Keeping me motivated: Upfront expenses

Posted on February 8, 2012 12 Comments

Thank goodness tax time is almost here, because I ended up needing to pay up front for a lot of activity recently:

FinCon12 – This is a personal finance conference I’m headed to in Denver in September. I spent $149 on the ticket. The event is going to sell out, so I needed to pay sooner rather than later. (But it will motivate me to keep blogging!)

Pleasant Prairie Triathlon – $106.44 for a race that happens in June. And I need to book the hotel soon, too! (Keeping me motivated to stay in super shape.)

BeginnerTriathlete.com subscription – $110 for a 14-month subscription that ran out this month, go figure. This is the site that has my training plans, support, mentors, and nutrition advice. (Again with the motivation.)

Shamrock Shuffle – $45 here; this race happens in March. (Are you sensing a theme yet?)

I’m gonna have to sign up for the Chicago Half Marathon (September) too, because that will also sell out. I need to find less popular activities! Or I just need to do smaller events where I can actually pay during the month I’m doing the activity, as opposed to doing it all so far in advance.

As I mentioned earlier, good thing my tax returns come soon. I didn’t blow my budget for February, but I’ll be coming close by bundling payments for so many activities into one month. Like I’ve said before, fitness can get expensive. Good thing my rent is so darn cheap!

 

 

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12 Responses to “Keeping me motivated: Upfront expenses”

  1. Michelle
    February 8th, 2012 @ 10:03 am

    I need to be more fit! Jealous.

  2. Laura
    February 8th, 2012 @ 12:37 pm

    Hey… last year I signed up for the Chicago Half on the Tuesday before the race, I believe. Certainly could be different this year, but you’ve got some time.

    On another note, do you know that the Chicago Half is the same day as IMWI?

  3. The Budgeting Babe
    February 8th, 2012 @ 1:39 pm

    WHAT!? I did not realize that. I am going to have to look at my dates again. Crap.

  4. Cori
    February 8th, 2012 @ 4:57 pm

    So I have to say, I’m extremely surprised that you are looking forward to a big tax return! The general feeling in the personal finance world, as well as my feeling, is you should try to get your deductions to a point where your return is almost zero–that way you’re not giving Uncle Sam an interest free loan all year. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

  5. Allison
    February 8th, 2012 @ 5:38 pm

    All of my non runner friends make fun of me because I Payton run in a public street in the heat, cold, rain, or snow. They don’t get it, but I think giving up races and events would be really hard!
    You have a great running schedule this spring, you are going to do great! I have been playing with the idea of a tri, but I have never pulled the trigger.

  6. The Budgeting Babe
    February 8th, 2012 @ 5:49 pm

    Runners and non-runners are a different species, no? :)

  7. The Budgeting Babe
    February 8th, 2012 @ 6:02 pm

    Cori – My tax return is usually about $800. I call that big :) Not huge, but big enough for me to afford a vacation or a few races.

    I absolutely know that it’s better to “even out” come tax time and not have a return because it means you’re just lending the government money during the year. (In fact, I usually end up owing the state of Illinois money.) But for some reason I always end up getting between $600 and $900 back. I honestly don’t know what I could do differently – I have the least number of dependents possible (zero, I believe). But I do the simple tax return vs. the itemized one so maybe it has to do with that? I am far from being a tax expert, I really have no idea.

    But I still do get excited when I GET money back vs. OWING taxes at the end of the year. It’s probably more of a holdover feeling from growing up, and from my college days when I had NO money. Also, I’ve never had a job where I got a Christmas bonus, and my income is always steady, so I guess there’s a little bit of irrational excitement come tax season… it’s nice to have a little more than usual in one month to save/spend/pay expenses with.

    I would never actively hold money away from myself, it just works out this way and I’m OK with it.

  8. The Budgeting Babe
    February 8th, 2012 @ 6:04 pm

    Oh, Cori, I’ll do an itemized return for 2012; that might end up getting me a different return. This year (2011 return) will still be standard deduction.

  9. Cori
    February 8th, 2012 @ 8:13 pm

    Thanks, I was just curious. And by no means was I trying to criticize, I was just wondering your approach. I have been reading your blog for a few years and I love it. Thanks for all you share!

  10. The Budgeting Babe
    February 9th, 2012 @ 8:43 am

    Thanks for following the blog Cori! I wanted to give a thorough explanation because I totally get what you’re asking. :)

  11. jefferson
    February 9th, 2012 @ 11:58 am

    We all need hobbies.. to keep us happy and sane.. and while occasionally running will have some charges to enter the race (often times with money going to charity)– it is overall a good and cheap hobby.

    Kudos for you for sticking with it and competing in multiple races this year.

    I have been trying to start up a running habit as well (I’ve done a couple of 5Ks, but want to step it up this year).. Unfortunately, it is too darn cold outside!

  12. The Budgeting Babe
    February 9th, 2012 @ 12:49 pm

    Jefferson – With our mild winter here I’ve been running outside nearly year round with just a couple exceptions. It’s WONDERFUL to stay off the treadmill. :)

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