January results/February goals

I've been sick and busy (in no particular order) the last couple of days. Here come the goals - obviously the job loss in the middle of the month changed some of the priorities a tad.

Goals by the end of January 2008 -

1. Apply to 20 full-time jobs (using cover letters) - SUCCESS - I have more than exceeded this goal in my search for a new job. At last count it was around 70 or so.
   
2. Save $1500 in Me & fiance's joint (wedding expenses) savings account - FAILURE - Due to circumstances the account is hovering around a Grand currently.
   
3. Re-send query to two books agents, send query letter to 10 new agents - FAILURE - I didn't even really try this one. Once some stability returns I shall revisit it.
   

Obviously the main goal for the coming month (if not months) is gainful employment. I've already picked up a part-time job in the interim but, the hours and the work kind of sucks:

Goals by the end of February 2008 -

1. Apply to 10 full time jobs that have a starting salary at at least 90% of current income
   
2. Go to 1 or more job fairs
3. Interview for at least 3 jobs at current company or similar-sized company
   

I really hope that I'll be able to find a decent job so I don't need to stress as much as I have been. I have a good feeling though that it will all work out for the best.

January 2008 - Net Worth

Despite the impending job loss it appears that I am making headway in the Net Worth department. I would say I can thank the lack of debt especially for this.



Hopefully, I'll be able to get a decent paying job in the next month or so so I can continue the positive trending. With the stock market on the Fritz these days though, who really knows.

Progress Report - for week ended 1/27/08

Almost forgot to post! Again my main focus here on out is on goal #1:

Goals by the end of January 2008 -

1. Apply to 20 full-time jobs (using cover letters) - SUCCESS -I've applied to (at least) 60+ jobs so far, tomorrow I will be going to a job fair, than two interviews later this week, then another job fair much later this week. I've already picked up another part-time job which I have training for on Wednesday.
   
2. Save $1500 in Me & fiance's joint (wedding expenses) savings account - We are still at $854, last I checked - The fiance plans to deposit another $100 this week
   
3. Re-send query to two books agents, send query letter to 10 new agents - still, NO progress. Again, probably won't be either, again until goal #1 is achieved.

Progress Report - for week ended 1/20/08

Well, well - since learning I will shortly no longer be 'gainfully-employed' I have been focusing a ridiculous amount on goal #1

Goals by the end of January 2008 -

1. Apply to 20 full-time jobs (using cover letters) - SUCCESS -I've applied to (at least) 35 jobs so far, tomorrow (no disrespect to MLK) I will be beating the streets for a part time job while I still have a full time job.
   
2. Save $1500 in Me & fiance's joint (wedding expenses) savings account - We are still at $854, last I checked - Not sure I will care too much about this goal now as I finding a job is all consuming.
   
3. Re-send query to two books agents, send query letter to 10 new agents - still, NO progress. Probably won't be either, again until goal #1 is achieved.
   

Progress Report for week ended 1/6/08

Man I have made no progress whatsoever but, I'll post anyway:

Goals by the end of January 2008 -

1. Apply to 20 full-time jobs (using cover letters) - no progress, have not applied to anything
   
2. Save $1500 in Me & fiance's joint (wedding expenses) savings account - We are currently at $740 and change, it will be $840 and change once I deposit $20 I received
   
3. Re-send query to two books agents, send query letter to 10 new agents - NO progress
   

Honestly, I have been doing things on my vacation just not a whole lot of productive things. That will change tomorrow when I return to work.

December results/ January goals & 2008 Financial Resolution

Alright, I've been slacking as I have been off the majority of this week for a much needed New year's vacation but, here is an update on my goals.

Goals for the end of December:

1. Send novel manuscript to 10 book agents and/or publishers - SUCCESS - I able to submit query letters to 10 books agents. Two of which asked for additional info and/or to re-send the query based on their guidelines. Now if only I can focus and get that done.
   
2. Apply to 20 jobs (part-time or full-time) - SUCCESS - on New year's eve I ended up applying to the last 2 jobs to make the 20 complete. I actually heard back from one promising opportunity within my company this week but, I guess I need to remain vigilant until the interviews start to occur on a regular basis.
   
3. Raise net worth to $8,500 or better - SUCCESS - I did accomplish this goal despite all of the holiday expenses. However, when calculating my car value for this past month it went UP rather than going DOWN like depreciating assets are supposed to. So that's kind of suspect. Even if it did go down the $50 or so it's been averaging in monthly depreciation I would have still hit the goal but it just seems strange is all I'm saying.
   

Overall I think the less is more approach for monthly financial goals is working and I believe I will stick with it. Now for January's goals:

Goals by the end of January 2008 -

1. Apply to 20 full-time jobs (using cover letters)
   
2. Save $1500 in Me & fiance's joint (wedding expenses) savings account
3. Re-send query to two books agents, send query letter to 10 new agents

As far as New year's Resolutions - I personally love to make them and have a horrible time remembering them.

I think last year's was to 'get out of debt' and as of today - I have achieved that goal. As of New year's it was a goal that I achieved earlier in the year and then realized it wasn't quite achieved - Now I really just need to focus on things other than debt because I think by focusing on 'being debt-free' It has inadvertently brought me back to an indebted status. OK I'm going way off on a tangent now. That being said - My 2008 New year's Resolution is to:

• Double my income
  

That's right - double my income period - it's that simple. How will I accomplish this - of course that's the tricky part. My current income stands at the mid 30's - in order to double it I will need to bring my income up to the high 60's or low 70's by the end of 2008.

Some possible strategies for achieving this daunting goal are:

1. Get a new, less stressful, better paying job
   
2. Publish and sell copies of my novel
3. Do some freelance writing
   
4. Invest $ into high-return accounts
5. start a part-time business
6. Buy more assets
7. Sell artwork
   
8. Create artwork for friend's children's book and get this book published

These are just some of the ideas that pop into my head but, I might have to use all of these ideas and then some in order to achieve my Resolution. Luckily this Internet thing is pretty easy to access and look back at.