Monthly Money Check-in: November 2014

Ah, I slacked off for two months. Oh shit. Plus I'm more broke now, because I've been in grad school. But I'm sitting here with my boyfriend, and I made him his own monthly money chart, and we decided to work together on the goal of saving $30,000 by the time I finish grad school in June 2016. With this money we will pursue one of a few dream ideas we have: taking a months-long trip, buying a tiny house, or using it as a down payment on a house.

I'm paying $18,000 a year right now for grad school, so although my total net worth is going down, I have to remember that I'm following my dreams.

Monthly Money Check-In: June 2014

We almost bought a $10,000 car. It seemed like the best option. Then we found one from a friend for $1,800. Yesss.

I'm starting grad school. $2,000 a month payments. I am ready to start thinking like a starving artist again.

This month, there was some error from accounting. They hadn't been giving me the money I earned, so I got a big check. Weee.

I like money.

But I want to be a writer.

My goal is to set myself up to just write for two years after grad school. If I save up $10,000, this will mean I live in Thailand or Costa Rica for those two years. If I save up $40,000, I can probably stay in Seattle.

Monthly Money Check-In: May 2014

Ok, so I suck for not posting for a few months. Jeri wasn't able to check it, and I knew it, and it made me totally slack. But I'm back. And I sold my house, which looks like this:

 

Holy shit my net worth is positive!

 

 On paper, my situation has improved by $102,000, which is insane.

  

I recovered from that trip to Thailand. 

I also made a wise financial choice, even though I really, really, really didn't want to. I got into grad school for NYU in Paris. Price tag: $65,000. I really, really, really wanted to go. But I will not have that much money over the next two years, and I will not go back into debt. 

I am starting another program that will be really expensive. It will cost $39,000. Which is crazy to look at. It's going to be a lot of money, a lot of time, and I'll have to have my discipline ON. Hopefully this blog will help!

Monthly Money Check-In: February 2014

We are getting back on track. And, honestly. I know a big commission is coming! So although I'm still making my baby steps, and I'm not counting my chickens before they hatch, I'm not exactly hitting it hard.

By next month I should have a fully funded emergency fund. Debt free with an emergency fund. This is literally a place I've never been before in my life. 

I also think that maybe, just maybe (I'm afraid to believe) that my house might just sell this month. It's been dragging out for years. 

But if both those things happen, I will finally have a positive net worth. And that will be crazy!

I can still be comforted by where I started from. Ooh but look, I'm almost back where I was a year ago. Terrible!

 

Depressing. But turned a slight corner. 

 Net Worth strugglin'. 

The one thing I can be happy about is my retirement savings. It's on the up and up!

Monthly Money Check-in: January 2014

Help! I'm in free fall! What the hell happened?
I guess we all think that after the holidays, either about our weight or our bank accounts, or both. Well, my lunch is packed for tomorrow, and I'm not going to Starbucks in the morning. It's time to get real.

I've enjoyed two years of living as a young businesswoman with a nice salary. Now it's time to live like a writer who can't wait to have a writing career.

I'm applying to grad schools this year, so I need to save, save, save! My goal is to save $20,000 this year.

Here is my shameful downfall this month:

 I had more money in my Total Short-term stuff a year ago! For shame!

Not looking good. But it's a new year and I'm ready to stand up and try again!