I debated whether to make this entry or not, because I am normally very guarded and private. Still, I sense no harm in doing so....
Last weekend was my birthday. I think my mom is the only real life person that knows this. She even tried to call and left a voice message singing happy birthday. Kind of dorky I thought, but I appreciated it nonetheless. I will be sure to thank her when I get the chance.
To be frank, I find my birthdays to be depressing (though I enjoy other people's birthdays just fine). I just can't help but feel that another year has gone by, and I wonder what progress I have made with my life? I'm officially 35 now. Aren't people suppose to have gotten somewhere and done something with their lives by now?
For my own birthday, I decided not to worry about the budget for one day. So, what did I do? I still followed my budget. 
Well, I suppose that's an accomplishment eh? It appears that I can't help but be a tightwad. Honestly though? I just couldn't think of anything that I wanted. I suppose that in itself is a good thing too.
My net worth has also noticeably increased over the past few years. I am happy about that, although what I am doing is still catching up on basic living requirements. Plus, I can't expect my current living arrangement to last, and my car will break down eventually....
Even if (ok, when) I do finally meet my financial savings to meet basic living requirements, will I find happiness in that? Seriously, what am I suppose to be doing with my life? What's wrong with me? I should be happy with all that I have, but it seems I'm still in the dumps for some reason.
Blasted birthdays.
Wellll, if there's one thing I have learned, it is that no matter how blah I feel, if I don't work on it, it's still not going to get any better. And of course, misery in financial security is still better than misery in financial insecurity.
So, my goals to hit before the big Four-O still hasn't changed: Full savings to pay for a car with cash up front. Enough savings for a condo deposit without ever having to deal with PMI and such. Ideally, it'd be great if I can save enough to buy an entire condo, cash up front.... I'm not saying that's what I plan on doing, but it sure would be nice if I have at least have the means to pull that off. It's something to shoot for.
You know, I seem to be making a lot of melancholic posts lately, so in an effort to balance out this one as well, here's yet another funny cat pic.
Edit: Found another funny one that I just had to share.
35
May 18th, 2009 at 01:45 pm
May 18th, 2009 at 02:12 pm 1242655975
May 18th, 2009 at 02:36 pm 1242657417
I have no doubt you will succeed reaching your "Before 40" goals... you are on track.
May 18th, 2009 at 02:48 pm 1242658098
and i'm still nowhere. well debt free, but that's it. i'll take it though.
you'll get there and love the pic!
May 18th, 2009 at 03:14 pm 1242659650
May 18th, 2009 at 03:22 pm 1242660137
If you need to change what you are doing in order to achieve your goals at 40, this can be very difficult. Being disciplined to make change means you are forcing yourself to do something. Unless you fully internalize the values and beliefs that mean the most to you, you will be fighting yourself every step of the way. Welcome to my world : )
May 18th, 2009 at 03:27 pm 1242660448
LOL at the cat picture!
May 18th, 2009 at 03:40 pm 1242661244
May 18th, 2009 at 04:34 pm 1242664470
And I was going to say what Analise said...'35 is the new 25!' Try to stay positive and optimistic, too!
May 18th, 2009 at 04:38 pm 1242664720
LOVE the cat coopon pic!!
May 18th, 2009 at 05:40 pm 1242668454
Maybe you're focusing on what you haven't done, instead of on what you HAVE achieved? We all fall for that trap sometimes...
I LOOOOVE the funny cat pictures!
May 18th, 2009 at 08:14 pm 1242677684
May 18th, 2009 at 10:29 pm 1242685783
May 18th, 2009 at 11:31 pm 1242689494
May 19th, 2009 at 12:01 am 1242691291
2 things I've found helpful:
I'm seeing a Life Coach to help unearth my passion and bring balance to my life.
This article which I found somewhere on this blog:
http://zenhabits.net/2009/01/the-single-secret-to-making-2009-your-best-year-ever/
Best of Luck & Happy Belated Birthday !! :-)
May 19th, 2009 at 12:41 am 1242693686
May 19th, 2009 at 01:00 am 1242694800
May 19th, 2009 at 04:07 am 1242706052
May 19th, 2009 at 04:11 am 1242706314
Wish we could send you some cake!
May 19th, 2009 at 12:25 pm 1242735901
Birthdays are for celebrating! Not milestones...
And just what is so wrong with having nothing to show for your life but some great kids? They didn't get that way ALL on their own. (as a SAHM this hits close to my heart, between now and when my youngest moves out, I will have nothing to show for my years other than some (hopefully) great kids)
May 19th, 2009 at 12:27 pm 1242736044
May 19th, 2009 at 01:15 pm 1242738956
I think the big word is content. What would it take for you to be conent? Once you have that answered, I would just work backwards to set up some goals.
Happy birthday!!! And great news that your net worth is up with the markets so far down.
May 19th, 2009 at 02:54 pm 1242744840
I always got the impression you were much older (if nothing else, you frantically wanting to catch up financially). I mean, I thought you were like 39 (I thought you said you were in your late 30s).
So, I think you are doing GREAT and will make your goals.
May 20th, 2009 at 03:25 am 1242789945
And remember that the meaning of life is the journey, not the final destination.
May 24th, 2009 at 02:01 pm 1243173705
May 25th, 2009 at 02:22 am 1243218179
May 27th, 2009 at 04:52 am 1243399948