November Update on Finances, Diet, and Shredding

I thought I would update everyone on how things are going as a matter of personal accountability. My goals this year were to stick to a budget, fully fund an emergency fund with cash, and try to claw back lost ground in investments through strategic timing of investment purchases with savings.  From a budget standpoint, the overall earnings are as expected from salary.  The alternative income stream development has been slow, but I have not spent time emphasizing this area. From an expense standpoint, the overall budget is on track, however, we’ve underspent in two key areas: groceries, and health and beauty items; and overspent in two other areas, restaurants and office supplies. I’m not concerned about the office supplies since all of the items are useful and most can be expensed, but the high number for eating out shows some lack of discipline. The funny thing is, I don’t generally enjoy the food that much when we go out, but I do like to go out.  Does that make sense?

From an investment standpoint, I am still confused with the market.  Generally, I feel that the stock market has run too fast and may pullback by say 10%, but I also think the recovery back to 2007 levels is still broadly underway.  It is a bit disconcerting to find that automatic investing seems to work better than trying to time the market, course it’s easier too.

On the diet front, I was on a modified version of the South Beach Diet for about 6 weeks, until my big business trip.  While traveling, I found it incredibly difficult to find appropriate things to eat (vegetables anyone?) and was constantly served snacks of cookies, banana bread, and other not so good for you things. My weight has been stable for the past month after losing a couple of pounds.  Overall my concern is not so much the weight as trying to get a hold of blood sugar issues.  Will report back soon to see if I resume the healthy eating. This morning, I stocked the fridge with raw vegetables, nuts, string cheese, and ingredients for healthy dinners.  The temptation to buy potato chips was strong, but I managed to resist.

On the exercise front, in the month of September, I resumed trying the Jillian Michaels 30-Day Shred, something that I tried in July, but gave up after a few sessions.  The September start has been more successful and I was alternating the 3 levels and completing a session a day about 6 days a week.  I hope to keep this up indefinitely and to try out new Jillian tapes.

Any updates on finances or healthy living from others?