Financial/life Decisions

[scardella]

I'd like some prayers for discerning what my goals should be for the next 12 months or so.

- I've been approached about going to the Holy Land in March 2008 ($3000+)
- I've heard about a trip to Medjugorje in November 2007 ($2500+)
- I've been kinda wanting to move out, and a friend of mine is looking for a 2nd roommate, but needs to know in the next week or so. The expenses associated with this would severely hamper the other goals financially. (some $600+/mo after utilities and additional food expenses, currently, I'm living/mooching w/ the parents)
- I've really been working towards a new car for over a year. ($7000 down payment, $300-$450/mo payment, depending on what I get, haggling success, etc.)

Now, I've been very much hampered in my plans by things like hurricanes and fender benders, etc. It seems like every time I've gotten close to getting the new car, one of several things would happen:
- fender bender
- I'd "cave in" and completely pay off a student loan
- I'd realize that I have not accounted for some aspect of the expense.

The last time I delayed, I realized that I would want to move out at some point during the next year or two, so I had to check the amount I could afford in a car against that. Also, I realized that my emergency fund was way too low should something like getting fired happen. So, I had to increase the down payment amount a lot, and at the same time throw a bunch of money that I had previously saved for the down payment into my emergency fund.

What I really need is discernment for this stuff. If I don't move out with the friend, then I don't know the next opportunity I'll have to move out and have a roommate that I know already. It saves about $150/mo over living by myself in an apartment.