Goals Update: March 2016

March was a little crazy here in Maryland - we had some 70+ degree days, and we also had snow - go figure.  The days when the weather was nice, I opened all the windows in the house to air it out, and then took Howard outside to play at various playgrounds nearby all day.  He needed time outside, and so did I.  I didn't get a whole slew of items accomplished in March.  I did get quite a few things done on my household project list, and I also did well with my blogging goals!  Other than that, I didn't really do much.  But that's okay.  I am so thankful for the nice weather we have had and time I've had off from work to spend with Howard.  In April I go back to a more regular work schedule, which is nice, but I'm going to miss all the time I've been able to spend at home with Joe and Howard.  Hopefully when they finishing hire a new tour guide here at the museum in April/May, I can go back to my 3-day-a-week schedule.  So, anyway, here are how the rest of my goals are playing out so far this year...

Personal:

• Lose 20 lbs (about 1.5 lbs a month) - So far I have lost 4 pounds.  It isn't much, but it's something.  I also went for some blood work this month.  Since I have been having such a hard time losing weight, despite daily exercise and dieting, the doctor is leaning towards either a thyroid or hormone issue.  I am hoping it is something simple that requires a pill, and then I can feel better and go about my day, but we'll see.  She should have the results by the end of the month.  If it's earth shattering, I'll share. 
• Exercise 292 days - In March I exercised 29 out of 31 days.  For a total of 73 for the year.  I'm right on track with this goal!  I feel great for the most part, a little sore, but great!  I just wish I was losing more weight though.
• Drink at least 70 oz of water everyday - I did better with this in March.  Still not quite up to 70 oz, but close.  Most days I can get in around 48-56 oz, which is about 3-3 1/2 water bottles.  I think part of my progress has to do with the warmer weather we have been having.  Who wants to drink ice water when it's snowing?  Not me, that's who.  I much prefer hot tea.  But, now that Spring is upon us, the sun is out, and the weather is heating up -- ice water, here I come!  

 Financial:

• Coupon and deal shop to stick to my $350/month budget - I shared my budget update for March here.  If you click over, you can see all of the great things I was able to stock-up on while still staying $22.69 under budget!  This included $1.04 packages of diapers, Green Giant frozen vegetables, Eggo Waffles, dry shampoo, and a variety of other items.
•  Earn at least 6 - $25 Amazon gift card through Swagbucks - I was able to earn my second $25 Amazon gift card this month!  2 Down, and 4 to go.
• List at least 10 things per month online or 120 for the year - January - Check (23), February - no check (0), March - I listed a lot of toddler boys clothes as well as an old desk on a Facebook selling group - check (43). 
• Set up at 6 Flea Markets/Shows to sell our wares - Joe sat up at a tool show this month.  He didn't sell a whole lot, but we did get rid of a few things.  Total for the year = 2

Household:

• Completely declutter the entire house - I still have 2 areas left.  I am waiting for a couple of other household projects to be done before I tackle these last two areas, but I am so excited to be this close to finishing!
• Finish my 2016 project list - I have my project list update posted separately.  However, I will share that I was able to finish most of my decluttering, purchased some frames for DIY wall art, and finally cleaned out the chest freezer, along with a few other things.  I shared some pictures of my progress here. 

Blogging:

• Post at least 3 times a week - I posted at least 3 times per week again in March.  All totaled I shared 16 posts in March, which averages to over 3 a week!  I loved being able to share the Easter baskets I made for Joe and Howard, as well as how I made the gift tags. 
• Do a 31 day series in October - Not there yet.  I have been working on some ideas in my blogging journal though. 
• Set up a Facebook page for my blog - Still not done.  I looked into the process one night, and it was too much to do that close to bedtime.  I plan to get this done one day in April during Howard's nap time.  

How is everyone else doing with their goals?

Anything new or different you are trying this year?

Share some of your goals in the comments...

Menu Plan Monday: 03/28/2016

This week I am planning to tackle my deep Spring cleaning.  I am hoping to be able to do the entire house in a day or two while Joe and Howard are away.  I clean every week, but twice a year I like to make sure that the house is thoroughly dusted, scrubbed, de-gunked, and disinfected.  Since there's a lot of hard work on the docket for this week, I kept my menu plan easy; there's lots of crock-pot meals like usual, as well as a couple of leftover days to keep the fridge cleaned out.  Here's what's cookin'...

• Breakfasts: Waffles, Mini Muffins, Fruit and Grain Bars, Pop-Tarts
• Lunches: Leftovers, Misc. Frozen TV Meals, Canned Soup, Quesadillas
• Dinners: 
• Sunday - Out to Lunch/Dinner with Family for Easter
• Monday - Homemade Hamburger Helper
• Tuesday - Leftovers
• Wednesday - Crock-pot Pork Loin, Crock-pot Baked Potatoes, Broccoli and Cheese
• Thursday - Crock-pot Orange Chicken, Jasmine Rice, Buttered Steamed Broccoli
• Friday - Leftovers
• Saturday - Pizza

For more AWESOME menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 03/20-26/2016

This week I got some great deals, including cheap dry shampoo, $0.50 frozen vegetables, and delicious strawberries!  I kept my shopping to a minimum since the end of the month is drawing near and I want to make sure I have enough money in the budget to get me through.  Really the only 'stock-pile' shopping I did was at CVS, the rest were things we needed for meals this week.  Here's how my shopping broke-down this week...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $2.22 oop (included, but not pictured are 4-12 packs of Coke Products), Earned $7 ECB's ($5 Tresemme and $2 Venus), $1.50 Checkout 51 Rebate (Venus), $0.30 Mobisave (Hand Soap), and $1 Saving Star Rebate (Tresemme)

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $31.18 oop (included, but not pictured are 4 gallons of H2O)

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $12 oop

Total OOP: $45.40
Total Earned: $9.80
Total Remaining for March: $77.07

Linked to Couponaholic, I Heart Publix, and many more! 

Household Project List 2016 -- March Update

 

In March I hauled some serious butt on my project list -- I finished decluttering all but 2 spaces, organized some CD's, purchased some frames for DIY wall art, and cleaned out the chest freezer, along with a few other accomplishments.  I am definitely full steam ahead for April in regards to motivation for household projects!  I am hoping that I can get Joe on board with me and knock out another few things next month.  But without further ado, here's how things went in March...

• Bedroom: 
• Declutter 2 Dressers, 1 Chest of Drawers, 2 Nightstands, 1 Closet, and Under the Bed -- Finished in February
• Steam off the crappy boarder
• Re-glue the wallpaper seams
• Change the wall art - I purchased some frames this month at the thrift store that I am going to use for this, but I am looking for some AWESOME (free printable) prints to put in them -- any suggestions?

• Hall: 
• Declutter Hall Closet, Desk, and Coat Closet -- Finished in February
• Sell desk, and move in a bench -- The desk is listed on Facebook, and is awaiting a buyer.  Once it's moved out, the bench will be put in it's place.  I should be able to cross this off by next week!
• Build another shelf in the hall closet -- Unneeded, crossed off in February

• Bathroom:
• Declutter the Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers  -- Finished in February
• Touch up the paint (Joe and I might actually repaint the entire bathroom, as the color scheme is not great, so this will happen last, if at all - we might just wait and repaint in 2017)

• Living Room:
• Declutter 8 Cube Baskets, 1 End Table, and 3 Dresser Drawers -- I finally made the time to get all our DVDs into two CD cases.  We still have some VHS tapes to go through; I want to make a list of the ones we would like to have as DVDs so I know what to look for at yard sales.  But I am done with decluttering in the living room for now.
• Finish adding pictures to our 'mural' wall
• Paint the letter 'R' on our 'mural' wall -- Finished in January
• Find new art for behind the futon

• Kitchen:
• Declutter 35 Cabinets, 1 Pantry, 1 China Cabinet, and 11 Drawers -- It took a few days, but I got everything cleaned out!  I managed to fill a HUGE reusable bag and 2 diaper boxes both full of stuff to sell.  I also had very few food items to pitch.  Maybe a dozen.  I know that probably sounds horrible to some, but it is the smallest amount for me ever.  This means that we are being better stewards with what we are provided, stocking up on things we actually eat, and rotating them properly.   
• Get a new trashcan -- Finished in February
• Steam the wallpaper off our microwave table, and repaint it
• Paint the windows/sills/trim
• Clean out the chest freezer and defrost it -- Finally got this done!  It looks AMAZING and it is so much easier for me to access things when I need them!  Instead of having to go chest-freezer diving for a little package of beef, I can just reach into the reusable bag that holds beef items.  I think this system is going to be very easy to maintain - I don't know why it took me so long to figure out that it would be beneficial for us?  I also cleaned out the fridge while I was at it.
  

• Nursery/Office:
• Declutter the Closet, Dresser, Desk, Chest of Drawers, Bookcase, Sewing Table, and Cedar Chest -- I really wanted to be finished with my decluttering this month, but I have decided to wait on a couple of things.  I really want to have the shelves above the desk built before I declutter the bookcase so I know what I have room for and can use that as a limit on what I keep.  I am trying to work smarter, not harder, so I don't want to have to go through things twice.  Also, I need to get the CD's moved and organized (see below) before I can get to the cedar chest to work on it comfortably.  
• Go through the CD 3-drawer organizer and combine into a large CD case 
• Install new curtain rods and tie backs; Hang new curtains
• Make a new curtain for the closet; Hang
• Buy new Lamp/Shade for the Dresser
• Re-glue wallpaper
• Bring in new chest of drawers (#2)
• Build new shelf (or two) above the desk; Add books to shelves
• Paint the windows/sills and the closet door frame 

• Laundry Room:
•  Declutter Desk, 3 Drawer Stand, Bookcase, and Closet (including stored Christmas decorations) -- I was able to finish decluttering the laundry room this month as well.  And, surprisingly , it really didn't take that long to do.  The bookcase, 3 drawer stand, and desk took a total of maybe 15 minutes.  There were a couple handfuls of things to put away elsewhere, and a handful or so of trash, and that's it - done, and done! 
• Touch up paint from renovation
• Hang art -- still deciding on if this is necessary
• Wash box of new-to-us toys  

Are any of you working on some household projects this year?

What are you getting accomplished? 

DIY: Easy Easter Gift Tags

 It really is as simple as 1, 2, 3 to make these super adorable gift tags!  I wanted to share with you all how I made them for Joe and Howard's Easter baskets, but you could really apply this to any gift, just change the shape of the tag.  Green triangle 'trees' for Christmas, white rectangle 'presents' for wedding and shower gifts, red hearts for Valentine's Day, and the list goes on...  I also used some washi tape from the Dollar Tree.  I chose bright, fun colors that made me think of spring, but they also have some more sedate patterns, like leaves and florals, that you could use.  The letter stickers I used I have had for quite some time; they are out of a sticker book I bought for a $1 at AC Moore's many moons ago, but the Dollar Tree does sell a variety of letter stickers as well.  Are you ready for some super complicated directions?   Alright, here we go...

Things you will need:
Cardstock paper (color - your choice)
Various Washi Tapes (color and design, your choice)
scissors
Pencil and stencils (optional)
hole punch
yarn/twine/ribbon/jute (your choice)
Letter stickers

1. Cut out cardstock in the shape you want your tag to be.  There are loads of free printable stencils online if you chose, or if your lazy like me, you can free-hand it.  For Easter I chose an egg, but you could also do a bunny, a cross, chicks - your choice.
2.  Punch a hold in the top of your tag, and run some coordinating ribbon/twine/jute/yarn - again, your choice - through the hole.  This is how you will tie your tag to your package.  Or, you can skip this step like I did with Joe's Easter basket and just tuck the tag among 'all the things.'  However, for most packages I would probably go ahead and complete this step. 
3. Decorate your tag using washi tape and letter stickers.  This can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it.  Since I chose an egg, I decided to run the washi across it to make it look like a dyed and decorated egg, but how you decorate your tag is completely up to you.  You could add additional fancy pretty stickers if you want to as well.  I also only put the recipents name on the tag, since Easter baskets come from the Easter Bunny and Mom and Dad, but if I was making a tag for Christmas or a shower gift, I would totally add who it is from also. 
 

That's it!  Tie or place your tag on your gift and go!  See, I told you it was easy - and really adorable!  Let me know if you decide to try this and how it works out!

Menu Plan Monday: 03/21/2016

This week I am going to be doing some Spring cleaning, so with that in mind I planned a bunch of crock-pot meals.  I LOVE being able to throw things together in the morning before Howard is up and have a delicious dinner in the evening without much effort.  I also found some more wonderful strawberries at ALDI this week, so we will definitely be enjoying those!  Here's what's cooking this week...

• Breakfasts: Waffles, Mini Muffins, Pop-Tarts, Fruit and Grain Bars, Strawberries
• Lunches: Leftovers, Canned Soup, Tuna Salad or PB and J Sandwiches, Misc. Frozen TV Meals
• Dinners: 
• Sunday - Tacos
• Monday - Crock-pot Mushroom Gravy with Pork Tips, Jasmine Rice, Steamed Broccoli
• Tuesday - Crock-pot Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Salad
• Wednesday - Crock-pot Pasta, Marinara Sauce, and Meatballs, Garlic Bread, Salad
• Thursday - Leftovers
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday -Take-out

 For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 03/13-19/2016

This week I stocked up on some AMAZING deals, including $1.04 diapers, and Annie's mac and cheese!  I also bought the most delicious strawberries at ALDI!  I cannot wait to go back this week and see if they have any more.  Other than that I mostly just picked up things I needed for meals this week.  Here's how the spending broke-down...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $18.98 oop, Earned $13 ECB's ($10 Diapers and $3 Ziploc/Glade), $0.99 Saving Star Rebate (Cadbury Egg), $1.50 Ibotta* Rebate (Pampers Cruisers), and $0.34 Find and Save Rebate

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $25.19 oop (included, but not pictured are 8 gallons of H2O)

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $29.24 oop (Saved 45%)

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $11.48 oop (included, but not pictured is a bag of lollipops)

Total OOP: $84.89
Total Earned: $15.83
Total Remaining for March: $122.47

Linked to Couponaholic, I Heart Publix, and many more!
*Sign up for Ibotta through this link and you will earn a $10 bonus and I will earn a $5 bonus -- Thank you!  

Frugal Easter Basket for the Hubby

 I spent a few weeks collecting things to add to Joe's Easter basket.  My husband LOVES sweets, so I knew that was going to be the primary thing I filled his basket with.  I picked up almost everything at the Dollar Tree, including the cute tin bucket!  I also scored some deals at CVS, grabbed two $1 items at Wal-mart, and used a coupon at Michael's.  Overall, I spent less than $13 to put together this AWESOME Easter bucket for my hubby!  I know he's gonna LOVE it!!

1 ADORABLE Bunny Bucket (from Dollar Tree) $1
1 package Mini Snickers (from Dollar Tree) $1
1 Theater Box Cookie Dough Bites (from Dollar Tree) $1
2 boxes Strawberry and Banana Laffy Taffy (from Wal-mart) $2
1 bag Strawberries and Cream Laffy Taffy (from CVS) $1.99
1 Reese's Egg (from CVS) $0.25
1 package Mini Hershey's Cookies and Cream Bars (from CVS) $0.75
1 Sleep Mask (from Dollar Tree) $1
1 Cadbury Egg (from CVS) FREE!
1 Retro Walkie-Talkie Handset (from Dollar Tree) $1
1 package Gorilla Super glue (from Michael's) $2.39
Total Spent: $12.38 + Tax

Frugal Finds: March 2016 Edition

I usually don't share my Dollar Tree deals in such detail, but I wanted to let you all know about some of the AWESOME items they have in stock right now.  I LOVE to watch Dollar Tree haul videos, mostly just to see what cool things people are finding, and sometimes I add items to a running list I have of things to look for when I shop there.  That way when I have time to shop alone, I can focus on finding the things I wanted to at least look at, even if I decide not to buy them.  So anyway, here are some of the great things I found this month when I stopped in -- I hope you find some great deals if you shop there too...

• 300 count Star Stickers $1 -- we use these on Howard's reward chart when he has a good day, which is actually most days.
• 2-9 count Hangers with Sticky Backings $2 -- These are not re-position-able like Command hooks, but they get the job done.  I especially like to use these in cupboards to hold scrubbers and rags to dry.  These will be used in the laundry room when I do my decluttering there.
• 1-3 pack Purell Hand Sanitizers $1 -- I like to keep one of these in my purse, and the diaper bag, and my car...  They are the larger small bottles (if that makes sense), at Wal-mart these would run over a $1 each so three for a $1 is a really good deal!
• 1-2 pack of Gel Pens $1 -- These work really well, and I like that they are little thicker than most pens, but also not huge. 
• 1 Washi Tape $1 -- I love to use washi tape on my planner, and also for cards I send.  I thought that this would be a nice design to use for Spring and Summer this year.  I don't buy a ton of washi tape, but occasionally I'll find something I like and get it.  
• 1-3 pack of Kid Socks for Howard $1 -- Howard actually really likes these socks.  So, I guess they are comfortable.  I got them mainly because of the dinosaur design, since he loves the Dinosaur Train show.  Three pairs for a buck is an AMAZING deal.  I've also washed them a few times and they seem to be holding up fairly well.  I have already purchased a three-pack of striped socks for him as well.  

• 1 Oven Mitt + 1-2 pack of Pot Holders $2 -- I LOVE that these are teal; I love teal!  I bought these to replace the ones we have in the RV, which are from the 80's and are getting pretty thin. 

Have any of you been to the Dollar Tree recently?

Find any great deals?

 

Menu Plan Monday: 03/14/2016

This week I kept meals super simple, as usual.  I filled the menu with family favorites, including homemade Alfredo, which I rarely make.  Howard is becoming a picky toddler when it comes to food -- sometimes he eats and loves everything, and other times, not so much, and there doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to it.  He will pretty much always eat meat, and he is warming up to rice, but fruit and veg are almost always a no go.  We offer him some of everything, he eats what he wants and we don't worry too much about it at this point.  He's not quite two yet, so we have time to work with him on his eating.  Anyway, I digress, here's what we're eating this week...

• Breakfasts: Waffles, Bagels, Pop-Tarts, Mini Muffins, Fruit and Fiber Bars, Strawberries
• Lunches: Leftovers, Canned Soup, Misc. Frozen TV Meals, Salads, Tuna Salad or PB and J Sandwiches
• Dinners 
• Sunday - Homemade Alfredo, Linguine, Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad
• Monday - Tacos, Leftover Salad, Mexican Rice
• Tuesday - Take-out
• Wednesday - Leftover Buffet
• Thursday - Crock-pot Mushroom Gravy and Pork Tips, Jasmine Rice, Steamed Broccoli
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday - Crock-pot Baked Ham (leftover in the freezer), Scalloped Potatoes, Green Beans

For more AWESOME Menu plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 03/06-12/2016

I really wanted to keep my spending low this week, but there were SO MANY AMAZING DEALS!!!  CVS has some alright sales, including a decent priced razor for Joe, $0.99 shampoos, $1.99 Zantacs, and some really cheap candies for Easter baskets.  Next stop was ALDI, where everything is always a great price - I just picked up the items I needed for my meal plan there.  Last place we stopped on Sunday was Giant.  I am really loving the coupons that you can add onto your Giant card, and then pair with a sale, and a manufacturer paper coupon!  I was able to score 6 boxes of Eggo's for $4, juice for $1.88 each, 4 containers of disinfecting wipes for less than $1.40, 2 large laundry detergents for around 4 bucks, and 2 contact solutions for $0.99 a piece!  Like I said, it was an AMAZING week!  Even though the last two weeks have been a little heavy on the spending side, I have the rest of the month to balance the budget back out.  Here's how my spending when this week...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $2.39 oop, Earned $7 ECB's ($2 Gillette razor, $1 Hershey's candies, and $2 x 2 Zantacs)

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $48.38 oop (Included, but not pictured are 8 gallons of H2O), Earned $0.95 Find and Save Rebate

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $27.24 oop

• Saturday's Dollar Tree Trip: $18.84 oop

Total OOP: $96.85
Total Earned: $7.95
Total Remaining for March: $207.36

Linked to Couponaholic, I Heart Publix, and many more! 

Frugal Toddler Easter Basket

I wanted to share with all of you how I created an AWESOME Easter basket for Howard for under $10!  Pretty much everything was purchased at the Dollar Tree, except for the chocolates which I got a great deal on at CVS.  I started looking for basket fillers the beginning of February, picking up a few things here and there, and mostly just kept in mind what he likes to do -- puzzles, coloring, playing with flashlights -- as well as things I thought might be fun for summer, like bubbles.  Most of the items I purchased say for ages 3+ on them, but since he will be under my supervision while we play with these toys, I am alright with that.  Let me tell you a little about the items I picked up...

1 Blaze Reusable Bag to serve as the basket $1

2 Board Puzzles (1 dogs and 1 cars, both of which Howard is really into right now) $1 each = $2

1 package of 400+ stickers (we LOVE stickers, and trucks) $1

1 Mickey Play Pack (I'll keep this in the diaper bag for when we are out to eat or shopping, the Dollar Tree has these in a large variety of characters) $1

1 Bubble Gun (I don't know how well this will work, but it looked like fun, and it will be awhile until he can blow bubbles himself) $1

1 pack of Crayola Pip-Scents Markers (I could not believe I found these at the Dollar Tree!  Howard loves to color each night before bed as our 'quiet down' activity, so I thought these might be fun, especially with the scents!) $1

1 Small LED Flashlight (Howard loves to play with Daddy's flashlight, so I thought having one of his own might be nice.  They also have plastic kid ones with characters, but this one is studier and more like Daddy's) $1

1 LED Frog Light (This is for Howard's room, kind of like a night light, and much more fun than the one we have) $1

1 package mini Hershey's bars from CVS (Although I don't think an Easter basket should be exclusively candy, I also think it shouldn't be without any.) $0.75 

Grand Total: $9.75 

($10.33 with Tax)

I also made the super cute tag you see below, I'll share that in another post.

Menu Plan Monday: 03/07/2016

This week we are finally tackling the chest freezer.  I am so excited to have an inventory of what is actually in there; it's going to make meal planning so much easier!  It will also be nice to have the space that the ice chunks are taking up.  We need to make a trip down to Joe's grandfather's house this week.  We have to unload from the flea market we did in February and load for the tool show we're doing this weekend.  I also work two days this week.  I am hoping to get some more decluttering done as well!  I like to keep my menus fairly simple - it makes them doable - this week is no different...

• Breakfasts: Waffles, Mini Muffins, Fruit and Grain Bars (from ALDI), Sausage, Bacon, Eggs, and/or Mini Bagels
• Lunches: Leftovers, Quesadillas, Misc. Frozen TV Meals, Hot Dogs, Canned Soup, PB and J Waffles, and/or Salads
• Dinners: 
• Sunday - Leftover Buffet
• Monday - Crock-pot Meatloaf, Baked Tater-tots, Salad
• Tuesday - Crock-pot Chicken Fajitas, Mexican Rice, Salad
• Wednesday - Homemade Alfredo Sauce, Pasta, Texas Toast (from ALDI, and SO good!), Broccoli
• Thursday - Take-out
• Friday - Pizza
• Saturday - Cheesy Baked Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf, Vegetable

For more AWESOME Menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Weekly Spending Report: 02/28-03/05/2016

This week was a little spend heavy, but I couldn't pass up the sale on ground beef.  We didn't need it per-say, but it's been awhile since I have seen a sale, so I grabbed a couple packs to help get us through until the next sale.  I also stocked up on Joe's deodorant, and hand cream, and frozen vegetables for only $0.50 a box!  Other than that I mostly just bought things we needed for the week - breakfasts, lunches, snacks.  I am hoping that next week I can spend on the lighter side, but we'll see, the boys are eating me out of house and home.  Here's how my spending broke down this week...

• Sunday's CVS Trip: $10.61 oop, Earned $12 ECB's ($3 gum, $4 Dove deodorant, $5 Pharmacy Rewards), and $1 Saving Star Rebate (for Dove deodorant)

• Sunday's ALDI Trip: $46.38 (Included, but not pictured is 8 gallons of H20), Earned $0.40 from Mobisave (for bacon)

• Sunday's Giant Trip: $32.85 oop (Included, but not pictured is a 35 pk bottled H20)

Total OOP: $89.84
Total Earned: $13.40
Total Remaining for March: $304.21

Linked to I heart Publix, and many more! 

Goals Update: February 2016

February was a very productive month!  I am making a lot of progress in the exercising and decluttering departments.  I've also got a great start on my household project list.  I am loving the new bare spaces in our home, and they really make a difference when it comes to keeping the house tidy.  I was so surprised to come in under budget again this month because we bought SO MUCH!  I am also very proud to say that I have kept up with my blogging goal.  Here are how the rest of my goals are playing out so far this year...

Personal:

• Lose 20 lbs (about 1.5 lbs a month) - I have still not lost anything.  I have a mess of blood work scheduled for March, the doctor is leaning towards either hormone or thyroid problems, so we will see.  It is just very frustrating to be exercising almost every day, and eating right, and not see any weight loss.  I am hoping to have answers soon so I can get some of this weight off!
• Exercise 292 days - In February I exercised 24 out of 29 days.  For a total of 44 for the year.  I'm right on track with this goal!  Exercising doesn't make me feel great, but I do feel stronger - my hips hurt less, my legs and back don't give out like they use to - but I also feel so tired and sore all over.  If I was doing some kind of crazy aerobic exercises I would understand, but I basically do stretches and ride the bike, so, yeah, anyway...  #outofshape
• Drink at least 70 oz of water everyday - I have made some progress with this.  The days I work I definitely do better than the days I don't.  The problem is that it's just so cold in the house that I just want to curl up with a blanket and some hot tea, not an ice water.  But with warm Spring weather fast approaching, I should be able to master this goal in no time.  

 Financial:

• Coupon and deal shop to stick to my $350/month budget - I shared my budget update for February here.  If you click over, you can see all of the great things I was able to stock-up on while still staying $44 under budget!  This included diapers, frozen vegetables, laundry detergent, vitamins, and organic chicken breasts!
•  Earn at least 6 - $25 Amazon gift card through Swagbucks - I am well over 1/2 way to another gift card, so I should be able to get another one in March.  1 Down, and 5 to go.
• List at least 10 things per month online or 120 for the year - January - Check (23).  In February we sat up at a flea market, so I didn't get anything listed.  I did get a LOT ready to list though (4 bags of baby clothes, some sweaters, and a coat).  I have already taken the pictures, so I'll be listed these things online in March. 
• Set up at 6 Flea Markets/Shows to sell our wares - We set up on February 20th at an indoor flea market.  We did fairly well.  We got rid of a LOT of junk that we have been carrying around for awhile, so that always makes me happy!  Total for the year = 1

Household:

• Completely declutter the entire house - I have made a LOT of progress on this in January and February.  I should be able to cross this goal off by the end of March/beginning of April.  I still have some cabinets and drawers in the kitchen to do, two spots in the laundry room, and a few spots in the nursery.  But overall, the house looks amazing, and it is much easier to tidy things up at the end of the day!  I really cannot believe the amount of stuff that we've been able to get rid of - I just don't where it all comes from!

Kitchen China Cabinet After

Living Room Cube Storage After

• Finish my 2016 project list - I have my project list update posted separately.  However, I will share that I have made a lot of progress in the decluttering department of the list, and got a 'new' kitchen trash can.  I shared quite a few pictures of my progress here. 

Nursery Dresser Drawer #1 After

Blogging:

• Post at least 3 times a week - I posted at least 3 times per week again in February.  All totaled I shared 12 posts in February, which averages to exactly 3 a week!
• Do a 31 day series in October - Not there yet.  I have been working on some ideas in my blogging journal though. 
• Set up a Facebook page for my blog - I didn't get to this again in February, but it is at the top of my list for March!

How is everyone else doing with their goals?

Anything new or different you are trying this year?

Share some of your goals in the comments...

Household Project List 2016 -- February Update

 

In February I was able to finish most of my decluttering, but I just don't feel like I got much accomplished.  I know that I did, and I can really tell a difference in our home - it's easier to tidy, pretty much everything has it's own place, and there are bare spaces - but I just don't feel as accomplished as I did in January.  Not sure why, but any way...  Decluttering-wise I only have a few spots left: the kitchen, the laundry room, and a couple of things in the nursery/office, which is great!  I am right on track to start my painting projects in the end of March or beginning of April.  I also wanted to get the chest freezer done this month, but it's looking like that isn't going to happen, since Monday is the first of March.  But as long as everything is crossed off by the end of December, that is really all that matters.  So, here's how things went in February...

• Bedroom: 
• Declutter 2 Dressers, 1 Chest of Drawers, 2 Nightstands, 1 Closet, and Under the Bed -- I was able to finish both dressers, the closet, and under the bed to get this one crossed off in February!
• Steam off the crappy boarder
• Re-glue the wallpaper seams
• Change the wall art

• Hall: 
• Declutter Hall Closet, Desk, and Coat Closet -- I decluttered the desk in February and was able to fit all my linens into a tiny bin in Howard's closet.
• Sell desk, and move in a bench
• Build another shelf in the hall closet -- Since I made enough room in Howard's closet for the linens while decluttering we don't need to build a shelf.  So, I'm crossing this off the list!

• Bathroom:
• Declutter the Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers
• Touch up the paint (Joe and I might actually repaint the entire bathroom, as the color scheme is not great, so this will happen last, if at all - we might just wait and repaint in 2017)

• Living Room:
• Declutter 8 Cube Baskets, 1 End Table, and 3 Dresser Drawers -- I went through the cubes this month and resorted the toys by type.  I had them sorted so that I could just get out one cube and then switch it for another cube every couple days, but each cube has WAY too much in for that.  Now I just open all the cubes, pick an assortment of toys, and then push them back in.  I still rotate the toys every few days, but this allows me to make sure he gets a variety - usually including a puzzle, something with wheels, a 'puzzle-type' toy (stacking rings or shape sorters), and one that makes noise.  Plus a couple of books.  It just made more sense to me to put like with like.  It also makes cleaning up easier at night when he decides to dump a couple cubes out while mama isn't looking.  I've also been working on the dresser drawers; I have 2 done and 1 to go.  I need to purchase another large CD case to put our "series" DVDs in, and then I will be done!

• Finish adding pictures to our 'mural' wall
• Paint the letter 'R' on our 'mural' wall
• Find new art for behind the futon

• Kitchen:
• Declutter 35 Cabinets, 1 Pantry, 1 China Cabinet, and 11 Drawers
  
  Pantry Before and After
  
  China Cabinet After
• Get a new trashcan -- We had purchased a new trashcan for diapers in Howard's room, and it broke practically right away.  Joe said, no problem, he can fix it, that was in October.  Well, since then we have been using a small wicker trash can for diapers, and it's been working great!  We use old grocery bags in it, and when Howard does his stinky for the day, we tie it up and add it to our kitchen trash can (which gets emptied every couple days).  We have had NO problem with smell.  So, when Joe finally glued our practically brand new stainless steel trashcan back together, I took it for the kitchen.  And, I LOVE it!

• Steam the wallpaper off our microwave table, and repaint it
• Paint the windows/sills/trim
• Clean out the chest freezer and defrost it

• Nursery/Office:
• Declutter the Closet, Dresser, Desk, Chest of Drawers, Bookcase, Sewing Table, and Cedar Chest -- I finished the dresser this month.  This is probably where I spent most of my time; it took days to do.  The dresser holds all of my crafting supplies as well as my in-progress scrapbooks.  So, I went through tons of papers, stickers, punches, glues, scissors, and more - three diaper boxes full of stuff left for sale!  I also reorganized my sticker and decal collections while I was at it, and they turned out amazing!  The dresser was a major time-sucker, but I am so pleased with how well it turned out.

• Go through the CD 3-drawer organizer and combine into a large CD case 
• Install new curtain rods and tie backs; Hang new curtains
• Make a new curtain for the closet; Hang
• Buy new Lamp/Shade for the Dresser
• Re-glue wallpaper
• Bring in new chest of drawers (#2)
• Build new shelf (or two) above the desk; Add books to shelves
• Paint the windows/sills and the closet door frame 

• Laundry Room:
•  Declutter Desk, 3 Drawer Stand, Bookcase, and Closet (including stored Christmas decorations)
• Touch up paint from renovation
• Hang art -- still deciding on if this is necessary
• Wash box of new-to-us toys