I have been restoring my home for 9 years. This is one area where I think going into debt would be an easy one. But, because I don't want anymore debt, or at least any debt owed on my home (besides mortgage), I have been paying cash for everthing.

Needed yet to be done: In Jan., Feb. and March 2009:

Livingroom: Put floor leveler, finish laying wood and some trim.

Foyer: One more coat of paint and baseboard trim

Kitchen: Find ceiling tin panels to use for backsplash.

Small Bathroom: Repaint.

Throughout house: Finish trim and paint.

Daughters Room: Finish minimal floor laying needed around built-in bookshelf.

Outside: This is my main goal for 2009.
*Deck between French Doors.
*Lay patio outside entry door and finish gardens.
*Work on siding
*Gutters
*New front entryway and foundation.
*Someone to paint all doors. I need to figure a color. Pewter, Green or Red.

Then I'm getting a hot tub.

So I mentioned I would post these goals after Christmas, just couldn't wait. Reading everyone else's goals has got me all pumped up. Here is a more elaborate explanation of my side bar; End 2008 and 2009 Goals:

*Continually pay down debt. While this is pretty self-explanatory, I need to really focus on getting rid of most of my debt by the end of 2009. I would like to keep just one credit card only. One with rewards, of course. I want to use my income tax return for part of this and my summer beach job.

*Transfer Care Credit and WAMU Visa to another 0% credit card before interest hits in February. I have had some great credit card offers in the mail recently and I am going to visit one of them come January.

*Save $1000 EF other than regular accounts with some cash on hand. Other than my Freedom and ING Account, I would like to have $1000 laying around for true emergencies.

*Keep adding to Freedom Account. This account I have had for years and works great when the tax bill cometh or I need to pay for my kids schooling.

*Keep adding to ING Account for Vacations. I promised my family an awesome vacation, so this account is allocated for that. We just need to decide where we want to go. So many choices. I will also use the other part of my income tax return for this venture.

*Continue going green (getting rid of garbage pickup, recycle my own for cash and composting). This is something I am totally embarking on. It will free up around $300/year. So by the end of 2009, this should be into full swing.

*Buy Brita and water bottles to keep with the Green thing (Done). This is too eliminate so many plastic water bottles. We have had the Brita for a week; and no-one has complained. It has been working great and we love the fresh water.

*$400 or under per month food budget (including groceries and ALL eating out). I am going to open a new checking account at a different bank for this. I can direct deposit from my Regular Checking Account and reap the rewards of the $150 Visa Check Card. Nice bonus. I am doing that this week.

*Pay cash for EVERYTHING! (I Love this one). I think with keeping larger amounts of cash on hand (hidden) will help with always paying cash for items needed or wanted, instead of ripping out the credit cards.

Also, I am going to eventually switch back over to cable, so I can ditch my landline and pay-as-you-go cell phone and just get a cell phone with a plan for me. This will be another savings area of around $500/year. This is too be done by the end of 2009 also.

I have a child graduating soon and need to plan for her Graduation Open House to put on in 2010, so I am going to plan and collect items needed for that during the next year. (except food - LOL).

My youngest child enters 9th grade next fall, so I need to have a plan in place for him for the next four years and graduating in 2013.

I am needing to cut expenses in order to live on 1/2 my income starting January 2010.

I am still working on the new vehicle or not plan.

So, I ventured into looking into a new Jeep. Actually a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee, never driven. This is what the dealership quoted me.

"Your price would be 20,381.00 plus tax title and plate."

The original price of the Jeep is $32,310. I am thinking that is a good deal, probably not the best deal, seeing how if you are with AARP, or an employee with Sam's Club or Walmart, the price would be $15,995 plus tax, title and plate.

So, what does everyone think. Any car people on this blog that know a little bit about pricing? Should I take the deal or not.

Of course, if GM, Chrysler and Ford do not get a bailout but are forced into bankruptcy, the price of cars (so CNN says) will go up 5 to 7 percent.

How many of you still have your landline? or do you strickly use a cell phone. I am thinking about getting rid of my landline and my pay-as-you-go cell phone and just getting a cell phone plan.

The two together will save me money yearly. I haven't figured out the numbers yet, cause I need to call my landline provider to find out how much I am actually paying each month. Right now it shows the total combined with my internet; and not seperate. Just curious.

I am wondering if I shouldn't go to the Chrysler dealership and look at newer used Jeeps.

The reason being, I live in Michigan and the Big 3 are in jeopardy. If they don't get a bailout, they will go under. I don't know if I am for or against a bailout, but I do know that I will eventually need a vehicle.

And, where does that leave those of us needing a car in a year or two or five. I don't know that either. I know there are a lot of vehicles out there right now, and it is a good time to make deals, but if no-one is making them in the future. Hmmm.

I might go look at prices again and see what is on the lot. I am feeling a Red one.

My birthday was way back in May and my kids bought me a Margarita Machine. It also does fresh fruit smoothies, which is what we are most interested in.

Well, we finally pulled it out to try it out. It worked for about 30 seconds, then the blade stopped shaving the ice. So after messing around with it for a while, we decided to clean it and return it to the store. While I was cleaning it, my finger hit the blade and yep, I got a pretty good cut. Well, we did return it and now I have some store credit to go buy something else. I have a list. I need sheets for my bed, a new comforter and different curtains for the living room. Hmm, what should I spend my money on. Whatever is on sale.

We also got the beautiful logs hung in the living room. They look awesome. We are done doing major work on the house until after the holidays. I have a Tastefully Simple party next Sunday, Thanksgiving, two birthdays, my Daughter's book club, Christmas and New Years in the next 7 weeks. A lot of baking, cooking and wrapping going on over here.

My kids are also baking/making a large gingerbread house for the foyer. They are decorating it and putting miniature lights in it. They have been planning on paper and are eager to get started. This will be a fun family project. I need to find a good Gingerbread recipe. Anyone have one?

Got some really cute wrapping paper at our local Dollar Store, so I am off to take stock of what I have, get wrapping and make a list of what I need to get. I am so close to being done, except for all the baking, cooking and entertaining.

I better go to the Salvation Army to find me some new Holiday outfits.

So lately our weather has really been cooperative and I have been taking a lot of needed walks to clear my head and do some thinking.

I have realized that I have come to a different and changing time in my life. I am 47 with a birthday in May. Not only are all of my children growing up, but they are all getting their own lives as well. Where does that leave me.

Needing to make some changes and goals.

Yesterday, I had a really beautiful walk (by myself) down our local trails and found that I really do like birch trees and nature. I was raised in the country. We now live in an older vacationy type area on a lake which I also love. You all know that I run a Beach Country Club in the summer months, but I am talking really making some changes in my life.

I am sure some of you are with me here in my thoughts. Of course, paying down my debt is a priority.

So, I tried to explain this to my husband. I believe he is also in his mid-life. We know that there is no-one else for either one of us, so that is not a factor, nor something either one of us needs to worry about, but I am not sure if how women view making changes in their lives is the same for men. I mean he certainly can't afford; or have the FICO score to bring home a corvette. Thank goodness.

I do love walking and am going to try to do that every day. I think health is an important issue. There are some areas of my body that could use some help. I am not really overweight. I am 5'2" and weigh 133lbs, but I have always worked out in some way, shape or form and so I really do not look my age. That is what I have been told. I would like to up my workouts though. Maybe join a Gym. I told my husband I would like to loose some weight. I think 125lbs would be great. He thinks that I don't need to (which is nice to know; or he is actually afraid to say how he feels in this area). Also, not many people now this, but I do have a hernia that should probably be fixed and I am now using reading glasses, but I don't have insurance to cover these areas. Do you think that lasik is something for me? I should see my Gyno, have a mammogram and a colonoscopy (because my mom died of colon cancer)

But, before those areas can be tended to, I need to bring down my debt or find reduced or free tests.

So, here are the areas I have talked about so far, which seem obvious, But,
*Health (walking, doctor appt., mammogram, colonoscopy, hernia surgery, Lasik and joining a Gym)
*Eliminate Debt (so when my income is cut in half in a year, I can still live within my means)
*Keep my job in the summer (maybe); or find something different (part-time) year round.
*But, I need something more or different in my life; and I now some of you know what I am talking about.

Well, I will leave those thoughts with you'll, until I have more.

October 2008:

*Groceries: $458.25
*Eating Out: $130.76
*Gas: $221.40
*Extras: Helped out with my oldest's son's newer car $141.00. Homeschooling classes $238.00. My daughter's birthday gift $154.00; and my yougest son's new clothes and shoes $103.50

*Plus all the regular bills and debts paid.

The total extras above (minus the regular bills and debts) comes to $636.50.

Groceries, Gas and Eating Out were lower than last month. That is a good thing. I didn't make my goal of $400/month for groceries and $100/month for eating out, but I am closer than last month.

I have been doing very well buying for Christmas and birthdays - finding great deals, discounts and coupons and I am close to being done.

I went to the credit union today to pay on my son's college loan. The loan is $140/month, but I have been paying $200/month, so I can get it paid off sooner.

Anyway, every time I go in there I get the same lady. She says to me "all of it on the loan". "Umm, yes". I mean where else would it go.

So, today she asks me "all of it on the loan". I say "Yes, I am trying to get it paid off earlier. She says, "well, your doing a good job, your about a year ahead of when the loan is due".

I think to myself - Perfect, cause that is when I wanted it paid off, but how'd she know about my plan.

Here's looking at 2010 - hopefully debt free.