1. Pay Down the Mortgage
We were able to knock 4 payments off our contract in February {1 regular payment and 3 “principal” payments}. I was able to use my “rug hooking money” to go towards the extra payments this month. I would have been able to pay down the principle even more but I had to pay about $800 out of pocket this month for dental work {a new crown, and a new retainer}.
As you know, I have the world’s crappiest teeth and so we set aside $500 in our monthly budget for MY TEETH alone. If nothing falls out, I wait a month or two and then apply the balance {what wasn’t needed} to the principal on the house.
2. Buy Nothing New for 1 Year.
My non stick frying pan is on it’s way out. If I wasn’t having a no spend year I would have just bought new frying pan. I do have 2 cast iron frying pans though so once my old pan dies I’ll just use the cast iron pan instead of buying a new one.
3. Track Spending and Figure Out New Ways to Cut Spending Even More.
Some of the small things I did this week that saved us money were:
- Saved orange peels for my orange and cinnamon potpourri blend
- Went to the museum for free for date day
- Wrapped rug hooking items in recycled packaging {because why would I buy kraft paper or tissue when I can just reuse stuff?
- Made homemade salad dressing instead of buying it.
4. Try 52 New Recipes.
This week I made a sundried tomato and olive loaf and HOLY CATS was it good! I’ll post the recipe on Tuesday so you can make it too.
5. Keep My Grocery Budget Under $100 a Month.
So far in February I’ve spent $22.96 on groceries.
6. Go on 52 Dates with the Handsome Husband
Last Sunday the HH and I went for a walk downtown after running errands and while we were walking, it started to rain {shocking, I know}. We ducked into our favorite little Mexican restaurant and decided to share a giant plate of Chicken Nachos until the rain passed. Normally I wouldn’t spend $15 for a plate of nachos {with tip} but it’s fun to splurge every once in awhile.
We also took advantage of the Bank of America Free Museum Deal and went to the Bellevue Art Museum. I guess I should have checked to see what was on display before we went because man parts turned into teapots really isn’t my thing. The {free} hot chocolates we picked up at Starbucks {with a gift card I received at Christmas} were a nice treat.
So far this year we’ve gone on 5 dates and spent $40.54 out of pocket for our “dates.”
7. Turn My Wool Stash into $5,000.
This past week I sold 3 mini hooked rugs and 1 set of hearts. 1 item on Ebay and 3 on Etsy for a total of $114.80 {before fees and supplies were factored in}. I wasn’t able to add anything new to my shops this past week or work on any new pieces because I was finishing up a special item from the previous week.
There are definitely times of the year when hooked rugs pieces sell more than others. Over the years I’ve learned how to ride out those waves by working on seasonal projects and holding them back until it’s the right time to sell them. I’m not the least bit worried of hitting my goal of turning my wool stash into $5,000 this year. It will happen. 🙂
So far in February I’ve sold $114.80.
In January I sold $1563.92 {Wowza!}
8. Get Rid of 1,000 Things.
This week I went through our books and set aside a bunch of used books for our yard sale this summer.
9. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks.
Money Secrets of the Amish
10. Track Hours Spent Working on My Vegetable Garden and do a Cost Analysis at the End of the Year.
This week I spent a good half hour getting my tomato seeds started under grow lights.
So far this year I have harvested 2 pound 10 ounces of red potatoes, 9 ounces of beets, and 5 ounces of carrots. You can read about my latest garden harvest HERE.
Time spent working on Vegetable Garden in 2016: 1 hour, 30 Minutes
11. 52 House Projects in 52 Weeks.
This morning I am working on painting the trim in the master bedroom. A totally boring but necessary task that needs to get done.
12. Make all Birthday and Christmas Gifts This Year or Acquire Them for Free.
I didn’t make anything this past week but I did get a spend $10 get $10 off coupon in the mail from JCPenney. My mother also sent me home with a bunch of bags of things she no longer wanted {for my yard sale or to keep}. I haven’t had a chance to go through them yet but Lucy took a peek {if only she could TALK!}.
How about YOU? Did you set any goals for 2016? How are they coming along?
~Mavis
Read About My 2016 Goals HERE.
K says
“I guess I should have checked to see what was on display before we went because man parts turned into teapots really isn’t my thing. ”
I may have nightmares after reading that. LOL
AmyWW says
I decided to follow your good example and rid my home of 1000 things this year. I declutter on a fairly regular basis but so far this year I’ve recycled, given away, thrown away, or placed in a box for a garage sale 620 things. Many of them were small things from areas that I’ve been avoiding tackling for a long time, like my desk, crafting area, and guest room closet. It feels good to finally see lots of space opening up in my home.
Mavis Butterfield says
Once you get started… it’s amazing how quickly you can repurpose stuff. Good job!
Denise says
Way to pay down your mortgage! One of your goals that I have copied is taking my husband on a date once a week. I thought I would try it out and see if he enjoyed it before I made it a “once a week” thing. I don’t tell him ahead where we are going; we just hop in the car, and I drive us to our weekly destination. I have tried to make an effort to go to places neither of us have been before. We live in a large town, so that is pretty easy. He has LOVED it! Some weeks it is a little pricier than others, but it has been a great investment! Thanks for the idea!
Janice says
If you are looking for free packing/craft material try asking your local printing company. I live on Vancouver Island and one of our local printers has an employee who often advertises on freecycle that they have tissue paper to give away. It comes between something they use and they end up with lots of it. It is a bit heavier than the tissue paper you buy in the store and I’ve had friends go and get some of it to use in their quilting. As mentioned it is nice to use as packing material or to stock up on for free craft material. I’m enjoying following your progress with your goals for the year.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks for the suggestion Janice!!
Susan says
I quit buying any salad dressings at all a couple of years ago. I started making mayonnaise about 6 months ago. It is really easy to make!
Homemade Mayonnaise
1 whole egg
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons distilled vinegar (clear)
1 cup canola oil
1 dash paprika (optional
Makes 1 1/4 cups- I store it in an 8 oz. canning jar. I make it when I need it, so partially use it before putting the rest in the fridge.
Wash the egg with soap and water- rinse and dry.
In blender (I use an immersion blender) add egg, dry mustard, vinegar, paprika and 1/4 cup of the oil
Blend on low for 2 minutes.
Turn off blender- scrapes sides if necessary
Turn blender back on- slowly add the 3/4 cup of oil – Blend until the consistency of mayo – about 1 minute!
Mavis Butterfield says
You and your recipes Susan! 🙂 I’m going to have to try this.
Lisa Millar says
Is it wrong, that after a comment like “man parts into teapots” that I had to google the museum and see for myself?????
lol. Isn’t the world a fascinating place!! 🙂
Barb says
I did the same thing. 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
The word “art” is pretty fascinating to me. 😉
Laura Z says
Looking forward to that olive bread recipe. It looks really good!
Christie says
So I have to say I enjoyed the recycled wrapping (a portion of a map) on the LOVE rug I purchased from you. 🙂 But I wanted to say thanks for also introducing me to a new tea flavor. I loved the sweet and spicy tea so much I ordered some from Amazon. You would be proud of me – in true Mavis fashion I used my Swagbucks to purchase an Amazon gift card so the tea ended up being free.
Mavis Butterfield says
Yay for free tea. And yes, that sweet and spicy tea is lovely in the wintertime. 🙂
Nancy D says
I’ve been using the colored Sunday Comics and the regular newspaper ( my parents get the paper ) for wrapping gifts for years now. Looks great with a big homemade ribbon. My kids are grown now and still look forward to having their presents that way. I mailed care boxes when one was stationed overseas with things wrapped in newspaper/comics and he said it was a big hit with his buddies and they were passed around the barracks. 🙂
Teresa Young says
You can get free museum tickets from Smithsonian Museum Day Live – March 12. Log in and check you area for participating museums. Hubby & I are going to the Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village, then spending some time along the Niagara Wine Trail 🙂