May was a bit of a lull before the chaos of June & July, which was nice. Here's how things went with my goals.
Financial:
- Stay on top of food waste by using up 3 pantry or freezer items. This month, all from the freezer:
- Chicken noodle soup
- Hamburger buns
- Last of a bag of chicken patties
- Cauliflower rice/rotisserie chicken leftover dish
- Last of a bag of pizza rolls
- Continue to track net new savings for 2026 - yes, and I've now maxed my 401k for the year, so my last few checks should be bigger than before
- Make $100 in side hustle - $243 in May
- Find one expense to optimize - nothing this month
- Finalize work exit plan - yes, and locked in on an exit date
Family:
- Continue to help the boys navigate college & life - helped Nick prep for, interview & successfully get a summer job. Also helped him move out. Sam is continuing with working towards a conservation program, as well as working.
- Monthly date with M - a dinner out, several hikes & an overnight early birthday celebration
- Visit another national park - we pivoted to a local state park in Carmel
- Continue working on "next big trip" plans with M - we have just started to sketch out details for Iceland!
Fitness:
- Lose 3 lbs - lost 3.7 lbs
- 10 days of meditation, strength & No S - crushed the No S, only 6 strength workouts & no meditations
- Build out a workout template - will get to this when I'm done working
- Track nutrition - yes
- Average 12,000 steps/day - 11,831 - so close!
Personal:
- Declutter 50 items from the house - 12/50
- Get together with friends - a couple of hikes this month
- Try something new - I'm taking an AI for leaders class + went to a spin class at our overnight getaway
- Say yes to adventures - working on 2027 plans & lots of adventures
- Get to know our neighbors - we've been trying to plan something, but dates haven't lined up yet
- Try a new recipe - yes, I tried a new recipe with a variety of Trader Joes items, which turned out really well & will be a nice staple. While not super cheap, it's much less expensive than takeout.
What about you? How did you do with your goals this month?
Personally I find Iceland, which I have visited, as dull as ditchwater. The the volcanoes and geysers don't compensate for the drab scenery and even more uninteresting inhabitants. But it's your choice. Roderick
ReplyDeletePerhaps the drabness comes from your attitude? I've never heard from a single friend or relative a regret going to Iceland.
DeleteSo much green featured in May! I'm less setting goals and more just list making and hoping the things that need completing are. I'm ambivalent about summer in general, but looking forward to something each month and have a good list of things needing attention as well.
ReplyDeleteHaving a list of things to look forward to is a great idea. -HP
DeleteYay on the exit date for work!!! So exciting!!!! May was an adventure for me! I completely retired from working for the state government and made the beginning of plans for opening my practice! It has been $$$$$$ but exciting. Also, a lot of work stress has evaporated. Cindy in the South
ReplyDeleteI'm quite excited. There is way too much to accomplish between now & then, but we will make it happen. Congrats on your retirement & going out on your own! - HP
DeleteOur son really enjoyed Iceland when he visited.
ReplyDeleteI think you got a great many of your goals accomplished.
God bless.
I've also heard really great things. In the eye of the beholder, I suppose. -HP
DeleteI disagree with the commenter above. My husband and I loved Iceland, so much that we look forward to returning in the future.
ReplyDeleteWe are excited to go & have heard very positive things. - HP
DeletePS to my Iceland comment, but not about Iceland! What items did you get from Trader Joe's that you liked? I'm always looking for new things to try there. Maggie (tried to comment with my Google account but wasn't able to make it work)
ReplyDeleteWe made the first dinner from the YouTube video we watched, which was easy meals made with five ingredients or less from TJs, if I recall correctly. It called for rice (we used veggie fried rice, because we love it), pineapple meatballs, soyaki sauce, & a peanut/crispy noodle bagged salad. You make everything as expected (rice, cook meatballs in sauce) & then make a bowl with rice on the bottom, meatballs & topped with the salad/slaw. It was very good & easy. - HP
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