2009 resolutions: first month report card

It’s been exactly one month since the beginning of 2009, so before I go stuff myself with Super Bowl snacks (thus negating this morning’s workout), here’s an honest look at how I’m doing on my New Year’s resolutions:

*Workout at least 3 times per week: I’ve actually exceeded this goal every week so far, usually hitting four or five times a week. Honestly, though, this is out of necessity since my eating still hasn’t returned to pre-Christmas levels.
Grade: A+

*Set up a CD ladder for my emergency fund: I haven’t even looked at this in part because I’m loathe to lock myself into any CDs when I’m receiving almost the same rate in my ING savings account. I’ve been reading a lot about higher CD rates at credit unions, though, so I will look more into that over the next few months…or at least before my deadline of June 30, 2009.  
Grade: C-

*Make a will: All I can say is I hope I don’t die soon (knock on wood) because I’ve made practically no progress on this resolution. I did look up an article about the difference between a will and living trust, but I didn’t understand all the nuances so I’m pretty much where I was before.
Grade: D-

*Blog at least 4 times per week: Maybe I’m feeling chatty or maybe I just have a lot of time on my hands at work, but I’ve been posting about five times a month, beating my goal. Of course it’s not all about quantity, but I’ve really been making an effort to post quality information…or at least something that entertains and elicits a chuckle!
Grade: A

*Be more social: I’m really proud of myself for consciously making an effort to stick to this resolution. Last night I went out to a comedy club and then a piano bar with friends and today I’m headed to a Super Bowl party. The next two Mondays I have a happy hour planned with different groups of friends and I’ve started texting and emailing long-lost friends more often as well.
Grade: B+

*Landscape my yard: Other than looking at the hedge in my yard and huffing in disgust at its brown dead leaves, I have not done much. Re-reading that, let me rephrase. I have not done anything.
Grade: F

*Reach 150 readers on my RSS feed: Since writing that resolution, my RSS feed count has quadrupled! I’m sure that sounds super impressive, but remember that quadrupling 1 still only equals 4. :-) Actually, I’m pretty pleased with the totals and relatively confident I will meet and exceed my goal well before my deadline.
Grade: C+

*Read 6 financial books: I’m two down if you count a book about creating a money-making blog that I won (thanks to Ron at The Wisdom Journal!). The other one I read that was quick – although somewhat elementary – was Suze Orman’s 2009 Action Plan.
Grade: A

*Get over my ex-boyfriend: Today is a little hard because I spent last year’s Super Bowl with the long-distance ex (it was actually the first time he came to visit me in Texas), but I’m looking forward to seeing a cute guy that will be at the Super Bowl party so I’d say I’m not completely cured but progressing.
Grade: C

*Move to California: This is still on my radar but lately I’ve found myself feeling content living in Texas. I think my attitude on this has changed with the current economic conditions making a change of jobs not the wisest move right now. I do still look at job postings, but nothing has really sparked my interest.
Grade: C

Hmmm, to be honest I’ve had much better report cards, but I take comfort in the fact that I have 11 more months to accomplish most of these resolutions!

Filed under Career, Dating, Finances | Comment (0)