Goals for 2009

We have a few fiscal and sailing goals for 2009. Given the unstable economy and shaky job market, we've decided we need to make the most of our current employment contracts and earnings. For us, 2009 is all about frugality, saving, and laying low. At the same time, we will continue to hone our sailing skills so that we can gain confidence and be prepared to take more advanced sailing lessons in the future.

Fiscal goals:

-Pay off Trent's last credit card.

-Put at least $75 a month into our cruising kitty (for a total of at least $900).

-Once the credit card is paid off, bump up our monthly student loan payments by $50 each.

-Stick to a "fun budget" of $150 per month - this budget covers things like going out to eat, coffee runs, alcohol, and babysitting expenses.

-Put 15% of earnings into our retirement accounts via automatic draft.

Sailing goals:

-Sail at least six times this year on the local lake. We do not own a boat, so we will need to put money aside to rent one.

Frugality goals:

-Go to the grocery store just once a week, instead of 2-3 times like we used to.

-Start using coupons when we go to the grocery store (our local Kroger actually lets us "load" the coupons onto our customer cards - no need to carry around paper ones).

-Distinguish between wants and needs: we need to pay for doctor's visits; we do not need new hardwood floors.

-Continue to look for free activities around town: the park, our running group, etc.