Well we’ve moved out of Gemini, through Capricorn and this week the moon will be entering into the constellation of Cancer. So before going into the next house, I’m going to try to reflect back on the time that the moon spent in Gemini.

So during that two-week period (from new moon to full moon), the moon was moving through my 8^th house or zone: which was the Sex and Shared Finances Zone. As I mentioned last month, for me it should be called the Sexless and Shared Finances Zone. I’m not in any relationship, and truthfully not looking to meet/date anyone right now either. I may try to correct this once I’ve moved on to the next job, but currently I don’t mind being single—and if I want something steamy—I have plenty of romance novels I can read.

So as far as the finance goals that I set for the last half of June, they included: 1) making a budget for the last half of June and starting one for July; 2) limiting purchases on campus to no more than 3 days a week; and 3) look into ways of increasing my retirement account (without decreasing my savings or paycheck).

So how did I do with those goals?

• The budget—didn’t happen—though I did make note of what all the credit card balances were at the end of the month (past the two-week deadline—but a start). I’m trying to be more mindful of what I’m spending money on (so I’m also trying to keep another money log going).
• Limiting purchases on campus to no more than 3 days a week. Well, the best week was the week of July 4^th and that’s only because I was working 2 days. I need to try to bring my travel coffee mug and get regular coffee (with maybe some cream) instead of a blended coffee drink. It may not save a lot of money, but it will save some. Also I need to just pick up some extra fruit on campus and not the sweets that I’ve been buying.
• So far I haven’t managed this one—though it did go up a little this past three months, so I’d be good if I died about 2 weeks after retirement.

So getting financially secure and not randomly spending money is still something that I need to work on (hence the money log and aiming for no-spend days challenges that I do monthly). Truthfully I shouldn’t be buying anymore books for awhile, though I know that there will be several that I do buy over the month—but a new goal may be for every book that I want to buy I have to write at least a 700 word review for three other books and post them (both on the blog and then on the site where I purchased the books).

One thing about looking to the moon–I’m also looking at different aspects of my life and seeing how things are and what improvements are needed in each area. Also–the moon goes through each house twice a year (once as a new moon and once as a full moon), so I have two tries at hopefully getting one goal from each house accomplished. I’m thinking that there might even be a mid year post on the different houses for both the new moon and the full moon and how I’ve done so far this year, and what I hope to accomplish through out the rest of the year.