It's nearly the end of the year so I am starting to think about and plan my goals for 2009. One of those goals is to really get our overall finances and budget solidified. I am taking inventory of what has been working for us as a family and what we need to improve.

I am so happy to have discovered the online community that is so generous in sharing great deals, tips and shopping scenarios, which really can help anyone get a better deal on all purchases.

One of my goals is to be more like my husband in the way that he saves. He makes more money than I do, actual salary-wise, but because he sends such a big portion to savings and his company's stock plan, we end up taking home the same amount each month. With both my son and our new baby in full-time child care, my share of expenses has increased, so I'm hoping that with all the savings I am realizing by buying food and household goods on sale and with coupons, that I can also increase my savings.

A catch-22 situation arises however when I talk about increasing savings, I also need to decrease my debt. Said debt being my Student Loan. Yes, I have not been in school for nearly 9 years and I still have a crazy amount of student loan debt. I worked my way through college and did not take more than one $5000 loan, which actually helped me finish college earlier than I would have if I had not taken the loan. But law school was so unbelievable expensive, I could not avoid the loans. When I first graduated, I struggled to keep track of each one so I consolidated. Financially naive at that point in my life, I consolidated at the highest possible interest rate that they can charge - 8.25%. Now I make a little more than the minimum payment each month but it just doesn't seem to make a dent.

Somehow, in 2009, I want to be so fiscally conservative that I can pay it down to at least half of what it currently is - a lofty goal perhaps but without a goal, there is nothing to be working toward.

Do you have a goal, resolution or vision for the coming year? I'd love to hear what others are working toward, financially or personally!