1. Pay Down the Mortgage
We were able to make 6 additional payments towards the principal for September.
2. Buy Nothing New for 1 Year.
Well, I failed. I got one of those Kohl’s save $10 off a $10 purchase coupons in the mail and ended up spending $0.12 on a pair of Nike socks to stuff in The Girl’s Christmas stocking. True, I could have walked out of the store with a pair of totally inappropriate beer pong socks for free, or a spatula for $0.22 {I didn’t need one} but instead I shelled out big bucks {or coins rather} to get something we’d actually use.
3. Track Spending and Figure Out New Ways to Cut Spending Even More.
Too busy this week to think. 😉
4. Try 52 New Recipes.
I tried 2 new recipes this week. Fresh corn spoon bread and zucchini tots. I’ll share the recipe on Monday.
5. Keep My Grocery Budget Under $100 a Month.
So far in September I’ve spent $49.92 on groceries.
6. Go on 52 Dates with the Handsome Husband
Yesterday I dragged the HH to see the new Bridget Jones’ movie {it was super cheesy, but cute}. The last movie I can remember seeing in a movie theater was Diary of a Wimpy Kid with Monkey Boy and The Girl. I was shocked to see that movie matinee prices were $9!!! Seriously. Isn’t that nuts?
They sell beer and wine at the movie theater now and have giant reclining seats with pull out airline trays {to hold your food}. Popcorn and a soda cost $15. There is a no tolerance policy for phones {good}. And now there is reserved seating {which I didn’t like because really, what if there is a total weirdo in the seat/aisle next to the one I’ve chosen at the ticket counter. What if I want to change seats!?}.
Eh. No thanks. I don’t think I’ll be back. I miss the old movie theaters. When you were there to actually WATCH A MOVIE, maybe have a little {overpriced, yes} popcorn. Not lay back, drink beer, and stuff your face with a Caesar salad or a gourmet vegan hot dog and have to feel like they’re trying to sell you something every time you turn your body 10 degrees in the lobby.
I don’t want to join your email list. Sign up for your rewards program. Watch 15 minutes of infomercials, then another 10 minutes of movie trailers or be told there is a theater employee named Zack standing near the exit sign in case there is anything the staff can do the enhance my experience. Seriously.
I’d much rather watch a movie at home.
#EndOfRant 😉
So far this year we’ve gone on 26 dates and spent $412.44 out of pocket for our dates.
7. Turn My Wool Stash into $5,000.
I’m back on Etsy and Ebay and this past week I sold $134.92 worth of my hooked rugs. That brings my “craft money” total up to $4563.81 for the year. Only $436.19 left to reach my goal!
So far in September I’ve sold $699.65
In August I sold $329
In April I sold $29.99
In March I sold $799.53
In February I sold $1077.27
In January I sold $1563.92
8. Get Rid of 1,000 Things.
Large wooden bowls, a pie plate, glass mixing bowls, a stock pot, old mashers and some other random stuff were the victims of my latest decluttering episode. 🙂 Thinning out your belongs takes time and the more you open your cupboards… the more you realize you don’t need all that “stuff.”
So far this year I’ve gotten rid of 1083+ things.
9. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
I didn’t read anything new this past week. And although I’m pretty sure I’ve already read 52 books this year {I should have done a better job keeping track} I am still on the lookout for a good book and am looking for suggestions.
10. Track Hours Spent Working on My Vegetable Garden and do a Cost Analysis at the End of the Year.
I was at the hospital all but 1 day last week and had ZERO time to spend in the garden or on my garden blog, Dig for Your Dinner. My brother is not improving {nor will he} but he is comfortable, on morphine and was able to enjoy a few bites of real food for the first time in a week. I’m hoping to manage my time a little better next week so I can get some things planted, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
Time spent working on Vegetable Garden in 2016: 20 hours 15 minutes.
11. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks.
I painted an old canvas we had laying around white, added the words Live Simply and hung that baby on the wall behind my desk. It’s a big improvement over the tissue paper balls I had hanging in there. 🙂
12. Make all Birthday and Christmas Gifts This Year or Acquire Them for Free.
I redeemed some Best Western points and scored a $25 gift card to Target {for The Girl for Christmas}.
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2016? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2016 Goals HERE.
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