Hi, everyone.

I am creating a Financial Plan for 2019, not a resolution. I have found resolutions to be too wishy-washy and not specific enough. For example, a lot of people say they want to lose weight or get out of debt, but there is no follow up or plan behind that. The goals must be achievable, measurable, and have a date or “ongoing” attached. So, here is my plan with notes on the steps needed to accomplish it.

1) Purchase a used car with saved funds and tax refund by the end of February. I need about $7000.00 to buy a car in decent shape and pay tax and registration. I have about $5937.00. My tax refund should be at least $1000.00 and I will be putting in at least another $210.00 in savings from payday savings. I also estimate I may get around $100.00 (yes, it’s in that bad of shape) for a trade in. All of that should put my balance over $7300.

2)Pay down balance on cc #1 to $2000.00 by December 31st. To that, I need to pay $228.00 per month on this debt. I currently pay about $200.00, so this will be a bit of a stretch.

3) Continue to eat super healthy by growing some of my own food and buy some at the farmer’s market and stores. Doing this, especially growing my own vegetables, makes a considerable difference in food expenses overall. I will contribute the estimate on what I would save to credit card payoff. Ongoing.

4) Contribute any coupon or sales savings to credit card payoff. This is a money game I play. Ongoing.

5) I will also contribute any funds I get from rebates to credit card payoff also. Ongoing