make a financial plan

1. Make a detailed budget
2. Figure out which budget categories could be decreased with minimal impact on my well being :)
3. Set a monthly savings goal
4. Set a yearly savings goal
5. Come up with monthly plan to transfer money from checking to savings
6. Start recording all my expenses in excel
7. Pay extra monthly to second mortgage
8. Start contributing money to my HSA
9. Check income limits for Roth IRA and, if under, contribute for 2008
10. Invest 2007 Roth IRA money
11. Look into details of work investment plan
12. Look into how previous 401K money is currently invested
13. Check on status of my auto insurance
14. Check on status of my health insurance
15. Check on status of life insurance

Now that I have a good job, I want to start saving money. Want to feel like my money is doing something good for me. At present, I feel far removed from my financial situation. My check is direct deposited and bills are direct debited. Aside from paying my CC bill every month, I don’t think about the money in my checking account at all. This needs to change! I want to know how much money I have and where it’s going. I want to SAVE money. Am not saving anything right now.. Am not in debt either, but my money just comes and goes without much knowledge on my part. Would make me happier to know what working so hard (for my paycheck) is getting me..

I want to make a long term plan and a plan for the next year. I have been putting some stuff off for the last few weeks and everytime I have to deal with bills or money I freak out but today I did the stuff I needed to and actually enjoyed it.

I’m all planned up until The end of the year. I am going to plan the next 3 Years on my Cashflow and stick to it! Looking at my plan i can afford to go to south Africa on safari in May without a problem! I’m so excited!