Weekly Spending, 11/27-12/3

Posted on December 7, 2010 by
Replyhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehappyhomeowner.net%2F2010%2F12%2Fweekly-spending-1127-123.htmlWeekly+Spending%2C+11%2F27-12%2F32010-12-07+22%3A58%3A00Jenhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehappyhomeowner.net%2F2010%2F12%2F07%2Fweekly-spending-1127-123.html
Saturday, 11/27

No spend day! :)
Sunday, 11/28

No spend day! :)
Monday, 11/29

Dinner out:  $33.40
Tuesday, 11/30
Grocery Store:  $8.98


Wednesday, 12/1
No spend day! :)

Thursday, 12/2
Wine stock-up:  $27.63
 
Friday, 12/3
Concert:  $12

Total:  $72.01

A MUCH better week!  Next week will include a bit of Christmas gift spending, but I’m quite pleased with my re-found self restraint.  Here’s to keeping this trend alive!

December 2010 Goals

Posted on December 1, 2010 by
Replyhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehappyhomeowner.net%2F2010%2F12%2Fdecember-goals.htmlDecember+2010+Goals2010-12-02+02%3A21%3A00Jenhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehappyhomeowner.net%2F2010%2F12%2F01%2Fdecember-goals-2.html
Monthly Goals

Financial Goals: 

  1. $650 into retirement accounts 
  2. $500 into savings
  3. $200 extra to mortgage
  4. Limit variable spending to $500
  5. Find a way to bring in an extra $200-250
  6. Stay under budget for Xmas presents

Household Goals:

  1. Complete basement projects (insulation, water-proof sealant on walls)
  2. Host a holiday party

Personal Goals:

  1. Continue running at least 4 days/week @ 5AM (in addition to gym time and regular afternoon runs)
  2. Maintain contact with friends & family
  3. Stay balanced during this most enjoyable, yet crazy, time of year (fitness, friends, $$, work, etc)

November Goals Re-Cap

Posted on December 1, 2010 by
Replyhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehappyhomeowner.net%2F2010%2F12%2Fnovember-goals-re-cap.htmlNovember+Goals+Re-Cap2010-12-02+01%3A59%3A00Jenhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehappyhomeowner.net%2F2010%2F12%2F01%2Fnovember-goals-re-cap.html

Financial Goals: 

  1. $650 into retirement accounts   Check!
  2. $833 to gutters; $520 to furnace repairs (triple BOO)   Check!
  3. $200 extra to mortgage   Check!
  4. Limit variable spending to $500 (HUGE goal!)  EPIC fail–overspent by $443.59  :(

Household Goals:

  1. Complete basement projects (insulation, water-proof sealant on walls)   A work in progress…
  2. Entertain more!   Check!

Personal Goals:

  1. Continue running at least 4 days/week @ 5AM (in addition to gym time and regular afternoon runs)  Sidelined due to multiple colds, but when I haven’t been sick, I have been running!  :)
  2. Increase contact with friends & family  Check!
  3. Take at least 2 “Me days” this month  Check!

Lessons Learned

Posted on December 1, 2010 by
Replyhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehappyhomeowner.net%2F2010%2F12%2Flessons-learned_01.htmlLessons+Learned2010-12-02+01%3A54%3A00Jenhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehappyhomeowner.net%2F2010%2F12%2F01%2Flessons-learned-2.html

There’s truly no place like home.  I was beyond excited to go home this year for Thanksgiving because my entire family was home (very rare with 3 other siblings who are scattered around the country!).  While it was a very long (~10 hour) drive each way, the trip and the drive was exactly what I needed to re-ground myself as well as enjoy the holiday.

You must be the change you wish to see.  An adaptation of a famous quote that I’ll be applying to my spending “problem.”  I’ve worked up a plan for December, and I’m willing to make some sacrifices to ensure I come in under budget this month in all categories!

Everyone needs an “off switch” for work and other stressors.  While speaking to a friend recently, I realized how vital it is to be able to turn yourself/your thinking “off” when something is stressing you.  Especially with regards to work, I’ve learned to carefully monitor my stress level and to simply turn it “off” when needed.  While it’s not always the easiest to do, the impact on your state of mind, etc. is monumental.

It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year!!!