OK, so today is January 2, and it is time to take a look at what I want to accomplish over the next year. I do not want to set a resolution, since I relate that word with failure. Think about it, how many people actually stick with their New Year Resolution? I cannot think of many...so instead, I am going to set goals, things that I can take the next 364 days to accomplish or at least get a good start with...
Number One has to focus on financial responsibility. With my sudden change of employment, I would like to say that finding a permanent position is my goal, but there is so much more that I am going to attach. I have made (been forced into) a career change, and I have happily made the move to a school year position. This will allow me to be home with Nicholas for the school breaks, to have the summer off and to actually be in a position where I am making a difference. The thing that comes with all of this time off is that I am not paid for this time...so Dave and I have to look at where we can make some changes...
One of my new favourite shows is "Til Debt Do We Part." It is an eye opening look at a couple, where they are spending their money and how they need to make a change. Don't get me wrong, I will never be a guest on this show, but I can take the advice and make some small changes in my own home.
Did you know that the one place that most Canadians waste their money is eating out? When I sat back and looked at what Dave , Nicholas and I did in a week, it was obvious that we fell into this trap. It does not seem like lots, but each Saturday, we would hit McDonalds for lunch, leaving spending about $20, when you times that by 52 weeks, you are looking at over $1000 in a year. Never mind the pizza that we order in once a month, the snacks and drinks at the bowling alley or the trip to Pizza Hut on a PA Day or meeting the Monday ladies for lunch at the "Ritz." When we figured it out, we guessed that we spend over $2500 a year eating at a variety of different places...besides, isn't it more fun to have guests over for lunch or dinner at your home than to be squished into a booth, listening to other parents scream at their crying kids (oh wait, that may have been us, sorry).
Secondly, I was making a donation to my previous employer. I did, and in someways still do, believe in the cause...but there was also the additional pressure to "Stretch" and "Give What I Could." I would say that with the extra events and donations that I made each year, I will be able to save in excess of $1000 yearly. Instead of sharing my treasure, I am going to continue to share my time, through canvassing for the Cancer Assistance Services Halton Hills and my talents by coaching every Saturday morning.
Lastly, we have made a pledge to shop smarter. Nicholas and I gave this a go last year by only shopping by a list, but as things got crazier and life got busier, we let the list fall. We are now searching the flyers for discounts, visiting frugal shopper.com and clipping coupons...the companies publish them for a reason and why not use them, they are like free money in our pocket...so what if we made a trip to Shoppers Drug Mart today to buy a case of Kraft Dinner and cans of tuna...the money that we saved is better in our pockets than in the cash registers?
So here we are day one towards our first goal...wish us luck.
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