2009 Financial Goals

The Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover...

I read the book, and I am excited to get busy!"You can get anywhere if you simply go one step at a time" from the movie What About Bob? That is what we are going to do...one step at a time! Goals is what we are aiming at. I love the quote by Zig Ziglar, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.



"BABY STEPS"
Before the first baby step we must: Set up a written budget. Telling every dollar where to go! This is to be a monthly task.

Baby Step 1: Save $1000.00 Cash Emergency Fund.

Baby Step 2: Start the Debt Snowball. Pay off all debt except Mortgage.

Baby Step 3: Finish the Emergency Fund- (3-6 months of expenses)

Baby Step 4: Invest 15% of your income in retirement

Baby Step 5: Save for college

Baby Step 6: Pay off your home mortgage

Baby Step 7: Build wealthBaby Step 8: "Live like no one else"!!!This is March and we are just now coming up with our financial goals for 2009.

Actually, I feel good about it because we have been married for 9 1/2 years and for the first time are really coming together and communicating about our finances! We have never written down any goals together. Maybe that is why so many has not come to fruition. Here it goes...I know these are ambitious, but with God all things are possible!

1. Start a written budget and review monthly.
2. Save up a $1000.00 starting Emergency Fund.
3. Cut up and pay off all credit cards! Vow to never have one EVER again!
4. Pay off the 3 medical bills!
5. Get a tooth implant.
6. See Dr. about my foot.
7. Make a will.
8. Me start making money...teaching or subing.
9. Pay off student loans!
10. Become more frugal!

New Day...New President

Today I woke up knowing that things will change. Praying things will change for the better.

Today, is a historic day. Today we have a new President...President Obama our 44th President.

It doesn't matter if you voted for President Obama or not. What matters now is that we are called to pray for our leaders. I am determined to extend my prayer life beyond myself, my family which is what I focus on most. Lord forgive my selfishness. I do pray for friends, friends of friends, others, our country, the military, church, etc. just not on a daily or consistent basis.

This year one of my goals is to make a prayer notebook. To have sections for prayer requests. Some of the sections will include family, church, friends, leaders of our country, etc. I will also leave room to show how the Lord worked in each situation I prayed for...I am expecting great things for 2009!

I am grateful to live in such a great country. I am thankful for all the sacrifices that have been made and are still being made to make this a free country. I am thankful that my dad and my husband both served in the military for their country.

As the day unfolds will you take a moment and please say a prayer for our new leader. Please pray for our country. God Bless America!

Goals for 2009

Ahh it's that time of the year. Time to look back and reflect on 2008. What blessings can you thank God for? What do you need to do different in the coming year? How is your attitude? How is your relationship with Christ? Can we really keep new year's resolutions?? With Christ...all things are possible!

Our church has challenged us to begin to prepare for the new year. This reminds me of a story off of a movie. There are two farmers who are desperate for rain. Each pray and seek God for rain. However, one goes and prepares the field...expecting and believing God to send the rain. The other farmer does nothing. Which one is ready for God's blessing? Are you asking and expecting God to do wonders in 2009?

Our church challenge: The 1 Thing

1. 1 Thing Spiritually - To read the Bible all the way through!

2. 1 Thing Family - Start a kids cooking night, chores with a chore chart, and a quiet reading time every night.

3. 1 Thing Church- To be better prepared for church. (Lay out clothes, Bibles, etc. the night before)

4. 1 Thing Job- Study and take the Praxis to re-new my teacher license and apply for a job.

5. 1 Thing Community -To do a service project as a family this year.

6. 1 Thing Personally - To lose 50 pounds this year!

7. 1 Thing Supernaturally - Become debt free except mortgage this year!

I will be praying about these goals. I want this year to be different. I want to not give up within the first month. I will place these goals in my Bible and post one on my fridge. That way, I will be reminded daily. I need to prepare my field...for the rain! How about you? What do you want for 2009? "If you fail to plan...you plan to fail"...I love that quote!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!