense has a help line that you can call to ask questions about things you do not understand on your credit report.

As a couple striving to own a home some day, Travis and I are really thankful to have total access 24/7 to our credit report and credit score.  I highly recommend it.

I still believed that I needed assistance in understanding and monitoring my credit score.  Travis and I want a home of our own.  I turned to Kari Peters, who is a mortgage loan originator here in town.  She knows her stuff.  She has given us so many tips and constructive advice that has helped Travis and I boost our credit score in hopes of owning a home.  She is the person helping us get to a point where we can actually buy a house.  Did you know that there are free forms that you can fill out and mail that WILL boost your credit score?  I didn't either!  Kari started a new blog just to offer tips, crack credit report myths, and give advice to anyone needing home-buying/home-owning advice.  Check out her blog for exclusive tips and tricks to boost your credit, too!  Her blog is Ft. Wayne's Mortgage Minder.

I hope these resources help you just as much as they have helped me!  If you have any other sources that you use that have helped you understand and boost your credit score, feel free to share them in the comments!  I'd love to know where these hidden gems are!

Bumps in the Road

Trying to become established in this kind of job market and economy has really proven to me to be a vicious circle.  I feel so stuck sometimes.  Here I am, working full time for no benefits - but with a chance to move up in the company.  I don't really have any idea where this is going to take me and for how long I will have to work before I get advanced.  I know two women in the company have been waiting to retire, but they have been so short-staffed and overworked, that the possibility to retire is not available to them.... That is until I arrived.  So I am being trained for their jobs.  But with my previous work experience and with my degree, I have no idea where I am going since other opportunities are arriving every day.  I'd hate to say it because I love everyone I work with, but all of my coworkers have told me this regularly:  I'm over-qualified for all the jobs in this company.  I have to agree.  However, I'll do whatever I need to in this economy to build my experience for a better future for my family.

Travis is working hard in school.  He finished his math class 2 weeks early, which is no surprise to me. He loves math.  It's his Art History class that he can't seem to grasp.  I guess that is the engineer in him. Luckily, his fall semester is mostly math and science.  Travis also got a manager position part-time to work around his school schedule at a place that specializes in kayaking, boating, hiking, and extreme sports (mostly water sports).  Throughout the summer, they have a variety of sporting events.  I know Travis will love this.

I cannot lie and say that I'm extremely happy with where we are.  My student loans are going to get more expensive and I am not sure we can afford it.  Paying off the credit cards has become an endless feat.  We still have one more medical bill to pay off, granted it is only $500.  Some people may think we are careless with money because my credit isn't that great.  My credit has been hit multiple times for multiple reasons.  First, when I was sick, the medical debt almost destroyed my 680 credit score.  I have only had 1 credit card my entire life, and the max amount on it was $500.  I had to use it to pay rent one month, so it maxed out.  I tried to get another credit card to use only for gas so that I could increase my credit... but I was denied.  Travis only has one credit card, and it's debt is only $200.  When Travis and I were seeing opportunities with his company and he was promised a promotion, we began house hunting because Travis's credit score was great.  Due to my student loans and our limited income, we qualified for $70,000.  Not long after that, Travis was laid off.  So, needless to say, we didn't buy a house.  When I graduated, we moved in with family in Fort Wayne.  As I job searched, majority of companies were hitting my credit score even more.  It seemed like every time I applied for a job, I had to agree to a credit check.  When asked if I could print off a copy as to not hit my credit score, I was told no.  We wanted to get an apartment or a house or some place to live, but out of fear for being denied based on our credit scores, we don't want to risk more hits to our credit.  I've heard many people say that bad credit is better than no credit.  While that may be true, having bad or no credit still feels impossible to get established.  It looks like our goals of buying a home this year are not going to happen.  Next year, when my student loan payments rise, I'm afraid that we still are not going to be able to buy a house, especially with the income we both produce.  And to look for a new job, I'm afraid my credit will only get beaten up more just for applying.

But on a brighter note, Travis was able to sell his old car!  It only sold for $350, but it sure helped.  We hadn't gone on a date, so we used the money for a nice dinner, movie, and because I absolutely love fairs and festivals, we spent about $20 towards a day at the Three Rivers Festival.  At the festival, Travis gave me a brilliant idea!  I should start a blog about sweet stuff.  I love sweets!  I have a horrible sweet tooth.  So I am going to give it a try.  When I put the blog together, I will definitely post a link when it is ready for its debut.  So keep a look out for the Sweetest Blog on the Block!

Keeping My Options Open

Ever feel like you could be doing something more?  Ever feel like you are more valuable?  Well, luckily, that's how I have been feeling.

I absolutely adore my job at the zoo.  I'm just an intern.  I don't get paid to work from 8 AM to 5 PM every day I am there (which is 3 days a week).  But I wake up early and look forward to going to work there.  I love the people I work with.  I love being around animals, even the creepy, crawling ones.  I love the work I am doing.  I cannot think of any negative thing about the job - except that it will end when April ends.  I love this place so much, I do not want to leave.  Tuesday, I cut my eye pretty bad.  It's ok.  It's just taking time to heal.  But, yesterday, when the doctor told me to stay home and rest my eye - I still went into the office at the zoo to talk to everyone.  Right after I left the doctor's office, I went straight to the zoo because I didn't want them worrying about me and I wanted to fill them in on everything.  I didn't get to stay and work, and that made me sad.  I hated not being there.

Don't get me wrong, I love my actual job.  I work for an auction company with really great people.  However, I feel like there is more I could be doing.  And I know when we renegotiate my salary, I might not get the wage I am looking for.  I could be doing more and getting paid more.  I'll definitely hang out there for a while, but I feel like this is holding me back from what I could be doing.

For months, a financial advising company that is well known in Fort Wayne has been contacting me.  At first, they wanted me to apply for the recruiting coordinator position.  I applied, but didn't get the position.  However, one of the leading partners for the company still contacted me relentlessly.  He asked me to apply for a new position the company has created.  It is Marketing & Client Relations - and I will be working alongside the partner of the company.  From the job description, it sounds like something that is up my alley.  Literally, it sounds like they looked at my resume and created this position tailored to me.  So I sent in my updated resume and I have an interview this week.  This company has been rated in the top 20 companies to work for in Fort Wayne, and they are offering a "lucrative" salary with benefits. Can't beat that, huh?

Well, before I injured my eye on Tuesday, the education department had their weekly meeting at the zoo.  That is the department I intern for, so I attend the meetings as well.  At the meeting, we were gathering dates for everyone's vacation, holidays, etc.  The PR and Communications Director asked when my internship ends.  I shrugged at looked at my supervisor - the Volunteer Coordinator - and I asked her.  She joked saying, "you never put in a day, so we're just going to keep you all summer."  In response, I said, "good, I don't want to leave."  Then, the Education Coordinator, my buddy, Kristin says, "Hey, why don't you apply for Rebecca's job?"

No joke, this feels like serendipity.  What is Rebecca's job?  She is the Development Assistant at the zoo.  Her job requires client relations between the zoo's education department and sponsors and donors, she manages budgets for events and programs, and she does the more detailed office work of what I currently do at the zoo.  I'm a PR and event planning intern.  I just create all the fun stuff and implement it.  Her job is managing the funds and detailed paperwork of the events.  She does this for all education programs.  On the plus side, I could continue making videos for the zoo.

After Kristin's brilliant idea, everyone in the room was saying, "Do it!"  I didn't know Rebecca was offered another job elsewhere that was closer to home and paid a little bit more.  She didn't want to leave the zoo, however she wasn't going to turn down a great opportunity.  After the meeting, I walked up to Rebecca and I asked her if she would mind me job shadowing her for a day.  She's an absolute sweetheart, so of course she said, "sure!"  I sat there beside her and she showed me a little bit of what she was working on.  She had put together a detailed packet on how to do everything at the job so that the next person who came wouldn't be lost.  Rebecca filled me in on what she does and she said to me, "I know what you do for your internship, and you are very good at it.  You would be great at this position."  They are looking for someone to start right away - thinking the first week of May.  Um... hello - perfect timing?!  I went ahead and applied for the position.

Kristin and the volunteer coordinator were saying that if I get the job, I have to join them 2 nights a week with the rest of the "Zumba Zoo Crew" for Zumba nights.  Fine by me!  For the rest of the day after I had talked to Rebecca, Kristin and Susie (another sweet lady at the office) seemed really excited.  They filled me in on everything.  They said, "don't take the job if it isn't something you want to do.  But this is what the zoo offers in benefits...."  I told the girls that it would really come down to the dollar signs - but my heart automatically leans towards the zoo.  I have to keep my options open and think of Travis and I. So I will continue putting out my resume to different places, go to interviews, and see if I get any offers.  Travis and I will discuss each job that is offered to me, and I'll choose which place is the best decision.

I did tell the volunteer coordinator that if I don't get the job, I would like to volunteer.  She seemed super happy about that. :)

So Close, I Can Taste It!

I am super excited!  We've already accomplish Baby Step #1 by creating a $1000 emergency fund.  Baby Step #2 (other than student loans) will be complete this summer!  I can actually see ourselves getting established.  Travis has decided, after working a factory job that was detrimental to his health, he is going back to college.  He has a strong interest in figuring out how things work, why they work, and he's super good at working with electrical stuff.  Travis is pursuing a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology.  I couldn't be more proud of him.

What have I been up to?  Well, I got a nice job doing a variety of things!  Right now, I am finishing up my internship at the zoo in Public Relations/Marketing/Event Planning.  I'm busy making training videos, putting together activity packets, planning the Earth Day event, and I get to help out the PR/Director of Communications with any projects she needs done.  Not long ago, I had to take pictures of a leopard getting a dental.  I even got my picture with the furry guy!  (Sorry, I can't post pics on here.  It's against policy.)  The internship ends April 27th.  I told my bosses I am not leaving.  One will have to take my arms and the other will have to take my legs and drag me out crying.  I love it there.  I'll never forget it.

I graduate on May 5, 2012 at 3 PM!  I already ordered my cap and gown.  I plan on making my own graduation invitations using the pictures my friend Kylee took.  I will post pictures of them when I am done!

I landed a great job with an auction company.  I enjoy the people I work with.  I have my own desk all set up.  I just need to add some personal touches - like family photos and quotes.  I have a good system down already, so now I'm not struggling to get things done on time.  They work around my internship, which is fantastic.  I only work 2 or 3 days a week (sometimes I have to pick up a Saturday to stay on top of things, but that's only happened twice).  I love dressing up for work, so I thoroughly enjoy that.  The two guys who are my bosses are super cool.  They have a part-time administrative assistant, and she's such a bubbly, friendly lady.  I look forward to the days that she is there.  They also have a lot of staff that comes and goes.  The head maintenance guy comes around and jokes with everyone.  He's a hoot.  His wife works with my bosses on properties and payroll/finances.  She's a sweet lady too.  Every once in a while, I see a cute elderly man named Larry.  His desk is in the cubicle across from mine.  BTW: the cubicles are not the typical cubicle.  These are freaking fancy and large.  Anyways, Larry has become my buddy.  Right now, I just put together ads, brochures, post cards, and manage the ad budgets.  I don't have time to do much else since I'm not there full-time.  In April, we are going to sit down and re-negotiate my salary.  They casually mentioned something about getting me a Mac computer for my desk!!  AHH!  I'm so excited!  They are hooking me up nicely.  Anyways, they have full intentions on keeping me full-time, so that is why we will negotiate a salary.  Once I am full-time, I will manage all social networking sites for the company, create videos for the company and properties we will be auctioning, and I will be putting together more promotional things for the company that can be used on an iPad.  That way, when they go to speak with prospective clientele, they can show them a nice looking "powerpoint" (but more professional and fancy) of all the different types of auctions we do.  Can I just say... I love my job.  And to think when I applied, I didn't think I would get it.  Out of 155 applicants, I was the lucky one.

I'm so happy that things are falling into place.  Everyone asks me if Travis is working.  But you know, I don't mind him not working.  He's still getting a lot of things done and taken care of.  Plus, he's looking for an easy part-time job so that he can finish school.  When I was in school, I worked part-time.  I tried focusing solely on schoolwork.  I want him to do the same.  This man busted his ass off for 3 years.  He worked like a dog just so that we could keep a roof over our heads.  He's taken such good care of me... it's time I do the same for him.  It is his turn to focus on getting an education and pursuing a career.  It is my turn to buck up, take on more responsibilities, and keep our heads afloat.  After all, if it wasn't for Travis's hard work, I would have never finished this degree and landed this job.  Besides, he is going to be making the big bucks when he's done! :)  Behind every great man is a great woman - and I tend to keep that reputation strong.  He's such a great husband - I need to be his great wife.  I cannot explain how proud I am of him and what we've accomplished as a team.  We're a force to be reckoned with.

Once we pay off these credit cards and polish off that medical debt (yeah, there was a debt for $500 that somehow got lost.  We're not done yet.  ::headdesk::), we are buying my husband a car.  This summer, we are hoping to get a starter home.  It won't be our forever home, but it will turn a great profit when we re-sell it in 5 years time.  We are thinking after getting a car, we should be set with a down deposit plus fees by fall.  Who knows, maybe next year we'll buy a house and have a little bit more saved up.  But it's still fun to look at our options.

I'm not going to lie.  We did break our habit of saving.  This Sunday, Travis and I went on a shopping spree.  I found heels that I could wear to work on clearance!  I got a black pair and a tan pair.  Then I found really cute tops and tanks to wear underneath my suits for work for real cheap!  Then I found two blazers that fit perfectly!  I had looked at Travis and said, "watch, this is going to be too big."  I put it on and it fit!  I about shat myself!  So I got 2 - one is white with a gold button; the other is a black boyfriend blazer.  I also found some nice jewelry on sale that would go with any outfit.  So now I have 4 necklaces and a pair of earring to wear to work!  Since I splurged on work stuff, I told Travis that he should have some fun.  So he bought a new XBox controller (his was broken) and he pre-ordered the new Resident Evil game.  While splurging like that is a terrible idea, we don't do it often.  We rarely, if ever, buy anything for ourselves.  So my first paycheck went towards treating ourselves.  But that's it.  No more frivolous spending until we get another car.

In my very rare amounts of down time, I've been socializing with friends and talking with family members.  I've also been putting together the Woenker Recipe Book.  When I am done, I will post free printables on here just for fun.  Just don't hold your breath.  It'll be a while!