September 2009 Goals: My Review September 30, 2009
Posted by gmbmfb in : monthly goals , add a commentI was over budget this month, but I didn’t do too badly considering I purchased mountaineering boots for $495, we went on 2 unplanned weekend hiking/camping trips, AND I went on an impromptu day trip to Seattle. Oh, and I also donated $50 to a charity.
I also went kind of bonkers in the Personal Care category. This included a hair cut, plus a switch to Aveeno face care products, and then I stocked up on make-up at Target when I saw the prices were 50% cheaper in the states than in Canada.
Also you can see that I haven’t paid my rent yet for October. I get paid on Thursday night, so I will send over my rent money then (October 1st). I do it via PayPal, so it’s an instant transfer.
- Go rock climbing 4 times. FAIL! It was an epic fail this month. We went a total of ZERO times. I know, we suck.
- Go on an overnight hiking trip. CHECK! We attempted to climb Joffre Peak. We didn’t get to the top, but it was a great trip. One of my favourites so far.
- Go running 3x per week. FAIL! hahahahahahahaha. I didn’t go at all. But on the bright side, I did get in around 3 Wii workouts per week. Which isn’t the same, but it’s something. And usually I’d do double workouts.
- Go to the PNE! FAIL! We just ran out of time. I was gone on the cruise, and then got sick. Too bad, we were both looking forward to it. Oh well, maybe next year!
- Shed the 2 lbs. I gained while on the cruise CHECK! Woo! I am down to 132-133 lbs now.
- Send invoice and receive payment from contract work ($300). CHECK! Yup, I got paid last week.
- Get $295 rebate from Apple. CHECK!
- $400 into Savings Fund. CHECK!
- $350 into Retirement Portfolio. CHECK!
- $100 into Emergency Fund – CHECK!
- $1,000 into Travel Fund. FAIL! I put $1,000 in, but I took out $495 to pay for those boots that I bought.
October 2009 Monthly Goals September 30, 2009
Posted by gmbmfb in : monthly goals , 3commentsI can’t believe it’s October already! I’m excited for this month, but also this month is really going to set the course for the next 3 years of our lives … so it’s kind of nerve wracking.
Still, there are things to look forward to – a day trip to Seattle this Saturday, Canucks/Canadians game next week, our long weekend trip to Tofino, my birthday, and hopefully we’ll get some hiking in as well.
Here is my budget for the month.
Notes:
- $300 Clothing – this is quite high because I need to buy new running shoes, and I also want to look at VFFs. Ideally I would like to get a fall coat and those black flats I’ve been wanting, but I need to prioritize this month and stay on track.
- $150 Travel – includes gas for our day trip to Seattle, as well as all costs associated with the Tofino trip. I also put a bit extra in there in case we decide to go hiking – then I’ll have some gas money.
- $300 Rent – for October & November. That’s just how the pay cheques worked out b/c October is a 3-pay period month.
October Goals:
- Work out at least 3x/week on my Wii.
- Go for a hike. Whether it’s a day hike or whether we go off for a weekend, any sort of hiking would be good. I really want to start breaking in my new boots!
- Go rock climbing 2-3 times. It seems that I am a much bigger fan of rock climbing than J. If I had it my way, I’d go 3x/week. It’s too bad I don’t know anyone else who climbs, and it’s equally too bad that climbing requires a partner.
- Get down to 130 lbs. I’m sitting at 132-133 right now.
- Plan Whistler ski weekend. My friend who is moving to Alberta – she and her BF want to come back to go skiing in Whistler with us. We need to book by mid-November to get the deal on passes and the hotel room, so we need to plan this.
- Plan a weekend to go home. I don’t know when I’ll be home next, and my mom has been on my case to come visit. I’m hoping it will be in October, but it’s looking like November. I haven’t visited since the beginning of August.
- $450 into Retirement Portfolio. $400 into RRSPs and $50 into TFSA.
- $300 into Savings Fund. I already have more than enough to pay for a year of car insurance when it comes due in November, so I’m really happy about that.
- $150 into Emergency Fund. Slowly creeping up there! I haven’t had any sort of emergency since the car crash back in April.
- $200 into Travel Fund. For now I’m going to keep throwing money into it until I’ve figured out whether we’re going or not. And if we don’t end up going, then I need to figure out what I want to do with the money.
2009 Annual Goals: only 3 months left September 29, 2009
Posted by gmbmfb in : annual goals , 1 comment so farThe last time I reviewed my 2009 goals was back on May 22nd, so this is long overdue.
Personal Finance Goals:
- $5,000 in Emergency Fund. I’m at $2,608 right now, but I’m okay with that. I went from paying $725 rent + utilities to $150/month total. So the amount that I have saved right now I’m comfortable with. That being said, I still do want to eventually get to $5k. If we don’t go traveling, I can fully fund the EF. But if we do end up going, then it won’t be fully funded until next summer.
- $10,000 in Travel Fund. Well, this is in limbo right now. I’m not going to hit the $10k mark (but I’d probably get pretty close if I had kept on the pace I was saving), but I might not have to. We won’t know what’s happening until near the end of October.
- $25,000 balance in RRSP Portfolio. CHECK! I have already surpassed the $25k mark, and am looking to reach a $30k portfolio by tax time next year.
- Stay debt-free. So far so good. Besides the LASIK eye surgery debt, that is. It’s due in January, and I will have enough cash to pay it off before then.
- Make an additional $5,000 above and beyond my regular FT job. So far I’ve made $3,585.95 through my PT job, this blog, selling some of my things, and design contracts. I’ve also earned over $300 in Amazon gift certificates, but I don’t think I should count that. I’m not sure if I’ll reach the $5k mark this year, but I’m going to keep trying.
Personal Goals
- Lose 10 lbs. I’m on my way! I’m down to 132-133 lbs. Down from a 2009 high of 140 lbs. My ideal weight is 125 lbs. So I still have 7-8 lbs. to go.
- Climb 5.11 routes. I’ve been working on 5.10a-c routes. But we haven’t been in a few weeks, so who knows how good I am anymore.
- Climb 4 mountains. We’ve climbed 3, technically (Grimface Mtn, Stone City Mtn, Alouette Mtn). We also attempted to climb Joffree TWICE, but both times it didn’t happen. I’d still like to come another 2.
- Go on a trip with my sister. CHECK! We went on a cruise to Alaska! :)
How are you doing with your 2009 goals?
I miss the climbing gym September 29, 2009
Posted by gmbmfb in : fitness , add a commentToday after work we’re going rock climbing. We haven’t gone in a long time. September has just been such a busy month, but I think we’ll be going more often now that the weather is turning cold. Plus, during the winter we usually go skiing for a few hours after work, and then hit the gym afterwards for a quick climb. :)
One of my goals for 2009 was to climb 5.11 routes, but unless we start to go a few times per week from now until the end of the year, I really don’t see that happening. But I’m going to keep on trying, and at least I have improved quite a bit from the beginning of the year. And I’m almost certain that I will be renewing my annual pass in January.
Speaking of my 2009 goals, I should write a post about how I’m doing so far with my goals, and what I need to do to accomplish them by the end of the year … stay tuned! :)
Upcoming trips September 29, 2009
Posted by gmbmfb in : travel , add a commentSo even though our travel plans next year might get canceled, I still have a lot of trips to be excited about:
- October 10-12 – Tofino. For my birthday weekend.
- December 4-6 – My planned Secret Trip for our 2 year anniversary.
- January 13-17 – Calgary.
- April 2010 – Whistler. We’ve been talking about weekend trip near the end of the ski season (so I can get as much practice as possible, and so that all the Olympic hoopla dies down).
- May 2010 – Mexico. 1-week vacation with my family.
Other places in North America that I really want to visit are: Harrison Hot Springs, Oregon (we’ve been talking about driving down the coast to Oregon and going camping/hiking. But that would require at least a 3-day weekend), San Francisco, NYC, Boston, North Carolina, Montreal, Colorado, Bella Coola … so many places!
Seeing friends this week September 28, 2009
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment, saving money , add a commentTomorrow I’m going out for lunch with a friend. She’s moving from Vancouver to Alberta. It’s sad – I really like her, and it was so fabulous when she finally moved to Vancouver from my hometown. But, BF> and I will be out in Alberta in January, so we’ll see each other then. I’m not sure where we’ll be going for lunch, but I’m going to budget about $15.
Then Wednesday evening, I’m going for a dinner and a movie with a few girls from my old job. I think I still have a free movie coupon (score!), but I’m going to have to find it first. I’m budgeting $15 for dinner.
I’m already over my monthly food budget, but since I’m not contributing to my Travel Fund as of right now, I have more money to play with for September. Starting in October, I’m going to re-start contributing to the Travel Fund. Whether I use it for travel, or for a down payment, or for whatever, I still need to keep up with my savings plan.
Autumn is officially here September 28, 2009
Posted by gmbmfb in : entertainment , add a commentLast week still felt like summer, but it’s definitely feeling like autumn today – my favourite season. :) Summer is too hot, winter is too cold, and spring is too rainy. I love wearing scarves, taking my coats out of storage, pulling my boots out from under the bed, a nice cup of tea, and cuddling up in bed with lots of blankets and pillows. Plus, autumn always smells so good.
Weekend highlights included:
- Going for a 40 min. stroll for Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes – went non-fat, but couldn’t resist the whipping cream.
- Playing Wii Sports Resort and kicking BF’s ass in sword fighting.
- Playing card games. Our favourite is golf.
- Watching Biggest Loser: Couples. What!? I like that show. :)
- Chinese buffet ($30) at one of our favourite restaurants. On our way to Starbucks, we noticed a Mongolian Grill restaurant – all-you-can-eat for $12 dinner, or $6.50 lunch! If it’s at all like my favourite restaurant, Mongolie Grill, then I’m totally in. We’re going to try it next weekend.
- Getting two double Wii workouts in.
Possible trip to Bellingham September 27, 2009
Posted by gmbmfb in : spending , add a commentSince I haven’t found anywhere in Vancouver that sells those Vibram FiveFingers shoes, I think we might be crossing the border next weekend to do a little shopping. BF needs to pick up a pair of everyday shoes, work shoes, and jeans. There’s a big mall in Bellingham that we can go to – plus, there’s a running store in Bellingham that sells those VFFs I want to try out.
My ideal situation is that I can buy a pair of VFFs as well as a pair of runners. I’d love the VFFs for working out on my Wii, and the runners for walking/running outside as well as the gym. The Asics that I usually buy are a lot cheaper in the USA, plus with the dollar being so good right now, perhaps I can end up getting them both for around the price I would have paid for just the runners in Canada. We’ll see!
Speaking of keeping fit, I’ve started a 30-day fitness training program with my Wii and according to the scale this morning, I’m down to 132.8 lbs. :) Yesterday I did a 70 min. workout, and we also went on a 40 min. walk.
