So I did write another entry sometime last week, and the vastness of the interwebz ate it. No clue how, but rest assured that it was thoughtful, exciting, and had many important tidbits that would help you weary readers navigate through the struggles of life.

Not really. It was just about me canceling a bunch of stuff I've been paying for. But hey - simplicity! Savings!

Today's update has less thematic elements. I had my first weekend without a wedding in a month, which felt like a real break despite having two sessions Sunday (one of which was an hour and a half away. ha). All of my grand plans to get out and enjoy myself instead resulted in my staying in all of those nights. Mostly binge-watching Netflix. I'm on this nostalgic Buffy the Vampire Slayer kick.

I did do some grocery shopping on Saturday for just a few odds and ends to round out meals and such. I cooked Friday and Saturday nights. Had dinner at mom's on Sunday after my shoot (her house was conveniently on the way home, so I had an excuse to hang out).

Talked to her about my desire to switch from our family plan to that nifty Sprint iPhone plan. She checked it out, and I am due for an upgrade - so there would be no cancellation fee. Woo to the hoo. It still kills me that I pay $85/month on a family plan. It seems outrageously high for how little I actually talk on the phone.

So the weekend was a bit of shopping, work, and lounging. It's honestly exactly what I needed. And I spent minimal amounts of money. So that's a plus as well!

***

This week is going to be a little different. I'm heading down to DC with the BF - to do a shoot with some clients, and generally enjoy the city. He's never been, and as much as my man loves America and history, it seems almost criminal that he hasn't visited the capitol.

So we'll be heading down, sightseeing for a day, spending one night in a hotel, and then after my shoot, driving down to VA Beach to spend time with friends. It should be a good time, and I'm very much looking forward to bouncing around with the BF for a few days.

Slightly spendier, but travel is one of those things that I think are worth the cost. And is always a priority for me. Thankfully, the monuments and museums are all free. We're staying just outside of the city, and taking public transit in. I'm sure we'll get dinner the one night, but beyond that it shouldn't be too bad.

***

Anyone else out there blown away that it's almost November? Seriously. When did time start moving so fast?

Okay, that's it for me. Long-winded silly update. Hope you all have a fantastic week!

So I have this bad habit of writing for a few months straight, and then not again for like a year. Right now is one of those times.

I'm in a pretty good place since my last update. My photography business is going very well. Starting to book up for next year, and I've remained busy through this wedding season! Both a blessing, and a curse of course It's been a whirlwind, but I couldn't be happier that my clients are happy, and I'm able to pay my bills.

I've been more closely tracking my finances these last couple of months. I can't say I'm in a drastically better financial position than I was a year ago - I have about as much CC debt (about $1700) and just as much student loan debt (about $53k). At the same time, though, I can say I'm a much happier person than I was a year ago... and have done so much in the last 12 months!

My trip to Europe did in fact happen back in August. It was an amazing time, and an incredible experience. I can't wait to go back

I purchased a new car back in May. My first ever, and I had some serious reservations about purchasing new... but my previous car was always on the brink of explosion, and I got a great deal on a new 2013 leftover from last year. Honda Fit. Decent gas mileage, and it should last me forever. Also, the BF helped me out with the down payment - which was incredibly nice of him. $2k is quite a chunk of change!

Speaking of the BF... we moved in together back in April, and that's going very well. He pays a larger share of the bills (partially because he can, and partially because I wouldn't have moved into the apt he liked best unless that was the case. Because I wouldn't have been able to afford it). So my home living expenses are pretty low right now.

I get dinged more on business expenses and random stuff than anything else - so part of my focus right now is wrangling in my impulse purchases (do I really NEED that $60 marketing calendar and eBook? That random top at Target?).

My financial goals all revolve around paying off debt and saving, as I'm sure most everyone's are Some highlights:

- Paying off the last of my CC debt
- Saving up for taxes in April
- Paying off my highest interest (9.75%) Sallie Mae Loan
- Saving up for a trip to Thailand that we're hoping to take next winter

I recently opened an Amazon CC to handle (and keep separate) my business expenses. I use Amazon usually to buy new equipment, so it made sense. Opened an Ally account to track savings for our trip.

Once taxes and our trip are covered (haha. Like that's going to happen soon...), I'll start putting money away for our move. It wont happen for another year and a half minimum, but we're planning on taking our lives to another US city - not sure where yet. We just know we aren't quite done moving around yet. The next year or so we'll be doing some traveling around to see what strikes our fancy, and go from there. Nonetheless, we'll need some cash tucked away for moving expenses, and just in case one of us hasn't nailed down a job have a few months worth of living expenses.

Throw in that I'm *hoping* to get married next year, and wham. I need to start raking in the cash fast.

So. That's a LOT. Apologies for the info overload. I just find it helps to articulate all of this somewhere In the coming weeks, I'll be getting into more of the minutia of every day, rather than dumping a year's worth of financial planning on all of you!

Thanks for riding along!