The paycheck from the part-time varies each payday. This doesn't make too much of a difference because I've started saving $50 bi-weekly and using the rest to pay whatever bills are left over. This usually means the bills are paid in advance. Or I use that money for miscellaneous items. This week most of that cash went to buying Claritin, Claritin D, TheraFlu and other household items.

Recently I took a few weeks off from the part-time gig. This enabled me to live without that check for the first time in almost 3 years (yeah it's been that long). Those few week thought me to manage cash flow properly without dipping into savings. It also taught me to be super organized. The check from the part-time gig used to be my back up plan when I forgot to say pay the cell phone or cable bill.

The lesson I've learned is to be organized and manage my cash.

Let the automation begin. Vanguard is the first account that was set up. The auto withdrawals from my checking account begun last week. woot woot.

Financial updates....goals

The first quarter of this year found me trying to get a handle on my cash flow. So far I've done a decent job of it.
My gas and electric bill stayed almost consistent during those first 3 months, so I have a better idea of what next winter will be like. Moving into my new condo obviously came with some additional expenses. So far I haven't had to go further into debt to buy anything.

During this first quarter I managed to put away $1,000 into 2 separate 6 month CDs of $500 each.

The goal for next quarter: April - June

Pay off balance on my car $1995 balance

Pay off my small student loan balance of $575

Open a 6 month CD for $1,000

Save $500 for summer outing with the girls. I know it will cost us more than this for the entire summer but this is a start. That $500 will be on a debit card that will be used solely for our outings.