September 3, 2019September 3, 2019 FOGA

August 2019 Goals Update

Goals, Lifestyle

Hello FOGA Readers! Happy September and welcome to the August 2019 Goals Update. 🙂

This one is a big deal because we are looking at one year of Goals Updates since I started doing this in August 2018. Lots of things have changed since then. We’ve paid off our loan, our phones, and maxed out the e-fund (more on that below. Lots of things have also stayed the same, i.e., eating out & working out. Also, I have confirmed that I dislike yoga. lol

One year later and still going strong. 🙂

So, let’s get to it.

August Wrap Up

August was fairly typical. Mainly work and home.

I got to see one of my former co-workers for the first time in two years. We worked together at my last toxic company. Crazy to think how much time has gone by since then.

We also found out that Mr. FOGA’s car is starting to have issues. It’s leaking oil. It would cost over $4000 to fix, and that’s more than the car is worth. Saving up for a new car is officially the next goal.

My mom and I also decided to go on a cruise in January. It’s timed around my birthday, but it’s mainly just to go on vacation. Plus my mom has always wanted to go to the Cayman Islands (it’s on her bucket list), so that will be fun.

The Glass Cannons were unable to meet up. There was too much going on with back to school and everything. Hoping to meet up in September.

Work Update

Work was interesting in August. I sold seven homes, which is a fantastic month. I also had cancellations: two couldn’t get qualified. In five years of working in real estate, I have only had two cancellations until August. Then that number got doubled. It sucks, but there was nothing we could do about it.

Last month, I mentioned that they were considering moving me where I would earn more. Since that was said, I looked into it. I think I make great money. It’s triple what Mr. FOGA makes, and it allows us to achieve our financial goals.

When I looked into everything, I learned that I make less than over half of our team. It’s mainly due to the price point of where I am (lower price point = less pay) and the location since I sell more than 75% of our team. It was an interesting day.

I wasn’t angry about it. It is what it is. It’s more than I wasn’t even aware that my pay could go higher. I thought that I was reaching my “cap.” Then I discover than my cap is due to where I am and nothing else. It changes your perspective on things.

So, my boss actually offered me a choice from two communities that would be considered promotions. I chose one, and I will be moving by the end of the year. I can’t say anything at work yet, so it’s nice to have an anonymous blog.

Lots of change coming.

Top Posts

Most Popular FOGA Post in August: Net Worth Update #6: July 2019
This post was a happy one. We maxed out our IRAs. 🙂

My Favorite FOGA Post in August: Bucket List 2019
I always love the bucket list posts. Places to go and things to do. Plus, it’s helpful to have people confirm that certain things are not that expensive. Makes it easier for my brain to accept it and move forward with stuff.

My Favorite Post in August: The End of the Beginning by Rose Colored Water
This was a fantastic post by Liz, and everyone needs to read it. Seriously, leave here, read it, and come back. I’m not spoiling anything. Just check it out.

Guest Posts: Not About the Payoff Series on Our Table For Two & Five Steps to Living on an Irregular Income on Radical FIRE
August was a big month for guest posts. One is about my student loans, and the other is about living on a fluctuating income. Both these ladies are awesome, and I am so thankful to them for having me on their blogs.

Goals for August

August was a good month for income. I had two paychecks, but they were smaller than in previous months. Mr. FOGA’s income is also officially lower now that he is no longer a manager.

So, how did we/I do on the goals?

• Stay Under $550 for Eating Out. FAIL. We exceeded this greatly, but I’m not upset about it. We went out for my mom’s birthday. Also ended up celebrating my getting four sales in two days. That’s never happened before, so it was worth going out and having fun. 
• Max out our Emergency Fund. PASS. It’s fully funded!!! Now, it will just gain interest. 🙂 Fingers crossed we don’t need it anytime soon. 
• Start Savings for New Car ($1000). FAIL. Completely put this out of mind. Ended up paying for the cruise with my mom. She’ll be giving me her part of it in September, so we’ll be able to start this then. 
• Pick an investment account for the future. PASS. Going to go with Vanguard. They are the standard so makes sense to go that route. Will look into other stuff as well as we get further into everything. Don’t want to put all our eggs in one basket. 
• Finish One Book. FAIL. However, this will not be continuing in September. I have already finished five mangas since the month started. 🙂
• Work Five Times This Month. FAIL. Made it to four. Not bad though considering my other months. 
• Clean Out the Excess Stuff from the Closet. FAIL. Found the charity. Now I need to take everything over there. Will be done this month. 

Blog Goals for August

• Post Four Times this Month on Tuesdays. FAIL, but I am counting it as a PASS. Why? Because I posted every week and had two guest posts. So, one post didn’t make it for Tuesday, but I did have two guest posts within a week, so that should count for something. 
• Get One Week Ahead on Posts. FAIL. Nope. I am pretty much finishing posts on Tuesdays like today for instance. 
• Equal or Beat July Monthly Views. FAIL. July was 761 and August was 720. Not bad, but not beaten. 
• Track Twitter & Pinterest Growth. 1193 and 309 on Twitter and Pinterest respectively. No goals with these. Just like to see how they do. 🙂

Goals for September

September is going to be a hectic month. At work, it’s the end of the work year. I’ll also be getting another community to manage for a short time. We also have events coming up.

At home, Mr. FOGA is probably going to make a move on his job, so I am trying to be prepared for just about everything.

We’re expecting one paycheck from me and two from Mr. FOGA.

• Stay Under $550 for Eating Out. Nothing big going on this month, so this should be able to work. 
• Put $1500 into Savings for New Car. Mr. FOGA’s car is starting to have issues now. Time to really focus on saving for a new car. He knows the type he wants (Toyota C-HR), so just getting ready. Hoping to get him a car by the end of next year. 
• Set Aside $1500 for Vanguard. Since we’ll be going with VTSAX, we’ll need $3000 to start. Getting ready for that. 
• Finish Six Books. Have finished five already, so adding one more. 
• Work Five Times This Month. Got to four last month, so five shouldn’t be impossible. 
• Clean Out the Excess Stuff from the Closet. Just need to bag everything and take it over. 

Blog Goals for September

• Post Four Times this Month on Tuesdays. Got to once a week last month, but now we need to be on Tuesdays consistently.
• Get One Week Ahead on Posts. So far, not doing great on this, but if I can get the first goal done, this shouldn’t be too hard, right?
• Equal or Beat 775 Monthly Views. This goal is a little higher than the views in July. Being optimistic, but let’s see how FOGA does.
• Track Twitter & Pinterest Growth. 1100 and 302 on Twitter and Pinterest respectively in August. How much higher can we go by the next update?

Plans for September

Not much coming up in September that isn’t work-related. The Glass Cannons are trying to get together for another round of Dungeons & Dragons. Aside from that, it’s doctor’s appointments and meeting up with lots of people from work.

Let the games begin.

In Summation

And that was the August 2019 Goals Update! I hope you enjoyed it. 😊

How was your August? Did you get your goals accomplished? Let me know in the comments.

Until Next Time!

-Ms. FOGA