2 Easy Ways To Save $1378 In One Year

When I saw the 52 Week Savings Challenge chart come up on my Pinterest feed, I thought "I can do that."    I have to admit I'm not that great with saving money. For me, this plan seems simple and painless.
 

There are two different ways to do the weekly version, you can either start with $1 and increase it each week or start with $52 and decrease each week.   The end result is still the same, but I figured I'd have more money in the beginning of the year then at the end.   Obviously this is meant as a New Year's resolution type challenge, but you can start it at any time.  I'm starting this week but will save as if this is week 4 which means I'm putting aside $202.   It will be a nice chunk of change that sure will come in handy for Christmas gifts.  Although, you could use the money for a family trip, maybe new furniture or a household project that's been put off for too long.  You could just leave it and grow your savings every year, but that's no fun.

This chart breaks it down monthly, it might work better with someone's budget to do it this way. 

I've seen people tape it to a large jar, but I think it would be too easy to "borrow" from the jar if it was sitting right there.  I'm printing mine out and keeping it in my bill paying binder so it's always there to remind me.  I should frame it and hang it on the wall above my desk, that would be hard to miss!  

Do you have any tips or tricks for saving money?  I'd love to hear about them.  

Cleaning Out The Clutter... One Week At A Time (Master Bedroom)

With the new year comes all of the good intentions of being more organized in every aspect of life.
Since it's January, I am doing my BEST to turn all those "intentions" into reality.
I believe that when your household clutter is so out of control, so is your life and mind.    It's a lot easier said then done.   "Oh, just clean out, throw out and organize everything and it'll make your life better."   Well, when you really step back and look at all that needs to get done it's a bit paralyzing.   At least for me it is.

I know we are a few weeks into January already but it's been rough around here with my father-in-law in the hospital with serious heart and kidney failure.   I'm doing this now because, A) It's NEEDS to be done..B) I need to get my mind back in the game.. C) I could really use the distraction.  

Better late, then never...right?  

I originally was thinking I would do a 31 Day Cleaning/Organizing Challenge, but that quickly became too overwhelming.  After, I typed the whole list on my computer and printed it out, I instantly realized I was being unrealistic and setting myself up for disappointment. I just if I couldn't accomplish something everyday, I would get defeated and give up totally.   I decided it was probably a better idea to give myself a bigger goal but at the same time give myself a longer time frame.    So, I came up with this weekly "Cleaning Out The Clutter" challenge for myself.  

This week it's my bedroom.   I would normally start with an easier room, like the bathroom or laundry room. But I really wanted to challenge myself to get a big job done first.

Here's my plan:

• under the bed 
• both night stand drawers 
• both dressers 
• tv/entertainment center shelves and cabinet 
• closets  (This will be the worst job of them all.  Both my husband's closet and mine are packed  from floor to ceiling with clothes and shoes.    The saddest part is that probably 75% of what's in there, is stuff  we wouldn't ever wear or doesn't fit.)    
• vacuum and steam clean the rug 
• new curtain for window 

Are you doing a cleaning, organizing or decluttering challenge?    I love hearing about how other people tackle their household chores.  

I'll be back every Sunday to update my progress and hopefully move on to another room.  

This Year Was.......

This year was.... a year like any other with it's ups and downs.  Even though it's ending on somewhat of a "down" for me, I don't want to write the whole thing off and say it was totally horrible.

I've had some pretty big personal breakthroughs in the last few months.
It's honestly been the hardest 3 months I've had in a long long time, but sometimes hittin a mental rock- bottom is a good thing. I still have a lot of work to do on myself but for the first time in a long time I do see a light at the end of the tunnel.  I know I'll get through it and figure it all out eventually.

As a 43 year old women who has stayed home to raise my 2 sons for the last 20 years, take care of my husband who's had multiple neck and back surgeries, I never prepared myself for the time when my role of mommy and caretaker was no longer necessary.

This year was....the year that it hit me like a brick wall!  "What do I want to be when I grow up?"  
It's basically a women's mid-life crisis.  I want change, I need change, I WILL change.  

So, for me 2014 is going to be exciting.  I've decided,  it's going to be "The Year of Tina"  

It won't be easy to put myself first and I know it will take some time to retrain my brain, but I am determined more then ever.      

Good bye 2013........Hello 2014

Inspiring Inexpensive Interiors... The Series

I've been wanting to redo my living room for the last 5 years.  I HATE it!

The thing is, the whole living room is in desperate need of a makeover.   I'm talking new couches, tables, lamps, decor, wall repairs and paint.   It's very overwhelming.

It's not just the money that it will take to redo everything, it's the work that's involved.   With Chris not being physically able to help move around furniture or the painting, it's a lot for me to even think of doing all on my own.  So, nothing has changed.

I've thought of just buying new couches but with the walls all beat up and disgusting, what's the point?   I've looked for new pillows, new wall art, new curtains something that would jump out at me and say, "OMG this is perfect for the living room!"   Ya know what I'm talking about, right?    I found a lot of things I like, but nothing I LOVE.  I think it's just been a creative block so-to-speak.   Deep down I wouldn't let myself fall in love with something knowing it would never become a reality.      

The worst part, the stumbling block, is the wall repairs and painting.   My living room has a 15 foot vaulted ceiling.   I've just come to the realization (so has Chris) that we will have to pay somebody to come in and do that part of the job.  Believe me when I tell you it's killing him to give up on that.  He has always loved painting and is a perfectionist.  The thought of someone coming in and doing a half-assed job makes him cringe.   But he can't do it, he has accepted it.  

So, now since that's been decided, it starts..... the saving, planning and shopping.  

But where to start?  The couches? The paint color?   A piece of artwork or a fabric swatch?

That's where the idea of documenting the process of redoing the living room into a series right here on my blog.

I hope you'll join me each week as I share in my quest for an "Inspiring Inexpensive Interior."      

(Next week.... The search for couches)  



 

Wordless Wednesday - I Miss This Kid

My oldest son Nick is spending his summer at the University of Minnesota doing an engineering research project.   He's only been gone for a week and a half.   It's going to be a long nine and a half weeks to go before he comes back home....  (boo hoo)  

He sent me the pic on the left after he bought himself a University of Minnesota hat.   I was shocked how young he looked clean shaven!!  And yes, I was "that mom" that took his picture as he was going through airport security!  SO SUE ME!    

Menu Plan Monday

Not too exciting around here this week.  

I really need to find new recipes to try out. That's my goal for next week!  I'm not that adventurous with cooking or eating anything too fancy but if you have a easy, "different" recipe you can share, I'd appreciate it.  (So would the rest of my family!)      

It's Coming Up Red, White and Blue This Memorial Day with Stop & Shop and #cbias

Memorial Day is this weekend and you know what that means, right?   The official start to summer and grilling season!  It also means my birthday is right around the corner.      

My family has always combined celebrating the Memorial Day holiday with my birthday.  

Just like most Americans we have a BBQ at one of our houses.   I like it that way.  

Some people go camping for the weekend. I'm not really the outdoorsy kind.   

Some people go to the beach for the day.  It hasn't been warm enough here in Connecticut to even think about the beach yet.   

I think it's the perfect time for a staycation at home with the family!  Having a get-together at my house means I get to pick the "theme" for the party.   Since I'd rather forget I'm turning another year older, I'm going to go with the red, white and blue.   And just so you know, I love me a theme.  That means anything and everything I can buy, make or craft in those colors... I will!   

Stop and Shop is my go-to grocery store.   Seriously, I'm in there two, sometimes three times a week.  

One time the lady who works at the People's bank inside told me I should just get an account there since I'm in the store all the time.   Yeah, I'm there that much!  

When I saw this week's flyer with all the great sales and extra gas rewards points, it was a no-brainer.  

I'm a list maker and coupon cutter.  Well, most of the time.  I really hate to just go to the store all "willy-nilly"  It's never good for my diet or wallet.     

I know it sounds dorky, but I always take a quick stroll through the florist department.  All the pretty flowers, arrangements and balloons make me happy.   And yes, I'll "do cake".... anytime, anywhere.  

 Is there anything better then fresh corn on the cob?  Do you remember the days of rolling the corn on a stick of butter?  I love spray butter!  Best invention!

 Shhhh.... I don't tell anyone in my family that the hot dogs I buy are lean.  They NEVER can tell the difference anyway.

Everything I need and want is on sale... and I have coupons!  Go me!

Since it was a really hot day, I decided to cook the steak and a package of hot dogs outside on the grill for dinner that night.  While standing outside grilling, it was the perfect time to hang up the bunting and put out the other Americana decorations I bought at Stop and Shop.

 Okay, so I might have had a beer while standing out there too.     I couldn't resist, it matched everything else!

We also "had" to try out the s'mores.   They are mine and Thomas' favorite summer dessert!  I mean, really, who wouldn't love graham crackers and chocolate with red, white and blue star marshmallows?

If this is making you hungry or making you think about grilling this weekend you have to see everything else I found at Stop and Shop by checking out my Google + album. 

What do you do for the Memorial Day weekend?   Do you stay home or go away?    

P.S.  If you have any good red, white and blue themed ideas you want to share with me just leave me a comment with idea or a link.  I would love it.  

Happy Memorial Day!  Happy Start to the 2013 Summer/Grilling Season!