Resolution: Health

So my resolution to be healthier is starting very slowly. A couple weeks before the New Year I got the brilliant idea to do a 4 week detox. The super hubby being supportive agreed to go through the detox with me, however after reading the article several more times I chickened out. I know throwing in the towel before I even started is sad, very sad. Super hubby thankfully did not even point it out that I chickened out. He also never mentioned starting the detox. I am pretty sure that is because he did not want to remind me. What a wonderful man. I did, however take a couple of idea's from it. The one I have done pretty faithfully for the last couple of weeks it to cut back on caffeine. I was pretty much starting and ending the day with caffeine. I have gradually cut back on soda but I was drinking at least one a day and tea the rest of the time. For the last 2 weeks I have had only 1 cup of coffee and a glass of tea. The first week I reduced caffeine the headache was horrible and last week I was just all over the place. I was completely unfocused, jumbled in my thoughts, and could not do anything right. I am hoping this coming week is better. In addition to continuing the caffeine reduction I am going to be adding a work out in this week. I would really like to procrastinate it, but if I don't start now then I would be making the resolution all over again next year. So tomorrow I will be doing my best to roll out of my nice warm bed and actually get a work out in. I wish I could say I was more confident in my abilities, but well I know me. I have my clothes pulled out will be doing my best to remember that eventually it will be worth it. So P90X and I have a date for tomorrow before the sun comes up. Wish me luck.

Resolution: Finances

We have recently taken the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University (FPU). It is a 13 week class that teaches the basics of what to do and how to save and then what to with money once debit is paid off. We are currently working on FPU step #1 which is to quickly save $1,000 as the start of an emergency fund. We currently have very little in savings and are trying to figure out a way to quickly reach that $1,000. Right now the plan is to save an extra $10 a week from our grocery budget and then anything extra that we can possibly save will go toward that $1000. So with regards to grocery savings we have previously done a menu and then bought groceries around that menu. I have totally gotten out of the habit of making a menu since for the most part it is just H and I having dinner during the week. I then have found myself at the grocery store grabbing what I thought we needed and not really much of anything. So this past week I completed a menu for the entire month of January. What a challenge that was. Not only is the menu completed, but also a grocery list to go with it. We then embarked on a big shopping trip to the store armed with a calculator and something to keep the H occupied. We emerged from the store within budget and everything needed for the next week. Let me just say what a feat that was. I am excited that it is done and anxious to see how well we are able to stick to it. Today was day 1 and mission accomplished. Tomorrow is Monday and both the hubs and I are back to work. I will be on my own to follow the menu and not cop out. I will update as to how it works out.

New Year’s Resolution

So I know the title says it all (insert eye roll here please). It seems like everyone makes a New Year's resolution and then within a short time (days sometimes weeks) the resolution is broken and never thought about again until the next NYE. The resolution is made again and then the cycle just continues. I am determined to have mine stick this year. I have made 3 resolutions.

1. Blog (Yikes!)
   
2. Be healthier. Not about losing weight (although that would be nice)
   
3. Be financially better
   

So let's get started. The first resolution is the blog. I clearly have at least started this one. My goal is to post to the blog twice a week and on a variety of topics from finances, family, resolutions, food, and everything in-between. I will share our success, failures, and challenges. Second resolution is to be healthier. This one is not about losing weight, but about getting back in line with what I know is right. I have long believed in the value of unprocessed food, but have managed to lose sight of that in the last couple of years. For the most part we don't eat a lot of processed food because they are more expensive, but because they are easier when the super hubs gets home from work we tend to eat them more than either one of us would like. We have for the most part with regards to the H have stayed true to minimal processed food (do goldfish count?), but when it comes to the super hubs and myself that is not the case. I am determined to slow down and focus on this one. I know how important it is to all of our health. It will be a bit of a challenge, but the goal is to make as much as possible from scratch and when we can't then make an educated choice vs the easiest one. Finally the third resolution to be better financially fit. This one is the biggie. I think it is going to be the most challenging of them all. We recently completed the 13 week course for Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University. This doesn't mean that we have completed the steps by any means. It means that our journey has just begun. I will be sharing our progress to each goal and what we are doing to get there.

A New Year

So I am not much of a writer. Grammar and spelling have never been among my strong suites. It seems pretty silly to start a blog when grammar, spelling, and writing are not something that I necessarily enjoy. So why start a blog then? I am trying to expand my comfort zone a bit and also chronicle my/our journey. I have been married for 10 years to the most wonderful husband in the world (super hubs) and have a 2 year old son (The H). The super hubs and I both work full time out of necessity and have been down quite a road over the last 2 years, one we never expected to travel. We have experienced a lot of the hardships and challenges that a lot of America has faced in this economy. 2 years ago we were living the American "dream" with 2 good jobs, mortgage, car payment, credit card debit, new baby on the way, and very little in savings. Then suddenly that was all gone. We found ourselves living the American "nightmare" no jobs and still having a mortgage, car payment, credit card debit, new baby, and very little in savings. Now just over 2 years later we are starting a new dream. We are living in an apartment and working in different fields (but working) and determined not to repeat the mistakes previously made. In this blog I plan on sharing on food, family, finances, and everything in-between. I don't know what all will be on here, but please feel free to comment, ask questions, or give suggestions. Follow our progress and hear about the success and challenges that we face. Thanks for joining us on this journey.