The time to make New Year's resolutions is just around the corner. And the time to break them is just around the other corner. Believe it or not, I have had some success with New Year's resolutions. For instance, I completely gave up soft drinks for an entire year back in 2000. But that's about the only resolution I have ever been able to keep. I'm definitely not an expert in the personal development arena, but I do know that writing down your goals is the first logical step to achieving them and I would suggest you give this a try. I planned on saving this post for later this month. But after reading Trent's blog @ The Simple Dollar this afternoon, I decided to go ahead with this topic. So with that in mind, here are the financial goals that I hope to achieve in 2009.
Pay off the student loans
I'm not out of school yet, so technically I am not even required to begin making payments until around 2011 (I think). But, I am carrying around a $19,040.25 balance. I will receive a $5,000 scholarship in January which should propel me in the right direction. Based on our current budget, this goal should be accomplished by the end of summer. (I still have two classes left, but currently have the cash on hand to pay for them!)
Save for a home down-payment
Once the student loans have disappeared, I plan on applying the cash, previously used to pay off the student loan debt, towards our first home's down-payment fund. I'm not exactly sure when we will purchase this home, but it could happen as early as January, 2010. I have begun a First Time Home Buyer Series so that you can follow us along throughout this exciting process.
Graduate
I am 7 hours, or two courses, away from graduating with my M.B.A. I have been working full time since January 1, 2006 and attending classes part time since fall, 2006. Unfortunately, it looks as though work is going to prevent me from being able to finish up this spring. Depending on the classes offered, I could gradate at as early as the summer, but it may have to wait until December. Regardless, my goal is to wrap up the degree in 2009.
Establish The Broke M.B.A.'s readership
I hope to learn and implement the key things necessary for "The Broke M.B.A." to succeed. I would like to see at least 3,000 daily subscribers/readers of this blog by December 31, 2009.
2008 may have been the best year of my life for no other reason than it being my first as a married man. January 5th will mark our one year anniversary and I have no doubt that 2009 will be a great year!
