January wrap up

January is traditionally a long month. It's cold. It's dark when I go to work. It is dark when I head home. It is a long way from December Christmas expenses to the end of January when I get paid.

It's also a bright month. It's a new year. A fresh calendar. New optimisim. New energy.

I looked back on my previous January blogs and they all share that energy. It never used to be that way to be honest, and I am grateful for the changes within me.

I had a good month moneywise. I snowflaked over $300. I menu planned. I watched where I drove and how much.  I didn't go clothes shopping or buy anything for the house or my classroom.  My week at honme saved me money on gas. Trust me, during the coldest week of the winter, it was a lot. All that warming the vehicle up when it's 40 below burns gas like crazy. The week the boys had finals I didn't have to worry about buying things for their lunch. They came home between exams. It all adds up.

I met two of my big goals this month (of the many goals on the list). I have the  spending $ saved up for DS's trip at Easter. I also have my summer 2012 money set aside and ready to go.

I also did well paying down $ on my vehicle loan.

It was important that I capitalized on the energy of January. There is never any guarantee it will last. Energy fades. Things pop up. Only takes one big kink in the wheel before it has the potential to fall off the bus.

I have updated information on my Goals 2012 page if you want to see that.

January, I appreciate how well we worked together!!!