I lost about 5 lbs this past week, which is a total of almost 25 lbs lost since the end of May. I'm excited that I'm only about 15 lbs now from my first goal weight (I'll reassess when I get there).

Get your own graph at skinnyr

I know the graph looks really bumpy, but it's because they only show it for a certain time period. If it were an option to zoom out, you'd see a more even trend. :P

September Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $4,300.00
Checking: $2,629.66
ING Funds (total): $341.98
Roth IRA: $4,289.35 (Out of the $4,500 I've invested so far)
401k: $599.76
Prosper: $6.12 (out of $100 in loans)
Sharebuilder: $42.86
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Total Positive: $12,209.73

Rent: $825.00
Phone: $50.00
Credit card: $944.88
Student Loan I: $13,176.10
Student Loan II: $530.07
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Total Negative: $15,526.05


Net Worth: -$3,316.32

Open Wallet!

I've fallen off the sensible train and landed knee-deep in a pile of crap.

One of my insane purchases was an $80.00 bag at TJ Maxx, and not a week later, I find myself rifling through a neighbor's recyclables to pull out 3 tubes of wrapping paper (there was plenty left!).

August Net Worth

Emergency Fund: $6,203.20
Checking: $98.00
ING Funds (total): $1,201.98
Roth IRA: $4,207.89 (Out of the $4,500 I've invested so far)
401k: $496.14 (Total loss of $23.06)
Prosper: $3.06 (out of $100 in loans)
Sharebuilder: $41.86
____________
Total Positive: $12,252.13

Rent: Paid
Phone: $50.00
Credit card: $2,089.77
Student Loan I: $13,302.57
Student Loan II: $599.08
____________
Total Negative: $16,041.22


Net Worth: -$3,789.09

Fudge.

Still holding at -18.0 lbs. I didn't budge this week, not even an ounce.

And it's official, I'm visiting my hometown in 3 weeks. As I said before, I'd like to lose more weight before I see my parents, and at this point, even a little would do.

Oh, and I have a new hobby...
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..
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which I will divulge as soon as I've taken some pictures. Ciao!

Got to keep on movin'

I finally got my deposit back (+$50 in interest) from my old landlord. This sucker's going right into savings.

Also, I lost 2 lbs. this past week, so I'm officially back in the saddle, with a total loss of 18 lbs. since I started losing at the end of May...and 30 lbs. since last summer!!

Get your own graph at skinnyr

Spending Time, Spending Money

I haven't done a post recently because of all my non-progress in my finances and my weight. Let me explain.

We are still in the process of buying furnishings for the new apartment, so my savings rate is flat. It's really sad, because I had planned to get my emergency fund back up to $6k by now. I'm losing $100 here, $400 there, and with my large rent bill every month, it's hard to gain footing. Luckily, August is a 3-paycheck month, so I can do a little catching up with some careful planning.

Speaking of careful planning, I am contributing like mad to my Roth IRA, but only because I've been attempting to time the market. I know it's stupid, but I see a low price, and say to myself, "even though I've already made my purchase for this month, I'm sure this is the lowest the price will go, so I better get while the gettin's good." Then, I invest $250, and the price drops $0.30. Rinse, repeat! Thank goodness there's a ceiling to how much you can invest in one year, or I might play this game until my bank account is empty!

My other large expense, as I've discussed before, is my weight-loss program. However, in recent weeks, I have not been doing well. 2 weeks ago, I only lost 1 pound. Last week, I gained 0.5 lbs. Not a big deal, I know, but it stresses me out and only exacerbates the problem. Obviously I've hit a plateau for a couple reasons: (i) I haven't been getting in much physical activity, and (ii) I've become more comfortable and much less compliant with the diet. At this point, I can't afford any allowances. I've come so far, and I can't stop now. I think I'll take a walk at lunch today...