I'm Back!

GUYS. Guys guys guys. HEY YOU GUYS! I got a job!! A real one. My first real career track job. It's a great fit for me, I get to work with a good friend, and it will really help develop my expertise in my field. I really couldn't be happier.

 But the best part? I get to climb back up on the wagon of financial planning. I've missed this blog. I've missed the ability to plan my savings goals, debt reduction goals, and my life in general.

 I won't know all the details of my health insurance and retirement fund through work until I start in a couple weeks, but there are other things I can start wrapping my mind around. Like my month to month expenses that shouldn't change too much. I'll use this list in order to frame how much I can expect to put in my 403(b), IRA, emergency cash savings, and medium term savings. It will also be the amount that I'll use to set my emergency fund savings goal.

 So here they are:

• Rent 
• Car Insurance 
• Gas 
• Student Loan payments 
• Renters Insurance 
• Gas 
• Electricity 
• Cable/Internet 
• Charitable Giving 

And there are other things I need to get a better understanding of my spending in a month to month way:

• Groceries 
• Eating out
• Clothes and like make-up and stuff that I buy at CVS every other day.

I'd also like these targeted savings funds:

• Travel 
• Car maintenance 
• Teeth (though this could be wrapped into the emergency fund) 
• Gifts for family/friends 

I have a bit of catching up to do -- a haircut, some car work, fleshing out of a professional wardrobe, maybe a couch and a trip to a friend's wedding -- but after the summer is done I think I'll be in a really good place to get some solid financial clean-up done. Can't wait!