The Toy Box Years: January No/Low Spend & Decluttering Challenge

The Creators of the Toy Box Years

The creators of the Toy Box Years are my two beautiful daughters and wonderful, handsome soldier husband.

"Nani" (our oldest) is a 11 year old 6th grader who loves Taylor Swift, ballet, books, fashion designing and sewing. Ask her what she wants to be when she grows up and it changes daily to anything from "an artist" to "a teacher" to "a singer/dancer". Nani is also currently fighting a battle against brain cancer -- recently diagnosed in June 2016.

"Nudgie" (our youngest) is a very smiley, very happy, very giggly, very spirited 8 year old 3rd Grader who's favorite toys are anything that gives mommy an anxiety attack - ladders, stepstools, the climbing wall at the playground. Like her sister, she has a love of reading and coloring, loves gymnastics and still provides mommy lots of snuggle time!

"My Marine" is my high school sweetheart. We've been married over 20 years and met when we were 17. (You do the math....) His favorite toys are Blackhawk helicopters, the lawnmower, our steam cleaner, and microbrew beer bottles. My husband is also my hero in that he proudly serves his country as a Blackhawk crew chief (hence his favorite toy!). And need I say that there is nothing hotter than my man in uniform!

All About Me......

Once upon a time I had a career and worked in the corporate world. Once upon a time, I dreamed about leaving that all behind to follow my true calling -- being a wife and mommy.

The first part of my calling was fulfilled in 1995 when I married my Marine (now soldier) and my love. Little did I know that being a military wife would change me in so many ways and that because of that, I would have an extended family all over the world from Japan, to California, to North Carolina.

The second part of my calling took a little doing, but I finally achieved that dream in 2004 with the birth of our first child, followed 4 years later by her baby sister.

So now, when someone asks me what I do for a living - I simply smile and say proudly that I'm following my calling - I'm a mommy and a wife -- and I couldn't be HAPPIER -- I'm living in the Toy Box Years!!

Ever since My Marine left, my life has been out of control.....which is bad, because in MY mind, I should have it all under control....ducks in a row, blah, blah, blah. But what I have found is that I've let things slide.....a lot. My Marine would divorce me if he saw our garage right now (which is why I am NOT posting a picture of it's current condition) and my checkbook hasn't been balanced since September. Plus with the holidays, there was also a lot of extra spending going on.

I need to get back in control.

Over at My 1/2 Dozen Daily, she's starting the New Year with a January No/Low Spend & Decluttering Challenge. PERFECT! Just right up my alley!

The challenge includes setting two goals (one financial and one decluttering) and doing a weekly check-in on those goals. I can certainly do this!

Goal #1 - Financial:
After all the extra spending during the holidays, it's time to start tightening the belt with spending and putting money back into the savings account. I also need to develop a budget and meal plan. I mentioned to a friend that I have 2 freezers full of food that I need to meal plan for....instead of quick, unhealthy meals that are budget-suckers. So:

1. Put extra deployment pay in savings
2. Develop budget
3. Meal plan - using what's here, buying only necessary food items (fresh veggies/fruits/milk)
4. No unnecessary spending unless I can use gift cards

Goal #2 - Decluttering:The garage is a pit right now. The dumping ground for things I don't want to put away. I have a pile of things to take to the kids consignment store and a pile of things to go to Goodwill. I do need to, further, reorganize the Christmas stuff before putting it all away - which may require purchasing some storage bins. So:

1. Clear out the consignment clutter and actually TAKE this stuff to the store!
2. Make a Goodwill run at least twice in January
3. Go through Christmas decorations and donate/throw away what's not needed. Reorganize for storage purposes.

I just have to keep remembering....small bites and baby steps!

4 comments:

~Carla~ December 31, 2012 at 7:41 AM: Aww that has to be really hard! But like you said, "baby steps!!' Good luck this month & thanks for joining in!! :)
Natalie PlanetSmarty December 31, 2012 at 2:11 PM: Great plan. Our garage has been in the state of constant disarray since we moved here in 2008 - sad, but true!
Lady In Read December 31, 2012 at 10:19 PM: :) have to start with my closet first..
love the look of your blog - it is so sweet..
following you now.. came here via Monday Mingle.. do stop by my blog when you can..
Happy new year
Anonymous January 1, 2013 at 4:02 PM: Jenn...what a great sounding challenge...something all of us need to pay attention to for the new year! Especially now for me with retirement, my hubby and I will have to watch the budget carefully...and my plan was to declutter the house...one drawer, closet and cabinet at a time.:)Of course, I'm 'retired' from my 'day' job...and it will be all about having more time to write picture books and submit them.
Happy New Year to you and your family...I'll go and visit the blog you mention.:)