1. Pay Down the Mortgage
We were able to make 7 additional principal payments towards the mortage for November!
2. Buy Nothing New for 1 Year.
I’m still longing for a pair of cozy slippers and bubble bath but I’m determined to hold out until January because they both seem like luxury items.
3. Track Spending and Figure Out New Ways to Cut Spending Even More.
This is my least favorite time of year {the crowds} but also my favorite time of year because of all the freebie coupons that come in the mail. Did you receive a $10 off a $10 purchase coupon from Kohl’s? I hope I can find something good with mine.
4. Try 52 New Recipes.
This past week I tried a few new recipes including these savory pumpkin feta muffins. Not to torture you or anything but I think I’ll wait until later in the month to post the recipe simply because I think peeps are more interested in Thanksgiving recipes this time of year.
5. Keep My Grocery Budget Under $100 a Month.
Even though there are typically a ton of grocery deals in November, I’m just sticking to the basics so I can keep my grocery budget in check for the year.
6. Go on 52 Dates with the Handsome Husband
Alert the media. My husband finally took me out on a date. 😉 We went to the Tides for lunch and it was delicious!
So far this year we’ve gone on 29 dates and spent $471.22 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 $194.98 worth of my hooked rugs. So far this year I have sold $6457.88 worth of arts & crafts. I was planning on getting my last round of holiday {Christmas} rugs finished but a few things popped up so I wasn’t able to get stuff listed. I hope to finish up this week and have everything listed by next friday.
So far in November I’ve sold $194.98
In October I sold $1203.92
In September I sold $1259.27
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.
How can there still be stuff to get rid off? This week I tossed 2 spice jars, a binder and a giant glow stick in the yard sale box.
So far this year I’ve gotten rid of 1144+ things.
9. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
I picked up Simple Matters from the library a few days ago and I LOVE the simple suggestions the author makes.
10. Track Hours Spent Working on My Vegetable Garden and do a Cost Analysis at the End of the Year.
This week Miss Puggle Love and I raked leaves, cleaned up the area behind the garden boxes and picked up a ridiculous amount of giant pine cones on the side yard. It’s fall, damp and the daylight hours are getting fewer. Seems like a great time to put the garden chores on the back burner and a pot of tea on the stove instead. To everything there is a season.
So far this year I have harvested 143 pounds 8 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: 21 hours 40 minutes.
11. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks.
Yesterday I tackled MONKEY BOYS CLOSET. Okay. SO seriously, he’s 20 so I shouldn’t be cleaning his closet in the first place. And I hadn’t, up until a few days ago when I asked if he had anything to donate or to set aside for the next garage sale.
He handed over 1 PAIR OF PANTS. And I was like, seriously?
So last night The Girl and I gathered up ALL his clothing and are now in the process of washing everything and then we plan on laying it out on display later today so he can “shop his closet.” Fifty bucks says he will have more than a pair of pants to donate when it’s all over with. 😉
Moms. They’re such a drag. 😉
12. Make all Birthday and Christmas Gifts This Year or Acquire Them for Free.
While Mrs. HB and I were on a walk the other day we came across a scarf lying on the ground. We walked past it the first time but on the way back I decided to pick it up and bring it home. The scarf washed up beautifully and so I think I’ll put it in The Girls’ Christmas stocking. 😉
We were also gifted a bottle of Grey Goose {from someone who does not read this blog} and since I’m more of a Shirley Temple drinker, I thought it would be a nice addition to my parents annual wine and cheese gift basket we put together for them every Christmas. The free chocolate came from Fred Meyer {friday freebie!}.
How about YOU? Have you found any treasures lately?
~Mavis
Read About My 2016 Goals HERE.
Donna in VA says
I used to find scarves, gloves, hats, sunglasses, etc. on the long dog walks. Many I still use today. I also deliver excess food from a restaurant to the homeless shelter weekly. The restaurant cleans out the lost & found every few months and gives me the stuff. Since the homeless shelter only wants NEW clothing (I checked), I wash and donate whatever seems usable elsewhere. AFTER I decide if I want to keep anything. 😉
Renee' says
I love the Kohl’s coupons!!! I also receive $10 coupons from another store about once a month. I buy items to stock my gift closet or something that one of my children needs. When birthdays and Christmas come around, I don’t have to pay full price.
Laura says
Are the Kohl’s coupons for cardholders only? I don’t have a card there and I never get them. Was wondering if this was the case. Might be worth applying for one with all the good coupons that come for them!
Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
We don’t have a Kohl’s card {or any department store cards for that matter} and it seems like we get about 4 of the Kohl’s or Jcpenney coupons a year.
Laura says
No kidding. Hmmm, wonder how I get on that list. I have only ever gotten one JCP one. So exciting! I guess I really need to get out more…
brenda walters says
our kohl’s is an hour away. Not worth traveling for $10. they seem to expire too soon also.
Leslie says
I CAN. NOT. WAIT! for your wrap-up post on the extra mortgage principal payments. This goal has been gaining momentum (in my mind, at least) and I’m getting so exciting. I plan to recommend this goal to my husband after we move. So. Exciting.
Leslie says
“…so excited,” that is. Maybe I’m TOO excited!
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh just wait. It’s going to get a little more exciting!!!
Suzetta says
I always use my Kohl’s $10 card to buy something for a baby to donate. This time I got cozy footie sleepers.
bobbi dougherty says
I stayed home all week (sick) so that saved me money, lol. But I do Christmas shopping all year so I am pretty much done. I hate crowds too. I just have to do some shopping for Thanksgiving and that is pretty easy.
I also came across a piece of flannel wool? If you want it, it is yours. Just email me your addy and I will throw it in the mail this week. 🙂
RobinSoCal says
I was gifted same bottle of vodka I ended up using it to make homemade vanilla extract that I will now give as Christmas presents along with some baked goods. Homemade vanilla by the litre. 🙂
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh that would be a NICE gift!!
Laura says
I did that this year for my dad, who loves to cook and for whom we have decided not to exchange gifts. I started it in October so it will be wonderful for Christmas. Just popped in Costco and a 16 ounce bottle is up to $19.99! So, not only will it taste better, it will be cheaper too!
Hardest part was finding a good jar to put it in for gifting. Spent $1.99 on that alone!
Rachel says
Around here we usually tie scarves on posts and hang hats and mittens on signs for people to see when they take a walk a day or two after they lost their item.
Candice says
have been a card holder at Kohls for 21 years and received coupon good til Dec 7 for $20!
Mable says
Mavis, when you are looking for books to read, consider The War That Saved My Life. It is a book for young adults but it is so wonderful I am recommending it to kids and adults alike. It is set in England during WWII and is about a very abused girl who is sent off to a farm to avoid the bombings and while there discovers the world and love of family and courage. Really, it is a fast read and I guarantee that you will think about it long after you have finished it. It won the Newberry Award for children’s literature.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Mable!
Wendy Steele says
Mavis, I would love to see a pic of this year’s Christmas gift basket for your parentswhen it is complete!!!!
Sue R. says
Rather than a Kohls $10 card, I used a Penney’s “Spend $10, Save $10” and bought 11 pairs of cute women’s socks and ended up paying 67 CENTS for all 11 pair!! (If I don’t have a specific need in mind when I use the coupon, I take a quick look through the clearance displays–socks were marked down to 97 cents a pair so I scored. I’ll use some of these and use others for gifts!)
Teresa Young says
I received the $10 Kohls coupon and was surprised that their toy prices were comparable to Amazon – so I bought the toys I want to give to my granddaughters for Christmas, $10 off & free shipping, plus $10 Kohls cash towards another purchase.
Clara says
I read that book last week, too! I love it.
Lisa-Marie says
Hi there!
I hope you keep Maine in mind. I’ve been so happy to live in Maine and I’ve lived every where in the world.