2011 Goals

In the past, I have found that having too many goals can be self defeating.  I am going to list my goals and plans as categories.

The first category is Personal Goals. 

Health:  I will again become motivated to improve my health.  To do this I will need to exercise, eat better and deal with stress in a more positive way.  Exercise:  I am paying for a gym membership.....that has gone unused for at least a month and a half.  Tsk...Tsk.   I am going to commit to going to the gym at least 8 times this month (and every month this year). 

I will eat foods that are better for me by eliminating  more of the processed foods that I really like.  More whole grains,vegetables and fruits will be incorporated into my diet.  I will eliminate at least one diet soda a day and replace it with water. ( I drink way too much soda... seriously).

Everyone has stress in their life.  I tend to internalize my stress and pretend like there is nothing wrong.  This year, I am going to rely on my family and friends more to listen and help with the load. Definitely am going to do more things that are spur of the moment and fun.

The next category is Financial Goals.

This Christmas was a debt buster.  I did not have a plan in place (for most of the year) to pay for Christmas.  It comes around every year and I always think I am not going to spend but a couple of hundred dollars.  Wake up Lisa!!!  Every year, I blow the Christmas budget to smithereens!! My budget this year for Christmas was 500.00 dollars.  Final Tally..... 975.00!  Holy Christmas Tree!! I have planned ahead for Christmas 2011.  Each paycheck, we are having automatic deductions taken out and sent to our ING Christmas Savings Account.  By the end of the year, we will have 1000.00 dollars for Christmas!!

We want to significantly reduce or possible eliminate our credit card debt this year.  We owe around 11,000 dollars in CC debt.  I will be applying for a no interest for 24 months credit card and transfer the balances to that card.  ( I know that this is risky... because I might be tempted to spend more..) 

We need wills.  This definitely needs to get done this year.  ( I say this every year). 

I have an emergency account in place, it is at 1000.00 dollars.  There is long term savings in place as well, but until we close on the new house, I do not want to use that for debt reduction at this time. We when do close and move to the new house, I can then be more aggressive in debt repayment.  We still have inspections and closing costs to pay. 

I am going to use more cash and less debit card for purchases.  This is always so difficult for me.  I find cash limiting....what if there is something else I want to buy and I don't have the cash??  This area needs work, definitely.

Possibly pick up a part time job to speed the debt repayment.  I have resumes and applications out there, so this will help.  

The next category is Blog Goals.

I enjoy blogging so much!  It provides an opportunity to "meet" new people and develop new friendships.  Each day I am blessed to learn about others and myself through blogging. 

I want to grow my blog!  I currently have 72 subscribers to my blog.  I want to that number to reach 250 by the end of 2011! 

Blog Income:  Each month, my blog earns about 3.00 dollars.  Definitely room for improvement!  Goal for 2011 is to earn 1000.00 dollars which is roughly 83.00 dollars a month.  A girl can dream, right?? 

I am constantly tweaking the look of my blog... I don't know If that will ever stop :)  I am going to figure out how to design a new header this year.

Thanks to everyone that stops by and visits my blog.  I appreciate your time and your comments. Here is to a "Happy New Year" to all of you!