Holidays, budgeting, and goals

Seems like every holiday season I enter it with good intentions to stick to a budget so that we don't feel strapped the entire month... and each year we go a little overboard and find ourselves in a tight situation around the holidays. I know we both mean well...

I think this year is a little tighter then normal because we felt we needed one reliable car so we took on one car payment. We just need to get used to wiggling this into our budget. I pride myself on being a keen shopper. I tend to not buy myself clothes or shoes unless I absolutely need to and they MUST be on sale. I shop for groceries with Coupons where ever I can. I do however have a "impulse" buying issue and we have a fast food issue.

So I'm already thinking of some resolutions for next year that will round out our budgets, bodies, and minds:

#1 Only one meal out a week: Not only will this save us some cash, but it'll help our waist lines. We will appreciate more that meal we carefully choose for that week. Make it a date night out or something and it becomes a special treat.


#2 I am going to read one book a month: I've proven to myself that I really do need to take time to slow down and enjoy myself. Reading would be a good way to relax and motivate my imagination.


#3 Keep a up to date account ledger and stick strictly to a premade budget/grocery list: We aren't going to die if one week we can't afford "Impulse" items such as comfort food (AKA cookies, cakes, chips, etc). Instead we will carefully plan out our meals and only buy what we need to make them. I do like having a stock pile on hand so that won't change but I will budget to make such trips to keep the pantry up. Ultimately this will help with having more money in the bank during those hard times of the month and hopefully pay off debt and save for things like vacations.


#4 Take time for myself: I'm going to be selfish... that's right... SELFISH! I need 20-30 mins a day just to myself to do what I want to do. This means putting more focus on my health. I don't want to take a day off from working out. I want to make it apart of my daily routine. I know it'll be hard at first and I might not see the rewards for a while but they will be there. I want to walk a 5K this year Damn IT!!!! I let myself completely down this year by only doing a 1K.. I'm tired of letting myself down. I need to get it in my head that doing this is only going to make me happier, secure my future, and maybe... just maybe back my butt into all those clothes I have packed away for "When I get to X size". I'm tired of watching the biggest loser and wanting so bad to make a change... I have to be the change I make happen... one step at a time.


#5 Take time off and not lose the time I've earned: I know what you are thinking ... WHHHHAAAAAAAATTTTT?!?!?! she is nuts for not taking her time off. You are completely right. I am nuts. I have been at my job for over 10 years and have deserved the time off I have earned. This year I basically am handing time back since I can only roll over so much from year to year... next year, I will end the year with out having to give any back. I plan to do this by scheduling time to make home repairs/paint, Lunch/Movie dates with my girls, Vacations with my handsome Hubby, or just because.


So I'm sticking to 5 very doable items. Anymore and it might be too overwhelming to handle in a year. I'm changing my Blogger motto for the year... time to make something happen.