I hope everyone had a fantastic 2007 and great New Year. 2007 was a good year for me.  I lost 21 pounds, got a full-time teaching contract, took a trip to Hawaii with my husband of 8 years, began Irish Dancing, and basically just enjoyed life! This is what I endeavor to accomplish in 2008:

1. Graduate with my Master’s Degree in Educational Technology.  I am enrolled in my final semester and all I have to do is complete my Creative Project ( in lieu of the thesis option.) I am currently working out the details with one of my employers to complete an internship in the training department that should satisfy my requirements. My plan is to graduate in May.

2. Save money for big ticket items. The plan is to save 10% (or more) of my income in a savings account. The money is to be used for occasional large expenses we have planned including: finishing the basement, new mattress, family vacation to California, new flash and lens for my camera and computer upgrades.  I have already set up my paycheck to automatically direct deposit 10% to the savings account and have $700. It feels great to pay CASH and never go into debt for these items. We will never again have consumer debt with the exception of reasonable loans for cars, school, and the house.

3.  Three month emergency savings fund. 10% of hubby’s income will be put in a no-touch savings account. He is in the process of negotiating a new job so when he signs up for the direct deposit, we will have 10% automatically put in a Money Market account. This money will not be touched except for emergencies. The initial goal is to have enough saved on to live for 3 months (including all debts, bills & expenditures.) Eventually we’ll like to expand this to enough for one year including a food storage sufficient to live on for one year.

4. Keep getting  healthy  and fit. I am going to continue following the WW plan of counting points. After a great holiday season of maintaining my 21 pound loss 2008 will be the year for reaching goal weight. I will do this by

• journaling all my food
• increased fruit, vegetable and water consumption
• cooking at home more and eating out less
• my favorite types of exercise; walking the dog, Irish Dancing and DDR
• blogging and updating my weight progress Weight Watchen