2008 was an interesting year. Definately productive on the resolution scale. Here’s how I fared:

  1. 2007 Roth – contribute the $4,000 max by April 15th. DONE!
  2. Payoff the $4400 on my USAA Amex by June 15th. DONE!
  3. Payoff the $10,300 currently sitting on my Citi Card by Dec 31. (Not done. Re-allocated to paying off car early because it became a higher APR)
  4. Fully contribute $5,000 max to my 2008 Roth (Not done. Will not start retirement funding until Baby Step #4.)
  5. $1200 in a Christmas fund for Christmas 2008. (Goal complete. Had $650 in the bank in August. Used on new tires. Had $400 more Sept-Dec which I used for Christmas. Spent $0 on Credit Cards for Christmas season)
  6. Cancel my Amex Gold in July and replace the credit line w/ a $10,000 jump on my USAA Amex (so it doesn’t affect my credit score.) DONE! USAA actually gave me a $17,000 CL increase.
  7. Bump my score to 790 with all 3 bureaus by July Amex cancellation. (Not done, but close. Scores sit at 769, 778, and 782 today.)
  8. Get new house in the fall and not add any new debt (other than the mortgage.) (Not done. House is looking like Spring 2009)

All in all, I basically completed 6 of my 8 Goals. Retirement funding I didn’t even start, and we haven’t bought a house yet. Not so bad if you ask me…. I’m very happy with my progress this year.

2009 Financial Goals will be the following:

  1. Pay off car ($3,978 to go!)
  2. Pay off Citibank and close ($8,868 to go!)
  3. Pay off Advanta and close ($10,358 to go!)
  4. Close Costco Amex Business in February
  5. 800 Credit Score with all 3 Bureaus
  6. $1 million in life insurance
  7. New house in the Spring
  8. Start using an accountant for all personal/business tax needs
  9. Update my trust to current assets/wishes
  10. Scan all financial info paperless filing system (put into Evernote)

I think this is a very do-able list for me. Lots of debt payoff and housekeeping of financial affairs. I have a feeling 2010 will be the year of the Emergency Fund, but for now it will feel pretty great next New Years’ Eve to be non-mortgage debt free.