You have got to be kidding me.

I have to say, I've never been big on reading blogs. I mean some of them are fun. But up until recently the only one I ever concerned myself with was 52cupcakes. If you haven't checked it out you need too! Since I love to bake it's fun to see what this woman has whipped up and knowing that when she started she barely knew how to bake. To get back to it, one of my girlfriends recently started a blog. It's helping her to focus on her goals. I've been trying to focus on some of my goals as well so reading her blog, well, it got me motivated. So I thought I might try it out and see if I can stick to it.

Goals:
Budget and Save Money
Watch what I put in my body
Volunteer
Be More creative

1.) Budget:
Several months ago my Dad wanted me to focus on trying to save money. So he offered to help out with a new car if I could save some money. So I've been trying. At the start of the year I was actually doing pretty good. But I wasn't budgeting and suddenly my money was slipping through my fingers. Until it ran out of control. So now I am trying to severely focus on watching what I spend my money on. I've been trying to take control of my money as my gas costs and grocery costs have increased. Let's just say it's not easy. But more then ever I want to pay off my debt (just a credit card), put money down towards a new car, and save towards a real vacation. Actually the vacation part is important to me. I've never gone outside the country on my own, paying for myself. I would love to go to the Bahamas, Italy or Madrid. So it's really important to me to save this money as well as the other two reasons

So what have I done to try to save myself money. Here's a small list:
I got rid of my storage unit. It will mean storing some stuff in our basement but I was finally able to let go of the storage unit.
I changed my calling plan. It was eating up my money for no reason. My switching my plan I'm saving upwards of $30.
I started using my groceries, and cooking at home. Instead of eating out I have to force myself to use what I have and eat at home or at work. Not Chick-Fil-A everyday! And I started clipping coupons to help out on that end as well.
I've curbed my shopping sprees. I'm starting to really step back and evaluate what I have to have, versus what I want.
I'm keeping a daily and monthly budget so I can see where my excess is going and how I can cut back.
I've cut back on my netflix subscription saving $5. I'm also considering quitting it altogether.
I'm carpooling! This is saving money and is so relaxing.

What's left to do?
Work on my credit card. I'm pretty sure I can get a better rate.
Transfer my Car insurance which is biting me in the butt. The service sucks and the price has to be wrong.
Continue to track my spending and extraneous needs.

2.) Watch What I put in my body
I'm not doing so well on this one. If you know what's been going on with me you know I've been dealing with some health issues. From eye problems to just plain old rotten sickness this seems to be a banner year for me. So I need to start buckling down on what I'm putting inside at least foodwise. My doctor has told me I need to slow back on caffeine (I only drink1 cup of coffee and a can of coke a day normally) and I already know I need to watch my weight. I should go back to Weight Watchers but that would be a monetary expense I shouldn't afford right now. I need to learn control. And I would like to start back to kickboxing or dance classes.

3.) Volunteer
I've been dying to volunteer for a while. Except now it's about tenfold. I feel like I'm not doing enough good things with my free time. It's a part of not only budgeting my money and my body but budgeting my time and my soul. I plan to find somewhere to give back, even a local soup kitchen.

4.) Be more Creative
Sometimes in the day to day I feel like I am drawn and tired and boring. I miss being creative and fun loving when that feeling strikes. And I know I can do creative things everyday. I just need to come up with them. So it's trying to work with my free fun-loving creative Pisces side.

There is my standard set of goals. Adding one or two is allowed. Failing is not an option.