When taking any type of journey, the first steps are always the hardest to take. It doesn't make a difference if your journey is a physical one, a financial one or a spiritual one. The path to change begins with a single step.
I took my first steps on a new journey today.
Several weeks ago, I made a promise to myself and to Little Lamb over at Little Lamb wants to be Debt Free that I would help her celebrate her Freedom From Debt by taking a walk of a paltry 3 kilometres. Other folks committed to helping her celebrate by jogging, running, biking, skipping, climbing flights of stairs, or swimming laps. I truly feel that my celebratory task pales in comparison to what others are doing for this Debt Free Dash, but it is what I know I can accomplish yet is definitely outside of my normal amount of physical activity.
I like to think of myself as an opportunist, and today I was fortunate enough through some rather strange circumstances to see an opportunity for me to get some walking in. Cub managed to lock the doors on the car while I was dropping him off at daycare. Then I realised that I grabbed the wrong keys to put in my pocket - the car keys were still in the ignition!
I'd like to say that I walked home, got the spare set of keys, and walked back to retrieve my car, but I can't. I got a ride home from another parent. While at home, I thought I would check, out of curiosity, what the walking distance was from my apartment building to the care provider house was. Enter Google Maps. It has a great feature that I use all the time for driving directions, giving a reasonably accurate distance calculation. Not only does it give you directions for driving, but it will also give you directions and distance for walking or biking. Squee!
The total walking distance from my place to hers is exactly 1 kilometre.
I already had some track suit type apparel on (because I didn't feel like putting on a suit just yet), so I grabbed the spare keys and headed down the stairs and into the crisp, fresh air. I had a song going in my head to help with my pace, and just started walking. I began thinking about all the episodes of The Biggest Loser that I've watched in recent memory. For some reason, Bob Harper's voice popped into my head. I heard him saying, "Remember to engage your core." So I did. Then I thought about all those times he had those very large people running on a treadmill, in bursts of 30 seconds to a minute. OK, so if a 400 pound man can run for 30 seconds, so can I. I started to jog. Not that I timed it or anything, but I'm fairly certain I jogged for about 2 minutes before I needed to stop and walk again.
I want to set the record straight here. I'm not going to win any fancy awards for my physical activity today. Nor am I going to lose the 40 pounds by age 40 that I once dreamed about doing. (That milestone birthday is only about 23 days away or so.) What I am going to do is to start taking steps again, toward a healthier, slimmer me. Yes, I could stand to lose 40 - 50 pounds of excess weight. But if I never lose all that excess, then I'm ok with who I am regardless. I only want to incorporate better choices into my daily life, including better eating choices and doing some physical activity.
I walked a single lone kilometre today. I even jogged a little, tiny bit of the way. My hope is that as the weather turns nicer, I will continue to want to walk toward a healthier me, either alone, or with my family as company.
Baby steps aren't just for the Dave Ramsey financial plan. :)
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label challenge. Show all posts
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
My Hands Have Not Been Idle
Cub modeling a 'hat'. It isn't a hat really, but it sure looked like it at the time.
Shortly after our trip to visit with Gail Vaz-Oxlade , she posted about her love for knitting. This is something that we definitely have in common. Gail doesn't use patterns, instead changing up the yarns and needle sizes to create as she goes along.
I, too, am a renegade knitter at heart. I despise following even the simplest pattern. But I will use one until I am understanding how a piece is put together (like the Swiffer cloths) and then recreate it with my own imagination and creativity.
2012 is the year I decided to work through my enormous stash of yarn and crafting supplies. I promised Hubby I would not buy any more yarn until I got rid of what I already have. (This may have been a mistake, but oh well.) I got the idea from Creating A Family Home who is, for various reasons, trying to work down her stash.
The 'hat' that Cub is wearing above, is one of those stash busting projects. The charity I work with, Keeping Kids Warm is often gifted the stashes of family members of the donors. This often includes lots of little balls of leftovers from long ago finished projects. Not wanting these little bits to go to waste, I have gathered bags and bags of them to make something with. Some of it will be for using with plastic canvas. Some bits are so small though, it's difficult to figure out the perfect project for them.
Enter the "Rainbow Snake' idea.
Some time ago, the volunteer knitters at KKW used several balls of yarn in varying colours and textures, knitting in the round, to create a yarn snake that grew several feet long. To complete it, it was stuffed with batting, and sealed on both ends. The flexible finished product called the Rainbow Snake, was then donated to a children's facility where it has been laid upon, jumped on, sat on, twisted into varying configurations and loved fiercely by many a baby and toddler. So much so that the facility has requested another one as it is getting worn from so much love.
I started working on a new snake, when DD2 took a keen interest in what I was making. I explained how it would be stuffed and sewn up as a plaything for some babies. She mentioned that if it was the appropriate size, even a young lady such as herself would like a 'pillow' made in a similar manner. She thought that lots of folks might like to have such a creation as well. My biggest worry was what to call it. A Pillow-something? Rainbow something?
We went to the park during some really nice weather the other day. I was thinking about our family, and all of the great-nieces and great-nephews I have. I've tried to give them all a special nickname from Auntie, and I started thinking about those nicknames. One jumped out at me....Inchworm. That's the special name I have for my great-niece whose name is Alaska. Her and Cub are only a few months apart in age. Inchworm Pillows. They grow inch by inch on my needles, made with only a few inches of yarn at a time. How fitting.
I'll post pics when I have one or two finished. I think the first one should go to DD2 and the second to Inchworm - as thank you for their inspiration.
Are your hands creating anything these days?
The 'hat' that Cub is wearing above, is one of those stash busting projects. The charity I work with, Keeping Kids Warm is often gifted the stashes of family members of the donors. This often includes lots of little balls of leftovers from long ago finished projects. Not wanting these little bits to go to waste, I have gathered bags and bags of them to make something with. Some of it will be for using with plastic canvas. Some bits are so small though, it's difficult to figure out the perfect project for them.
Enter the "Rainbow Snake' idea.
Some time ago, the volunteer knitters at KKW used several balls of yarn in varying colours and textures, knitting in the round, to create a yarn snake that grew several feet long. To complete it, it was stuffed with batting, and sealed on both ends. The flexible finished product called the Rainbow Snake, was then donated to a children's facility where it has been laid upon, jumped on, sat on, twisted into varying configurations and loved fiercely by many a baby and toddler. So much so that the facility has requested another one as it is getting worn from so much love.
I started working on a new snake, when DD2 took a keen interest in what I was making. I explained how it would be stuffed and sewn up as a plaything for some babies. She mentioned that if it was the appropriate size, even a young lady such as herself would like a 'pillow' made in a similar manner. She thought that lots of folks might like to have such a creation as well. My biggest worry was what to call it. A Pillow-something? Rainbow something?
We went to the park during some really nice weather the other day. I was thinking about our family, and all of the great-nieces and great-nephews I have. I've tried to give them all a special nickname from Auntie, and I started thinking about those nicknames. One jumped out at me....Inchworm. That's the special name I have for my great-niece whose name is Alaska. Her and Cub are only a few months apart in age. Inchworm Pillows. They grow inch by inch on my needles, made with only a few inches of yarn at a time. How fitting.
I'll post pics when I have one or two finished. I think the first one should go to DD2 and the second to Inchworm - as thank you for their inspiration.
Are your hands creating anything these days?
Monday, February 6, 2012
Declutter Challenge Post #2
Here's how I decided to map out Carla's February Challenge.
Week One: Personal Space Challenge ~ Hallway Closet (it's huge) Hubby did this one.
Week Two: Family Space Challenge ~ The Kitchen
Week Three: Productivity Challenge ~ All the crafty stuff: Yarns, Plastic Canvas, Candles
Week Four: The “Dreaded” Challenge ~ Master Bedroom Closet
Seeing as my darling Hubby took care of the Week One challenge, I thought I would get a jump on next week's challenge. Except I forgot which one it was, and dove head first into The 'Dreaded' Challenge this morning.
Before pics (please be nice):
Seeing as my darling Hubby took care of the Week One challenge, I thought I would get a jump on next week's challenge. Except I forgot which one it was, and dove head first into The 'Dreaded' Challenge this morning.
Before pics (please be nice):
First half of the bedroom closet. Notice the boxes and clothing piled in front.
The other side. Lots of space to hang clothes....
My little helper.
So I got down to business. I picked up all the laundry that was just laying on the floor (I spared you all a picture of this). I pulled stuff out bit by bit, and started sorting, purging and generally being disgusted with myself for letting it get this bad.
The Results:
- 3 and a half garbage bags of clothing to be donated
- 5 grocery sized bags of garbage tossed out
- 2 dressers cleaned out
- 1 box of summer clothing set aside for me & hubby
- half a small box of items to be donated or given away
- yarn and plastic canvas stash gone through and sorted
- 8 loads of laundry to be done this week
After pictures:
I can see the floor of the closet! Yay!!
Utilising the space as was intended.
Donations, donations. :)
Boxes; 1 full of junk, 2 empty that were just taking up space, now gone.
As an added bonus, I got the top of hubby's dresser cleaned off. My yarn and plastic canvas stash is to the left of this dresser, now in a much neater state. I will be able to find stuff when I want to, cuz now I know where it all is. :)
The top of my dresser cleared of the stuff it had accumulated.
The inside of my dresser is cleaned out as well, so I will have somewhere to put all my clothes once I am done the impending laundry marathon.
Once I got the closet done, I was feeling so good about this accomplishment, that the entire bedroom got the same treatment. I purged, dusted, sorted, tossed garbage, vaccuumed, cleaned the mirror and even pulled out junk from under the bed. Part way through, hubby came in the bedroom and cleaned out his dresser as well. I now believe in miracles!
In summary, it is now the 6th of February, and I already have completed 3 out of the 4 weekly challenges. This makes me so very happy.
I think I'll wait until the laundry is caught up before I start in on the kitchen.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Declutter Challenge - Week One
The first weeks challenge is “Personal Space” says Carla. I opted to do the Hallway closet in our apartment. This closet has three doors, and runs almost the entire length of the hallway from family room to bathroom. There is a rod which runs the length of it, even though there is a wall inside that separates it by half. There is a shelf on both sides of this 'wall', and we have put as much storage stuff in there as possible.
I had to work today, so I thought this evening I would take pictures of it, and then get started.
I was thinking a lot today about Carla's Weekly Bonus Challenge. This weeks challenge is to donate at least one item of food to the food bank. While I was going through a year's worth of paperwork today, I was on autopilot and gave this some thought. I was thinking about how much I could afford to buy to donate, and what would be the most coveted item for the food bank. I went to the London and Area Food Bank website , and found this list of item that are needed.
Here’s a list of items that we currently need:
- canned fish, meat, stew
- peanut butter, jam
- canned vegetables
- rice, pasta (uncooked)
- canned soup, canned fruit
- macaroni & cheese dinner
- canned juice, or individual boxes
- baby food (large or small jars, cereals, cookies)
- baby formula
- powdered or canned milk
- oatmeal, large packages or individual servings
- individually packaged healthy snack foods
- cake mixes, baking goods
In the spirit of this challenge, instead of donating to the food bank, I bought a few bags of groceries which included fresh fruit, vegetables, and milk and gave them directly to a family in need. I did this after work. Then I headed home.
When I walked in, much to my surprise, Hubby showed me what he did to occupy himself all afternoon. He had cleaned out, decluttered and reorganised the hallway closet! (Do I get points for this Carla, even if I didn't do it myself?) He'd thrown out several bags of garbage, and taken several items to the donation bin located in our laundry area in the basement. My declutter project is done and I finished my Bonus mini-challenge.
What am I going to do the rest of the week? I think I'll knit. :)
Saturday, January 28, 2012
February Low Spend & Declutter Challenge
Here’s how the Low (no) Spend Challenge will work:
1. Choose a financial goal for the month!
~ I'm still working away at getting $500 into the emergency fund (still 34 days to complete this) by the end of February.
2. How will you achieve your goal this month?
~ I will be knitting and selling reusable swiffer cloths for $6 each, as a way to earn extra money. Alternatively, I will be putting 10% of my paycheques this month into the Emergency fund.
3. How will you allot your spending this month?
~ I will be using only cash available in my account from paycheques. Some must be set aside for bills, and groceries, so I tend to keep my spending to much less than I earn in a given month.
4. Track your purchases!
~ I have a great little wallet/notepad combo to write down everything. Still getting used to using this.
5. Are there any “exemptions” for the month?
~ My personal exemptions will be any medications if anyone in the family becomes ill.
Here’s how the Decluttering challenge will work:
1. There will be 4 main challenges for the month. I pick the theme, you pick the challenge!
- Week One: Personal Space Challenge ~ Hallway Closet (it's huge)
- Week Two: Family Space Challenge ~ The Kitchen
- Week Three: Productivity Challenge ~ All the crafty stuff: Yarns, Plastic Canvas, Candles
- Week Four: The “Dreaded” Challenge ~ Master Bedroom Closet
- I will be giving you 4 *bonus* mini challenges throughout the month! Fast & easy to accomplish!
3. Purging!!
- Toss, sell, or donate 29 items! One item for every day of the month in February… Easy as pie!
4. The Proof is in the pudding!
- If you have a blog, before & after photos of your decluttering projects would be awesome please!!
~ Ok, I am going to give this one my best shot. when the Bermuda triangle of time wasters (internet/phone/cable) was down, I got so much accomplished. I'm afraid to post pictures of our junk, but I will do it anyway. Please be nice with comments, OK? I'm a little sensitive. I think 29 items will be the easiest part. Whatever the bonus challenges are, I guess I'll just roll with them.
I have to get to my knitting. Have a great weekend everyone!
Before the Challenge Links
Thanks again to Carla, domestic goddess extraordinaire for hosting the February Low/No Spend and Declutter Challenge.
Prior to the challenge, I thought I would post some handy dandy links to inspire and boost creativity in our decluttering, for those of us who are clueless.
OK, that's all I got. I got distracted by Pinterest again. sigh.
What tips do you suggest for decluttering your home?
Prior to the challenge, I thought I would post some handy dandy links to inspire and boost creativity in our decluttering, for those of us who are clueless.
- Home Made Simple has this great article on how to Get Organised in 30 days. Lots of little links included for DIY projects that will keep you organised.
- HGTV gives you 11 tips to get your kitchen organised and functional.
OK, that's all I got. I got distracted by Pinterest again. sigh.
What tips do you suggest for decluttering your home?
Friday, January 20, 2012
Where I'm At Today
Didja see the new progress bars I added to the side? ------->
Trying to stay focused on several things at once is difficult, and my wee little brain gets all swarmed with things I'm trying to remember. Thank goodness I write mostly everything down and/or put them on my blog so I can see them every day.
So this is where I'm at today with some goals:
My biggest stress right now is about our housing situation.I'm not comfortable sharing the whole situation, but suffice it to say we could be moving at the end of next month. We could have some very rocky times ahead of us.
My girl has a PD day today, so I'm bringing her with me and Cub to playgroup this morning. We have a bunch of running around to do after, so it should be an exciting day.
How are you doing with your monthly goals and challenges?
Trying to stay focused on several things at once is difficult, and my wee little brain gets all swarmed with things I'm trying to remember. Thank goodness I write mostly everything down and/or put them on my blog so I can see them every day.
So this is where I'm at today with some goals:
- 10 pound challenge: I've lost 1 pound. I have eliminated almost all salt from my diet, increased fruit, veggie & water intake. But I haven't exercised. Let's see if the 1 pound stays lost or it finds it's way back home to my rear end.
- Emergency Fund: with only 39 days to go, I'm unsure if I'll make it to the $500. With $63.00, I'm 12.6% of the way there. Money will find it's way into this account if it kills me. :)
- My sealed pot is collecting little bits of change here & there. I'm actually hoping to fill it.
- I did start an Etsy shop, but am procrastinating putting anything in it. Must. Do. Soon.
- I printed out my Big Book, and have started filling it out. Lots of info to compile still.
My biggest stress right now is about our housing situation.I'm not comfortable sharing the whole situation, but suffice it to say we could be moving at the end of next month. We could have some very rocky times ahead of us.
My girl has a PD day today, so I'm bringing her with me and Cub to playgroup this morning. We have a bunch of running around to do after, so it should be an exciting day.
How are you doing with your monthly goals and challenges?
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Another Challenge - Big Book of Everything
From time to time I come across something amazing that I just have to share with you all, and this is one of those times. I’ve written before about making your final preparations (I am a Funeral Director, after all) and have tried to give you options to think about. But there is so much more to estate planning than just figuring out one’s final disposition.
There are wills, bank accounts, life insurance policies, and much, much more. Many folks advocate having a binder that puts all of your information in one place, in the event of your death. I am one of those folks. If something happened to me, Hubby would have no idea how to access my bank account, let alone figure out how to pay the bills online.
This is important folks! I cannot stress enough how helpful having all this information in one place will be to your spouse and/or executor should something unexpected happen to you.
Please, look over the following page, and click the PDF link at the bottom. (It is geared to our American counterparts, but it is still interchangeable for us Canucks.) Print it off, and start filling it out. It may take some time, but it will be worth it to your family, I promise! Each page can be put in a page protector and can be assembled into a binder.
If you set no other goal for yourself this year other than to complete this binder, you will have accomplished more than 90% of the general population.
For the link to the PDF, go to: http://www.erikdewey.com/bigbook.htm (It’s at the bottom of the page.)
I will be doing this myself. I will be filling it out, a page at a time, until it is completed, to the best of my ability. I challenge you all to do the same.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Little Ways To Pad Your Emergency Fund
An Emergency Fund is an essential part of a solid financial foundation. It is a cash cushion that you have accumulated over time. It should be easy to access, and to be used only for an emergency.
Some so-called experts will say that you should have 6 months worth of salary in your Emergency fund. Others say that having only $500 to $1000 set aside is a good start. You have to decide what amount is right for you and your family. I am rebuilding my Emergency Fund after having to use it this past fall. I’m starting small, with a goal of $500 by the end of February.
Here are some Microsavings tactics to help pad your Emergency Fund:
· Automated transfer $25 from your paycheque. You have to start somewhere.
· At the beginning or end of the week, transfer the last three digits of your bank balance over to your E-fund. (If your balance is $542.68, transfer the $2.68.)
· Save your pocket change. 50 cents a day can add up over a couple of months.
· Sell something and put the proceeds in your fund. Kijiji is my personal favourite to sell unwanted items.
· Add government cheques like GST/HST or your income tax refund.
· Add amounts equal to your ‘spending – savings’. If you buy groceries and reduce your out of pocket expense by using $7.50 worth of coupons, transfer that amount to your Emergency when you get home from the store. Same goes for your loyalty rewards points accounts.
· Have a No Spend/Low Spend month to reduce your variable expenses and deposit the difference.
· Round up your budget categories. If you spend $146.50 on cable/internet, budget $150. At month’s end, sweep remaining funds into your emergency fund account.
· Replace one bad habit with a good one: If you smoke ( or whatever your vice is), smoke one less cigarette a day, and put $0.30 into your change jar. At month’s end, deposit into your E-fund.
· Make something you can sell; sewing, knitting, woodworking, and card making are all viable types of side income for boosting your e-fund.
· Do some babysitting, pet-sitting, house sitting, snow shovelling, attic cleaning or whatever to earn a little extra funds to pad your account.
· Reduce your consumption of meat for a week or a month. Whatever you would have spent, add to your E-fund.
· Skip a take-out meal or two (or a month). Save your money instead.
To have a fully funded emergency fund, you have to start somewhere. I am a firm believer that having an Emergency fund is part of a healthy financial plan. I won’t tell you how many months worth of expenses you should have, only that you should have an Emergency Fund. So should we.
Here’s to starting over, in a new year, with renewed hope, and renewed focus. 51 days to $500.
Friday, December 2, 2011
The $100 Challenge, The Second Year
Last year, Hubby & I participated in the $100 Challenge. Don't know what that is? Read the Story that started it all here. Basically, Andrew, a Londoner, gave a man in need $100. And felt good about it. It got him thinking about how such an amount could do some good for another human being.
I wrote about the $100 Challenge last year, found here. What I didn't tell anyone really was some of the follow-up to what happened that day.
Last year, Keeping Kids Warm collected gently used coats and clothing for those in need. After our giveaway of well over $100 worth of coffee and cookies, the clothing items were gathered and dropped off at various agencies so that folks who needed them could get access to them. At one of the places, a man asked one of the volunteers if we had any dress shirts as he had a job interview the following Monday.
With donated money, and some of her own, that volunteer drove the man to a thrift store, and let him pick out a dress shirt, pants and shoes so that he would look presentable for his interview. He was truly grateful, and it made the volunteer feel wonderful to help someone who truly needed a hand up.
Well, the man in this tale got the job he interviewed for. The agency has since told us that he is now doing well, has an apartment of his own, and has become a volunteer to help others who were once where he was. When he speaks of the events that helped him turn his life around, he always starts the story with a lady who was dropping off coats and how kind she was to him.
It doesn't take $100 to help another fellow Londoner, but imagine what we all could accomplish if we just try to make a little corner of the world a better place?
I urge you to join dozens of other Londoners and give a little something to someone else. You don't even have to be in London! The $100 Challenge has people registered as far away as Australia who will be taking part on Saturday, December 3, 2011.
If you have $100 to give, or only $10, use it to make soneone's day. Buy a coffee for the person in line behind you at Timmie's. Offer to pay for someone's groceries. Approach a stranger, and give them $20. It doesn't matter how you do something, just do it on that day. Please. It can make a world of difference.
I wrote about the $100 Challenge last year, found here. What I didn't tell anyone really was some of the follow-up to what happened that day.
Last year, Keeping Kids Warm collected gently used coats and clothing for those in need. After our giveaway of well over $100 worth of coffee and cookies, the clothing items were gathered and dropped off at various agencies so that folks who needed them could get access to them. At one of the places, a man asked one of the volunteers if we had any dress shirts as he had a job interview the following Monday.
With donated money, and some of her own, that volunteer drove the man to a thrift store, and let him pick out a dress shirt, pants and shoes so that he would look presentable for his interview. He was truly grateful, and it made the volunteer feel wonderful to help someone who truly needed a hand up.
Well, the man in this tale got the job he interviewed for. The agency has since told us that he is now doing well, has an apartment of his own, and has become a volunteer to help others who were once where he was. When he speaks of the events that helped him turn his life around, he always starts the story with a lady who was dropping off coats and how kind she was to him.
It doesn't take $100 to help another fellow Londoner, but imagine what we all could accomplish if we just try to make a little corner of the world a better place?
I urge you to join dozens of other Londoners and give a little something to someone else. You don't even have to be in London! The $100 Challenge has people registered as far away as Australia who will be taking part on Saturday, December 3, 2011.
If you have $100 to give, or only $10, use it to make soneone's day. Buy a coffee for the person in line behind you at Timmie's. Offer to pay for someone's groceries. Approach a stranger, and give them $20. It doesn't matter how you do something, just do it on that day. Please. It can make a world of difference.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Challenge Anyone?
Monday, I stepped out of my comfort zone a little bit and did something I have never done before. I volunteered at The Soup Kitchen. Together with customer service associates and other residents of Boardwalk Properties, we served breakfast and lunch to over 300 people. I spent over four hours making and serving trays of hot food and beverages for people.
There are many programs that are in need of volunteers to help out. I'd like you all to consider giving some of your time and of yourself to those less fortunate. Call your local Soup Kitchen or Food Bank. They always need volunteers. The Salvation Army also needs volunteers to assist with their Christmas Hamper program, sorting and packing donated items and foodstuffs (although their volunteer program is a little tougher to get into).
How about spending some time with an elder person to assist with household tasks or running errands for them? With winter coming shortly, there will be lots of older folks who will need someone to shovel and salt their sidewalks for them.
Here's my challenge to you.
Give some of your time to give a hand up to someone else. Even for a couple of hours. It will help you keep your life in perspective, I promise.
What other great ideas can you all come up with to give of yourself to those who are in need?
http://www.info.london.on.ca/docs/HardTimes.pdf
There are many programs that are in need of volunteers to help out. I'd like you all to consider giving some of your time and of yourself to those less fortunate. Call your local Soup Kitchen or Food Bank. They always need volunteers. The Salvation Army also needs volunteers to assist with their Christmas Hamper program, sorting and packing donated items and foodstuffs (although their volunteer program is a little tougher to get into).
How about spending some time with an elder person to assist with household tasks or running errands for them? With winter coming shortly, there will be lots of older folks who will need someone to shovel and salt their sidewalks for them.
Here's my challenge to you.
Give some of your time to give a hand up to someone else. Even for a couple of hours. It will help you keep your life in perspective, I promise.
What other great ideas can you all come up with to give of yourself to those who are in need?
http://www.info.london.on.ca/docs/HardTimes.pdf
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Challenge - Day 4
5 A Day:
~ smoothie: 1 cup 100% juice, 2 cups spinach, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1 cup frozen strawberries
~ 1 cup of 100% juice
~ snacked on raw broccoli and cauliflower
****NO SPEND DAY!!*****
I felt horrible after spending yesterday, so I made sure I didn't spend anything at all today. :)
I am horribly irritable and bloated (you know what that's about, I'm sure) so I'm not pushing myself for any kind of exercise. Maybe tomorrow I'll feel up to it. The scal says I haven't lost any weight, but with the bloating, I figure I must have lost something. I am not going to worry about it though. In other good news, I haven't picked up a salt shaker in 3 days. anyone who knows me personally could tell you that the amount of salt I put on my food is terrible! Another pat on the back for me. Good girl. :)
~ smoothie: 1 cup 100% juice, 2 cups spinach, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1 cup frozen strawberries
~ 1 cup of 100% juice
~ snacked on raw broccoli and cauliflower
****NO SPEND DAY!!*****
I felt horrible after spending yesterday, so I made sure I didn't spend anything at all today. :)
I am horribly irritable and bloated (you know what that's about, I'm sure) so I'm not pushing myself for any kind of exercise. Maybe tomorrow I'll feel up to it. The scal says I haven't lost any weight, but with the bloating, I figure I must have lost something. I am not going to worry about it though. In other good news, I haven't picked up a salt shaker in 3 days. anyone who knows me personally could tell you that the amount of salt I put on my food is terrible! Another pat on the back for me. Good girl. :)
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Challenge(s) - Day 2
5 A Day:
~ smoothie: 1 cup juice, 2 cups spinach, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1 1/2 cups frozen berries, 1 kiwi
~ 3 oz raspberries
~ lunch was cheese and triscuits
~ supper: Soup made with potatoes, turnip, parsnip, carrot, onion and leftover steak (it was pretty good)
Fiscal Fast:
I had to buy smokes today (I know, I know) to the tune of $16.73. I hate this expense. Once I can afford it, I'm going for acupuncture or something.
I also paid $20 on a bill, and put $2.73 cents in a savings account. I also stuck a $5 bill in my laptop fund envelope.
On a good note, I made $20 bucks driving DD1's friend somewhere.
I'm not doing so good at this, am I?
Health & Wellness:
~ nothing to report today. I'm sore and very irritable, not sure why. Oh right. Maybe it's because Cub was up for the day before 5 am and is still not asleep now at 10:30 pm. I can't sleep when he's awake. :( Hoping for a better day tomorrow.
~ smoothie: 1 cup juice, 2 cups spinach, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1 1/2 cups frozen berries, 1 kiwi
~ 3 oz raspberries
~ lunch was cheese and triscuits
~ supper: Soup made with potatoes, turnip, parsnip, carrot, onion and leftover steak (it was pretty good)
Fiscal Fast:
I had to buy smokes today (I know, I know) to the tune of $16.73. I hate this expense. Once I can afford it, I'm going for acupuncture or something.
I also paid $20 on a bill, and put $2.73 cents in a savings account. I also stuck a $5 bill in my laptop fund envelope.
On a good note, I made $20 bucks driving DD1's friend somewhere.
I'm not doing so good at this, am I?
Health & Wellness:
~ nothing to report today. I'm sore and very irritable, not sure why. Oh right. Maybe it's because Cub was up for the day before 5 am and is still not asleep now at 10:30 pm. I can't sleep when he's awake. :( Hoping for a better day tomorrow.
5 a Day & Fiscal Fast Update - Day 1
Ok, so it's not my first day with the 5 a day challenge, but I'm starting to get the hang of it now.
5 A Day:
~ medium banana, 1 cup of 100% juice, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1/2 cup spinach, 1 cup frozen berries
~ mashed yams and raw veggies with dinner, about 1 cup of each
~ 1 large glass of juice
~ some raspberries and 1/2 banana
Fiscal Fast:
~ no timmie's run, but I already had that old habit conquered
~ No problems not spending yesterday. Today will bring it's own challenges, I'm sure.
Health and Wellness:
Starting weight: 191 pounds Goal: lose 41 pounds in 7 months (lose 40 pounds by 40th birthday)
~ Put on exercise DVD and had to sit down after 15 mins. I did manage to get my heart rate up a couple of times. My knee does not like exercising!
I know I'm out of shape when a beginners DVD is exhausting. I only did 1 circuit of exercises, and will try another one today. This is going to be a slow process without a doubt.
As for the fiscal fast, staying home made it easy. Now we are out of cream for coffee in the morning, and I dunno how I'm going to deal with that. Milk just isn't the same for me.
On to Day 2....Wish me luck!
5 A Day:
~ medium banana, 1 cup of 100% juice, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1/2 cup spinach, 1 cup frozen berries
~ mashed yams and raw veggies with dinner, about 1 cup of each
~ 1 large glass of juice
~ some raspberries and 1/2 banana
Fiscal Fast:
~ no timmie's run, but I already had that old habit conquered
~ No problems not spending yesterday. Today will bring it's own challenges, I'm sure.
Health and Wellness:
Starting weight: 191 pounds Goal: lose 41 pounds in 7 months (lose 40 pounds by 40th birthday)
~ Put on exercise DVD and had to sit down after 15 mins. I did manage to get my heart rate up a couple of times. My knee does not like exercising!
I know I'm out of shape when a beginners DVD is exhausting. I only did 1 circuit of exercises, and will try another one today. This is going to be a slow process without a doubt.
As for the fiscal fast, staying home made it easy. Now we are out of cream for coffee in the morning, and I dunno how I'm going to deal with that. Milk just isn't the same for me.
On to Day 2....Wish me luck!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Fiscal Fast, Sept. 12 - 18, 2011
I'm going to try for a Fiscal Fast this week. Thanks to Sharon at Midlife Mom Musings for the challenge/idea.
Our Fiscal Fast Rules:
That's it in a nutshell. I have my giant to-do list to keep my hands busy when work isn't doing it. I can catch up on laundry until the cash on the laundry card runs out. All monies coming in will be whisked away to rent account, EEE account, or kept in chequing account for bill payments coming later in the month.
Anyone else doing a fiscal fast this month?
Our Fiscal Fast Rules:
- Gas for vehicles will be purchased prior to fast. Additional gas will only be purchased for business purposes. (My vehicle is essential for my work.)
- Regular groceries will be purchased in advance. Milk will be the only allowable food purchase during the week.
- Bills that are automated will be allowed, but that is it. If anything else comes up, it will have to wait until the 19th of September. We pay for babysitter/childcare weekly, so it will be allowed also.
- Keep a household diary, putting in how I avoided spending each day, thoughts and feelings about not spending and what I would typically spend on a given day.
That's it in a nutshell. I have my giant to-do list to keep my hands busy when work isn't doing it. I can catch up on laundry until the cash on the laundry card runs out. All monies coming in will be whisked away to rent account, EEE account, or kept in chequing account for bill payments coming later in the month.
Anyone else doing a fiscal fast this month?
Monday, September 5, 2011
Toot Your Own Horn
Today, I have a challenge for all you readers, bloggers, PFers, women, men, and who ever else stumbles across this insane post. I challenge you to Toot Your Own Horn!
No, I don't mean your car/van/e-bike horn either. I want you to tell me (either in a post on your own blog or in the comment section here, which I may or may not make into a post of its own) about your accomplishments, personally, financially and otherwise.
The inspiration for today's post comes from Captain Sweatpants, who posed a question to female readers on his blog a few weeks ago. It made for some great discussion about accomplishments great and small, as well as talk about humility gender roles in society.
His question was: "Why is it that women don’t ever admit that they’re awesome? Do you actually know you’re awesome but just don’t want to verbalise it? Or (this is worse) you don’t even realise you pure awesomeness?"
Here's the catch: I want you to do objectively. As if you were listing the accomplishments of someone you admired, and wanted to point out all their good traits, and multi-tasking skills.
So who's up for this challenge? I will start tomorrow with my own post (God grant me the strength to do this) and see where it goes from there.
P.S. - To get your giggle factor going, I would like to share that when I clicked on the spell-check for this post, it highlighted PFers. When I clicked in the highlighted word for alternate suggestions, the first one on the list was 'Pervs'. I found that insanely funny!
No, I don't mean your car/van/e-bike horn either. I want you to tell me (either in a post on your own blog or in the comment section here, which I may or may not make into a post of its own) about your accomplishments, personally, financially and otherwise.
The inspiration for today's post comes from Captain Sweatpants, who posed a question to female readers on his blog a few weeks ago. It made for some great discussion about accomplishments great and small, as well as talk about humility gender roles in society.
His question was: "Why is it that women don’t ever admit that they’re awesome? Do you actually know you’re awesome but just don’t want to verbalise it? Or (this is worse) you don’t even realise you pure awesomeness?"
Here's the catch: I want you to do objectively. As if you were listing the accomplishments of someone you admired, and wanted to point out all their good traits, and multi-tasking skills.
So who's up for this challenge? I will start tomorrow with my own post (God grant me the strength to do this) and see where it goes from there.
P.S. - To get your giggle factor going, I would like to share that when I clicked on the spell-check for this post, it highlighted PFers. When I clicked in the highlighted word for alternate suggestions, the first one on the list was 'Pervs'. I found that insanely funny!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
July Goals
Last month I only made two goals, to contact Bell mobility about lowering my cellphone account and to have $1000 in our Emergency fund.
I did contact Bell Mobility, and we don't qualify for new phones for a couple of months yet, so I won't be doing anything just yet. I'll renew the contract for a lower monthly amount when we can get new phones. Except that they don't have any phones that I like. They are all touch screen thingies. I do not want to move forward with the times with my cellphone.
As for the E-Fund, I fail. We did put money in it, to the tune of about $200, but not near having the $1000 baby emergency fund.
So my goal for July will be to snowflake/blizzard the heck out of the E-Fund!
One goal, one focus, one purpose. To get $800 into the account dedicated for emergencies.
I have an envelope in my purse that is marked for these snowflakes. I am going to aim to put $5 per day into this envelope, or transfer $5 per day via Internet banking. If I can only do $5 per day, it will take 160 days to hit the $1000 mark, or about 5 months. I'm going to do it this way because I've noticed if I aim for big numbers, I lose focus. If I aim for smaller number over a period of time, I get impatient, and end up doing more than what I'm aiming for.
$5 a day. We can do that.
July 2nd: $5/$800
I did contact Bell Mobility, and we don't qualify for new phones for a couple of months yet, so I won't be doing anything just yet. I'll renew the contract for a lower monthly amount when we can get new phones. Except that they don't have any phones that I like. They are all touch screen thingies. I do not want to move forward with the times with my cellphone.
As for the E-Fund, I fail. We did put money in it, to the tune of about $200, but not near having the $1000 baby emergency fund.
So my goal for July will be to snowflake/blizzard the heck out of the E-Fund!
One goal, one focus, one purpose. To get $800 into the account dedicated for emergencies.
I have an envelope in my purse that is marked for these snowflakes. I am going to aim to put $5 per day into this envelope, or transfer $5 per day via Internet banking. If I can only do $5 per day, it will take 160 days to hit the $1000 mark, or about 5 months. I'm going to do it this way because I've noticed if I aim for big numbers, I lose focus. If I aim for smaller number over a period of time, I get impatient, and end up doing more than what I'm aiming for.
$5 a day. We can do that.
July 2nd: $5/$800
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