As I’m working on my financial goals for 2012 (I’ll be sharing them in the new year. I hope you will, too.) I thought I’d review my 2011 financial goals. You can follow my progress throughout the year with these posts:

• Q1 update – optimism abounds!
• Q2 update – a reality check is given.
• Q3 update – a somber update.

After reevaluating, here’s what I planned to accomplish in Q4:

• Pay Chase (1 of 3) down by 50%
• Continue regular contributions to 401k
• Increase emergency fund to $4,000

Here’s how Q4 really played out:

• Paid Chase (1 of 3) down by 25%
• Continued regular contributions to 401k
• Held emergency fund stead at $3,000

All in all, not a bad year! In total, here’s what I accomplished:

• Established an emergency fund of $3,000
• Maximized 401k contribution at 4% with company matching
• Paid auto loan (1 of 2) in full
• Reduced credit card debt by approximately 30%
• Finalized divorce and separated finances

How was 2011 for you? Are you in a better place financially now than you were in January?

I’ve successfully moved the billing dates of all but two accounts to the beginning of the month so that I can pay everything at the same time.

Those two stragglers now give me anxiety.

• $933 rent
• $490 car payment
• $165 Sallie Mae
• $35 internet
• $62 State Farm – renters insurance
• $90 State Farm – car insurance
• $66 car registration renewal
• $77 Sprint
• $25 reorder checks
• $500 Chase
• $500 ING

While my family was in town I did some holiday shopping with Christmas money.

• $149 photography class
• $55 J Crew – necklaces and ballet flats
• $85 GAP – sweaters and socks
• $32 Old Navy – dress shirts
• $14 ticket to My Week With Marilyn
• $40 haircut

Where have you been spending your money?

As I was digging through my piles (and piles) of books last night, I came across Obsessive Consumption: What Did You Buy Today? Its premise is similar to what I do in my weekly Daily Dollars posts except author Kate Bingaman Burt sketches one thing she’s purchased every day. In the introduction, Kate mentions that she struggled, as I did, with documenting all of her purchases for fear of being judged or changing her habits based on those judgments. We both clearly got over it.

I find it very interesting where people spend their money and I think it says a lot about how they prioritize their life so I found the book to be insightful and very meta. It’s also kind of inspiring if you’re interested in getting a hold on your finances. I know that documenting my spending habits has been a real eye-opener and helped me to identify when and where I was wasting money (not that I still don’t on occasion).

She hasn’t updated her blog in several months, but I think the Kate and I would get along smashingly.

Do you document your spending habits? Either in a general budget or a more detailed ledger?

Merry Christmas! (Yeah, I said it. I’m usually a “Happy Holidays” kinda gal, but it is Christmas Eve.)

I’ll be spending the weekend with my family but I wanted to drop in to clear my cash-spending conscience before the festivities begin.

• $30 gas
• $58 Target
• $200 TOMS (I may or may not have ordered 3 pairs of shoes in the middle of the night. If I don’t love them, they’ll be returned.)
• $25 Bluefly (Had a $25 Klout Perk so I ordered some baubles for half price!)
• $46 Lands’ End (Ordered two cable knit sweaters that were regularly $100 each!)

See you in 2012!

I was up bright and early to run errands this morning – Ollie needed a holiday pedicure and I had to get my Christmas cards in the mail. I have a list of things to do at home before my family arrives next week – laundry, baking, cleaning, wrapping gifts – so I’m planning on staying in the rest of the weekend (and not spending any money.)

• $15 Post Office
• $62 utilities
• $28 vet
• $27 PetSmart

Are you prepared for the holidays?

Contest is now closed. Congratulations to our winner – Sammi!

Cold and flu symptoms are starting to make their way around the office this holiday season and the worst of it isn’t the running nose or sneezing; it’s the congestion and sinus pressure which inevitably causes horrible headaches and much whining and complaining by all. Most people don’t know that sinus pressure caused by nasal inflammation is a potential cause of congestion, which means they probably aren’t taking the right medication to alleviate their symptoms.

That means wasted money on the wrong medications and extra time off of work to recuperate. Don’t waste time and money when Advil® Congestion Relief treats the real problem; sinus pressure, congestion, and headaches caused by nasal swelling and inflammation.

Advil is also taking on another type of congestion – congestion problems facing communities around the country – through the Advil® Congestion Relief Project and they are looking for communities in need of relief.

Submit your story on how congestion effects your community – from long lines at the DMV to bumper-to-bumper traffic in the school parking lot – include how Advil’s Congestion Relief Project can help and your community could win up to $30,000. Advil has already unveiled a new library in the Brox so relief to your communities congestion problems could be next!

Leave a comment telling me what kinds of congestion problems are plaguing your community and one winner will receive a 10 count package of Advil Congestion Relief.

I am a member of One2One Network and this post is part of a sponsored campaign. I received both product and compensation for my time. I make no claims about Advil Congestion Relief as a product or it’s effectiveness. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Please see my site policy with any questions.

Entries will be accepted until midnight, Sunday, December 18th. One (1) winner will be chosen at random and will be contacted via email. Please use your real first name and a valid email address when entering. I am not responsible for incorrect contact information. US residents only. Prize will be shipped directly from the sponsor.

I’m officially done with my holiday shopping! Admittedly, it was pretty easy considering I only had to buy for three people and two dogs (small families do have their perks) but it’s still stressful – budget adjustments, finding the perfect gift.

Are you done with your holiday shopping? Do you have a budget or do you just wing-it?

• $27 gas
• $45 grocery
• $35 prescription
• $200 gifts (No hints here!)