Seasons Greetings Money Saving Lords and Ladies! Here in the Queendom, we hope that you had a very Merry Christmas and have fabulous plans to ring in the New Year come Thursday night. The Princesses, King and I had a relaxing and fun-filled Christmas (let’s just say that I certainly LOVE the Eldest Princess’ “big” gift – a Wii Fit Plus). Today, I’m refocusing, cleaning up a bit, and trying to think about the new year. In order to start our year off on the right foot, I’m doing a few mundane things which I think will yield great results.
1) Cleaning up and cleaning out. The extra trash from Christmas is already at the end of the drive but over the next couple of days, I’ll also be gathering several things to donate to Goodwill before the end of the year. We itemize our taxes so I take the painstaking task of listing just about every item we donate with great joy. Too small clothes, unused toys, gifts, and other household items will be exiting my house. Our small home, my cluttered mind, and our accountant will all be thrilled.
2) Scouring the Pantry and Freezer. No, I’m not using baking soda to clean (although it might not be a bad idea), I’m sorting through the cabinets, fridge, and freezer to see what foods are left from this year. On the cooking list today: 2 bags of dried beans, a box of pancake mix that I’ll prepare and then freeze for the Eldest Princess’ breakfasts over the next couple of weeks, and dethawing a bag of frozen chicken to prepare tomorrow.
3) Lists, lists, and more lists. I’m finalizing and revising my 40×40 list (40 things I want to accomplish by the age 40) with some specific goals for the new year. I’m also beginning a new series on Queen of Free during the new year called “Buff on a Budget” where I’ll share some fitness tips and ideas that keep you in shape without expanding your budget’s waistline. So I’m taking inventory of the fitness items we already have – weights, DVDs, resistance bands, other equipment for both inside and outside – so I’m ready to take on the world come Friday morning.
As the old adage goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. I’m putting some meat on my dreams by giving them a deadline and turning them into goals. And in order to achieve those dreams and goals, I’m doing easy and kind of boring tasks this week in between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. What are you doing to prepare for the New Year?
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