What are your plans for 2017?

beautiful_ravens

Not new years resolutions, just the things you would like to achieve, do the same or different as this year, save up for etc. ?

Ive just completed a year of close scrutiny on my financial ins/outs in the bank, to the point where its now part of my day to check my balance and see what bills have gone out and tick them off the list; as a result I have had the exact right money for everything all year.

This last year was also the year I stopped drinking, and I have saved £1900 thanks to that alone [FYI: I read a book called 'The Easy Way to Control Alcohol' by Alan Carr - not the comedian.]

I also decluttered and minimised A LOT OF STUFF in my house and sheds.

So next year, I think some more decluttering and minimising certainly, because I have less housework which frees up more time.

With that time, Im planning to launch myself properly into illustrating -website, networking, and of course the actual drawing part!

Another thing I must try harder at is visiting my far away friends and family, but for that I need a newer and more reliable car, so that is something I must work and save towards.

How about you?

Severina

I'm making a start right now. I'm a long time lurker, so my first step is to actually join in! I have stuff/job/people/weight to declutter, and some financial lifestyle changes to make. I can't go on as I am, and reading this forum for several months has made me realise what changes are possible. Wish me luck!

VintageLady

Decluttering is definitely a big thing in the last four next year. Both myself and DH love to collect things but since our house isn't going to get any bigger any time soon I think we're going to have to get rid of some of the stuff we have been hoarding. Definitely going to do a market or two to try and get rid of some of my old vintage, sell it online but if there's anything left then off to the charity shop it goes!

I'm also going to try and do a gratitude jar next year so whenever something happens which I am grateful for I write it on a piece of paper and pop it in my jar. Then next new years I will go through and look at all the happy things which has happened. I'm not feeling great at the moment and really wish I had done it this year!

jackomdj

Lovely thread.

I am going to think about meals in advance more. I quite often wing it. I need some quick mid week meals, when I say quick we have 3 days where I get in at 4:45 and need to have my children changed, fed and out the door by 5:30. The girls eat at school these days, but I need to decide what to feed them before I get home! They often have beans on toast, spaghetti and sauce, jacket potato, noodles BUT I need to decide the day before.

I need to make the girls keep their rooms tidy as they tend to get things out and leave them.

I need to tidy some of our cupboards, all our bits you can see are lovely and clean/tidy but it is those bits with closed doors!

I want to go through cd's, dvd's, books and work out what to get rid of.

I want to lose weight. I have done well this year, but need to get rid of the rest of the excess.

I want to walk a lot more. I did the moon walk this year, I will do that again. I want to monitor my walking and make sure I do a minimum milage each day.

Phew, lots of things to do. Good luck everyone.

beautiful_ravens

Severina wrote: »

I'm making a start right now. I'm a long time lurker, so my first step is to actually join in! I have stuff/job/people/weight to declutter, and some financial lifestyle changes to make. I can't go on as I am, and reading this forum for several months has made me realise what changes are possible. Wish me luck!

I don't doubt there's a thread on here for each of those things :rotfl:good luck, stay motivated and post here!

Sun_Addict

My first plan is to get back on my feet again after breaking my ankle at the end of November. Cast should be coming off 10 January. Need to build my fitness back up again.

Second plan is for new kitchen, bathroom and central heating. Builder has been round just waiting for quote and then I need to get a re-mortgage.

Rest of plans are just the usual declutter, meal plan, stick to budget, etc.

lemontart

1. get hearing aids fitted in both ears 6th jan - cannot wait. Hopefully they will also distract my brain from the headbashing effect of the titinuss.

2. Go for miss to mrs at ripe old age of 56 in October

Those are certainties, the rest are hopes i.e get the big jobs done on my narrowboat which is also my home.

Get my buisness up and running.

Take control of my life back from the M.E. and discintigrating spine - that have turned my world upside done in the past 4 years.

And find out why I get bouts of full body paralysis and how the hell to stop it happening.

I learn to spell again!

Caterina

Declutter, declutter and declutter some more.

Buy nothing new, which is an ongoing practice but it is going to be more focused this coming year.

Take one day at a time and enjoy life experiences instead of objects.

Any objects coming into my life must pass the Willliam Morris/Marie Kondo scrutiny.

Give more back to my community, volunteer more and value people over possessions, also this has been work in progress but needs more focused attention.

Reduce plastic even more.

Then the usual ones, lose weight, get fitter, blah blah blah, not sure how realistic they are but nice to thnk about them too, just in case.

On waiting list for hip replacement so looking after my health is going to be a serious priority.

Lemontart many congratulations!

pinkypig

What a nice way to approach the New Year. On reflection, 2016 has been a year of ups and downs, as let's face it they generally are:). 2016 has been a more extreme version for me and mine so we are hoping 2017 will be more sedate and meandering!

Things I will continue are;

Meal planning, stock taking, shopping list writing and the Grocery Challlenge.
Minimise,make-do and mend.
Keeping a freezer inventory and labelling what goes into it.
Daily tidy and quick clean of bathroom and kitchen
Keeping on top of the recycling
Monthly financial reviews and regular checking of online banking. I started 'savings pots' (actually separate savings accounts with the bank that holds my current account), one for holidays and one for regular annual spends such as car and home insurance, Christmas etc. I worked out accurate as possible annual spends and then divided them by 12 and transfer that amount into them each month on the day I get paid. They've been a huge success.

Things I'd like to change;

I need more sleep so a sensible bedtime with a strictly limited time for reading (online and books) so that the lights are off by 10.30. I need to be up early and its so easy to end up with only 5 - 6 hours sleep and it's just not enough so I often look and feel tired.
Reduce my wardrobe. I hang on to things just in case and end up not wearing most of it. Will start small and see how it goes.
Get a divorce which includes separating our finances fairly and completely. We have been living apart for years but my ex is unwilling to take that final step. It's gone on too long and I need to move on fully. If I want this to happen (and I do) then I'm going to have to push it forward.
Keep on top of my garden. I had a great start in 2016 but enthusiasm has dwindled!

Very best wishes for 2017 everyone and thank you to those on this thread for prompting me to gather my thoughts in a constructive way.
PP x

WeeMidgie

I'm retiring in 2017! End of April, all being well.:j:j

There's 30 months to go until State Pension Age, and I'll be living on income of :£395 per month, topped up by savings. I'll be continuing MSE ways, and also with fewer restrictions on time, will use my free bus pass when I can (thank you, Scottish Government), to save money on petrol and, double bonus, to get me fitter. I'll be using the local library a lot, and I'm already in the U3A, a fab way to have a low cost congenial social life, and helps keep the grey cells ticking over.

I've allocated a travel budget for visiting family overseas, and for once there will be plenty of time, instead of having to return to work within the maximum allowed - which was not very generous. As I'll be living en famille, I'll contribute both financially and practically, and that includes veggie growing as well as cooking, laundry etc. This I hope, will make my presence a blessing not a burden!

Lots of great things to look forward too, I appreciate being able to do this, thanks to all the economies and tips I've picked up from this great frugal community. :T:T

Wednesday2000

1. Keep up with decluttering/Kondoing.

2. Save up for Christmas at start of year so there won't be any worries close to the day in 2017.

3. Count my blessings, avoid overly negative people/media.

4. Start saving up again as had quite a lot of vet bills this year which threw me off.