"Setting a goal doesn't guarantee success; it just gives you a target. You still have to work your tail off to hit it." - BFF Dave

Oh BFF Dave, you are spot on with that quote. You want success? Work hard. Not willing to work hard? You don't get success. Makes perfect sense to me.

Speaking of working one's behind off, my to-do list is a mile long this week. Seriously.

So, I've decided to take today (Monday) as a day to figure out what the heck I need to accomplish this week, make a to-do list and cross things off as they get done:

-Take all the miscellaneous crap out of my car.
-Vacuum said car.
-Wash said car.
-Run Tuesday.
-Run Wednesday.
-Attend cycle class Wednesday.
-Run Thursday.
-Run Sunday.
-Do ALL of my laundry. Every. last. bit. of. it.
-Straighten out the disaster I call my side of the closet.
-Figure out the April budget.
-Actually take an hour of my life (or two) and SERIOUSLY organize my coupons.
-Go to RiteAid.
-Follow-up with application references.
-Finish 'Forbidden Daughter.'
-Complete my blog for That's Fit.

Actually, this list doesn't seem too bad. It's just a matter of finding the time and energy to kick myself into high gear.

Ready, set, goooooooooooo!

“Your actions should show you care about money by learning something about it.” - BFF Dave

Why is saving money, being on a budget and working towards your goals so difficult?

Because it causes you to stare at yourself, criticize your habits and realize that you – yes you – made and continue to make really, really bad decisions. No one WANTS to be criticized and told that he or she is doing things incorrectly, but to make serious changes it is a necessary evil.

I am really struggling this month and I’m not quite sure why. I have done a fairly good job of saying no, putting money into savings and being a better budgeter but this month has been disastrous. It is also frustrating knowing how hard I’m working and not seeing that reflected in my bank account.

BFF Dave says to do whatever you have to do to take in extra income when you are going through his baby steps plan. I’ve already started a part-time job one day a week, but I briefly considered picking up a second shift at the gym on Wednesday nights, but after one evening shift I was so sore, so cranky and so tired that the extra money didn’t make up for how awesome I felt. Sorry, BFF Dave…

BFF Dave also says that fixing your financial plan is 80% behavior and 20% knowledge and I truly believe that. I know WHAT I need to do, I need to actually do it. It’s like saying you want to lose weight, but not changing any of your behaviors. You can’t lose 20 pounds and still eat fried foods, drink sugary drinks and eat massive portions daily. I can’t save money and pay down my debt if I lose focus and start falling back into some old traps.

Saving money + paying off debt = happiness (and a house in the future.)

Spending money frivolously + not paying down debt faster = failure (and no house in the future.)

I choose happiness over failure.

So, here’s what I’m going to work on this weekend:

-Organize my coupons.
-Plan my menu for the week and make a grocery list.
-ONLY buy items on said grocery list.
-Figure out the budget for April.
-Figure out the budget for the rest of March.
-Change direct deposit form for work so that $25 automatically goes into savings.
-De-clutter and go through items to see if anything could be sold at a consignment shop or on Amazon.

Final quote from BFF Dave, “I am not against the enjoyment of money. What I am against is spending money when you do not have money to being with.”