Goals

This is a long overdue post.  I had originally intended for a post about our goals to be one of my first posts, but it slipped away from me the way most of August did.  I have a renewed enthusiasm for our goals this week though, after Hubs and I sat down and figured out just how much debt we have remaining and an approximate timeline for paying off each outstanding debt. I feel compelled to share them here because they are a huge part of my life--the reason and motivation for the decisions that I make each day whether its clipping a coupon or walking away from a really great sale because I don't need the item or having my mom cut my hair because its free(a savings of $400/year). I'm a pretty open person, so if you don't want to know that much about me I'd stop reading here.

We are facing down just under $10,000(monthly payments of $645! or $7,740/yr-I can't wait to keep that each month) right now which includes a vehicle loan for our only vehicle(a sacrifice we've made in the name of savings), personal loans and credit cards but does not include our mortgage.  Just a few years ago that number was over $30,000.  The average household debt for credit cards alone is $15,956.  It feels darn good to be below that number!

So without further ado, here is our goal plan:

Debt                                              Planned Payoff Month
Vehicle                                                     2/13
Loan A                                                     4/13
Loan B                                                     8/13
Loan C                                                   11/13
Credit Card A                                           1/14
Credit Card B                                           2/14
Loan D                                                    4/14

I now have this great plan to remind me each day of where I want to be in two years and motivate me to work harder and make good decisions.  I have to make sure that I'm not just asking myself and not just Princess P "Now, was that a good decision?"(my second most frequent Mom-ism after "The dog is not your toy!").


"How I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I'm committed to?" 
-Anthony Robbins, author 

Failure

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
-Winston Churchill

As promised I would fess up if I failed my August budget-which I did, miserably.  My goal was $300 for the month but I stopped keeping track somewhere around $200 near the 10th of the month.  Stuff kind of hit the fan around here after that, hence, my absence from blogging. A new month is just around the corner though so a new budget is in development. We are going to try the cash envelope system for the first time.  I am uneasy about this though because I love being able to track everything online.  I fear that if I cannot track things online I might feel like I am not in control--yes, I have some control issues.  However, what I was doing wasn't working so we will continue to adjust until we find the right plan for our family. I will post the details at the beginning of September and plan to approach it with renewed energy.  

New month, New Budget

Scheduled Post that did not post on August 1 as I thought:

It has been a week of changes here-Monday was DH's first day at new job, Tuesday was DH's 28th birthday, and now its the first of August.  New month means a new budget.  I'm going to publish my budget and spending this month so that I'm being held accountable to someone.  I made some reductions based on our stockpile being so well-stocked...and with hopes that I could improve my couponing and dealing seeking skills.

So without further ado, our goal this month is $300.  That includes all groceries, toiletries, and any eating out.

I may fail, but I will promise to fess up and publicly shame myself right here if I do.  With DH's new job we are switching banks, as he is now employed by a bank.  And we are going to have separate accounts for his and hers paychecks which is a big change because we've always pooled our money.  Also, we are getting used to a new pay schedule, so I foresee some possible bumps in the road.  Regardless, I am going to set a $300 goal!

“My fault, my failure, is not in the passions I have, but in my lack of control of them.” 
                                                                                                                                                                 ― Jack Kerouac