March Update

The official monthly update.

First, I did end up buying a new car. I need something reliable, and this one will last me a long time. I plan to make extra payments to get it out of the way quickly though.

Goals Update

• Review
• Financial
• Credit card debt totaling $0 (down $1,000.00) ("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*
  
• Old car loan totaling $0 (down $7,728.01) (goal $5,485.41)
• New car loan totaling $18,448.46 (up $18,448.46)
  
• Emergency fund totaling $5,268.72 (down $272.82) (goal $7,500)
• Roth IRA contributions to date: In savings, $2475.94 (up $418), invested in DCA plans, $200 (no change)(goal $5000)
• Charitable
• Total hours volunteered: 12
  

Of course, some small changes. I used some money from the emergency fund to pay off the other credit card when they decided to charge interest. I've paid back $500 into the fund so far, plus the regular donation from my paycheck. I still owe another $522.82 back, and I consider that a bill that needs to be paid. At least now, there's not that to worry about.

The car, of course, is new, but I talked about that already. I'll live. The car wasn't that expensive, but I was upside down on the first loan. Gap insurance was a must, and it was exceedingly affordable via USAA.

Other than that, things are going as planned.

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.