Goals continued...

*Increase 401k contribution by at least 1-2%.
*Increase ING monthly transfers by $25 (went in and increased by $10 for January)
*Keep dining out expenses under $160/month on average - move any money saved to ING each month
*Keep grocery spending under $300/month on average - move any money saved to ING each month
*Launch new business by 4/1/06
*Increase tutoring and homeschooling adsense revenues - need more new content and link exchanges
*Update advertising options at DivaTribe - better bang for the buck for advertisers, steadier revenue stream for DT

Goals for 2006:

Increase 401k contribution by at least 1-2%.
Increase ING monthly transfers by $25
Keep dining out expenses under $160/month on average

More to come...

I had two bills to pay, and one of them is not a recurring one that I normally pay via my credit union's free online billpay. I am out of stamps but realized that duh! I can pay it online! So I entered a new payee, and voila. Bill paid, and no trip to the post office.

I've spent a good deal of the morning today working on DivaTribe. I've had several new advertisers pay for space, so I needed to get them into the line up, and I'm working on a new set-up for the store that is more integrated into the main site's look and feel. I need to get going on a contest idea I have and start drafting up the newsletter to go out next week.

DD got a book for Christmas that she already has, so we're going to go out to Barnes and Noble and see about exchanging it for something else. We were right there yesterday, if only she'd brought the book along and reminded me that we need to exchange it.

I needed some new bras and underwear, and after spending $100+ at Kohl's I got a $20 store credit to use between 12/29 and 1/7. So now to think of what else we might need and put the money to good use. I also got some Christmas-themed paper plates and napkins and Linens and Things for 50% off. I'm not a fan of disposables of that nature, but I do use them a bit at Christmas. Found a mini cupcake/muffin tin there as well, which I didn't have but have wanted.

In setting my table for the Christmas dinner, I realized that it would be nice to have service for 12 instead of 8. My mom handed down to me her Lenox china, and I love it. I don't think they make the exact pattern anymore, but they have one that is similar. I'll have to do some looking and thinking, or else invest in less expensive but still festive dishes. My mom has a huge set of Spode, and we've been able to find pieces for that over the years at places like Ross, which is nice. Somehow I don't think my Lenox bone china will turn up at Ross.

DD got a violin for Christmas from one of her cousins, so we need to get some rosin. My clarinet is in the shop, getting all new pads and whatnot. I'll get her some rosin when I go to pick it up. My dad is going to ask my grandpa if he still has his violin, and if so, if I can have it. If I can, then DD and I can learn violin together.

Tidy up for visitors this evening
Work on Christmas cards - postmarked before Christmas day would be nice (got some done and mailed)
Get a load or two of laundry done
Get some crocheting done (got a good start on a new project)

We're having friends over for dessert this evening. DD is working on knitting a scarf for her friend. Should be a nice, quiet day. I can't think of any errands we need to run.

As others are setting 2006 financial goals, I suspect I'll do the same. Some of them will be continuing things that have worked this year, like moving money over each month to my ING account and DD's 529 plan. DH and I increased his 401k contribution after his raise, but I think we can increase a bit more without really feeling it too much, so that's something for us to look into. I've got a new business idea in the works for DivaTribe, so I can set some goals in that arena as well.

DD and I met one of her friends and her friend's mother this morning for hot cocoa/coffee/tea. After visiting for about an hour, we took a short walk over to a fire station to drop off toy donations. It was a pleasant morning. We brought our friends a sampler of homemade cookies and sweets, and they brought us a small loaf of pumpkin bread. Yummy!

I'd really like this cold to abate. I think my cold medication kept me up last night - I was awake (wide awake) from 1:30 - 4:30 this morning. I need to figure out a way to get a good night's sleep.

DD and I are listening to our Nutcracker CD right now. She's coloring Christmas ornaments, and I'm going to go sit with her and do some crocheting after I finish this.

I'm thinking about going to Big Lots this afternoon to see if they have any Christmas cloth napkins. If they do and it's a good price, I'll get them. Otherwise, I may go buy some fabric and make them. I don't have ten of any that match. I honestly don't feel like sitting and sewing 10 napkins, though. We'll see.

I think I am all done shopping. Between Trader Joe's and the 99 cent store, I did the last of my shopping today for Christmas dinner and stocking stuffers. Santa is bringing me a black initial handbag that I found at the 99 cent store - I think it had been at Target at one point. It's pretty cute. I got lotion for DH and my mom, a container of glass wipes for my dad for his truck, mints and gum, tree and snowflake post it notes, and candy canes for stockings. My mom usually brings along some stocking stuffers as well, so the stockings will be fairly full this year.

At Trader Joe's I got a turkey breast and some Tofurkey, for the vegetarians at dinner this year. I got 6 bottles of sparkling apple cider at the 99 cent store. I really love that place.

So I think I'm all set. DD is at grandma and grandpa's today, decorating cookies. I've gotten a lot done today. My goal was to get things done early in the week, in case the cold doesn't ease up or a migraine hits. Now I can sit back and relax, without worrying about things that still need to be done. There's cleaning to be done, but that is something DH will help out with.

We still need to send out our holiday pictures/letters. DH made a collage and uploaded it to shutterfly, and it has a sampling of pictures from throughout the year. We wrote up a half page key to the photos. Need to photocopy the letter, update our mailing list, and then we can get to that.

It feels good to be done with so much that needed to be done. My cold is better today, but not gone. I slept better last night than I have in the last three or four, and I think that helped a lot.

I'm embarking on a new plan of attack when it comes to my migraines - one that is more holisitic in its approach. Spent a bunch of money on supplements, herbs, etc today. I'll try just about anything at this point. It's been a bad few months, and my quality of life needs to improve.

I got a nice looking new wall clock for the kitchen today. We needed a new one, as the old one wasn't keeping time anymore, despite putting in a new battery. This new one looks good with the new look of our kitchen, and I'm happy with it. It only cost $10, but it's a nice change. The old one has been around since I was in college, I think. I would say I got some good out of it.

I carpooled every day this week with regards to driving to school. It's nice only making the roundtrip once instead of twice, or being able to come back home instead of hanging out up there for hours.

DD and DH are out back, trying to look at the stars. It's really windy here, though, so I don't think they'll stay out too long. I hate, hate, hate wind.