Minor Aspirations

Finally, an entry not about cooking! *shock!*

I find that it's easier for me to actually DO things if I have a specific goal in mind. For example, it was a lot easier for me to work out during those summers when Sam and I were apart because I had my sights set on looking great for when we were together again. Also, I was better at staying within budget and setting aside a good bit of money back in early 2006 because I was saving money for the wedding.

Besides finishing up applications to grad school, I don't really seem to have many specific goals at the moment. Sam and I are together, and the knowledge that I'm still beautiful to him even with significant pudge around my belly is sweet, but does nothing to motivate me to exercise. Add to that my renewed penchant for baking, and I think I'm in big trouble here. Christmas cookies, and new pies to try... Yep. Trouble. And both of my parents have diabetes...

Also, with a new car and higher insurance payments, I really need to find a way to regain control over my spending. It's not like I even buy a lot of unnecessary things. Most of it goes to bills and food. Oy, the food. Is it just me, or are groceries ridiculously expensive nowadays? $5 for a 10 pack of instant oatmeal? Puh-lease. $1.99 a pound for Fuji apples? $3.99 for frozen entrees for lunches? Am I shopping at the wrong grocery store, or what?

So, I'm gonna try to set goals for myself. Not those vague ones that never get done, like "Lose some weight" or "Save more money", but specific, realistic things that will have a concrete reward at the end. So here we go.

Goal #1 - Weight Loss

• Lose 5 pounds by New Year, and at least 5 more by February 1. (Preferably 8 more)
• New Year's Goal met = New clothes, up to $50
• February Goal met = New clothes, up to $75

Goal #2 - Saving Money

• Save up $1200 by April in my savings account
• $1000 to be spent towards paying off the car loan, bills, or paying back Sam's Mom
  
• April Goal met = the extra $200 to spend however I want

I know it seems kind of counter-intuitive to have my rewards be monetary amounts when I'm trying to save money, but I figure the $50 and the $75 won't be hard to manage into the budget, and the $200 is money I've set aside for that purpose anyway. I figure if you budget for your extra spending, it won't really be "extra", because it's already accounted for. Right?

So, this is gonna mean a lot more planning on my part. I'm actually not terribly worried about the weight loss. So long as I exercise at least 20-30 minutes a day, I'm pretty confident that I can make at least my New Year's goal. 5 pounds isn't a whole lot to be losing in a month. What's nice is that my money-saving goals will also help with the weight loss, since I'll be trying to eat in more often. (And cooking even more! Oh boy.) Speaking of the money-saving, I'll go shopping at Costco this weekend for meat, teriyaki bowls, cheese, bread, and baking supplies. I figure since I'll be needing a LOT of flour, butter, eggs, and chocolate chips this month, why not buy in bulk? And I REALLY need to shop around for better deals. My local grocery store is killing my budget. I spent $38 today on groceries for 2 days! How does this happen?

Okay, here we go! The timer starts now!