2015 Goals (finally...)

 

This post took extremely too long to write, but such is life with an active 9 month old!  At least I got it done before the end of January.  I took the last week of December, and the first week of January and went over my 2014 goals (results posted here), and decided what worked and what didn't.  Although I accomplished a LOT of my goals, I felt as though some were un-cross-off-able (new word I just made up, your welcome).  Even though I had accomplished them for the month, they rolled over into the next month.  I still have some of them this year, but there are fewer.  I also tried to be more comprehensive in the description of my goals, so I can better decide whether I have completed them or not.

Household:

1. De-clutter the whole house in January, February, and March -- I was realistic here and gave myself 3 months to complete this goal, since I have a little one running around and 'helping.'  I am hoping that by getting rid of excess clutter, when I go back to work in April, life will run smoother because we have simplified.  
2. Do a Deep-Spring, and Deep-Fall Clean in March and November  As well as keep up with my weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly cleaning chores. -- Kept this one from last year.
3. Paint the Windows/Sills/Trim in the Kitchen and Nursery. -- I am hoping to get this done in March, but I'm leaving it open-ended time-wise, but it needs to get done soon! 

Family:

1. Write a 'love letter' to Joe each month -- Instead of trying to be a loving wife, which is way too open-ended, I decided to try this instead - we'll see how it goes!
2. Take a trip to Maine in June with the hubby, and Howard. -- Kept this one from last year, hopefully we will get to go this summer!
3. Take a Trip to Ocean City in August -- We did this last year, and it was so much fun!  I'm looking forward to see how Howard likes the pool this year!
4. Get together with family at least once a month -- Kept this one from last year too -- I love that we got to do this every month!  With Howard getting bigger each day, everyone wants a chance to see and snuggle him!
5. Plan and Execute Howard's 1st Birthday Party -- This is an easy one.  My niece is so excited to help with this!  We're thinking cook out, but we'll see. 

Blogging:

1. Have 2 Freezer/Pantry Challenges (January and July), post updates on the blog, and defrost the chest freezer - These went great last year.  January's is well underway, and has been going really well!  I just defrosted the chest freezer in December, so we'll see if we need to do in July or not.  But I'm leaving the goal as is, just in case.
2. Post my Menu Plan, and Weekly Spending Report every week, along with at least 1 other post per week.  This may be an update, a reveal, a recipe, a shopping trip, some Aldi Deals, or a frugal find. -- I changed this a little bit from last year, because it is getting increasingly hard to find time to blog with a little one around.  I do think that a minimum of 2 posts a week is doable.  Hopefully I'm right!
3. Plan and execute a 31 days post for October. -- This went well last year, so I kept it on for this year.  I just have to figure out what theme I want to do this year, any ideas?

Health:

1. Lose at least 20 lbs -- Since I wasn't able to accomplish this last year, I've kept it on the list for 2015.  I've done this before, so I know that I can do it again.  I've had a good start so far.  It won't be easy, but it needs to get done!
2. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy, and do exercise of some kind everyday. -- This kind of goes hand in hand with #1.  

Budget/Income:

1. Do at least 5 Flea Markets throughout the year, and list at least bi-monthly on Amazon/Facebook Yard Sale. -- This is how many we did last year, so I know that we can at least accomplish that part of the goal.  There are a LOT of things that I've been decluttering that need to be sold, since they are actually worth something.  I know that posting stuff every month just isn't going to happen, so I think that every other month is much more doable for me right now.  I am going to try out the Facebook Yard Sale group for things like new shoes, and fancy purses.  We'll see how it goes - I'll keep you posted. 
2. Earn Swagbucks everyday by completing the daily poll, toolbar log-in, and NOSO offers daily.  (Try to earn $10 a month) -- I did well with this last year, especially while I was pregnant.  Once Howard was born, things kind of dropped off.  I am hoping that I can earn 2 - $5 Amazon gift cards each month, for a total of $120 for the year. 
3. Set a monthly budget, and coupon and deal shop as needed to stay within our budget. - I did a great job with this last year.  It continues to be something that I NEED to do, especially with the added cost of baby food and diapers. 
4. Put at least an extra $100 a month on Joe's Credit Card starting in May -- I am hoping to put more than this on each month, but this is a minimum.  I want this thing paid off asap, so we can start chipping away at the loan payment! 

Hobby-Related:

1. Scan the huge-a** box of photos we have had since my mom died two and a half years ago, and get them sorted to give to people, as well as put the ones I decide to keep in albums. -- I decided to wait on the scrap-booking and instead get my photos in order.
2. Continue to work on Howard's baby book -- This ends at the 1 year point, so I'll have to figure out what to do after that, but this needs to be caught up and finished.
3. Try something new at least once a month and blog about it.  I have a LOT of new recipes and crafts I want to try -- I did a lot of this before Howard was born and little bit right after, but then things like breastfeeding and work got in the way of having fun.  Hopefully I can get back to doing fun things this year!