It has been 6 months since I posted! Wow, time flies! This definitely means that it is time for an update. So things have been going along as can be expected, I have been continuing the aggressive-sized transfers to my student loan, and there have been some setbacks, which I basically expected. I wasn’t sure … Continue reading Aggressive goals and negative self-talk, but I’m on track!
To Invest or Pay my Student Loan?
I'm going to stop investing for one year. WHAT!? You say? Let me explain... For the last couple years, I have been taking the approach of investing, saving, AND paying down my student loan. I was paying a lot more toward my student loan (1100/month) than I was toward investing for retirement (600/month) or saving … Continue reading To Invest or Pay my Student Loan?
How I’m Using Job Stress to Fuel My Financial Progress
Sometimes my job drives me nuts, and today was one of those days. There are parts of my job that are wonderful and that I love, and there are other parts that are monotonous, and that balance seems pretty normal to me. The thing that can sometimes really get to me is the culture of … Continue reading How I’m Using Job Stress to Fuel My Financial Progress
I increased my net worth by 22,355$ in 2018!
Okay, so I'm a bit late to the "how much I paid off in 2018" party because it's fully January 19th, 2019 as a write this, but better late than never, am I right? So I would say that throughout the entirety of 2018, I basically felt like a complete failure at debt repayment. Now … Continue reading I increased my net worth by 22,355$ in 2018!
Why Mental Heath is the Elephant in the Room in Personal Finance Conversations, and What You Can Do About It.
I love personal finance blogs, books, podcasts, etc. This is what I listen to in my car, what I read, and where I get a lot of my motivation for working toward my personal finance goals. However, there is one big problem with most of the personal finance content out there, which is that most … Continue reading Why Mental Heath is the Elephant in the Room in Personal Finance Conversations, and What You Can Do About It.
How the “No Forecasting Expenses” Thing is Going
Here is a quick update on my decision not to forecast in my budget. So since I wrote this post about no longer forecasting expenses, I have had one try at budgeting without the spreadsheet. I have to say that it was a bit of a difficult transition, that is, I really wanted to look at … Continue reading How the “No Forecasting Expenses” Thing is Going
How to Make a Financial Relapse Prevention Plan
I need a spending relapse prevention plan. This week my finances derailed in a pretty predictable way. Lots of people in my office have been away for the last 3 weeks, and as a result I have been picking up a LOT of slack, and seeing a LOT more clients than I normally see. This … Continue reading How to Make a Financial Relapse Prevention Plan
Confessions of a Spender
I am jealous of people who are naturally good with their money. We always hear about how there are "savers" and "spenders". I am a spender. I was raised in a household of spenders, most of whom continue to be spenders to this day. I have said it before and I'll say it again, I … Continue reading Confessions of a Spender
A Guide to Trying Mindfulness
In honour of Credit Education Week 2018 ( #CEWC2018 ) and their theme of #MoneyMindfulness, here are easy directions on how and why to practice mindfulness. Activity: Mindfulness of Sensations and Thoughts Why should I do this exercise? This exercise is effective for learning to observe the thoughts, reactions, and actions that we have in … Continue reading A Guide to Trying Mindfulness
Why I’m Going to Stop Planning Ahead
So one of the podcasts I listen to is the YNAB podcast by Jesse Meecham, the creator of YNAB. YNAB, if you're not familiar with it, is a budgeting software (short for "You Need A Budget") that can be used across platforms like your cell phone and computer. Anyway, in this specific episode of the … Continue reading Why I’m Going to Stop Planning Ahead