First half of 2010 goals…

2010goals

This year H and I are doing things differently. Rather than writing out a list of goals to accomplish by this time next year, we are going to spend the first half of the year working on the goals listed below. Then in June we will make new goals for the rest of the year.

The reason we’re doing this is because we are making a huge change in our lives. We are getting married this year! I know that after the wedding, we are going to shift our focus and right now, we don’t know what that focus will be. We will cross that bridge when the time comes.

Goals:

Pay for the wedding and honeymoon with cash

I want to have this accomplished by the end of March, since that’s when the final payment for the cruise is.

Pay day date nights

When I first started this blog we had what we call “pay day date nights”. Basically every pay day weekend we would go on a date together that cost money. The alternating weekends we had to find something free to do. This worked REALLY well for us! We had something to look forward to throughout the week and it really curbed our entertainment spending!

Food spending habits

I need to do better with meal planning. In an effort to control our dining out and grocery spending, meal planning is something I am going to work towards this coming year. Grocery posts will be coming back, which will include a meal plan for each week and food waste Friday’s will remain. We are also going to limit ourselves to dining out 2x per month.

Reduce bills that are in my control

Bills that are in my control are going to be priority. I am able to reduce our electric bill if I am ensuring I turn off lights when I leave a room or turn things off when they’re not in use. The same applies for our cell phones (I cannot wait until those contracts are done!).

Cash only!

The plan is to use the jar system and live on cash only. At the beginning of each month we will take out $900 to live off for the month.

I plan on revisiting these goals monthly, so I can keep myself accountable and so I can track our progress. In June, I will share the 2nd half of our 2010 goals.

2010budget

This is going to be our monthly budget until June.

Questions? Anything I’m missing?

I just want to get to June without any huge changes (like unemployment)! I had enough of changes in 2009.

Frugal Dreamer on December 22, 2009 | Filed Under Goals

13 Comments

krystalatwork @ Give Me Back My Five Bucks on December 22nd, 2009

Those look like terrific goals!

I really want to do a cash-only system too – at least try it out for a month. Maybe I’ll experiment with it in January!

RainyDaySaver on December 22nd, 2009

My cash-only system is really cash with debit card. But it does tend to be too easy to swipe a debit card.

Frugal Dreamer on December 22nd, 2009

RainyDay: Yes – that’s the system we have been using too. Cash only, but with our debit cards. We never use credit. But I feel the same way, it does tend to be too easy to swipe it – so we’re moving to literally, cash only!

Krystal: Thanks!!

HighClassLowIncome on December 22nd, 2009

Those goals look great! I haven’t really made any big time goal planning yet other than paying down my debt.. but I like the idea of setting shorter term goals!! I may try to set a small goal of paying off my visa in 3-4 months. Good luck in the first half of 2010

Judi on December 22nd, 2009

Those look like very good goals. We love cash only, it’s working quite well for us! I haven’t even started thinking about goals for 2010, except save for the closing costs on our house.

This Thrifted Life on December 22nd, 2009

Excellent goals! I really like the pay day date night idea and how that forces you to get creative with free activities on your “off” weekends.

I started menu planning a few years ago and will never go back. It makes my life so much easier and it’s such a great way to make sure our diet is pretty healthy.

Serendipity on December 22nd, 2009

I love the idea of making goals for the first half of the year and then taking time to re-evaluate midway thru. Love it and ood luck with everything you do!

Heather on December 22nd, 2009

Good luck with the cash only, I hope you love it as much as we do!

Annie on December 22nd, 2009

What a great idea! Each half of the year with different goals – that makes a lot of sense. Well-thought out goals, too, and I’m looking forward to you ticking each one off as it’s accomplished.

And don’t forget – when you know your dates in Alaska, let me know, okay? I’ve been itching to get to Juneau, but a day trip to Skagway is always a welcome treat. I’ll buy lunch at the Sweet Tooth Cafe!

The Asian Pear on December 22nd, 2009

that looks great! I haven’t even started thinking about my goals yet. looks like you and H have everything planned out (for the first 6 months anyways ^__~ )

munchkin on December 22nd, 2009

sounds like great goals! I have to think of mine still!

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