Home again!

Vegas was amazing! I had so much fun, and there is so much to see. We didn't get to see everything, so now I have an excuse to go back. The whole trip wasn't as expensive as I thought it would be either. We managed to see most of our shows at a discount, and got some discounted meals as well. If I do go back again, I think I'd try to take advantage of more of the deal they have available. We didn't really clue in to using the coupons we were given until partway through the trip. Everywhere you go they give you coupons for food, shows, nightclubs, merchandise, everything. Use them! For some of the things we did, we got discounts of 50%. That makes it much nicer on my finances when I come back to reality and realize how much I spent.

It just might be time for another buy nothing month. I might do one for November, but I might also wait until after Christmas to do my next one. My family hasn't decided what we are doing for gifts yet, and I want the freedom to buy gifts when I see them rather than scramble in December. That way I can also spread out the gift buying a bit.

I'm excited for Hallowe'en! I am going as Catwoman, because I have always wanted to do that costume. I have most of it together. I have to figure out what to do about the mask (I might try to make it!) and then I will be all set. Of course, I am also helping other people with their costumes. So it won't end with the mask, but at least that will be done. This might make me actually fix my sewing machine too, since I can't make things without it!

Oh, and I bought a pair of leather gloves, so that is one more goal down!

To carry on with the goal review:

Work
11. Pass UFE - DONE! Yay no more studying!
12. Get a promotion - still waiting, but hopefully I'll have an idea of when it will be happening sometime soon.
13. Reach 2nd level bonus each year - Done for first year, on hold until next bonus season
14. Improve typing by 10 wpm - I did a test awhile ago that put me at 45 wpm, so I need to get at least 55 wpm next time. Other than typing for work and emails, I haven't been doing much to work on this. I really should do the typing games, I'll try to work that in. I was a bit surprised that my typing was so low. I may try to improve by more than 10, just because I feel that I can do so much better than 55 wpm. I have to type so much for work, I really should be a lot faster! I do make lots of errors when I type, so that could be bringing it down. Accuracy needs to be improved too, not just speed.
15. Go to work early during tax season - this one didn't really work out last year, because there was no reason for me to get there early. I did go in early a few times, when it was warranted. We'll see how it goes next year.
16. Take all vacation days - working on it! I have not used any for non-fun things like appointments, they have all been for going on vacation or for my birthday. I have two left for this year, not sure if I'll take them at Christmas (since it's on a weekend anyway) or if I'll carry them over/get them paid out. Depends what comes up!

Overall - 1/6, but 3/6 are recurring ones, so they are partially done too. I'm taking credit for those! 1 I have no real control over when it happens (the promotion), and I'll try to work on the typing one.

Financial
17. Pay off school debt - Almost, just a few more months and then I will be free!
18. Do 3 buy nothing months - I've done one, and as I said above, I'm working on figuring out when to do another one. I need to have the right kind of motivation to do it.
19. Invest in stock - I got a trading account, but I have yet to work up the nerve to actually transfer money into it, and buy stock. Maybe after Hallowe'en is over I'll have time to do some research.
20. Start saving to buy property - this will start as soon as I'm done with the school debt
21. Request credit report - Have not done yet, for no good reason. I guess that means I'd better just do it and get it over with!

Overall: None completed, but progress made on 4/5. And if I make the time to actually request the credit report, then I will have one completed.