New Years Resolution - March update

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

- Jimmy Dean

For me, March was a great month for accomplishments!  For the first time I did a unit study with Renae and it turned out a great success!

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it - I am still struggling with this.  I just can't get motivated.

2. Cut down/out sweets -  I have improved on this though.  I have stopped the daily dip into the sweets area.  I think that I can make this even more significant by taking sugar out of my coffee and switching to Stevia.

3. Join Booking it on Lifeasmom.com and add 12 books of my choice to read on to of there list

(total of 24 book) -  I am disappointed on how far I have slipped in this department.  I haven't finished one book!  I keep plugging away, but never finished.....so......Montessori At Home by John Bowman.\, Calm My Anxious Heart - A Women's Guide to Finding Contentment - Linda Dillod, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller, and A Square Foot Gardening all which I hope to have complete in the next week or two.

4. Read Bible in 1 year following this plan (www.esv.org/biblereadingplans) - I am still about a two days behind but working steadily to catch up.

5. Compile a list of 12 habits to develop in a year and link up to report on moneysavingmom.com - Did this here.  Been pretty diligent about getting up early, although usually later then 4am.  March was implementing a morning routine which I was pretty successful with.  April will be develop an evening routine.

6. Learn to use our DSLR camera that we have owned for a few years but I have no idea how to

use. 

Marriage:

1. Read 2 Books Together - I finished reading 40 Unforgettable  Dates With Your Mate - Gary and Barbara Rosberg but Norm hasn't finished it yet.

2. Monthly Date Night - We did this and had a great time!

3. Read 3 books on marriage

Home:

1. Redo Home binder to work better for me. - Done, will post about this soon.

2. Involve Renae in chores - Still need to put this into action, I found some great ideas for this though.

3. Start Monthly "other" cleaning project (ie/baseboards, etc.)

4. Do monthly De clutter Project - Organizing and decluttering all of my preschool printouts - About half way done  Finished

Financial:

1. Switch to Cash only for Groceries and personal spending allowance - Continued with this.  And we pulled ahead!  Managed to put away some savings!

2. Redo monthly budget.....and stick to it - Done.

3. Save/buy "new-to-us" car for Norm - See #1!

4. Continue with investments - yep, right on track

Children/Homeschooling:

1. Monthly date with just Renae - Took Renae to Pump it Up for a Birthday party.

2. Swimming lessons for both girls - Started.

3. Continue to Pre-K Renae - yes, will be doing an update post soon. As I mentioned, we did a unit study for March and it was a huge success!

4. Make decision on schooling direction for Renae - Decided that we will be homeschooling Renae in the fall.

5. Finish alphabet and letter sound recognition and Teach Renae to read - ongoing

6. 1 field trip a month - Went to NASA!

7. At least 1 family vacation - need to budget for this

8. Read 10 read aloud books to the girls -  Finished reading Ramona the Pest - Beverly Cleary, and started Ramona the Brave

Friendship/church:

1. Send Birthday cards out early - Sent, but not early (sorry Jacob)

2. Send 1 note/card per month to encourage someone - Did this, Actually did 2!

3. Start attending church

4. Start getting involved in a homeschool group - Went to my first meeting of our local homeschooling community.  It was very informative.  

Blog:

1. Set up/follow weekly blog schedule -hmmmmm, haven't done set up let alone, follow through

2. Plan to blog posts 1 week in advance - see above

I am also linking up to moneysavingmom.com post here.  Come join in the fun of goal setting, it's not too late,.....think of all that you can accomplish once you put your mind to it! 

New Years Resolution - Feburary Update

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
- Jimmy Dean

I don't know about you but Feburary flew by!  Below are the updates on my ambitious New Years Resolustion list.

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it - Terrible really, I don't think I did more then one time.  I gave up on the treadmill and started Jillian Michael's work out tapes again.  Hope to really improve in this area.

2. Cut down/out sweets - ......and this

3. Join Booking it on Lifeasmom.com and add 12 books of my choice to read on to of there list

(total of 24 book) - Finished Money Saving Mom's Budget - Crystal Paine and Water For Elephants - Sara Gruen, and I am almost finished 40 Unforgettable  Dates With Your Mate - Gary and Barbara Rosberg, and Montessori At Home by John Bowman..  Which will catch my up for planned reading of February. Started Calm My Anxious Heart - A Women's Guide to Finding Contentment - Linda Dillod and ordered A Million Miles in a Thousand Years - Donald Miller, which I hope to have done by mid March.  Check back on the 12th for an update and book review.

4. Read Bible in 1 year following this plan (www.esv.org/biblereadingplans) - I am still about a week behind but working steadily to catch up.

5. Compile a list of 12 habits to develop in a year and link up to report on moneysavingmom.com - Did this here. But haven't done the link up.  Been pretty diligent about getting up early, although usually later then 4am.  Feb. was develop a morning routine.  As mentioned above I need to do better on my exercises which is part of my morning routine but I am doing well for daily devotional and getting things ready for our school day and such.

6. Learn to use our DSLR camera that we have owned for a few years but I have no idea how to

use. - Still need to do

Marriage:

1. Read 2 Books Together - Started reading 40 Unforgettable  Dates With Your Mate - Gary and Barbara Rosberg.  Both of us have started but I think I am a little farther along.  I look forward to having "book talk" with him when he is farther into it.

2. Monthly Date Night - We didn't do this this month.  We had birthday celebrations instead.  He spoiled me again.....

3. Read 3 books on marriage

Home:

1. Redo Home binder to work better for me. - Done, will post about this soon.

2. Involve Renae in chores - Still need to put this into action.

3. Start Monthly "other" cleaning project (ie/baseboards, etc.) - still need to do.

4. Do monthly De clutter Project - Organizing and decluttering all of my preschool printouts - About half way done

Financial:

1. Switch to Cash only for Groceries and personal spending allowance - Started doing this.  Made it on budget for February for what was planned for with the envelopes.  However, we did have a lot of car troubles this month and went over budget there.  I was actually hoping that we would be able to bank some money but we broke even instead.  Still a win in my book!


2. Redo monthly budget.....and stick to it - Done.

3. Save/buy "new-to-us" car for Norm - Did deposit IRS refund for car fund

4. Continue with investments - yep, right on track

Children/Homeschooling:

1. Monthly date with just Renae - Took Renae to her friends birthday party and we got to play together at Incredible Pizza.  Loads of fun!

2. Swimming lessons for both girls - Will be starting sometime in March.

3. Continue to Pre-K Renae - yes, will be doing an update post soon

4. Make decision on schooling direction for Renae - still working on this

5. Finish alphabet and letter sound recognition and Teach Renae to read - ongoing

6. 1 field trip a month - No field trip this month

7. At least 1 family vacation - need to budget for this

8. Read 10 read aloud books to the girls - Read Mimmy and  Sophie - This was a book that Renae picked out.  It was a decent read but I thought one of the chapters was a bad example of behavior and so I "modified" it a bit.  Started reading Ramona the Pest - Beverly Cleary

Friendship/church:

1. Send Birthday cards out early - Sent, but not early (sorry Sarah)

2. Send 1 note/card per month to encourage someone - didn't do

3. Start attending church - not yet

4. Start getting involved in a homeschool group - not yet

Blog:

1. Set up/follow weekly blog schedule -hmmmmm, haven't done set up let alone, follow through

2. Plan to blog posts 1 week in advance - see above

I am also linking up to moneysavingmom.com post here.  Come join in the fun of goal setting, it's not too late,.....think of all that you can accomplish once you put your mind to it! 

New Year's Resolution 2012 - January Update

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
- Jimmy Dean

After reviewing my resolution list I am pleased with the progress that I have made thus far.  However, since I didn't knock it out of the park in some areas that I thought I would have....ie/exercise, ahem. 
I am going to practice breaking goals down into bite size pieces as suggested in the book that I am currently reading "The Money Saving Mom's Budget - by Crystal Paine


Her first book "The Money Saving Mom's Budget"  released on January 10th on Amazon.


This has been a great read and has so many useful tips and tricks that I would definitely recommend you add this to your reading list!



Here is an update for you to see:

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it - Well, not as consistent as I could be......ok ok ok. REALLY need to work harder at this

2. Cut down/out sweets - ......and this

3. Join Booking it on Lifeasmom.com and add 12 books of my choice to read on to of there list

(total of 24 book) - I am doing well with this resolution.  In January I read the assigned reading "One Bite at A Time - by Tsh Oxenreider and I read Son of Neptune - by Rick Riordan

4. Read Bible in 1 year following this plan (www.esv.org/biblereadingplans) - I stayed on schedule for this up until the last couple of days in January.  I am still trying to catch up.

5. Compile a list of 12 habits to develop in a year and link up to report on moneysavingmom.com - Did this here. But haven't done the link up.  For January it was to get up earlier.  I was pretty good for the most part but will continue to try and keep up the 4am wake up in Feb.

6. Learn to use our DSLR camera that we have owned for a few years but I have no idea how to

use. - Still need to do

Marriage:

1. Read 2 Books Together

2. Monthly Date Night - Went to Olive Garden!  Was wonderful to have some quality time together!

3. Read 3 books on marriage

Home:

1. Redo Home binder to work better for me.

2. Involve Renae in chores

3. Start Monthly "other" cleaning project (ie/baseboards, etc.)

4. Do monthly De clutter Project - Redid our master closet!  Trust me....this was HUGE!  I plan on doing a post about this soon.

Financial:

1. Switch to Cash only for Groceries and personal spending allowance - Didn't do for Jan. but should be in place this month

2. Redo monthly budget.....and stick to it - Didn't do for Jan.

3. Save/buy "new-to-us" car for Norm - Saved some, long way to go

4. Continue with investments - yep, right on track

Children/Homeschooling:

1. Monthly date with just Renae - didn't get to do

2. Swimming lessons for both girls - still not started yet

3. Continue to Pre-K Renae - yes, will be doing an update post soon

4. Make decision on schooling direction for Renae - still working on this

5. Finish alphabet and letter sound recognition and Teach Renae to read - ongoing

6. 1 field trip a month - went to The Children's Museum!  Was wonderful, will post pictures

7. At least 1 family vacation - need to budget for this

8. Read 10 read aloud books to the girls - Read Beazus and Ramona - Beverly Cleary (Renae loved this)

Friendship/church:

1. Send Birthday cards out early - Sent, but not early (sorry Jody)

2. Send 1 note/card per month to encourage someone - didn't do

3. Start attending church - not yet

4. Start getting involved in a homeschool group - not yet

Blog:

1. Set up/follow weekly blog schedule -hmmmmm, haven't done set up let alone, follow through

2. Plan to blog posts 1 week in advance - see above

I am also linking up to moneysavingmom.com post here.  Come join in the fun of goal setting, it's not too late,.....think of all that you can accomplish once you put your mind to it! 

12 Habits for 2012

Yesterday I shared with you my New Years Resolutions List for 2012. I really want to be successful at this list and know that some of this items need me to make them into habits to see them through to fruition. So, again, in step with moneysavingmom.com I created a list of 12 Habits for 2012. I will add onto this list each month and will hopefully have 12 habits that are second nature by this time next year.

12 Habits for 2012

January - Getting up early

February - Begin exercise program

March - Implement Morning Routine

April - Implement Evening Routine

May - Take care of Me

June - Water Plants Daily

July - Getting to Places on time

August - Sending Cards/Gifts on Time

September - Keeping "Hot Spots" Clutter Free

October - Getting to Places Early

November - Clear Email

December - Staying on top of Coupon Binder

Some of the list I pulled from Crystal list and some are ones that I came up with on my own. I also plan on participating in her monthly update post. I would love if you followed along as well! If you have also developed a list I would love to hear it.

2012 Resolutions

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.
- Jimmy Dean

Last year in this post I went with a new plan of attack for my New Years Resolutions.  I felt that if i made my goals more specific and made a detail list that this would increase my odds of sticking to them.
Some of them (ie/ debt/savings plans) were very successful. Others, well.....I started off strong.....lasted longer than usual......but eventually I frizzled out.

So since I did end up slacking off on a lot that I had achieved, I am going to put together a new resolution/goal list and make myself a little more accountable by trying to follow a plan done by moneysavingmom.com super star - Crystal Paine!


Her first book "The Money Saving Mom's Budget"  is being released on January 10th on Amazon and is currently available as pre-order.

However, she just posted today that as a bonus if you pre-order the above book (or make a blog post about it) you can receive a brand new e-book "21 Days to a More Disciplined Life" and this is what I plan to use to help me not only attack my 2012 Goal List but see it through to the end of the year!





I have broken my goals down into 7 categories:

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it

2. Cut down/out sweets

3. Join Booking it on Lifeasmom.com and add 12 books of my choice to read on to of there list

(total of 24 book)

4. Read Bible in 1 year following this plan (www.esv.org/biblereadingplans)

5. Compile a list of 12 habits to develop in a year and link up to report on moneysavingmom.com

6. Learn to use our DSLR camera that we have owned for a few years but I have no idea how to

use.

Marriage:

1. Read 2 Books Together

2. Monthly Date Night

3. Read 3 books on marriage

Home:

1. Redo Home binder to work better for me.

2. Involve Renae in chores

3. Start Monthly "other" cleaning project (ie/baseboards, etc.)

4. Do monthly De clutter Project

Financial:

1. Switch to Cash only for Groceries and personal spending allowance

2. Redo monthly budget.....and stick to it

3. Save/buy "new-to-us" car for Norm

4. Continue with investments

Children/Homeschooling:

1. Monthly date with just Renae

2. Swimming lessons for both girls

3. Continue to Pre-K Renae

4. Make decision on schooling direction for Renae

5. Finish alphabet and letter sound recognition and Teach Renae to read

6. 1 field trip a month

7. At least 1 family vacation

8. Read 10 read aloud books to the girls

Friendship/church:

1. Send Birthday cards out early

2. Send 1 note/card per month to encourage someone

3. Start attending church

4. Start getting involved in a homeschool group

Blog:

1. Set up/follow weekly blog schedule

2. Plan to blog posts 1 week in advance

So that's it.......too much? I hope not. I think that this is do-able with the right tools in place!

Care to join the party?  I would love to hear your goals and aspirations for 2012.   And by writing it down and sharing, it will help keep you accountable. Speaking of which I would love to hear any tips that you may have to keep up with your goals.

My Resolutions - Look Back for April

 

My List

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it - Still keeping up with this resolution.  I have had some hiccups as far as I got into skipping workouts for various reasons.  I try to reassure myself that I am still doing well and that I must give myself leeway since it is a fact that I have little ones that sometimes are going to get up in the night.  So, I try not to beat myself up about it and just take each day as just that....a new day.  Not sure what I plan to do for exercise once this round of Ripped in 30 is complete.  I have a few ideas, which I will share with you next month.
2. Cut down/out sweets - yeah......umm......STILL Not doing so well on this one. But there is a Meal Plan with Jillian Michaels. It has been on my "to do" list for.....a while..... to go check out. But.....yes, ok ok ok, I kind of been procrastinating on this some more. I will......I think....have this started before next update.
3. Join/participate in a Book Club - I have been participating in "Booking It" on Lifeasmom.com. I have started the book Finding Your Purpose As A Mom by Donna Otto. However, I must admit that I am having trouble getting into this book. And since I am supposed to have this completed by the 10th I better get cracking.
4. Blog regularly (at least weekly) - Still been staying on top of this. Quite proud of myself. I do still plan on doing more family updates (including Easter)

Family:  

1. Do a monthly "Date Night" with Norm - We did get to have a date night here at the house for our anniversary. It was nice to have some quality time with him. I really enjoy our date night and hope to make this a true priority. We currently have the 28th booked for our next date.
2. Increase playtime with Renae and Dakota - This has also improved even more.  But, I need to be more persistent with my 4am wake up.  Whenever I get up later then the chores creep into when Renae gets up and therefore.  I don't have as much time to play.  These times are so fleeting that I don't want to miss any of it.  I am looking forward to Mother's Day and just focusing on the children and being the best mom I can be.
3. Do a mommy/Renae date once a month - Sadly this still hasn't happened.  But I will try to place it as an official date for this months calendar.
4. Increase teaching with Renae and create a teaching plan - I was much more focused for this past month.  Renae seemed to really enjoy the Garden Preschool Pack that we did.  And we are now almost through the Robot Preschool Pack.  I am noticing that she can do more and more letter recognition so I think I must be making some impact.  Next week we will be starting the Knight/Princess Pack and I have a feeling that this is going to be a favorite since she is very much into anything princess right now.  I will be sure to do a post on this later this month.  We have also continued with the Garden Challenge so be sure to check back at the end of the month for the latest update on that.

Home:

1.  Create a cleaning schedule and stick with it - I feel that the new schedule has been working out well and that I have been able to tackle all of the house maintenance as planned.  For next month I hope to make extra projects completed on Fridays.  I will be making a plan of action for a list of priorities and I will see if I can accomplish this along with everything else.  Wish me luck!
2. De-clutter -  Sadly, I have not gotten much headway on this.  I plan on sticking with the previous plan of the 15min. daily closet clean up.  Meaning, I set a timer for 15 min (usually during nap time) and whatever I can get done in 15min. is what I get done. Once that timer goes off......I stop. Which I really think could work.......if I actually did it. :/
3. Get more indoor house plants and keep them alive for one year - This hasn't happened. In fact, .....I kinda struggling to not kill another one. However, the outdoor plants.....they are still alive!  Yeah me!
4. Create a homemaker binder - I have done this and been keeping up with it since January. I plan on posting this in more detail this month. (actually planned on a post for this last month......opps)

Financial:

1.  Decrease eating out - I don't believe that I did as well with this last month.  So I am going to try harder again for May.  Going to try and keep up with the no eating out challenge that is done on couponingtodisney.com to keep me accountable. Wish me luck! There is even a random draw for $50 gift card at the end of the month!
2. Start using envelope system (David Ramsey) - Ok....still not doing yet.  But I once again will try to put this in place.  If at first you don't succeed.......
3. Create/stick with a budget - Again, I could be a lot more focused on this. I think if I did put the envelope system in place I would be better at sticking to the budget. But I was also guilty of buying items like plants and such without actually "budgeting" for them. So, I will try to focus more on this.
4. Increase savings/have a fully funded emergency fund - This is now complete!
5. Restart Investments - This is officially kicking in next week!
6. Start college funds for the girls - This is also going to be kicking in next week!
7. Start increase in payments for house pay off - This hasn't happened as of yet.
8. Save for new car for Norm - .....nor has this
9. Cut grocery budget in half - .....again, see above with problems with my envelope system.

So not as impressive a report as last month.  I think I will print this post to keep me focused on my goals.

All in all, I think I did pretty darn good with my resolutions. Yes, room for improvement, but not too shabby.....if I do say so myself!

I made this list with the thought that most of this needs to be done by the end of the year. Not necessarily started on January 1.

Next update for June 1st

How about you? Did you make any resolutions? If so, how are they coming along? What are you doing to keep your motivation?

Resolutions Update for March:

Soooooo, in effort to keep me accountable I have decided to post them today and then I also thought that each month I will give a status update to show how it is all coming along!
So, without further ado:
My List

Personal:

1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it - Well So far this is coming along well.  I have started the Ripped in 30 program and I am down to the last few days.  To keep me accountable I have been doing a daily posting to mark my progress and to keep me motivated.  To continue with this goal I have been toying with the idea of doing the Ripped in 30 again.  But this time at the advanced level (I have been doing the beginner).  More on this at the posting of my progress in a few days.
2. Cut down/out sweets - yeah......umm......Not doing so well on this one.  But there is a Meal Plan with Jilliam Michaels.  It has been on my "to do" list for about a week to go check it out.  But.....yes, ok ok ok, I kind of been procrastinating on this.  ......I don't know why.......

3. Join/participate in a Book Club - I have been participating in "Booking It" on Lifeasmom.com.  However, I haven't even started the book for this month and the review is on April 10th.  Opps.  March was a tough month for the Burt's with illness striking again and again.  I am still hopeful to get this done for this month but we shall see.
4. Blog regularly (at least weekly) -  Definitely have been improving on this.  I was looking back and not only have I been doing weekly, I actually have been ALMOST daily.  I say almost because there were a few times that I had to back date some of the Ripped in 30 posts to keep them in chronological order.  Some days I even posted more then once!  Yes, you can applaud now.......:)

Family: 1. Do a monthly "Date Night" with Norm - Sadly, this didn't happen this month.  Kinda got bumped by the attack of the illnesses.  BUT - we do have an anniversary coming up.  So I am pretty sure we will have one this month.  .......Or ELSE!  (kidding) - but I am hopeful

2. Increase playtime with Renae and Dakota - Definitely been more focused here.  I tweaked the daily schedule and have been more consistent with getting up at 4am to exercise and do daily chores.  Which has opened up more free time for the girls.  Also, Renae has started back with swimming lessons which is something that she enjoys.  I do think that I can still improve more so in this area by sticking with the schedule a little more closely.  I don't think it has to be rigid or anything but a little more routine would help.
3. Do a mommy/Renae date once a month - Sadly this too has been bumped.  But I will try to place it as an official date for this months calendar.

4. Increase teaching with Renae and create a teaching plan - March wasn't as focused as I would have liked but we did get some time to focus on the topic of Transportation.  We read some new books and did some activities.  However, I am more ready to go for April.  I have started organizing a daily plan for what I want to cover.  AND.....this next preschool pack is all about gardening!  Which I printed from homeschoolcreations.com. I am so pumped to tackle this.  Plus, now that the weather is improving it will be great to do some hands on/tactile projects outdoors.  Like the Garden Challenge that I have started.  Which I mentioned on a previous post and you can see what others are doing by clicking on the button to the right or this link http://www.thehomeschoolvillage.com/category/hsv-garden-challenge.  I plan on posting more about our teaching throughout the month of April.  So you will have to check back on the progress!

Home:

1. Create a cleaning schedule and stick with it - Well this is something that I have had to tweak as well.  I felt that having laundry and floors on the same day was just too much to get done.  But, by changing it to Monday - Laundry, Wednesday - Bathrooms and Dusting, Friday - Floors.  (with Tuesday and Thursday being my 12 hour work days) that this seems to be working better. 

2. De-clutter - I have started to work on our master closet.  Norm and I gutted a huge amount of clothes that were either too big, too small, or we just didn't wear.  Because of all my weight loss, I actually don't have that much left in the way of clothes, so it looks like there will be a shopping trip in my future.  But, by clearing out the excess clothes, it became a lot more apparent of our paper clutter.  SOOOOO, I have started doing a 15min. daily closet clean up.  Meaning, I set a timer for 15 min (usually during nap time) and whatever I can get done in 15min. is what I get done.  Once that timer goes off......I stop.  So far I haven't noticed much of a dent but I am hoping by next months resolution update that I will have a lot more to report.

3. Get more indoor house plants and keep them alive for one year - This hasn't happened.  In fact, .....I kinda killed another one.  However, we did get some outdoor plants.....and they are still alive.......for now. :)

4. Create a homemaker binder - I have done this and been keeping up with it since January.  I plan on posting this in more detail this month.

Financial:

1. Decrease eating out - I was doing well with this.  But....as Norm pointed out today.....I kinda have slid back to my old ways and I have been frequenting Starbucks again.........opps.  Gotta try and reign this in some more.  Going to try and keep up with the no eating out challenge that is done on couponingtodisney.com to keep me accountable.  Wish me luck!  There is even a random draw for $50 gift card at the end of the month!

2. Start using envelope system (David Ramsey) - Ok, funny thing.  Bought this new handy dandy wallet to implement the envelope system......haven't used it.  I also, withdrew the "allowance" for groceries and put it in an envelope at home with the intent of drawing money out of it each time we went of groceries.  But, time and time again.....I didn't remember this plan until I was already at the grocery store.....no cash in hand :( 
So.....I will try again this month.

3. Create/stick with a budget - Again, I could be a lot more focused on this.  I think if I did put the envelope system in place I would be better at sticking to the budget.  But I was also guilty of buying items like plants and such without actually "budgeting" for them.  So, I will try to focus more on this.

4. Increase savings/have a fully funded emergency fund - I am proud to announce that despite what I just described above, we are now only a few hundred dollars short of a fully funded 3 month emergency fund!  Whoohoo!
5. Restart Investments - We did meet with our financial consultant last month and will now be starting up our investments this month!

6. Start college funds for the girls - This is also going to be kicking in in April!

7. Start increase in payments for house pay off - This hasn't happened as of yet.

8. Save for new car for Norm - .....nor has this

9. Cut grocery budget in half - .....again, see above with problems with my envelope system


Well, that is all of it.

All in all, I think I did pretty darn good with my resolutions. Yes, room for improvement, but not too shabby.....if I do say so myself!


I made this list with the thought that most of this needs to be done by the end of the year. Not necessarily started on January 1.

So come May 1st-ish (considering this post was supposed to be done yesterday....hehe) I will give you update/progress report.

How about you? Did you make any resolutions? If so, how are they coming along? What are you doing to keep your motivation?

My New Year's Resolutions.....Better late then never

In a couple of posts I have already mentioned that I had made a TON of new years resolutions this year.  But it occurred to me that I hadn't really posted what they were/are. 

Now, I could have just made it generalized, like I have in the past.  But I read that you will be more successful in keeping a resolution/goal, the more detailed you make them. So instead of "The List" that you will see below, in the past I would have just said that I plan to "Get More Healthy". 

Soooooo, in effort to keep me accountable I have decided to post them today and then I also thought that each month I will give a status update to show how it is all coming along! 

So, without further ado:

Presenting................My List

Personal: 1. Start an exercise routine and stick with it
                2. Cut down/out sweets
                3. Join/participate in a Book Club
                4. Blog regularly (at least weekly)

Family:     1. Do a monthly "Date Night" with Norm
                2. Increase playtime with Renae and Dakota
                3. Do a mommy/Renae date once a month
                4. Increase teaching with Renae and create a teaching plan

Home:      1. Create a cleaning schedule and stick with it
                2. De-clutter
                3. Get more indoor house plants and keep them alive for one year
                    (trying to cultivate a green thumb - currently it is near black....lol)
                4. Create a homemaker binder
               
Financial: 1. Decrease eating out
                2. Start using envelope system (David Ramsey)
                3. Create/stick with a budget
                4. Increase savings/have a fully funded emergency fund
                5. Restart Investments
                6. Start college funds for the girls
                7. Start increase in payments for house pay off
                8. Save for new car for Norm
                9. Cut grocery budget in half

Well, that is all of it.

Too ambitious?  Maybe.

I made this list with the thought that most of this needs to be done by the end of the year.  Not necessarily started on January 1.

So come April 1st I will give you update/progress report.

How about you?  Did you make any resolutions?  If so, how are they coming along?  What are you doing to keep your motivation?