The Compact 2010 wrap up

I can't believe the year is over.  However, I am looking forward to a date night with The Hubbs tonight...some beer and some Top Gear are in our sights :)

As for The Compact, I got derailed and choose to buy new in a few instances.  As I reflect on all of the purchases I made this year, I can't believe how many have been used.  I scored at The Army, garage sales and from friends and family.  The Hubbs also turned a corner this year with curbing his spending and deciding to buy used more.

This journey has helped me to de-clutter our home.  I used to whine all.the.time about how small our home was.  It's only 900 sqft for 4 people, 2 dogs and 3 cats.  Yeah, I know.  But since the de-cluttering bug has hit, our house is much more of a home, than a dumping grounds for stuff. 

I want to thank each and every one of you for joining me.  I truly appreciated your comments and ideas throughout the year.  And of course, the best part is that I made a few new friends along the way.

My 2011 New Year Resolutions

First off I'd like to thank you all for joining me on this journey.  Doing The Compact has opened my eyes to more than I ever imagined just 1 year ago. 

This year my resolutions are:

No MSG, no high fructose corn syrup and no hydrogenated fats.  We are already doing this as a family 95% of the time, but I want to make it 100%.  The 5% is when we eat out and I want to be more aware of how they are making their food.

Cutting my internet usage at nap time from 1.5 hours to 45 minutes.  This will help to get those few nagging chores done, read my never ending books from the library, and plan meals and chores for the coming week.

Being much more diligent about saving money.  I already clip coupons, shop sales and buy bulk, but I'm talking about plunking money away.  Our goal is to save $4,000 this year!

And of course I'm going to continue The Compact, but doing a Lite version this year.  My shopping ways have forever been changed :)

New Year Food Resolutions

Here are some good ideas from Kara @ Taste is Trump

I'll be posting my resolutions later this week as well as a wrap up of 2010 :)

Nordstrom's Rack

Have you ever been to The Rack?  If so, you know you can get good deals on nice clothing, shoes, and plenty of accessories for the whole family.  The Rack just moved into the old BB&Beyond last month and I took the kids in today to browse their kid's shoe selection.  I was thoroughly impressed compared to the last time I visited a Rack.  They had TONS of toddler shoes and many were in season.  They had Stride Rites, New Balances, Geox (I didn't like how hard the insole was on these), Bogs (never tried these either), Crocs, Nike, Adidas, and lots of others.  I didn't buy any, as the kids aren't in need of any right now.  However, I will be back to buy a few pairs as the need arises.  They also have "extra sales" on certain colored tags.  Today's extra was yellow tags 35% off.

If shop The Rack, what do you love to buy there?

Sweet snacks

Today I'm making Christmas Crack, Peppermint Bark and Hard Orange Candy minus the corn syrup (same method as cinnamon, but we use sweet orange essential oil instead of cinnamon leaf).

These will be given to the guys at Sherwin Williams where The Hubbs gets his paint, and some family friends.  The Hubbs wants me to attempt caramels too, but we'll see ;)

14 boxes of cereal for $14

And it's not even expired!  Mom's Best is on sale this week at Freddy's for $1/box.  I bought 14 boxes (this our fave brand of cereal) because money is tight...I would have bought more.  Here's The Hubbs putting it away in 1 of our stockpile spots (the stairwell down to the basement) :)

Don't mind the plastic bags...I forgot mine :(

Don't mind the Blue Moon left over from Halloween ;)

December Declutter

Do you like/want/need to declutter?  Want to join my challenge to declutter your home before the New Year?  Let's do it!  Your list can be as little or big as you'd like :)

Go through garage/deep freezer and organize
Go through kitchen freezer and organize
Dust all baseboards
Wash all walls
Collect large glass pickle jars for storing the rest of my bulk, dry goods
Rearrange toy room and get ready for Christmas toys
Rearrange master bath/declutter linens
Clean fridge
Declutter "cleaner cabinet" under the kitchen sink




I'll be sure to post updates about my journey, so please post your list in the comments :)