We just made our first extra payment on our mortgage and started on the road of paying it off early. We only moved last year so we have a new mortgage, so this is going to definitely be a loooooooonnnnngggggg term goal, but I figure even if we only do it for a while we still save ourselves, thousands maybe tens of thousands. If we stick with it at our current rate we cut 10 years and over $150K in interest is saved. Anyone else have any exciting new beginnings this year?
Mine is not nearly as ambitious as yours, but for me it is big. I heard a lady on the news say to begin uncluttering your life by getting rid of 50 things a month. I listened to her and was inspired to try it. She said give away, throw away or sell 50 items a month. The thing that really got me was when she said something like, if you hang on to a sweater that is too tight then you are letting it hold you back. I have tons of things we never use or that are just in our way. I have already started my January box and plan to gather my first 50 items this week. Uncluttering my house will be a blessing to my whole family. We simply do not need all this stuff!
Mine is to get in shape. I am healthy already. I eat very healthy, balanced meals, I am active and like doing things outdoors. BUT I have become out of shape in a big way. Over the last two years I have gained a tummy and I do not like it! I will be 35 on Sunday and sitting on my butt in my mid 30s isn't going to get me in shape. I was going to join a bootcamp but I don't have the $200 it costs to join. We got a wii for Christmas and today I bought Just Dance 2. I played for two hours and it is so fun but so hard. I figure I have to take my dd14 to school by 7:30 every morning so when I get home I can play the dance game, do some crunches and pushups and if I do that everyday or even 3 times a week I will have this rear in shape in no time. Now I know it isn't very ambitious like paying off a mortgage but it is so important to me to feel good and healthy plus we live an hour and a half from the beach and plan to join the country club this summer so I need to be able to fit in a swim suit without scaring people.
I am off to a good start on my New Year's plan. Today I took 20 items to the thrift store and I have 16 more ready to take to Goodwill. I am going to be over my 50 items in no time! It is a crazy New Year's resolution, but a much needed one.
Last Year, I bombed big time on all but one of my resolutions (I made good grades, even got 4.0 last semester). But I turned 21 this December and I'm tired of being a loser by my own definition and making excuses for myself. This year, I'm doing all those things which I've been meaning to do "for years" I want to lose 80lbs this year and get in shape, FINISH a book I've been running in circles with for years, Reduce my clutter, Get a job for the first time in my life, Start a small business Make more positive choices, Learn more about Islam and study the Quran more, Be more proactive in my community. etc...
Wow, that is a great one!!! My main one is to put God first in my life and to get closer to him. As well as to instill more Godly values in my children by myself becoming closer to him.. I feel this is a realistic goal for me and my family.
This is the best of all!!!:angel: With God as center of your life, everything else will fall into place if you allow it. Your body is a tabernacle so you will eat better and take care of it. Your home and family belong to God first, so you will rear them up in the direction they should go. God provides the finances so you will spend in a way that glorifies the provider, etc.... You get the picture! Your goal is the same as mine. We can never be close enough to our maker. While everything doesn't fall into place at once and some areas need more focus than others, if we focus on God, he will direct our path. Good for you!
This is mine as well, along with starting daily Bible reading plans. We got a Wii too, and I am going to look into getting the Zumba one. Tonight I start a Zumba class, free of charge at a local church and I am SO excited!!!
