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One step forward, two steps back

One step forward, two steps back

Posted on February 26, 2007 in debt, job, monthly goals, spending

Well, not quite. Yesterday, an hour before I launched this website I dropped just over $3,000 on a new 24″ iMac computer. Let me be the first to admit that 1) I did not need to get an iMac, and 2) I did not need to load it up with a ton of add-ons. That being said, I’m considering it an investment in my graphic design business. Let’s face it, working on a crappy Seanix PC laptop just wasn’t cutting it anymore. Plus, if it’s any consoloation, it’s tax deductible. I know I shouldn’t have to justify splurging a ~~little~~ lot. What’s done is done, and I’m very happy with my purchase. I should get it in the next week or so, and I’l be sure to post pictures. :)

Let me start off by saying that I am by no means a financial expert. In fact, I hardly know anything about investing. Up until a year ago, I was living paycheque to paycheque, up to my eyeballs in debt. Some months, I could barely make ends meet. It was horrifying and embarrassing. I made some dumb mistakes when I was younger (including lending money to a significant other, who obviously never paid me back), and I am determined to make up for lost time. Just thinking about all the money I’ve wasted over the years makes me sick to my stomach. I think a lot of my friends think I’m “money-obsessed” these days, and think I’m too wound up in it all. Maybe I am, but maybe I’m okay with that. I want to have the financial freedom to do anything I want to do, and that is my ultimate goal.

My job. I currently have one full-time job @ 35hrs/week, and one part-time job that gives me approximately 20-35 hrs/month. Combined, I gross about $4000/month, and actually net around $3000/month. That’s a decent salary for someone my age, and with my education. That’s also not including any graphic design contract work I receive.

After fixed expenses such as my cell phone bill, rent, groceries, RRSP contributions, and Mutual Fund contributions, I am able to put $2000 towards my debt. Any money left over at the end of the month gets put into my emergency fund. As I write this, I’m carrying about $6,500 worth of debt. Because March is a 3-paycheque month, I’ll be able to put away a little more. Hopefully.

March 2007 Goals:

Sit down with a potential client for my graphic design business, and get a contract signed
Take on a 3rd job that will yield 10-15 hrs/month or less
$2,000 towards my line of credit
$1,000 towards my student loans
$150 towards RRSP
$75 towards Condo Down Payment
$300 into my Emergency Fund