Being past the midpoint for this year, it seems to be a good time to take stock and review how I am proceeding against my goals.

Emergency Fund

My emergency fund has been built and is now sitting at a little over $1000.  Goal complete.

Credit Card Debt

At first, I did poorly with this goal for the year.  Several factors pushed it higher as I started my job, resulting in a high balance of greater than $17,000.  The good news is that it hit a balance of $0 on June 30.

Now, I will admit that I am not doing what Dave Ramsey recommends (among many others) and cutting up my credit cards.  I am continuing to use them for everyday purchases.  This is for three reasons.  First, by doing so I can automatically have my purchases categorized against my budget.  Second, I actually spend less using plastic (cash disappears from my hands in ways I have not been able to track).  Finally, the cards that I use have rewards that are worthwhile to me.

At this point, continuing to use my cards is not a problem.  In this first month, I am well on my way to finishing with a balance that can easily be paid in full.  I know I will have to keep track and ensure that I do not start letting the balances roll over.

Car Loan

This goal has not been touched.  The emergency fund and credit cards came first.  At this point we have a plan to work on this balance.

Housing

This covers goals 4 and 5 from my original post.  Both goals are moving forward.  We are in the process of packing up most of the decorations in the house and moving them temporarily to storage.  When it is complete, we will bring in professionals to give the house a top to bottom clean so we can list it for sale.

On the new home side, we have talked withseveral builders and are getting quotes for the first phase: architectural drawings.  We are telling the architects/designers that we want to have everything specified in excruciating detail - actual model numbers for faucets and light fixtures.  Specific makes of carpeting, etc.  Essentially, I am shooting for the ability to refer back to these drawings and schedules to resolve any disputes and questions that arise during the build process.

I know it will not solve or prevent everything.  Yet, that level of detail and thoroughness will make the rest of the process as painless as possible.

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