December 2016: Goal Update

Happy New Year! Thanks for sticking with me this year :) Here is a final recap of my goal achievement (or not):

• Work toward Rule 4 (Age Your Money) as the final Rule to embrace.
• Age of Money=I have gotten to at least 11 days a few times, with an average of 8 days. Much improved from the start of the year (started at 1-2 days), but not yet where I would like to be. 
• Would still really like to get an emergency fund set up and then start working toward spending money from the previous month.  Not sure how this will play out in the next couple of months. 
• Do a daily devotional (COMPLETE!)
• The devotional I completed was The Language of Letting Go by Melody Beattie. I was really good, brief daily readings about mindfulness, healing, anger, boundaries, acceptance and feelings (and lots of other stuff, too).  
• Exercise 2 x per week minimum (COMPLETE!)
• This year had some ups and downs, but on average I exercised at least an average of two times per week. This was so much easier in the summer/fall and has become much more difficult with the cold winter weather. Starting a challenge tomorrow to get a jump start on the new year. 
• Read for pleasure: Average one book per month (COMPLETE!)
• I completed my devotional this month--it counts! Read more than 16 books this year!
• Go on a date with Jason: At least one time per month (COMPLETE!)
• We went on a date to go Christmas shopping for the girls. Stopped for dinner and then went shopping. It was a fun time, and it is nice to just have some one on one time. There were a couple of months with no date and a couple with more than one, so I would say on average this one was a success! 
• Have a "no screen" weekend (INCOMPLETE)
• Did not make this one. I may have to start with just me in the new year and work my way up to everyone. Stay tuned for a new and improved goal for 2017.
• Clean and organize basement:Toy room and storage room (COMPLETE!)
• Still a lot of work to do to make the house clutter-free, but did make some progress this year. 
• Travel somewhere in Northern Michigan (COMPLETE)
• Travel to Denver, Indiana and Washington, D.C. (COMPLETE)
• Try out 12 new dinner recipes (COMPLETE!)
• In December I made: 
• Chicken Lazone, and
• Homemade Calzones
• Both were great! This has been a really great goal and I am becoming more confident in my cooking abilities! 

• Try out 12 new dessert/cookie recipes (COMPLETE!)
• This month I made:
• Almond Joy Cookies
• Again, I loved having this goal. It has made me to stretch a little bit and I have learned so much. I do not even think about buying mixes of any kind (most of the time ;) anymore!
• Do not use credit or obtain any additional debt
• Christmas. No excuse, I know. I am strengthening my resolve for the new year. 

Thanks for following along this year! Be on the lookout for what my thoughts are about the upcoming year!