Mid-January Update

It's about halfway through January. Since I am all about making this year one of the best ever, I thought I would start doing a mid-month check in to make sure I am staying on top of my monthly and yearly goals and intentions.

It's only been 2.5 weeks but I am going after my intention to be consumer debt free by the end of February, and have at least 3 of the 4 accounts closed by June. In order to do so, I essentially cashed in some investments left over from when my grandma passed. I didn't take everything at one time because I didn't want to blow it and have nothing to show for what she'd done for me. I'm glad I waited. Because as Dave Ramsey says: "Debt is not a math problem, it's a behavior problem." Isn't that the truth?!? So this year, I'm trying to be INTENTIONAL - not only when it comes to my finances, but also with every other area of my life. To be more mindful of how I spend my time and with whom I spend it. To be mindful of the limited days before my next attempt at the certification exam and to go all in on the effort -- lots to read! To be mindful of my emotional and physical health -- making the time to go to the gym and to rest, to read. With all the good things that happened at the end of last year to really set this year up for success, how can I not take these goals seriously?!

I've been at my new job for almost two weeks and I gotta say, being a newbie is HARD. It's been a long time since I've been new anywhere (over 7 years) and I'm in this weird head space. I went from being one person in a small town doing a bazillion things to being one in a zillion with not much to do (yet). I will say that I LOVE being downtown -- other than having to pay to park ($14 a day!), it's everything the small town was missing -- places to eat for lunch, GF options, things to do after work (hello happy hour), my bank is literally a skip away with the YMCA in between. I hope the 8-5 picks up and pushes the weirdness out.

**UPDATE Thursday, January 16: The only real update I have as of today is that I am SUPER close to having one of the two remaining credit cards PIF. I made my last $1,000.00 payment this morning, so I have less than $300 to go! Then, once that account has a zero balance, I will leave it along for 60-90 days and then go ahead and close the account. Because...two other accounts that are PIF and one has been just sitting there since September 2018 with a zero balance. Talk about LAZY! :( So, the goal is to get the first two closed by the end of February and then have this account closed by May.

I am gearing up for the long weekend. It will be the last long weekend until April, so I need to make the most of it! Hopefully I will be able to check a lot of tasks off my January list come Tuesday. :)

**UPDATE Friday, January 17: It's official! One account is closed. One down, one to go! :)

**UPDATE Friday, January 31: <$2,000 to pay on last account; mailed check to cover HOA dues for the next 5 months; shelled out $$$ for a new exam prep course & books.