I'm just in the preliminary goal planning stage, but it is invigorating to imagine a fresh new year ahead. Maybe all of my goals may not pan out, but what is that saying, if I shoot for the moon, I may catch a star?

I want to continue on course for retirement savings. Between the two pensions my job offers, and my monthly contribution to my ROTH IRA, my savings is appropriate, according to online calculations. I am nowhere near where others my age are, I am sure, but by the time I reach retirement age I should be fine.

Besides retirement, I want to take advantage of the higher salary I am earning out here. Even considering some of the higher costs associated with this area, I should still be able to save 50% of my monthly income after taxes and retirement. That looks like a large amount, but I also take from this savings for specials such as vacations, big purchases, large gifts, etc. I just keep all the savings in one account instead of breaking it into sub accounts. Well, except for the rental, that has it's own account.

Just giving myself something to think about for goal planning. I didn't reach all of my goals this year but I did make good progress.

Although my retirement is on track, my non-retirement savings is not making me very happy. It has been a super expensive year. Lots of great things happened, but it wasn't cheap- a move, a wedding, a newer car, a vacation booked. That explains the stagnant bank account... I put money into the savings account, but then take it right back out to pay for these expenses that I don't want on my credit card.

Now I just want things to settle down. I don't want to buy anything, I'm happy with what I have, no more big changes, please! Actually, I take that back. You never know what big changes can bring. I just want my family to stay safe and sound xoxo

No shopping plans for this week, I should be headed right home after work, love that. The only shopping we do is to the grocery store once per week, and we did move that to a weeknight to make the weekend easier. But that is already budgeted for.

My mom is coming down for Thanksgiving week. I will be at work for a few of those days, but I will look for some inexpensive things to do and show her around the area. We will drive down to see my mom and dad for Christmas break. It's only 3 hours away, fortunately.

I will check out my gift stash this weekend, or maybe one night this week. I know that I have picked up some sale items throughout the year for people so I need to see what I already have. I'm not budgeting a whole lot for presents this year, I might even do donations in the name of my family members and just attach a notification card to a small gift.

Shout out to all of the Veterans, I am truly grateful for what you have done for the good of your country!

Paydays are super exciting when they only come once a month, lol!

Once the check hits my account, though, it gets kind of boring. Everything is on autopilot, scheduled to go to this bill, that account, etc. In a week or so all of the payments and deposits should be complete and I'll have what is left over to live off of.

Tonight, after rush hour traffic has passed, I'll drive the girls to spend the long weekend with their dad. I'll head back home by myself tomorrow morning. He will drive the girls back home on Tuesday. 3 months since the move, and we are making it work.

Changes are coming up at work, ugh. One of my supervisors told me about it, as well as 3 other teachers, and told us not to mention it to anyone else yet. Umm, big mistake. The changes that are coming are not ones you just want to bring up in a 10 minute meeting before a long weekend, and expect everything to run smoothly when we return on Wednesday. I did warn the 2 staff in my room, because I felt it was the right thing to do. My mistake. I should have known better, when in doubt just keep your mouth shut. One of the staff told other staff, even after swearing to keep it to himself. Well, what did I expect? I feel stupid for saying anything, but I learned my lesson.