"The Dickens out of people? Nobody gets me."

I just spent a quiet, sobering afternoon, alone with my budget.

In a spreadsheet, I projected out all income and bills for 12 months. Two goals are at work here: I will pay off all credit card debt by December 31 and save enough money for a down payment on a new (to me) car around that same time (which uncovered another necessary expenditure for which I'll be stashing cash: engine repairs for my baby, the Silver Sofa On Wheels, to keep it running and emissions-compliant until the end of the year when I can pass it down to my brother). Whew.

Results? Gotta save more. I called the cable company to get rid of my expensive cable. I am now investing less for retirement, just for the short-term to get this done, as much as that hurts. I will be taking out a certain amount of cash from the ATM each paycheck, and that's it for groceries, going out, and miscellaneous items, no exceptions. After all bills are paid, the amount in my checking account will be pushed to my savings account, which is connected to my checking account so no excuses (I even added a line item on the spreadsheet for each monthly budget that reads: "$XXX: due to savings account on 3/31/10.") Holding myself accountable. (Accountable. Accountable?! NObody gets me!)

I may be good with organization but up til now, I have not been great with my personal finances.

Replacing my old mantra: I have no money!! What am I going to do?!

My new mantra is: I have a lot of money. I need to protect it.