Week....? Update

My last update was February 3rd.....4 weeks ago.  Since that time, I've accomplished all my goals!  No, not really, but I have made some awesome progress!

Before I get into that, I do have a valid reason for not posting.  I said I'd be on vacation....it was fabulous!  Now that I've been back I haven't been able to login to my blog (errr.....ummmm...I mean from work.)  Yes, I'm naughty and I post from work because I'm O-V-E-R the computer by the time I get home.  BUT, 15 minutes a week ain't gonna kill anyone, so I have zero guilt. 

Update: Week 5(ish)

Take a photography class:  My friend invited me to a secret group on Facebook which has photography themes each month, members take the photos, do the theme and post.  It's really cool!  I also downloaded a tips and tricks tutorial on my iPad.  It has a lot of great info for a "Photography for Dummies" person like me!  I did manage to take this really cool picture on my vacation! 

Stick to my budget:  I've learned a pretty profound lesson; if you have no money, you have no money to spend!  I have been sticking to my budget and not spending any excess money.  It's pretty easy in that I have no excess money right now, and it's a good habit to get into for when I do have it.  As a side note: catalogs in the mail are EVIL for those of us who are trying to NOT spend money!  I'm still following the Dave Ramsey gig and so far I have set up a new savings plan at my bank that transfers a set amount of money from checking into savings every time I swipe my debit card!  Love it!  I also did some research on my investment portfolio and made some major changes based on what I've learned in Dave's book. 

Pay off misc debt:  I find the most challenging part with this is Dave's advice that you MUST have an emergency fund set up before you pay off any debt.  It makes perfect sense, but right now my old instincts tell me to pay off debt and save later.  I know this is bad, bad, bad because just as soon as I reached my goal of zero debt, inevitably something would happen and I'd have to spend emergency money that I didn't have set aside.  How would I do that?  Credit.  Step #1: Emergency Fund!  It's underway, albeit slowly....

Volunteer at my son's school:  I haven't been able to do lunch with him yet, and it's something I think about daily!  I have it on my calendar for next week, and it's going to happen!

Leave work on time:  I'm really doing well with this, leaving by 5:30.......(ish) most nights!  I find that I can get a lot more done at home when I don't get home an hour before I go to bed.  Fascinating!

Make more time for friends:  This weekend I am going to a spa day with a bunch of great girls for a BFF's 40th birthday!  Massage...check.  Mimosas....check.  Girl giggles, silliness and laughs...check.  I am bummed though, as the celebration is actually a full weekend in the mountains, but I have previous hockey obligations for my kiddo.  Partial celebration is better than no celebration!!

Better organization at home:  One word....Pinterest!  Addicted!  And I not only "pin" the stuff I like but I've actually made two of the DIY crafts that are for organization.  One is a really cool white board for my son with a weekly schedule, task list, etc. with a hook underneath for his coat and backpack.  Gone are the days of "Mom, where is my coat?"  The other is Chore Dice.  They took about 15 minutes to make, cost about $1.25 total and it's been a success so far!  Everyone in the house rolls the dice each night and does their chore.  I even put Free Pass and You Choose on them to add an opportunity for a freebie.  I've had zero complaints and the house is in better shape!

Date night:  This area could use some major focus!  The no money thing tends to throw a wrench in this plan.  We had a blast in California and still do some little things like a movie at home or a quick sneak away for happy hour.  Since we had 5 whole days of vaca - I'm not too worried about planning an official date right now.

The phone:  Yep, still hate it.  But I am way better at answering and not doing the auto-voicemail trick.  And as a side note, I've ALWAYS answered when it's been a friend or family member unless I was genuinely unable to right at that moment.  Progress.

Celebrate important dates:  I suck.  I know I suck.  Need I say more about the lack of progress on this?