The goals:

Pay off car loan

Sell car

Pay off what remains of my student loan  — update directly below:

Defer student loans while in grad school but continue to pay it on a monthly basis

Replenish Emergency Fund

Consider increasing 401K contribution (decreased it from 17% to 5%)

Max out Roth IRA

Buy my first home (by November 31, 2009)  Why this date?  Because of the Home-Buyer Tax Credit, of course!  Update directly below:

Seriously consider whether I want to leave the comfort of a condo for a house

 
The Plan:

Monthly:

Automate everything — bill repayment and savings

Monitor auto payments (ensuring nothing goes out of sync)

Read at least one personal finance book a month (and perhaps do a review)

Attempt the “Snow Ball Method” in this order:

Student Loans

New car payment

Work towards 800 credit score

Current Stats:

FICO standing:

Updates:

3/22/10 – TransUnion = 712.

5/2/10 – Equifax = 708

August 2010: Paid off Car Loan in Full (zero balance)

 9/26/10 — TU=705, Equifax=699

3/11 —- TU=720, Equifax unknown

Source:  Image via Arturo Elena