may 2018.

This year is really flying by! This past year has been a whirlwind with so many life events...I think I'm ready for things to slow down. I really just want to paint my powder room! But, I have to order the wallpaper first then choose the right shade of black before I can paint anyways. LOL. 

For May, I thought about doing a "no frivolous spending" month, but I decided to ease into it. May will be the month of returns, minimal spending on extras, and preparing to dive in head first towards really getting debt free. I will finish making my returns over the next couple of weeks and let the accounts clear. Then, I will transfer the balance of Card 2 to the balance of Card 1. Card 2 is a store credit card also known as the devil. I would like to let the devil go...by my birthday. :) The bottom line is that I've got to stop spending or I'm never going to get out of debt, or pay back my parents, or have substantial savings to line my pockets.

For fun, this month kicks off with a "Sisters' Night Out" on Friday, May 4th. I'm taking my sister to see Ben Folds with the NC Symphony! I think it's going to be a lot of fun. Plus, it's also part of her (early) birthday present. 💛

...

Money.
1. Finish making returns (Target, LOFT, The Container Store, PB Teen...)
2. Transfer balance of Card 2 to Card 1 ($700 +/-)
3. Pay $100.00 minimum on Card 3
4. Apartment bill(s): electric (should be the last one)
5. House bills: internet/tv; electric; gas...I am still waiting for a water bill
6. Purchases: birthday gift for my brother in law; birthday card for bil; mother's day card for my mom & grandma. I went ahead and bought bday gift for my nephew's birthday in july -- done with gift shopping until christmas!5/30/2018: Transferred $390.00 from Card 2 to Card 1. 

Me.
1. Sweat: work out at the gym, Sunday - Friday
2. Face: use R+F daily; use GlowSpin 3-5 nights/week; use clay mask once a week(end)
3. Oral: brush/floss/use act after every meal; begin oil pulling 1-2 days/week; start using carbon coco to lighten/whiten teeth
4. Beauty Nights: 5/12 (pedicure too!), 5/26

Fun. 
1. Church: 5/5, 5/13, 5/19, 5/26
2. Sisters' Night Out 5/4
3. Mother's Day 5/13
4. Brother in law's 45th Birthday 5/15
STUDY STUDY STUDY
5. Test Day 5/22
6. Clean the House: Memorial Day Weekend!
7. Memorial Day 5/288. Interview 5/30

Work.
1. Town Council 5/3
2. Planning Board 5/12
3. UNRBA Board Meeting 5/16
4. Out of Office 5/21-22
5. Path Forward 5/23
6. Office Closed 5/28
Pay Days: 5/4, 5/18


Image: https://ktswblog.net/

april.

where has the time gone? the first quarter of 2018 is already over. let's recap march. i went out for my first st. patrick's day in about 5 years...at 11 o'clock. i had two ciders and left. i've never really liked being out on st. patrick's day for a few reasons: i never really like big crowds of drunk people, i don't need to drink in public to know i'm irish, and "cultural appropriation" for a lot of non-irish people celebrating being irish is just dumb. the big news for march?! thanks to my mom, i was able to buy my dream sofa for half price. my mom was at the mall and called me at work to tell me my sofa was 50% off...$850. it was the floor model. i went over after work to check it out and look it over. i went home to measure, because i thought the chaise portion may have been too long. i measured and taped it off...it was perfect. and that price! even at full price, it's a steal so at 50% off - it's like it was meant to be! so, i drove back across town and bought it. :) my brown sofa has been great...i bought it 12 years ago for $300. if it were a sleeper, i'd keep it but since it's not, it's time to donate it.

for april, i am embarking on a 30 day challenge. a challenge to tell myself "no" with the hope of making better choices and me feeling better about myself - outside and inside. love & respect...love & respect.

money.
1. snowball #1: still PIF | do not use
2. snowball #2: make returns
3. snowball #3: make remaining returns
4. house bills: mortgage; water; gas; electric; internet who knows when i'm going to get a water bill - but when i do, it'll be big!
5. apartment bills: rent/water/trash; electric
6. other bills: cell phone; car insurance
7. order checks with my new address!
8. order a new drivers license with my new address!
9. purchase presents: brother-in-law's birthday (may 15) & mother's day (may 13)

self.
1. 30 Day Challenge (see earlier post)
2. use R+F daily
3. oral: brush/floss/use Act after every meal, even at work; begin oil pulling 1-2 days a week; start using carbon coco to whiten/lighten teeth
4. beauty nights: 4/13, 4/27

fun.
1. church: 4/1, 4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/29
2. Easter Sunday 4/1
3. grandma turns 95!
4. STUDY STUDY STUDY
5. apartment lease ends 4/15 - turn in keys!
6. house cleaning schedule fun...4/7, 4/28

work.
1. town council 4/5
2. social media & gov't conf. call 4/10
3. NCDOT meeting 4/10
4. USACE meeting 4/16
5. CWEP meeting 4/17
6. County RAC meeting 4/17
7. PFC meeting 4/25
8. County CTP Steering Committee meeting 4/26
9. pay days: 4/6, 4/20

image credit: https://www.newyork-english.edu/rookie-blog/uncategorized/april-showers-bring-may-flowers/

30 day challenge

beginning sunday, april 1st i am embarking on a new 30 DAY CHALLENGE. they say it's not good to tell yourself "no" all the time. well, april is the month of NO. the goals of this challenge are to kick some bad habits, make some better choices and use my free time more wisely. to make these things happen, i have to start saying no - to myself.

1. NO high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) = NO skittles, soda

2. NO more...it's time to reverse the curse.

3. Healthy eating/cooking/drinking for the next 30 days = NO CRAP!

4. Gluten Free (GF) snacks and treats ONLY & Pay attention to serving sizes and portions
it sounds hard, but i do have snacks i like...pretzels, cheddar popcorn, KIND bars, cookies. it's going to be about not eating so much/often.

5. Healthy eating + Exercise = Feeling better about myself!
Losing the jiggles! Better quality of life!
WOD @ gym at least 5 days a week; walk around my neighborhood/Brier Creek on my "off" days when weather is nice!

6. Beauty Nights = Learning to take better care of my skin, my body, my self.
face masks, mani/pedis, bath soaks, shaving, etc. the goal is to work up to at least once a week of treating my self with kindness and respect.

Image: http://events.adelphi.edu/au_event/30-day-challenge/

march 2018.

money.

1. snowball #1: still PIF | do not use
2. snowball #2: PIF! | do not use
3. snowball #3: make returns to help bring down the balance! (the container store, target, etc.)
4. savings: probably will do nothing to add to the amount this month
5. house bills: mortgage (1st payment! ack!); water/trash; gas; electric; internet
6. apartment bills: rent/water/misc.; electric
7. other bills: cell phone; car insurance
adulting sucks sometimes!!

self.
1. sleep: sunday - thursday, bedtime is 10:00 pm at the latest (body under the covers, not start getting ready for bed at 10:00 pm bedtime)
2. sweat: monday - friday: 5:00 - 5:50 am; Weekends: by 7:00 am | work out 5-6 days/week i joined a "real" gym on 3/11! no excuses now! #fitforthirtyfive #doingitformenotthem #betterchoices 
3. use R+F daily
4. beauty night: 3/9, 3/30
5. NO MORE...it is time to drop this habit/lifestyle choice for once and for all!
6. oral health: brush, floss, use act after EVERY meal (even at work); begin oil pulling and using carbon coco
7. schedule a massage! it was wonderful! 
8. do more of what makes me happy! set up a weekly/bi-weekly cleaning schedule...a clean house makes me cheery and delightful :)

fun.
1. church: 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25
2. birthdays: mom 3/19, bestie 3/23
3. office closed friday 3/30
4. STUDY STUDY STUDY
5. st. patrick's day saturday 3/17 [i am part irish :)]
6. battle of the blues (@ duke), round 2, saturday 3/3 at 8:00 pm
7. finish moving everything out of the apartment
8. back to the apartment to fill holes, touch up paint, clean everything, vacuum, etc.: 3/10, 3/17, 3/31

work.
1. town council 3/1
2. planning board 3/8 cancelled
3. parks & rec advisory committee 3/12
4. county parks & rec advisory board 3/20
5. board of adjustment 3/22 cancelled
6. town easter egg hunt 3/24
7. office closed 3/30
8. pay days: 3/9, 3/23

february 2018.

it's official: i'm a homeowner. :) the security system and garage door opener were installed yesterday and my dad is waiting for the refrigerator to be delivered this morning. i am so grateful he is available to be there while i'm at work. my parents are just too good to me...i wouldn't have been able to buy the house without their financial assistance and emotional support. everyone keeps asking when i'm going to move...i don't know. ;) i haven't even called for moving quotes yet. i'm going over this weekend to install rods and hang drapery panels. i'll get blinds eventually, but i already own several pairs of drapery panels...i'm going with that option for now, especially because it will be sitting empty for a couple weeks or so. i will need to get blinds for the two doors soon, but the temporary solution is to blue tape sheets or paper over those windows. and, the vision is starting to come together, especially on the first floor. i'll probably work on getting the first level "done" first and then move onto the second floor. so, that's my good news to kick off february!

FEBRUARY 2018
money.

1. snowball #1: PIF | do not use (scheduled to close account by june 2018)
2. snowball #2: make returns; minimum $100.00 payment paid $700.00 2/5-2/6 (balance: $134.46). new balance $62.29
3. snowball #3: minimum $30.00 payment $30.00 payment on 2/5
4. savings: minimum $50.00 deposit
5. moving expenses; transfer internet to the house (last of the utilities/services)
6. leave a buffer because my first mortgage payment is due 3/1
7. umm...i may have already purchased my mom's birthday present (hers is in march) AND my sister's birthday present (hers is in july!). :) and i ordered a sweet piece for my bestie. birthdays left in 2018: brother-in-law (may), nephew (july), the guy (november). and, i think i've already found a gift for mother's day...and i have a coupon. :)

self.

1. sleep: sunday - thursday bedtime is 10:00 pm at the latest
2. sweat: begin monday - friday sessions again (4:30/5:00); work out 5-7 days/week
3. use R+F daily
4. beauty night: 2/17
5. NO MORE beginning 2/24
6. begin oil pulling/using carbon coco
7. schedule a massage
8. schedule an eyebrow wax
9. physical 2/9

fun.
1. church...let's just say i'll start going in march after i get settled into the house. i've been thinking about going back to summit versus rfa.
2. dad's 75th birthday
3. fridge delivery 2/1
4. MOVE...on my own 2/10, 2/17; 2/23; movers come 2/24; move the odds & ends by 3/3.
5. valentine's day 2/14

work.
1. town council 2/1
2. p&r advisory committee 2/12
3. rpo tac/tcc 2/20
4. county rec advisory board 2/20
5. board of adjustment 2/22
6. path forward committee 2/28
pay days: 2/9, 2/23

2018.

every year, i make a list of goals to accomplish in the new year. every year, i may only accomplish half (?) of them. this year will be different. no, seriously. i've compiled a short list of attainable goals. Like, last year my motto was "debt free in 2017." Doable but also unrealistic because i still had my "spender" moments. so, while being debt free is definitely still my goal, i'm about to take on a huge amount of debt (mortgage). i need to take care of the small stuff and build my savings up (i just have this feeling my washer/dryer are going to konk out on me not long after i move into the house :/), before going after Snowball #3 and what will be Snowball #4 (mortgage). if i stay focused -- this list is totally doable and will set the stage for 2018 to wind up being a fabulous year!

1. QUIT once and for all.
2. SNOWBALL #1 (Chase): Close account by June 2018
3. SNOWBALL #2 (LLC): Pay off balance ($700) by June & close account by December 2018
4. STUDY my ass off & pass my exam in May
5. TEETH: Strengthen & whiten my teeth (& hopefully wow my dentist!)
6. FIT: Be as fit at 35 as i was at 33, if not more so!
   - Cut out HFCS soda
   - Gym it up 5-7 days/week
   - Get better sleep consistently (7 hours minimum)
7. PURGE! Use the move as motivation to get rid of a lot of STUFF!
   - Clothes/Jewelry
   - Craft supplies
   - Junk
8. HOUSE GOALS
   - Buy a new, bigger mattress [i've been sleeping on a full-size bed since i was 11. i'm almost 6 feet tall. i'm aiming for a California King. :)] - by June 2018
   - Buy a new, bigger sofa/sectional by December 2018
   - Paint/wallpaper
   - Move kitchen pendants
   - Add rugs/decor
   - Remove wall in master bath (this will happen, i'm just not sure it will happen in 2018)
9. FAITH: Though it be last on the list, it is not in priority. I need to go to church more regularly and everything that's associated with someone who knows Jesus.

january 2018.

i think i am ready for a new year. my new house will be done in january (eek!) so i will have to put a lock on my wallet so i do not overbuy for the house (see goals in my previous post). january will be a busy month now with all the stuff i have to do for the house...and work is starting to pick up a little bit (i have 5 meetings scheduled plus a training course!) but that's a good thing. the best part about heading into the new year? my intern is done. he was great and he did help me get the website in order AND it gave me some supervisory experience. but...i hope my next intern will have some experience and be able to think/work independently. Enough about 2017 - let's jump into 2018!

money.
1. snowball #1 (chase): PIF
2. snowball #2 (llc): $36.00 minimum payment

3. snowball #3 (fcr): $35.00 minimum payment

4. savings: $100.00 minimum deposit

5. closing scheduled! 1/30
6. set up services/utilities for the new house :)
7. deposit christmas check from my grandma (incl. in #4)

self.
1. get 7-8 hours of sleep each night
2. a.m. work outs 5-7 days/week
3. use R+F daily (so glad to have #2 & #4 again!)
4. beauty night: 1/6, 1/24
5. begin oil pulling 1-2x/week
6. brush/floss/use act after EVERY meal
7. schedule a massage
8. schedule a hair appointment (cut&color) 1/13!
9. schedule an eyebrow wax
10. lady dr. appointment 1/23

fun.
1. church: 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28
2. baby sit 1/20

work.
1. office closed: 1/1, 1/15
2. town council 1/4
3. parks & rec committee 1/8
4. planning board 1/11
5. BMP class @ NC State 1/25-1/26
6. cwep 1/30
7. website update e-mails: 1/5
8. pay days: 1/12, 1/26