Happy Monday, everyone! We had a great weekend, though I wish it had been longer. The weather was beautiful and it finally feels like spring — the forecast is calling for highs in the upper 70s all week. Having the windows open and enjoying the warm breeze has been wonderful. The photo above was taken after a long walk with our two dogs.
We also set our wedding date: June 7, 2014. Both the ceremony and reception will be held on W’s family property, which is perfect. It’s more meaningful and charming than the other outdoor venues and estates we toured, and the location gives the day a personal touch. There are two other weddings planned there this summer, so I’ll be able to visit and gather ideas. I’m thrilled to finally have a date — now I can begin planning in earnest, and I can’t wait to get started.
My student loan payoff is still on track: I expect to finish paying them off by the end of this month. Parting with that much money will be difficult emotionally, but it will be worth it; losing the monthly loan payment will feel like a huge relief. It’s motivating to be this close to becoming debt-free on that front.
Spending
Honestly, we’ve been actively trying to spend this week. We received a generous gift card from W’s workplace that’s only usable at stores in the mall, and every time we head out we struggle to find things we want. It’s funny how that works: when you have money, nothing seems right, and when you don’t have money, everything looks perfect.
On my wish list are red Ray-Bans, a couple of new jeans, dresses, flats, wedges, makeup, and several tops. Thankfully, the gift card will cover most of that. I also plan to declutter my closet — it’s borderline hoarding, so selling items I no longer wear is a priority. I’ll start by removing winter clothes and using the hanger flip method: flip hangers after you wear items, and at season’s end anything still reversed can go. If I haven’t worn something in months, I definitely don’t need it.
Extra Income (does not include income from our main jobs)
For the first seven days of April I received roughly $2,336 in extra payments. That includes rent from my sister and other side income streams contributing to another solid week. I’m still working on diversifying income further, but time is limited and my to-do list is already full.
How are you doing with your extra income? What goals do you have for that money? If you’ve written about it, share your posts in the comments — I’d love to read them and learn from your experiences.
Food
We’re managing our food budget well and are happy with our current progress, though there’s room to improve. I’m still hunting for more healthy meal and snack ideas, so if you have suggestions, please share them in the comments.
Being healthy
I’ve been focused on healthier habits lately: cooking more nutritious meals, avoiding fast food, and exercising regularly. With nicer weather I’m walking the dogs more often, which feels great. My goals this month are to lose a couple of pounds while also building a bit more muscle. I feel better overall and hope to see visible changes soon.
Have you been doing well with your extra income, spending, and health goals?