That's fine. Just wanted to make sure that you were thinking the process through. Thanks for bearing with me and explaining your plan. I do want you to succeed.

Yep.... been trying to learn from past mistakes and formulate a plan to keep from repeating them.

There's an old country song that says... You have to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything... You've got to be your own man not a puppet on a string." Well I have always lived my life by my principals and this song really hit a cord with me when it came out. Sometimes those principals have caused me heartaches and headaches, but I still stand by my principals.

Once again it looks like I am going to have to stand on my principals. It is now time to boycott Chinamart (aka walmart). They have now proven that they are anti American. It was bad enough that probably close to 90% of what they sell is made in china, but this last slap in the face of Americans is more than I will take.



This tells me that they do not support the 2nd amendment which guarantee's us "the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". Just last week higher ups from walmart met with the VP to talk about gun control and now they will not be ordering ammo until the govt wants to see if they are going to destroy a vital part of the United States Constitution. Walmart has made it's stand against the United States Constitution and I will make mine against walmart with my money. Sucks for them though... because 90% of my shopping was done at walmart because I could swing by there at night on my way home from work. I am gonna miss not having to battle the crowds because I was normally at walmart around 11pm when everyone else wasn't.

Also sucks for them that now they will have one less armed LEO shopping there that could have stopped an active shooter in their tracks. Now I will drive 45 miles one way to go shopping elsewhere on my days off. Might actually work out better for me because I'll either get what I need on my days off... or I wont get it. Could help me save money in the long run... but it's gonna suck for my gas bill and the extra miles put on my vehicle.

Ya know that old saying... If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any luck. Welp... that's been my life so why should now be any different.

Yesterday the weather was getting bad (it started sleeting) so I drove my truck to work. On the way home it decided to go to shit on me. I'm talking serious transmission problems. I could stand on it and my speed wouldn't increase but my motor sure sounded like it wanted to do something. Ease down on it and I could get up to speed.

Today I was going to drive the car to work and the weather is even worse... so once again Im in the truck since there is now ice on the roads. If I end up in the ditch on the way home (a real possibility) Im not sure I'll be able to get myself out even with 4x4 if I cant get power to the wheels.

I talked to one of my friends and co-workers that used to rebuild classic cars and also built drag cars.... he says it sounds like I am going to need a full rebuild of the tranny. The weather is supposed to be clearing up tomarrow and then on Thursday he is going to take it for a spin. Hopefully within two weeks I can have my truck back to normal. Depends on him and if we can work on it this weekend. He said after he drives it he will have a better idea of what it needs.

I'm still going to be paying a pretty good chunk in labor fees but at least it's someone I like getting it vs some business, plus I'll be there and I can learn something new. I don't mind paying him at all. Eventually we are also going to beef up the motor in my truck to make it what I dreamed about when I bought it back in 1995. I guess I cant complain too much.. the trucks 18 years old, but I sure wish it didn't decide to do this crap when the weather is at it's worst. Spring, summer or fall I can drive the car with no problems.... I rely on my truck in the winter.

Shucks kicking a rock in the dirt with you: what about a junk yard transmission?

Fantasma... I can no longer participate in the 52 week challenge. That money is needed elsewhere. I was hoping that we had a bit more time, but it's obvious the politicians are hell bent on starting the next American revolution. The state of NY fired the first shot and it's only a matter of time before the people rise up.

Nationwide, more than 2.7 million background checks for gun purchases were recorded for December, according to statistics kept by the FBI, and 2012 was a record-setting year for gun sales in the country with more than 19 million background checks conducted.

Folks didn't just buy these weapons to turn them over to the govt. It's also almost impossible to get spare parts and ammo right now because everyone is buying them up as soon as it becomes available.

Getting your financial house in order is great... but folks... please start getting your physical house in order. Start putting back some food and water. If and or when this kicks off... it's gonna get ugly and it's gonna last a while.

I'm just gonna rebuild it...at least that way I know what I have. We are also going to do some things that will help make it more bulletproof which is a good thing considering my oversized tires and big winch on the front end.

You mean bullet proof as in from breaking down for awhile: such as belts and hoses right?

Such as adding in extra clutches to take up the slack in the gears and adding a mild shift kit so there is less friction when it shifts.

2013 Goals
Reduce my debt load by $8500 … (8222.53 left to go)
Increase my eFund to $1000 … (578.00 left to go)
Increase my retirement value by $2500 … (2350 left to go)


Monthly Goals & Achievements

Goals for January…
200/200 ... extra put toward Debt Reduction
422/400 ... increase eFund


Achievements for January…
Sams Card --- $0.97 above what's needed for DRP, monthly progress... (211.51), still owe... 1820.26
Discover Card --- $2.16 above what's needed for DRP, monthly progress 48.16, still owe... 5672.37
Lowes Card --- $18.93 above what's needed for DRP, monthly progress (1102.64), still owe... 5252.53
Chase Card --- $4.76 above what's needed for DRP, monthly progress 30.95, still owe... 7688.09
AmEx Card --- $4.47 above what's needed for DRP, monthly progress 56.47, still owe... 5597.96
CU Loan --- sent in extra $225 from debt reduction fund, $106.23 above what's needed for debt reduction plan, monthly progress 599.23, still owe... 7414.63

Current overall debt reduction for January:
(754.34) ... all debts in

Notes

I am still fighting the urge to spend and sometimes I end up loosing. I should have had some extra to play with, but instead it flowed out like water thru a sieve. I have to be more careful because according to my projections I am only going to have around 15 bucks in my checking account when I get paid again.

Now for a bit of good news. I was able to meet my January goals for my debt reduction. I sent in $200 extra towards my CU Loan. That should bring my debt down to around 7425. Next month I should have it down into the 6 grand mark. I am still on track to have it paid off by Jan 2014.

I was also able to exceed my January goal for raising my eFund. I beat that goal by 22 bucks. Between the two goals I matched or beat... I feel great and my spending lapse cant take that away from me. I set my goals and I achieved them.

Now lets set some goals for February:

0/200 ... extra put toward Debt Reduction
422/475 ... increase eFund

I also need to find a way to add some extra on my Retirement goal. If I don't then I wont make my yearly goal. As it stands I am 700 short for reaching that goal.

I don't know which sieve the water flowed through, but if you can find a way to funnel it next month as your extra needed to meet your retirement goal, that's the ticket! Congrats on surpassing your January goals!