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.
This past week I really wanted to buy a new pair of jeans, these slippers, these shoes {to go with my brown corduroy pants} a case of Hula Hoops {the best crisps ever!} and a bottle of grape soda. I didn’t buy anything of course… but a girl can dream, right?
Even though I want stuff, I don’t feel deprived nor do I think I’ll go crazy on January 1st and buy a bunch of stuff. It’s weird really, this whole not buying stuff little game of mine and I’m still not sure what to make of the whole experiment yet.
3. Track Spending and Figure Out New Ways to Cut Spending Even More.
- Much to my husbands horror {and my mother’s delight} after cooking a meal and turning the oven off I left the oven door open. Because hey, I paid for that heat!
- I went to the bank twice this week and enjoyed a free cup of hot tea both times I was there. Guess who saved 2 tea bags this week? That would be ME. 🙂
4. Try 52 New Recipes.
This week I tried a whopping 2 recipes Cheesy Zucchini Tots and Pumpkin Bars.
5. Keep My Grocery Budget Under $100 a Month.
Ya. So. About that budget…. 😉
6. Go on 52 Dates with the Handsome Husband
This week our “date day” involved a trip to the Costco food court {every girl’s dream, I know}. What can I say? Some dates are lame. 😉
So far this year we’ve gone on 26 dates and spent $416.22 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 $59.94 worth of my hooked rugs which I was pretty happy with because I haven’t had a chance to list anything new for the past few weeks. That brings my “craft money” total up to $4628.66 for the year. Only $371.25 left to reach my goal!
So far in September I’ve sold $764.59
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.
This past week we set aside 6 pairs of running shorts, 1 pair of running tights, a tank top and 2 blankets for next years yard sale. Get ‘er done!
So far this year I’ve gotten rid of 1093+ things.
9. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
I picked up a few cookbooks from the library this week as well as placed a request for Kiss Me Like a Stranger and The Whole30 from the library. The Girl decided the whole vegetarian thing wasn’t working for her and has decided to just not eat red meat {for the rest of the year}. Has anyone tried the Whole30 thing?
10. Track Hours Spent Working on My Vegetable Garden and do a Cost Analysis at the End of the Year.
This week I harvested beets, zucchini, tomatoes and a few spuds as well as planted some kale in containers on the back patio.
So far this year I have harvested 109 pounds 6 ounces of fresh veggies from our backyards. I spent $19.40 at the greenhouse, $10.40 at Wilco and about $16 on mulch. You can read all about my gardening adventures at Dig for Your Dinner.
Time spent working on Vegetable Garden in 2016: 20 hours 45 minutes.
11. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks.
I didn’t get any projects done this past week {we’ve had company over} but I do plan to paint the ceiling in the hallway today.
12. Make all Birthday and Christmas Gifts This Year or Acquire Them for Free.
This past week The Girl celebrated her birthday and her only wish was a bag of Death Wish Coffee. The reviews are hilarious and I was able to get a bag of grounds for free because I redeemed some Swagbucks points for an Amazon gift card. Yee-Haw! Everyone was happy. 🙂
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2016? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2016 Goals HERE.
Jess says
My sister has been on the “fins and feather” diet for decades now. No red meat and no pork. She doesnt miss the red meat or pork either.
Cathy says
Love your comment on the tea at the bank
Reminds me of a story from England and being thrifty
This gentleman never turned on the power/ electricy in his flat. But someone said you bring a thermos to work every day , yes
That’s to take hot water hot home for his tea at night, there is thrift ❤️
Lesley says
This is fantastic.
Sandy says
I had to chuckle with the “left the oven door open” comment. I thought everybody did that? That’s the best part of baking in the fall/winter…bake something, have the lovely smells, having the kitchen heat up afterwards when you’ve left the oven door cracked open to have the heat radiate in the kitchen….I didn’t realize other people didn’t do that.
Teckla says
Ditto, here! Just using the oven heats up a big area of your house unless your kitchen is really isolated. Then the bonus of leaving the door open afterwards is just another of the “thrifty/frugal” tips my Mom used and taught me! Plan your meals to take advantage of the oven heat during cold weather. There are SO many effortless ways to save money that it’s a crime to pay for something you don’t have to! We had both a wood heating and cook stove when I was a kid/teen so she always kept a teakettle full of water on the back of each to keep moisture in the air–another trick that makes it feel warmer. Later, when we had an electric stove, she would just leave the kettle on the burner after it was turned off to get the benefit while the water was cooling. Prop the spout lid open a bit with a toothpick to keep it from whistling.
Crystal says
I’m 5’8. Are the pants you linked to too long for my height? Do you wear them in long? I usually buy long jeans, the reviews seem mixed. I need a pair of jeans and would like to take advantage of this sale. Just never tried this brand. Any feedback appreciated.
Mavis Butterfield says
I’m 5’7 and I like my jeans long. If you wear any sort of heel the long jeans are perfect. The inseam is 35″ if that helps.
Teckla says
I’m laughing . . . long for me would be 28-29″ and that could be dragging depending on the cut! I’m short, and quite overweight, and almost never wear jeans . . . because they are ALWAYS too long and have to be shortened. That changes the look because then the knee is down around the ankle which means the shape is all wrong.
Isn’t life a kick in the pants! If we’re tall we have trouble finding something long enough and if we’re short, we have trouble finding something short enough, especially in larger sizes.
Elizabeth says
I am believe that everyone should do at least one whole 30 during their lifetime!
JJ says
I love the Whole 30. It really pointed out to me how the food I eat affects me. When I did the reintroduction I felt results immediately as to why I always felt so tired and crummy. Now I still eat some of that crap, but I do so mindfully because I know it doesn’t make me feel my best. The tough thing is trying to do a second Whole 30, I have false started my second one about 4 times.
Linda says
I tried the Whole 30 in January of 2014 , actually did 2 months and lost 25pounds. Have been able to keep most of ot off fo for the past 2 years even not reall trying. The hardest part for me was making healthy compliant breakfasts. I get up at 4 and go to work at 5;45. But made a lot of egg bakes on Sundays. Didn’t miss the bread but did miss my wine
Samantha says
Me and my boyfriend did the Whole 30, I gave up about halfway since I was really starting to get a bad attitude about it (apparently I found out that I have an unhealthy relationship with food) but still ended up losing about 6 lbs. My boyfriend ended up losing 20!
Even though I failed at Whole 30, I learned a lot of cool things about portion size and not having to finish all the food on my plate. My boyfriend learned how to snack healthier (if at all) so I think in the end, it was good that we tried it.
Jessica says
I had to laugh that your husband was bothered by you leaving the oven open! We hardly use the oven in the summer as it does seem to add so much heat to the area.. With fall and winter approaching it will be game on for baking and oven suppers. I love to leave it open and add the heat to the house! That is one less round of the furnace coming on!
Melissa says
I did the whole30 last year. It went well. Lost 8 lbs in spite of my inability to read a menu in one case. It takes a lot of pre planning. I found several ideas on the paleo blogs and modified them to fit the whole30. I found a paleo BBQ sauce that I loved. I ate it on everything. Next time around I need a few more meal plans to add to rotation.
My big mistake was Every Friday I treated myself to five guys no bun no cheese (essentially a burger salad). I also ate the French fries because I read somewhere that while they violated the spirit of the whole30 they were compliant (guess I shouldn’t have believed everything I read on the internet). I completely missed that they are cooked in 100% peanut oil (it even says so on the menu when you order … oops). I did get awful headaches in the afternoon for the first week. One of my employees encouraged me to snack on some fruit around that time and things got much better.
Lissa says
The Whole 30 changed my life and relationship with food. I loved it and highly recommend it. It’s challenging but completely worth it.
Preppy Pink Crocodile says
Oooh I love that you’re heard of Death Wish Coffee! They’re local to me and a pretty big deal here. Last year they won a commercial during the Super Bowl and now they’re in grocery stores and on Amazon and all over the country. I love seeing a small homegrown company get a once in a lifetime opportunity to grow so much in just one year!
Kari says
I did a Whole30 last spring, and am doing another now. The first few days are tough, but after that you will look and feel amazing! It is a great body reset, and your sugar cravings will go away. When you slowly reintroduce foods, you can tell which ones your body doesn’t love. I highly recommend it! Maybe your daughter could guest blog about her experience with the Whole30. Just food for thought…..
Anna says
Is the Death Wish Coffee exceptionally good? Or so strong you wish for death?! On the subject of hilarious Amazon reviews, I highly recommend you check out the reviews on the book ‘Microwave for One’ by Sonia Allison. Those reviews will turn a frown upside down. 😀
Carrie says
I completed my first Whole30 in June. I lost 10 pounds and have kept it off. I had so much energy I felt like a different person. I’ve kept up with eating two eggs at breakfast and salads with protein and fruit at lunch. I do eat bread, pasta and rice again but try and only have one serving at most per day. I’ve also added ice cream back but keep the serving size way down. I no longer put sugar or coffee creamer in my coffee and stick to half and half or milk. Drinking black coffee for a month was more difficult than giving up grains!
I agree that The Girl should do a guest post about her Whole30 experience!