Looking back over my budget, I underspent for the year in the food column by $43, but overspent on both alcohol and clothes. I don't set spending limits in my other columns, but my misc column was higher than I would have liked. I spent $1110 on gas for my car or about $93 per month. That figure makes me feel physically ill, but there's not much I can really do about it as I now have two commutes.
Despite spending an obscene amount of money on gas, I have saved quite a bit and also put some toward my student loans, though that money is just going toward interest at this point, but interest is tax-deductible!
Goals for 2011 are as follows:
- Replenish savings account completely. I want to have a minimum balance of $10,000 in my savings. This the amount of money that it would take to keep me financially afloat for a year if something should happen to both of my jobs. Once I hit $10,000, I will continue to save, but less aggressively, turning my focus instead to...
- Those blasted student loans. I'm in deferment right now, but will come into repayment in May or June (I should really figure that out). I intend to keep making the small payments I have been while focusing on savings until I'm in repayment, then I will most likely be putting every spare cent toward that large, scary number. Should be a superfun.
- Keep looking for tweaks to save money and keep socking money into the old travel fund. Just because I owe direct loans a limb doesn't mean I can't have some (responsible) fun (within reason).
- And my perennial goal--remember that I have pretty much everything I need and don't get caught up in the yearning for stuff. I have stuff--I'm running out of places for it.
How about you, what are your goals?
As a fellow ferret calendar enthusiast, I would highly recommend finding room in your budget for a 2011 ferret calendar. Plus they are all usually 50% off now. You really can't put a price on ferrets in costume.
ReplyDelete