May 2014 Goal Update

Let's see how we did with our May 2014 goals:

 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.
The only time we ate out was at the hotel while we were traveling.

2) Pay off 2 credit cards
Thanks to a nice huge van repair bill, that was outside of our van budget, we opened up an account with our mechanic.  So, we are adding that to our credit card repayment plans.  But great news, thanks to reorganizing our bills, we should have the van bill paid off in 2 months and 1 credit card paid off 3 months after that :) 

3) Not to use any of our credit cards for 2014. To pay cash for everything.
We did fantastic with this goal and paid cash.

4) To maintain our grocery budget. Our current grocery budget is $400 month for our family of 6. Our goal is to use up to that amount to feed our family healthy nourishing meals.  If we are lucky enough to come under our monthly budget, we will save that amount.
We did awesome in May and ended up with almost $68 leftover- yay!!  It helped that I made double meals and put them in the freezer~ many thanks to Laura from Heavenly Homemakers for doing her freezer cooking challenge :)

5) To create a monthly meal plan for our family, to use leftovers more efficiently and to make use of everything in our pantry and freezer.  Try our hand at freezer cooking.
Doing great with meal planning.

6) Lose weight- I need to get motivated to lose this baby weight- my goal is to lose 10 lbs this year.
Well, Michael and I were on the right path.  We had lost weight and were feeling fabulous.  Then we went up north and visited with family.  Michael ended up running and I didn't get a chance to walk.  By the time we got home, we had both put on 5 pounds- grrrrrr :( 

7) Morning devotions, prayer time and more bible reading
Following a bible reading on my church's website:)

8) Monthly date night with hubby- whether we go out or stay at home, pop popcorn and rent a movie
We didn't have a chance to do a date night.  We had talked about going to see a movie but didn't want to not spend time with our families.


9) 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.  I think we are going to claim Saturday's as family fun day:)
Other than our family visit, no Family Fun Saturdays to report in May :(

10) Not to use our dryer to save on electricity and lower our electricity bill
Doing great with this and haven't not used the dryer.  I am loving this weather.  I hang the clothes up on clothes racks and next day they are dry:)

11) To do 1 project a month and blog about it
Since we had travel plans, I didn't have a chance to do the May Monthly Project.  We did do the March project, which was making homemade pudding.  But I goofed up the recipe, didn't follow the directions and made it wrong.  It did not taste good.  The boys are insisting to redo that recipe.

How did you do on your May goals?