Okay! I have taken twenty dollars from my wallet and I have put it in an envelope along with and index card.(I write the deposit amount down and put the money into checking and then over to my new Emigrant Savings Account.)

My challenge is to put twenty dollars a week away for the year 2007 Challenge. I will look to complete the challenge by saving money or raising a little extra cash during the week!.

The 20 dollars will be in addition to my regular savings! So I guess the goal is a minimum of $1040.00 dollars by this time next year!

Cone on gang! Who else will join the 20 dollar challenge for 2007?

Well it is officially the last day of the year! I am feeling pumped as the new year is ready to get started!

I know this year can be a good one not only for me but for everyone else here!

I am pumped and prepped to save!

I am pumped and prepped to lose weight!

I am just psyched up as the new year starts!

It is now a time to get ready for the 2007 20 Dollar Challenge!

It is time to cut costs and keep as much of my money as possible!

Jeff and Nate are making this place into something very special!

You folks are making this place into something special!

Can we save money! YES WE CAN!

Can we get rid of debt? YES WE CAN

Can we accomplish our goals? YES WE CAN!

Let's go team!

Well, I moved 5000 out of my daughters passbook savings account into my checking. I will soon be opening an Emigrant Direct account for her using my checking.

I spent no money today and it felt really good!

We had company over and the DW and I had a lovely time! I really like good conversation!

Just got a gift of 300 dollars in a mall gift card. I'll be using it to buy gifts during the coming year. I also recieved a 100 gift card to my favorite restaurant. With the restaurant card I also got two ten dollar off coupons. Major score for me!

The car insurance got paid today. I have to remember to take the little course that gets me 10% off!

The DW and I are detting along fairly well at present. We still have our moments with spending but she seems to be coming around. One can only hope!

Today was an okay day!

Now that the CCs are gone I have the following goals:

1) On hand cash fund of 2500 for emergencies. You can only take so much out of the ATM at a given time. That presumes the ATM is working(sometimes the electric goes out).

2) Get the EF up to at least 10000 dollars and then add 100 monthly. The amount paid in would rise by the need to keep it at least 10000.

3) Increase the amount of money invested into mutual funds and ETFs. I am looking to see how much I can realistically put into investments.

4) Look to cut spending in as many areas as I can. I have cut quite a bit but I am sure I can be more creative.

5) I need to lose a great deal of weight. What good is money and savings if you are too sick to enjoy the fruits of your labor.

6) Volunteer more in my community. I am thinking about joining the ambulance corps. I would help my community but I also get benefits from tyhe town such as free pool passes and some tax breaks.

Well, those are the basic goals.

Anyone here have any other ideas! What are you folks doing!

Well folks it is now official. The check has been cashed. The account has been credited. My wife's CC debt is no more!

I have started getting myself more organized. I started by cleaning out the garage. My tool chest is now in perfect order and everything is accessable.

I took the hazardous waste to the county facility. I threw out crap that had collected over the years. I was tired at the end but I am organized on that front. I noticed some of my tools are missing. That is what I get for lending things out!

I need to replace a few tools but there is no rush. Oddly enough I find that the more organized I become the more I find that I pretty much have everyting I wanted. Isn't that a hoot!

I have really been blessed. I truly have.

My next project is the basement. I have a ton of stuff to throw out and/or give away. Since the bills are paid I have gone on an organizing kick. I don't really know why but I have!

The Christmas shopping is done and I stayed on budget for the most part. My wife is upset because I keep telling her I pretty much have everything I have ever wanted. I hope I don't get a lump of coal for Christmas!

It feels sort of weird not having a large bill to pay off. In fact I feel a kind of let down truth be told. I know that sounds odd but I guess that is just me. Maybe I expected being out of debt to be some sort of magic thing. While it is nice it is not a lasting rush if you know what I mean.

I am seting up things so that more of my checks are sent into savings and investments. Wish me luck!

WOOOO!!! HOOOOOO!!!! I am now officially doing the happy dance! The Chase Card is paid off! The check has been written and sent off!

The mortgage is paid! The cars are paid. Now the Credit Cards are paid in full!
I am not owing anybody about this time!
I am in debt to no one!!!!

I cannot describe the feeling! I feel like a ton of bricks has been lifted off my shoulders! The leeches are no longer draining me financially! Cash and carry is now the order of the day!

I was waiting for this to happen before I blogged again! Now it has happened. Saving and investing will now increase significantly. I have been doing extra work so I have hit the forums but not the blogs. Hafta earn the money when the work is available.

The horror is gone for me. If the wife does it again she can pay for it. Gee whiz I feel good!