We've decided to overhaul our finances. I'm already somewhat of a psychopath about where money goes each month, but since we're going to be combing some of our finances in the next 2 months I've been trying my darndest to get things under control and on track for both retirement and savings.
Listen to me being all adult.
One of our long-term (and read- long term) goals is to live in another state. Experience life elsewhere. Preferably in a place where it doesn't snow. We're both realists, we understand that moving to a different state requires well...money. And I am well...paranoid. Meaning I panic if we don't have a certain amount in checking every month. What if the car breaks down? What if I get fired? What if a racoon sneaks into the apartment, leaving the door open allowing a black widow spider to crawl in and bite me in my sleep, rendering me without an arm and I have to take a sabbotical? What then?
So we've made some changes: we've turned off the air. It's April. It's a nice steady 60-70 here, and with the windows open we don't need any air conditioning. We've stopped shopping at the more convenient (and much more expensive) grocery store in order to utlize our Shopper's Perk card. I've started line-drying much more, saving a few loads of dryer-time. I've spent the last two days researching coupons and finding deals on items we use a lot. I only go out to lunch once a week now as a treat.
I'm planning on making our own laundry and dish detergent- much thanks to my friend over at Our Epic Journey. I have started taking out cash at the beginning of the week (I'm better when I can see the money leaving my pocket). We've had discussions lately about what we want versus what we need.
We have savings goals, we've started putting aside money for retirement. I feel a little more at peace.
