One of my friends has everything going for her: very smart, really pretty, a great friend, very loyal, funny, easy-going, guys flock to her, etc. But she's plagued by something she feels is a fatal flaw: she can't handle her money.
She gets paid every two weeks, yet can't seem to make the money stretch that far each pay period. She constantly borrows money at the end of the pay period, paying it back as soon as she gets paid, but this puts her on a collision course with repeating the cycle at the end of that pay period. She owes nonsensical amounts in fees (in the hundreds of dollars) to places like the library. She buys lots of clothes and shoes, gets her nails done, hair done, and is the worst (but most fun!) influence you could find in a shopping buddy.
She gets by by asking for money from her family and friends. The friends she pays back ASAP, I'm not sure about the family. Her most recent gift list for her birthday and Xmas from them is money. Her family (sister, parents) have very lucrative jobs and are happy to give her the money, but the parents sometimes attach strings to the money. She's unhappy that she has put herself in that position.
Granted, I don't know the library story. I think some expensive books she borrowed for her studies were ruined or stolen or something. She doesn't make a lot of money as a student, only $25K NZD (but doesn't pay taxes on that). She makes some extra money tutoring, but there is a cap on how much outside income she is allowed to make in the terms of her stipend.
In any case, she isn't living within her means. Her lifestyle isn't sustainable with her income, and this is what I have to get her to realize when we sit down to talk about her finances in a few weeks. She is bothered enough by her cycle to talk to her friends about it, finally. It is something that really bugs her about herself, and she's determined to get it together this year. I have volunteered to help.
I was able to pull myself out of debt and get into good habits by myself, with a lot of help from the internet. I am also lucky because I had been poor before and could lower my standard of living without much frustration. I don't know that she's ever had to do that. I think she's in for a rude awakening.
So, what first timer advice do you have?
I was thinking that to begin, I'm just going to try to talk to her about her history with money, the psychology of money and debt, and try to get her to identify why she feels so bad about it, why she thinks she is in debt, and what she thinks is stopping her from achieving her financial goals, if she has any. Just get her thinking about her relationship with it.
As a first action, I'm going to have her just track her spending for a week or two and see what we can find as leaks. I don't think I'm going to have her change her spending habits yet...tracking might even do the trick for her. The good news is, I don't think she has any credit card debt (?).
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Injured
So the saga continues...the bone is not broken in my shoulder, but I do have a bit of bone IN my shoulder, specifically in my tendon. The bone may have been there a while, but just recently, my body decided it was not supposed to be there, so it starting attacking it, and my tendon became inflamed, maybe when I played tennis or bumped my shoulder. It is called calcific tendonitis...the bone will be resorbed into my body eventually. Apparently that process is quite painful.
The good news is, it can happen to anyone at any time, so there is nothing wrong with my bones or body, as I thought before. It is all normal. It should go away in a few weeks, but I have to start physio next week to get my range of motion back and slowly get my arm and tendon back in working order again. Basically, it's three to four weeks of babying it coinciding with 6+ weeks of physio.
I don't know when I can run again. I doubt I will try it until I no longer wake up wanting to scream in pain.
The lucky thing is, I have only paid $105 so far, incl. prescriptions, for this injury. Could be much, much worse. ACC rocks. However, random injuries and pain will only get more common as I get older and more athletic, I think.
The good news is, it can happen to anyone at any time, so there is nothing wrong with my bones or body, as I thought before. It is all normal. It should go away in a few weeks, but I have to start physio next week to get my range of motion back and slowly get my arm and tendon back in working order again. Basically, it's three to four weeks of babying it coinciding with 6+ weeks of physio.
I don't know when I can run again. I doubt I will try it until I no longer wake up wanting to scream in pain.
The lucky thing is, I have only paid $105 so far, incl. prescriptions, for this injury. Could be much, much worse. ACC rocks. However, random injuries and pain will only get more common as I get older and more athletic, I think.
Monday, January 21, 2013
The Moving Home Question, revisited
I've complained and struggled with the idea of quitting my dream job to live closer to my family.
The same day that I found out my shoulder was broken, I had a meeting with my supervisor. It was postponed until after my doctor's appointment, but I kept the meeting. During this meeting, she offered me a plum career opportunity to attend an important international conference in the middle of this year. I'm going to Asia! She has a strategy to increase my profile in my field, and this is part of it. She is so wonderful...she encourages everyone around her and has no ill wills or pettiness...she just wants to see everyone succeed, and does everything she can to make it happen. Of course, this made it really difficult to respond to the next topic on the agenda: the renewal of my contract. On her end, there's enough budget to keep me on until the end of the project in two years. On the University side, she thinks they want to keep me. I was already upset about my injury, and hated to do this to her, but had to bring it up: I want to move closer to my family, but don't want to give up my preferred field. She understood, and listened while I outlined the situation:
a) there are no jobs in my field because I don't have the connections to get the 1-2 jobs advertised per year in the US. And these positions are not even remotely close to where my family lives, so it doesn't solve much to get one.
b) i therefore have to give up my field and go back to what I hated doing before I moved to NZ in order to live near my family.
c) I didn't want to give up my job here, but I am concerned about where it is going, even if I stayed. There is no next rung on the ladder for me, here in NZ or elsewhere.
d) I don't see myself in academia.
Her response was that I needed a performance review to revisit my goals and likes/dislikes and preferred direction, and to not give up so soon. She told me to outline what I wanted in my dream situation, and she would see how close to that she could get me. Have I mentioned how awesome she is?!
Most likely the closest we could get to my dream situation is to split time between the US and NZ--go home for longer periods of time and more frequently. But we'll see. In the long term, she had another idea of a PhD project for me in Europe, based in NZ, but during which I could possibly work with a university in the US that was close to my family. The PhD would help to raise my profile, because no one knows how to place me now--I'm not a student but not a professor either. I'm in no man's land.
It's all too much to think about now. I had thought the options were cut and dried: NZ+dead end dream job or US+boring but stable and lucrative job. I was leaning toward the latter as it would fulfill other needs, like being near to my family, allowing me to set up a stable life with a dog and long term house, start dating again, etc. Now, there's more to consider. There is a such thing as too many options, but I know how lucky I am to have that problem.
The same day that I found out my shoulder was broken, I had a meeting with my supervisor. It was postponed until after my doctor's appointment, but I kept the meeting. During this meeting, she offered me a plum career opportunity to attend an important international conference in the middle of this year. I'm going to Asia! She has a strategy to increase my profile in my field, and this is part of it. She is so wonderful...she encourages everyone around her and has no ill wills or pettiness...she just wants to see everyone succeed, and does everything she can to make it happen. Of course, this made it really difficult to respond to the next topic on the agenda: the renewal of my contract. On her end, there's enough budget to keep me on until the end of the project in two years. On the University side, she thinks they want to keep me. I was already upset about my injury, and hated to do this to her, but had to bring it up: I want to move closer to my family, but don't want to give up my preferred field. She understood, and listened while I outlined the situation:
a) there are no jobs in my field because I don't have the connections to get the 1-2 jobs advertised per year in the US. And these positions are not even remotely close to where my family lives, so it doesn't solve much to get one.
b) i therefore have to give up my field and go back to what I hated doing before I moved to NZ in order to live near my family.
c) I didn't want to give up my job here, but I am concerned about where it is going, even if I stayed. There is no next rung on the ladder for me, here in NZ or elsewhere.
d) I don't see myself in academia.
Her response was that I needed a performance review to revisit my goals and likes/dislikes and preferred direction, and to not give up so soon. She told me to outline what I wanted in my dream situation, and she would see how close to that she could get me. Have I mentioned how awesome she is?!
Most likely the closest we could get to my dream situation is to split time between the US and NZ--go home for longer periods of time and more frequently. But we'll see. In the long term, she had another idea of a PhD project for me in Europe, based in NZ, but during which I could possibly work with a university in the US that was close to my family. The PhD would help to raise my profile, because no one knows how to place me now--I'm not a student but not a professor either. I'm in no man's land.
It's all too much to think about now. I had thought the options were cut and dried: NZ+dead end dream job or US+boring but stable and lucrative job. I was leaning toward the latter as it would fulfill other needs, like being near to my family, allowing me to set up a stable life with a dog and long term house, start dating again, etc. Now, there's more to consider. There is a such thing as too many options, but I know how lucky I am to have that problem.
Friday, January 18, 2013
Running Log, Week 3: Broken Shoulder
Sunday. Well, this is confusing. I started running and today, my shoulder is completely sore. I don't know why or how or when, but it is the only part of my body that hurts.
Today I drove out to Mission Bay since it was sunny and nice, and tried to lay out and read. I lasted for about 15 minutes. The wind was too cool for it to be a real beach day. I parked the car half way between Omaha and Mission Beaches and started Week 5 of the Zombies Run 5K training. It consisted of a 5 min. warm up walk, a 5 minute run, then a few series of 1 minute runs with 30 sec. walking. Then I had to do two 10 min runs with a five min. break between them.
Man, the first few k's are brutal, no matter how many times I do runs that are 10+ minutes. It was really hot today, so I think that didn't help. But I totally hit my stride during the first and second runs, about the 5 minute mark, and could have probably cruised along a lot further. That is probably my 10K pace, I think. Tomorrow I hope to do Pilates (if my shoulder cooperates).
Monday. I did nothing!!!! OH NO!!!! I can feel myself getting fatter already (my mom sent me a huge box full of all my fave snack items from the US, so I am going to gain a few pounds from that, for sure)! I have a beach camping expedition this weekend with a hottie and I can't let that happen. :) I think my body is telling me to slow down, though. I didn't dare go to Pilates with my shoulder like it is. 1) My shoulder is still killing me. I can't lift my arm up, pull or push, etc. From the internet, it looks like I slept on it wrong, causing a rotator cuff injury. OUCH. If it keeps acting up, I'll have to go to the doctor. 2) I was walking home, leisurely, and my right calf seized up. I was only a few minutes from home, so I shook it out and limped home. But that is concerning. I've never had problems with my calves before. In my life, I've sprained my left ankle a half dozen times while taking gymnastics, running around during soccer, or dancing. My knees have never been the best--a little creaky and prone to give way underneath me with no notice (they are not bad now that I'm running though--a happy surprise! I think the muscles are building up around them, supporting the joints). My hips/IT band is the WORST!! I have always had ridiculously sore IT bands whenever doing anything remotely physical past the age of ~22. So the shoulder and calf pain are mysteries to me. Oh...getting older. So yeah, the only exercise I got was walking to/from work, and that was pretty painful. I'm going to take it easy on Tuesday as well, I guess.
Tuesday. My usual running time came around (7:45 pm) and I looked longingly out of my office window, through which sunshine dappled my filing cabinet. I made an executive decision to stop working--I had completed my goal for the day, at least--and headed home and changed. I did the second of Week 5's workouts on the Zombies Run 5K plan, and didn't get home until 10 pm for dinner. It was a lot cooler than Sunday evening, just enough for a jacket and light pants if walking, but perfect for running. I was terrified that my calf and right shoulder would make it impossible to run, so I started out gingerly and ran slowly tonight. The cooler temps meant that I barely sweated or got hot--although I did get a little warm. The 1 and 5 min. runs are quite easy for me now, at least on the flats. Ten minute runs take a little more gas, but are still quite doable, esp. tonight's second 10 minute run, as in, I only thought about quitting twice instead of once every minute! Running is really a mental game, not a physical one, as I've read somewhere. You are way more capable of running a long distance than you think you are. The only thing stopping you is YOU.
My shoulder did fine. It hurt while warming up on my walk, but once I was running, it disappeared. I think it was a matter of distraction by moving the source of the pain. You know how you can stub your toe, and then pinch yourself or hit yourself elsewhere, and it lessens the toe pain because your brain is suddenly preoccupied with the other source of pain? Kind of like that.
I need to change my music again. And I need a walk-to-work music playlist. I shouldn't use up my running tracks too much, otherwise I'll get tired of them and they won't do me any good or give me any gas while running.
Wednesday. Today I was really lazy. Very little energy...but I made it out for a brisk hike up Mt Eden. I did 4 minute 20-10 hill Tabatas. The hill to make it harder...and it was, marginally. I was actually out of breath afterward! My right knee was sore on my hike. I didn't stretch. My right shoulder feels slightly better, but maybe just because I don't do anything with it that I think will make it sore. I've been babying it a lot, tying my right arm in a sling whenever I can. I'm almost to the end of my Zombies, run! workouts, I wonder if I'll keep going after I know the ending?
Thursday. Woke up in excruciating right shoulder pain. Made Dr's appt. Got Xrayed. Have broken shoulder. Not allowed to run anymore (my first question). Can't type with that hand, either. Basically am stopped from doing anything fun for the rest of the summer!!! NOOOOO. I'll be posting less due to the typing restriction, most likely.
Today I drove out to Mission Bay since it was sunny and nice, and tried to lay out and read. I lasted for about 15 minutes. The wind was too cool for it to be a real beach day. I parked the car half way between Omaha and Mission Beaches and started Week 5 of the Zombies Run 5K training. It consisted of a 5 min. warm up walk, a 5 minute run, then a few series of 1 minute runs with 30 sec. walking. Then I had to do two 10 min runs with a five min. break between them.
Man, the first few k's are brutal, no matter how many times I do runs that are 10+ minutes. It was really hot today, so I think that didn't help. But I totally hit my stride during the first and second runs, about the 5 minute mark, and could have probably cruised along a lot further. That is probably my 10K pace, I think. Tomorrow I hope to do Pilates (if my shoulder cooperates).
Monday. I did nothing!!!! OH NO!!!! I can feel myself getting fatter already (my mom sent me a huge box full of all my fave snack items from the US, so I am going to gain a few pounds from that, for sure)! I have a beach camping expedition this weekend with a hottie and I can't let that happen. :) I think my body is telling me to slow down, though. I didn't dare go to Pilates with my shoulder like it is. 1) My shoulder is still killing me. I can't lift my arm up, pull or push, etc. From the internet, it looks like I slept on it wrong, causing a rotator cuff injury. OUCH. If it keeps acting up, I'll have to go to the doctor. 2) I was walking home, leisurely, and my right calf seized up. I was only a few minutes from home, so I shook it out and limped home. But that is concerning. I've never had problems with my calves before. In my life, I've sprained my left ankle a half dozen times while taking gymnastics, running around during soccer, or dancing. My knees have never been the best--a little creaky and prone to give way underneath me with no notice (they are not bad now that I'm running though--a happy surprise! I think the muscles are building up around them, supporting the joints). My hips/IT band is the WORST!! I have always had ridiculously sore IT bands whenever doing anything remotely physical past the age of ~22. So the shoulder and calf pain are mysteries to me. Oh...getting older. So yeah, the only exercise I got was walking to/from work, and that was pretty painful. I'm going to take it easy on Tuesday as well, I guess.
Tuesday. My usual running time came around (7:45 pm) and I looked longingly out of my office window, through which sunshine dappled my filing cabinet. I made an executive decision to stop working--I had completed my goal for the day, at least--and headed home and changed. I did the second of Week 5's workouts on the Zombies Run 5K plan, and didn't get home until 10 pm for dinner. It was a lot cooler than Sunday evening, just enough for a jacket and light pants if walking, but perfect for running. I was terrified that my calf and right shoulder would make it impossible to run, so I started out gingerly and ran slowly tonight. The cooler temps meant that I barely sweated or got hot--although I did get a little warm. The 1 and 5 min. runs are quite easy for me now, at least on the flats. Ten minute runs take a little more gas, but are still quite doable, esp. tonight's second 10 minute run, as in, I only thought about quitting twice instead of once every minute! Running is really a mental game, not a physical one, as I've read somewhere. You are way more capable of running a long distance than you think you are. The only thing stopping you is YOU.
My shoulder did fine. It hurt while warming up on my walk, but once I was running, it disappeared. I think it was a matter of distraction by moving the source of the pain. You know how you can stub your toe, and then pinch yourself or hit yourself elsewhere, and it lessens the toe pain because your brain is suddenly preoccupied with the other source of pain? Kind of like that.
I need to change my music again. And I need a walk-to-work music playlist. I shouldn't use up my running tracks too much, otherwise I'll get tired of them and they won't do me any good or give me any gas while running.
Wednesday. Today I was really lazy. Very little energy...but I made it out for a brisk hike up Mt Eden. I did 4 minute 20-10 hill Tabatas. The hill to make it harder...and it was, marginally. I was actually out of breath afterward! My right knee was sore on my hike. I didn't stretch. My right shoulder feels slightly better, but maybe just because I don't do anything with it that I think will make it sore. I've been babying it a lot, tying my right arm in a sling whenever I can. I'm almost to the end of my Zombies, run! workouts, I wonder if I'll keep going after I know the ending?
Thursday. Woke up in excruciating right shoulder pain. Made Dr's appt. Got Xrayed. Have broken shoulder. Not allowed to run anymore (my first question). Can't type with that hand, either. Basically am stopped from doing anything fun for the rest of the summer!!! NOOOOO. I'll be posting less due to the typing restriction, most likely.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Running Log, Week 2
Since I got back on Saturday I have run each evening. It has become something I really look forward to and enjoy, although I mostly enjoy feeling accomplished and challenged (and sore!) more than I actually like the running part.
Instead of posting each day, I'll do a weekly round up of each day.
Saturday I did about 5K, running my usual flat route.
Sunday I went up Mt Eden, and did a little interval running on the way there and back. That hike makes me sore each time!! I did it in much less than 30 minutes, which is a new record for me.
Today (Monday) I was sore, but decided to try to do the C210K (Couch to 10K) Day 1. I FAILED!! It called for a series of 4 10 minute runs with one minute walking intervals. I made it through two and a half 10 minute runs and then had to stop about 5 minutes through the third 10 minute run. I stopped for 1 minute, then kept running the rest of the 10 minutes. I also ran one minute sprints, but they winded me and I skipped the last 10 minute run altogether. I can do the C25K workouts so easily, so what I really need is a bridge to 10K program that transitions from C25K to the 10K.
I'll also start tracking my calories. I'm starting (I HOPE!!) to see a little bit of a difference in my body after a month of this. If I took care of my diet, I would see real results, but I haven't changed my diet thus far. Additionally, I need to do more stretching/cross training work, as well as some strength training. I'm thinking of starting my personal training sessions at my gym--I bought two when I signed up but haven't used them yet.
Oh! I forgot what my January resolution was...but that is a different post.
Today (tuesday) my left hip was really hurting, which was weird as it was my right hip last night. It seems I can't help myself--I need to run! I went out, intending to just walk, but then was inspired and did 1 km. I had to stop, though--I was worried I'd injure myself seriously if I kept running on my left hip. I've Googled some stretches to do and hopefully that solves it. I also hope to start going to Pilates and yoga again to help with the cross-training.
On Wednesday, I downloaded and started the 5K training for the Zombies Run game. It was a little ridiculous. I mean, probably good for people who have done no more physical activity than reaching for the remote for years, but not for me. It doesn't allow you to skip to the end of the program and start running the hard ones, either. I mean...laughable. It requires 10 minutes of walking, then ten rounds of 15 seconds of light jogging with 1 minute in between, then a 10 minute period where you either run or walk as you need to.
I ended up switching things around. I don't even know why I download training programs if I don't end up following them...
I did a 5 minute warm up walk, then 5 minutes of running, then I switched the ten sets of 15 seconds running, 1 minutes walking with 15 seconds walking, 1 minute running as fast as I could go. It was BRUTAL!! 15 seconds is not long enough to catch your breath, and stopping and starting is one of the hardest challenges for me. I prefer to just run the whole thing than stop and start like that. I think, though, that stop/starting increases your speed maybe? and causes you to burn more calories? I will have to research interval training...
OK, after some research I found out: a) I should not do interval training until I have been running for a very long time...like a year, and b) my recovery intervals should be as long or longer than my fast pace interval. Interesting!
But I want to lose weight and get fit, and apparently intervals are where it's at for that. There are so many opinion on running styles, techniques, and programs, I don't know where to start or look anymore!
Thursday I have some cross training...hope tennis counts??
Thursday evening I did about an hour and a half of tennis with a friend. That wasn't enough for my hit, so I changed out of my tennis skirt and into running shorts and laced up again. I did a quick interval sprint of 90 s with 60 s walking. I like intervals. They are hard! And they make me sweat, which I like. Running long periods straight out is also difficult and makes me sweat, but these really kick my butt very quickly. I'm coming to like that feeling. What is wrong with me?!
Research into HIIT (High intensity interval training) continues. It seems like the best way to get into shape, really. I am looking into Tabatas. I have a few modified recipes to get me started so that I don't die (really). I want to do these a few times a week, but to keep training for my 10K, I really have to switch things up. Maybe one Tabata sesh a week, one plain interval sesh, and one long run? Probably I should add another short run in there...I am aiming to exercise every day for an hour (or however long it takes me to feel the burn!), so I will probably end up adding lots more. Maybe:
Monday: Pilates + easy run (1 30 min. Zombies Run mission)
Tuesday: HIIT run
Weds: Yoga + easy run (1 30 min. Zombies Run mission)
Thurs: short run (30 min at 5K pace)
Fri: interval run
Saturday: cross train: tennis or hike or swim or dance class
Sunday: long run (1 hour at 10K pace)
That way I have cushions between my long runs and HIITs.
I'm getting really addicted to my runs.
Friday log: I went on Week 4 Zombies Run 5K training. I skipped ahead to get to the harder stuff. It consisted of a 5 min. warm up, 5 minute run, then intervals of 1 min. running, 1 min. walking, with 20 'knee lifts' between each. Then there was a series of 30 second runs with 1 min. walks, and finally, there was a 15 minute run at the end. It took about 50 minutes, and I felt tired but like I wanted to try modified Tabatas at the end. So, I chose a slightly sloping hill, and did 4 minutes of 20 second walks with 10 second full on runs. I must not be doing them right, because I felt like they were pretty easy. You are supposed to feel like you are near death by the end of Tabatas. Maybe I will try 15 seconds each next time.
I am worried that I am pushing too hard too fast. I haven't taken a day off with running while not on vacation yet. Not that I'm doing anything very difficult, but everything I read says that I need to take it slow and let my body get used to it, otherwise injury is possible. I stretch after my runs now--I never used to take time for that. I also warm up with a brisk walk before running each day. I hope that is enough. I think that I'm worried if I take a day off that I will stop running altogether. I love it so much, and I love that I'm doing this, finally exercising, that I don't want to risk losing it. I even ran after playing tennis for an hour and a half yesterday.
It is interesting that my shins kind of hurt when I'm running now. They never used to. It's not shin splints, I don't think, because it isn't the horrible kind of pain that I've felt before, and it's not in the muscle. It is just sort of like pressure on my front calf bones or something--kind of like if you tried to bend your bone a little too far and felt some resistance. I wonder what effect the running on concrete is having on my bones and joints.
I am hoping to get out hiking tomorrow instead of running. I hope I can do it. Sunday I am hoping to do a long run, and maybe going to a nearby track to see if that helps (although running for an hour in circles may drive me to madness). Or I may try a new route and see how that goes.
Saturday: I did nothing! I waited around for a package to be delivered all day (never happened), and then went to visit a friend that was back in town. I got totally lost, so I wasted a lot of time, and then I was late to meet other friends for dinner. We had dinner and drinks, which turned into more drinks, ...and more. So I got home after dark and didn't hike or run at all. There were a few times I saw someone running while I was driving, and I was jealous of them.
Instead of posting each day, I'll do a weekly round up of each day.
Saturday I did about 5K, running my usual flat route.
Sunday I went up Mt Eden, and did a little interval running on the way there and back. That hike makes me sore each time!! I did it in much less than 30 minutes, which is a new record for me.
Today (Monday) I was sore, but decided to try to do the C210K (Couch to 10K) Day 1. I FAILED!! It called for a series of 4 10 minute runs with one minute walking intervals. I made it through two and a half 10 minute runs and then had to stop about 5 minutes through the third 10 minute run. I stopped for 1 minute, then kept running the rest of the 10 minutes. I also ran one minute sprints, but they winded me and I skipped the last 10 minute run altogether. I can do the C25K workouts so easily, so what I really need is a bridge to 10K program that transitions from C25K to the 10K.
I'll also start tracking my calories. I'm starting (I HOPE!!) to see a little bit of a difference in my body after a month of this. If I took care of my diet, I would see real results, but I haven't changed my diet thus far. Additionally, I need to do more stretching/cross training work, as well as some strength training. I'm thinking of starting my personal training sessions at my gym--I bought two when I signed up but haven't used them yet.
Oh! I forgot what my January resolution was...but that is a different post.
Today (tuesday) my left hip was really hurting, which was weird as it was my right hip last night. It seems I can't help myself--I need to run! I went out, intending to just walk, but then was inspired and did 1 km. I had to stop, though--I was worried I'd injure myself seriously if I kept running on my left hip. I've Googled some stretches to do and hopefully that solves it. I also hope to start going to Pilates and yoga again to help with the cross-training.
On Wednesday, I downloaded and started the 5K training for the Zombies Run game. It was a little ridiculous. I mean, probably good for people who have done no more physical activity than reaching for the remote for years, but not for me. It doesn't allow you to skip to the end of the program and start running the hard ones, either. I mean...laughable. It requires 10 minutes of walking, then ten rounds of 15 seconds of light jogging with 1 minute in between, then a 10 minute period where you either run or walk as you need to.
I ended up switching things around. I don't even know why I download training programs if I don't end up following them...
I did a 5 minute warm up walk, then 5 minutes of running, then I switched the ten sets of 15 seconds running, 1 minutes walking with 15 seconds walking, 1 minute running as fast as I could go. It was BRUTAL!! 15 seconds is not long enough to catch your breath, and stopping and starting is one of the hardest challenges for me. I prefer to just run the whole thing than stop and start like that. I think, though, that stop/starting increases your speed maybe? and causes you to burn more calories? I will have to research interval training...
OK, after some research I found out: a) I should not do interval training until I have been running for a very long time...like a year, and b) my recovery intervals should be as long or longer than my fast pace interval. Interesting!
But I want to lose weight and get fit, and apparently intervals are where it's at for that. There are so many opinion on running styles, techniques, and programs, I don't know where to start or look anymore!
Thursday I have some cross training...hope tennis counts??
Thursday evening I did about an hour and a half of tennis with a friend. That wasn't enough for my hit, so I changed out of my tennis skirt and into running shorts and laced up again. I did a quick interval sprint of 90 s with 60 s walking. I like intervals. They are hard! And they make me sweat, which I like. Running long periods straight out is also difficult and makes me sweat, but these really kick my butt very quickly. I'm coming to like that feeling. What is wrong with me?!
Research into HIIT (High intensity interval training) continues. It seems like the best way to get into shape, really. I am looking into Tabatas. I have a few modified recipes to get me started so that I don't die (really). I want to do these a few times a week, but to keep training for my 10K, I really have to switch things up. Maybe one Tabata sesh a week, one plain interval sesh, and one long run? Probably I should add another short run in there...I am aiming to exercise every day for an hour (or however long it takes me to feel the burn!), so I will probably end up adding lots more. Maybe:
Monday: Pilates + easy run (1 30 min. Zombies Run mission)
Tuesday: HIIT run
Weds: Yoga + easy run (1 30 min. Zombies Run mission)
Thurs: short run (30 min at 5K pace)
Fri: interval run
Saturday: cross train: tennis or hike or swim or dance class
Sunday: long run (1 hour at 10K pace)
That way I have cushions between my long runs and HIITs.
I'm getting really addicted to my runs.
Friday log: I went on Week 4 Zombies Run 5K training. I skipped ahead to get to the harder stuff. It consisted of a 5 min. warm up, 5 minute run, then intervals of 1 min. running, 1 min. walking, with 20 'knee lifts' between each. Then there was a series of 30 second runs with 1 min. walks, and finally, there was a 15 minute run at the end. It took about 50 minutes, and I felt tired but like I wanted to try modified Tabatas at the end. So, I chose a slightly sloping hill, and did 4 minutes of 20 second walks with 10 second full on runs. I must not be doing them right, because I felt like they were pretty easy. You are supposed to feel like you are near death by the end of Tabatas. Maybe I will try 15 seconds each next time.
I am worried that I am pushing too hard too fast. I haven't taken a day off with running while not on vacation yet. Not that I'm doing anything very difficult, but everything I read says that I need to take it slow and let my body get used to it, otherwise injury is possible. I stretch after my runs now--I never used to take time for that. I also warm up with a brisk walk before running each day. I hope that is enough. I think that I'm worried if I take a day off that I will stop running altogether. I love it so much, and I love that I'm doing this, finally exercising, that I don't want to risk losing it. I even ran after playing tennis for an hour and a half yesterday.
It is interesting that my shins kind of hurt when I'm running now. They never used to. It's not shin splints, I don't think, because it isn't the horrible kind of pain that I've felt before, and it's not in the muscle. It is just sort of like pressure on my front calf bones or something--kind of like if you tried to bend your bone a little too far and felt some resistance. I wonder what effect the running on concrete is having on my bones and joints.
I am hoping to get out hiking tomorrow instead of running. I hope I can do it. Sunday I am hoping to do a long run, and maybe going to a nearby track to see if that helps (although running for an hour in circles may drive me to madness). Or I may try a new route and see how that goes.
Saturday: I did nothing! I waited around for a package to be delivered all day (never happened), and then went to visit a friend that was back in town. I got totally lost, so I wasted a lot of time, and then I was late to meet other friends for dinner. We had dinner and drinks, which turned into more drinks, ...and more. So I got home after dark and didn't hike or run at all. There were a few times I saw someone running while I was driving, and I was jealous of them.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
December 2012 Overage--US Supplemental Fund Complete!
I had $592.05 leftover from the month of December, $480.58 of which went straight to my $3K NZD Move to US supplemental fund. It is now complete! I've made the transfer.
I've already knocked two of my six 2013 financial goals out. Yeah! I've looked over my 2012 spending and changed my 2013 budget accordingly. I've also changed my monthly automatic savings from $500 to $600, split between my three long-term goals as $250 to non-retirement fund, $175 to House Down Payment Fund, and $175 to my Europe Trip Fund.
Next month, my $3K Vanguard Non-retirement Fund will be complete with the $250 monthly contribution. I'll change it to USD (currently worth about $2,475 USD) and then invest it in one of my Vanguard index funds. Then that $250 will be used for something else...either another similar fund goal, towards the 2014 US trip fund goal, or split between my other two long-term goals (or just one). I could get my Europe fund tackled by the end of next year if I did that...oh but other goals (retirement) are more important than that. Sigh.
My main focus now is to save up $3K for my 2014 US Trip using monthly overages. Every year, I save up $3K to put towards my US trip home the next year. 2013's trip is already saved up. I have enough airpoints to use toward a full round trip home, but the timing on those is so funky that I can't rely on using it for that. I am hoping that I won't even need the 2014 US trip fund, because I'll already be in the US...I'm hoping I'll move there after my contract is up...maybe in May-June?
I'm really hoping something works out, and that the 2014 US trip fund money can be used to move, and travel before I move.
I've already knocked two of my six 2013 financial goals out. Yeah! I've looked over my 2012 spending and changed my 2013 budget accordingly. I've also changed my monthly automatic savings from $500 to $600, split between my three long-term goals as $250 to non-retirement fund, $175 to House Down Payment Fund, and $175 to my Europe Trip Fund.
Next month, my $3K Vanguard Non-retirement Fund will be complete with the $250 monthly contribution. I'll change it to USD (currently worth about $2,475 USD) and then invest it in one of my Vanguard index funds. Then that $250 will be used for something else...either another similar fund goal, towards the 2014 US trip fund goal, or split between my other two long-term goals (or just one). I could get my Europe fund tackled by the end of next year if I did that...oh but other goals (retirement) are more important than that. Sigh.
My main focus now is to save up $3K for my 2014 US Trip using monthly overages. Every year, I save up $3K to put towards my US trip home the next year. 2013's trip is already saved up. I have enough airpoints to use toward a full round trip home, but the timing on those is so funky that I can't rely on using it for that. I am hoping that I won't even need the 2014 US trip fund, because I'll already be in the US...I'm hoping I'll move there after my contract is up...maybe in May-June?
I'm really hoping something works out, and that the 2014 US trip fund money can be used to move, and travel before I move.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Uh Oh, Y'all...
We have been outed as frauds. Or rather, the whole PF industry kind of has. The author insinuates that no amount of PFing will save you if you run into real trouble. She echoes some of my darkest thoughts about money...in that, no matter what I'm doing, all that hard work? It won't matter in the end, if things get bad enough. When I quit my job and go back to the US, if I can't find another job quick-smart, well, then...I'm screwed. This makes me so scared to move back home like I want to!!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Back for 2013!
My week long trip to a tropical island country was...hot. And summery. And rainy and adventurous!
Day One included a 7 am flight and then, once landed, several hours in the humid and hot as hell airport, waiting for luggage, immigration, etc. Air conditioning is not super common. It was gray and cloudy (this was true for all but the last day). The bus ride to the hotel included more heat, and I struggled to keep my spirits up and remain excited about being there. Seeing the very nice room in our accommodation helped, as did our later trip to a series of about 12 pools at a nearby resort. Bliss! It cost 1500 vatu each, which we used at the resort to pay for snacks/dinner. I had some chicken thing, I think. We went to a place called Island Time for lunch. It was kind of laughable--I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu (350 vatu?) and they brought me the most expensive burger. I told them what I had ordered when they brought it over, thinking that they had given me someone else's meal, but they said that was what I had ordered...shrug. My friend sent hers back, and found out they just threw it out and remade her dish. Whatever.
We made a mad dash and *just* made it to the good duty free store to grab some Capt Morgan and Smirnoff after visiting 5 or 6 places without any recognizable liquor brands (I'm in my mid-30's. There is NO WAY I'm drinking bottom shelf vodka or unidentifiable moonshine like I'm still in college!). We then had dinner at Emily's, a lovely local dive with to-die-for quantities and quality of food, for very cheap prices. We split a 1000 vatu curry and a beef spring roll, and the portions were HUGE!! They were like a whole meal for each of us. After dinner, we drank and got ready and listened to fun music before heading out to our club for the night. We got there just in time to see some amazing fire dancers, and then cooled our heels by drinking with some rather adorable 20 year olds, introduced to us by their mom, after we struck up conversation with her. We moved on to the dance floor after drinking two drinks, one of which was only 500 vatu and another which was about 1500! The first song was Gangnam Style, which I don't understand. The DJ played good music, but I was too hot to get into it. I pretty much had a hangover/pounding headache/dehydration before I even started drinking, just from the heat the past few days. But it was a good time nevertheless. We were in bed before 1 am. Sad!
Day 3 was New Year's Day! I slept in to cure myself of hangoveryness and I believe we just lounged by the pool that day. I don't remember doing much of anything! Dinner was at the hotel. 1900 vt. We had to pack up for our adventure the next day, though...
Day 4 was taken up by a flight to another island, settling into the rugged hotel room (no A/C!), and then a 2 hour jeep ride along the rough roads to the top of a volcano. It erupts constantly, but we could only hear it, because of whiteout conditions at the top. Barely saw any lava at all. There was one huge, sustained eruption we heard that made all the tourists start to run away in fear, but the guides just laughed at us! Hilarious. We stayed past dark, and were actually the last ones up there with our guide. 3 pm start, two hour ride up, then we left about 7:30 or so. Amazing. The tour is only about 9,000 vatu if you are already on the island. It costs 10,000 vatu to fly to the island one-way, and then the hotel + food is another who knows how much. We paid about 47,000 vt to go, which is about right when you include that we didn't have to pay for gas, park entrance fees, car rental, and bonus--we didn't have to drive those scary roads in the dark. Dinner was a lovely chicken curry (again) and I fed the resident cat, Memu.
Day 5, we got up early and flew back to our main island base. We had planned on visiting a Blue Lagoon, but it turns out that the cost was about 90 to take the bus each way (35 minutes away). We had visited places that were 20 minutes away and they cost about $5-$6 each, so I had no inkling that this particular place cost so much! The other option was to snorkel, but the ocean was ferocious and insanely rough that day, so we scrapped our plans and just swam in the hotel pool all day. It was really nice, actually. Lunch was at a place called Jill's, and it was AWESOME! The best cheeseburger I've had in a very long time (I find NZ ground beef gristly and fatty!). Only about 900 vatu, too. We had a sunset drink at Erakor Island for 1250 vatu--I had my special favorite drink--talked to the waitress about her life, watched the kava ceremony taking place next door, and then we walked around the island in the near darkness. Dinner was at Emily's again. I got the cheapest thing on the menu--a side of chicken curry (yet again!)--for 500 vatu, and what came out was a HUGE PLATE of chicken, rice, salad, and veggies in an awesome tasting gravy/sauce.
We woke up on Day 6, our last day, to a gorgeous, sunny, and calm ocean day. We headed out to a popular spot for snorkeling, only 200 vatu by bus (20 minutes)/300 return, a ferry ride, and 1000 vatu to get in. The current was quite strong, though, so we stuck to the shore reef. There were so many fish! The coral was mostly dead, but there were still so many different kinds of fishies that it made up for it. We brought our lunches (made from stuff we took from breakfast! ...ever frugal). Dinner was leftover burger for me, and a chocolate milkshake I bought with the remaining money I had left.
Day 7--today--we had to get up at 4 am to catch our flight back. I'm so tired!!
Amazingly, there were barely any mosquitoes. I know I saw one, and my friend saw another, but nothing other than that. My malaria pills made me sensitive to the sun, and I think we got a little lackadaisical on the bug spray and sunscreen when we didn't get bitten or even slightly tan the first five days. The last day there, I got bitten once and got a bit red. It was on the main island which is malaria-free, though, so I've stopped taking malaria pills. Weirdly, as soon as I got back in my apartment, there were mosquitoes galore! I've killed about 5 so far.
Day One included a 7 am flight and then, once landed, several hours in the humid and hot as hell airport, waiting for luggage, immigration, etc. Air conditioning is not super common. It was gray and cloudy (this was true for all but the last day). The bus ride to the hotel included more heat, and I struggled to keep my spirits up and remain excited about being there. Seeing the very nice room in our accommodation helped, as did our later trip to a series of about 12 pools at a nearby resort. Bliss! It cost 1500 vatu each, which we used at the resort to pay for snacks/dinner. I had some chicken thing, I think. We went to a place called Island Time for lunch. It was kind of laughable--I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu (350 vatu?) and they brought me the most expensive burger. I told them what I had ordered when they brought it over, thinking that they had given me someone else's meal, but they said that was what I had ordered...shrug. My friend sent hers back, and found out they just threw it out and remade her dish. Whatever.
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| Flowers in the market |
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| Iririki Island, with about 12 pools |
Day Two was New Year's Eve! And somewhat adventurous. We discovered that our hotel's breakfast, included with our room, was scrumptious and had HUGE variety--eggs made any way you want them, a whole table full of bread-y options, 6 kinds of juices, 5 cereals, 7 platters of fruit, french toast, pancakes, bacon, baked beans, sausages, and more. Glorious! We ate for several hours to start each day. We had decided on Day One that we had to either be in our air conditioned hotel room or en route to water, or in water, between the hours of 10:30 and 4:30. Thusly, we headed out to buy tickets for New Year's Eve festivities--the cheapest we could find at about $6--and headed out to an amazing waterfall...actually, series of waterfalls. The hike was about 20 minutes up, through nice forest and cascading water beside us. My friend was impressed before we even got to the main attraction!! At the top of the trail, you can hike into the waterfalls and swim in the various pools it creates. The hike actually goes through the water, which was awesome and cooling. There are even natural waterslides and areas to dive/jump in, and at one point, you can duck behind the main waterfall into a tiny cave, and watch the water flow in front of you! Of course, I injured myself by slipping down a series of steps carved into the limestone under the water. I had thought I had really bruised my butt, but I was barely scratched there. I did take off a huge chunk of my pinky, though, just skinned the top of my finger clean off. I didn't even feel that til that night! And then...it HURTTTTTTT. It got slightly infected as the days wore on. Who knows what kind of bugs I picked up in that waterfall?! You don't realize how much you use (or bang against things) your pinky until it is injured...but I digress. I ointmented and taped that sucker up as much as I could each day and didn't let it get in my way.
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| The Mele Cascades main waterfall |
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| Fresh pineapple at the market |
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| NYE on the beach...our dance floor |
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| NYE fireworks over the water |
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| What a lovely view from the hotel! |
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| An ad in the airport in the local pidgin language, bislama |
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| Mt Yasur tour |
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| The world's only Volcano Post! |
Day 5, we got up early and flew back to our main island base. We had planned on visiting a Blue Lagoon, but it turns out that the cost was about 90 to take the bus each way (35 minutes away). We had visited places that were 20 minutes away and they cost about $5-$6 each, so I had no inkling that this particular place cost so much! The other option was to snorkel, but the ocean was ferocious and insanely rough that day, so we scrapped our plans and just swam in the hotel pool all day. It was really nice, actually. Lunch was at a place called Jill's, and it was AWESOME! The best cheeseburger I've had in a very long time (I find NZ ground beef gristly and fatty!). Only about 900 vatu, too. We had a sunset drink at Erakor Island for 1250 vatu--I had my special favorite drink--talked to the waitress about her life, watched the kava ceremony taking place next door, and then we walked around the island in the near darkness. Dinner was at Emily's again. I got the cheapest thing on the menu--a side of chicken curry (yet again!)--for 500 vatu, and what came out was a HUGE PLATE of chicken, rice, salad, and veggies in an awesome tasting gravy/sauce.
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| Another view of the hotel |
We woke up on Day 6, our last day, to a gorgeous, sunny, and calm ocean day. We headed out to a popular spot for snorkeling, only 200 vatu by bus (20 minutes)/300 return, a ferry ride, and 1000 vatu to get in. The current was quite strong, though, so we stuck to the shore reef. There were so many fish! The coral was mostly dead, but there were still so many different kinds of fishies that it made up for it. We brought our lunches (made from stuff we took from breakfast! ...ever frugal). Dinner was leftover burger for me, and a chocolate milkshake I bought with the remaining money I had left.
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| One of the huge starfish! |
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| Look at little Nemo |
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| Hideaway Island |
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| Angel fish |
Day 7--today--we had to get up at 4 am to catch our flight back. I'm so tired!!
Amazingly, there were barely any mosquitoes. I know I saw one, and my friend saw another, but nothing other than that. My malaria pills made me sensitive to the sun, and I think we got a little lackadaisical on the bug spray and sunscreen when we didn't get bitten or even slightly tan the first five days. The last day there, I got bitten once and got a bit red. It was on the main island which is malaria-free, though, so I've stopped taking malaria pills. Weirdly, as soon as I got back in my apartment, there were mosquitoes galore! I've killed about 5 so far.
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| A tarted up hotel mosquito net |
Friday, January 04, 2013
2013 Budget (if I stay in NZ)
At the start of every year I am going to make it a habit of reviewing the previous year's spending and adjusting my budget. It's worked well thus far.
Since I've kicked so much goal butt in the past few years, and I feel like I am running out of financial goals and everything is stable there, I also feel free to increase my standard of living by a bit. Honestly, though, since the cost of living has increased, I'm probably just keeping up with inflation.
The numbers for 2012 ( at the time I'm writing this, we're one week away from the end of the year--these shouldn't increase by too much):
You can see I overspent my yearly budget by about $4K. However 1: I budgeted for that spending by saving up for it the year prior (as part of my travel and US spending funds). However 2: I saved 31% of my net salary. BOO YAH
As the years go by, I get more and more relaxed on the budget front. I still track every penny, but it doesn't freak me out to go over in certain categories once in a while, as long as it isn't a chronic issue, and as long as I am still on track to meet my savings goals.
Housing was a surprise--I thought I'd calculated that out pretty well by now. There must have been more 3 rent check months this year than last.
Groceries are right on track. I'll keep that the same ($450/mo).
Internet is lower I budgeted for due to an annual contract I signed with Orcon. I can lower this to $60/mo.
Electricity is also lower. I don't know why, we seem to be using more of it compared to last year. Lowered to $75/mo.
Eating out has exploded this year. I am getting lazier, more nice restaurants have moved into my neighborhood, and I am buying nicer foods rather than my normal takeway. I am also initiating and accepting more offers to eat out socially. Budget increased to $150/mo.
Charity is something I overshot but should actually overshoot it even more. I never feel badly about going over-budget on this one. In fact, I think I should increase that budget to $75/mo.
Cell phone is right on track. However, that includes the cost of my smartphone, my SIM in the US, my new SIM in NZ, etc., etc. I currently pay for a Skype subscription ($60 USD/year), Skype credit ($10 USD a pop) and a $19 NZD/mo plan, as well as whatever credit I need to add to my Tmobile SIM when I get back to the US (it shouldn't be much; I added $100 USD to the account in order to keep the number a whole year). I had to get rid of my V8 card (for NZ mobile to US calling when I wasn't around my computer) because I'm no longer with Vodafone. My smartphone has Skype on it, though, so conceivably, I can Skype on it instead of getting a comparable calling card. In theory, I should be able to knock this down to about $30 NZD per month, but if my family wants to leave a voicemail message for me through forwarding to my mobile from my skype number, it costs me an arm and a leg. I currently have that feature turned off, but when someone is in the hospital, I usually turn it on so I am accessible and up to date on things. I also am not calling my sister, and she isn't calling me, so that is (unfortunately) saving me money, too. I think I can reasonably knock it down to $50/mo, though.
Medical was another surprise. Again, I saved up for those costs, but my increased focus on health has made this spending necessary. I'll bump this up to $150/mo.
Misc isn't as bad as it looks. It includes all that spending from my September spree, which I had saved up for already. Without my spree and all the stuff previously saved up for, I actually come in way under budget. I'll keep it where it is.
Now for the fun part!
Savings was on track, in fact, I exceeded that goal. In 2013, though, I want to bump it up! Since my short-term goals are nearly met, it is time to buckle down on those long-term ones. A Europe trip is looking ever more possible in the next few years. I am increasing my long-term monthly savings from $500/mo to $600:
My target spending goal is therefore $2,450 per month. Over time, my monthly spending goal has been the following:
2007: $1822.45 USD (part time job, school)
2008: $2055 USD (didn't work for 4 months)
2009: $2088 NZD (adjusting to NZ)
2010: $1770 NZD (debt payoff?)
2011: $2320 NZD (stabilizing)
2012: $2320 NZD (meeting goals)
2013: $2450 NZD (inflation, relaxing)
Since I've kicked so much goal butt in the past few years, and I feel like I am running out of financial goals and everything is stable there, I also feel free to increase my standard of living by a bit. Honestly, though, since the cost of living has increased, I'm probably just keeping up with inflation.
The numbers for 2012 ( at the time I'm writing this, we're one week away from the end of the year--these shouldn't increase by too much):
| Category | Spent | Budgeted Amount |
| Rent | $11,130.00 | $10,950.00 |
| Groceries | $5,195.53 | $5,400.00 |
| Internet | $637.59 | $840.00 |
| Electricity | $785.93 | $1,380.00 |
| Eating Out | $2,069.01 | $1,800.00 |
| Charity | $670.71 | $600.00 |
| Cell phone | $852.21 | $960.00 |
| Medical | $1,927.13 | $900.00 |
| Misc | $8,802.91 | $6,600.00 |
| Savings | $7,080.58 | $6,000.00 |
| Total | $39,151.60 | $35,430.00 |
| Category | Monthly budget | Monthly Averages |
| Rent | $912.50 | $927.50 |
| Groceries | $450.00 | $432.96 |
| Internet | $70.00 | $53.13 |
| Electricity | $115.00 | $65.49 |
| Eating Out | $100.00 | $172.42 |
| Charity | $50.00 | $55.89 |
| Cell phone | $80.00 | $71.02 |
| Medical | $65.00 | $160.59 |
| Misc | $550.00 | $733.58 |
| Savings | $500.00 | $590.05 |
| $2,892.50 | $3,262.63 |
You can see I overspent my yearly budget by about $4K. However 1: I budgeted for that spending by saving up for it the year prior (as part of my travel and US spending funds). However 2: I saved 31% of my net salary. BOO YAH
As the years go by, I get more and more relaxed on the budget front. I still track every penny, but it doesn't freak me out to go over in certain categories once in a while, as long as it isn't a chronic issue, and as long as I am still on track to meet my savings goals.
Housing was a surprise--I thought I'd calculated that out pretty well by now. There must have been more 3 rent check months this year than last.
Groceries are right on track. I'll keep that the same ($450/mo).
Internet is lower I budgeted for due to an annual contract I signed with Orcon. I can lower this to $60/mo.
Electricity is also lower. I don't know why, we seem to be using more of it compared to last year. Lowered to $75/mo.
Eating out has exploded this year. I am getting lazier, more nice restaurants have moved into my neighborhood, and I am buying nicer foods rather than my normal takeway. I am also initiating and accepting more offers to eat out socially. Budget increased to $150/mo.
Charity is something I overshot but should actually overshoot it even more. I never feel badly about going over-budget on this one. In fact, I think I should increase that budget to $75/mo.
Cell phone is right on track. However, that includes the cost of my smartphone, my SIM in the US, my new SIM in NZ, etc., etc. I currently pay for a Skype subscription ($60 USD/year), Skype credit ($10 USD a pop) and a $19 NZD/mo plan, as well as whatever credit I need to add to my Tmobile SIM when I get back to the US (it shouldn't be much; I added $100 USD to the account in order to keep the number a whole year). I had to get rid of my V8 card (for NZ mobile to US calling when I wasn't around my computer) because I'm no longer with Vodafone. My smartphone has Skype on it, though, so conceivably, I can Skype on it instead of getting a comparable calling card. In theory, I should be able to knock this down to about $30 NZD per month, but if my family wants to leave a voicemail message for me through forwarding to my mobile from my skype number, it costs me an arm and a leg. I currently have that feature turned off, but when someone is in the hospital, I usually turn it on so I am accessible and up to date on things. I also am not calling my sister, and she isn't calling me, so that is (unfortunately) saving me money, too. I think I can reasonably knock it down to $50/mo, though.
Medical was another surprise. Again, I saved up for those costs, but my increased focus on health has made this spending necessary. I'll bump this up to $150/mo.
Misc isn't as bad as it looks. It includes all that spending from my September spree, which I had saved up for already. Without my spree and all the stuff previously saved up for, I actually come in way under budget. I'll keep it where it is.
Now for the fun part!
Savings was on track, in fact, I exceeded that goal. In 2013, though, I want to bump it up! Since my short-term goals are nearly met, it is time to buckle down on those long-term ones. A Europe trip is looking ever more possible in the next few years. I am increasing my long-term monthly savings from $500/mo to $600:
- Taxable Account funding will go up to $250/mo from $200.
- Europe Fund allotment will increase to $175 from $150.
- House Down payment contributions will also follow suit.
I wish I could do more, but I got really nervous when I noticed that the wiggle room was shrinking and that my short-term savings would suffer if I went harder. I now save nearly twice what I did per month in 2010, when I came up with this scheme:
Long-term savings per month in 2010: $340
Long-term savings per month in 2011: $450
Long-term savings per month in 2012: $500
Long-term savings per month in 2013: $600
My Final Budget for 2013 looks like this (for most months that are 2 rent check months):
| Category | Budgeted Amount |
| Rent | $840.00 |
| Groceries | $450.00 |
| Internet | $60.00 |
| Electricity | $75.00 |
| Eating Out | $150.00 |
| Charity | $75.00 |
| Cell phone | $50.00 |
| Medical | $150.00 |
| Misc | $600.00 |
| Savings | $600.00 |
| Total | $3,050.00 |
My target spending goal is therefore $2,450 per month. Over time, my monthly spending goal has been the following:
2007: $1822.45 USD (part time job, school)
2008: $2055 USD (didn't work for 4 months)
2009: $2088 NZD (adjusting to NZ)
2010: $1770 NZD (debt payoff?)
2011: $2320 NZD (stabilizing)
2012: $2320 NZD (meeting goals)
2013: $2450 NZD (inflation, relaxing)
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