Goals Update: October 2016

October was definitely the calm before the storm.  November is gearing up to be a super busy month full of work, teas, family get togethers, shopping, cleaning, baking, decorating, and just the general everyday craziness as well.  I did make some progress in October, and I am hoping to keep the momentum up for the remainder of the year.  I am right on track for most of my goals, but probably 1 or 2 are not going to make it, but we will see, I'm trying to be hopeful - wish me luck!
So, here's how things are going so far for the year...

Personal:

• Lose 20 lbs (about 1.5 lbs a month) -  I have lost 15 pounds!  I didn't lose any more in October, but I also didn't gain any, so that's good.  Things are getting busier at work, which means more walking and less snacking, so we'll see if that helps in November!
• Exercise 292 days - In October I exercised 27 out of 31 days.  For a total of 252 for the year.  I'm right on track with this goal! 
• Drink at least 70 oz of water everyday - I have been trying really hard to keep up with this, but hot tea is definitely calling my name, and I am indulging much more than I like to. 

 Financial:

• Coupon and deal shop to stick to my $350/month budget - I shared my budget update for October here.  If you click over, you can see all of the great things I was able to stock-up on while still staying $41 under budget!  This included diapers, vitamins, soup, and a variety of other items.
• Earn at least 6 - $25 Amazon gift card through Swagbucks - I did not earn another gift card in October, but I'm very close.  Only 2 more to go for this year to meet my goal!  4 Down, and 2 to go.
• List at least 10 things per month online or 120 for the year - I did not list anything in October.  I am pretty sure I am not going to make this goal for this year, but we'll see.  January - Check (23), February - no check (0), March - Check (43), April - no check (1), May -no check (0), June - no check (0), July - no check (0), August - no check (0), September - no check (0), October - no check (0)
• Set up at 6 Flea Markets/Shows to sell our wares - We set up at a flea market at the beginning of October, and we did fairly well.  Our last one for the year is in November.  Total for the year =5

Household:

• Completely declutter the entire house - Finished in September.
• Finish my 2016 project list - I have my project list update posted separately. I finished up a few more projects in October.  There's only a couple left!!!

Blogging:

• Post at least 3 times a week - I was able to post 3 times a week in October.  All totaled I posted 41 times in October!!!! 
• Do a 31 day series in October - Finished!  This is such a huge amount of work, but I so enjoyed sharing my tips with you all.  It makes me feel so accomplished :-)
• Set up a Facebook page for my blog - Not yet, I am hoping to get this done in November.

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...

31 Days of Money-Saving Tips: Day #31 - Save What You Can, When You Can

Over the past 31 days I have shared so many different ways to save money, but today's tip is an umbrella to them all.  You need to save what you can, when you can.  So, in other words, don't worry about that lady down the street who has a crazy garden, cans everything in sight, hangs her laundry, and extreme coupons - worry about you and what you can do to save money.  Everyone saves money differently, and 'you need to do you,' or so the saying goes.  Don't compare yourself to others, or feel like you should be doing so much more than you are; the day will come when you are a Super Saver, but for now just do what you can.  Every little bit helps, so pick a couple of tips and focus on those for awhile.  Once you've got them down, pick a few more.  Build your money-saving arsenal of tricks like a fort - set a good foundation, and then build on top of it one block at a time.  You are not going to save a million dollars in a day, but those dollars add up, so just keep on keepin' on!

I hope you all have enjoyed this 31 Days series, as I have so enjoyed sharing these tips with all of you!
Leave me a comment down below letting me know what your favorite tip was, or share some of your own money-saving tips.

Photos for this series are from Flickr.  They are pictures that are under the license of ‘commercial and mods allowed.’  Edits were done by me.  The licensor does not endorse me or my use.

Link to license is here https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

License explanation is here https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

31 Days of Money-Saving Tips: Day #30 - Upgrade Instead of Buying New

One money-saving tip that I have discovered over the years is that upgrading is almost always cheaper than buying new.  Now I don't know if this can also be applied to things like insurance, or cars, but I know that it definitely applies to home decor.  As you can see in the picture above, I am a devote lover of spray paint, and I feel as though it can make almost anything better.  Instead of going out and buying new lamps, or frames, or end tables, spray paint your old ones for a fresh look at a fraction of the cost.  I have done this with knick-knacks as well.  Now, what about things that you can't spray paint?  Well, see if there is another way that you can upgrade them instead of buying new...

• Make or buy new pillow cases instead of a whole new throw pillow
• Keep your same wreath on your front door and just add a few flowers from the Dollar Tree instead of buying a whole new wreath
• Change out the hardware on your dresser or desk instead of buying a new piece of furniture

So, instead of buying new, see if you can upgrade the existing item instead.  Not only is it 'greener,' but it can save you some green as well!

Photos for this series are from Flickr.  They are pictures that are under the license of ‘commercial and mods allowed.’  Edits were done by me.  The licensor does not endorse me or my use.

Link to license is here https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/legalcode

License explanation is here https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/