1. Pay Down the Mortgage
We were able to make 2 additional payments towards the principal for August which leaves us with exactly 4 years and 10 months of additional principal payments to make if we are going to hit my original goal of getting our original 30 year mortage down to 20 years by the end of the year.
How am I going to do this? Well, believe it or not I have a really good 4 step plan in place that I’ll be telling you about soon.
2. Buy Nothing New for 1 Year.
Well, I cracked again. This time it was $0.65 for a new bra and underwear. What can I say… I’m weak.
3. Track Spending and Figure Out New Ways to Cut Spending Even More.
Only crazy people pay others to recycle for them. And YES… that is my summer “outfit.” My favorite Keens, an 8 year old pair of shorts that now have white paint on the side of them {snif, snif} and a GAP Tee. I don’t belong here. I look weird. I know that. And I totally do not care. I belong in the Northeast where it’s totally acceptable to walk around in a long sleeved shirt at all times because it could snow at any minute.
Also, I think my hair might be getting too long again. Do you think there is an age when you can’t wear ponytails anymore? Does anyone else ponder these things? Maybe I need to stop hanging around dumpsters and clearance racks and go clubbing to find out.
4. Try 52 New Recipes.
No freakin’ way. I made something new!!!
5. Keep My Grocery Budget Under $100 a Month.
So far this year I’ve spent $938.31 on groceries. That leaves me with exactly $52.34 a month for the rest of the year. Think I can do it?
6. Go on 52 Dates with the Handsome Husband
The HH was too busy with work to go on any dates this past week but we do have plans to venture out later today.
So far this year we’ve gone on 22 dates and spent $370.52 out of pocket for our dates.
7. Turn My Wool Stash into $5,000.
Things are getting intense around here. 😉 I’m kidding. But I seriously need to make some “craft money” this fall so I can put a dent in our mortage. I downloaded 4 free patterns this week and I’ll be working on those next. I’m hoping to get some rugs listed the last week in August.
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.
About 8 years ago I picked up a bunch of red glasses on clearance from Pier 1 Imports and have only pulled them out two or three times in all those years. So, I decided to add them to next year’s yard sale pile. I held back 2 glasses though to set out on the kitchen counter for when we go to sell the house. This brings my total 975 “things” for the year.
9. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
The latest stack {from that place that let’s you read their books for FREE!
- Salty Sweets
- All the Presidents’ Gardens
- The Bean Book
- Vegetarian Cooking
10. Track Hours Spent Working on My Vegetable Garden and do a Cost Analysis at the End of the Year.
This week I harvested a few beets, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes and herbs. You can read all about my latest gardening adventures over on Dig for Your Dinner.
So far this year I have harvested 41 pounds 8 ounces of fresh veggies from our backyards. I spent $19.40 at the greenhouse and about $16 on mulch.
Time spent working on Vegetable Garden in 2016: 18 hours 30 minutes.
11. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks.
This week I painted the office doors and the baseboard trim. Next on the list is to paint the window frame and then create something for the wall behind the desk. I have something in mind already but need to acquire the necessary items to complete the project {for free hopefully}.
12. Make all Birthday and Christmas Gifts This Year or Acquire Them for Free.
Darn! I was totally hoping to get a gift for someone with my $10 Kohl’s coupon but spent it on myself instead. I did however figure out I can get a $100 Amazon gift card if I cash in some airline miles so I think I might do that for the kids Christmas gifts this year. We’ll see.
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2016? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2016 Goals HERE
Sarah says
Which airline gives gift cards for miles?
Mavis Butterfield says
I’ll be cashing in some of our American Express points {which I normally use for free flights} for gift cards this winter.
Lindsey says
Did you try rubbing alcohol on the paint? It works great at getting it out of clothes. Use the 91% variety and pour it on , wait ten minutes or so and scrub it with a soft toothbrush and then wash in the machine.
Mavis Butterfield says
I didn’t but I will! Thanks for the suggestion.
Em says
I don’t know what age is too old for a pony tail, but you’re not there yet!
Maelynn says
There is no age limit of pony tails. I plan to have a beautiful long white (grey) pony tail. Half way there now 🙂
Erin says
You seem to be painting all the time! No offense but do you actually paint the rooms of your house once a year or something? It just seems like you’re always finding something else to paint.
Mavis Butterfield says
HA! No but we have white trim and I can’t bare to see it nicked up.
Erin says
What is up with that ridiculously tall donation container?! How is a short person supposed to be able to donate anything, lol!?
Sheryl says
Our local dumpsters have steps up to a wooden platform to help make us tall enough!
Carol says
So, I noticed you’ve been harvesting potatoes, but I don’t see any expense listed for seedling potatoes. Did you plant held-over potatoes harvested in 2015? Potatoes purchased at the grocery store? Also, I haven’t seen tagro listed as an expense, which I seem to recall you use to replace all the soil in your raised beds each year.
Marcia says
I didn’t make goals this year. I feel like I should. I guess my goals are to go to work every day, keep my kids alive?
Jenny says
My Grandma is 87 and has a pony tail.
A while ago I decided not to worry about whether I was too old to do stuff or wear certain things. I really like ribbons in my hair and if it makes me happy I am going to do it.
I beat the kids and won the cartwheel contest in my house with a ribbon in my hair.
Vivian Blossom says
I am 77 and have just grown a 9 inch long ponytail. I have never had long hair in my life and decided to just go for it….and I don’t give one big darn whether anyone else likes it or not!
Darla says
I visited my local bookstore during an icy winter day and surprised the lady working there. She had not expected anyone to come in during such awful weather, so she had taken her bun down and was brushing her hair. That beautiful hair went nearly to her knees. She admits to being 80, but secretly told me she was a bit older than that.
So wear your hair at whatever length pleases you!
Hazel says
I’ve had short hair for years because my hair just doesn’t grow very well past a Louise Brooks-length bob (and the style requires an awful lot more input than I’m willing to give it on a daily basis!)
However, I want to have grey Heidi plaits when I’m old. I consequently spend more time than I should pondering at what age I should start to grow my hair in order to do it. Should I wait until it’s grey? Or should I grow my hair then go grey? You’d think I don’t have anything better to think about!
Mavis Butterfield says
All grey braids would be stunning!