january update

I know, I know!  I'm a day late.  My computer wasn't working yesterday so everything is getting pushed back by a day!  Tomorrow I'll post February goals!

So, how did we do in January?  All things considered, not too bad!  My goal was to spend 10% less in January 2012 than we did in January 2011.  But between going to Texas for Mom's funeral and helping our friends whose husband was just diagnosed with colon cancer, we had about $650 in unexpected expenses .    We did not meet my goal of spending 10% less, but even with these unexpected expenses we still spent less!  In fact, we spent a whopping 0.5% less in January 2012 than we did in January 2011!  

And that is why I love these challenges!  Life happens and we have to spend some money.  But, because I was participating in the challenge, I'd already cut back spending in several areas which made up for the extra that was spent! 

And now for my other goals for the year and progress (if any...) that's being made!

Lose weight.

I lost 4.6 pounds this month!  (I have had a "munchy" week though and am not sure if I'll see a loss/gain/maintain on the scale for this week!)

Exercise.

Exercise was minimal at best.  I ran about 4.5 miles and exercised only 3 or 4 days.  2 days were spent doing solid running/cardio and 2 days were spent doing some serious yard work.

Volunteer.

no hours logged for January.

Build and strengthen relationships. 

check!  I wrote my weekly letters to special friends.  And we did invite a couple over for dinner last weekend, but they had to cancel at the last minute so we ended up back at "0" for hosting friends at home! 

Photography - I want to complete the 12 Weeks to Better Photos homework by Two Peas in a Bucket. - fail!

Reading - My goal is to read 20 books in 2012 and I finished 2 in January!

Craftiness - I want to complete my unfinished projects from 2011.  I'd also like to finish my 2010 and 2011 scrapbooks and bring my boys school albums up to date. - fail...I only added to my project list!

Gardening - Am going to my Master Gardener classes and keeping up with the homework.  (It's hard!!)  I need to make some flashcards and start studying for the mid-term which is on February 13th.

Rosetta Stone

I completed 7 lessons this month.  Still have a long way to go before April.

So, that's it in a nutshell!  I'll be back tomorrow to talk about February!