Hey guys, I took a week off to celebrate the new Taylor Swift album. Only half-kidding.
I've been realizing over the last few days that my urge to shop has gone down dramatically. I'm not exactly sure why that is but I'm happy about it. I think part of it has to do with coming in and reporting here, so thanks to everyone here who takes the time to monitor!
Week 18
2024 Financial Goals
1. Pay off my credit cards and car loan in 2 years by using the debt avalanche.
This pay period has indeed proven to be tight. I didn't make my monthly cruise payment for April although I do have enough to do it. I just don't want to get too low in my checking. I'll be making a nice payment to the Q Card next Friday though.
2. Increase my monthly payments to my husband for household expenses by $800 a month beginning in May and open a joint checking account where we will each contribute monthly. We figured giving me until May to sock some extra cash into my checking would be a good idea since my personal loan is now paid off and that was sucking $1000 off the top of my paycheck once a month.
My husband's Discover card is down to 5k. He's getting a coaching stipend soon which should take care of the rest of that card. Then he'll have one left to concentrate on. I'm hoping this will allow me not to increase my monthly payments to him by the full amount.
3. Set aside $285 per month from January-June to cover the cost of our hotel for our anniversary trip in July to Monterey.
I'll be making my next to last payment next Friday. (4/6)
4. Begin paying for our 2025 spring break cruise to Mexico in March. Payments will be $450 a month from March-December.
(1/10) Now waiting for my 5/10 check to pay off April's amount.
5. Continue using the YNAB app and website to track my money daily. I'm still tracking my money the old fashioned way with a register but I really like the budgeting aspect of YNAB and am getting more and more used to it.
Movin and groovin. (17/52)
2024 Personal Goals
1. Finish deep cleaning and organizing my kitchen. My husband is basically the Swedish Chef so he makes quite a mess when he cooks. I appreciate the fact that he does all of the cooking but it's a lot to keep on top of TBH. I need to do a better job and put in more effort. I will track this weekly.
I still have to reorganize my baking cabinet. (6/52)
2. Once I feel like my kitchen is back under control I'll transition to organizing my clothes that are in boxes in our bedroom. I will tackle this at least one of the days of my weekend.
My Mondays have been quite unproductive lately. Very disappointed with my efforts!
3. Reorganize and deep clean my bathroom. I have too much on the countertop and need to make use of the cabinets in a more organized manner.
Snoozed.
4. By July I'd like to be at the point I can begin to tackle my boxes that are still unpacked in the garage. I had a storage unit for years and now they're just sitting untouched since we moved into the house 3 years ago.
Snoozed.
5. In August I'd like to make my stepson's room into a workout room. He's a senior in high school this year and he'll be starting college next fall. He's only staying over 1 or 2 nights a week at most at this point since he lives with his mom so I don't feel I'll be booting him out or anything. I am at my highest weight ever and I honestly don't even know what that is since I'm scared to get on the scale. I can have all of the DVDs and online workouts in the world but they do no good if you don't use them. I think having a space set aside will really help me out.
I have a series of 5 beginner rides that I'm starting this weekend.
6. Get my passport at some point this year to be ready for the cruise in 2025.
This probably won't happen for at least a few months.
7. I came up with a new goal. Get back to baking on a weekly basis. This will begin when my kitchen is 'done'. JK, I know a kitchen is never truly caught up on.
Snoozed until I cross #1 off of my list.
Enjoy your weekends everyone!