Its a N3W Y3AR!

Today marks the fourth day of the new year and I couldn't be more excited about this one.  I am happy and healthy, I have a boyfriend who spoils me and is a wonderful man, I got to spend a week with close friends and family over the holidays, my car is operating as it should, I could go on and on.  I really dislike standard new years resolutions, but I must say since I love goals it is fun to revisit where I was last year and where I want to be going...Lets review this past year's goals....

• Pay off my car- Still paying it off
• Work toward my LPC- Still working
• Buy a Bike
• Maintain my financial goals
• Build a larger emergency fund
• Stock my Etsy store :) Stocked, but need to relist and begin again
• Read 5 books I have that I have never opened in my library- I think I made it through 2
• Study at least 6 books of the Bible intently.- Only did about 4 books
• Get rid of things I do not need
• Use what I have to make what I need when possible
• Container Gardens?
• Do at least 2 things on my “Things to do in Life list” this year  I learned about my car, went boating on Smith Mountain Lake in VA, and did a Beth Moore Bible Study, I even lost 24 pounds, and that wasn't even on my list!

...I didn't do too bad! This definitely gives me encouragement for the coming year and allows me to see God's grace in my life as well.  This year I would like to concentrate on:

• Payoff my Car- May 2011?
• Get 50% of the hours/ supervision I need for my LPC
• Find an apartment in Lexington within my price range
• Open Etsy Store again
• Read 2 "Fun books" in my library
• Continue purging things I do not need or want
• Maintain my financial goals
• Do at least 2 more things on my "To Do List for Life" 
• Go through a Financial Peace University Class with the Boyfriend
• Make time for a "Date Night" weekly with the Boyfriend
• Keep track of money saved in 2011 (In 2010 I spent an average of $19 a week on groceries!)

Yep..I think that looks good. :D
image cred

Progress not Perfection...

I love being able to cross things off a to do list...sometimes I think I make lists just to cross them off! HA (I know it's sick) But some pretty exciting updates on my Goals of 2010:

• I'm buying a bike today for about half what the owner paid! (If it's a good fit, it's only been used a couple times!)
• I've decided what items I will be posting on good ole Craigslist to begin getting rid of so many things I don't need or use! So far I got...a big oversized computer desk, a nice long 2 drawer file cabinet, a TV that doesn't work except for the DVD player on it (FREE), a microwave, some odds and ends, and a retired collector's item that should go for about $150...hopefully... GRAND TOTAL I am aiming for.....$210! That will put a small chuck into my car payment. YAY
• The boyfriend paid for Netflix for the next few months for me, so even those small red box rentals that are only $1 will not have to be used for a while!

One thing I have been learning in this process has been PAITENCE! I cannot save up or buy everything I may want or need overnight! I may have to wait until I can afford it...*GASP* Yes...I said "Wait."   It has been nice to have a plan and see it in action.  Do you have things around your house you could get rid of?

PS- NEW ETSY LISTINGS COMING SOON!! Ch3ck m3 out!!

Today is a good day.

Do ever have days that just energize you? A sun shining, windows down, stress managed, genuinely good day? Well I've definately had less than I would like over any period of time, but today is different. It is genuinely good. It is good because I'm healthy, employed, budgeted, relaxed, creative and genuinely excited about the future. Oh, and I have a great boyfriend, even if he lives 6 hours away at this point, it's not forever. I really like to sit back and enjoy these times in life, it makes everything else worth it. Don't you think?


I'm hoping to work on many more of my creative outlets this weekend. I'd like to get a few more things listed in my store on Etsy, figure out a unique wall filing system for my room, work on my garden, and purge the basement of things I dont' really need. whew..I'm sorta tired now thinking about it, but very excited about having time to get it done!



Update on 2010 Goals:

• Pay off my car- My tax return will help immensly, On track, and looking for a second jobto speed it up!
• Work toward my LPC- March 25th I was approved to begin counting hours inthe state of VA!
• Buy a Bike- Almost saved up!
• Maintain my financial goals- DOING GREAT!
• Build a larger Emergency Fund- Ahead of schedule!
• Stock my Etsy Store-Stocked! Just need to keep adding more inventory!
• Read 5 books I have never opened in my library- 1 down!
• Study at Least 6 books of the Bible Intently- 1 down!
• Get Rid of things I don't need- working on this more Saturday!
• Use what I have to make what I need when possible- yep :)
• Container Gardens?- Planed my seeds a few weeks ago, hoping to put them in the ground soon!

Wow, I'm doing much better than I expected to be by the beginning of April! How are you doing on your goals for 2010?

Here We Go Twenty Ten!

I'm starting to get into a routine now...o how I missed it. New job, new city, and of course...new ways to think of saving money. I sat down today and plotted out new goals for the year...I'm not a big fan of resolutions but Goals I LOVE.

Here's a few I'm hoping to accomplish this year....

• Pay off my car
• Work toward my LPC
• Buy a Bike
• Maintain my financial goals
• Build a larger emergency fund
• Stock my Etsy store :)
• Read 5 books I have that I have never opened in my library
• Study at least 6 books of the Bible intently.
• Get rid of things I do not need
• Use what I have to make what I need when possible
• Container Gardens?
• Do at least 2 things on my “Things to do in Life list” this year

Hoping I can fit all that in this year! Here's a frugal rainy day project any regular card writer could enjoy. I'm thinking about making some sets of these for fast birthday presents

coming up:

EASY POSTCARD PROJECT- (Need: Camera, Glue, Marker, Assorted Cardstock)

1. Take some fun pictures of places you have been, creative angles, colors, etc.

2. Develop your pics in the regular 4" X 6" size (I like matte finish).

3. Cut Cardstock out to glue on the back of your picture. Leave 1/2"overlapping pic on all edges.

4. Design the back of your postcard for whoever you are sending it to. Make sure to leave room for their address on the right side as well as postage.

5. Bundle a few of them together with ribbon or twine add a few 28 cent stamps and VIOLA a nice present for a couple dollars!