Planning the Future

Last night was a date with myself. My live-in boyfriend, Paul, was away visiting a law school so I decided to take that time and do things that I normally would not do.

I went to Marshall's and spent $64.14 on things I didn't really need (teapot! hat to protect me from the sun! sunglasses!). I then went to Home Depot where I picked up some potting soil and seeds for basil, thyme, and parsley. A bit more reasonable at just over $10.00. I really considered getting some Indian for dinner, but decided instead to have a quiet night with the cat (Pixie) and have some cheese, crackers, meats and wine.

The whole shopping expedition made me realize one fund that I do not have. I have been so focused on my "Bad Debt Free" account, my "Senator Roth" account for my Roth IRA (which I chose not to fund even though I saved the $4000 limit -- tomorrow's post on this), or the "Dominican Republic Wedding" fund (a lovely wedding in February for a family member that I needed to save $1200 for). I never established a "Friday Night Date" fund, or "Because I want to go shopping" fund.

At this point, I have my weekly paycheck being automatically deposited into my ING. From there, I have 13 "sub" accounts that money is withdrawn from my primary account each week. So by the end of the month, I have the money for my car payment, car insurance, student loans, gas money, cell phone bill and on and on and on.

This means, when it is all said and done, that I have $6.59 in my bank account to use each week. I realize that this is not sustainable forever, as right now I am living rent free and I rarely shop for groceries.

At this point, it looks like the money I have coming in each week is allotted for each of its slots. There isn't play money for dates or shopping. This is something that, once the Bad Debt is eliminated, I will have an account for.

So my Bad Debt will be gone by 7/4 and there is a chance that we will be moving this summer. By May 1st I will know if we are moving (for law school) or if Paul will go to a school that is more local. If we move, my last day of work would be 7/11. I will have a comfortable savings account of about 9K that I have been saving while paying off debt to get resettled with (and buy either a multi-family or condo, depending on where we end up).

New Goal: Keep my hands away from my mouth. I recently overcame biting my nails, now I have just been playing with my braces all the time. Not only is this unattractive, but it makes my nails more brittle. I will keep you updated on that ;) As a reference point, Paul's aunt (Madrina) is a psychologist. I asked her about this habit, and basically it comes down to being insecure and self destructive. I want positive habits, so this is one I will change.

Until tomorrow...