I'm going to crush you. I'm not 100% sure how, but I am bound and determined to stay in the black, even if it means eating pantry-and-freezer-inspired meals at the peak of produce season and being a hermit.
That is all.
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
check-in / log-out
Yesterday's run came bright and early - ok, NOT bright, because after a month and a half it finally rained. It was wonderful - and between the water coming from the sky and the slightly cooler temps the run went great.
I stuck with a slower pace group because I'm more focused on finishing strong than running fast. I want to be slow and steady with much less walking. A lot of this will depend on doing well with the mid-week runs of course, but a great long run makes a huge difference.
I noted another benefit about the 7am Sunday start time yesterday: fewer opportunities to overhear the droning and drivel from Sunday morning political talk shows as the election season drags. Woo! Win for me and win for that person who LIKES watching the Sunday talk shows.
Now for the log-out part: if I want to meet the goals I outlined in my last couple of posts, something else has got to give. After an unnecessarily frustrating Monday morning and subsequent discussion on the "why", I was led pretty directly to the "how". Basically if I want my mornings to go smoothly, and if I want to get up early for running, yoga, and general peace before the start of the day, more preparation needs to take place at night. This means lunch prep, deciding what to wear, reading, etc. And in order to make THAT happen, I'm vowing to log off the computer and institute a no-internet policy after 9pm. NOTHING on the internet is more important than being able to start my day in a positive manner. I'm generally reading things to relax/decompress, but I have so many books I'd love to get through and plenty of crossword puzzles that can take the place of the screen, and that are likely to be a bit more fulfilling. I sit in front of a computer all day as well - surely my body and eyes would like a break.
So that's the plan. Onward!
I stuck with a slower pace group because I'm more focused on finishing strong than running fast. I want to be slow and steady with much less walking. A lot of this will depend on doing well with the mid-week runs of course, but a great long run makes a huge difference.
I noted another benefit about the 7am Sunday start time yesterday: fewer opportunities to overhear the droning and drivel from Sunday morning political talk shows as the election season drags. Woo! Win for me and win for that person who LIKES watching the Sunday talk shows.
Now for the log-out part: if I want to meet the goals I outlined in my last couple of posts, something else has got to give. After an unnecessarily frustrating Monday morning and subsequent discussion on the "why", I was led pretty directly to the "how". Basically if I want my mornings to go smoothly, and if I want to get up early for running, yoga, and general peace before the start of the day, more preparation needs to take place at night. This means lunch prep, deciding what to wear, reading, etc. And in order to make THAT happen, I'm vowing to log off the computer and institute a no-internet policy after 9pm. NOTHING on the internet is more important than being able to start my day in a positive manner. I'm generally reading things to relax/decompress, but I have so many books I'd love to get through and plenty of crossword puzzles that can take the place of the screen, and that are likely to be a bit more fulfilling. I sit in front of a computer all day as well - surely my body and eyes would like a break.
So that's the plan. Onward!
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Another set of goals
One of the most frustrating and on-going issues I've dealt with in this so-called adulthood is that of money. I am completely aware that I'm not alone. I'm completely aware too that I have it really good, far far better than millions of people. AND I'm fully aware that I've worked hard to get where am, yet I've made mistakes (often the same ones time and again) to be in this place where I still consider money an issue.
But I've had it. I've probably said it before, but I'm completely serious at this point. Perhaps it's the shift from student to loan-repay-ee. Or the fact that my gently-used-when-purchased Civic is 1 payment away from being mine. And certainly a lot has to do with the fact that I've turned 30.
I've always been meticulous about tracking my income and expenses, but not about staying within the resulting budget. Despite "knowing better", I've yet to build up an emergency fund and thus turn to good old plastic when the need arises (mostly car, travel, and gift-related expenses - not 100% necessary, but from from extravagant...it's all relative).
I had been on track to pay off my credit cards before turning 30 until a big car bill (new tires/brakes) and some emotional splurges around Christmas ratcheted the balances back up. But now, if I stay on track, I'll be paid in full in February. And to be honest, there's no reason why I can't get there. I've got savings accounts going to Christmas expenses, taxes (no more tuition deduction, boo!), and travel and my regular savings account is slowing growing too (in case of another car repair, for example).
The hardest parts - as I've learned through the aforementioned meticulous expense tracking - will be food and gifts. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, babies - there's always something and someone to celebrate. This is evidence of a life filled with people I care about. But being frugally generous seems like a contradiction in terms, doesn't it? And as for food, it's not like I go out to eat at the trendiest spots each week and only grocery shop at Whole Foods. But because I tend towards last minute cooking (if any) and haven't religiously brought my lunch to work in months, my bills to Local Harvest, Schnucks, and downtown "fast" lunches make up a significant portion of my expenses. I know I can do better.
So here are my main goals:
But I've had it. I've probably said it before, but I'm completely serious at this point. Perhaps it's the shift from student to loan-repay-ee. Or the fact that my gently-used-when-purchased Civic is 1 payment away from being mine. And certainly a lot has to do with the fact that I've turned 30.
I've always been meticulous about tracking my income and expenses, but not about staying within the resulting budget. Despite "knowing better", I've yet to build up an emergency fund and thus turn to good old plastic when the need arises (mostly car, travel, and gift-related expenses - not 100% necessary, but from from extravagant...it's all relative).
I had been on track to pay off my credit cards before turning 30 until a big car bill (new tires/brakes) and some emotional splurges around Christmas ratcheted the balances back up. But now, if I stay on track, I'll be paid in full in February. And to be honest, there's no reason why I can't get there. I've got savings accounts going to Christmas expenses, taxes (no more tuition deduction, boo!), and travel and my regular savings account is slowing growing too (in case of another car repair, for example).
The hardest parts - as I've learned through the aforementioned meticulous expense tracking - will be food and gifts. Birthdays, graduations, weddings, babies - there's always something and someone to celebrate. This is evidence of a life filled with people I care about. But being frugally generous seems like a contradiction in terms, doesn't it? And as for food, it's not like I go out to eat at the trendiest spots each week and only grocery shop at Whole Foods. But because I tend towards last minute cooking (if any) and haven't religiously brought my lunch to work in months, my bills to Local Harvest, Schnucks, and downtown "fast" lunches make up a significant portion of my expenses. I know I can do better.
So here are my main goals:
- Bring lunch every day in August. If someone else wants to treat me, great, otherwise it's brown bag. I've got stacks of recipes I've been meaning to try and most of the necessary staples on hand - I just haven't made cooking a priority with my time.
- No new credit card charges from August onward - until it's completely paid off in February (or before, who knows!).
- 50% of all extra cash received channeled towards savings - at least. So if I housesit, bartend, find $20 in a coat pocket, etc., I'm going to immediately deposit half into my regular savings account, or start a new targeted fund in Smarty Pig.
- Stay on the 10 year plan for my student loans. Sure, consolidating them would lead to about $100 a month in savings but the repayment terms would be at LEAST 15 years, and being done at age 40 doesn't sound too bad at all.
- Get creative with gifts and "fun" - and remind myself that spending $50+ on someone doesn't make me a better person...it makes me generous, but also broke. I can learn to be more generous with my time and stay on track instead.
Thursday, July 26, 2012
In 12 weeks...
In 12 weeks I could run another half marathon. Or it could just be late October. Either way, it's my choice.
Obviously I know which outcome I want to see!
Went to a meeting last night for a free training team put on by a great local running store and I'm feeling good about the upcoming weeks and miles ahead (186 miles or so, according to my training plan).
This is advice I heard this week and it's so simple but makes so much sense. In 12 weeks, if I want something to be different there's just one way to get there.
My other goal/rule-imposed-upon-me-for-choosing-to-do-another-race: no complaining. That one may be even harder but I'm up for it too. Treating myself to new, REAL running shoes is probably going to help. Game on.
Obviously I know which outcome I want to see!
Went to a meeting last night for a free training team put on by a great local running store and I'm feeling good about the upcoming weeks and miles ahead (186 miles or so, according to my training plan).
This is advice I heard this week and it's so simple but makes so much sense. In 12 weeks, if I want something to be different there's just one way to get there.
My other goal/rule-imposed-upon-me-for-choosing-to-do-another-race: no complaining. That one may be even harder but I'm up for it too. Treating myself to new, REAL running shoes is probably going to help. Game on.
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