Goal Update

First, here’s how I did on my last set of goals:

1. Write up a master account/password financial list.

Done. Since some of you asked how I was going to go about this, I’ll share my not-earthshaking method. I simply wrote the names of all the financial institutions we do business with and I also made a list of the regular bills that need to be paid. Underneath each institution or bill, I wrote the username and password for the account and when applicable, instructions about how to pay that bill (due on the 20th of each month, automatically deducted, etc.)

I also included a list of important information like birthdates and social security numbers for all six of us. I plan to revisit the list at least once a year to make sure that all the information is up to date.

I’m so glad to have this checked off because it’s been on my mental to-do list for a long time!

2. Sell my broken camera lens on Ebay.

Nope. I did take pictures for the listing, though!

3. Update Quicken.

Yes! I did it twice since my last goal post.

4. Start on our tax return.

Yes! I’m so happy I got started on this. I use Turbo Tax and I’ve gotten almost all of our return done. It’s no small feat, since my income is kind of complicated (Mr. FG’s is so simple…a W-2 and I’m done!)

I’m still waiting on some forms related to my blogging income, and once I’ve got those, I can finish it up in a jiffy.

I’m really pleased that I will end up owing only a little bit for my self-employment taxes. Deductions are always a little tricky to plan when you have an ever-changing income, and I was worried I’d cut it a bit too close (if you owe too much, you have to pay underpayment penalties.)

5. Combine two credit card accounts for easier online access.

I tried! I really did. But unfortunately, since Mr. FG is the primary on one and I’m the primary on another, we have to close one account and re-open it with him as the primary so that we can combine the two accounts.

I did spend quite a bit of time on the phone trying to get this done, so it’s not like I blew this goal off. 😉

6. Finish editing a photo session, burn the CD, and deliver it.

Done!

And that means I’m all caught up with paid photo sessions. I just need to get the photos from Callie’s birth edited and burned now.

7. Plan and schedule music and musicians for February

Done!

8. Launch Lisey’s secret project (which will then not be a secret)

Done! and in case you missed it, she and I are doing a baking blog together, called Baking With Lisey. You should go check it out!

9. Plan my 14 Days of Valentines for this year.

I have all but one day filled in, so I’ve got time to think of one last idea. 😉

10. Exercise 4 days a week.

Yup! I did. And knowing I’d have to tell you about it made me get out the door to go exercise.

You guys help me so much just by showing up here. Mwah!

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Ok! Here’s the new set of goals for this week:

1. Update Quicken.

I’m on a roll and don’t want to mess it up!

2. Exercise 4 days.

3. Write a letter to my grandpa.

My grandpa lives in a small town in the Midwest, and he doesn’t “do” the internet. So, I’ve been trying to remember to send him real, paper letters, since he’s not privvy to all of my online activity!

4. Sell my broken camera lens.

Now that I have the photos, this should be pretty easy.

5. Take care of the credit card situation.

This involves phone calls, which tempt me to procrastinate. And that’s why I’m putting it on this list!

6. Make a birthday present for Zoe.

Just in case she happens across this post, I won’t tell you what it is. But of course I will show you once I give it to her!

7. Declutter the office bookshelf.

I’m hoping to find a few things to sell, but at the least, I want to donate/recycle some things. I want some space, thank you very much.

8. Finish shopping for Mr. FG’s and Zoe’s birthdays (they share a birthday, which is in a little over a week).

I have a number of things for Zoe already, but I need to figure out exactly what I want to get for Mr. FG.

9. Get my email inbox down to white-space level every day.

I go in such spurts with this…for a while, I do really well at clearing my emails out, and then I miss a day or two and then find myself snowed under. So, I’m going to try to keep my inbox cleared out enough for there to be a bit of white space in my Outlook inbox!

10. Make a blog plan for February.

I know. February already started, so I’m a little late with this. But hey, I can make a plan for the rest of February!

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Today’s 365 post: You know who that kid in the foreground is, right?

Joshua’s 365 post: Name the Beast!