Monday, March 29, 2010
Credit Card Debt Gone!
I still have the car loan to go ($2300) before I'm free of non-mortgage debt. I'm going to take a break for April, then starting in May, try to pay off the car in three months. With pay from the summer job, that should be possible.
It really hasn't sunk in yet that I finally paid this debt. I think I'll stare at the sidebar for a while!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
One Month Later ...
Quick update on my goals:
1. Pay off credit card ($1125) by March 31. (I think this will be possible with income tax refund and $$ from 2nd job)
2. Pay off car by Oct. 31. On track
3. Save a one-month buffer.($2500) (Emergency fund took a hit because of $700 car repair. Will rebuild with $$ from FSA.)
4. Get a part-time summer job. Got it! This will really help pay off the car and save the buffer.
1. Establish a daily exercise routine. (Not going well. 2x a week instead of daily.
2. Lose 15 pounds by June 1 (3 pounds/month) Lost 3 lbs then gained it back
3. Volunteer 30 hours with Master Gardeners by June 1 There are opportunities to volunteer in March.
4. Find a place to serve in church. Not yet.
Since the financial goals are coming along and should be on autopilot as long as I don't increase spending, it's time to refocus on the personal goals for a while.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Menu for Jan 18-24
navy beans, cornbread
lemon pasta with chicken (Thanks, MoneyFunk, for the idea)
Pepperoni roll log
Taco style lentils and brown rice
scrambled eggs, bacon
cheese burgers
pizza
I start teaching two nights this week, so I need fast meals or ones that I can prepare in advance.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Goals for 2010, Part 3
Financial
1. Pay off credit card ($1125) by March 31.
2. Pay off car by Oct. 31.
3. Save a one-month buffer.($2500)
4. Get a part-time summer job.
Personal
1. Establish a daily exercise routine.
2. Lose 15 pounds by June 1 (3 pounds/month)
3. Volunteer 30 hours with Master Gardeners by June 1
4. Find a place to serve in church
Monday, January 4, 2010
Menu Plan for Jan 4-10
Steak, roasted potatoes
BBQ's
Italian Chicken
Frozen Pizza
Quesidillas
Roast beef sandwiches
Spaghetti
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Goals for 2010, Part 2
Lessons I'm learning:
1. I have put several financial right steps in place--a spending plan and tracking, but I still have to pay attention to them. Finances shouldn't take as much energy as in the past; I just need to keep to my routines (eg. menu planning, sinking funds)
2. I should plan to reward myself for met goals.
3. I should evaluate my progress more frequently. (Monthly mini-goals?)
4. Blogging helps keep me accountable.
5. Making separate personal and financial goals is a good idea for me, but I need to limit the number of goals.
I feel better. Now on to 2010!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
2010 Goals, Part I
Financial goals
1.Track spending with YNAB weekly (Grade: B+. I really liked keeping track of my income and expenses. I now have realistic numbers for my budget. I lost track one time in the spring, though and couldn't figure out my mistake)
2. Begin sinking fund account. Keep in checking account. (Grade B-. Got off track with my summer pay. I hopefully have corrected this for 2010. )
3. Pay off $6000 in credit cards by Dec 1 (Grade: C-. I owe $1125 on the CC, but $2725 on the car. Since the total $3850 is less than $6000, I'm giving myself a barely passing grade)
4. Save emergency fund of $1600 by Dec 31 (Grade D-. I have $550 in the EF, so I'm less than half way to my goal, and I have less than last year,)
Personal Goals
1. Work out or walk (1 mile) 2x week (Grade: C-) I did really well on this during the spring and summer, but since school started in Sept., I have been a couch potato!
2.
Walk Gretsky every day (Grade: B. Some "walks" were too short)3. Do Flylady routines (Grade: D. Forgot about these during the summer.)
4. Bible study (Grade: B. I joined two small groups, which I really like. )
5. Learn something new (Grade: B+. I became a Master Gardener this year and have volunteered with them a few times)
6. Compost bin/garden (Grade: C. I started the compost bin and garden, but didn't protect the tomatoes from the deer, so the yield was poor)
7. Monthly house project (Grade: B. Projects completed: paint touch-up in DR and LR, DR curtains and mirror, bathroom repaired and painted, flowers for deck and front porch, landscaping started (1/4 done), refrigerator and range replaced, kitchen cabinet pulls replaced. I didn't complete as many projects as I wanted, but I am very pleased with what's been done.)
Yep, it's as bad as I thought. Overall grade: C-. I'll have to ponder this a little more before I commit to goals for 2010.