Update, just because

Lots of new things have occurred since the last update, so here's a spring update for the beginning of spring.

Goals Update

• Review
• Financial
• Credit card debt totaling $1,000.00 (down $308.83) ("deadbeat" credit card balance isn't counted. That card is paid off every month) (goal $0)
• Loan debt totaling $0 (down $2,020) (goal $0) *GOAL REACHED*
  
• Loan debt totaling $0 (down $3,029.58)(goal $0) *GOAL REACHED*
  
• Car loan totaling $7,728.01 (down $169.13) (goal $5,485.41)
• Emergency fund totaling $5,268.72 (up $2,008.32) (goal $7,500)
• Roth IRA contributions to date: In savings, $2,057.94 (up $902.31), invested in DCA plans, $200 (up $100)(goal $5000)
• Charitable
• Total hours volunteered: 3
  

So, as you can see, big changes, and they're not done yet! My bonus showed up, and I used it exactly as I planned. I paid off two signature loans, freeing up money monthly (which I'll apply most of to my car payment), and I made payments to my IRA savings account, and my emergency fund. I also started my volunteer position at planned parenthood. I enjoyed that immensely, and I look forward to doing it weekly.

There was a little episode of "New Car Fever" that I almost succumbed to, but I was saved by the lack of ethics of car salespeople. My car's fuel pump went out, and I was tired of having car issues (although that warranty saved me over $600. Worth it) I wanted to look into a new car with a good warranty, and the dealership was only too glad to help. I had a great deal lined up: 0.0% financing for 60 months, invoice price for a new Chevy Aveo5, and $4000 trade in for my car (more than it's worth). Then, "oops, the %0.0 is only on the impala, but we do have %2.9 for the Aveo5."

Well, no problem. That's still a great rate, and everything else still applied. I set everything up ahead of time, confirmed the numbers, and went down to seal the deal.

2 hours into the paperwork, they pull me aside and say "we made a mistake: The %2.9 is on the Chevy Cobalt. The best we can do for the Aveo5 is %6.75".

That was the final straw. I thanked them for their time, and walked out. Of course, as always happens, the salesman ran out at the last minute and stopped me. "Wait! Let us see what we can do." So I did. The short answer? Nothing worth my money. Tired, cranky, and up way past my bedtime, I drove my own car back. A new car can wait. Besides, with the market the way it is, I predict low, low, new car prices soon.

So, I feel I've made great progress this month. Next month should look good as well, as my wife's bonus is still due to show up.

And, of course, I did splurge a bit with my bonus. I bought a new Archos 605 wifi, with accessories. I plan to use that thing everywhere, from work to the gym.

February Update

Goals Update

• Review
• Financial
• Credit card debt totaling $1,308.83 (up $229.64) (goal $0)
• Loan debt totaling $2,020.00 (down 122.78) (goal $0)
• Loan debt totaling $3,029.58 (new loan)
  
• Car loan totaling $7,897.14 (down 2380.78) (goal $5,485.41)
• Emergency fund totaling $3,260.40 (up $1628.52) (goal $7,500)
• Roth IRA contributions to date: In savings, $1155.63 (up $528.63), invested in DCA plans, $100 (goal $5000)
• Charitable
• Total hours volunteered: 0
• Financial review
  
• Pay off credit card with wife's bonus
• Now there are two bonuses: Mine for reenlisting, and my wife's for affiliating. $15,000 for me lump sum, $20,000 for my wife, paid in installments ($10,000 now, then two more payments of $5,000 over the next 3 years). My wife's bonus will still pay the credit card, plus doing some saving, and I'll pay off the two personal loans, plus saving. As soon as those bonuses post, we'll take care of it.
  
• Deposit at least $250 into my emergency fund from my paycheck
• Done. I've also set up direct deposit at work. Now, $125 a paycheck goes into the emergency fund account.
  
• Deposit at least $418 into our IRAs
• Done. Also set up direct deposit for that savings account too. $209 a pay period.
• I also set up a dollar cost averaging plan for my wife and I. We now pay $50 a month into a mutual fund of our choice. They're not doing fantastic right now, but I'm much more interested in buying right now than selling, so the current value doesn't matter much to me.
  
• Save at least half of our tax return
• Done. It went into our savings account, and it was as if the money never existed.
  
• Increase my payments on the signature loan to $150/month instead of the $122/month
• Done. My payment for February was $150
  
• Educational/Professional
• Follow up on board of registry application with the other person.
• Done. Finally got the information. I'll be sending the packet with transcripts soon.
  
• Follow up on the life experience credit forms
• Unfortunately, not possible anymore. All the life experience forms were put aside by the people in charge of them, and the expiration date passed. That sucked.
  
• Follow up on the alternate clinical site
• Done. The other site is happy to have me. They may even coordinate to pay me to go there. That would be nice.
  
• Assemble and submit E-6 packet
• Not done. Not a priority right now.
  
• Physical
• Continue training for the half marathon
• Not done as much as I would like. I admit, I hate exercise. I need to do it.
  
• Charitable
• Begin working volunteer position if accepted, apply elsewhere if not.
• Had the position offered, filled out the appropriate paperwork, waiting to hear about the next step.
  

March goals

• Financial
• Pay off credit card with wife's bonus
• Pay off personal loans with my bonus
  
• Deposit at least $250 into my emergency fund from my paycheck (recurring goal)
  
• +$2000 from my wife's bonus
• +$2000 from my bonus
  
• Deposit at least $418 into our IRAs (recurring goal)
  
• +$1000 for my wife's IRA from her bonus
• +$1000 for my IRA from my bonus
• Educational/Professional
• Follow up on board of registry application
  
• Continue to follow up on the alternate clinical site
• Assemble and submit E-6 packet
• Physical
• Continue training for the half marathon
• Charitable
• Begin working volunteer position.