2014 Goal Check...

It's time for a Goal Check. Below are the Goals I set for 2014.

Financial:

• Pay off a Minimum of $20,000 in Debt
• Maintain $10,000 in Savings 

Progress:

• $6,000 in current savings - savings have depleted the last couple of months.
• Still planning to end the year with over $5,000 in savings if not closer to $8,000.
• Still on target to pay off $20k in debt this year.  
• Interview for a new job next week that would increase my base salary to approx. $112,000 annually plus provide an annual bonus and still allow me to qualify for stock options. Pray for me!

Health & Fitness:

• 8 Hours of Sleep
• Minimum of 1 Gallon of Water Daily
• Run 3 Times a Week
• Jump Rope 15 Minutes Daily
• Run Races and at Least 1 Half Marathon 

Progress:

• Plenty of sleep. Interrupted but ample.
• Got off the water kick but back on it heavy.
• Registering for the Chicago Half Marathon - Training started this month.

Travel

• I love love love to travel.
• Take at least one big trip - Destination TBD
• Visit my friends in NJ
• Visit my friend in DC
• Visit Niagara Falls
• Visit CA with a drive up the coast 

Progress:

• I made it to Niagara Falls in June 2014!!! Beautiful! 
• Going to Toronto for Carabana in August with my friend from NJ for her 35th birthday. 
• My other NJ friend is coming to Chicago for the Annual House Music Picnic. 
• My last NJ friend is moving to DC so I am going to try to get to both my DC friends this year.
• No plans for LA yet....I would love to also get out there to get my hair cut/trimmed.
• Looking at last minute deals for 3 nights for my 2-week vacation in July...Anybody want to come with me?!?! lol

Other Comments

I decided that I am going to try my best to strike a balance between my Debt Reduction Plans and Living. I want to live versus just exist to pay bills. Perhaps my original goal to repay all my debt in 5 years was too aggressive but I know I can do it in 8-10 years. With that, I could have $200k+ in retirement savings and close to $50k in other savings/investment assets. The important thing is to pay off my Private Loans that have a variable rate ASAP.

I would enjoy life a little more by stretching the plan but staying focused on the goals. I would be less tense and stressed. I am 36...$200k+ paid off and Debt Free by 44/45 isn't too bad. Of course that time frame could shorten if I have a partner to share expenses with where I can direct more money towards debt reduction. I am focused! I will get all of this debt paid off but I want to enjoy my life too.