2010, where have you gone?

So my commitment to one post a month isn't work out so well thus far. I've been very busy with the basement remodel. I haven't done much more than a few weekends work but it's the constant thinking about finishing it and making sure we can get it done on time is what takes up my free time. We should be wrapping up renovations by end of May. It will be much better to have a 2nd full bath as well as another living space to chill.

I think my 2010 goals are ongoing. Basement will definitely be done. Landscaping backyard shall be done shortly after the basement. The issue currently is getting the slate to build the patio. We currently have a few in place but our backyard just looks like a dump right now. It will be nice to get the slate laid and the new garden bed completed and things planted. We may need to skip this years garden because of how late things will get into the ground. I don't know much about gardening so who knows. Savings has definitely been working. We are trying to save ~$400/month for the Europe trip. We currently have around $1,900 of the 5,000. Also Emergency fund is at $7,400 of the $10,000. I see no problem meeting this goal. The reading has definitely slowed because I've been reading the same book, Uncle Tom's Cabin, for a few months now. It's a good book just can't get into reading more than 20 pages at a time. The weight loss has been the procrastination/laziness on my part. This week I'm shooting for running 4 times. I haven't done that in a long time. Ever since I moved to the new house, working out has taken a back seat. Soon there will be no valid "getting married", "remodeling the basement" excuse. Ali and I have been talking about registering for the Baltimore half marathon and we need to do that soon. I was spending honest time with Rosetta Stone and learning Portugese but that has been put on hold since the basement remodel started. I hope to get back into that in June and continue for the rest of the year.

We increased our mortgage payment as well as are paying more principal since our city property taxes have been reduced. Last month we put over $5,000 towards the principal because of money from our tax credit. Our balance is currently around $206,000. We've paid $13,000 in less than a year. At current pace our 30-year mortgage will be payed off in 14, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars saved in interest.

Besides two mini vacations, this year should be close to home. We are doing a Fingerlakes memorial day weekend vacation and back up to NY the next weekend for Mountain Jam. I have to save as much vacation time as possible for our Europe 2011 tour. Brasil was a great time, and got to see how Luis lives. It was a good time, great food, people, and weather.