December has flown by. We are ending the month at home with hopefully everyone (all 5 kids) at home. This should be lots of fun!  I am planning to get up at least two post today both this month in review and a year in review post. I will get a post about goals and change in plans in the next couple of days.  I am working toward a more balanced approach.

Emergency Fund- Goal is $1000- $250. This goal was not meet. However the huge expense of a new HVAC system will be totally covered so that should count as something. We are ending the year at the same point we started $250.

Groceries- Goal $820 per month.  Goal not  met with $1272.39. This does included food for both of our big parties, the Christmas dinner party for 30 that was this past week and most of the food for the Super Bowl party that is the first weekend of September.  I am planning for a full on pantry challenge for the months of January and February.  Again I have planned to make a full post on this but we will see when that happens.

Gas- Goal is $500.  December total is $480.48.

Blogging- For 2025- the goal will be 10 posts per month. This is actually post number 13  for the month. Finally back on track.

Debit-  This post details most of the changes. The goal for 2026 will be to pay off the Home Depot Credit card without interest.  This will definitely be a stretch but I am going to work hard toward it.

Health/Exercise- I am maintaining at 179.  My goal for 2026 will be to add some form of exercise 2 times a month.

Reading through the Bible this year- Will read my final chapters today.

In full transparency, I am writing this long past the actual date but hey I needed to get it in. We left for Florida on November 25th and did not return until December 6th, late so I was a little behind. I am very hopeful to get a post up about the financial decision that we made and completed in November before the Christmas holiday but for now I am struggling to get back in the grove.

Emergency Fund- Goal is $1000- $250. I am very doubtful that we meet this goal this year. However stay tuned for some big financial update that will happen this month. Promise to get more information on this very soon!

Groceries- Goal $820 per month.  Goal not  met with $1020.67. I am looking at a full on pantry challenge for January and February. I also need to get an idea of what we have spent for the year. Another promise of a detailed post with my ideas and goals should happen in December

Gas- Goal is $500.  November total is $623.15. This does include half of our trip. Gas mileage was around 9 miles to the gallon. December will also be expensive because of the return trip.

Blogging- For 2025- the goal will be 10 posts per month. This is actually post number 6 for the month. I have been struggling but am hoping to get myself back in a better routine.

Debit- Goal is 200000 total debit for the end of the year! Huge update and changes coming soon.  See above!

Health/Exercise- I am continuing to slowly lose weight. This morning showed 179.  For a total of 46 pounds of weight loss. Ideally I would like to hit 50 but we shall see. I actually gained 3-4 pounds during the trip but also walked at least 5 miles a day for at least 5 of the days.

Reading through the Bible this year-Still on track! I am going to finish the year strong! One thing that I am staying on track with is good!

October has been a struggle to say the least.  I developed another eye infection but there is some evidence to say that they are actually shingles… I am just hoping I can keep from getting again.  I don’t think things are slowing down but I am hopeful that I am becoming more adaptable and that we can get in a rhythm soon.  On a positive note, we have almost finished the new building in the driveway. Painting and new lights are all that is left. This should make things easier but we shall see.

Emergency Fund- Goal is $1000- $250. I am very doubtful that we meet this goal this year. However stay tuned for some big financial update that will happen this month.

Groceries- Goal $820 per month.  Goal  met with $678. We are working on continuing to work through our pantries, fridges and freezers. I would like to stay under for the remainder of the year. As a side note, we are also helping to support a family with our food resources as well.

Gas- Goal is $500.  October total is $343. We will be driving to Florida in November/ December and that should increase this amount.

Blogging- For 2025- the goal will be 10 posts per month. This is actually post number 6 for the month. I have been struggling but am hoping to get myself back in a better routine.

Debit- Goal is 200000 total debit for the end of the year! Huge update and changes coming soon.

Health/Exercise- I am continuing to slowly lose weight. This morning showed 179.  For a total of 46 pounds of weight loss. Ideally I would like to hit 50 but we shall see. We did alot of walking for the Halloween party so that should count as exercise.

Reading through the Bible this year-Still on track! I am going to finish the year strong!

September was a busy month.  My work has been a struggle to balance and life is busy with teenagers and grands!

Emergency Fund- Goal is $1000- $250. One word School!

Groceries- Goal $820 per month.  Goal not met with $907.36 We made a Costco trip on Saturday which pushed us way over.

Gas- Goal is $500. August  total is $34155. Not bad for a whole month of driving!

Blogging- For 2025- the goal will be 10 posts per month. This is actually post number 10. This was a real struggle for the month. I am hoping to keep this up and even improve as I find that I can settle in a routine.

Debit- Goal is 200000 total debit for the end of the year!  Slow progress and we might be making some significant changes but I will let you know as things progress.

Health/Exercise- Yuck yuck yuck… no time no time no time.

Reading through the Bible this year-Still on track! I am so excited and proud of myself because we finished the Old Testament today!  I am 3/4 of the way through!

As August comes to an end, I am sad.  I really enjoyed the summer! September brings Zach birthday and a consistent school schedule.  Things should get a lot of crazy before settling down for October!

Emergency Fund- Goal is $1000- $300. No progress this month. We have huge expenses including school shoes, big birthday and graduation expenses as well.

Groceries- Goal $820 per month.  Goal met with $647 spent including stocking up on corn ears and sodas.

Gas- Goal is $500. August  total is $342.29. I am going to assume this cost will rise as I am driving to and from work now.

Blogging- For 2025- the goal will be 10 posts per month. This is actually post number 11 not bad for the month I returned to work.

Debit- Goal is 200000 total debit for the end of the year!  Slow progress and I am going to save for a big update in December.

Health/Exercise-Things are heading in the right direction. I am down 12 pounds for the summer and my watch told me that I have walked 2 miles for 15 days this month.

Reading through the Bible this year-Still on track!

I am sad because the end of July means that I am returning to work very soon.  Two weeks to be exact. July was an extremely fun month. Matt and I enjoyed the cruise for the first couple of days of July. Last week was our family vacation at Myrtle Beach. This was very relaxing and very needed!  We all just sat and soaked up the sun and ocean breezes.  In fact it was so good we have already booked the same week for next year!

Emergency Fund- Goal is $1000- $300. I decided to enjoy vacations and not focus on this during this month. I am very hopeful to start adding to this on a regular basis. In order to meet this goal I will need to place $140 each month into the account. Time to buckle down and make this an achievable goal.

Groceries- Goal $820 per month.  We spent $854.80 Although I did not meet the established goal, I did stay under $900 which was what I planned last month. My hope and goal is to reduce this amount for the remainder of the year.

Gas- Goal is $500. June total is $342.29. This does include two road trips so that is a very positive thing!

Blogging- For 2025- the goal will be 10 posts per month. This is actually post number 8 which I am considering a success considering that I was out of town for at least 15 days this month!

Debit- Goal is 200000 total debit for the end of the year!  Still not discussing.

Health/Exercise-No change on the scales this month. I have been walking alot but I want to continue to see some improvements.

Reading through the Bible this year-Today is day 212  and I am on track! This is s huge success!

June the official start of Summer!   I love the hot weather and am really enjoying my summer break. June was a good month and July should be even better. We have several trips coming up and a whole month of no work or at least school work. Summer is here!

Emergency Fund- Goal is $1000- $300. This is a struggle for me.  It seems we make a step forward and then several steps back. We are at least moving in the right direction but I am hopefully to be back to $500 which is where we started the year.

Groceries- Goal $820 per month.  We spent $1084.93 I had anticipated that our grocery budget would remain high this month. I am trying to stock both the pantries and the freezers so that does mean higher cost. I would like to keep it lower than $900 for July but we shall see.

Gas- Goal is $500. June total is $336.76. This does not include the HUGE expense of new tires for my car. I am anticipating a higher total for July as we have 2 road trips planned.

Blogging- For 2025- the goal will be 10 posts per month. This is actually post number 18 which is the most I have ever posted in a single month! Go me !

Debit- Goal is 200000 total debit for the end of the year! I am not going to discuss this but we are struggling and I am working to get a better handle on where our money is going.

Health/Exercise-I am actually weigh 191 I have finally got back into the routine of walking in the pool a couple of times a week. My weight has gone up and down so no real change this month.

Reading through the Bible this year-Today is day 181 which mean I am half way there!  I am super proud of myself and plan to continue on track. I will admit that this summer is much harder to stay on track than during the school year.