So close, and other random thoughts

So close, and not so far away!
I am $500 away from maxing out Roth IRA for 2008. At which time, I’ll have maxed out my Roth IRA for THREE years in a row!

Goal adjustment
My original 2008 goal was to save $26,000. With the year half over, I have contributed $12,030 to Roth IRA and Freedom Fund in 2008. right now, I’m 46% of the way there. I think $26,000 is a wee bit of a stretch given several factors (Hawaii, test preparation – just the registration to take the test costs $250!, expanding my budget, etc.). I have decided if that I can save $25,000, I will be very happy.

For now, the goal is just to keep contributing $1,500/month to the Freedom Fund, and then max out the Roth IRA. Even if I manage to do all that, I’ll still be $2,720 short of my revised goal of $25,000. That money will – I hope – come from the year-end bonus.

It all comes down to fixed expenses
I haven’t been very good about keeping track of my expenses for the past two months, but the cogs in my personal finance machine is still turning. The most important thing, for me, I’ve come to realize again and again, is having low fixed expenses.

I cannot overemphasize how much easier and less stressful my life is because my rent, car insurance, utilities, internet combined is less than 20% of my gross. It’s beyond awesome. Of course, with the rising gas prices, every tank is taking out a bigger and bigger chunk of wallet (last fill-up at $4.59/gallon – seriously, I expect to see $5/gallon very shortly).

Gratitude
I know I am blessed. Have to remember that.