On My Way To Resolution One

One of my resolutions was to pay my truck off by the end of January. Yesterday was my first paycheck of the year. And since I couldn't sleep (eyes popped open at 6...why?!?), I decided to take care of business. The first thing I did was pay myself $100. I have only $57 (I think) in savings, so I want to build on that for things like car insurance, vet and doctor visits, etc. I would eventually like to be able to rely on my savings so if I need to, can take time off work without worrying if I will have enough to pay my bills. I have also learned if I do not pay myself first, I will not put that money into savings (and I read that is the first thing anyone should do. That way it's gone and will not be relied on).

Then I paid both my student loans. I usually spread those over two checks due to their due dates being at different times of the month, but it does not really matter since I make sure all my payments are paid one month in advance. This gives me peace of mind in case something happens and I need some extra time. Finally, I put $306 toward my truck (I was going to pay $300, but it said the maximum I could pay was $306 and some change, so I figured what the heck). Since there was a cap on how much I could pay, I will be making another payment when it clears. It will be between $50-100, depending on if I use all my money allotted for gas and food. Now, with that $306 payment, I now owe only $433 and some change on my truck. With the next check, I will owe a lot more on my truck than I put on it this check, but my bills do not amount to as much as I paid this month, so I am covered.

I am excited too be on my way! If I stick with this, I can definitely see a change by the end of the year. Which will bring some much needed peace of mind since I tend to obsess and stress over every little detail, which I will you, I do every month until my second paycheck arrives and I make the next month's payments. Then I don't start stressing until the week before I get my first check of that next month. So at least I have a week where I am stress free from money related issues (I guess).

I wish I could look into the future and see where I am in March. Not that I want it to come quickly because my days off will be changing to Wednesday and Thursday off (ewww! I know!), but I want to see if I've finally straightened myself up financially like I want to. I put so much work into making a budget every few months, that this time I just need to save me some time and stick with it!