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!
A year. Goals + Updates.
October 15th, 2014 at 01:05 pm
October 15th, 2014 at 02:13 pm 1413382416
October 15th, 2014 at 04:46 pm 1413391608
October 15th, 2014 at 11:03 pm 1413414190
Finally, the culture there is to negotiate the cost of everything except those in American style chains, American style hotels, American style shopping centres etc. Foreigners are a target so leave anything expensive at home, be polite but treat all with a healthy dose of skepticism.
October 15th, 2014 at 11:22 pm 1413415349
I work and live in Thailand and pay attention to typhoon season. A horrendous tsunami had 5,900 confirmed dead and 2,800 still missing! When your plans start to firm up pay attention to the political climate via The Bangkok Post [English language newspaper] as it flares up from time to time.
Finally, the culture there is to negotiate the cost of everything except those in American style chains, American style hotels, American style shopping centres etc. Foreigners are a target so leave anything expensive at home, be polite but treat all with a healthy dose of skepticism.
October 16th, 2014 at 02:01 am 1413424876
October 16th, 2014 at 12:17 pm 1413461841
Thanks for the heads up! And all of the great advice! We're hoping to go in late December/early January, so (hopefully) monsoons wont be too much of an issue. But we'll definitely be keeping an eye on that - and certainly the political climate - for the months leading up to our tentative departure. I'll definitely check out the Bangkok Post!
I appreciate the guidance on interactions with foreigners. Skepticism will be a must!
@everyone else:
Thanks for the warm welcomes back
October 17th, 2014 at 12:22 pm 1413548548
I've only seen pictures of Thailand resort areas, but they look absolutely fantastic. Not only that, but as far as conversion goes, the rates are so cheap too.
I like what Snafu has said here about being careful.
October 17th, 2014 at 02:03 pm 1413554599
I suggest you make a plan for the places you want to visit, [tons of travel books at your library]. Best to stay away from Muslim region just now.
I work outside of BKK part of some years. Christmas in a Buddhist country is unusual.
October 18th, 2014 at 02:44 pm 1413643489
very accurate vlog of market in BKK