It's the sound of the Bandwagon Steelers fans!  

2008 Goals:
Become a gainfully employed PA certified teacher, thus beginning my new 20 year plan.
Have $2500 in some sort of savings system.
Be able to give 10% of money and time to charitable causes
Lose 10 lbs/the growing gut
complete one of my automotive projects by July 1, 2008
Be able to visit a vast majority of my friends over the next 366 days (It's leap year!)
Ok, I ot a promotion at my current job, so I eliminated the teaching part.
I fell short by $500.  Not too bad
I didn't do nearly enough Charity work... failed that one
I gained 12 lbs.  Failure!  So I am adjusting diet and managing stress better
complete automotive project... didn't happen.
I did get to see a bunch of friends!

So let's see how I fare with this year's goals...
I want to be a homeowner
I want to own a 2010 Chevy Camaro
I want to have my credit report finally cleaned up
Knock down student loan debt
Do more charity work

Perhaps I can fare better this year!

Another new year... and already one month is all but knocked out of it.  There is a lot to talk about, so grab a pen and paper and keep score.

For those of you I haven't talked to in a while, I am looking to buy a house.  Given the low interest rates, a stable job and more choices on the market, I'm going to buy my first home. I've kicked the house hunt into high gear, and have been all over the Lehigh Valley looking at everything in my range.  I've seen everything from the "how can they ask that for this rat hole" to "yeah, I can't afford that."

It's been a steep learning curve.  I'm learning about how there are so many programs for those looking to buy for the first time, tax breaks, green homes and so much more.  I'm spending probably 24-30 hours each week to just this process!  Don't worry, I will let you all know when there is a settlement, and an "open house" party.

In other news, I got a promotion last August.  With the promotion, a nice pay raise and the shelving of grad school has come along.  I did ok in fantasy football, with a second, third and 6th.  I've been healthy, but an moving toward a shift to healthier eating.

From the same old-same old department, I still have my old GMC truck, which now has 213,000 miles on it. I sank some money into it so I don't have to worry about a new car payment and keep my credit scores up so I can get a house. I'm the same guy making goals just like I did last year... look for a follow up blog to detail goals met and missed.

Take care, and hopefuly I can get on more often to keep you all updated!

It's been a while since I've done one of these... let alone spent more than 3 seconds on Myspace. It's incredible how your goals can change over the course of the year.

Financially, I hit a pretty big setback in May/June and had to put the Fiero on hold. I busted my ass over the summer months to get right again and in the process provided an unlikely opportunity to double what I make at the same company while moving closer to home, putting school on a temporary hold.

I'm not at liberty to give details about the promotion, but I can say it helps me set a new goal in place of the school one. I want to buy a house. It's the ultimate part of the American Dream. Once I settle a few things here, I'm laying out a plan to achieve that goal.

It's late and I'm tired as hell, but for the first time in a long time, I feel a purpose and a see a means to the end.

Life is funny at times. It only takes a minute or two just to step back, rethink a few things and put everything into perspective.

The Flyers are going to the Eastern Finals baby!! Friday night is game one!

Counting my blessings, thinking of those in need, and marching onward.

Today we celebrated my mom's birthday with a nice lunch, and time together. She told me that when she was pregnant with me, she used to listen to Skynrd's Simple Man and she said that it's something she wishes for all of us kids.

Mama told me when I was young
Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say.
And if you do this
It will help you some sunny day.
Take your time... dont live too fast,
Troubles will come and they will pass.
Go find a woman and youll find love,
And dont forget son,
There is someone up above.

(chorus)
And be a simple kind of man.
Be something you love and understand.
Be a simple kind of man.
Wont you do this for me son,
If you can?

Forget your lust for the rich mans gold
All that you need is in your soul,
And you can do this if you try.
All that I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.

(chorus)

Boy, dont you worry... youll find yourself.
Follow you heart and nothing else.
And you can do this if you try.
All I want for you my son,
Is to be satisfied.


It got me thinking, given the several different things that went on recently. A wise man once told me to just take things one day at a time. The greatest battles were never won in one day. Most of all, be a simple kind of man.

It's tough when you just want instant gratification, but simplicity does not understand this concept. So I do my best to roll on, remembering to be satisfied.

I'm a little late on the March update, but looking over the past 2 months (and nearing the end of the first quarter of 2008!) I figured I'd re-evaluate what I've done for the year, and what I need to do to achieve my goals for the year.

Savings is back on track, within 5% of my goal... Thanks to the FED cutting rates and our lovely economy, I'm making 2.9% on my savings account. That's only less than half of the rate of inflation. My last student loan should be current by the end of the month, and I'm closing up other loose ends.

The Fiero: I now have paint to test out on the door panels. I've settled on 2006 Subaru WRX blue. I got some stuff at the junk yard to send in for store credit at The Fiero Store.com. I now have about have of the brake system parts I need. Still putting the final touches on the wiring of the Cadillac 4.9L wiring diagrams, and compiling the parts list for that end of things.

School has taken a small detour. I am meeting with the grad department at Lehigh University this Friday. I'm looking at a few different possibilities there.

I've held the same weight, maybe lost a small bit. I've slacked there... and I know it.

Of note, a new site I seem to find myself on more and more is www.mint.com Check it out.

Ok, here's the update for my 2008 Goals and aspirations.

I got doors for the Fiero. Been looking at Selling/Trading other parts in helping fund the project. The Fiero Store.com is taking certain parts as store credit, and I'm working toward "free" parts there.

I'm current on one more student loan. One more to go... things look pretty good there.

Savings isn't on track... but I had to get new glasses, record high gas prices and work toward getting on track. It's not that I have none, it's just not up to my goal. By the way, HSBC has the best interest on a money market savings account. 4+% No need to open up new checking/etc.

I'm concerned over school... haven't heard much yet on starting next month. If I have to go in fall though, I am looking at switching to a day-to-day substitute type of job situation. Gotta put more thought toward that though.

All in all, not a bad start to the year.

Let's face it kids, belly-aching about the past doesn't get us anywhere, so since it's the cliche thing to do, let's list our goals, plans and aspirations for 2008.

2008 Goals:
Become a gainfully employed PA certified teacher, thus beginning my new 20 year plan.
Have $2500 in some sort of savings system.
Be able to give 10% of money and time to charitable causes
Lose 10 lbs/the growing gut
complete one of my automotive projects by July 1, 2008
Be able to visit a vast majority of my friends over the next 366 days (It's leap year!)

2008 Plans
Start and finish the TCIP program at Del Val College
2500/52= $48.07ish per week, at 0% interest. So plan on $50/week, make some interest, and we're way good. eBay and Scrap Metal is a good place to start.
I'll begin by the 10% money deal, and substitute time for money when I get the chance to.
Well, that means less beer. Less beer also helps with the 10% and the 2500. I'm also cutting back on the wings and stuff too.
I think I can pull off the Fiero project this year. I'm putting together a plan of attack for that right now.

2008 Aspirations
I'd like to start my own investments... grabbed one of Jim Kramer's Mad Money books and am reading it now.
Have my Taxes done as soon as I receive my forms.
I want to be teaching, and making more money
I want to do my part to be more environmentally conscious

I'm open to any other suggestions you guys may have found, ways to save dough, opportunities for me to make some cash, etc. I'd also like to see what you guys and gals are doing... maybe there is a way i can help you out as well.

Labor Day is over, The days are getting shorter and high school cheerleaders are invading your local malls.

It's fall again! Football time, cool nights, pumpkin spice stuff, those Reese's pumpkins, stores putting out Christmas stuff this week, it's just unbelievable that the summer is over!

Put your helmet on son, the bus is here! Football games, beer, brats, and wings! It's time kids, it's time for the most fun of the year!

E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES! WE ARE PENN STATE!! WE ARE K-KIDS (even though I haven't been to a HS game in years)

Good times come in fall!