July Goals

I'll be figuring out my June wrap up over the weekend. I've been thinking hard about goals for July.

My first goal is to stay sane. Usually my goals have to do with financial matters but the past month has been interesting and the next month looks like it will be even more fun. Within the next few weeks* we will be closing on the house, moving, and adding another member to the household. No, we're not having a baby. My father in law is going through some stuff and we all agree it's in his best interest to get away from his current city and make a fresh start. The plan, at least for now, is for him to live with use for at least six months.

Financially all of these things have lots of repercussions. We've planned for a lot of the expenses associated with moving but I'm sure there will be things that have slipped our minds. The new place is much bigger- largely because we bought it with our future family in mind. This, and having to care for a lawn, will increase the utilities. We've know this all along, but I have no idea how to budget for it. The biggest unknown for me will be how my FIL's presence will affect everything. The grocery budget will definitely be moving upward. There is also a very good possibility that we will be helping him with legal fees.

Through all of this my goal is to stay calm. I'm not going to set monthly spending goals, other than my Roth which auto transfers. I think I have a good handle on keeping grocery spending low. I'm going to pull a yet to be determined amount of cash out (<$80) and use that for all of my eating out. Otherwise we'll continue to reduce. There's a good chance some of the FIL related expenses will dip into the emergency fund, but that's why we have it.

I hope everyone has a wonderful 4th. We'll be headed to a friends to barbque and then watching fireworks in our new neighborhood.

*I'm trying really hard not to call my realtor too early and get the latest details.