Monthly Money Check-In: April '12

This month I reached a major financial milestone. My goal has always been to reach $10,000 in my 401(k) before the age of 30, and I made it. This fund was started while I was still in college, and now reaffirms the power of little-by-little, over time.

But honestly, I lacked that celebratory feeling I thought I'd get. Maybe it was because at the same time, I was going near ape-shit on the money front, with a friend in town. I realized right before he got here that I had no money plan. We were going to be going snowboarding and going on a road trip. I was essentially going on vacation without budgeting for a vacation. And that's where it ended, knowing I had no plan.

Back when I was a bad waitress, messing up left and right, and saying, "Sorry I forgot those waters," "Sorry I didn't write down that order," my boss said to me, "No more sorry's." As in, stop apologizing, just do it right. I've had this feeling so many months in a row. Oops, this month I sucked. Sorry. No more sorry's. 

What I need is a vacation fund. I have a mini-vacation every month through July. Next month I might be going on a road trip to Idaho. Then I have a four-day music festival. Then I have a family trip (I'm buying the flight this week - $500ish). I don't know how to tell if I can afford these things or not. Just because I have the money doesn't mean I can afford it. Is the only way for me to save to have the money taken out automatically, a la a 401(k)?

These questions remain unanswered, which I fear will only add up to more "sorry's."

Anyway, what did I do right this month? I got my tax return, and I sent it right to my mom. Note that I am $300 away from paying her off! 

 

Upswing!