Well started my first year of really setting goals with an easy one - to pay off my car loan. (gotta start somewhere)

Well, I paid it off mid-dec and now just have that unexpected new van I got the wife before I deployed.

One step forward, one step back. But hey, I was still successful at keeping within my budget and not ever carrying a CC balance.

Also, I am glad to say I maxed out both mine and my wife's IRAs, started a 529 for my son and already have $2K in it, and finally and most importantly I got home safely from Iraq.

This next year I will add a few more goals,

1. I want to add another 3K to my Savings to bolster my emergency fund to 3 mos worth.
2. Save up ~$2K for flights to a few different weddings this year.
3. Use my tax refund for a little 5th anniversary trip for my wife and I this summer.
4. Finally why not add in a final goal to push myself a bit as the first two shouldn't be hard to achieve. I want to add another $4K value to my brokerage.

I wish you all the best and have a happy new year!

I am not sure about some of you in the military but I rather enjoy doing finances while deployed.

1. When you see your paycheck you notice there are no federal taxes withheld (except fica, ss, med).

2. You also add in all the combat pay. $250 for family seperation, $225 for Hostile Fire pay, $100 for Hazardous Duty pay.

3. You expenses back on the homefront drop (if you are lucky) since my wife is only spending for herself and my son.

This is where a lot of us in the military get ourselves back in line. I could easily pay off my car loan in the next couple months. But why pay off a 3.9% loan when I can put money in the SDP.

The Savings Deposit Plan is somewhere where deployed service men and women can put in up to $10K and get a guaranteed 10% interest from Uncle Sam.

I was also lucky enough to have internet available for my laptop so I can update Quicken and have easy access to my finances.

- D

I have been doing pretty well at not staying within the budget I set out for myself at the beginning of the year of $200 per week discretionary spending.

It's always something I didn't think of.

Last week I renewed my magazine subscription to Kiplingers for another 3 years for $50. I sent my mother flowers after her surgery for another $50. And my wife got a haircut for $40. (she does this every couple months)

This week I stocked up on my multivitamins, $40, for the next few months. I have cholesterol issue so I get some heart healthy GNC stuff that works pretty good. I got a piece of exercise equipment to help me stay in shape when I don't have time to hit the gym, $50. And I had an unplanned work dinner for $20.

Oh well, hopefully most of these things will pay off in the end and I'll have a few light weeks.

I also got word that I am deploying this summer. Though this is not so good news for my family, it will in the end help our finances as I will not need to be fed or entertained. Plus, the tax-free pay and extra combat pay perks always add an extra $750 or so a month to my income.

All in all, I should have no issues taking care of my 2008 todo's...