Losing weight

I finished reading "Total body makeover" by Bob Greeene & I thought it was a great book. I used to be around 20 pounds over weight around 6 months back, but right now I am around 5 pounds over weight. Right now I am around 170 pounds, my ideal weight should be less than 165 pounds. I am aiming for 160 pounds by August 2007.
His steps for losing weight & becoming fit are simple but effective; no fancy diets but good old exercising!

1. Drink lots of water
   I've been doing this since some time now
2. Have a nice & healthy breakfast
   I have a breakfast every day
3. Avoid alcohol
   I drink rarely so this shouldn't be a problem
4. Do cardio 6 days a week (5 days for 30 mins & 1 day for 60 mins)
   Working out 6 days a week, week after week is not a simple task. But I hope to work out at least 4 days a week
5. Do weight training for 3-4 days
   Should do weight training 4 days a week
6. Avoid fatty, unhealthy food
   I tend to eat outside around twice a week but avoid places like McDonald's, so I should be okay. But I need to switch to brown rice

March 2007: My weight = 170 pounds

The Great Indian dilemma

I am one of the thousands of Indians who have flocked to USA in search of better opportunities and better pay. I did my Masters here & now work in one of the best software companies in the world. Its been a joy ride so far. I was so used to getting my ready meals, clother ironed & not worrying about house cleaing in India that USA was a big shock. But I survived. I manged to attend classes in the morning, flip burgers in the afternoong, make dinner in the evening & study at night. USA taught me to be independent. I can safely say that I can survive anywhere in the world
But where does that leave me now? Will I stay in USA for ever? Don't I want to be with my parents & relatives in India? Is it worth to be away from my loved one's for ever?
Well, these are some tough questions...
I know that if I am talking about opportunites & money, India has it too now. Its a booming economy & there is a lot of money in India. But I am so used to living here, I think this is my home. But you never know where life takes you. For now I think this is my house but when ever I go to India for a vacation, I get a feeling that may be I should go back to India. This is compounded by the fact that I am not with any girl since the past 2 years so the 'lonely' factor adds up.

Where ever I live, the fact is that I love both - USA & India. Both have been nice to me & both have taught me different things. India has given me love & USA has made me tough. I know that irrespective of where I live I will be happy!

I plan to read 10 books this year

I plan to read any 10 out of this list!

1. The richest man in Babylon
2. The Monk who sold his Ferrari
3. The Millionaire Next Door
4. A Random Walk Down Wall Street
5. The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing
6. The World is flat
7. One night @ the Call Center
8. Five point something
9. Rich Dad's Before you quit your job
10. Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable
11. One up on Wall street
12. How to buy stocks like Warren Buffet
13. The Four pillars of Investing

One of my resolutions for 2007 is to read 10 books. I might add or change some books if need be.

I also plan to keep reading my favorite blogs every now & then (ideally every day)

1. http://www.iwillteachyoutoberich.com/
2. http://allfinancialmatters.com/
3. http://www.mymoneyblog.com/

& my Favorite Money/Investing portal http://moneycentral.msn.com/home.asp

Back from a vacation...

I just came back from a vacation to India. This was a very special vacation, especially since I went back to India after 3 years. The highlight was meeting my nephew for the first time. He is simply fabulous & I can spend hours with him not worrying about anything & just having a great time.
I am a little sad now since my house feels so empty now without my family. But well, the decision to be away from my family is mine so I shouldn't be complaining! Some times when I think about an old friend or one of my grand father or grand mother, I wonder if I will ever see them again. May be the last time I met them was the last time I ever met...
I have also realised not to think about Money all the time. Well, Money is very important but there are other things that are much more important than Money like Family & Love.

My 2007 resolutions

Finance

1. 401K: ON TRACK
   Keep the current 6% 401K contribution
   Aim for "401K to grow at 10%" My 7020.45 deposit for 401K should grow to 7722.495
2. ESPP: ON TRACK
   Keep the current 15% ESPP contribution
   My 5850.36 contribution for ESPP @ 10% returns should grow to 6435.396
3. Emergency fund: NOT STARTED
   Should reach 30,000. Currently its 23,735.14, so I should add 6,264.86. But since I get 5% interest (at least 720 per year), I need to add 5544.86 so thats 462 per month
4. Vanguard account: NOT STARTED
   Open a Vanguard account
   Buy an Index fund VFINX
   Buy an ETF
5. Personal stocks: NOT STARTED
   Buy a couple of stocks
6. Net Asset Value: NOT STARTED
   Should be 70-75K around Dec'07
   
   401K 7020.45 @ 10% returns 7722.495
   ESPP 487.53 * 12 = 5850.36 @ 10% returns 6435.396
   Put 6000 in savings account + 5% interest 6720
   Put 5000 in investments @ 10% returns 5500

Personal

1. Dental: NOT STARTED
   Complete all teeth fillings
   Teeth whitening
2. Acne:
   Apply the acne cream every day
   Acne free face by next December
3. Hair: NOT STARTED
   Have a new hair style!!
4. Body: NOT STARTED
   Current weight: 170 pounds Target weight 155-160 pounds
   Flatter belly
   Muscles begining to show :)
   Maintain healthy diet

Career

1. Perks should grow by same amount or higher as compared to last year
2. Salary should grow by same amount or higher as compared to last year

Stretch Goals

1. Money generating website: NOT STARTED
   Create a website that sells a product
2. Investments should give 15% returns
3. Monthly salary in hand = 3400. Approximate expenses = 2500. Saving = 900 per month
   Yearly saving = 10800
   Should save 1000-1100 per month. Should save 12000-13000 per year
4. Create a solid plan to buy a house
5. Read 10 books related to Finance, Alternate sources of income and Management
6. Find a girl friend:)