Where to start...? I'm here at Darren and Kim's work, using their internet connection because A) it's safe, and B) it works. I've been researching auto insurance, cars, car loans, and credit cards. I literally want to scream.

Geico is supposed to give discounts to Navy Federal Members, but they quoted me at $478/month for auto insurance, and that's just the minimum coverage on a 2008 Ford Focus. That's when I cried. But then Darren went online to Progressive and got me a quote at under $200/month for the same type of vehicle, at my new address, for more and better coverage. Geico can go Eff itself, I'm going with Progressive.

Then I tried financing a 2008 Ford Focus through Navy Federal, and found out that with my credit, I could get an APR of 10.25% or higher, meaning that I'd end up paying more than a third of the vehicle price in interest. I don't think so. That means I'm going to end up financing through the dealer, and I just have to figure out who that dealer is going to be. My parents found a 2008 Ice Blue Ford Focus up in New Bern for $15,000, and that's the best deal right now, and I think I'm going to take it, but tomorrow Darren and I will hopefully head over to Palmetto Ford to check them out. He really wants to stick it to them because of how they screwed him over before, and I'd like to let him try. If he can get me a better deal than Cella Ford, I'll take it.

I have applied for a credit card through Barnes & Nobles. They're checking my credit, and then they'll either approve or deny my application within the next couple of days.

That's it for the updates. Mainly, I'm scared that I'm going to go wrong with my money. I've already been chastized for how I spend my money this week from my Mom, and that really hurt. I want to make good decisions, and I want to make smart decisions, but hearing the disappointment in her voice just threw my self-confidence in that department out the window. I wish there was a required course in college, or high school even, that taught people how to deal with this stuff because if it wasn't for my family and my friends, I'd be even more clueless than I am now. I feel like a sitting duck. Quack.