I swear - it's so difficult to pay collection accounts. Having to track down some of these older companies is killer. It's like a game of Hide and Seek.
I managed to get two more accounts paid this week (updated sidebar). I have a good sized snowball at the end of the month that will help to eliminate a few more! 
Yeah!
Added another $100 to my Emergency Fund... Added another $150 to our Short Term account, and also moved some money to my oldest son's ING Savings account - he added 10% of his birthday money!
We have my niece's birthday tomorrow - I have $50 set aside for that... and finally, to bring us to a zero-based-budget, I have $110 for groceries for the week.
I do have about $200 extra in my checking account - no idea where that came from. I will wait a few more days, maybe on Tuesday, and check to see if I forgot to send something out, or if we just did real good at not spending so much this past week!
Oh... I also started a new stash cash fund... It's in a Christmas Tin... and it started with a few $1's before Halloween... but every time I got to the grocery store, I get $5 cash back - and now there is a little over $100 in there!! Its purpose is not yet defined, but I am hoping I can keep adding to it so that when we buy our house next November, we will have some extra cash for stuff if we need it. I like it because I feel as if I cannot take money from it... just like my ING accounts...
The plan is working... I am saving!
Hide and Seek
November 13th, 2009 at 06:27 pm
November 13th, 2009 at 06:34 pm 1258137252
As for the unexpected balance in your checking account, I suggest creating a ledger of expected future income and expenses, and what you expect your checking account balance to be at the end of each month (or each transaction if you want to use Excel spreadsheet with formulas). Then when something comes through higher or lower than expected, you know why your account balance doesn't match your expectations, and you can feel secure that you actually do have a surplus (or deficit) and can adjust your budget accordingly.
November 13th, 2009 at 07:29 pm 1258140540
November 13th, 2009 at 10:57 pm 1258153044
I don't know much about this as I haven't had any charge offs, but I do remember reading other people's accounts of it on here. I would be careful as you bring these up from the sludge that it does more things helpful than harmful on your credit reports.
Other people here may have better advice on how to make sure you are doing it in such a way that your credit score is improved.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:13 am 1258157600
Jerry
November 14th, 2009 at 12:15 am 1258157739