October 2010 Goals: My Review
Posted on November 1, 2010 in monthly goals
I really cut down on my spending this month, and just squeaked in under budget. Although we have really cut down on ordering take out (only 2x this month), I have really gotten into the bad habit of going out for coffee or snacks with my co-workers. Starbucks is expensive and that needs to stop. This job is a lot more social than my other job, where I really just worked by myself and never went for lunch with any of my co-workers.
What I’m most proud of is that 1) I have finally gotten my net worth to over the $40,000 mark, and 2) my net worth grew 5.44% in October. :)
October Goals:
- Work out 3-4x/week. FAIL! I worked out 11x in October, which is just under 3x/week.
- Try a new drop-in fitness class at the gym. FAIL! I didn’t get around to it.
- Finish Greg Mortenson’s book, Stones into Schools. FAIL! I only read a few pages, then got so wrapped up in blogging that I couldn’t finish it before I had to return it back to the library. I even returned it a few days late.
- Make an extra $1000 above and beyond my regular FT income. CHECK! I made $1,179 in extra income.
- $600 into Retirement Portfolio. CHECK!
- $300 into Savings Fund. CHECK! I saved $350.
- Close my current CIBC Visa Dividend card account. FAIL! I won’t close it until January, so I can get my cash back rewards for this year.
- Research into Alaska Airlines Visa card. CHECK! My friend actually has this card too. I think it’s a great card, but I’m just not willing to pay for an annual fee. Plus, I don’t really fly Alaska Airlines – the first time was to Hawaii. I like my American Express travel card which is fee-free and has no travel restrictions. With that being said, I still need to find a great Visa card but won’t need to worry about it until the new year.
- Collect monies owed to me from Blue Cross and expenses from work. CHECK! I am now paid up-to-date.
- Contact college for transcripts (going to start the process of transferring credit to my new program). FAIL! I really need to get this done.
- Shop around for car insurance (mine expires at the end of this month). FAIL! I renewed my dumb ICBC basic insurance, but have yet to shop around for comprehensive/collision coverage. Mine expires November 5th.
29 Responses to “October 2010 Goals: My Review”
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Congrats on the $40k networth milestone! :)
Going out with colleagues is a total money suck. I like to buy when they buy, so I try not to go out especially when I have my lunch, even if it's a social thing. It makes me want a doughnut.
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Congrats on the $40k networth milestone! :)
Going out with colleagues is a total money suck. I like to buy when they buy, so I try not to go out especially when I have my lunch, even if it's a social thing. It makes me want a doughnut.
My recent post Happy Halloween!
you could always count the Starbucks and snacks with coworkers as an investment into your career–it's team building at it's most basic level and shows just how into your coworkers you are (which managers love to see), but also a great way to keep engaged with office info/gossip you may otherwise not have a chance to hear about.
That's true. Perhaps I could put $25/month in my budget for "work related expenses." I like hanging out with my co-workers but would feel much more comfortable if I set boundaries for myself within my monthly spending.
you could always count the Starbucks and snacks with coworkers as an investment into your career–it's team building at it's most basic level and shows just how into your coworkers you are (which managers love to see), but also a great way to keep engaged with office info/gossip you may otherwise not have a chance to hear about.
That's true. Perhaps I could put $25/month in my budget for “work related expenses.” I like hanging out with my co-workers but would feel much more comfortable if I set boundaries for myself within my monthly spending.
Congrats on hitting $40K mark! :) How do you earn an extra $1000 a month! I would love to increase my "extra income" category :( But I can never hit extra $1000 / month :( The most I ever made was an extra $500! :(
My recent post Weekly Expense Report – Oct 25 – Oct 31- 2010
I earn extra income through a variety of different channels – writing regularly on 2 blogs, advertising from blogs, freelance design work, selling stuff, etc. I find if I make it a goal to hit a certain amount of $$$ in extra income each month, I will usually make it. And if I don't, at least I know I've tried as hard as I can. Even an extra $50-100/month makes a difference!
Congrats on hitting $40K mark! :) How do you earn an extra $1000 a month! I would love to increase my “extra income” category :( But I can never hit extra $1000 / month :( The most I ever made was an extra $500! :(
My recent post Weekly Expense Report – Oct 25 – Oct 31- 2010
I earn extra income through a variety of different channels – writing regularly on 2 blogs, advertising from blogs, freelance design work, selling stuff, etc. I find if I make it a goal to hit a certain amount of $$$ in extra income each month, I will usually make it. And if I don't, at least I know I've tried as hard as I can. Even an extra $50-100/month makes a difference!
$150 for rent in Vancouver? How is that possible?
Keep up blogging about the freelance/extra income aspects – I find that subject particularly interesting.
It's not possible. I am in a very unique and fortunate living situation at the moment – but I do live quite a ways out of the actual city of Vancouver – about 45 min. drive to downtown without traffic. Previous to living here, I paid $725/month rent in New West and $600/month rent in Vancouver, both for 1-bedroom apartments.
same questions! First, how on earth is your monthly rent only $150?? And second, is the extra income from the blog, or are there other avenues you pursue?
$150 for rent in Vancouver? How is that possible?
Keep up blogging about the freelance/extra income aspects – I find that subject particularly interesting.
It's not possible. I am in a very unique and fortunate living situation at the moment – but I do live quite a ways out of the actual city of Vancouver – about 45 min. drive to downtown without traffic. Previous to living here, I paid $725/month rent in New West and $600/month rent in Vancouver, both for 1-bedroom apartments.
same questions! First, how on earth is your monthly rent only $150?? And second, is the extra income from the blog, or are there other avenues you pursue?
Well like I said before, I am in a fortunate living situation right now. And since it involves my BF's finances, and he doesn't want me talking about them openly on this blog, I won't be able to answer your question. But I am grateful for the position that I'm in, and it will not be a permanent thing.
As for extra income, the majority is through my 2 blogs and advertising revenue. But I also make money doing freelance design & marketing, as well as selling stuff on eBay or Craigslist.
Well done on ticking all of October,s boxes, roll on November.
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Well done on ticking all of October,s boxes, roll on November.
My recent post
You're pretty fun to read – I'm enjoying your blog a lot. It's inspiring me to be a bit more open about my personal finances on my own blog – it's nice to have accountability, even if it's with people you don't really know. Maybe that's even better.
Hubs and I are on the all-cash diet a la Gail Vaz-Oxlade and I've found it really helps visualize how much we have. We are doing a "no money month" this month – we have allocated $300 for our November variable expenses (food, gas, entertainment, animals & gifts). I've read of people doing it before ($230 for a family of three!) and it's all about redefining your 'needs' and 'wants' and re-adjusting your relationship with stuff. Plus it's a great way to save for Christmas!
We'll see how it goes.. haha
Keep up the awesome work!
- a.
My recent post RAWR!!!!!!
Wow! $300 month is an awesome and very ambitious goal. I look forward to seeing how you do. When I was getting out of debt, I did something similar and had a very strict budget. Once I got used to it, it became pretty easy.
I know… We're going to do our best but I'm not going to beat myself up over it if we dont' quite make it. I think it's a good excercise once a year, just to realligne priorities. I'll let know you know how it goes :S
My recent post RAWR!!!!!!
You're pretty fun to read – I'm enjoying your blog a lot. It's inspiring me to be a bit more open about my personal finances on my own blog – it's nice to have accountability, even if it's with people you don't really know. Maybe that's even better.
Hubs and I are on the all-cash diet a la Gail Vaz-Oxlade and I've found it really helps visualize how much we have. We are doing a “no money month” this month – we have allocated $300 for our November variable expenses (food, gas, entertainment, animals & gifts). I've read of people doing it before ($230 for a family of three!) and it's all about redefining your 'needs' and 'wants' and re-adjusting your relationship with stuff. Plus it's a great way to save for Christmas!
We'll see how it goes.. haha
Keep up the awesome work!
- a.
My recent post RAWR!!!!!!
Wow! $300 month is an awesome and very ambitious goal. I look forward to seeing how you do. When I was getting out of debt, I did something similar and had a very strict budget. Once I got used to it, it became pretty easy.
I know… We're going to do our best but I'm not going to beat myself up over it if we dont' quite make it. I think it's a good excercise once a year, just to realligne priorities. I'll let know you know how it goes :S
My recent post RAWR!!!!!!
Well done. I also enjoy reading you. You answered the same questions I had about the rent and your extra income. We do sell stuff as well and for some reason it all gets funneled back to my wife's account :)
My recent post October 2010 Net Worth Update
Well done. I also enjoy reading you. You answered the same questions I had about the rent and your extra income. We do sell stuff as well and for some reason it all gets funneled back to my wife's account :)
My recent post October 2010 Net Worth Update
Don't cut out the bux!
$25/month sounds reasonable to me. Or $20/month at $5/week. :)
Congrats on the net worth increase and the low low rent :) That's great that your position lets you save like that.
My recent post Women on TV and the Industries they work in
Don't cut out the bux!
$25/month sounds reasonable to me. Or $20/month at $5/week. :)
Congrats on the net worth increase and the low low rent :) That's great that your position lets you save like that.
My recent post Women on TV and the Industries they work in