New Year's "Resolutions"

Do they work?

Maybe. No, not really. Sometimes. Never!

Well, they certainly lift our resolve for a while....

The Blogosphere is full of it at the moment - everyone setting themselves new goals and targets for 2013. 

Things they would like to achieve. 

The person they would like to become. 

Some are simple and achievable, some are ..."Wow, good on you , rather you than me"  type of resolutions.

I love reading about resolutions. Probably because I have slight OCD tendencies and like order and discipline in my life. It draws me in like a pot of cream does a cat, but too much is not a good thing! We spend so much of our time trying to achieve these goals, we forget to enjoy the here and now. I know also that if we wrap ourselves up with so many unobtainable goals we will  start the year just feeling like we have failed yet again. 

So this is my approach.

I am just going to continue with some of the practical things I have started and try and improve on them further:

• Work on budgeting our household expenses.
• Look at more ways of cutting back on our spending.
• Bring more variety in planning our meals - look for more recipes.
• Create a schedule that involves the children doing things for themselves.
• Try and stop running around after the children so much - encouraging them to be more independent ( difficult if you are a control freak like me).
• Create some space to have time for myself and for me and my hubby together .

I am also going to tackle some new targets when I have the time to :

• Attend a photography course - this will not be hard!!
• Develop some better money saving strategies for us and the children.
• Improve the way I take care of my health  - look into some natural remedies. 
• Explore healthy eating again - we have slipped somewhat over the past few weeks.

Not any life altering, earth shattering resolutions here. If you are looking for a life changing revelation, you are reading the wrong blog! I don't think I am an earth shattering sort of person :(

But ....I am kinda happy with my lot. I have 3 incredibly exhausting, but wonderful children who I learn something new about every day. I have a husband to share this with who I may joke grumbles more than Victor Meldrew, but has the kindest of hearts and is unconditional in his love for me. I live in a safe haven of a house and am surrounded by friends and family every step of the way. My life is overly busy and full, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

What more could I ask for?

 I have to remind myself this when I feel frustrated or blue. 

2012 hasn't been the easiest of years for us, but for now......

I am in a good place.

So 2103 ?

Bring it on!

Happy New Year

The Sales and The New Year

How Did I Do?

Well I managed to restrain myself completely and entirely and have spent a grand total of £0.00. 

Nada. 

Nothing. 

Zilch.

Now , I have nothing against the sales. Not at all. In fact I think approached with caution and a with good plan, you can save yourself a great deal of money on items you need for the months ahead. However, I also know, from experience, that you can get dragged into the black hole of having to get a bargain. You end up trawling the shops and online sites for tat treasures you never planned on buying , just because the price is appealing and they have your size left.

But - there is always a but isn't there. I have been hankering after some Ash boots or wedge trainers all year and have restrained myself because of the price. If I can source  a pair within a budget, I may cave. I have set aside money from my e.bay sales to buy some so watch this space. These are my favourites:



 

 

There is a reason for my frugality this year. 2013 is the year we plan to launch into our big extension on our house. We have been saving for a long time for this project and it is not a small one by any means. We wanted to avoid getting ourselves into debt to do it so caution with money at this stage is necessary! We plan to take down a large detached double garage and a lean to garage that is attached to the house. The existing small kitchen is going to become a study and the footprint of where the two garages were will become a 26' kitchen and then a lobby, a utility and a smaller garage. The planning permission has gone through and builders are quoting as I write. I am beyond excited, if a little apprehensive. I will keep you informed of progress and bargains I manage to find on the way!

It's amazing how much willpower you find when you have a goal to work towards. I think I am the sort of person who works best with structure. I need organisation, goals, and targets to work towards. I can become easily demotivated otherwise and with 3 children our lives can quickly descend into disarray and chaos. I do like to take the opportunity to set myself some new goals going into the New Year. Although these tend to be along the lines of :

"I would like to discover some more family recipes "  and " I would like to try and create some time in our schedule for me to go swimming" rather than,

" I must try 2 new recipes a week"  and " I will swim 3 times a week" - I would fail straight away with direct goals like this.

I am working on some realistic goals at the moment to help me organise our budget and household going into the New Year and I will share them shortly.

Do you set New Year Resolutions ?