Goal Update- September 2011

Our 2011 Goals- Review of August: 

1) To not eat out or at least to not pay out of pocket, with the exception of tips.  If we want to treat the family to a meal out, we will make sure we have a gift card to cover all of us.- We did eat out once this month due to a power outage :(

2) Pay off 1 credit card- So super excited- we wrote out the final check to pay off this credit card 04/05/2011- WOOHOO:)  Cross off list:)

3) Not to use any of our credit cards for 2011.  To pay cash for everything.- I did use my credit card to pay for dinner the evening we had no power.


4) To lower our grocery budget.  Our current grocery budget is $400 month for our family of 6.  Our goal is to lower that amount and to save the remainder.- During the month of August, we spent $323 and were able to set aside $77. 

5) To create a monthly meal plan for our family, to purchase most of our groceries at the beginning of the month (with the exception of fresh fruits, veggies, milk and other perishible items) and do more freezer cooking- all while staying below our current grocery budget.- Doing well with creating monthly menu plans.  No bulk shopping this month as we are eating out of the pantry and freezer.

6) Unclutter the house and become more organized:)- This goal didn't go well for us this month- hope to get more motivated in September.

7) Lose weight- I need to get motivated to lose this baby weight.- We are trying out a small gym in our area and I am going 6 evenings a week.  So far my total weight lose is 18 lbs all together- YEA!!!  Still have 22 lbs to reach my target weight:)

8) Morning devotions, prayer time and more bible reading- Doing great with this goal

9) Monthly date night with hubby- whether we go out or stay at home, pop popcorn and rent a movie- didn't do the whole date night with hubby in August :( 

10) To spend quality family time together.  With everyones schedule and us running all over creation, I would love to spend more quality time together- no tv- us playing games, talking, enjoying each others company- We were able to spend family time together with no TV thanks to the hurricane.  We hope to do this without the aid of a hurricane turning off our power.

11) Not to use our dryer to save on electricity and lower our electricity bill- Did great with not using the dryer.  The weather has been so beautiful and the clothes are being hung on the clothesline:)

12)  We want to unclutter, which goes with #6, sell unwanted items, pay off as many credit cards as possible- 1 at a time, which goes with #2, find a bigger house and sell our current very small house:)  This is a huge goal and one we are working very hard to achieve along with all the other goals listed above- We hope to have better luck in September.  We are still looking for a bigger house closer to my dad.  We have faith the Lord will lead us in the right direction.

13) Pay off credit card #2- still going strong with this goal- YEA!! :)  We are getting so close to paying this one off- we are getting so excited:)