Finances & Financial Goals Update May 2022

Tweet

Whoa, it has been a very long time since I've been on here - at least a couple months. I keep trying to make time for it and then I forget, get distracted, or "run out of time", so it just has not felt possible. In fact, rarely do I slow down "in general" to do enjoyable things between the two jobs, overtime, and all my side projects....But I got COVID late last week - so now I am forced to quarantine and I finally feel decent to do a couple fun things - organizing and MyLotting! Hurray! I have been posting occasional updates on my financial goals and progress. Last year, I was a financial mess, and I have been making great progress. Dec 2021: Cred card debt: $2,800 Savings: $00 Feb 2022: Credit card debt: $0 Savings: $1,500 Taxes Paid: $1,276 May 2022 (current): Credit card debt: $0 Savings: $5,000 Months away from casino: 2 I was hoping to have more saved by now, but I have taken two vacations (South Padre Island, TX and Moab, UT-I'll post about them later!) that set me back financially. Oh, and then one of my bank accounts was hacked and took a long time to get the money back into my account. A few months ago I also decided to stop all casino gambling. It's one of my FAVORITE hobbies - it's so fun! - but it has no place in my financial future. I am not cutting out gambling all together - but slot machines are clearly a problem for me. If I feel the urge, I can go with some friends to Bingo or to a bar and plaSo,y pull tabs. I don't do those things very often and because they don't "interest me", I refuse to spend much money on them. I am also taking a break from vacations, even the domestic ones, while I get my savings account pumped up. I spoke to a loan officer about a mortgage the other day...I haven't applied, but basically everything looks good except my cash balances - I'd need at least $12,500-$15,0000 for down payment plus fees unless I went through a FHA loan (which I am truly considering). I'd rather have a good chunk of money in my savings account to actually use on an emergency than all of my savings going to a down payment and having nothing leftover! So, I digress, my goals for July 2022: $7,000 in Savings & $0 debt!