Looping the Hen

Financial Plan for 2006

I don't know about anyone else, but my budget never seems to jive with reality! It shows I should have around $1,000 or more spare income per month after all my bills are paid, retirement accounts funded, etc. I even included standard additional expenses such as movies and online games into the numbers. Maybe Christmas did me in this year; I didn't expect to go as all-out as I did. The $60 Jager-bomb nights don't help either I guess. Getting back into running also whacked me with new shoes, 5 or 6 outfits, cold-weather gear, and $25 entry fees.

I think I'll do a Dave Ramsey month and write down absolutely every expense, from gas and hot pockets to individual junk out of the vending machines. My new health plan kicks in this next paycheck also, blech, and I have to take that into account. I've got some sort of wrist/tendon problem that's caused me nothing but grief and expense this year, and I am willing to do darn near anything to fix it, so I moved to the maximum plan where I work.

Anyhoo, I was looking at what is on my wish-list (anything over $200) for 2006, and it's around $11,900, with $6200 in household expenses: an entertainment center, washer/dryer, LCD TV, and new hardwood floor for my dining room and kitchen. The other are a vacation, Xbox, and pistol, among other toys. The total is what I am setting as my goal for home-based revenue. Maybe a bit of a stretch, but I had an initial goal of $2500 for 2005, and did quite a bit better; I'll be looking hard at revenue stream opportunities in gaming collectibles. Anyone with any ideas for making money with under $1,000 capital let me know, and I'll keep y'all updated on what I am doing.