1. Pay Down the Mortgage
We were able to knock 4 payments off our contract in June {1 regular payment and 3 extra “principal” payments}.
2. Buy Nothing New for 1 Year.
I was tempted to buy a new pair of TOMS {classic black} to go with a dress {I despise heels} but told myself that I’ve made it this far {almost 6 months} and to just suck it up and wear what I have {heels}.
3. Track Spending and Figure Out New Ways to Cut Spending Even More.
I wish there was a way to save on medical bills. 🙁 Do you have any ideas?
4. Try 52 New Recipes.
This past week I tried a new strawberry shortcake recipe and I think it’s my favorite yet!!! I’ll share the recipe on Tuesday.
5. Keep My Grocery Budget Under $100 a Month.
I played catch up this week and went over budget. Which, really is to be expected since I was away for 7 weeks and we needed a bunch of stuff. I’m hoping everything will work out in the end though.
6. Go on 52 Dates with the Handsome Husband
The HH and I did not go on any dates last week but I do have a few penciled in for this week and let me tell you…. they are good ones!
So far this year we’ve gone on 14 dates and spent $191.60 out of pocket for our “dates.”
7. Turn My Wool Stash into $5,000.
I won’t be adding any new inventory to my Etsy or Ebay “shops” for a few months {it’s a slow time of year for selling hooked rugs} but my hands are definitely busy hooking away on new projects that I’ll offer up for sale in the fall.
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.
So far this year I’ve purged 849 items. I guess that means I need to find another 151 items before the yard sale if I want to check this goal off my list before the yard sale in a few weeks.
9. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
I picked up The Woodland Homestead from the library this week but mostly I’ve been catching up on all the magazines I missed while I was away.
10. Track Hours Spent Working on My Vegetable Garden and do a Cost Analysis at the End of the Year.
I harvested lettuce, a few potatoes, 2 small onions, a handful of strawberries and a few peas from the garden this past wee. You can get all my latest gardening happenings over on Dig for Your Dinner.
So far this year I have harvested 8 pound 4 ounces of fresh veggies from our backyard. I spent $19.40 at the greenhouse and about $16 on mulch.
Time spent working on Vegetable Garden in 2016: 13 hours 0 minutes.
11. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks.
Does weeding count? 😉
12. Make all Birthday and Christmas Gifts This Year or Acquire Them for Free.
I didn’t make {or earn} anything new this week but my mom did gift me some used bottles. 🙂 I’m not sure what I am going to use them for but I’m sure I’ll come up with something.
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2016? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2016 Goals HERE.
Florence says
Use those bottles to make vanilla extract for Christmas gifts. It’s very simple to do and will save a lot of $$$ by making it instead of buying it.
Mavis Butterfield says
I bet the HB’s have vodka I could barter for.
Heather says
I have negotiated a credit for my copay, if I pay my balance in cash. I also use cash as an option for payment, if my insurance will only pay something negligible. I have found Dr.’s that take a flat fee and you file your own insurance claims. Depends on how much work you are willing to do. It’s amazing how much services cost if you have insurance and what businesses are willing to take if you pay cash. With your negotiating skills, I’m sure you can find some alternatives.
Donna says
Does your husband’s company have an FSA account? You set aside money for medical and it lowers your taxable income. My biggest problem is I always seem to underestimate what I will use each year.
Tera says
Use those two tall bottles with caps to make vanilla extract! Then gift it 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Great minds think alike.
Andrea D says
Some of those bottles would be great gifts filled with homemade vanilla.
Mavis Butterfield says
Another great idea!! I have a bunch of beans.
Julie says
What type of vanilla beans do you use (what grade?)? When you’re done can you please post a recipe with links to purchase the beans? There are so many options and I don’t want to pay for premium beans if I don’t have to.
Mavis Butterfield says
My mom buys me a few tubes of vanilla beans every year from Costco so I typically use those. Yes,I will do a post on vanilla beans soon, I think it’s great idea. Amazon always has some deals on beans… Here is where to find them.
Crystal says
You can use those bottles to make flavored oils or liquor. For the oils, you can add herbs like rosemary in nice big pieces and then fill it up with a good quality olive oil. For flavored liquors, you can pick fresh raspberries or other berries, put them in a canning jar with a simple syrup and vodka, let sit for a month or two, shaking every so often, then strain and bottle. Homemade, but fancy.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Crystal. 🙂 I think I’m going to try it.
Jessica says
Denticare is a great supplemental program to your dental insurance. You might look into that. We only have one participating provider in my area but they are good and the rates are outstanding.
Deborah from FL says
About those bottles from your mom… The tall ones on the left would be great for Herb-Infused Olive Oil. It’d make a terrific gift. 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
That is a great idea!!! Thanks Deborah from FL.
Kim says
Am I seeing a magazine about Maine in your stack there? We are planning a trip to Maine and Nantucket Island in late September. Have you been either place? Any recommendations? (You helped us decide to go to Monticello last fall.)
Rebekah U says
Hey Mavis!! Our family has had some LARGE medical bills. At first I would just suck it up, and pay the bill in chunks without contacting anyone. However, once, the bill was so large that we did not have the cash on hand. So, I called the number on the invoice to let them know I was going to have to make payments. The lady placed me on hold, and then came back to the phone and offered me close to 40% off of the invoice total if I could pay that amount in full that day. So! I figured out a way to do that to take advantage of the discount. Since I had that experience, I call the provider for all large bills and ask if they can discount for immediate payment, and if they do not, then I take advantage of any no interest payment plans they offer. Best of luck to you!
Julie says
Someone else already said this, but ask if they offer a discount if you pay your bill in full (and on time). I’ve had this work a few times!
On a totally unrelated note, have you done a post on what all is recyclable in those plastic bag recycling collection thingys at grocery stores? I heard recently you can put in cereal box bags! What about wrappers for stuff? Like the clear bags bulk diapers are packed in? Or toilet paper wrap? We bought a mattress recently that was wrapped in plastic…recyclable??
Julia says
I needed an MRI with contrast for my wrist (roller skating accident, silly me) and when the office called to confirm my appointment they offered me a discount if I pre-paid my uninsured portion. Of course I paid and got the discount. And it doesn’t hurt to call and ask the billing office if they can reduce the bill, especially if it is a large bill.
Holley says
I’ve called and asked for discounts on several medical bills in the past. Most will give you a discount if you pay in full at that point in time!!! It’s worth a try! Only a few minutes on the phone can save you a lot of money!!!! Good luck!
Anne says
Don’t forget to review the hospital/doctor bill for errors. I once saved several hundred dollars by going over the bill, then meeting with the financial dept. questioning unknown items. Good luck!