In Focus.
Looking back on 2009, I have come to the conclusion that I am able to make some decent financial decisions when it comes to budgeting my income. I was able to save nearly $28k in total (exceeding last year's resolution), made some large purchases, and engaged in unique activities. Some of these highlights include my 52" Sony Bravia LCD, my visit to Times Square following participation as a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding, and my skydiving adventure.
Last month, in perhaps my largest individual purchase to date, I bought a new car. After some shopping around, I decided to exchange my 2003 Chevy Malibu ($2k on trade-in with $4k in rebates) for a 2009 Ford Focus. It's the first new car I've ever owned and I loved it from the moment I sat inside. It has an array of interesting features including a bluetooth audio feed (over which I can play music from my iphone automatically or place calls), Sirius Radio, 6-CD, a hard wired Aux audio input, USB Port (which I either use for the 5VDC source or for the car's Sync Voice Command link to my phone's contacts and music), a large subwoofer in the trunk (tuned perfectly to the resonant frequency of the vehicle), sun/moon roof (which I've never had prior), and variable internal LED floor lighting. Silver. Everything I need in a car with better fuel economy than my last vehicle.
As far as 2010, I have realistic and optimistic expectations for my resolutions. (1) Financially, I would like to see $40k in my local savings account, increase my roth IRA contributions and pay off the new car I bought last month. (2) I'd like to continue working out 2~3 times per week and cook more meals at home. I plan to look into breast augmentation as well. Lastly, (3) I'd like to further increase my quality of life including planning an exotic vacation, making a couple more large purchases, and begin to consider Graduate School fulltime possibly in the field of Architectural Design given my recent fascination with Solar design integration. These resolutions are ambitious; they will require my Focus.
Happy New Year!
Last month, in perhaps my largest individual purchase to date, I bought a new car. After some shopping around, I decided to exchange my 2003 Chevy Malibu ($2k on trade-in with $4k in rebates) for a 2009 Ford Focus. It's the first new car I've ever owned and I loved it from the moment I sat inside. It has an array of interesting features including a bluetooth audio feed (over which I can play music from my iphone automatically or place calls), Sirius Radio, 6-CD, a hard wired Aux audio input, USB Port (which I either use for the 5VDC source or for the car's Sync Voice Command link to my phone's contacts and music), a large subwoofer in the trunk (tuned perfectly to the resonant frequency of the vehicle), sun/moon roof (which I've never had prior), and variable internal LED floor lighting. Silver. Everything I need in a car with better fuel economy than my last vehicle.
As far as 2010, I have realistic and optimistic expectations for my resolutions. (1) Financially, I would like to see $40k in my local savings account, increase my roth IRA contributions and pay off the new car I bought last month. (2) I'd like to continue working out 2~3 times per week and cook more meals at home. I plan to look into breast augmentation as well. Lastly, (3) I'd like to further increase my quality of life including planning an exotic vacation, making a couple more large purchases, and begin to consider Graduate School fulltime possibly in the field of Architectural Design given my recent fascination with Solar design integration. These resolutions are ambitious; they will require my Focus.
Happy New Year!