StaciMagnolia

I am ready to insert a check-mark next to this goal. Although I’ve not accomplished this completely I’ve continuously made responsible decisions and am still heading in the right direction. I think I have come to terms with the fact that it might not always be about the amount sitting in your bank account but actually what you do with it that matters. Although this is primarily my doing I know without the presence of positive financial role models in my life this goal may not have been checked off so quickly…..

That heap of receipts is still non-existent in my life. Hooray.
I have also organized my debt into one central place for viewing and keeping tabs on my payments. Saving adequately while paying off debt efficiently seems quite a pickle but I am working at it as best I can. Starting small, I am seeing that I can effectively transform my own pet peeves into a continuous achievement of goals.
Christmas money has come my way and I really feel, perhaps for the first time in my life, like I don’t want to spend it frivolously. I feel like that money should be put toward the credit I racked up during the last poor year of my life.
I am not quite in the habit of making them but one of my New Year’s resolutions is going to be to be more cognizant of my financial situation and live only within my means. Buying economical food and household items, buying clothes on sale when I absolutely need them and not spending just because I have money.
My mind needs to find comfort in holding onto money, not spending it for a product.

After just fiddling around with my checkbook I feel as though I am keeping up with this goal. I don’t have much money to manage (sadly I have lots more debt than actual funds—c’est le vie) but in accordance with my determination, I haven’t let my receipts pile up as I have done previously. I thought by age 26 with a stable job and living situation I wouldn’t still be living paycheck to paycheck. My outs are more than my ins and I’ve never been fantastic at budgeting. I can limit myself, sure, but in terms of an actual written budget, I fall short. It’s the holidays so I am not yet beating myself up because I know I have been wise and spent more for others. When all else fails, I blame gas.