November Goals in Review

The Reduce A Bill Challenge at Working for Financial Freedom comes to a close for a second month. I committed to 10 No Spend Days and upped the anti by limiting days I dine out to no more than 3 a week that I pay for. I made it for 11 no spend days but I only made the paying for meals out no more than 3 days a week for half the month. So I will chalk this goal up to successful, but at an 80% success rate. We will have to see if Working for Financial Freedom is up for another month of the Reduce A Bill Challenge. I think I will try a different bill if she does.

My personal goals included adding another $100 to the emergency fund. I paid off my Personal Line of Credit so I would check that one as a success and as soon as I receive payment for house sitting, I will be able to deposit that.

My second goal was to pay off the first of three credit cards. It was really close, but I did it and I can't tell you how happy I am for that. Now I get to switch focus to a more difficult card.

Finally, I sent off another $50 to my Roth IRA. Its a slow process, but I know that everyone is going to be selling off some stocks at the end of the year to take profits or losses for their taxes and I want to be in a position to buy some bargains if they are available.

Big Yeah! Two More Debts Down The Drain

I wrote the checks to pay off two debts today.

First, I paid off a Visa card that I've been working on since 1998. This was a bad case of paying a very small amount and watching the majority go towards interest. Somehow this card was a low priority because it was a low interest rate. The problem is that it never got paid off because there was always something of a higher priority. So I'm happy to announce I now have $50 per month to snowball towards another bill.

The other debt that I paid off also satisfies one of my November goals. I have paid off my step father which is a huge weight off of my shoulders. It wasn't a large debt, but I never feel good borrowing money from family.

Weekly Review

November is almost over. The turkey has been carved and we have completed another fantastic Thanksgiving weekend. I hope everyone had an opportunity to reflect on all we have to be thankful for. This marks the start of the shopping season for Christmas. Lets make a goal for the month to not go any further into debt.

Some of the articles that I've particularly enjoyed this week are:
The Simple Dollar discusses 12 Important Things to Talk About When Your Relationship Gets Serious

Zen Habits reminds us How To Doggedly Pursue Your Dreams In The Face Of Naysayers

No Credit Needed tells us Exactly HOW I Pay Off Debt Mortgages Or Credit Cards Early

Not Keeping Up With The Joneses reminds us that it doesn't have to cost a lot for treat yourself in Feeling And Looking Great On The Cheap

Dual Income No Kids consults with Benjamin Franklin On Frugality