About Me

Dido

GOALS for 2008

1. Continue to save 15% of earnings (ideally 20%). To do this, I will make special effort this year towards cutting food costs.

2. For 2008 only, put most of that towards short-term savings (CD ladder) to give myself sufficient liquidity during a career change.
Jan 1, 2008 cash balance: $8023
Mar 31, 2008 balance: $8200
June 30, 2008 balance: $8606

3. Do everything possible to make that career change happen! Planning to do an internship this summer and apply for jobs in the fall. Although I'm not a traditional college student, that's what the market is geared for, so I expect the career changeover to occur in June 2009. I am set with employment until then (phew!)

4. Continue paying extra on the mortgage. Goal is to cut my payoff date down to 22 years total (age 67) or ideally 20 (age 65).
Jan 1, 2008 balance: $89,300.
Mar 31, 2008 balance: $89,000
Jun 30, 2008 balance: $88,560

5. Continue investing for retirement--at least 1 million. Goal is to get there by no later than age 65, ideally age 60. Currently I'm on track to do so, as long as I can (1) earn an average of 8%/year on my retirement savings and (2) get some contributions towards my retirement from my employer.
balance 1/1/08: $127K
balance 6/30/08: $121K (market drop)

6. Nonfinancial goals: Lost at leat 15% of my weight (so far I lost weight during Jan & Feb and regained it during Mar & Apr), exercise daily, and maintain at least a semblance of a social life.

ABOUT ME

I grew up just outside of Beverly Hills in a family characterized by both a Depression-era fear of want and a tendency to solve many problems by throwing money at them. I still struggle with both tendencies myself. About 15 years ago, I had a "financial awakening when I read "Your Money or Your Life" and I've made significant progress since then, but I still find the journey a struggle on a daily basis.

$10 in free grocery money!

August 1st, 2006 at 02:56 pm

I was invited by email invitation a few weeks ago to take part in an online panel for my local grocery chain (Giant). Once a week they send me a message, and as long as I have one participation a week (complete one survey or have at least one entry on the discussion board), I get a $10 reward credit to use for groceries the next month. Just got the notice confirming my first $10 reward!

Posted in $20 Challenge | 4 Comments »

4 Responses to “$10 in free grocery money!”

Lady Jennelle Says:
August 1st, 2006 at 05:52 pm

Woo hoo - now talk about a good deal!

Wish they had those stores in my area. *lol*
Bookie Says:
August 1st, 2006 at 05:58 pm

Now that is neat. It's also a very good pay rate if you figure what it would work out to an hour.
flash Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 06:24 am

I have that store here...and I didn't get a survey
Dido Says:
August 2nd, 2006 at 11:41 am

The email invite came shortly after I'd logged on to their website. You might try that, flash. Don't know for sure if that's what triggered the invite, but seems a distinct possibility.

Fiscal Fitness

Aiming to save 15% of my earnings and to lose 15% of my weight in 2008!

$10 in free grocery money!

4 Responses to “$10 in free grocery money!”

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