Settling back in

Even though it was just a few days away, I still feel like I'm adjusting back to the real world - which includes remembering to grocery shop, do laundry, and run. To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't mind several more days of eating out (I actually did pretty well staying healthy, even at the airport!), throwing dirty laundry in a pile in the corner of a hotel room and hiking up mountains or winding through little neighborhoods in cities across the country.

I'm finally feeling like I'm back on track. A difficult run this evening followed by several loads of laundry and a simple dinner at home helped. So has thinking about (and talking about) my renewed commitment to get out of debt, find a workable budget, and feel in control about my financial life. I looked up the 50/30/20 Budget Plan today (link) and compared my actual bills and savings to the plan. Unfortunately I'm coming in at 60% "needs", 12% "wants", and about 27% savings and debt pay-off. I don't exactly see much room for reducing the needs category and it's even going to increase when my grad school loans come due (I've already decided not to consolidate, just to suck it up and take the straightforward 10 year payment plan to reduce my overall interest and simply be done with them). In fact, I'd need a 20% increase in my take-home pay to get down to the 50%. But the book that goes along with this plan is on my to-read list and I think it's just going to be the start of a change in thinking. I can't get wrapped up about not perfectly meeting the goals. I just have to work at getting better. And while a raise would be nice, I know that if I stay on track my debt-pay off will decrease and I will free up some cash for "wants" which makes life that much more enjoyable. 

As for the "wants" - towards the top of my list is a gym membership. I'm doing pretty well with the half marathon training and I've learned how great it is for me to run with a group. I wouldn't be at 6 miles already without the great folks I get to see each Sunday. But cardio isn't going to cut it if I want to look and feel my best - and I'd love to get back to yoga or even kickboxing. Of course I should just find some workouts online and do what I can at home. Plenty of people get flat abs in their living rooms and honestly I have no excuse - I certainly have the time. Think I need to settle into yet another new routine.