For Auld Lang Syne...

Well it's that time of year again - the end of it. At such an occasion, like most people, I like to take this time to reflect and look forward to the upcoming year. However, I don't believe in making resolutions, I create goals. All that "I resolve to..." nonsense makes me feel like I am in confession. So for the upcoming year, here are my financial goals ( I have others, but I don't think you want to hear about how I need to clean out my hall closet).

2009 Financial Goals:

• Reduce my overall interest rate: I am currently paying a weighted interest rate of 19.64% on my debt. I would really like to bring that down a smidge.
• Reduce Credit Card #1 by at least 50%: The balance on this card is currently $19535, which means that I will need to pay off principal of $9767, (I'll just round that up to $10,000). Yes, I know that this is less than $1000 in principal per month, but with payments on all of my other cards, and my current payments of about $500 in principal on this card per month, it is a rather lofty goal.
• Start my emergency fund: Yep, one of the biggest financial management sins is not having an emergency fund. I would like to get a an emergency fund in place with a minimum of $500 in it at any given time.
• Secure a new job with better pay: I actually have a decent job in my field right now, but I am not truly happy there. It's time for me to spread my wings a bit and move on. Besides, I'm not exactly making what I could be in a different organization. The new job is a personal growth thing, the better pay is just common sense.

So that's the game plan for '09. Not rocket science, but it this would make a huge difference in my world.