Goals update! Since we set the original goals for 2014, things have changed, so inevitably, some of our goals had to change, too. So, here are the updates and additions of new goals.
1. Finish up Baby Step 2 by the end of the year
At this point, we have my 2013 medical bills (thank you FAI surgeries!), Hubs' student loan, and my student loan left. Current Expected Completion: December - We're planning to save all extra money coming in this year since our income will be somewhat unstable until we get settled into this new situation. Once we know more how things are going to shake out, we'll be able to start using the money to put into the house and paying off debt as well as saving for our 10-year vow renewal celebration.
Update 10/27/14 - We have been able to pay off my surgeon's bill but still have one bill from the hospital bill to pay off and we haven't made any progress on the student loans because we were putting everything into savings. Over the summer, we used some of the savings for doing some necessary work on our house. We are lining up all our debts and savings goals and are chipping away at them collectively.
2. Organize garage
We need to clean it out once again and set up stations with more buckets. We already have heavy duty shelves all around the garage but we're not using them efficiently. Need to "pinterest" (c'mon, 10 years ago, Google wasn't a verb either...) some ideas. - This is still a definite in the plans; the only problem is that we're in the beginning of April and have only had about 1.75 nice days so far this year. But, this will get done. We're also planning on getting a new garage door once the organization part is done so that we can start parking at least one of the vehicles in there again. It's only been since 2011...
Update 10/27/14 - Back in the early summer, we cleaned out about 70% of the garage but we've had to move some things into it again and it's disorganized once again. I'm planning on getting us in there again one more time before the weather gets too frigid. We're still trying to decide what to do with some of the extra furniture we have in the garage - it's still in good shape but we have nowhere to put it while in this home. My best idea is to sell it on bookoo but I have some work to do to get those postings ready.
3. Career movement
Hubs is looking for a full-time job that will allow for more family time and we are praying for the opportunity of full-time ministry for him. I would love to start working in the paralegal field. I completed my certification in May and then had surgery, so that had to be put on hold for the moment. My first, concrete, short-term goal is to get involved with the IPA in my area for networking and learning opportunities. - This is where the biggest change is happening. Due to the difficulties we've had finding a regular babysitter over the past month, our mind-set shifted. You can read about it here.
Update 10/27/14 - Hubs is doing really well in his job; he's already been promoted twice in less than a year. He also just had a meeting with the general manager who told him that he's ready for Hubs to start the assistant general manager training program, so I'm really proud of and excited for him. He's really enjoying the job. I've been in my new job for six months now and for the first time in 10 years, I can actually say that I enjoy my job and it has allowed me to spend more time with my family.
4. Read one book per month
I need to create a list of the books I want to read this year but I'm sure I can easily come up with 12. Some fiction, some career, some christian living/family books. - I've done fairly well on this one. So far this year, I've read Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling, and most of Waiting To Be Heard by Amanda Knox. Hubs and I were teaching a class and putting together curriculum in addition to other things we've been involved with so far this year, so the past month has not given me much time to read. But, I'm hoping to finish the Knox book and then move on to Orange Is the New Black by Piper Kerman. I like autobiographies, can you tell?
Update 10/27/14 - I've definitely failed on this one. I haven't read a book since April; I haven't been staying up on the news or the blogs I follow since April either. We've been doing a lot around the house and with the kids for the past several months, so I'm okay with this one. But I would like to get a reading list going again to finish out the year strong.
Confession Time: In February, we did poorly re: eating out but March was better. April's budget for eating out is already gone, so we're going to have to start being more intentional in our planning, scheduling, and when we say yes to invites. We love our friends and family and want to spend more time with them. But, we'll just have to find ways to do that for free or inexpensively.
I haven't seen the inside of the gym in about seven weeks. I'm planning to go starting next week, at least twice. Now that I don't have to get up at 5AM to go, I think I'll have more success. We are playing volleyball right now and I have been walking a bit more, so I've at least been doing something that resembles exercise.
Update 10/27/14 - I've been working out at home more than anything and we haven't been seeing much progress on eating out but I have been doing better with lunches at work overall.
Thanks for reading! I'd love to hear how your goals are progressing so far this year. Let's keep each other accountable!
