End of the Month Wrap-up- January!

It’s Sunday, February 4, 2018, at 5:03 pm and I’m meal prepping as I think about how I want to show up for you today. This year started off on a good note! I would say that there were more ups than downs. I did some networking and made some new friends that we will discuss later. I downloaded some new music and I downloaded Audible finally. Now, I can listen to my books while I’m at the gym if I choose. My tribe is still in place and they have reset their goals as well and have shared them with the group. I love having a group of ladies who I can bounce ideas off of before jumping in head-first. The connection is real and many ideas have sprung from those valuable relationships and conversations. Today, we will discuss how I did in several life categories in January. I would love to hear how your month went as well!

Goals Accomplished!

All goals mentioned in the Year in Review blog post were accomplished with the exception of doing at home facials. It may sound trivial in comparison to the other goals I’ve accomplished this month, but it is important for a person, like myself who has problematic skin from time to time. Don’t get lazy with your skincare routine! In fact, I’m trying a new night cream tonight by Oil of Olay.

An additional goal that wasn’t previously mentioned was meeting with a financial planner. I did some research and decided that I want a thorough review of all of my accounts including my retirement accounts, debt or liabilities, assistance with estate planning for myself and my parents, review of my income taxes, and just some direction on what I need to improve on. It was a very productive meeting and I am patiently waiting for the analysis.

I had the opportunity to meet with the Baltimore Choose FI group and it was amazing! Brainstorming and ideas were flying all over the place during lunch. Nothing is like kicking it with a group of like-minded people who have expertise in a multitude of areas concerning finances and life in general. We also discussed our past financial mistakes and what we are doing to move forward. We decided to meet every other month. If you are in Baltimore, join us at Choose FI Baltimore on Facebook where robust discussions take place!

Financial Accountability

I did meet my specific savings goal that I had set for myself, which is a win. I know people have different percentages for what they believe they are supposed to save each month, but I say pay yourself first and save what you can each month. I don’t want people feeling disappointed just because you didn’t reach the standard amount set. Personal finance is personal and life happens. My retirement accounts are currently under review with the financial planner which was also a goal.

Fitness

I gained 3 pounds! Don’t get excited. I increased my strength training routine and decreased cardio. With that being said, I increased my protein intake, so I expect fluctuations. And, its muscle, not fat. My tribe and I have been talking about our weight gains and losses as if we were UFC fighters who needed  to reach a specific weight to compete. The bottom line is that we all have specific goals. Some of us needed to lose a few pounds and some of us needed to gain a few pounds of muscle for certain competitions or activities. It’s all about personal preference.

I was introduced to RxBars which have the natural ingredients stated on the front of the package. Also, they tastes great! It’s not easy to find a protein bar that has limited ingredients that actually tastes good.

Self-Discovery

One thing that I’m learning to be more conscious of is not “telling the story.” I seem to have developed a habit of telling my story when someone has told me their story. I do it because I want them to know that they are not alone in the struggle, or I think they are asking for advice, or just to compare stories. It’s not necessary. I need to just listen. If they ask me if I have experienced anything similar, I’ll take that opportunity to walk in. Otherwise, I just need to be a better listener which will ultimately make me a better communicator. Ever heard of the 80/20 rule regarding communication?

On a Personal Note

Recently, I listened to the Gettin’ Grown podcast episode about timelines. They brought up an intriguing article about women of color and their timelines. Click here to read the full article. I read it and I sent it to my friends. It resonated with me because I too have been in a funk about thinking that I was behind in life. The bottom line is success happens at different times in people’s lives and everything does not go according to plan. Other people’s expectations of us are sometimes unrealistic. Define success for yourself. You are not a failure and don’t let anyone tell you that you are.

February Goals

Below is a list of goals that I would like to accomplish in February:

• Save $300 in any of my savings accounts.
• Have a second meeting with my financial planner.
• Continue blogging and collaborating with blogging groups.
• Continue brainstorming with financial groups.
• Read anything that I get my hands on.

Readers, how did January go? What are some goals that you would like to bring to fruition in February?

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