1. Pay Down the Mortgage
We were able to knock 8 payments off our contract in April {1 regular payment and 7 extra “principal” payments} thanks to the HH earning a extra last month. We didn’t have any surprises in our budget {yay!} and I was also able to use my “rug hooking money” to go towards the extra payments in April as well.
The inspiration for this goal came last fall when I was pestering the HH about moving {for the millionth time}. I jokingly asked him “What about if we paid off the mortgage. Then could we move to the east coast?”
“Ya sure, whatever,” He said.
Dear husband, if you are reading this… You should know by now that you should NEVER underestimate your highly motivated wife. 😉 Eye on the prize people. Eye on the prize.
2. Buy Nothing New for 1 Year.
It’s amazing. When you have a crazy goal like paying down your mortgage, your wants suddenly decrease. HOWEVER, these chicken prints on Etsy and the most amazing handmade teapots by Sarah Pike caught my eye this past week. If it was a spending year… I’d totally be buying.
3. Track Spending and Figure Out New Ways to Cut Spending Even More.
- I mended one of my Gap tees {why do the underarms always tear?!}
- Decided to do a “spend free” grocery month for April
- Paid bills online
- Borrowed books from the library
- Cleaned the living room and dining room carpets with our carpet cleaner
4. Try 52 New Recipes.
Oh my word. Last night I made the best chicken lasagna on the planet. I’ll share the recipe with you on Tuesday… but man oh man was it ever good.
5. Keep My Grocery Budget Under $100 a Month.
Since I’m a little over budget for the year I’ve decided to do a no spend grocery month for April. Hopefully it will get me back on track.
6. Go on 52 Dates with the Handsome Husband
No date with the HH this week… He was too busy with work.
So far this year we’ve gone on 10 dates and spent $109.52 out of pocket for our “dates.”
7. Turn My Wool Stash into $5,000.
I didn’t add any new inventory to my Etsy or Ebay “shops” this past week because I’ve been busy working on some fall/winter pieces. Plus, late spring and summer is usually pretty slow in terms of selling finished rug hooking pieces so I’m just concentrating on hooking new pieces right now.
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.
This week I went through a bunch of magazines I’ve been holding onto and stuck them in the garage sale pile. I figure if nobody buys them at the yard sale, I’ll just donate them to a Doctor’s office or something.
9. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
I didn’t read any new books this past week {just magazines mostly} and I’m still waiting to read A Man Called Ove and I am currently #43 of 56 in line on the library request list.
10. Track Hours Spent Working on My Vegetable Garden and do a Cost Analysis at the End of the Year.
Lucy and I puttered around the garden this week setting out lettuce starts and planting carrots and beets. You can read about my latest gardening adventures HERE.
So far this year I have harvested 6 pound 2 ounces of fresh veggies from our backyard.
Time spent working on Vegetable Garden in 2016: 6 hours 30 minutes.
11. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks.
Yesterday I went around the exterior of the house and touched up a few spots that needed a little paint. I think I might tackle the office french doors this week {a total pain if you ask me}.
12. Make all Birthday and Christmas Gifts This Year or Acquire Them for Free.
I didn’t make anything new this week to give as gifts but I am still looking into ways to earn some free gift cards for the kids.
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2016? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2016 Goals HERE.
Lindsey says
I just finished a man called ove. It was amazing. I feel for you having to wait so long…. It’s really worth it though!!
Amanda says
I LOVED A Man Called Ove. I laughed. I cried. I reread it immediately. It’s worth the wait..
Linda says
I too am waitlisted for Ove. In the meantime, how about the Neapolitan series by Elena Ferrante? I just finished book 1, My Brilliant Friend, & loved it.
Susan says
Ooh, I second the Neapolitan series. They’re intense and so well written. I loved reading the series, but had to sometimes take short breaks to process the writing and characters.
Lee Ann says
How are going to have a spend free grocery this month? Do you have everything you need for an entire month?
I look forward to reading about it.
Helen in Meridian says
I bought a big sack of pinto beans and also black beans in February. I decided to cook some pintos in my electric pressure cooker this week, using your recipe with salsa. It was great and then Sat. I used some of them to make juevos ranchero for breakfast Sat. It was good. I know you like breakfast for dinner, so you might want to try it too.
Marcia says
We just got back from a trip to Utah. I did work on an afghan I am making as a Christmas present. At this rate, I will finish hand making 2 gifts for the year. Ah well.
I also finished a book while there (that my MIL gave me). At the rental house, there were two other books – A scoot Turow book and The Martian. Well, I’ve been wanting to read the Martian, and my husband has it on his kindle. But I like actual books. So I took The Martian and left the book I had finished. Totally kosher right?
Food budget wise, I think I may have to increase it again. The vacation was tough – I totally misjudged the amount of food we needed, and I had to shop daily. During a normal week, my 10 year old eats a snack (free), lunch ($2.50) and a snack (free) at school. My 3 year old eats 2 snacks and lunch at daycare (included). Well, we were enjoying hikes and snowball fights and…I guess I didn’t realize how much my kids actually eat during the day.
Alice says
What mortgage calculator (or site) are you using at the top of the post, that shows contracted and actual remaining term? Also, if you don’t mind, is your contracted payment once a month or twice a month. I’m just trying to decide if you mean your 8 payments covers 8 months or 4 months.
Mavis Butterfield says
Our payments are once a month, so 8 payments.
Alice says
Thank you.
And the calculator?