Change 2

I've been dragging my heals about getting started with Change No. 2. Or maybe I've just been too busy. One or the other. Anyway, I still have the rest of March and April, so there's lots of time, but I mustn't procrastinate any longer.

Change 2 of 6 for 2010 is to "establish and maintain a budget." I'm not sure whether I'll stick with the idea of a budget specifically; one friend has recommended a different approach. But the goal is to get a better handle on my spending habits and start paying down my credit card debt.

I have deliberately put off a meeting with a credit counselor until this month, when I would have time to prepare and follow up. Now is the time. The appointment is on March 15. Here is what I need to do during my free evenings this week:

• Monday: tidy the office, sort through bills, and locate the work sheets that were mailed to me several months ago.
• Thursday: do the homework, which includes writing up a budget.

I'll let you know how it goes.