Wildcard: Week 4

How is it going thus far?
Welcome to week 4.  I hope you are beginning to see some things getting easier.  I know the fruits and veggies is getting easier for me and I like that.
For week 4 the wildcard is all about money!  

This week I am asking you to do THREE things:
First, you are required to track EVERY PENNY you spend.  Write it down and categorize it.  At the end of the week look at what you spent and see if you can improve your budget in any way.  
Second, save some amount of money as cash in your home.  The amout will be established by you - what works for you.  But come up with a safe place in your home and stash some cash.  I know it has always been helpful for me to know that I have some cash on hand at home if I needed it right away.   I have found that if I save it in the size of a large bill then I am not tempted to use it for anything either.  If it was in one dollar bills it would be easier for me to justify pulling a few our here or there.
Third, post a comment at least one day here on the blog and tell us if you use a program how you like to track your spending and/or give a budgeting tip.  Do you use multiple accounts in order to organize spending?  How do you manage your savings accounts?  What do you do to help other family members establish habits for saving?  

Have a great week and save some money!
E

Kitchen Organization -- by Brandi

Way to go Brandi!  I'm impressed for sure.  

Amazon gift card -- Correction

Katie kindly pointed out to me that she had posted only once last week rather than the required twice.  I've now double and triple checked who posted on both posts.  I have done a re-draw for the gift card and the winner is:

#18
Ann
Ann watch for an email from me!

Sorry for the confusion.  It is a lot to keep track of!
Emily

Wildcard: Week 3

Welcome to week 3!  I am so impressed with how well you are all doing on the challenge.  I love having the extra push at the end of the day (even though it sometimes still doesn't get me moving enough) to put everything back together.
For week three we will be working on an oldie but goodie:  Organization.
For 6 days this week organize an area of your life.  This could be your purse; a drawer; your desk, your tools, a kitchen cabinet, that part of your house that collects the infamous paper stack, your closet shelves, dresser drawers...

 Or if you take on a larger project like the one I need to tackle (my pantry) break it down into a few sections at a time.  Because I won't have a large enough chunk of time in one day to do the entire thing, I will be  making 3 different sections to work on and that will count as my point for 3 different days.

For your organization point on the 7th day this week please post a comment here giving us your best organization tip -- something you think can help all of us.  Also, if you want to share a photo of an area you made progress on email it to me and I will post it here on the blog.

On Monday I will do the random draw for the Amazon gift card and let you know who the winner is.

PS.  Wouldn't it be great if my pantry looked like this?

Happy week 3.
E

Week 2 wildcard: Top 10

My top ten favorites right now, not in any particular order:

1.  Oranges, sliced.

2.  My new (to me) Volkswagon Eurovan

3.  Paint

4.  Fabric

5.  The color orange

6.  See's Candy chocolate (especially butterscotch, carmel, and coconut cream)

7.  Dry Needling.  I would not be able to function without my awesome physical therapist and his  magic needles!

8.  My gap jeans - thank you, gap, for still making a pair of jeans that comes near my real waistline that are reasonably priced.

9.  Cowgirl boots.  I have 2 pair I absolutely love and I want more.

10.  My baby, Faye.  Not that I love her more than my other 5 children, just that she is at such an
       adorable stage -- trying new things and new sounds each day that make me laugh.

E

Week 2 Printable

I made this for myself, so I will post it here in case you find it helpful!

E

Wildcard: Week 2

Welcome to week 2!
How has the first week been?  I hope you are having success in adjusting your routines.

The focus for this week is communication.  For your wild card this week you are required to call or visit in person someone whom you don't normally talk to -- not a text, not email.  If you already call your sister every day then you need to choose someone else - maybe a family member or friend who you haven't caught up with in a while.  It doesn't need to be a super long conversation but at least 15 minutes.  Try to really listen to what is going on with them and connect with them.  You are required to do this 5 days this week.  For the other 2 days you need to post a reply here on the blog (1 reply each to each post).  You can choose which days you reply on the blog and which days you talk to someone.

As an incentive for those of you who may not want to post here on the blog:  anyone who does their 2 posts on the blog this week will be eligible for a $25 Amazon gift card which I will do a random pick for (at the end of the week) using the number next to your name on the spreadsheet.

What to reply to:
On this post, please reply and introduce yourself.  Type at least 3 sentences about yourself, anything you want to share.
On the next post, reply with a Top 10 list of your favorite things right now, in 2013.

My name is Emily Smith - I live in Parker, CO with my husband Kurt and our 6 children ranging in ages from 12 to 1.  I was born and raised in Colorado and I love living here.  I met Kurt 13 years ago while jogging in the rain in Provo, UT.  I have 5 brothers and 2 sisters (both of whom are in on the challenge with me, along with 1 brother).  One of the greatest blessings I have been given in my life is to be surrounded by incredible people who have taught me, supported me, lifted me up, and helped me along the way.  That is one of the reasons why I was open to running this challenge -- I feel passionate about women connecting with other women (guys, I'm glad you are here too!)

Have a great week 2!
E

Week 1 printable

Here is a reminder sheet to print out, if you find it useful go for it.  There are two options for the different exercise choices.

have a super week! 

E

Wild Card, week 1

The wild card this week:

Spend at least 30 minutes each day doing something creative.  (Possibly creating a gratitude journal?)  It could be creativity in any area - cooking, sewing, baking, painting, decorating, you get the idea.  Enjoy the time and see what you can learn about the satisfaction that comes from doing something creative.

A few more details :
the spreadsheet link should be available on the first post inside the google group.  If you did not get your google group invite please let me know.  This blog will now be going private (as of tomorrow), inviting only those who are participating in the challenge.  I will always post the wild card here and also as a message in the google group.  I hope this will allow you to use which format is easiest for you.  We have a total of 24 participants this year.  There will be several prizes along the way.  The remaining money will be for one winner.  I am not eligable to be the winner.

Happy New Year!
E