Let's talk budgets

For 2013, I have a carefully thought out a list of 10 goals that I want to accomplish this year.  And as I mentioned in a previous post, only 2 were fitness related. What I want to do is gradually share a few of my goals with you and what I'm doing to make sure they happen.  That's were I failed in years past. I never set a plan of action. But this year is different. 

Every year I make a resolution to be better with money and to save more.  I will be the first to admit I LOVE to shop and spend money. A few months ago I sat down and really looked at our finances and was shocked to see where our money was going and how careless I was being. This year I made a specific goal of having X amount of dollars in one of our savings account by the time we PCS (move) from Hawaii in June. I started looking online for budgeting tips and online tools.  I really didn't find anything that would fit my needs.  I did, however, really like Dave Ramsey's practice of money envelopes.  Basically (the way I interpreted it) is you make your budget, create envelopes for each 'section' of your budget (groceries, bills, entertainment, ect), then insert the budgeted amount of cash in each envelope and once it's gone, it's gone.  That sounds like a great idea!! One problem...I HATE carrying cash around.  I lose it and spend it waaaay to easily.  So I decided that wasn't for me.  After looking online for more options, I decided to look on my phone for budgeting apps.  I have a new love for the smart phone.  I always thought my phone was just to text, make a few calls (very few), and get on facebook.  I wasn't aware of all the amazing and USEFUL apps out there! I will be sharing a few of those in the future.  Anyway, I came across the Easy Envelope Budget Aid or EEBA app. (I've recently seen it going around on Pinterest, too)  It's pretty much the cash envelope practice but I'm able to use my debit card and keep track of my budget on my phone.  It's AWESOME!!  I use the FREE version that gives you 10 envelopes. You can go visit EEBA online to sign up and start your budget.  Here is how mine is set up:

I keep it pretty simple. I add up all of our monthly bills and they all go under there. Food/Groceries includes groceries for the entire month.  Household is for things like dishwasher soap, laundry soap, paper towels, pretty much things for around the house.  Rob and I get a monthly 'allowance' for things like going to lunch (a limited number per week), or coffee dates, ect. Brayden includes his diapers, wipes, and whatever else his budget allows. Now Ilah...oy...hers is pretty big. It includes her sports signups, lunch money, trip payments, ect. Man, they get expensive ;) I try to set up a set amount every month to go into savings, sometimes it happens...sometimes it doesn't. Let's face it...life happens, and that's what it's there for (okay that's just an excuse). And whatever is left over goes into Fun, pretty much our entertainment envelope.  As you make a purchase or a bill comes out, you tap on the appropriate 'envelope' add the transaction and it will be deducted.  The green bar you see will move as you spend. But be careful not to spend too fast, you will get an angry envelope, lol!

 

When I make trips to places like Target where I might buy things for Brayden, the house, and maybe a new top for myself ;), I take my reciept when I get home (or whenever I get the chance) and seperate it into it's appropriate envelope.  I deduct the tax amount from the envelope where I spent the least amount (that's just a personal preference).  I try to reconcile the bank account with the budget every few days, just to make sure I'm on track and the dollar amounts match.

 

Now, let me be very honest with you...I have NOT mastered this at all!! I actually have done terrible with it!!  The app is AWESOME! My discipline is not! I know this will work and help me. I am almost done with the 30 Day Push Challange and I have an all new sense of dedication and lots of motivation to get on track with this.  And even though I have been doing this for about 5 months, I'm counting February 1st as my 'real' start date.  I wanted to share this with you all now because 1) payday is coming up for a lot of us and 2) well, c'mon, it's income tax time!! Use that money wisely! Trust me, I've done the whole spend it in a month thing.  I didn't get smart with it until after I married Rob and even then we might not have been as smart with it as we should have been.  Again, this year is different!

 

I really hope you take the time to look into this and see if it works for you!  I'll admit, it may seem like a lot and maybe a little confusing to set up at first, but once you have it down, it gets easy!

 

So, what do you think? Are you going to give it try?? 

Momma got a face lift...well, the blog did!

Notice anything different??  You got it! My blog is pretty, oh so pretty!! I'm so happy to finally have a blog design that I can be proud of! My sweet friend, Kiana, (click on her name to go to her blog, she is an AMAZING 15 year old blogger who is a great baker, talented photographer -yes, already at 15, and just a fun girl!), recommended her friend Britt to help with my blog (after a desperate plea on IG).  Let me tell you about Britt. She is college student who is working towards a degree in graphic design and has one of the most encouraging blogs I've come across. I only worked with her for a couple of days, but what a pleasure it was! Her blogs include Encouragement for Everyday Struggles and Designed To Inspire.  You will be truly blessed by both!! 

I love the soft colors and of course we included my  obsession with chevron, but in a very tasteful way ;)  You will also find buttons for my business page (under 'grab my button'), The Sassy Bug (Facebook and Etsy). Feel free to click on those and take a peek!

I am very motivated to keep up with this page! I will try to post a variety things like my fitness progress, recipes (perhaps not so fitness friendly, lol), and just everyday life.  We have a HUGE move coming up this summer so I know I will be posting about that adventure too!!  So....what do you think about my new page??

Buh-Bye Bingo Arms: A progress report

 **DISCLAIMER: I'm sharing this with you all as part of my own accountability. If I know there is at least 1 person who is intereseted in what I'm doing, it pushes me to succeed.  Especially on the days I just want to stay in bed**

 

I decided today to take some progress photos. And even though I'm only sharing one photo...that's a huge step for me, especially with it being so early in my journey (keep in mind, I'm only 20 days in).  I'm currently doing Les Mills BodyPump (Beach Body). It is my most favorite workout or what I call my 'soulmate' workout. It's weight training that emphasis the "Rep Effect". Basically lighter weights with thousands (okay, not thousands, but it feels that way) of reps. It's a 90 day program but you're really only lifting 3/4 days a week and the first week you are learning technique and slowly introducing the different exercises. Then starting in week 2 until the end of the 30 days your workout focuses on chest, legs, back, and core. So that's why there isn't much definition in my arms just yet. ;)

I only took 2 pictures on day one (I will start taking more so I can see a full body difference), one from a side angle (for my belly, but I'm not posting that yet) and a bicep flex photo. I have only lost about 4lbs so far, BUT I noticed, I guess you could call it a "shift", in weight. Or...I'm finally starting to tone up a little. I've noticed my quad muscle forming again, my posture is SOOO much better, my tummy is getting a little less bumpy, my back feels stronger, and my arms well.....BUH-BYE BINGO ARMS!! (FYI: Bingo Arms is that part of arm that flaps when you raise your arms to yell BINGO!!)

I'm flexing (or trying too lol) in both pictures, and the top is with the light on, no editing done at all in either image

 Now, I know my arm looks bigger on Day 1, but that's because it's a lot more flabbier lol! I'm noticing my chest muscle is looking better too.  I am only on day 20 and yeah, maybe the difference isn't really all that big yet, but I still have a long way to go and I'm soooo excited to see where I will be at the end of the 90 days!!  

**Another DISCLAIMER: I promise not all my posts will be fitness related!!**

 

New Year, New ME...for real this time

It's a little late, but Happy New Year!! I have always been a big fan of New Year's Day. To me, it means a fresh start which prompts me to stop and think about my "New Year's Resolutions". Every year I write a few things (okay, a LOT of things) that I want to change, improve on, or begin. My list is usually 15-20 items long and includes things like start journaling, spend more quality time with the family, make time for friends, and of course...LOSE WEIGHT! And year, after year, after year I have failed and now I know why.  I never had a plan of action! I just made the list and hoped my life would change because it was a new year. This year is different, and here's why...
I have been a HUGE fan of Chalene Johnson for about 4 years. I came to know about her through Hip Hop Hustle, a fitness class I took at the gym which was created by Chalene.  I then 'liked' her on facebook and more recently on Instagram. She is HUGE in the fitness industry and has several super successful workout programs (Chalene Extreme, TurboFire, ect) and is a part of the Beach Body family. She is also an author and an AWESOME motivational speaker who wants nothing more than to share the secret to her success with everyone.

I noticed a couple of weeks before the new year she began promoting a FREE online challenge, The 30 Day PUSH. I overlooked it several times and it looked interesting but I never really had a thought about signing up. Well, the time came for me to start listing my New Year's Resolutions and I stopped and realized that I write the same resolutions every. single. year. Why was this year going to be any different?  Then a light bulb went off, "I wonder what that 30 day challenge is really about??"  So I went back to her Facebook page and Instagram to get more information. The one thing that stuck out was something Chalene had posted on her page,

"Are you in? Loads of people set New Year's resolutions on January 1. But most people never accomplish all the things they set out to at the beginning of the year. Why? The answer is their habits. How do I know??? Because that used to me. For years I thought I could out work people or that my passion and drive would equal success. Yet, at the end of each day I was frazzled, over worked, sleep deprived, stressed and felt like the rat race would never end. In a moment of clarity nearly 14 years ago I realized what was missing was the habit of organized focus!" (https://www.facebook.com/chalene). When I read that I was like "WHOA"!! So I signed up at http://30daypush.com/ and axiously awaited January 1.

So here we are...January 23rd...and I am STILL on track with ALL my goals.  Goals that I NEVER would have imagined accomplishing, especially so quickly. And only 2 of my 10 goals are fitness related. That's what I love most about this. You start off by really focusing on what your priorities are and go from there. I will share one of my goals with now :) I WILL use this blog as a tool to not only keep myself accountable but to also try to help just 1 person in whatever way this blog can.  To be honest, it took me a while to start back up because I didn't really know how to start off the new year here in order to do that. Our challenge for today was if this program helped me in anyway, to share it. So if figured PUSHING you to look into this program would be a great start. Please, if you want to be more organized, or have a list of goals that just aren't getting accomplished, take a look at what Chalene is sharing. And I don't mean to sound dramatic, but it's life changing. And I know it may sound a little premature to say that with it only being Janurary 23rd, but this is the longest I have stayed focused on something like this and I'm still motivated.  And what is it "they" say?? It take 21 days to form a habit...well....HABIT FORMED!! I've never been more productive, I have so much more energy, and I have a more positive attitude. Keep in mind, Chalene isn't charging for this...it's absolutely FREE. I have posted the link above, but will post it again at the bottom.  In my next post, I will share some of goals and maybe a little progress report!!

If you have any questions about the 30 Day Push, please don't hesitate to ask! Oh and it would be awesome if you followed me ;)  

 

join the 30 Day Push here: http://30daypush.com/

photo: https://www.facebook.com/chalene

follow Chalene on Instagram: @chalenejohnson

Happy November

Wow....hello and goodbye October! It seems like the months are FLYING! I know some may beg to differ, but here in the Henry household it seemed to pass quickly. Which is great because it means we only have about 8 more months left in Hawaii. Such a bitter/sweet feeling...
I hope you had a great time Trick or Treating last night! Halloween is really one of my favorite holidays. I just love seeing the little ones dressed up as some of their favorite people! My daughter, Ilah, went as a Pirate Lass (that was the name of the costume, I'm going with tween pirate) and little Brayden went as Jake, from Jake and the Neverland Pirates (one of his favorite cartoons).  They had a blast collecting candy with some of their neighborhood friends.  We didn't stay out too long which made me a little sad because my daughter, who is 10, was ready to come back home and pass out candy...which means she's growing up :(  I convinced her to go to a few more houses because we really don't get many trick or treaters in our neighborhood (suprisingly, it's a little secluded for military housing).  Of course, when we did get home and only a few had come by, she wanted to go back out, but I had already settled in and we ended up ordering pizza.  Little man had a blast! He did great in his wagon daddy pulled him in.  He was so curious and amazed at what was going on around him! I was happy to see some people passing out toddler friendly treats, so B got his little Goldfish crackers and fruit snacks and was happy.  Overall, great night!

 

I am so excited November is here! I am so ready for Thanksgiving and all the yumminess it brings.  I've already purchased our turkey (pre-cooked thank you very much) and have my menu already planned out.   Well, I believe that's all for today.  I really am going to start making the blog more of a priority :) I am very thankful for the 1 follower I have right now ;)  but I'd love for you to follow me too and if you I have a blog, I'd love to follow you back! Well, I'm off to Target....50% off Halloween...heck yes!! 



Ilah's TEN!

I cannot believe that my Ilah is TEN!!  Seriously, where has the time gone?  Since she is now officially a ''tween'' we decided throwing a Spa Slumber Party would be the best way to celebrate! We decided on this theme a few months ago and I got busy pinning lots of fun ideas on Pinterest. I also spent a lot of time on Etsy, which is where I found these invitations!



 We originally planned to use the colors from the invites, but later decided to go with bright colors which match Ilah's personality perfectly!  Planning the food was pretty easy.  We went with turkey roll ups, veggies, my new addiction Veggie Straws,  and a couple of pinterest finds: mini fruit pizzas (I was so proud of these! Every one loved them!) and dipped marshmallows.

Her strawberry Rossette cake was made by Creative Crumbs and turned out so beautiful and taste just as great!! I sort of made Ilah get a strawberry cake which she isn't a huge fan of BUT I did make it up by getting her favorite Oreo cupcakes from Sweet Tooth Cakes & Cupcakes (by Jodi).

 I start planning the kid's parties really early so that I have longer to look for great deals on decor and other goodies. Let me tell you, this worked PERFECTLY for this party! I found everything we needed at places like Ross, Target, and TJ Maxx at the BEST prices! For example, each girl got some super cute toe separators I found atTarget on clearance for .56!! Can't beat that! I also found huge packs of nail polish and body wash at Ross for less than $5! 

*Each girl went home with toe separators, a wash cloth, nail file, and a flower headband- made by yours truly :)*

As the girls arrived, they decorated a pair of flip flops with ribbon scraps.  I scored BIG on these during Old Navy's $1 Flip Flop sale!

When all the girls arrived we began with facials and mini back and arm massages. I mixed up yogurt, strawberries, and oats for the facial and of course cut up some cucumbers for their eyes!  A great big HUGE thanks to my sweet friend K for lending her magic fingers to the party! I think the massages were the favorite!







 

*The birthday girl getting her massage*

After facials, we moved on the manis and pedis.  The girls were really great about helping eachother out!

I just realized I didn't get any pictures of the actual spa table!! Oh well.  I'm so happy with the way Ilah's Spa-ty turned out.  It was a lot of hard work to put together and probably could have been a tad bit more organized, but I know the girls and most importantly, Ilah had a blast, and that made it all worth it!   Happy birthday to my sweet Ilah bug!



Another great huge THANKS to K for providing massages, and to my hubby for being patient and a good sport with 8 tweens and B running around ;) 

LINK LOVE

Cake: Creative Crumbs

Cupcakes: Sweet Tooth Cakes & Cupcakes by Jodi

Flower Headbands: The Sassy Bug

Invites: Pixel Perfect Party

















4th of July 2012

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays!! Ever since I can remember, the day would start off with the 4th on Broadway parade and street fair, then off to the grandparent's house.  It was one of the few times our entire family would get together, spend a ridiculous amount of money on fireworks, and stay out til 3am popping them...yes, we were 'those people' and dang proud of it! Unfortunatly, living in HI has made it very hard to continue with that tradition, so we've tried our best to start our own. :)  We headed out Schofield Barracks Army Base for their 4th of July Spectacular.  It's usually pretty uneventful, there were some games, some food, rides, and a few vendors, oh...there was a wedding lol!!  My favorite part is the sponsor tent...nothing like grabbing some free pens and keychains ;)   After a couple of hours, we headed back home for a little rest and to get out of the sun for a little bit.  For the fireworks show, we made our way down to Hickam Air Force Base.  There were so many people there! We managed to find PRIME seating somehow, right by the water and no one in front of us!! We set up our chairs, grabbed some dinner, and enjoyed the night's entertainment, David Cook (winner of American Idol season 7).  I don't really know a lot of his songs, but he did some covers and was actually really good live.   He wrapped up with "The Star Spangled Banner" and that began the fireworks display.  Man, they, by far, have the best fireworks display I've seen! It was pretty awesome! Rob and I realized that this was our 3rd and final 4th of July in Hawaii so that made us enjoy the moment even more.  They lasted about 15 minutes, which to me was fine! We packed up and off we went.  Wow...remember me mentioning "there were so many people there"??  Well, imagine all those people leaving at the same time! Talk about crazy traffic, we were in the parking lot trying to get out for an hour! Lucky for us, we packed enough goodies for the kids to stay fed and entertained and it really wasn't all that bad.  That pretty much sums up our 4th.  I cannot wait to be back on the Mainland next year! God willing, we'll be in Texas, at Grandma and Grandpa's house blowing stuff up til 3 am haha! Here are some pics from the festivities! God bless the USA!

This was a beautiful statue dedicated to the fallen Tropic Lightning Soldiers

on Schofield Barracks

The dogtags of some of the fallen

Me and Ilah being silly :)

Ilah waiting for fireworks...it really wasn't thaaat chilly lol!

B was excited to see the fireworks!

My littles enjoying the show

Beautiful!