Just in case you missed the previous month's goals, we'll keep a listing of them for you right here! Remember, just DO one goal at a time. We're aiming for progress - not necessarily 100% completion. Celebrate every goal that you DO. We're going to DO away with debt in 2008 - one month at a time!
Goal #1 for January, 2008
YIKES! Are you dreading the arrival of this month's credit card bills? Did holiday shopping turn into a rash of IMPULSE BUYing? Did you read about a Cash Christmas at Cindy's Porch and wish you had one too? Or did you have one last year - and you are ready to repeat the experience again in 2008? It won't cost a dime!
Here is the CHALLENGE!!
- Clean out your purse and/or wallet: Quick, before you read any further, hunt down your wallet and/or purse. How much does it weigh? (Huge grin - we want that change!) Check out how we tackle this "suitcase" and create a spot where your money and your wallet is treated with respect.
- Your 2008 Cash Christmas is Just a Piggy Bank Away! That little brown pig on our home page is our family's Cash Christmas collection system. Our very own short-term savings account. Every day we add our spare change to "the pig." Every day, it gets a little fatter (but it has never turned into a hog LOL). Click on the link to see how much our pig collected for 2007's Cash Christmas. WOW! (And you can do the same).
Goal #2 for January, 2008
Whew! You've completed Goal #1 (right??? LOL) and now you are ready for the second of this month's goals. We're going to get into the money we eat CHA CHING, CHA CHING! If you are like me, you have a lot of holiday leftovers in the house - perhaps some frozen turkey or ham, some pickles, a few fresh veggies that need to be eaten, and way too many chocolates that need to be spread out over several months (look out tummy stash!).
This month, we are going SHOP at home FIRST, so we can EAT at home FIRST. You are going to be amazed by how much money you keep in your pocketbooks when your home-cooked meals actually come out of your homes (instead of the fast food joint, local coffee club, or the deli in the mall). If you have been wanted to put together a meal plan, but never actually got it done - then this goal is just for you!
Here is the challenge!
- Treasures in the Kitchen: Do you know what's lurking in your fridge, freezer and pantry? With our easy to use printout sheets and meal planning calendar you can SHOP at home FIRST for supper and save money at the same time! We've also added in steps for tackling the fridge (YIKES), and tips for solving the lunch time blues. Enjoy! Updated with January's Meal Planning Calendar sheet!
- Make sure you have joined up for our emails: Your best chances for success comes when you have a buddy, someone that you can work with who keeps you thinking and on your toes. Cindy's Porch is your online buddy. We are here month after month with ideas, tips, and those "WOW moments" from our readers which always inspire us. We send about four emails per week and NONE over the weekend (that's family time). Joining is simple and doesn't cost a dime!
Goal #3 for January, 2008
Oh, this doesn't sound good....
Yup, we are tackling the kitchen this month. After everything we put it through during the past three months, I think it could use a little loving LOL. I don't know about you, but the last thing I want to DO in a messy, dirty, cluttery kitchen is cook in it. And when I don't want to cook - look out pocketbook (that delivery pizza is starting to get a bit too tempting!). Are you ready to join in? You are going to love your kitchen when you are done!
PLEASE don't try to DO all this in one, or two (or three) sittings. Each task is meant to be tackled one a time (and broken down whenever possible. If you are are DOing cupboards, just DO one while supper is cooking. It will only take minutes.
- DOing a Surface Clean: Don't worry about what's lurking in the cupboards or inside the fridge. Right now, we are simply tackling the NOT ME FIVE that tends to build up in our kitchen and then adding a little shine. That will keep us tidy - at least until the next meal (or a hungry kid decides to make a snack) LOL.
- Cleaning the Fridge: YIKES! Don't leave yet. You are going to love how easy it is to rediscover supper when you know what's in the fridge (and you know nothing in there can bite you - hee hee). Let's get rid of the leftovers that have started DOing the jig at the back of the fridge. If it moves - it is out of there!
- Caring for Those Hard Working Appliances: Set aside a few minutes to DO just ONE appliance at a time. We work these beasts hard and they deserve a little loving once in awhile too (plus they run better and more efficiently when we take the time to care for them).
- OH NO - NOT THE CUPBOARDS! Yes - we are going into just one cupboard and one drawer at a time. I like to get my husband and kids involved - it goes much faster when we all help.
Home-Wide Clearance Event: An advertisement for an "Annual Storewide Clearance Event" in my local department store last week was a light bulb moment! The stores are clearing out their leftovers and clutter from last season - why don't we! So, instead of BUYing into a retailer's idea of a clearance event (and bringing home a bunch of clutter we really don't need), let's DO our own clearance event (and it won't cost a dime)! And in keeping with Goal #3 for January - we are going to start SHOPPING in the kitchen FIRST. Keep an eye on your inbox - we'll be sending out tips and ideas to our members about how to SHOP at home FIRST in our kitchens (does your kitchen need a little "clearance" to help it turn into a room you love to use and be in?). Also, check out our DO-LOG to see how I am DOing in our own kitchen - yes - I will be DOing my own clearance event right along with you. This is going to be fun!
Goal #4 for January, 2008
This is the most important goal of all!
When is the last time you have enjoyed a complete "DO instead of BUY" weekend? One where you didn't spend a dime (or not much more than a dime). This is not as easy as it sounds. You need to plan it. So, check out your calendar and select ONE weekend this month. Draw a huge red circle around it. This is your DO instead of BUY weekend. What are you and your family going to DO that won't cost a dime? In our emails, we'll be sending out tips and ideas to make this possible. My weekend is going to be January 19 - 20 (and we are going to have a blast!).
Goal #1 for February, 2008
Valentine's Day Clutter started showing up in the stores shelves before 2007 was even over! Stuffed gorillas, hearts, puppies, bears, and other fuzzy delights. Boxes of cheap chocolate, candied roses, and other clutter for the tummy stash. And of course, packages of cards with hearts and messages of love to be shared with classmates and that special someone in your life.
Valentine's Day can be such a special day (and it doesn't necessarily have to happen on February 14th either. My kids have always loved sharing their Valentine creations with their friends. And after school, they always love sharing the Valentines they received with us. A week later, all of it seems to end up in the recycle LOL. Plus, I love the opportunity to go out with my special guy. We enjoy a fantastic meal away from home without the kids. Mmmmmm! But we have learned not to DO this on the 14th! CHA CHING CHA CHING!
Here is the CHALLENGE!!
- For the Kids in Your Home: Dig through your crafting stash. Look for reds, pinks, and whites. Look for the stamps and stickers with hearts and other Valentine's sayings. Do you have any ribbons, fancy trimming scissors? Anything that can be used to MAKE Valentines instead of BUY Valentines.
- For that Special Someone in Your Life: How about a DO instead of BUY Valentine's Day this year? Set the table with the fancy dishes, light a couple candles, make their favorite meal, ask grandparents or a trusted neighbor to watch the kids, and enjoy some private time. It will mean much more than spending too much for a simple meal in an over-crowded restaurant!
- More Ideas for a DO instead of BUY Valentine's Day: Thank-you to all our readers who sent in their ideas! WOW!
Goal #2 for February, 2008
Whew! You've completed Goal #1 (right??? LOL) and now you are ready for the second of this month's goals. We're going to get into some more of the money we eat CHA CHING, CHA CHING! If you are like me, breakfast is one of those meals you fit in someplace between getting the kids off to school and suppertime. In the meantime, the tummy starts grumbling around 10:00 and a morning snack of coffee and donut starts to look good (EEKS!) This month, we going to DO what the experts tell us to DO - start the day with a great breakfast.
This month, we are going to continue to SHOP at home FIRST, so we can EAT at home FIRST. You are going to be amazed by how much money you keep in your pocketbooks when your home-cooked meals actually come out of your homes (instead of the fast food joint, local coffee club, or the deli in the mall). If you have been wanted to put together a meal plan, but never actually got it done - then this goal is just for you!
Here is the challenge!
- Treasures in the Kitchen: Do you know what's lurking in your fridge, freezer and pantry? With our easy to use printout sheets and meal planning calendar you can SHOP at home FIRST for supper and save money at the same time! We've also added in steps for tackling the fridge (YIKES), and tips for solving the lunch time blues. Enjoy! (If you did this last month, you may not have to DO it again this month.)
- A Plan the Night Before Makes Breakfast a Breeze in the Morning! A good morning starts with a good breakfast. And a good breakfast starts with a little planning the night before. Twas the night before breakfast.... If you need a little "kick start" to help you go Back to Breakfast, then check this out. We have a pile of tips from our members, plus a great planning sheet that you can print out and start using tomorrow morning!
- Make sure you have joined up for our emails: Your best chances for success comes when you have a buddy, someone that you can work with who keeps you thinking and on your toes. Cindy's Porch is your online buddy. We are here month after month with ideas, tips, and those "WOW moments" from our readers which always inspire us. We send about four emails per week and NONE over the weekend (that's family time). Joining is simple and doesn't cost a dime!
Goal #3 for February, 2008
No No, not this room LOL....
Last month we tackled the kitchen. This month we are going into our very own personal sanctuaries - our Master Bedrooms! Valentine's Day is this month and it doesn't matter whether this room is shared or just belongs to you - we are going to make it special! Yup, we are going in, under, over, and behind - no corner is going to be left out this month. AND YES - that means we are tackling our closets (can you hear me giggling over here???)!
PLEASE don't try to DO all this in one, or two (or three) sittings. Each task is meant to be tackled one a time (and broken down whenever possible). It will only take minutes.
- Surface Clean: Our bedrooms are a notorious stomping ground for the NOT ME FIVE!! Everything that doesn't seem to have a home someplace else in the house, finds its way into our bedrooms. Been there, done that (and still do that - big sigh). We are not alone. However, you will be amazed by how quickly you can rediscover your bedroom when you get rid of the NOT ME FIVE. What do you have to lose, except perhaps a good night's sleep. Hee hee!
- The Master Bedroom Closet: (Imagine the JAWS shark music inserted here - DA DUM, DA DUM!) Yes, we are going in. Someplace under those heaps and piles, the shelves, and the floor, we have real clothing! Clothes we love (yes we may have to iron them first). We paid good money for these clothes. It is time to rediscover our wardrobes and start wearing them again!
Goal #4 for February, 2008
This is the most challenging goal of all - A Sophie Account!
Do you have an emergency fund? When Murphy comes a knocking at your home with unexpected expenses, what would you Do if suddenly you needed $1000? If you are already set up with your emergency fun, then no problem. However, if you have been procrastinating on this very important goal, then this is the month to start! Talk to your bank. Set up an account which will be for emergencies only. Then get the bank to automatically transfer $20 each week to your "Sophie Account." Our goal is to eliminate the temptation to borrow using credit everytime an emergency occurs. This tiny amount, $20 each week is going to add up faster than you can believe. By this time next year, you will have succeeded! There will be $1000 in your Sophie account. We'll have a lot more about this on our email list during the month.
- Twenty Ways to Save $20.00! Where is this money going to come from? Use your imagination and creativity. There are treasures in your spending habits just waiting to be discovered.
- Where is the Money Going? If you have lost track where your money goes each month, we have just the tool for you. Print out our tracking pages for the month of February. Write down EVERYTHING you spend money (cash, credit, debit) on. You are going to be amazed where those $20's actually go! (and the fives and tens!)
Goal #1 for March, 2008
Let's have some fun! With spring just around the corner, our thoughts go to outside, fresh air, bright yellows, pinks, and baby blues, and getting out of the house again! Our first goal for the month of March is to "DO a new DO for Spring!" How many times have you said, "I wish I had the time to.....", "It's been years since I have.....", or "I've always wanted to....."? This month, you get to be creative, you get to dream, you get to DO something new for you for Spring! The catch is, it can't cost a dime...
Twenty Ideas to Turn Bored Kids into Moving Kids: It's Spring Break. Are the kids already driving you crazy by slothing around and DOing nothing? We've put together a few ideas to get you and the kids moving! Enjoy. NEW!!
"DO instead of BUY" Easter: We share a few ideas about how to leave the "Crappy Easter Clutter" in the stores and maximize the "DOing" this holiday season. NEW!!
"DO Something New for You! Cindy's Porch has the best members! Our readers share their special "Do's" with all of us. Thank-you so much for sending in your messages! NEW!!
Goal #2 for March, 2008
This wouldn't be Cindy's Porch if we didn't have a goal that helped us keep more cash in our stash when tackling the food that we eat!
This month, we are going to continue to SHOP at home FIRST, so we can EAT at home FIRST. You are going to be amazed by how much money you keep in your pocketbooks when your home-cooked meals actually come out of your homes (instead of the fast food joint, local coffee club, or the deli in the mall). If you have been wanted to put together a meal plan, but never actually got it done - then this goal is just for you!
Here is the challenge!
- Treasures in the Kitchen: Do you know what's lurking in your fridge, freezer and pantry? With our easy to use printout sheets and meal planning calendar you can SHOP at home FIRST for supper and save money at the same time! We've also added in steps for tackling the fridge (YIKES), and tips for solving the lunch time blues. Enjoy! (If you did this last month, you may not have to DO it again this month.) Updated with March's Meal Planning Calendar sheet!
- This simple piece of paper will save you $$$'s! Filling in a shopping list (and actually sticking to it) is like adding a $50 bill into your wallet. Watch the savings add up when you leave those IMPULSE purchases in the store! It only takes a few minutes BEFORE you leave the home to save lots of cash while shopping.
- Make sure you have joined up for our emails: Your best chances for success comes when you have a buddy, someone that you can work with who keeps you thinking and on your toes. Cindy's Porch is your online buddy. We are here month after month with ideas, tips, and those "WOW moments" from our readers which always inspire us. We send about four emails per week and NONE over the weekend (that's family time). Joining is simple and doesn't cost a dime!
Goal #3 for March, 2008
During January and February we set up a couple short term saving tools to help us stash away some cash - for holidays and for emergencies. Please, keep these up! You've planted a teeny tiny seedling in your savings account. Now, keep adding to it, before you know it, your seedling will grow into one stong and towering tree!
This month, we going to look at that albotross weighing us down around the neck. This beast is long term credit card debt - the kind where only the minumum payment is covered each month. YIKES! Can you say, CHA CHING, CHA CHING! Those credit card companies are looking forward to keeping your "interest" for as long as possible. At over 20%, this can be very profitable for them.
Our goal this month is to take just ONE of these cards and put it on vacation! And while on vacation, it is going to get the attention it deserves. One link at a time, one chunk more at a time, this card is going to get paid off and packed away forever! Can you say, "No more credit card debt!?"
Now before you change the channels here, please know this isn't something that is going to happen in one month. This is something that were going to START this month. Check back later this weekend, I'll post some more about this (it's getting a little late at my place right now, so I am going to pack it in soon LOL).
- A Plan to Eliminate Credit Card Debt one CHUNK MORE at a time. We've put together some great printouts to help you track your credit card debt and move it towards zero! With a plan and a target, you can do it! Look out albatross, here we come!
- Where is the Money Going? If you have lost track where your money goes each month, we have just the tool for you. Print out our tracking pages for the month. Write down EVERYTHING you spend money (cash, credit, debit) on. You are going to be amazed where those $20's actually go! (and the fives and tens!)
- Twenty Ways to Save $20.00! Where is this money going to come from? Use your imagination and creativity. There are treasures in your spending habits just waiting to be discovered.
Goal #4 for March, 2008
Are you ready for a little pampering? One of my favorite at home treasures is a hot bubble bath (often with candles and chocolate - occasionally with a glass of wine or cold water) at the end of the day. Slipping into this peaceful, calm sanctuary is the perfect way to unwind after three kids, two dogs, one rabbit, my husband, and whatever other comings and goings happened during the day.
However, my "sanctuary" is only mine for about half an hour a day. The rest of the time it is home to five toothbrushes, several dental floss misses, wet towels on the floor, many dozen ponytail holders, a few bath toys, empty bottles of shampoo, hair conditions, and whatever else teenagers think they need to look beautiful. And that's only on the surface. I am scared to actually look in the drawers and under the sink!!
