1. Leave the state of Florida once.
So it does not seem that I will be able to carry out my idea of visiting Will while he is in Kansas City for a week this summer. Flights are just too expensive for me to justify that trip when we have TWO international trips this year.
2. Complete at least 3 arm-specific workouts per months.
- Doyogawithme.com: Upper Body and Arm Balance (38 minutes) – this double dips with my yoga goal
3. Spend an average of less than $550/month on groceries.
- $49.94 at Winn-Dixie (this was JUST for the baby because we had an sickness sweep through the house & needed supplies to survive)
- $131.15 via Kroger Delivery
- $113.63 at Publix
- $68.22 at Winn-Dixie
- $73.69 Aldi via Instacart (mostly stuff for Easter brunch)
- $42.11 at Publix
- $52.45 at Winn-Dixie (last things for Easter)
- $106.71 via Kroger Delivery
- $104.96 at Publix (I CAN EXPLAIN!!! Corned Beef was BOGO…the rest I can’t explain lol)
TOTAL: $742.86
About $200 over budget. Rather than be basic and blame inflation, I blame holidays. I get carried away around holidays. But my freezer is FULLLLLL – so May (which is the last week of the school year, perfect time to purge) is (hopefully) going to have a dramatic drop.
4. Jog at least once a week.
- Week 1: I was gunna & then Will was unexpectedly home so we went for a walk instead
- Week 2: mmm no
- Week 3: negative
- Week 4: mmmm no, but Will did with the baby
- Week 5: no but I went on 2 walks
5. Use no more than a roll of paper towel per month.
So the ONLY downside to this amazing goal is that my laundry (of rags) goes up a ton, especially with a messy baby. But it’s totally worth it.
6. Complete a deep analysis of The Iliad.
Literally think I only opened this book once over April. Wahhhhh!
7. Grow my emergency savings account to at least $5,000.
Ok so last month we got our *nice* $6,000+ tax refund (thank you Biden & baby!) and this month we got a little over $4,000 in savings bonds. Now most of these bonus are not going straight into my emergency savings just yet because this summer both Will & I will be without a paycheck (stupid maternity leave rule at work). I don’t want to go through the process of opening a savings account only to have to close it. Also we are going to Oxford for 3 weeks in July for a summer program and we will use some of our tax money to cover that trip AND we are using most of my savings bonds to add to the baby’s college fund. That being said, at the end of summer, when we get our paychecks again, we will transfer extra funds to a savings account and build from there.
8. Use my slowcooker at least 4 times a month.
- not this week because I didn’t really cook
- Creamy Red Potatoes (as a side for Easter)
- totally forgot
- forgot again
9. Spend no more than $50 on frivolous personal spending.
- $4.58 for a year-long membership to Doyogawithme.com – I bought this in December of 2021 sooo it technically doesn’t count for this goal BUT it should because I am using the membership in 2022 ($55 for a year-long membership, so I am splitting up the cost per month to be fair)
- $2.83 National Geographic History Magazine 1-Year Subscription (6 issues – $34 for a year-long membership, so I am splitting up the cost per month to be fair)
- $24.99 April Catholic All Year Digital Membership
- $30 at Ross for Easter dress + an extra cuz it was cute
- $79.23 for Easter basket & brunch table setting
- $6.99 a silly coffee drink at Publix
TOTAL: $148.62
Definitely going to try to cut back to balance this out the next few months. Idk if I should count Easter as “frivolous,” but to keep me accountable, I am.
10. Make a meatless dinner at least twice a week, especially Friday.
- Week 1: frozen pizza & Salmon with sautéed kale and French fries
- Week 2: Hearts of Palm Salad & Fish Tacos with Coleslaw, (take out) Cheese Pizza, Mushroom Soup, and Peruvian Seafood Soup
- Week 3: does take out Cheese Pizza count?
- Week 4: Brussels sprouts in Coconut Milk Rice & Pasta Santa Caterina
11. Go to church every Sunday & Holy Day of Obligation.
- Week 1: we were a slowly recovering sick household this weekend so for the sake of others & our own sanity, we skipped mass today
- Week 2: Palm Sunday is a VERY special mass for us; it was the first mass I took Will to when we were just “friends”
- Week 3: Easter Sunday – we went to the 6:30 sunrise service since we’re up anyways with the baby
- Week 4: we did not do to mass on Divine Sunday, it was probably ok because of why we didn’t go but just in case I’ll pop into confession to cover my bases
- Week 5: Sunday at 8am
12. Send someone a surprise postcard once a month.
I really think I need to finally abandon this goal.
13. Travel internationally at least once.
I have now been officially approved to take the classes I asked for at Oxford. Now to book flights!!! (here is where I do not complain about the cost of flights)
14. Listen to at least 1 hour of Spanish language learning a week.
- Week 1: 20 minute episode while on a walk with the baby
- Week 2: no
- Week 3: no
- Week 4: no
- Week 5: 2 16-20 minute episodes in the car
15. Listen to at least 1 hour of Italian language learning a week.
- Week 1: 20 minute episode in the car
- Week 2: no
- Week 3: no
- Week 4: 20 minute episode in the car
- Week 5: 1 16 minute episode in the car
16. Go out on a date with the hubby at least once a month.
Does watching Dune on the couch with takeout because your sick count? I wasn’t really asking because yes it does!
We also have had some nice mixed drinks “dates” with our Shaker & Spoon boxes (Christmas gifts that keep on giving).
17. Do yoga at least twice a month.
- Doyogawithme.com: Upper Body and Arm Balance (38 minutes)
18. Only shop second-hand for clothes I want (& do not need).
So I bought 2 dresses at Ross while out shopping with my mother-in-law, obviously not second-hand. One is for Easter & the other just caught my eye. Am I mad? No, not really.
19. Vacuum at least once a week.
- Week 1: ohhh boy did the house need it!
- Week 2: a quick vacuum before dinner & I mopped the day after
- Week 3: the baby loves chasing after the Roomba
- Week 4: I should have vacuumed but then I didn’t
- Week 5: just the hand vacuum and sweeping
20. Write at least 1 art history blog post a month.
no, but I’ve got some news coming down the pipes soon (hopefully soon!)
21. Waste more time with the baby (& hubby).
There was a LOT of wasted time as we got sick in succession. I had to stay home from work for 2.5 days too.
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JMF
