Back to work in 2010. This is a landmark year because my finances have changed so much.

Trying to prepare for the new year like many others. This month, the plan is to actually spend 300.00 for 2 people on the grocery budget. If I have the food ready, DH doesn't stop by the store to buy dinner. So far, turkey porcupine meatballs, turkey muffin meatloaves, chicken and brown rice ready for 5 lunches and dinners for the next couple of weeks. According to NPR, home cooking is going to be a trend... we just have to have salad and vegetables in the refrig and we'll be set. $100.00 remaining of the food budget.
We've hung 2 loads of clothes in front of the woodstove and haven't used the dryer yet this week-end.
Mentally preparing for the garage sale that we'll have as soon as: the weather improves (less rain and temps up to 55), and when we've cleared out more junk. It's usually a social experience and accoring to DH, having a clear garage floor will be glorious!

There's a lull in the rain this morning. Thank goodness for that. Our roof was leaking yesterday (water drippping off the ceiling makes it very clear that our big priority must be saving for a new roof!) Our ceiling is wooden so it doesn't do damage to the sheetrock, but still...should we have buckets in the living room at our age?

Started doing inventory in the pantry, closets and garage to try to use more stuff up. After a month of not buying additional freezer stock, I can see inside instead of hoping nothing falls out on the floor.

Made an $800.00 payment to HELOC/total this month $1016.00.

The holidays were fine, but I'm glad the festivities are winding down. My decorations are packed up for another year and the cleaning will be finished by this afternoon. I've been reading other entries that list goals for the new year which is right up my alley. My usual practice is to use the back of an envelope or the little notebooks I use to keep track of daily spending, but they're hard to find and so it's easy to lose track. This will work a lot better.

1. spending
a. use a budget for food and recreation
b. allowance in cash $150.00 each

2. Fun (pay as we go)
a. 12 activities away from home
b. record and post

3. Focused pay off of HELOC
a. total payment of no less than 1k
($216.00+800.00)
4. Roof
a. aggressive saving (20K)
b. agree on material- metal/comp?
c. obtain materials
d. commit to tear off date
e. hire someone

5. Rock wall
a. obtain materials
b. do the work
c. complete new planting

6. acid stain basement floor
a. remove furniture
b. clean floor
c. acid stain
e. poly finish