Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Why I still make resolutions

I always made resolutions.  In my childhood/adolescent years, I would get a large sheet of paper, and write out every goal I could think of in order to improve my life, my health, my academics, my relationship with God... I was full of good intentions!  Of course, I would always fail.  This is the reason many scoff at resolution makers, knowing full well that they will be broken.

However, I still feel the desire to create goals for 2012.  Goals with a plan to accomplish them or at least head in that general direction.  Without some plan of action, there are some areas of my life that feel drastically out of control and scary.  This is why I must have goals.  This leads me to the theme of my resolutions this year....

financial peace.


My heart is in my throat writing those to words because they seem so opposite in my brain, thinking of finances usually causes my heart to beat fast, anxiety to rear it's ugly head and the stress levels to rise so fast I become defensive.  It's not a pretty scene!  In the spirit of keeping an honest blog, I would like to share some of our financial struggle and how we plan to take baby steps to get control of this area.


I've always been inspired by Simple Mom's new Year's Eve Reflection questions, and her Goal Setting questions. I also loved the post Resolve Not To which was helpful in thinking that no, I cannot do it all, and yes, I do need to focus on the things which are most important this year.

This year, I would like to work on these goals:

1. I would like to open a savings account, and have money in that account.
2. I would like to make a significant dent on our debt this year. 
3. I would like to complete the "Financial Peace University" course.
    (I actually won the audio course from a blog giveaway!)
4. In order to work on all of the above, I need to create and stick to a budget!


In other areas, I am going to work on our family health through menu planning and attending the Whole Food Kitchen online workshop.  I think that reorganizing our pantry and kitchen will help save money too!

Peace.

Peace is my word for 2012.  Peace... because I need it!  I want to be able to breathe when I analyze our finances.  Peace and not overwhelming guilt.  Peace knowing that our schooling contributed to this debt and that all of that was not in vain.  Peace accepting my role of being the best stay at home mama I can and appreciating that I can do this, while making sacrifices along the way.


"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."
-Mother Teresa

I am grateful for the people in my life, the belonging I experience, and I'm hoping that the act of being mindful and aware in life (and in finances) will contribute to a depth of peace this year.


Considering it is almost the end of January... I think it's never too late to create goals!  What are your goals and/or word for the year?

2 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing Pamela, it's great that you've focused on one theme for the year. I'm looking forward to hearing updates in this area and especially how far you've come to achieve some of these goals by the end of the year:) We've also opened a savings account and plan to pay down education debt this year. It's definitely going to take some sacrifices, namely the fact that Tim's going to be gone most of the year but hopefully we'll be able to keep focused and survive... Love you lots and miss you more than I even want to admit.

    -k

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  2. Thanks Kathryn! I appreciate your comments, and I know you guys are going through the same process... and moved to the other side of the world to do so! Love you.

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