January Goal Breakdown

I read an amazing book by Crystal Paine, and in it, she wrote that having goals is not enough; they have to be broken down into manageable chunks. So, here is my January breakdown.

1. Become Debt Free: 
I still have approximately 24k left on my debt (excluding my home). The month of January is an additional pay period month, and so we are looking at putting 4k toward our debt. At the end of January, I plan on having a total of 116k (including the home) or 20k of non-mortgage debt.


2. Transition from soda to water:
This is proving to me much more difficult than I thought. I have tried over the past week or so and have had terrible headaches. Working with kiddos all day and then coming home to small kiddos of my own does not lend well to having headaches; therefore, I have resorted to caffeine to take my headaches away. For January, I will be working hard to start this total switch. I still have a soda at home, but work seems to be an easy place to drink my water.

3. Pay house down to 90K
This one really isn't going to go anywhere until we have our debt paid off. For now, we are just paying on our mortgage.

4. Pay cash for trip to Brazil
This is another one that won't be achieved until this summer. The plan is pay for the tickets in July, and the save some more for spending money. We won't actually be going until December.

5. 5000 in savings
This one is proving to be difficult. I don't like saving. I really don't know why. I always feel like "after I pay debt I'll start saving", but this is ridiculous. Life doesn't wait for me to get out of debt. What if something happens? I'll be content with putting 100 away each month (for now).

6. Cash for hubby's new car
My sweet husband has been driving an older car that is coming up on 10 years now. He really needs a new car before long! I am committed to not taking out a loan, but again....see number five.

7. Start IRA
My husband has set this up for me, and I am filling out the forms for my employer to begin taking money from my check. We are excited about this!

8.Read 12 books
This may seem way doable to many, but for this busy mama, this is lofty. I am right on track with January though. I'm reading The Hangman's Daughter and really enjoying it! I read a lot of non-fiction for work, so fiction is a welcome change.


9. Simplify 
I'm not sure how I will know if I reach this goal. My garage is FULL of crap to go to the goodwill, so surely that means I'm off to a great start. I am on mission clothing right now.

10. Side hustle
I am only halfway through the month, but I have failed tremendously at this. I would be happy making 50 dollars by the end of the month to throw at my Sallie Mae.

11. Build budget friendly  (happy family recipe book)
This one has actually been my most FUN goal. My family is surprisingly hard to please, but I have found a few we love. I will post those as soon as I try a few more out.