So, I've started thinking about New Year's resolutions early this year. Mainly because I've gained about 5 lbs since leaving the airport, but also because I was having trouble gaging how well I had really accomplished my goals from last year. So to refresh your memory(and mine) last year I had resolved to do four things.

1.) Pay down my debt.
2.) Contribute more.
3.) Let go of the past.
4.) Stay focused.

So how have I done?

1.) I have managed to pay off 3 of my store credit cards in full. (J.Crew, Ikea, and Victoria's Secret) But am keeping them open to help my debt/credit ratio. However, I still am struggling to pay down my Visa and my Gap card. Everytime I start to make a dent in them I either end blowing a ton of money (Gap) or the rit breaks down and I have to put a costly repair bill on my card (Visa). Otherwise, I think I've done a great job at lowering my ratio, and I'm continuing to pay down my Best Buy card. My plan is to have that one paid off in the next 3-5 months. Juding from that I would say that I have been pretty successful with paying off my credit cards and making smarter money decisions.

2.) As far as contributing more, Mike is still paying for the groceries, and the cable, and the electricty. So monetarily, my money is still too tied up in debt to help him out more, or even to save money, however I have been helping more around the house, and occasionally pay for dinner out. Overall, I wouldn't say its a success, but I don't think I failed either.

3.) Letting go of the past. I think I can honestly say that I have been able to do this. Yes, I still have some pangs of jealousy, but nothing thats not normal or irrational.

4.) Staying focused is one thing that I would consider a complete failure for one reason, my gym routine has been non-existent since May.

I guess that makes me 2/4, but where do I go from here?

Well, while on my path to a debt-free life I've learned that being debt-free isn't a way to be completely happy. While I was trying to make my net worth a heck of a lot healthier looking I was cutting out the things that make me happiest.. my friends. I didn't get to do the things I wanted because I was letting my need for finaincial happiness rule my life. My fear of spending money kept my but firmly planted in columbia, md while all of my closest friends where spread in different places. So now that I have control of my spending is time to loosen the grip and start finding money in my bank account that I can spend on my friends and with them.

Secondly, I've realized that I have no happy medium as far as commitment. I'm either 100% committed, or not at all. I either spend no money at all, or blow $250 dollars in a day. I either work out religiously or be a coach potato, the word moderate is not in my dictionary. So I need to find that happy medium. Keyword: Happy. Without an attainable goal(s), I go full fledge for a little while and then usually lose interest.


So for 2009 I resolve to:

1.) Make time (and money) for my friends.
2.) Set goals (financial, life, and career)-- and acheive them. (more to come later)
3.) Find my happy medium.