Easier when...

No workout again today. This blog is going from one about working out, to one about why I didn't. So, let me tell you why- I got to work early (around 6 AM) to get work done. I won't be here at all next week (YAY!) but that just means I have a lot to do! It's not like anyone covers your work for you while you're out (not that I want anyone touching my work). It just waits patiently for your return.

I love getting to work early though. It's wonderful- definitely one of my favorite things to do!

This morning I came in and pulled up our budget. I've made some changes for 2010 and I wanted to see how it would impact things. First, our premiums for insurance increased slightly so I updated our budget for that. I also started contributing $20 per paycheck to the United Way- our company matches 50% of your contribution, which means they contribute another $10 per paycheck on my behalf. It's such a cool thing that it's hard for me to pass up.

I've been wanting to give more so it was really a no-brainer. We're also going to do one volunteer event per quarter so that goes right along with my goal to give back more in 2010.

Michael's bootcamps are starting up this coming weekend now that the weather is cooler in AZ. They'll be every weekend for the next 6 months or so! He did it last year too and it was really awesome! We're throwing around the idea of advertising that kids can come for free. It'd be our way of giving back while encouraging a healthier lifestyle at the same time. Right now it's just an idea, but one that I really like if we can make it work.

Okay, so back to this whole budget thing...like I said, I was just quickly playing around but I'm already overwhelmed at how things will go in 2010. Up until now, all extra money has gone to debt or to the emergency fund. The budget is quite simple- list your income, subtract expenses, whatever is left goes to the goal whether that was debt payoff first or the emergency fund that we're currently working on. EASY-PEEZEY!

Come 2010, our EF should be in place and already I can see it's going to be much more complicated. We'll have multiple goals we're trying to save for at the same time including (in no particular order):

Retirement
New Car Fund
Vacation (5-yr anniversary trip)
New Mattress
New Furniture
Michael's business (future)
New House (future)

It was so much easier when there was only one thing to save for. I feel like it's a juggling act and I can't juggle.

I'm sure I'll feel better when the time comes but right now, it's stressful and overwhelming. Once I create some new savings account each with its own name, get some tickers going on my blog, etc, I'm sure I'll feel more organized and a lot better about the whole thing. Until then, I'll just be thankful for how easy it is right now with only one major goal- our emergency fund.

Until tomorrow,
Kelsalynn