The Darling [Goals] of May

“Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May, And summer’s lease hath all too short a date.” William Shakespeare

You may not be surprised to learn that the end of April and beginning of May have not been a calm time in the academic arena! Here, seniors get out early, so I had finals with them…then they did the lovely thing of blatantly cheating, so that was fun to deal with. BUT ENOUGH OF THAT! It’s over, done with, dealt with, and was a learning experience! Plus I still have some juniors to deal with for the next two weeks! I’m having the issue of balancing my work-life such that I’m actually able to keep my mind focused on the things I would like to achieve. That is an unofficial goal of May.

May Goals

• Log into MFP every day and log all exercise/food intake
• Read 2 books
• Create a plan to buy a vehicle in 2016
• Create debt repayment plan (for real this time)
• Get down to the next weight “decade” (17_)
• From May 14 check through May 31 check, use the jar method
• Sort and organize my yarn stash/craft stuff

What are your May goals?

April 2015 Goals Recap

I didn’t think I was that ambitious, but the amount of red below tells me I’m wrong.

• Log into MFP every day and log all exercise/food intake today
• Use the gym at least 3x a week
• Complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred
• Blog at least 12x this month (up three from March)
• Read 2 books
• Find a summer job (or two)
• Create budget (prepare to possibly need to buy a new car by 2016)
• Create Emergency Fund (goal – $200)
• Pay down student loan balance
• Create debt repayment plan (for real this time)
• Side Hustle – set up Etsy store

Successes

I did pay $200 on my student loans in April, so there’s that! I also set-up my Etsy store, but I’m having more luck in getting things done person-to-person (e.g. I sold a blanket to a student). I also started a ketogenic diet…but that ties more in with things to come in May.

Failures

I didn’t buy another month at the gym, so I didn’t go 3x a week, I didn’t do Jillian’s 30 Day Shred. I blogged 7 times in April…so I think around twice a week is a good goal for me to set for right now, at least until the school year ends. I didn’t read the two books I picked. I also decided to not pursue an actual summer job. I’ll be doing odd jobs – tutoring, babysitting, selling things I’ve made – but I have a two week training in June, a week trip because I’m a bridesmaid in July, and a two day training in July…so 3/8 of the weeks of summer I have off I’m not available to work – making it difficult to hold a job that is summer only.

Progress

I started a ketogenic diet. I gained a lot of weight when I went home over break (mostly water I guess?) but I’ve managed to lose that so yay 🙂

Overall

April could have been better…but I really need to just manage my time better. I get caught up with work (finals weeks, putting in senior grades, etc.) and don’t work on my personal goals. Keeping my eyes on the prize is really where I need to focus.

Weekly $ Checkup 4.4

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was – $20 on gas
2. Today I am thankful that I’m back down to my starting March weight. I had gained a bit via stress and my love for Vanilla Pepsi (I’m normally a Coca-Cola person, being from the south, but damn Vanilla Pepsi is the bee’s knees).
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was that I took a personal day on Wednesday. An additional thing was attending a couple’s shower for my friend whose wedding I’m a bridesmaid in!
4. I will consider this week a success if I figure out the schedule I’m supposed to keep, because I teach a mixed class and seniors stop school before everyone else.
5. If I had today off I would wash dishes. I actually cleaned the rest of everything. I would legitimately wash my hair as well! 

I’m just tired. I don’t know if I’m burned out because it’s the end of the school year or what. I’m tired of the way my students, my friends, and my coworkers have been acting. This nineties joke sums it up “I’m hitting unsubscribe, because I’m tired of your issues.” It’s less that I mind being helpful or providing a listening ear (because I can certainly complain a lot), but I just don’t like being taken advantage of, degraded, talked down to, and ignored. Essentially I don’t mind icky duties associated with my various roles in these people’s lives, but I don’t like being dumped on.

I’ve started the keto diet, so I’ve been eating lots of bacon, eggs, and drinking almond milk with protein powder. I’ve also started doing dumbbell weights (nothing impressive yet), ab workouts, and cardio (really speed walking at this point, so does that even count?). The ketogenic diet is often used to control epilepsy, but it’s pretty good for weight control as well. I’m looking at building muscle, so you know, proteinzzzz The cyclic ketogenic diet is also on my radar..but we’ll see.

Unrelated, we had some pretty inclement weather yesterday. It’s the first time I’ve actually had to do a lock-down at work for a non drug-bust reason. Essentially my class and the one next to me holed up together and watched Netflix until it cleared. In nearby areas, it got pretty serious. Even today, some students are without power. It got so bad there were even train cars blown completely off of the Huey P. Long bridge.

Goal Progress:

• Log into MFP every day and log all exercise/food intake today 
• Use the gym at least 3x a week
• Complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred – Not even remotely
• Blog at least 12x this month (up three from March)
• Read 2 books
• Find a summer job (or two) – got rejected from the NY job…still waiting to hear back from the summer camp, although honestly I don’t see it working out with the schedule I need to keep.
• Create budget (prepare to possibly need to buy a new car by 2016)
• Create Emergency Fund (goal – $200) 
• Pay down student loan balance 
• Create debt repayment plan (for real this time)
• Side Hustle –  Sold something on my Etsy store!!! 

Weekly $ Checkup 4.3

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was – $25 on dress sandals to wear to work
2. Today I am thankful that my senior capstone students have finished their presentation to a professional panel (IT’S DONE!!!)
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was NOTHING! Just kidding. Favorite and I went to a wedding reception (that we stayed for about two seconds at…) but then he surprise drove to a local British-themed restaurant and treated me to dinner (so free cheese fries made me happy!!)
4. I will consider this week a success if I …to be honest I already consider it a success because the panel is over with. It’d probably be more successful if I did chores around the apartment though.
5. If I had today off I would take a minute to just breathe. Then try to get organized and figure out the rest of what I need to do for May.

My coworker’s reception was beautiful, but we were a little late so there weren’t really any available seats and we didn’t know anyone…so there was a lot of standing around awkwardly. I also had an interview for a summer job Monday as a counselor at a summer camp. I’m really (honestly) not excited about looking for a summer job. I know I’m lucky to have this opportunity, but I really want to be lazy for a little while! I also have an interview at a water park, so we’ll see where everything goes. I’ve gained a little weight, which is frustrating, but I kind of anticipated it happening with stress and failing to make my lunches/dinners as healthy as I should have, so all I can do is take responsibility and move forward!

And a side note is that I’ll probably start talking a bit about teaching and stuff like that on this blog. I know it’s not directly related to finance, but hey!!! It’s employment that pays me! Also I’m starting to get really burned out at this point in the school year. Plus the kids keep doing stuff like spilling an entire bottle of water on my desk without noticing all over all of my paperwork and then ruining my favorite post-it notes, soaking my chair (I was at the board), and all of the homework, tests, and quizzes I needed to grade. Excellent. Had to take a walk after that one. This comic at Sarah’s Scribbles about summarizes me up at this point:

Good thing my job doesn’t require me to interact with 30+ 18 year olds for eight hours a day 🙂 

Goal Progress:

• Log into MFP every day and log all exercise/food intake today 
• Use the gym at least 3x a week
• Complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred – Not even remotely
• Blog at least 12x this month (up three from March)
• Read 2 books
• Find a summer job (or two) – had one interview and am scheduled for a second!
• Create budget (prepare to possibly need to buy a new car by 2016)
• Create Emergency Fund (goal – $200) 
• Pay down student loan balance – paid down $200
• Create debt repayment plan (for real this time)
• Side Hustle – set up Etsy store 

Summer Sun, Summer Employment

Ugh. This is almost as bad as my search for a part-time job back in the day. I opted to continue to get paid through the summer, so it’s not that I am not going to be able to pay my bills; however, that’s three months I could have a significant secondary source of income. I would be idiotic to not take advantage of it. If anything, it’s been harder to find a summer job. There aren’t a lot of opportunities available for only the summer, or that you can apply for now that will start in late May/early June. PLUS, many of them are solely either for teenagers or for current college students.

My best bets so far have been summer camps and summer school. I’ve applied to teach summer school and for several camps, but so far I’ve only had a phone interview for a nonprofit international camp in New York…which I haven’t heard anything back for so I’m not hopeful. I do have an interview on Monday that seems like it’ll pan out, so wish me luck! It’s with a summer camp that is a little further away than I wanted, but it’s still employment! Plus it’s in the same area that Favorite’s family lives, so maybe I’ll get to hang out a little more with him and do fun summer stuff.

The plan for this potential additional income is to use it solely for debt repayment and my emergency fund.

Some of my accounts are behind (one in particular VERY behind), so the goal for the summer is to completely pay off debts that are not attached to a card/tuition and to catch up all of my delinquent accounts. I would also like to have a month’s income put back in my EF by the end of the summer. I really would love to buy a “new” car by the beginning of 2016; however, in order to do that I need better credit, a better credit history, and money put back. Once I have money for emergencies and a higher credit score (for lower interest), I can concentrate on putting cash back for that purchase. My car is not doing well right now, so if I need to replace it ahead of schedule, I would be able to use my emergency fund for that.

Anyway. I’m planning with money not in hand, and I can’t predict the future, so the best I can do at this point is apply for summer positions as they come and hope it works out for the best!

Wish me luck 🙂 

Weekly $ Checkup 4.2

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was – $200 on student loan repayment
2. Today I am thankful that I have finished grading (for now)
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was planting in the garden with my mom while I was home for spring break 🙂
4. I will consider this week a success if I figure out my repayment plan.
5. If I had today off I would I workout some when the gym was hopefully empty…

The first few days back at work have been rough, but the school year is almost over with. I don’t know what I would have done had I not had a week off. We ended up not going to the Strawberry Festival; however, we did go to the Louisiana Arts and Science Museum with Favorite and his little sister, which was a lot of fun! This weekend we have one of my coworker’s wedding and a family event to look forward to…glad grading’s finished! I’ve been trying to figure out how to manage my debt. I know I keep saying that and it sounds stupid (you know, “just pay it off dummy!!!”), but I want to do this in the smartest way possible. I put 25% of my income toward debt this month. I’m okay with that I guess, but it’s not enough. I also put 5% of my income in savings. The goal is to do put at least 5% in every month. It’s not a ton, but it’s something. Then I have a little put back while I try to mostly focus on paying down my debts.

Goal Progress:

• Log into MFP every day and log all exercise/food intake today 
• Use the gym at least 3x a week – Went once but immediately left because so many people
• Complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred – No progress yet
• Blog at least 12x this month (up three from March)
• Read 2 books – I picked them out: 1984 & Brave New World
• Find a summer job (or two) – had a phone interview for a summer camp I’m really excited about it!!!
• Create budget (prepare to possibly need to buy a new car by 2016) – No progress
• Create Emergency Fund (goal – $200) – $130 so far
• Pay down student loan balance – No progress
• Create debt repayment plan (for real this time) – No progress
• Side Hustle – set up Etsy store – Sold a hat and Tiny Groot!

Weight for it, Weight for it, Strength Training Plan

And that’s the plan!

Wait. Just kidding! But in seriousness. I’ve had a lot of trouble finding a workout routine that seemed…reasonable? And I joined a gym for this month in order to try out machines, but it seemed ridiculous to wander around pulling at cords and handles and pushing buttons. Surprisingly enough, I found what looks to be a good workout at Simply Shredded. I don’t buy a lot of what they’re trying to sell in terms of the science of it…being a biochemistry major for three and a half years has ruined me for most of the fitness world’s claims; however, I do think the literal workouts seem pretty solid. So here’s what I’ll be working with:

Weeks 1-4 (All 3 x 8-12) – Weeks 5-8 (All 3 x 6-8) – Weeks 9-12 (All 3 x 4-6)

Day One – Upper Body A

• Bench Press
• Bent Over Row
• DB Shoulder Press
• Lying Tricep Extension
• Barbell or DB Curl

Day Two – Lower Body A

• Squat
• Stiff Leg Deadlift
• Leg Extension
• Leg Curl
• Standing Calf Raise
• Abs:
  Lying Leg Raise 3 x 10-15
  Swiss Ball Crunch 3 x 10-15

Day Three – Off Day

Day Four – Upper Body B

• Dips
• Pull-Ups
• DB Side Lateral
• Tricep Cable Pressdown
• Cable Curl

Day Five – Lower Body B

• Deadlift
• Leg Press
• Lunges
• Seated Calf Raise
• DB Shrugs (Optional)
• Abs:
  Incline Crunch 3 x 10-15
  Back Extension 3 x 10-15

Day Six – Off Day

Day Seven – Off Day

I’m pretty behind on my terminology, so I’ve been hunting up all of these and illustrating them, so as I do them I’ll post some adorable stick figure doing said exercises and let y’all know how it goes and what I think about turning all my limbs into limp noodles. Guess the reality of being in my…late twenties is starting to hit me…so trying to get fit and get strong it is! Plus it doesn’t hurt that bathing suit season is so soon, no?

Wish me luck!

Weekly $ Checkup 4.1

1. The most I’ve spent this last week was – $765 on rent & water 😦 
2. Today I am thankful that I’m off the whole week for spring break and made some side hustle from crocheting!!!
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was a huge amount of Saturday! Four-wheeler riding, crawfish, cake-eating, walking in the woods, and hanging out with one of my favorites 🙂
4. I will consider this week a success if I accomplish all the stuff I’ve been procrastinating!!!
5. If I had today off I would … I do have today off! And tomorrow! And through Sunday!!! Because teaching does have some perks! I’m finishing a hat I’m crocheting and working on setting up my Etsy store and FB page  for advertising!!!

I’ve got a ton to look forward to this month! This week I’m off of work because Spring Break 2015!!! Am I doing something exciting? I’m cleaning and lazing about and grading. Fun enough for me!!! 🙂 The weekend of the 10th I’m going to a Strawberry Festival with Favorite and his little sister! The next weekend is my coworker’s wedding (also with him) and then the NEXT weekend is one of my best friend’s (whose wedding I’m actually in) couple shower (favorite is also my +1). Plus my kids have their science fair panel, another friend has his recital, and a club I’m co-sponsoring is having their state competition. So like I said.

Action-packed month of April! 

Goal Progress:

• Log into MFP every day and log all exercise/food intake today – Not quite on track, but will jump back on the horse tomorrow!!!
• Use the gym at least 3x a week – No progress yet (at home for Easter until tomorrow, 2 hours from the gym)
• Complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred – No progress yet
• Blog at least 12x this month (up three from March) – 2x so far 😉
• Read 2 books – I picked them out: 1984 & Brave New World
• Find a summer job (or two) – had a phone interview for a summer camp I’m really excited about it!!!
• Create budget (prepare to possibly need to buy a new car by 2016) – No progress
• Create Emergency Fund (goal – $200) – No progress
• Pay down student loan balance – No progress
• Create debt repayment plan (for real this time) – No progress
• Side Hustle – set up Etsy store – Trying this thing out 🙂 Been looking up other side hustle sources too! I’ll be telling all that later though!

April Showers Bring…New Goals!!!

April Showers bring May Flowers…and what do Mayflowers bring? PILGRIMS!!! (hehehe)

But in all seriousness, not April foolin’, I want April to be an A+ month. March was a little bit of a disappointment…I didn’t utterly fail at my goals, but I let myself get distracted with a lot of stuff due to work and side hustle. Side hustle was good for money I guess, but it was horrific on my time. A lot of the side hustle got spent on fast food because I didn’t feel like cooking.

I can’t believe it’s already April! 2015 has flown by. It helps that my job varies enough and makes the time fly. Plus teacher holidays are pretty awesome. Almost makes up for dealing with 16-18 year old’s hormones and advanced math for 8 hours a day 😉 I like that back in 2013, I was trying to figure out my life plan…and I’m still doing that two years later. UGH. Maybe it’ll never be actually planned…lol

April Goals

• Log into MFP every day and log all exercise/food intake today
• Use the gym at least 3x a week
• Complete Jillian Michael’s 30 Day Shred
• Blog at least 12x this month (up three from March)
• Read 2 books
• Find a summer job (or two)
• Create budget (prepare to possibly need to buy a new car by 2016)
• Create Emergency Fund (goal – $200)
• Pay down student loan balance
• Create debt repayment plan (for real this time)
• Side Hustle – set up Etsy store

What are you hoping to accomplish in April?

2015 Net Worth Update

Now that I’m back to actively trying to get my finances on track, I figured it’s about time to check out my Net Worth…for the first time in four years. 😦 I’m fairly confident it has gone down by a significant amount…however, my income has gone up significantly, so I’m hoping to change this quickly!

Assets: $1913.66

Liabilities: $27833.84

Net worth: -$25920.18

The very simple way to find this, for those of you who have not tried to find your Net Worth before, is to add your assets (car, house, expensive item, etc.) and then your liabilities (loans, personal loans, bills, balances, etc.). Subtract the latter from the former. When I did so, I ended up with a net worth of – $25920.18. Which is pretty terrible compared to the average for my age group, which is $8525 (according to sources).

I have a few major purchases that will probably need to happen within the next year or two, and I need an emergency fund built up, so there’s a lot of major repairs that need to happen with my finances. It’s hard to try to deal with all the cards on the table, but it’s my just dessert for not being a tight wad and instead being a loose spender for a few years.