Accountable

These two (my niece and daughter) have nothing to do with this post.  They are just cute and
 I think you need a photo to start any good post about money.

I am always at a loss for a word when others are picking words to summarize their dreams and goals in the new year..  July 3rd isn't typically a date for choosing words but when the word hits I decide I better go with it.

My word for the summer is ACCOUNTABLE

Accountable for the money I spend, the money in our checking account, and the money we save.
Accountable.
Accountable.
Accountable.

I kept hearing that word in my head and knew I had to explore it a bit further.

I go through phases.  Some times I pretend I live under a rock and not really pay attention to being a good steward for our finances.  Other times I am super detail oriented and leave no stone unturned.  Let's just say I tend to live under the rock more than turning over stones.

Until....I got a new desk and am organizing all of our filing in a central and convenient place on the first floor instead of tucked in the recesses of the basement.  Who files much less goes to the basement to file?????   It's amazing how this one change has made me embrace our finances and become much more accountable to checking accounts, credit cards, and every place that our money is and was spent.

I have negotiated better package rates on our phone &wi-fi service as well as our trash service ($84 per quarter vs $505 per year. Since when is it more to prepay?????).  I have found mistakes on our credit card statements and had them reversed.   I have cancelled and changed memberships that weren't being used.  I have altered transfers and deposits to best accommodate current needs instead of past arrangements.  And, toughest of all, I fired my housecleaners.

I feel stupid admitting that I had credit card interest charges on my account that I didn't know about.   If you can imagine, we were getting charged with interest because our auto pay was set up to pay the night the bill was due.  Sounds good, right?  Except, if it's not paid before 8pm we get charged interest even though we pay our credit cards in full.  I got $105.26 back today and have petitioned for another $124.35.   I am not even going to dwell on how long this has gone on or point fingers at our normal bill payer.  Perhaps the details are more my bailiwick.

Here's to filing and being accountable.