Plans for 2012

I could make a hundred resolutions for 2012... but I guarantee I'd break them all... relatively quickly..

So instead, we're making PLANS..
or maybe we could even call them goals...

There are several things that I've decided need to be altered or even changed completely in our lives.. most of these are financial...

Then there are the things that we, as a family would like to see happen...

I figure that if I put it all here.. in a list.. and attempt to update on the progress of each at least monthly.. then maybe I'll be more likely to stick to making them all happen... nothing like a little accountability.

So here we go...

1. Spend Less: I have a sever shopping addiction.. Shopping is literally my hobby. I'm not a fan of buying expensive things at all.. I prefer multiple trips each week to the thrift store to see how much I can come home with.. or some unnecessary trips to Target here and there. The plan is to not spend unless it's a necessity... and then to take any money that would have possibly been spent, and put in away to be SAVED.. or applied to paying off my car.

2. Stop Eating Our Money: Our weekly grocery costs are minimal.. but that's because we eat out at least 3 times a week... at least. This seriously needs to stop. We have at least 2 weeks worth of food in the freezer right now.. this is proof that we have plenty of food at home that we already spent the money on and should be eating. The plan is to only eat out once a month... This will probably be the hardest of all.

3.Vacation in San Francisco: We've spent the last 3 years in Las Vegas for our vacation.. it's time for something new. Drew absolutely refuses to get on a plane, so we're sticking to somewhere in driving distance that neither of us has ever been to. I'd like to spend no more than $700 on this trip.. so it's time to start saving and researching for this trip now.

4. Stay Home: This will be another hard one for me.... When we're home Drew wants to play video games.. I hate video games.. and I'd rather just lay in my bed and watch tv.. but I get bored easily, so every weekend we end up going out somewhere and spending ridiculous amounts of money, just to get out of the house. It's time for us to start enjoying our home.. and spending more time in it.. and maybe getting some projects completed while we're at it.

5. Pay Off The Car: Technically my car is scheduled to be paid off in March 2013... but that's too far away for me.. and I hate making that payment every month. So I've decided to try to pay as much extra towards the principal every month and get this thing paid off my the end of 2012.


There are a few more things financially that I'd like to adjust, but I'm waiting till my raise kicks in next month and I find out what my tax return amount will be so I can adjust accordingly.

Here's to a less expensive year!! Cheers!

Christmas 2011

Another Christmas has come and gone... 

I can't begin to describe the joy of having spent every single Christmas Day of my life with my HUGE and incredible family... 

And I love that my son can say the same... every Christmas of his life.. in that same room...

Seeing the smiles on his face with each gift makes all the debt I acquired to produce them, well worth it..

Family is everything.... not just on Christmas.. but ALWAYS.

Love my "not-so-little" nephew.. and all that he taught me without even knowing it... 

Another Christmas... has come and gone... 

But I will continually be thankful for my little "gift"... my amazing son who I can not begin to imagine life without... I love you my sunshine... Forever, For Always & No Matter What!