2011 Changes

Well, it's another year and I still feel new to the coupon and savings game. I'm starting a tracker on the right hand side of the blog to add up my savings throughout this year. I'll use retail value on free books and will include savings (if possible) from sale prices on items.

I totaled up everything from product tests and book reviews and giveaway wins from 2010 and it was almost $3000! Enough that my tax guy suggested I keep a count just in case it looks like income! I also had an abundant Christmas, mostly bought through gift cards and cash earned online!

I promise that this year I will do more to show you how I'm saving and to pass along the deals as I find them. I promise this year to help you have the success I had this past year.

SO, from our family to yours: Happy New Year and Happy Saving!

2010 Goals

I'm not going to call these resolutions. These are things I need to do.

1. Keep better track of spending and saving on grocery purchases. I found a spreadsheet somewhere that will help me and all I have to do is add it up once a week. I can do that! I'm trying to come up with a way to start putting the grocery savings onto debt or into the bank, but I'm not there yet.

2. Only buy what we need - use stockpile. I shouldn't have to buy shampoo, bath gel, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotions or razors for the whole year if I've estimated correctly. I'll resist the urge to get the freebies at CVS and Wags as best as possible. I may re-build the pile in the fall.

3. Food and Fitness Goals:

• A. Be able to walk daily with my family. Be able to run 5 miles by the end of the year.
• B. No fast food or sodas (I will allow eating out after church once a month. But I can order iced tea! How will I live without Sonic????)
• C. Start cutting back on pre-packaged foods. (Learn to make things on my own.)
• D. Start adding more fruit and vegetables into our meals.
• E. Try three new recipes a month.
  

4. Read 3 chapters daily in the Bible. (I thought about the Bible in 90 Days program and it just seems like I'd be rushing through it. I want to make sure I'm really reading.)

5. Start getting more involved at church. We're at a new church and I want to get to really know people and make good friends.

6. Have a bi-weekly date with my husband without the kids. I'd love to find someone to watch them overnight once a quarter, but that may not work out.

7. Have a weekly "Mommy and Ryan" date with my older son. Probably will have to relax the fast food thing here since he loves Sonic banana shakes. He's been acting out since the baby came and I think it's because he feels neglected by me. He used to get all of my attention.

So, that's what I'm going to do this year. I'll let you know how I'm doing...