January 6th, 2008
This year has definitely started off better than last year. I finally have some goals set. I have given myself some parameters within which to operate. Watching Jane4girls and her $800 a year grocery budget really made me start to think about setting goals and how to reach them. So, for this year, I have made some goals. I will not call them resolutions, those are just made to be broken, kind of like diets.
First and foremost, each month I will have a written budget for that month before the month begins! Ala Dave Ramsey, spending every dime on paper. Sticking to that budget 100% and if something has to change, knowing that I will have to move it from somewhere else (another category). Any money left over at the end of the month will be moved to savings.
I have started a savings category for bills that will come occasionally, like car insurance and property taxes and will take them out monthly so there is not a problem (read:panic) when they are due.
Things like car maintenance and clothes and furniture replacement....these all need to be funded, but just a little at a time. And, I will keep an emergency fund that is truly designated just for that. A true emergency.
Now on to the food budget. Right now, I'll admit, I am a little chicken. I have it set higher than I think I need it. I set it at $300 a month for our family of four. (2 teenage sons, dh and myself) We do have a fair amount of things stockpiled, but I have not been keeping track of anything for the last 2 1/2 months and I want to make sure we are in good shape before I lower it. Does that mean I will spend that much? I sure hope not! :shrug7: I am aiming a lot lower. I just have to get dh back in the habit of not running to Walmart and overpaying for cokes.
This year has definitely started off better than last year. I finally have some goals set. I have given myself some parameters within which to operate. Watching Jane4girls and her $800 a year grocery budget really made me start to think about setting goals and how to reach them. So, for this year, I have made some goals. I will not call them resolutions, those are just made to be broken, kind of like diets.
First and foremost, each month I will have a written budget for that month before the month begins! Ala Dave Ramsey, spending every dime on paper. Sticking to that budget 100% and if something has to change, knowing that I will have to move it from somewhere else (another category). Any money left over at the end of the month will be moved to savings.
I have started a savings category for bills that will come occasionally, like car insurance and property taxes and will take them out monthly so there is not a problem (read:panic) when they are due.
Things like car maintenance and clothes and furniture replacement....these all need to be funded, but just a little at a time. And, I will keep an emergency fund that is truly designated just for that. A true emergency.
Now on to the food budget. Right now, I'll admit, I am a little chicken. I have it set higher than I think I need it. I set it at $300 a month for our family of four. (2 teenage sons, dh and myself) We do have a fair amount of things stockpiled, but I have not been keeping track of anything for the last 2 1/2 months and I want to make sure we are in good shape before I lower it. Does that mean I will spend that much? I sure hope not! :shrug7: I am aiming a lot lower. I just have to get dh back in the habit of not running to Walmart and overpaying for cokes.
How to Clean Your House
Posted 01-12-2009 at 12:57:50 AM by kmmmom
I have a wonderful home with a husband and three great kids. I have 2 playful dogs. I have what I consider normal "clutter" all over the house. I clean up some, we mess up some. It's a never ending cycle. The thing is, over the years, I have come to embrace our "lifestyle" of a messy house. After all, I reason that my kids will remember the fun we had and the games we played far more than they will remember that my linens were ironed and my kitchen was always spotless. There is a level of comfort given from my surroundings. It reminds me of the security and peace that we have in our family. It makes me think of the bonding of a family.
But then, the words that I fear above all others. "Mom, my teacher is coming over on Sunday."
Quick!!!!! Everyone to their battlestations!!!! They all know the drill. Everything must be put away. All the surfaces must be dusted. The floor has to be vacuumed. The decorations need to be spruced up. I want this place to shine!!!! I want this place to look like Better Homes and Gardens. Okay, maybe the bohemian version of Better Homes & Gardens, but you get the idea.
And after our family pulls together once again and washes all the mirrors and puts away all reminders that someone actually lives here, I can finally relax and sit and wait for the "company". My house is spotless clean.
The only problem is, after the guest has "left the building", everyone relaxes and the house goes back to normal. Not dirty, just cluttered and busy with signs of our bustling life in all the nooks and crannies. We are just that kind of laid back people. Until the next time.
So, if you want to clean your house......invite company over. It works for me everytime.
*****************
Spending: $0
But then, the words that I fear above all others. "Mom, my teacher is coming over on Sunday."
Quick!!!!! Everyone to their battlestations!!!! They all know the drill. Everything must be put away. All the surfaces must be dusted. The floor has to be vacuumed. The decorations need to be spruced up. I want this place to shine!!!! I want this place to look like Better Homes and Gardens. Okay, maybe the bohemian version of Better Homes & Gardens, but you get the idea.
And after our family pulls together once again and washes all the mirrors and puts away all reminders that someone actually lives here, I can finally relax and sit and wait for the "company". My house is spotless clean.
The only problem is, after the guest has "left the building", everyone relaxes and the house goes back to normal. Not dirty, just cluttered and busy with signs of our bustling life in all the nooks and crannies. We are just that kind of laid back people. Until the next time.
So, if you want to clean your house......invite company over. It works for me everytime.
*****************
Spending: $0
Total Comments 2
Comments
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You make me laugh sounds like me. I just have my husband helped me clean the house the morning before I got a friend come over. lol
PhinPosted 01-12-2009 at 06:14:59 AM by phinphana
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The cleanest my house has ever been is when we put it on the market. Spic and span while the sign was in the yard with nothing out of place, no dust bunnies crawling the floor, no cobwebs decorating the walls. But as soon as the sign came down WHAM! Like a tornado ripped through.
I know a person can have a spotless, perfect home but its a ton of work. Not for me.Posted 01-12-2009 at 09:09:16 AM by ELLE-TN
