What Are Your Goals or Challenges for 2014

bossymoo

My goal is to not set any goals

Seriously though, I want us to eat better next year. My littlies weren't fussy as babies, they would try all sorts. But as young children they are exerting their "veto" rights a little too often for my liking. It might involve a meal plan board and they can choose a night or two each week.

happycrafter_2

my goals for 2014 are:

to be debt free by the end of the year knocking 5 months off our predicted date from stepchange.

get in to the habit of baking each week for lunch boxes and nibbles at home

continue to menu plan and stick to a shopping list

batch cook - I still cant believe how many meals I managed out of 10lb mince

plan better lunches for myself and hubby

westcoastscot

My goal is to nurture myself - i'm constantly at the bottom of my own list, which is silly.
WCS

Goldiegirl

Great thread, it's interesting to see what everybody wants to do in 2014.


I've been thinking about my plans for 2014 as well. My big focus now is planning for my proposed retirement in 2015. I feel that 2014 is the year to build a solid foundation, all ready for the next stage of my life.




So, with that in mind the things that I want to do are


1) Live on a day to day basis within the income we receive from our current pensions. When we stop work these pensions will be our only income until Mr GG's state pension and another small pension kick in, which will be October 2016


2) Maximise our savings - if we are living on our pensions, I hope to save our income from our current jobs.


3) Shop smarter at the supermarket - always use vouchers for money off / additional points / take advantage of offers / look for cheaper alternatives


4) In conjunction with 3) above - build up a store cupboard of non perishable items / loo rolls / cleaning products etc to help us through the first part of our retirement when our income will be at it's lowest.


5) Any clothes or household goods - use offers / vouchers / sales. Avoid buying anything at full price. But only buy essentials, not wants


6) Reduce energy consumption


7) Carry on de - cluttering


8) Carry on eBaying - selling de-cluttered stuff and purchasing second hand (in conjunction with point 5)


9) Take part in MSE challenges to help with spending / saving


10) Get more exercise - do more walking - hope to do this into retirement


11) Have some nice days out with my husband


That's actually quite a lot of things!


I noticed quite a few people are looking to increase their savings - I've done a link to a savings challenge that I'm taking part in. It seems quite slow in getting members, so please feel free to join in if you think it might help you!


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4836379

Butterfly_Brain

I will do what I have done this year

Save as much as I can

Get as many presents for Birthdays and Christmas in the sales plus all paper, cards, gift tags etc

Put all coupon money and lottery ticket winnings in a jar to pay for Christmas, I did that this year and had £483 :j I only spent £200 so I have a £283 surplus which will pay for the car tax and MOT :j

Grow more veg this year and start sowing earlier

Only buy what I actually need to, repair things before even considering buying new.

Try and pay a bit more off of the mortgage only £15,000 left to pay off now.

Cut back on using supermarkets and just use the butcher, market and local farm shop for as much as I can.

Do more preserving and use the dehydrator a lot more

Experiment with cooking outside , which includes buying a pizza oven

Change to a smaller energy supplier who has no standing charge.

Mrs_Cheshire

Wow so interesting to read through!
I'm just starting my debt free journey so need to keep a check of everything!
I'm starting this on the 20th December as thats when hubby next gets paid!

I have already started meal planning and intend to continue this!
Buy 75% of my meat at a reduced price, this can be woopsie'd or just 1/3 or 1/2 off promotions!
Cut down the amount of meat we're eating by having smaller portions and 2 meat free days a week!
Try to grow more of our own veg.
Make homemade soups with cheap vegetables and freeze!
Keep a running to do list
Sort the mail as I get it into my file folder and monthly transfer to filing cabinet.
Do monthly meter readings to keep on top of gas and electric payments.
Declutter the house and keep it tidy
Plan me time

parsniphead

westcoastscot wrote: »

My goal is to nurture myself - i'm constantly at the bottom of my own list, which is silly.
WCS

I like this one westcoastscot. I may pinch it if ok as I've neglected myself for years.

Parsimonia

Great thread!

Mine are:

To maintain my current weight - I've lost 6.5 stones in the past year and reached my goal weight a month ago...I want to still be at my goal weight on January 1st 2015.

To stop using plastic and to pay for everything in cash, which I think will prevent some of my impulse buys - it hurts more when you have to part with actual money!

To reduce our food waste (we already waste very little) and do more bottling/pickling/preserving.

To grow more of our own veg and to do even more foraging than I did this year (and I did A LOT this year!)

VickyA_2

Excellent thread. My priorities for the forthcoming year are:

Endeavour to reduce grocery bills further, but without compromising on quality/provenance.

Save towards a new car. I used to do this, but it lapsed.

Save towards subscriptions.

De-clutter & file paperwork!

Reduce my stock of toiletries by using up what I have (see signature!)

Continue to overpay on our mortgage

Buy Christmas cards in the sales

Nanamia

westcoastscot wrote: »

My goal is to nurture myself - i'm constantly at the bottom of my own list, which is silly.
WCS

May I borrow this and quote you, I have a few friends over on the Christmas thread which could do with doing this too? xxx