2009 challenge for myself need help

[angeleyeza]

I have a few resolutions I need help in:

#1 reading coupons more thourougly so that I do NOT use them improperly.

#2 Lose 20 lbs

#3 Quit smoking (started chantix today!!!)

#4 get personal and family finances in order

#5 make a spending limit for a family of 7

#6 set a spending limit on groceries per week

#7 make bills and personal finances lower

[lssugoalie]

That's a tough list, but I'm sure you can do it. Good luck and you've got all of our support here at hcw!

[chitownmelli]

Oh yeah! You can totally do it. I have faith in you. What can I do to help? PM me, I'm happy to even just listen if you want to ramble some ideas :) That's how I think things through lol!!!

[pyxiwulf]

for the smoking, I have heard good things about Chantix and for me when I quit (cold turkey, no drugs or nicotine subs) I spent about 5 days saying when I went for one (my husband was smoking so they were still in the house) "hmmm...I think I'll see if I can skip this one and see about having one later" after about a week I didn't need to do it all day long. just skipping one at a time and not really comitting to quitting forever, just for that one cigarette was the key.

[ladyeeyore7]

Wow, that is a wonderful list! Please keep posting on your progress thru the year!

[angeleyeza]

day 2 on chantix .. im making some progress Ive had the same pk of smokes for 3 days, I used to smoke 1/2 a pk to a whole pack a day Ive noticed they started tasting funny and can't finish a whole smoke in one sitting .. also my DH started Chantix today, he usually smokes a carton a wk..! thank you all for being so supportive.

as for finances..
I got my car paid off in full it is now mine!! as of 2 wks ago. I was paying $112-$130 per week going through Alexanders Auto it was a pin in the butt, but finally something I have that is mine that I paid for. now I will have an extra $100 + bucks per wk. I really dont know how I could have saved so much money for groceries, and everything else without all of you guys here teaching me right from wrong lol

weight loss...

I need to get my butt kicked all I crave is sweets and salty foods. When I went to the drs on monday I was 160 lbs *GasP!* I was so sad that I gained from 4-5 months ago 15 lbs! wth I thought to myself. So I am adopting the South Beach Diet and I bought myself some Biggest Loser dvd workouts I am prepared. This I think will be the new me. Non smoking, loving mother of 5 with a heathful attitude in life with my head up high and pockets full of cash. I want to be around for my kids, so I think this will be a huge change for me lifestyle wise. I am going to dedicate 1 hr of each day to myself for workouts.

as for coupons.
I read more and more now before I use them I also contact companies to make sure they are aware of certain coupons that are out that seem fake to make sure they are valid.

[skw6559]

These are excellent goals. Congrats on the quitting smoking goal and glad your husband is also looking to quit as well. It is harder for a person to be successful at this when another person in the household continues to smoke. I do caution you to monitor each other while on the Chantix. There have been several people who have had psychological side effects on the medication. Not saying that either one of you will but, it is a good idea to discuss and let each other know if they see any personality changes in the other. With that being said , I know several people who are currently on the medication without any side effects other than nausea when they first started taking the medication. Our workplace just recently went to a smoke free campus.

Great time to get started working on the finances. Soon it will be a new year and so much can be accomplished in this area for most everyone. There are several people on this board that have tons of great advice on how to manage and get ahead. I have greatly benefited from the advice here.

Good luck on the weight loss!!!

I would caution you to start out a little more slowly. You are putting a lot on your plate with stopping smoking, dieting and exercising for one hour per day. You don't want to burn yourself out quickly.

You can do it!!!Keep us posted on how things are going.

[lmcconne]

You've set yourself some major goals and a total overhaul. Make plans to succeed. Steps or recognizing milestones will reinforce your progress.

On the goal to work out, I find it helps to make a mark on the calendar each time I exercise and enjoy seeing how many marks I can achieve. Multi-tasking helps, like watching my taped soaps while on the treadmill.

If you're paying down debt, chart your progress. Have a credit card cutting ceremony each time you pay one off. (The biggest part of this achievement is to stop spending what you don't have and doing without, whatever sacrifices those might be, to devote resources to pay for past overindulgences.) Financial stability is a gift to you (and your family) for a more secure future.

[searcher]

Great list but like was mentioned before, be careful not to try to change too many things at once. You don't want to stress yourself out with too many things to do or not do all at once. IMO the stop smoking is the most important. It will improve your health (thus cut down on Dr. bills) plus you will have all the money you are now spending on smokes! Which is a lot if you sit down and honestly figure it out. I was shocked when I saw on paper how much I was spending! (I quit 15 months ago) Best of luck on all your resolutions!! You just have to get into the right mindset and expect setbacks because they WILL happen, but don't let that cause you to give up. Just dust yourself off and go right back at it!

[melodyjg]

I am definitely there with ya on the weight loss...I'm in the middle of doing Weight Watchers and need to get my butt in gear!!! I want to be 40 and looking good in June!! That is my major goal for 2009!!