So far, so good

This was my first week at my new job and so far I'm loving it! Within my first week at my last job I was miserable, so I'm taking this as a good sign. I had new employee orientation yesterday and they explained all of our benefits. We get a pension plan and a 403(b) with 50% employer matching on the first 6% we contribute. Both are fully vested after 3 years. The fund choices for the 403(b) seem pretty good. I'm going to start out by contributing 6% in order to get the full match, but beyond that I'll put money in my Roth IRA until I reach the limit because the expenses on it are next to nothing.

I'm struggling with what health plan to choose. There are four options ranging in premiums from $20.32-$91.07 biweekly. To complicate things further, it doesn't appear that my doctor is in their network. I absolutely love my doctor and have been going to her for almost 10 years. I really don't want to switch doctors, but the cost of going out-of-network is horrible. ugh....

Earned Income Credit

I found out last month that I qualified for an earned income credit for 2007. I got my check last week and it was for $182. Not too bad. It's $182 I didn't expect to have! I deposited it and immediately moved it into my fund for a home down payment. I didn't even consider spending it. If I had gotten that check a few months ago I would have immediately thought, "How am I going to spend this?!" Actually, I think I'm more excited about having more money in my savings than I would have been if I bought something.

July Goals Recap

I didn't do very well with meeting my goals for July. I'm somewhat disappointed in myself, but I know July was a crazy month. Then again, most of my life is crazy. Some of these goals I will carry over into August.

• Transportation challenge - Met. My goal was to spend less than $80 and I spent only $57.77!
• Get my free credit report - No. This was due to my own laziness and procrastination.
• Begin 403(b) contributions - No. This is because I accepted a new job! I'll be sure to get started with my contributions after I start.
• Enroll in online bill pay for car loan - No. Again, procrastination. I could do this online but they ask for your social security number and I'm leery of submitting mine online. The alternative is to go to a branch location to enroll and I just haven't gotten around to it.
• Know my networth - No. I would have to know the remaining balance on my car loan, which I don't. Yet another reason I need to enroll online.
• Get my Avon orders in on time - Close. I got two out of three in on time. Not bad considering that when I was in school I submitted nearly every order late.