The 2015 Question

MommyLiberty5013 · December 2014

Here it is!

Any resolutions for the New Year? If so, what? If not, why not?

DH and I have a theme this upcoming year - purify and simplify. We're purging many things in our home - donating, trashing, gifting, and/or selling. Categories include books (we hope to get rid of 30-40 of them), shoes, clothing, Christmas décor items, regular décor items, baby toys/gear. The long term goal is to buy a smaller home with a larger lot. We have a 3,250 square foot home now with a lot less than 1 acre. We want to be around 2,500 square feet and over 3 acres. So, to do this we have to start now getting rid of things.

I'm feeling lighter already!

vlagrl29 · December 2014

we did the purge thing last year and it was awesome. We have stored all the clothes and toys that DD is too big for. I would love to get rid of them but we have to wait until we have our next kid and know the sex. If it is a boy I will be selling all the clothes the next day

We don't really do resolutions. We do have some goals - DH opening his photog studio in the summer which will be great. TTC towards the end of next year for #2. Stashing more money in savings.

blondie42107 · December 2014

I'm not sure about H but I've got plans to purge! Each new year I get the bug to organize so that's not new. We're not sure if our family is done growing but I'm ready to purge baby stuff. With two kiddos, I know what we'd need if we had another one. I'm not worried. I'm ready to organize! We are also looking to sell our current home and buy in the next year or two.

als1982 · December 2014

We're not really "stuff" people nor do we have children, so we don't have much to purge. I do take time the week before New Year to go through the past year's bills, account statements, charitable contributions and other paper documents to set-aside what we'll need to prepare our taxes, what we'd like to save to compare in future years, and then shred the rest.

hoffse · December 2014

We just went through a massive purge right before we moved - it felt great. That stuff is still being stored in the basement, because I want to donate it in 2015 for tax purposes. We plan to take a trip to the good will next weekend. I can't wait to get that floor space!

We don't really do resolutions, but we do set goals. Our 2015 goals are broken down into categories:

Professional - meet our billable hour guidelines and progress at the end of the year; hopefully hit bonus, if there is a bonus to be had.

Health - H wants to maintain his weight, I really need to lose weight. I would be much happier if I could lose 10 pounds. I'm going to really crack down on that coming up.

House - DIY paneling on all the interior doors; DIY built-ins in our living room; probably hire out moving a wall and installing hardwood in the back addition of our house. It's the only place left with carpet, and it's just nasty from the previous owners (3 dogs, 7 cats, 3 kids...). We have saved up for the hired out portion already, so we're going to call a guy tomorrow for quotes.

Other - trip to France in July and hopefully stay within budget so we can take at least one more big trip in 2016 before TTC!

CuriousKiddosMama · December 2014

$ goal- cash flow a new patio and pay down the mortgage to 100k although this depends upon bonuses and off shore time, so we will see.
Personal- get knocked up

really starting to get baby fever again. Will depend upon if dh is home enough this year though. Kind of tricky if he's gone. Also travel a bunch. I haven't seen my grandma in over a year, and I've never met my youngest nephew who is 3

vlagrl29 · December 2014

vikingsfan711 said:

$ goal- cash flow a new patio and pay down the mortgage to 100k although this depends upon bonuses and off shore time, so we will see. Personal- get knocked up really starting to get baby fever again. Will depend upon if dh is home enough this year though. Kind of tricky if he's gone. Also travel a bunch. I haven't seen my grandma in over a year, and I've never met my youngest nephew who is 3

wow - you are already getting baby fever again?!

It took me 3 years to start to get it again.

Xstatic3333 · December 2014

I like to do resolutions but usually keep them "light" and easy. Last year's big one was to remember reusable shopping bags. This year, other than the running goals I mentioned in the other thread, I'd like to get comfortable handling and cooking meat for my H, family, and friends. I've been a pescatarian since I was 9, so I never really learned. This will enable me to be a better hostess, and hopefully build towards hosting holidays. I'd also like to get to the point where I can relax my vegetarianism slightly to be polite when traveling in the developing world. H is happy about being my guinea pig. First project will be pork chops since they're in the freezer currently.

smbenevides1989 · December 2014

I'm not really doing resolutions anymore since I never do it. But I am making goals this year.

I want to really work hard on paying down debt. I'm trying to get into a new frame and stick to it. I also want to eat better, live better, work on getting away from the electronics, enjoy family time and make some time for myself.

I have so much I want to purge. I need to get a move on and take some pictures to sell on some sites. I also want to work on a new cleaning routine and get back into meal planning. Everything is just going one step at a time.

dragonstarjk · December 2014

I have quite a few 2015 goals, not so much resolutions. These are my goals:

Financial--increase HSA contribution (already scheduled this for next pay period), increase Roth IRA contribution, pay off the mattress set we bought this summer (0% until the end of 2015)

Personal--Keep working out and add in some cardio. After years of trying different things, I've finally found a workout routine that I can stick to. Now I want to add in some more time on the treadmill and finally get in shape! H and I are also trying to stick to mostly clean eating, so nothing overly processed, artificial, or preserved. I hope this is the year that we both get healthy!

Household--Hire a contractor to build us a front porch! We've wanted to do this for years and we're finally going to bite the bullet. I also want to purchase a new dresser since ours is tiny, and a new area rug for the living room because the edges are really raggedy.

Other--Taking a trip to San Diego in May and visiting H's family for Thanksgiving. I'm trying to get enough saved for both of these trips so we're not scrambling to make sure we can pay for them.

hoffse · December 2014

Xstatic3333 said:

I like to do resolutions but usually keep them "light" and easy. Last year's big one was to remember reusable shopping bags. This year, other than the running goals I mentioned in the other thread, I'd like to get comfortable handling and cooking meat for my H, family, and friends. I've been a pescatarian since I was 9, so I never really learned. This will enable me to be a better hostess, and hopefully build towards hosting holidays. I'd also like to get to the point where I can relax my vegetarianism slightly to be polite when traveling in the developing world. H is happy about being my guinea pig. First project will be pork chops since they're in the freezer currently.

Sounds exciting! I'm not a great cook, but H does a variety of meats pretty well. He does two things that he says is "proper" technique (I have no idea if he's right) - he gets the pan very hot before putting on the meat and then sears it on all sides on high before turning the temp down to med/med-low to finish cooking it. Then he lets most meats rest (off the heat) at least 5-10 min before serving. He says this traps in the juices. I have no idea if that's true, but his meat is significantly juicier than mine (and I'm really too lazy to do either of these things), so I assume he's probably correct.

He also doesn't use a thermometer for most meats, since that can release a lot of the juice and really dry meat out, especially when you're talking about cooking individual portions vs. an entire roast or turkey. Obviously you have to be careful with this, but you'll get the hang of it quickly.

Xstatic3333 · December 2014

hoffse said:

Xstatic3333 said:

I like to do resolutions but usually keep them "light" and easy. Last year's big one was to remember reusable shopping bags. This year, other than the running goals I mentioned in the other thread, I'd like to get comfortable handling and cooking meat for my H, family, and friends. I've been a pescatarian since I was 9, so I never really learned. This will enable me to be a better hostess, and hopefully build towards hosting holidays. I'd also like to get to the point where I can relax my vegetarianism slightly to be polite when traveling in the developing world. H is happy about being my guinea pig. First project will be pork chops since they're in the freezer currently.

Sounds exciting! I'm not a great cook, but H does a variety of meats pretty well. He does two things that he says is "proper" technique (I have no idea if he's right) - he gets the pan very hot before putting on the meat and then sears it on all sides on high before turning the temp down to med/med-low to finish cooking it. Then he lets most meats rest (off the heat) at least 5-10 min before serving. He says this traps in the juices. I have no idea if that's true, but his meat is significantly juicier than mine (and I'm really too lazy to do either of these things), so I assume he's probably correct.

He also doesn't use a thermometer for most meats, since that can release a lot of the juice and really dry meat out, especially when you're talking about cooking individual portions vs. an entire roast or turkey. Obviously you have to be careful with this, but you'll get the hang of it quickly.

These are great tips, thanks! I think H rests his too. It's a bit intimidating since I'm a little icked out about meat, but I feel really strongly about wanting to get over that. I'm also a cooking show junky so this will make it easier for me to judge the contestants when they get medium rare wrong!

chloestoes · December 2014

@mommyliberty5013 I LOVE that idea! That actually is my new resolution too! I find so much peace in having less and living simpler!

MommyLiberty5013 · December 2014

Haha. So I couldn't wait for 2015 to begin. I started the PURGE yesterday. I think that we'll be getting rid of more than 40 books when my goal was only 30-40. I've got a pile of things to send to my sis who is expecting her first baby (I'm waiting to learn if it's a boy or girl so I know what to mail her). And, a friend from my mom's group at church has a friend who's expecting so I'll be able to purge a lot of gear to her AND I may be able to sell our DS#3's crib and changing table with mattress once he's out of it in July. YES!!!! (edited for spelling).

lifeonthehill · December 2014

I want to purge big time. I am tired of having so much crap. it is amazing to think that having less is actually making me happy. I would have never expected that.

H and I will be doing the gym together x2 a week. We both want to start going before breakfast on the days I have class. I function better if I have breakfast and lunch before classes so this will get me to the dining hall as well.

All of our savings goals as always since we officially start TTC in June!

Lastly keep up in school. I got 3 A's and a C last semester. Not as great as I could have done but I am pleased!

Knottie37373131 · December 2014

My biggest New Years Resolution is to live within my means. I have only ever had two part time jobs until two weeks ago I started my first full time job. I was working a job that I had been at almost nine years and a job that I had for a little over a year but had very inconsistent hours. It was almost impossible to keep up with my bills this way. I am now making twice as much as I was before so I will finally be able to pay off all of my debts once and for all. I have about $5500 and I hope to have it fully paid off by 2016. I can't wait for my tax returns because that will definitely help knock it back into a more controllable range.

Wulfgar · December 2014

I had to do some purging yesterday, found 4 boxes of books that were getting moldy in our basement. I threw them away and ended up bleaching a lot of our basement.

As for goals for next year:

Work goals: to be more careful with my work, I tend to be juggling so many projects at once that I make mistakes.

Personal goals: to do more exercising at the YMCA, it is on the way home and is really close to our house.

Family goals: to stay out of the Dr's office and ERs next year above routine check-ups.

blondie42107 · December 2014

vlagrl29 said:

vikingsfan711 said:

$ goal- cash flow a new patio and pay down the mortgage to 100k although this depends upon bonuses and off shore time, so we will see. Personal- get knocked up really starting to get baby fever again. Will depend upon if dh is home enough this year though. Kind of tricky if he's gone. Also travel a bunch. I haven't seen my grandma in over a year, and I've never met my youngest nephew who is 3

wow - you are already getting baby fever again?! It took me 3 years to start to get it again.

My baby fever returned when my first was 6 months old!

blondie42107 · December 2014

smbenevides1989 said:

I'm not really doing resolutions anymore since I never do it. But I am making goals this year.

I want to really work hard on paying down debt. I'm trying to get into a new frame and stick to it. I also want to eat better, live better, work on getting away from the electronics, enjoy family time and make some time for myself.

I have so much I want to purge. I need to get a move on and take some pictures to sell on some sites. I also want to work on a new cleaning routine and get back into meal planning. Everything is just going one step at a time.

Well said! That's my on-going goal.

formerlyGDaisy09 · December 2014

We aren't big on resolutions, we do have lots of plans and goals for the year. Were about 65% of the way toward our savings goal to finish the basement and We've put TTC #1 on the calendar for April. Hopefully it's a big year!

vlagrl29 · December 2014

blondie42107 said:

vlagrl29 said:

vikingsfan711 said:

$ goal- cash flow a new patio and pay down the mortgage to 100k although this depends upon bonuses and off shore time, so we will see. Personal- get knocked up really starting to get baby fever again. Will depend upon if dh is home enough this year though. Kind of tricky if he's gone. Also travel a bunch. I haven't seen my grandma in over a year, and I've never met my youngest nephew who is 3

wow - you are already getting baby fever again?! It took me 3 years to start to get it again.

My baby fever returned when my first was 6 months old!

you guys are nuts! I guess my pregnancy sucked so bad that it left a bad taste in my mouth. I know there is a happy ending that will last forever, but I'm so scared to be pregnant again. It makes me ansty when I think about it.

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