2016 Goals

Some of my goals are lifestyle changes that I want to
continue or revamp while others are monetary goals that are fostered by those
lifestyle choices.

• I know it sounds horrible, but it is very true,
  we rarely eat out unless we have a coupon or Groupon/LivingSocial deal
  • Using
    a coupon or local deal can save you anywhere 5-50% every time you eat out. That
    is a lot of saving over a year!
• Price match and never pay retail!
  • I
    know this may seem simple, but you do not know how many people I know that buy
    off convenience. Don’t do it. Also, never pay retail. I cannot remember the
    last time I bought something retail price. Head straight to a clearance rack
    (DO NOT just distracted by the sparkly shirt in the window), shop at outlets,
    shop sales, and duh…use coupons.

• Know what you can get second-hand
  • Realizing
    the savings you can achieve by shopping at second-hand markets is the best
    saving tip!
• Meal prep and eat at home
  • Working
    in Washington, DC, lunches can be upwards of $12 a day! $12, 5 times a week is
    $60. For Willie and I lunches alone would be $120 a week if we ate out every
    day.
  • Drink at home. This includes coffee and alcohol.
  • For
    a family of three, we spend about $200 on groceries (I do buy organic and
    healthier products, so you can lessen this) per week and normally only eat out
    once or twice on the weekend. $200/21 meals (3 meals a day for 7 days of the
    week)/3 people = $3.20 per meal. HUGE SAVINGS!
  • Using Costco or Thrive Market save me a ton on healthy products!
  • I
    meal prep every Sunday, yes…even at 9 p.m. last Sunday night when I was boiling eggs,
    making a paleo egg casserole, and getting our pot roast ready for Monday. This
    allows us to start our week out on the right eating path and not get caught at
    work hungry and running out to fill up on junk and paying convenience prices.

#3 – Live a more toxic free life

After a recent horror story from a good friend about having
a severe allergic reaction to a new couch that had been chemically treated, I
was pushed even further into looking into the toxins that surround us. I have
always been aware and on the “holistic” side of things, but when I was pregnant
I researched the crap out of things, and I was SHOCKED by how many toxins are
in every products. I use my SAVINGS HERE. I eat mostly organic, use Essential Oils, natural cleaning products (I only use Young Living Thieves Cleaner
for Hartley’s things and love Mrs. Meyer’s
honeysuckle scent for dishes), Glass Food Storage, natural
odor/air purifiers (like this amazing Natural Himalayan Salt), and use natural
cosmetics (Arbonne‘s Arbonne RE9 Advanced Set, their Baby Herbal Diaper Rash Cream
is also a miracle). This new year, I am committed to staying on this path
to living a less toxic and environmentally friendly life style. I am also
eating more raw whole foods and lessening my meat consumption!!

#4 – Expand my blog

#5 – Get inspired and share!

We are all busy…I get it. But this year I am committed to
trying new things, visiting friends more often, learning from others and most
importantly sharing stories, memories, advice with one another. This year will
be full of wonderful inspiration! 

Get ready 2016…I’m coming for you!