The Weight Game

Approaching the end of January I wanted to update on my weight. Well no, I really don't want to, but I have to have accountability even if it is anonymous. My initial weight for the new year was posted in Goals for 2007 and at that time I weighed 201. Well don't you know that my weight has slowly elevated from 201, to as high as 215 since Jan 1. Good Lord Have Mercy!!!!

I am an eating machine out of control (again!!!). Last week we (hubby and daughter) started our jogging/walking 2 miles. We did it 4 times last week and will attempt to keep up that pace.

I did not go back to the weight loss center Transformations because I have not budgeted for it (yet). It is about 50.00 dollars per week and it does work but for now I will put that 50 dollars somewhere else.

Anyway, I will eat better and work out more. And I will be more accountable to the blogging world. Long term goal is to get down to 150. Short term goal is to get under 200 (again).

Preparing Better For Next Christmas

As I was reading through a few blogs this morning, I found a particular post at Money, Matter and More Musings that reminded me of how much I really spent at Christmas.

I really wanted to just forget about the total amount of money spent by me and my husband for each other and our family members. I guess in the back of my mind I know it would be okay, because of a stash of money we have left over from a house refinance. The refinance we did in order to put my husband through school full time. This way, he would not have to work and could accomplish his goals in a year as opposed to two or three years. Well, I know how much money is left over and in my mind I told myself that it was okay to spend all that money. How much you ask?

Between the two of us, we spent about 4000.00 dollars. Yep,,, that is a lot of money. I cringe every time I think about it. Its all paid off due to left over moeny from the refinance. But we just spent too much.

Hubby and I are of a different mindset when it comes to money. I like to save it, (except during the Christmas holiday :)) and he likes to buy things he wants when he wants them. We don't budget together. We have separate accounts. Most of the time that will work for us. But I know in order for us to successfully fund our retirements we are going to have to face this and work together.

Hubby has no retirement. At his last place of employment of 12 years, he chose not to contribute to the 401k program. The palce of employment before that, he did contribute to the 401k program and had saved 40,000 dollars. At that time, we were in HUGE, DEEP DEBT! We decided to cash out the 401k and payoff the bills.

That was a temporary fix. We eventually found ourselves in DEEP DEBT again within a few years.

So, hubby is currently looking for emplyment in his new field and I am hoping he will decide to join the 401k at the new place. We shall see.

Getting back to overspending at Christmas... I have to work with my husband and we have to come to an agreement as to how much to spend at Christmas next year. AND we have to start to fund that endeavor starting now.



I will keep you posted on how this all works out.

Goals For 2007

It is the time of year when one evaluates their current situation financially and personally. I tend to think both are intertwined.

We all have goals for our future. Some are attainable and others may seem far fetched. Starting with realistic goals:

1. Maintain current percentage of contribution to my retirement accounts which is currently 14% of my gross income AND strive to increase the amount 4% this year.

This is a goal that is quite manageable. I will have a new employer in b January. The new employer will contribute up 1500.00 dollars to the 401(k). I will be setting up auto transfer from my employer for my Roth IRA at T.Rowe Price to max it out also.

2. Increase my Emergency Fund Amount.

My Emergency Fund is currently at approximately 4000.00 dollars. My new goal for 2007 is going to be 7000.00 dollars. I think that over the course of 12 months that I can reach that goal. Let me rephrase that, I KNOW I can meet that goal in 12 months. That is only 250.00 dollars per month, OR 58.00 dollars per week OR 8.00 dollars per day.

3. Get a Will, Power of Attorney, and Living Will (last minute addition) And Life Insurance.

I know better,,, I work in the health care industry. I know what can happen to people, and what can happen to their families if things are not taken care of. But I have yet to get these important papers drawn up. What is that about? Denial. Do I really think I will live forever? And if something did happen to me and I could not speak for myself, do my loved ones REALLY know what I will want to happen to me?? As of now, all of these questions are officially unanswered. I need to make this goal a BIG priority.

Life Insurance is something I "know" I need, but have yet to get around to. I am a procrastinator of sorts.

4. Plan For A Little Fun.

As a health care provider I am in daily contact with a wide variety of patients. What I find interesting is that the majority of the older patients, (60 and older) will during the course of our conversation ALWAYS will tell me DO NOT wait until you are old to travel. IT will be too late. DO it now.

I am taking this advice to heart. This year I am planning a trip for my hubby and myself to visit Jackson Hole, Wyoming in December. December is our Anniversary month. We don't ski but Hubby has never been out west, and I want to experience snow. I have lived out west, but it has been a very long time ago.

We will still make quick trips to the beach and other places close by through out the year , but I am Extremely excited to go to Wyoming this winter. !!


5. Improve My Current Weight, Which Will Improve My Overall Health.

I like food!! And I am an emotional eater! Too very bad combinations! I will be getting back on track with the weight loss program that I was on in the fall. I lost about 35 pounds, from 228 to 193 using Transformations over 4 months. But I let major family issues get in the way of my progress and I was back in the cookie dough hot and heavy. Not to mention regular Coca-Cola which is my absolute favorite addiction.
I am back up to 201 lbs currently. (Sigh)

I will find a way to rework my budget to go back to Transformations and get back on track.

6. Consider And Implement a Plan for Room Addition.

This is where my goals start getting a little far fetched. I want to add a family room and a new master bedroom with full bath on to my house. This is doable. It will require a 2nd mortgage or a complete refinance. That is fine. I am content in my location. I really want MORE space. WE have looked into moving, but it is not something we can both agree on at the same time.

We do agree on adding more space. But we will have to agree on how to pay for it. I will keep you posted the developments of this situation. Should be interesting!
And in case you wanted to know, I am willing to take on this extra debt. For me it is worthwhile. My hubby is very handy and we will do a great majority ourselves. My sons are electricians so we have that covered. And hubby is in Air Conditioning. The putting on a new roof was a family project. Yes , even I was up there ripping off the old shingles destroyed by the 3 hurricanes of 2005. All in all, we are a pretty handy bunch. I think I have a good grip on funding my retirement, and I do need to live in the present not always in the future.

7. Research the Possibility of Acquiring Rental Property.

Yep, I have thought about this for quite a while. Hubby and I have talked about it for even longer. This goal is definitely doable, but it is the fear of failure that stops me. Must overcome the fear.

Well, I think that is just about it for my goals for 2007. I know this list will change a great deal in the coming year, but for now it is a start.