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5.25.2012

60 Days. {Setting My Goals & Preparing the Move}

Don't let the post title speak for itself or anything.

I'm moving to NYC in exactly 60 days from now and it's time I really let that one sink in. 60 days and I'll be on the other side of the country. With probably exactly those many suitcases pictured to the left and nothing else. A new chapter. A new slate. ... Can't wait. #rhymes

Before I go tho, here's what I wanna do! I wanna get shit done before I wake up on July 26th and sing, "Today's the big day, and oh crap, what have I done to prepare other than nothing. Geez, Jen. You're so predictable." Fact: I'm pretty good at realizing what needed to get done, rather than what needs to get done.

Here's my attempt to save myself in advance.



GOALS FOR THE NEXT 60 DAYS:


At the moment this is where my debt stands: $1,200. 64 + $68 parking ticket + $165 medical bill 

Yeah. I have my work cut out for me a bit, but that's why as I'm praying for miracles I'm going to simultaneously:


I blew like 30 bucks the other night at the bar on whiskey.

Basically, that can't happen anymore before I leave. I'm really gunna have to budget my money like super good.

By the way, do you guys think I'm crazy for moving to NYC with basically no money saved? I feel crazy. But maybe my readership will benefit from this? Everybody likes a success story, sure, but like a bad car accident, everyone struggles not to tune in the same.

Ok, now I just stressed myself out a bit.

A lot a bit.

Thinking about how much time I have left to prepare, like REALLY thinking about it, is stressing me out. But I'm just going to do this, you guys. I'm just going to do it and see what happens. I have a place to stay. I won't be homeless. And I can get a job quickly. I'm going to work as hard as a mother to survive when I get there (and before I get there, starting right now) and I'm going to make it.

I'm going to make it just fine.

It's now or never.

Like a friend said to me, "You can either spend the next five years never seeming to reach the amount of money you feel comfortable leaving with, or you can just get out now with what you have and BE OUT THERE."

I'm not going to let money hold me back. But I'm still going to try my best these last two months to gather anything and everything I have.

I really want to use these two months to tone up as best I can. I was doing pretty good with the working out and running, but then potlucks and birthday celebrations got in the way. And now it's been like a week since I've seen the gym and I swear I've gained like five pounds. Which is not the end of the world, not by any means,  but I just really want to make my health and my fitness a priority. I want to feel GOOD this summer in the city. Like not just good, but GOOD.

I decided to make a rule. Maybe some of you would like to join me. Ya know, if you're feeling my priorities....

I will not touch my computer or any form of social media unless I've made it to the gym that day. And yes, if I am at the gym... then I am free to do whatever I choose on my iphone, that's chill!

I just need to be getting back to a more serious and disciplined exercise routine. Waking up in the morning and having my computer be the first thing I touch is just DANGEROUS. I get stuck for hours and so many things don't get done. Namely the gym.

I wanna help my Mom around the house every day before I leave.

This seems like an odd goal to have before I leave, but I suspect that my mom is going to be helping me   A LOT in coming months. I just want to be able to pay her in advance, and also feel like I've really earned her help.

Yup. A really huge bday/going away one.

Not really my style. I usually keep it pretty quiet on my birthday every year. I'm a summer baby and as the story usually goes, everyone is always out of town or has something else better to do. The latter is mostly just in my head. But really, I don't plan birthday parties for myself because I fear that no one will show, except the random few that I didn't even invite or my own family who is required to show up. So instead I cut myself the opportunity for potential rejection and I just do something with my family and/or whoever I'm dating at the time and call it a happy birthday. And it usually is. I don't need some big giant party. Give me cake and I'm happy.

But, I think in light of the fact that I'm turning 25 and I'm also moving thousands of miles away two days later, possibly for good, I'm thinkin'... "ah, what the hell. Let's all do some jello shots in my big backyard and hopefully give me some nice bday cards filled with money!!!!!"

Not really about bday cards filled with money. But that would pretty sweet. 

Really, it would just be nice to have all my California friends, my sisters, my family, my cousins, my co-workers, my neighbors, whoever, all together in one place before I leave. I hope I can make this happen.

So in summary.

Get Money. Save Money. Pay off debt. Get toned. Keep the house cleaned for Mom. Celebrate my 25th bday and exit California with a bang.

Ready. Set. Go. (I got this.)

10 comments:

  1. I can't believe you're going so soon. I don't think you're crazy. I think you're smart. If you tried to wait until you were super financially stable to go, you might never make it. Life gets in the way, ya know? Pay off that ticket first... you don't want some crap like that from another state following you around.

    Good luck getting ready! It sounds like it's going to be quite the adventure!

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  2. That is a lot to get done in 2 months, but I'm sure you can get it done. Don't worry, you won't be some train wreck in NYC, things will work out just fine.

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  3. Don't stress about the money too much. A little stress is okay, though. You want to be prepared. It will help a lot that you already have a good/safe place to stay when you first get there. It sounds like you have the right amount of spontaneity and planning going on!

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  4. Punky, what an exciting time! 60 days - wow! Congratulations on paying off most of your debt - I think this shows how determined you are to make it work. And I LOVE your exercise plan - I have exactly the same problem. The first thing I do in the morning is get on the computer and easily get stuck for hours as well. I've been paying for the gym for months now, without ever going (speaking of a waste of money and health - seriously!). And I was really able to relate to the whole birthday party thing! Last year a family friend gave me some wonderful advice: she said that her experience has been, that if you're not willing to celebrate yourself, no one will do it for you. When my birthday came around this year I remembered her advice and at the very last minute I planned a party. And guess what: people actually showed up! (even though the invitation went out only 2 days before the event!) And these were all people, I really wanted to be there :) Enjoy the last few weeks at home! My feeling tells me you will make it all work ;)

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  5. Hey there! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog at this marvelous time. My husband and I are also planning to move to the beautiful city of Melbourne all the way from Bangladesh in 48 days, if all goes well! We're saving up as much money as we can at the moment too, and I'm also in the process of shedding all my extra pounds (well, I've got a lot of them!) before the big change in my life. I'm sooooo excited about the move too! All the very best with your savings and getting fit!

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  6. wow! good luck reaching all your goals!!

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  7. holy moly! You are on total boot camp mode! Since I have similar goals (especially the pay debt one) I'll just live through your experience...until I do mine haha.

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  8. You got this, girl! So excited for you and your big move :)

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  9. Just started following your blog and I love your sense of humor! Good luck with your goals, I'm excited to watch you track them on your countdown!! :)

    Evani
    http://www.simplyevani.com

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  10. I just stumbled upon your blog through Rinse, Repeat and I love it! I just graduated from college and I feel like the goals you have set for yourself are so relatable that you inspired me to start my own list! I'm not moving away from home in the next 60 days, but hopefully within the year it will happen. Good luck with everything, I will definitely be keeping up with you during this super exciting time!

    http://heyellabella.blogspot.com/

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Your comments make my day! I read each and every one of them and try to deliver a response to as many as I can! Unless there's a discussion going, I will usually reach back to you via e-mail. Thank you for your willingness to speak and share your thoughts :) You is dope.