2016 - A year of 16 Challenges

takingcontrolatlast

[QUOTE=takingcontrolatlast;

1. Make £1600 - £22/£1600

2. Pay off £1600 of debt - £500/£1600

3. Save £1 a day for Xmas 2016 - on target

4. 16 NSDs a month - completed 1 this week but overall for the month i have completed 16

5. 16 craft items in a year - 1/16

6. Take packed lunch to work for 16 days at least - passed this one for Jan

7. Read 16 books - 0/16 - reading The Kings Curse - history book - interesting but time consuming!

8. Complete 16 projects on the house - working on shower room

9. Complete 16 "fun" things with family/friends - so far 3/16 for the year

10. Improve 16 things about me I have been accepted on a Business Admin course

11. Visit 16 new places - 1/16 - went to a new restaurant

12. Learn 16 new receipes - 2/16

13. Go to the gym 16 times 0/16

14. Lose 16lbs of weight the 1st half of the year 2lbs for Jan

15. Lose 16lbs of weight the 2nd half of the year - dont have to worry about this yet!

16. Do 16 things for charity - Donated money to NHS charity 1/16[/QUOTE]


Well done everyone with their progress :T

Tjh1412

Update time finally

1. List 16 things to sell each month,I've a huge box of stuff been meaning to ebay
16/16 they've all sold last one posted this am

2. Decluttering 2016 things from my house this year
Only really getting to go at this for weekends total of 241/2016 so far

3. 16 nsd's per month
Only had 5 spend days this month 25/16 so far

4. Read 16 books per month
16/16 just finished last one today, phew


5. Learn 16 new things that'll help me be more frugal eg baking own bread sewing on buttons etc
Learnt how to replace a zip so far 1/16

6. 16 minutes each day on chores
Been just managing this though my house doesn't seem to show it 30/365

7. Sign up to 16 extra money making methods; survey sites etc
8/16 now,anyone got any recommendations?

8. Spend 16 minutes a week on filing etc to keep on top of paperwork
So much to file but 5/52 so far I'll get there

9. Put £16 a week into my pension scheme
Another direct debits gone out, 8/52 also set up direct debit so this will be automatic


10. Pay off/save £16 a week
Hoping this will help get me through this horrible gray weather 5/52

11. Make 16 new recipes this year
Sourdough treacle bread and aioli so far 2/16

12. Cut down spending by £16 a month
Done a couple smaller savings but still counting this as 1/12

13. Craft 16 gifts for Christmas
Still no completed projects yet 0/16

14. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing
3/16 so far

15. 16 store cupboard/no cost meals a month
16/16 by the skin of my teeth tonight is last one luckily and tomorrows will count too

16. 30/365 still keeping this going so hopefully will be able to push boat out at xmas guilt free

emg

Here is the news from this weekend!

1. Take a packed lunch to work at least 16 days a month - (16/16)
hooray! I have tried to get into this habit so many times, I'm hoping I have cracked it.

2. Do at least 15mins Flylady-ing a day
Flyladied through the Archers ominbus and everything is back on track!

3. Reach my step target on Fitbit 25 days a month (11/31)
Umm...

4. Use the 'seven' fitness app at least 25 days a month
another fail

5. Achieve 10 No-Spend-Days a month (5/10)
Click and Collected my grocery shop so spent on that.

6. Keep YNAB up to date daily - yes

7. Overpay mortgage by £3600 (£640.47/£5000) :T


8. Complete at least 30 surveys per month on survey sites (17/30)
getting there!

9. Claim work expenses on time every month (due by 4/2)
done

10. Meal plan for all week day meals
Need to do February now

11. Declutter 2016 items in 2016 - 18/2016
three books to the bookbank

12. Unsubscribe from at least one spam email everyday - yep!
This one is probably the easiest one!

13. No buying books or magazines in 2016 yep!

14. Read 16 books in 2016 0/16
did a bit of reading but still havent finished book 1!

15. Make one new recipe a month - NEWS!!
Made a new recipe, Cauliflower and Cashew Nut Curry from the new Nigella book. Sadly it was way way way too hot and even with about a pint of yoghurt in it I couldnt finish it. Chucked it all away

16. Batch cook two things for the freezer each month - done for Jan

Bit of a lazy weekend really but, hey, tomorrow is a new month and there is everything to play for!

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
Really need to start this... hopefully tonight!

2. Read 16 Books
Still reading Anne Frank.

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
Completed last week, fingers crossed for this week
0/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Didn't happen over the weekend

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in July so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
No exercise this weekend, unless dancing on Saturday night counts?
But I did go to the gym this morning
1/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
All transferred over the weekend.

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Friday and Saturday were good
Sunday was not

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.
Failed at this last month. Fingers crossed for this month!
1/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 16 times a month.
Everyday last week and have today
1/16

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first
Going well

11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.
Have bought nothing further

12. One meal a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards
No idea what's for tea yet this week...

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing
Helped a lovely older women on Saturday as she was struggling and the staff wouldn't carry her coffees!
2/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays
Took my bridesmaids and my mum out for lunch and drinks on Saturday
2/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday
Went out on Friday night
1/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
Hoping to go on Wednesday evening
0/4 (I have two to visit)

Everyone seems to be doing really well, it's so inspiring reading what other people are doing!

craftingmad

Hi all,


Great progress being made (unlike me).


Sorry I haven't posted for a while but I'm still gripped by Prison Break!


Anyway here's a quick progress report from me:-


1. Stash Busting - 31/365 days of no spending
Items made 60/2016
No new makes but no craft spending either so on track with this one

2. Decluttering 321/2016
3 more things left the house - old school jumpers passed on to another mum

3. Make £2016 - £69/£2016
Was face painting all weekend for a commercial client so once I've been paid this will add a further £150 to this total. Also just requested a £7 Quidco payment so will add this once it is in my bank account

4. Starting weight - Weight Now -
Really must try harder!!!

5. Sealed pot challenge - money started to be added
All my loose change is being added and the pig is filling up

6. NSD - 19/120
5 more to report and heading for one today as well

7. Amazon Pot - £69.76/£200 (£29.76 left over from last year)
Small moves towards gaining more vouchers been taking place but still nowhere near cashing out any yet

8. 16 outlets - 0/16
No, no progress

9. Store Cupboard Challenge 4/52
One more added (I think it may have been more but can't remember!)

10. New meals 2/12 - tuna fishcakes and savoury bread & butter pudding
Savoury bread and pudding and it was yummy

11. Flylady Challenge 14/352
Lots of housework done in readiness for visiting parents

12. Handmade Christmas 1/50
No new progress

13. Save/pay off 16k - £2249.34/£16k
No new progress

14. Project Life 1/13
Almost up to date for January just a few more pics to print out

15. Quality Time 2/52
The kids have been far to busy with after school clubs or I've been working

16. Phoning Parents - 6/52
Phone call made and are staying with me for a week now so no phone calls required

craftingmad

Another update from me with today's progress:-


1. Stash Busting - 32/365 days of no spending
Items made 60/2016
Another no craft spending day

2. Decluttering 323/2016
2 pieces of junk mail in the bin

3. Make £2016 - £77/£2016
£8 paid from mystery shop carried out in January
Also booked another face painting job for October so that will net a further £100 and completed a few more OnePoll surveys so am only £3 away from a £40 payout

4. Starting weight - Weight Now -
Still Really must try harder!!!

5. Sealed pot challenge - money started to be added
Nothing added today

6. NSD - 20/120
NSD today

7. Amazon Pot - £69.76/£200 (£29.76 left over from last year)
No progress today

8. 16 outlets - 0/16
No, still no progress

9. Store Cupboard Challenge 5/52
Yes today was a quick pasta bake

10. New meals 2/12 - tuna fishcakes and savoury bread & butter pudding
Not today

11. Flylady Challenge 14/352
No housework done today



12. Handmade Christmas 1/50
No new progress

13. Save/pay off 16k - £2964.02/£16k
Changed daughters phone insurance from expensive £12 a month to a yearly insurance costing £74 plus I used a 20% off code so saved a further £15 So total saved today for the insurance = £84.08
I also went through Quidco so hopefully may also get a further £5 cashback
Also received £630.60 tax refund for husband into bank account today so this has been transferred into the savings account

14. Project Life 1/13
No new progress today

15. Quality Time 2/52
Guitar tonight so no time

16. Phoning Parents - 6/52
Parents still here so no phone call

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
Whipped around the kitchen and recycled pizza boxes from weekend and cleared up does this count?

2. Read 16 Books
Still reading Anne Frank.

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
Sweet potatoes and chicken/bean burger
1/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
Didn't happen yesterday

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in July so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
Cycled into work this morning but not counting as I do this everyday anyway
1/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
All transferred over the weekend.

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Yep, set the timer and went for it in the kitchen

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.
Failed at this last month. Fingers crossed for this month!
1/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 16 times a month.
Yep
2/16

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first
Going well

11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.
Have bought nothing further

12. One meal a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards
Yep
1/1

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing
Helped a lovely older women on Saturday as she was struggling and the staff wouldn't carry her coffees!
2/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays

2/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday
1/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
Hoping to go on Wednesday evening
0/4 (I have two to visit)

craftingmad

I feel I've been quite productive today but not sure if it will change the totals much straight away or not.



Here's my progress for today:-

1. Stash Busting - 33/365 days of no spending
Items made 61/2016
Another no craft spend day for me and also managed to complete another page of Project Life

2. Decluttering 331/2016
Eight more things left the house today - Large cardboard box, all junk mail received today, Viking Stationary Catalogue, Lush paper bag saved by my daughter but all ripped so in the bin it went, 2 x plastic bags (ripped) and a Thank You card

3. Make £2016 - £77/£2016
Completed 2 more OnePoll surveys for 35p so just £2.35 left until £40 payout Also applied for an £8 mystery shop which I a waiting to see if it will be assigned to me and booked in 4 more face painting jobs for local museums.
Nothing extra to add to total today though

4. Starting weight 12st 4lb - Weight Now - 12st
Signed up for a walking tracker and pedometer on my phone today (free apps) and also once I have ate my dinner will have managed my 5 a day today

5. Sealed pot challenge - money started to be added
£1.03 found lying around the house added to the pig

6. NSD - 21/120
Yey - another NSD for me today

7. Amazon Pot - £69.76/£200 (£29.76 left over from last year)
Nothing new to add but have done some swagbucks (met target) and gifthulk today so getting a little bit closer to next lot of vouchers

8. 16 outlets - 0/16
No progress today

9. Store Cupboard Challenge 5/52
Having mince, tatties and puff pastry today so not out of the store cupboard today

10. New meals 2/12 - tuna fishcakes & savoury bread and butter pudding
No not today

11. Flylady Challenge 15/352
Yes, kitchen cleaned and hallway tidied today

12. Handmade Christmas 1/50
I've started making a list of gifts I want to make for people today so hopefully I can start making soon

13. Save/pay off 16k - £2969.02/£16k
£5 reward from current account transferred into savings today
Also sent off paperwork for a remortgage on one of our BTL properties which will (after fees) save us a massive £1520 over two years. I wont count this until it has actually been swapped though. I also didn't turn heating on today so tat saved some oil which I should hopefully reap a reward for at the end of the year by being under budget for heating

14. Project Life 1/13
Finished another page today but just waiting on a couple of photos from my daughter in order to complete Jan

15. Quality Time 2/52
Hoping to play a board game or something tonight after dinner now that homework is all finished

16. Phoning Parents - 6/52
Mum and dad went home today so have phoned to check they arrived home safely

rdone

1. Declutter 2016 items
All recycling went out last night and I tidied our bedroom. We've been away so much recently that there was a pile of suitcases and bags. Put items in the bag to take to H&M so good progress made
36/2016

2. Read 16 Books
Still reading Anne Frank.

3. Make 3 homemade meals a week
Sri Lankan Curry
2/3

4. 16 no spend days a month
First one of the month yesterday!
1/16

5. Exercise 4 times a week (I have signed up to a triathlon in July so this is a must!) The triathlon is for my Duke of Edinburgh diamond challenge and a month before the wedding. Have been having back trouble but need to slowly get back into it!
As I was sorting our bedroom last night I did extra walking. If I stopped to drink/check phone I walked around the room. Only a little but everything helps! Went to the gym this morning
2/4

6. I currently do the VSPC in which I do a daily, weekly and monthly challenge. Daily is on the 1st Jan put £3.66, 2nd £3.65 etc until the 31st Dec is 1p. Have done it opposite to most people as I felt I'd be more enthusiastic in the beginning and also get more interest! Weekly is rounding my bank account to the nearest £10 at the end of every Sunday and monthly is rounding my salary to the nearest £100.
All transferred over the weekend.

7. Clean/tidy for 16 minutes per day
Yep, as said above, bedroom is beautiful and sorted washing.

8. Do at least 3 pages of my Travel scrapbook per month.
Failed at this last month. Fingers crossed for this month!
1/36

9. Bring a packed lunch at least 16 times a month.
Yep left over curry - yum yum
3/16

10. No buying any unnecessary toiletries and using the stash first
Going well

11. When doing craft use up stash in house first, only exception is wedding craft! I have a huge cupboard full of things but always seem to buy new when I want to make something. Allowing the wedding to be an exception as some things I've never had before.
Have bought nothing further

12. One meal a week to be shopped for in the kitchen cupboards
And last nights, I think one may have been under ambitious
2/1

13. Do 16 random acts of kindness that cost nothing
Helped a lovely older women on Saturday as she was struggling and the staff wouldn't carry her coffees!
2/16

14. 16 days out with family/friends that doesn't include holidays
2/16

15. 16 days out with H2B that doesn't include holiday
1/16

16. Visit elderly relatives twice a month IN THEIR HOME. I often time a visit to my parents house when I know they'll be there.
Have arranged to go tonight to see one Nan
0/4 (I have two to visit)

jenny+luke

Hi,

I love this thread as I am doing lots of challenges this year.

1. My main challenge is to pay off my debt, it isn't massive but I've been struggling to get my credit cards down. I am 100% committed to paying them off ASAP. Hopefully within the next 4 months.

2. As part of paying my debt off, I'm doing the 1% challenge to pay it off as soon as possible.

3. I have 10k saved and want to save another 10k this year.

4. pound a day challenge.

5. 1 thing a day listed on ebay

6. 52 week sealed pot challenge

7. virtual sealed pot challenge

8. I broke my leg last year and gained some weight, hoping to lose it this year

9. get my entire house clutter free

10. budget carefully and write down every pound spent

11. exercise more

12. walk at least 10,000 steps every day

13. save £500 with Park for Christmas

14. have 12 NSDs per month.

thats it for now but sure there's more