With the New Year, I am trying to establish goals for myself and the family. Both financial and quasi-financial goals of course. I joined a fitness group of parents at my daughter's school. About 40 people are participating. We did a confidential weigh-in last week and one final weigh-in in April. Group walks are organized, etc. a means to meet parents and moral support. The winners in each category (% of weight lost) win cash prizes! That was a surprise for me -- the group camaraderie was my goal. I do hope to lose 15 lbs. during that time frame (I need to lost about 25 lbs. but I'll take anything!). I'll keep you posted on my progress. DD is supposed to be the "food police" at home to ensure that I at least think before I take a bite of any junk food!

Financial goals -- my DH and I have so little debt that we do not have an organized plan for saving goals. Maybe that is a blessing of sorts. Most of our savings are on autopilot. My 457b and DH's 401K are automatically withdrawn from our paychecks. I actually accelerate my contributions so that the entire yearly amount if completed by the end of summer each year. I have also done EE savings bonds (not the best choice for investing) for both kidlets. I have many $$ set aside, especially for DS. Our debts are minimal -- our house was paid off 5 years ago (a story I will tell another day -- I believe anything is possible with hard work) and one truck payment to be paid off in June of this year (0% interest loan). Any credit card debt incurred is paid off in full monthly.

At this point, both of us have ING Direct accounts with automatic deposits. I am thinking of using the ING Direct account as an emergency fund containing 2 years of projected expenses. I would also earmark these funds to supplement any shortfall when retired (even though I may work part-time). I am planning on retiring in 6 years from full-time employment and perhaps working part-time for Social Security reasons. As a government employee, I do not contribute to Social Security. I am short quarters - from other retirees I have heard that it would be prudent to get my 40 quarters in because it will affect Medicare. If the quarters are not there, then I will have to pay out of my own pocket for Medicare. Even though DH contributes to Social Security through his employment, I had better earn my own.