The Holidays and More…
I don’t know why but I’m just not getting into the holiday spirit this year. It might be the fact that I’m working in retail for the first time and am surrounded by lights, and songs, and people spending lots of money on gifts. Or maybe it’s the fact that my family decided not to do our traditional holiday celebration this year, which always takes place on Christmas Eve. Or it could be that we still haven’t had a major snowfall this year and it was a mere three or four days ago when it was almost 50 degrees.
The one thing that reminds me it’s the holiday season is that I typically have vacation time that has to be used before the end of the year so I end up taking several days off. And this year, it’s no different. I’m taking about 5 days off from my full-time job and honestly, that’s probably the best present I could ask for about this time.
The funny thing is that I’m probably more prepared than ever for celebrating Christmas this year. At my last meeting with my Project Money coach Emily yesterday, I took all of the money out of my gift account so that I can buy gifts this weekend. Though I’m not quite sure when that will happen considering I’m working 9 hours on Saturday and 7 hours on Sunday at my part-time job!
So, this year, my holiday plans are slightly different and I’ll be traveling a little farther than I originally anticipated. I’m eager to stay within my gas budget this month because I went over last month. And of course because it’s the last month of Project Money, I’m trying very hard to spend only what’s necessary. Lucky for me, it’s only me on Team Jones so I can go without if need be!!
The experience of Project Money has been a fun one. It’s also been tiring and challenging and a huge learning experience. The first several months were ones of getting on budget and feeling comfortable with the concept and constraints of spending limits. Now that I mastered that, the last several months have been focused on crossing the finish line with the most savings and the most debt paid off.
As I go into the last several weeks of Project Money, there are already new financial goals I want to focus on in the coming year. I’m excited to have the strategies and skills that Emily taught me to continue to successfully achieve my financial goals. And of course Emily said she would still be my coach if I need help!!
My new goals are to focus on building my rainy day savings fund. Suze Orman says you need at least 8 months worth of emergency savings!! I will first pay off the rest of my loan so I free up that monthly payment. Then all my extra income can go into my rainy day savings. I figure 8 months worth of savings will take me some time!! My second big goal is to save 20% for a down payment on either a house or some land. I’ve always dreamed about having a small little farmette and there’s no better time than the present to begin saving for that dream!
So, this budgeting thing is always a process. And it doesn’t end even though Project Money officially ends. I’m sure I’ll fall off the budget wagon for a few weeks in January!! It’s like new found freedom! I have started on a tremendous path and have accomplished more than even I thought possible. And for that I’m very proud and very thankful. This is just the beginning to what I know will be the start of a financial healthy life for me.
The funny thing is that I’m probably more prepared than ever for celebrating Christmas this year. At my last meeting with my Project Money coach Emily yesterday, I took all of the money out of my gift account so that I can buy gifts this weekend. Though I’m not quite sure when that will happen considering I’m working 9 hours on Saturday and 7 hours on Sunday at my part-time job!
So, this year, my holiday plans are slightly different and I’ll be traveling a little farther than I originally anticipated. I’m eager to stay within my gas budget this month because I went over last month. And of course because it’s the last month of Project Money, I’m trying very hard to spend only what’s necessary. Lucky for me, it’s only me on Team Jones so I can go without if need be!!
The experience of Project Money has been a fun one. It’s also been tiring and challenging and a huge learning experience. The first several months were ones of getting on budget and feeling comfortable with the concept and constraints of spending limits. Now that I mastered that, the last several months have been focused on crossing the finish line with the most savings and the most debt paid off.
As I go into the last several weeks of Project Money, there are already new financial goals I want to focus on in the coming year. I’m excited to have the strategies and skills that Emily taught me to continue to successfully achieve my financial goals. And of course Emily said she would still be my coach if I need help!!
My new goals are to focus on building my rainy day savings fund. Suze Orman says you need at least 8 months worth of emergency savings!! I will first pay off the rest of my loan so I free up that monthly payment. Then all my extra income can go into my rainy day savings. I figure 8 months worth of savings will take me some time!! My second big goal is to save 20% for a down payment on either a house or some land. I’ve always dreamed about having a small little farmette and there’s no better time than the present to begin saving for that dream!
So, this budgeting thing is always a process. And it doesn’t end even though Project Money officially ends. I’m sure I’ll fall off the budget wagon for a few weeks in January!! It’s like new found freedom! I have started on a tremendous path and have accomplished more than even I thought possible. And for that I’m very proud and very thankful. This is just the beginning to what I know will be the start of a financial healthy life for me.
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