July 2011: Monthly Financial Check-up

We're stepping out in faith this month.  My paychecks are coming to an end and we'll be living solely off of Ciaran's income.  Our savings goals are going to slow down considerably now, but I'm still excited about working slowly toward achieving them.  This past month we were able to finish saving for Ciaran's fifth and sixth graduate classes, set up an appointment to meeting with an investing ELP, and put some more money toward our house downpayment fund.  We're praying so hard that the Lord will continue to help us to be wise stewards of the funds he has allowed us to manage.

2011 Financial Goals

1.  Pay for Ciaran's first grad. class with cash 

2.  Finish Babystep 3 (6 months fully funded emergency fund)

3.  Meet with an investing ELP Meeting set for Thursday 7/14

4.  Begin contributing to a Roth IRA 65.8% saved toward initial investment

5.  Pay for Ciaran's second and third grad. class with cash

6.  Save for Ciaran's fourth grad. class (tuition due in December)

7.  Save for Ciaran's fifth and sixth grad. class (tuition due in April 2012) 

8.  Save $5,000 toward house down payment fund 20% done

9.  Pay for all birthing expenses in cash

Baby Names Update

On Tuesday, July 5, Ciaran and I spent about six hours in the car together so we had a lot of time to talk.  We have now narrowed our girl names down to one with the others being alternates in case our little one and the name don't quite fit.  And although we're pretty set on our boy name being Ciaran Jack and have been since the beginning, we added one more name to the pile. 

So our girl name is Claire Elizabeth (with Madelyn Sinead now an alternate, along with Emily Christine).
Our boy name is still Ciaran Jack (with Liam Carter, Eamon Louis....and now the new one which we both absolutely love Declan Gabriel available as alternates). 

**All middle names are family names.