Today, my blog turns 4 years old. Yay!  But this is a bitter sweet moment for me.  Years one, two, and three were about career growth, debt reduction, saving, learning to invest, and laying the foundation for our financial future.  And this year, I’ve exceeded my career and personal finance goals.  Then pretty soon, I’ll have an empty nest.  Now I can’t help but wonder…what’s next?

As I reflect on my reason for starting this blog, I think I have achieved my ultimate objectives: learn new things, share my personal journey and inspire others to establish their own fabulous financials.  With that said, I’ve decided that it’s time to retire this blog.  Other than repeating the same basic personal finance principles (e.g. earn more, spend less, avoid debt, save, and invest), I have nothing unique to offer you.  Besides, I lost my spark for personal finance blogging a long time ago and I won’t try to force it any longer.  So I’m going to bow out gracefully.  Sometimes you have to let old things go in order to grow.

It’s been a fabulous 4 years and I thank you all for reading.

Happy Holidays!

A new year is upon us and everyone is reflecting on the past or planning for the future.  I’ve done well in 2009, but there are more things I want to accomplish in 2010.  For example:

1.  Financials: As always, I will pay myself first before I distribute one red cent to anyone.  In order of priority: 401k ($16,500), IRA ($5,000) BabyGirl’s college fund ($2,000), investments ($12,000), regular savings ($12,000), and remaining debt free – these are my basic financial goals.  I divide each goal by 26, the number of paychecks in a year.  Then I set up an allotment through payroll and authorize them to send a specific amount to each account automatically.  The money never touches my hands.  Barring any major life emergencies, it creates a fool proof way to reach my financial goals by the end of the year.

2.  Vacation: We are definitely going to Europe in 2010 – Paris and London to be exact.  We’ll spend 3-4 days in each city and my budget is $5K-$7k.  I was hoping to travel in July as a graduation gift to BabyGirl, but depending on which school we choose, she may have to attend an 8 week summer session.  For now, our travel plans are pending college decisions.

3. Decide What’s Next: Now that I’ve mastered the basics of personal finance, talking about paying off debt, saving money, retirement investing, and living within your means is boring to me.  In addition to that, I will soon have an empty nest and enter a new phase in my personal life.  What does the future have in store?  Who knows.  I have to create it.

What are YOUR goals for 2010?

In January, I created seven personal finance goals for myself.  Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail miss the target.  Let’s see what I accomplished in 2009.  I said I would:

1. MAXIMIZE INVESTMENT CONTRIBUTIONS – contribute the maximum ($23,500) to all of my investment accounts by December 2009: 401k: $16,500 – ‘09 max, IRA: $5,000 – ‘09 max, and BabyGirl’s 529: $2,000 – tax deductible max.

Success!  This is only the second year I’ve maxed out my retirement accounts. Thanks to automatic payroll allotments, I’ve learned to live without the money because I never see it.  I set it and forget it. Barring any major life changing events, I plan to max out my annual retirement contributions until the golden age arrives.

2. MEET ALL PERSONAL SAVINGS GUIDELINES – in order to save at least 25% of my “net” income, I need to save an additional $11,750 by December 2009.

Success! As of December 5th, I have saved/invested over $29,500.  This was made possible by avoiding lifestyle creep after my salary increase.

3. SAVE $2,000 IN “BABYGIRL’S SENIOR YEAR EXPENSE” ACCOUNT – class of 2010 baby!  So you know what that means?  Lots of fun expenses!  By the end of December 2009, I will save (and probably spend part of) $2k for planned senior year expenses.

Success!  See above explanation.  To date, we’ve spent $875 of the planned/saved $2,000.  And the spring break/prom/graduation season hasn’t even begun. Oh my!

4. EARN $500/MONTH FROM ONLINE OPPORTUNITIES – I think it’s a stretch goal because I’m slowly losing my spark for blogging.  Not only do I post less frequently, but I’ll admit, the quality of my writing is slowly diminishing.  Am I losing my passion for personal finance or simply getting bored?  Whatever it is, I hope to get my mojo back soon.

At the beginning of the year, I knew something was off and I haven’t been able to get my groove back since then.  I still update the blog sporadically and I don’t participate in the PF blogging community the way I used to.  No more excuses and no more empty promises – I will NOT return to daily blogging.  *shrug*  At any rate, according to my records, I’ve earned on average ~$350/month from online activities.  Not quite a success, but not bad considering minimal effort.

5. ENJOY ONE “MAJOR” VACATION – I’ve been wanting to see Paris and London for almost 2 years now.  However, a cruise or any Caribbean island will suit me just fine.

Partial success.  I’ve decided to postpone Europe until 2010 so I can take BabyGirl as a graduation gift.  I did, however, go on a fabulous Caribbean cruise.

6. REMAIN NON-MORTGAGE DEBT FREE – I’ve been non-mortgage debt free since November 2007, but this goal is worth repeating every single year.  No debt.  No debt.  No debt.

Success!  No explanation needed.

7. NET WORTH – although I failed miserably last year, I will go on a limb and try to hit that $200,000 target again by the end of 2009. That’s an increase of over $37,000.  Don’t laugh, it’s worth trying! LOL

I met the goal in October, but due to current market fluctuations, I wanted to wait a few months to make sure it was real. As of December 5th, my net worth is ~$215,000. Now I can say with confidence, this goal is a success!

Overall, I’d consider 2009 to be a year of FABULOUS FINANCIALS and give myself an A minus for achieving my personal finance goals.

How did you perform in 2009?

I had a conversation with a trusted friend about BabyGirl’s college expenses.  I was hemming and hawing and complaining about everything under the sun explaining to him that if BG didn’t get a (at minimum, partial) scholarship to attend her #1 school of choice, we may have to resort to a state school due to limited funding.  After our conversation, he made me realize something I had not considered.  First, he asked…

“How much is the est annual cost to attend her #1 school of choice?”

“Umm…about $25-30k per year, all considered.” I rattled off the number very slowly for emphasis.

“So…how much were you earning just a few months ago?” he continued.

“$xk” I said matter-of-factly because he knew how much I earned at my last job.

“Aaaand…how much do you earn now – at your new gig?” he asked with a smirk on his face, as if he was making a point.

“About $20k more…” I said and rolled my eyes because I saw where he was going with this.

“Single Ma, I know I don’t need me to tell you this, but don’t block your blessings. Let BG go to the school of her choice. God has already made it possible for you, kiddo.” he lectured, then pat me on the head as if he was The Old Wise one now.

“Hmm…I see your point.  But if she gets down there and starts acting a fool, I might have to roll up on that campus in my hair rollers, scarf, housecoat, and bedroom slippers!” I responded with a slight laugh, although I was more serious than I let on.

“Well if she isn’t maintaining her grades or running behind some hoodrat, then you have every right to bust a cap…I mean cut her off. LOL  I’m just saying…let her go.  God has already made a way so you don’t have to worry about where you’ll get the money.  You know education is important…it changed your life.  Now invest in your daughter’s future.” he said to me with a very serious look on his face.

“Yea, you may be right…I’ll think about it.” I said, then exhaled a big ole’ sigh.

So here I am, thinking about allowing my BabyGirl to attend the #1 school of her choice, regardless of the financial outcome.  Maybe God has prepared me for this moment.  I have no debt (except mortgage), about $50k in cash, another $10k in non-retirement investments, and enough disposable income to take on a second mortgage college tuition bill.

Funny.  God knows what you need before you even ask Him. (Matthew 6:8)

Initiated by Well-Heeled via a contest that I missed and further inspired by Fabulously Broke, I’ve decided to share the contents of my suitcase…I mean…my purse.

First of all, the lovely black and white, zebra print, faux fur and leather purse was a birthday present from my BabyGirl a few years ago.  This is a perfect winter bag for me because it is so soft, shapeless, and versatile.  It’s big enough to hold everything but the kitchen sink and the dual braided handles make it easy to carry on your arm or shoulder.

As for the contents of the bag, let’s see…from left to right:

SO FRESH & SO CLEAN

Hand sanitizer

Suave hand lotion

Rx for Brown Skin facial moisturizer

Dove face cloths

Shout Wipe & Go cloths

Wet Ones hand & face wipes for sensitive skin

Glad sandwich baggy with paper towels and kleenex

FEMININE PRODUCTS

Colorful pouch that holds:

• pads
• tampons
• panty liners
• extra underwear – don’t ask
• feminine wipes
• condoms – don’t judge me! LOL

Birth control pills

Meds including:

• Generic Aleve – naproxen for pain
• Generic Benadryl – antihistamine for allergies
• Dramamine – for nausea
• Vitron C – daily iron vitamins

FOOD

Candy

Gum

(not seen) Weekday snacks – such as cheese sticks, granola bars, fruit, etc.

COSMETICS

Cosmetic bag – not always in purse – that holds:

• mascara – Cover Girl
• foundation – MAC
• blush – MAC
• eye shadow – MAC
• eye liner
• application brushes

Compact mirror

Lipgloss – MAC Oversexed

Wide tooth comb

Hair tie

Safety pin – miraculously comes in handy

ELECTRONICS

Blackberry and its holding case

Bluetooth

(not seen) Cell Phone – used as camera to take this pic, also an mp3 player

MY LIFELINE

AK Glasses

(not seen) AK hard case for glasses

Small notebook – bad memory, need to jot down notes throughout the day

Small calculator – always come in handy

Cross Ballpoint Pen – my favorite pen and gift from Mr. iCandy

Checkbook – rarely used, but I love USAA!

Black leather Etienne Aigner wallet – gift from grandma (RIP) over 10 yrs ago – that holds:

• Driver’s license
• USAA credit card
• American Express credit card
• USAA debit/ATM card
• Health/Dental cards for me and BabyGirl
• Voter registration card
• Car registration – I keep this in my purse instead of my car because I’m paranoid that if someone steals my car, they will know where I live.
• Proof of insurance card
• GEICO roadside assistance card
• Library card
• Money – less than $10 and change, if any
• Receipts

Key chain that holds:

• keys for car, PO Box, house, mama’s house, apartment, and office
• store savings cards
• pics of BabyGirl
• castle key to access security gate at home
• thumb drive

Lanyard that holds:

• work badge
• security card to access building at work after hours
• smart trip card for metro

Small umbrella

Note: I change bags often.  Therefore, not all items listed above survive every switcheroo.  But you can’t tell me I’m not prepared.  If you need something, holla at ya girl! I got you! LOL

What’s in YOUR purse?  If you have a blog, let’s see pics!