Financial Goal Update February 2009

Below is a list of my financial goals for 2009 and how I've done so far:
1. Finish sinking fund for replacement computer. DONE Jan 09
2. Dive into sinking fund for replacement car DONE, bought car Feb 09
3. Getting through Mom's final illness and death without incurring debt. DONE Mom died in January. And I'm not going to list this goal again. I don't think it's a good idea for me.
4. Read one investing book per quarter. GOING TO LIBRARY TONIGHT.
5. Get more acclimated with CVS' ECB program (which has totally intimidated me up to this point). Have started, ongoing.
6. Keep track of how much money I save via couponing, rebates, sales, ECB/RRs, etc. I set this up and have put on Google docs for personal ease in updating. So far this year, I've saved a little over $900.
7. Enjoy living my first full calendar year debt free since 1994, and having a 3-month emegerency fund for the first time. EVER. AHHH!
8. As funds allow, boosting EF to 6 months. DONE 02/09.
9. Once EF is 6 months (currently 3), restart putting money in IRA. LATER THIS YEAR.

ETA: While it looks like I'm kicking butt on my financial goals, there is one thing to consider which is unusual -- I recently received an inheritance. I don't recommend trying this at home. Trust me, it wasn't fun to get it (because of what happened in order to get it).

Getting a Love Drawer!

One of the financial goals I had intended on making for 2009, but didn't was to set up what Dave Ramsey calls a "love drawer." This is where you set up your important papers in one place so when you die or are incapacitated, someone can easily figure out what's going on with your life. Of course, if your up to your neck in debt, you might not want anyone to know that. The thing is, the designated person will figure it out, anyway.

I had decided late last year on a Honeywell safe with the ability to have hanging folders. I even went to Walmart shortly before Mom died with a Christmas gift card to see if I could snag one. Well, no, I couldn't. I spent the gift card on other stuff.

I went in to Big Lots this evening after reading this blogpost of the 20% off printable coupon for "Friends and Family" from 5-9 Sunday, Feb. 22. I came in with my coupon and started to look for 11 x 14 frames, but didn't find any that appealed to me. Then, as I walked toward the grocery area, I saw it -- a display of Honeywell safes. I went back, got a cart and put it in.

This safe at Walmart.com is $50.00. It was listed at Big Lots for $40. With 20% off, it was $32! Yippee!

I also got a calculator, a large bag if Bear Naked Granola for $6 (if you go on the website, they no longer carry the 32 oz bag, but their 12 oz bag is $4. Hmmm

I also got some Zatarain's Ready to Serve rice. I'm single, and I don't see these around anywhere at grocery stores. In any case,they were $1.04 after discount. They didn't have any more of my favorite Caribbean Rice, but these will do.

Just to keep things simple, I also picked up some cans of canned chicken to mix in with the rice. Rite Aid has a sale this week on Sue's, which I like better, but I only had one coupon, so I got the rest here.

In all, I spent $46.98. My 20% discount was $11.24.