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2012 Update Week: Goals for December – Choose Contentment

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Goals for November

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Happy 12/12/12! I could not allow update week to zoom by without addressing the unusual date along with my 2012 goals. You have watched my successes and failures this year with my established goals, and I love bringing this update on a special day.

Finishing 2012, I am amazed at the progress made on the goals that I thought were attainable for me on paper. Some goals surprised me with ease while others are not going to beat me. 😉

In completing this year, I present my last update to my 2012 goals. The following is my overview of my November goals as I continue the progress throughout December.

Physical

Drink 4 glasses of water per day.  I’m still struggling with this goal, especially on the weekends. Going from sips of water to a minimum of 3 per day thrills me. I am continuing on to master that 4th glass.

Eat breakfast each morning. Done!

Exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week. In making exercise a priority, I took a fast-paced walk through our neighborhood on Sunday afternoon as the rest of the family took a nap. I walk as often as possible, but I still struggle.

Family

Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Accomplished!

Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Done!

Allow children to help with a household task each week. They continue to help, especially when a game, tool, or reward is included. My son is enjoying rinsing the dishes after meals. Didn’t realize he would love this task so much. 🙂

Financial

Follow Crystal’s year-long plan to reach my goals. As I continue to count my blessings to remind me of what I don’t deserve, my focus turns from my immediate concerns to contentment.

Purchase dressers for my daughters’ room. This goal is ongoing. We are planning to redecorate the girls’ room in spring, so this goal is on hold.

Purchase upgraded computers for hubby and me. This goal is also ongoing. Looks like this goal might get accomplished before the end of the year.

Business

Write posts one week in advance. Not happening. However, I’m excited at the progress made in scheduling which saves me time. Sometimes it is a blessing to post on-time. I’m happy that all post are now current! 🙂

Make one improvement to the blog this month. Added some affiliate relationships, but no visible progress this month.

Read two chapters of blog book each month. No progress this month. My reading these days consist of 2nd grade and kindergarten material. 🙂

Though my progress may seem small, all these baby steps equal a giant step toward my final destination. Don’t be surprised when some of these same goals remain for 2013. This process is stretching me, and I’m thrilled to keep on learning and improving.

As you continue this month on finishing 2012, end strong. Happy sprinting to the finish line on 12/12/12!

Question: How are your goals coming along?

Goals for November 2012: Never Pay Retail

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Goals for November

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Month 11 is upon us. I cannot believe how far I’ve come with these goals that I never really thought I would accomplish this year. With some goals easier than others, I am enjoying this process.

Seeing the finish line for 2012, I am cracking down to finish well. In moving forward, the following is my recap of October and my goals for November:

Physical

Drink 4 glasses of water per day.  Though drinking 3 consistently, I have not mastered that 4th glass yet.

Eat breakfast each morning. Done!

Exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week. With soccer season complete, I am missing my walks during practice. This goal is really hard for me. When I get down a routine, it changes, and then I’m back to finding a new schedule. This goal is keeping me on my toes. 😉

Family

Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Accomplished!

Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Done!

Allow children to help with a household task each week. They continue to help, especially when a game, tool, or reward is included.

Financial

Follow Crystal’s year-long plan to reach my goals. From last month, I got my coupons organized. Yeah! This month’s goal is to never pay retail. Why would I ever pay retail, when there are so many ways to save? 🙂 My favorite saving strategy this time of year is through on-line shopping in addition to coupons and other deals.

Purchase dressers for my daughters’ room. This goal is ongoing. We are planning to redecorate the girls’ room in spring, so this goal is on hold.

Purchase upgraded computers for hubby and me. This goal is also ongoing. We might have a solution. I’ll keep you posted.

Business

Write posts one week in advance. I’m just writing. I am still behind on posts, but I’m catching up. October posts are finished, now working on November. However, I have posts scheduled through the end of the year. I just need to keep writing. 🙂

Make one improvement to the blog this month. No progress this month.

Read two chapters of blog book each month. No progress this month.

With a large fundraiser on the horizon, I had to put some of these items on the back burner. In using time wisely, I made some baby steps forward which is progress. As you keep pressing on, finish well. Happy goal reaching!

Question: How are your goals coming along?

Goals for October 2012: Use Coupons

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Goals for August

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Your eyes are not deceiving you; two months (September and October) are dedicated to using coupons.

With the craziness of my schedule these past few weeks, my coupon binders are a mess. I have inserts organized, but not cut and filed.

Though listed on my To Do list, my coupon binders are low in order of priority.

This process is tough, and I’m thankful for the goals to keep my eyes pointed in the right direction. In pressing forward, the following is my recap of September and my goals for October:

Physical

Drink 4 glasses of water per day.  Yeah! Back up to 3 glasses of water per day. Now I’m aiming for 4 glasses.  

Eat breakfast each morning. With the morning routine down to a science, I have added a granola bar to my schedule. Though not bacon and eggs, this breakfast option works for me right now.

Exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week. This goal is my nemesis. I’m terrible at it and have a new perspective. Our school is considering a 5K run in the spring. I would love to get back into running. With some motivation and a deadline, I am aiming to finish a 5K this spring. In the meantime, I walk and jog the track during my son’s soccer practice each week. Something is better than nothing. 😉

Family

Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Accomplished! This is my favorite goal this year. Among visits to the apple farm, celebrating Columbus Day, and family dinners, our family has been on the move having fun together. Keeping this goal a high priority!

Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Accomplished! My schedule has these times built in: with my toddler all morning, then with my kindergartner while the toddler gets her nap, and later with my son.

Allow children to help with a household task each week. Done! Our home is staying cleaner with my children helping with the cleaning.

Financial

Follow Crystal’s year-long plan to reach my goals. Couponing is going well. Though my binders are a mess, I still sort through to find the coupons I need. 🙂 My menu planning has been hit or miss during this busy season. However, our well-stocked pantry and freezer keep my family fed.

Purchase dressers for my daughters’ room. This goal is ongoing. No progress this month, and I have not begun looking for replacements.

Purchase upgraded computers for hubby and me. This goal is also ongoing. Put aside savings this month towards this goal and researching options.

Business

Write posts one week in advance. I’m just writing. I am behind on posts, but I’m catching up. 😉

Make one improvement to the blog this month. No progress this month.

Read two chapters of blog book each month. This goal fell by the wayside. I have been asked to edit/proofread an author’s new book, so I look forward to getting some reading done next month.

Progress is slow or non-existent, but life happens. As I work through the challenges, I discover new strengths and weaknesses of my own.

In using time wisely, I am better for having these goals than if I were just wandering along through life. Set goals, and start accomplishing. Happy goal reaching!

Question: How are your goals coming along?

Goals for September 2012: Use Coupons

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Goals for August

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Replacing those lazy days of summer are busy days on the run. Accepting the fact that I spend more time in the van than I really want, I am working to keep life simple.

Coming off August where our family was on vacation most of the month, I am slowly finding our groove.

If I measured my goals on my progress each month, then I would get discouraged because my progress is slow. However, looking back to January, I see how far I’ve come. If you are struggling with your goals, reevaluate, and keep going. Setbacks will come. Accept them, regroup, and proceed.

The following is my recap of August, and my goals for September:

Physical

Drink 4 glasses of water per day.  Water really is great for me, but I went back to sweet tea and diet coke. Need to get back on track.  

Eat breakfast each morning. The morning routine is busy, and I don’t always eat breakfast, so I’m struggling with this goal again.

Exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week. Not sure where to fit in this goal. I do walk the track once a week during my son’s soccer practice, but I need more exercise. Can anyone recommend a regularly-updated health blog? I need a cheerleading squad. 😉

Family

Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Accomplished! This goal doesn’t seem hard because it is so fun. We attended a baseball game, enjoyed the vanilla ice cream cones at Burger King, family dinner, soccer games, and dressing up like Pirates for Talk Like a Pirate Day. Love this goal, and keeping it all year.

Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Accomplished! This goal is easier with my children on different schedules. I get to spend time with my toddler all morning, then help my kindergartner with her homework, and later work with my son. Thrilled that this priority is working.

Allow children to help with a household task each week. Done! After cleaning out their desks AGAIN, my children are still learning, but mostly put their items away. It is a process, and we are moving forward.

Financial

Follow Crystal’s year-long plan to reach my goals. I’m adjusting this goal. For months June, July, and August, Crystal recommends a full-fledged budget and going cash-only. Agreeing to compromise with the cash-only by using cash for big purchases and credit card for weekly expenses, I am on track.

For the full-fledged budget, I need a better system than pen and paper. If anyone uses an online or electronic system, then please share. I’m moving on to the September and October goal of using coupons. Though I am already using coupons, I need to get my menu plan completed at the beginning of each week for September.

Purchase dressers for my daughters’ room. This goal is ongoing. No progress this month, but we are in no hurry.

Purchase upgraded computers for hubby and me. This goal is also ongoing. Put aside savings this month towards this goal.

Business

Write posts one week in advance. Took a big step backwards this month. The last two weeks have been tough, and I’m still getting posts written. I am taking baby steps getting back to this goal. Grateful for the taste of victory before falling behind, but I press on and keep writing.

Make one improvement to the blog this month. Accomplished! I upgraded my plugins to improve the speed of Using Time Wisely. My project of upgrading and correcting older posts is still a work in progress. 

Read two chapters of blog book each month. Reading lots of children’s books, but no blog books. Keeping this goal to try again in September.

Thankfully, I made progress on my family goals since major improvements are needed with my physical goals. With each month having its challenges, I refuse to give up. When it gets tough, I readjust, focus, and start again. Encouraged by the improvements, I take these new goals and move forward. You can do it, too. Happy goal reaching!

Question: How are your goals coming along?

Goals for August 2012: Cash-Only Challenge – Again

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Goals for August

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Angie Torres)

Still enjoying our summer days, but it is quickly coming to an end next week. We arrived home over the weekend from a 2.5 week vacation. Well, the kids and I stayed that long. Paul came back after 1.5 weeks.

We enjoyed lots of attractions and family time, but it’s getting time to get back on a routine. From the looks of my goals, I need my routine back. Not all is lost. I am making some progress, and Rome wasn’t built in a day. 😉

If you are just joining me, I set these goals (listed in bold print) in January 2012. The financial goals are based on Crystal Paine’s The Money Saving Mom’s Budget. Each month, I post how I’m doing on these goals. Feel free to jump in and comment on your goals. It’s never too late to get moving.

The following is a recap of my progress from July, and my current goals for August 2012 (I know we are almost in September, so I better get busy. ;-)):

Physical

Drink 4 glasses of water per day.  Fell back on this one. Florida water is not as tasty as South Carolina H2O. Even with the filter, the water did not quench my thirst. I drank too many glasses of refreshing sweet tea. It has lots of water, but I need to get back on track for August.  

Eat breakfast each morning. Excellent job! I did skip the greasy doughnuts served as the continental breakfast at our hotel, but I am on track with this goal.

Exercise for 20 minutes at least 3 times a week. No official exercise, but we stayed moving. Walking through the zoo (3 times), science museum, children’s museum (twice), the pier, and the botanical gardens wore me out. This goal has been tough. I think I will try to find a good exercise/healthy living blog to encourage me on this upward mountain. Can anyone recommend such a blog that is updated regularly?

Family

Plan at least one family outing/activity each week. Accomplished! Even without the family vacation, we have stayed busy with entertaining guests at home, shopping together, getting our home clean, and enjoying dinner with friends. Love this goal, and keeping it all year.

Spend 10 minutes with each child each day. Fell back on this one, especially on vacation. With all the preparations, I spent limited time with them one-on-one. Then on vacation, we played together. I guess some days I spent more than 10 minutes with one child, but not with each. In working through a new routine this fall, this time will get carefully scheduled.

Allow children to help with a household task each week. Definitely could not have gotten the house clean before we left without help. My kids are doing a great job helping out and taking ownership of their tasks. Using time wisely to show them how to clean has been time well spent.

Financial

Follow Crystal’s year-long plan to reach my goals. I’m still behind on this goal because I need to research some of the budget items. Being away from home and my files did not help. I hope to get this done though I am unmotivated to do so. I know I’ll be glad when it is in place, but I just need to do it. Keep me accountable because I need you there to get me to the finish line.

Purchase dressers for my daughters’ room. This goal is ongoing. We received princess decorations from a cousin who outgrew these items. Looks like next year (2013), Paul and I will design a princess room for our daughters. This is after our Noah’s Ark nursery gets transformed into a sports room for our son.

Purchase upgraded computers for hubby and me. This goal is also ongoing. Remember we purchased more memory in June for my laptop? Well, it worked. I am seeing better use of my time with faster processing. Thrilled with this upgrade and will continue to seek options for upgrading Paul’s machine and my desktop.

Business

Write posts one week in advance. Don’t fall over, but I’m ahead. I know it only took me 8 months, but I never would have gotten here had I not started. The goal now is to keep the momentum going (*insert happy dance here*). 🙂

Make one improvement to the blog this month. Accomplished! I upgraded my widgets (on the sidebar) and affiliate links. My project of upgrading and correcting older posts is still a work in progress.  

Read two chapters of blog book each month. Read some, but not sure if I finished 2 chapters. My reading has slipped away. Though I enjoy reading one book at a time, I was encouraged to start more than one type of book. Then depending on my mood, pick the one I feel like reading. Not sure how I feel about reading multiple books at the same time.

Though I’ve been gone part of August, I am still making progress with my goals. This journey is full of choices, and some months I make more progress than others. When the going gets tough, I only need to glance back to see how far I’ve come. That motivation keeps me moving forward. Keep striving for your goals!

Question: What are your reading habits? One book or multiple books going at the same time?