| Currently in my fourth month of deployment to Iraq. Working to aggressively pay down all debt prior to redeployment. I managed to save over $3,000 for my trip, but after making my regular credit card payment and seeing how little I owed, I figured I might as well just close it out completely. Worse case scenario, I will have to use my credit card again, but at least I won't have that old interest continue to build up from when I start my trip until several months after returning. NO MORE CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS (for now at least) - HELL YES!
Still may hit a small snag with R&R in a couple of months, but I will be tracking to meet all of my redeployment financial goals.
Continuing to place an additional $700 in the Army Savings Deposit Program. I wont be able to attain the full 10% interest rate provided by the program, however, making the contribution for the next nine months will allow me to save $7000 + interest and direct it all into my emergency savings account. Goal is to have at least $10,000 by the end of the deployment.
Found a book last month called "The Small Investor's Guide to Large Profits in the Stock Market" by Justin Heatter in the office recently. It is older then me, but I like that it is quick and easy to read. I have read about 70 pages in the book when I find the time after getting off of work thus far. Hopefully I will finish it this month.
Also got some three financial books from my Family. I dont remember all the information, but I know one is about the rise of McDonalds and the other one is something about how to develop a millionaire's mindset. Hopefully they will be great reads when I get to them.
Investopedia is a great website. Currently have it saved in my favorites tab so I can browse it during slow periods at work.
I have completed my max IRA contribution for 2010!!!!
Vanguard recently changed one of my holdings into an Admiral shares fund. Unfortunately, it is about $90+/share; way out of my range for affordability!
With this change in events, I will save, but hold on to the money for the 2011 IRA contribution until I figure out what I should invest in next. Main thing to keep in mind is assest allocation; prehaps my next investment should not be as agressive as my other holdings... |