David,
I finished the filing system last week. I was fairly organized to begin with, but it motivated me to get some IRA paperwork filed away that had been piling up on my desk. I read the Automatic Millionaire last year and my husband and I completed all of our goals from that book at the end of December. I have 80 pages left in Start Late Finish Rich and I’m loving it. I originally decided (before the program) to start reading the book to help my mom, who is also doing the coaching program. And ….even though I’m only 29 – I love this book!
My husband and I did the Latte Factor challenge last year and realized that our “latte” was ATM fees and bottled water. We used to spend $60 a month just on those two things. We took the challenge again this year and it was much tougher since we have become very frugal over the last year, but…we eat out at restaurants ALOT. We don’t want to give it up but if we skip out on the appetizers and wine/beer we could save about $125 a month. We also spend a lot on groceries. We decided to plan a weekly menu so that we don’t throw away as much food. The double latte factor challenge has been tough for us as well. Over the last two years I have reduced our cable bill, phone bill and car insurance and we don’t have any debt except our mortgage and our car payment. We had our first child last year so I’m sure we’re spending too much on toys, diapers etc. So I’m going to track our expenses for a month to see what I find.
As for the Power Charge. I love the idea. I’ve decided to make a list of Financial accomplishments from the past two years since we did so much last year after I read the Automatic Millionaire. It will be a constant reminder of how much progress we have made. In the past two years we have paid off $40,000 in credit card/revolving debt, paid $35,000 on our mortgage, saved $20,000 for an emergency fund, increased my husband’s 401k to the maximum and opened IRA’s for my husband and I. I’m really excited to learn more about real estate in the next few coaching calls. Thanks for all of your help – you have changed our financial future!
