No, We Never Did Own a Panini Maker and Other Changes for 2013

Why no January 2013 entries listing all my new year reservations?  Well I did not have any.  In fact, I sat down a few times and tried to start an entry.  Later this year, there will be some big changes in our family's life.  Those changes have more to do with my husband graduating law school and us moving.  I just did not know what else to expect from 2013 nor what to focus on for the year.

So far there are a few things from last year that I started and were such a great success I am continuing them on through this year.

1.  Of course I have been down sizing things in our home, organizing, packing and putting stuff into storage.  This has been going on for a few months and will be getting more intense over the coming months.  I have gotten to be creative in my organization.  Often you have to think out of the box when you are in a small space and that I have done.

Laundry hampers are great for storing toys in main rooms of the home.  Some containers can roll away and be hidden behind a sofa or wall.  Office filing systems that are not all metal and sterile looking but the ones that are sometimes made of wood, wicker or even woven bins can be used in closets and corners of small areas to hold items often used but have no place to be stored.

Get creative, have fun and make it look nice and original!

2.  Last year, I started using an online organizer, Cozi instead of a notebook or a paper organizer for the first time ever.  I had never felt good about not having things written down on paper.  That last statement is really actually odd coming from me, since I am extremely techno savy, but I have been carrying around a notebook style planner for over 20 years and swore I always would.

I did a lot of searching and looking at various online organizers.  I wanted one that was family friendly and could be accessed anytime, anywhere and from various devices.  I can keep track of everyone's schedules, meal planning, recipes, shopping lists, and to do lists.  I love how flexible and functional it is.  Even, my husband logs in and uses it!

3.  Using Quicken to keep track of our family's spending and budget, instead of just balancing the check book and using spreadsheets has been a life saver.  I have gone back and forth on using Quicken but last year I went and ahead and purchased Quicken Deluxe 2012.  I am glad I did.  I even upgraded to 2013 this month, that is how serious I am about using this product.

I have been an accountant for small businesses and large businesses and this software is easy and gives me a full picture of our finances and both my husband and I have appreciated being able to keep track of our spending this way.

Last month I practically stumbled upon a few things that literally brought such positive change to my family, I have to share.  Sometimes just a few simple steps in the right direction make a big difference and that is something my husband and I both have learned.

1.  I finally caved in and bought my family a panini maker.  If I had known that this would have stopped everyone from eating take out, trust me I would have done this years ago!!!  Seriously!!!  All I have to do is provide, bread, tortillas, lettuce, cheeses, meats.  My husband and son are even using the left overs to make creative sandwiches or wraps.  There seems to be no limits to their creativity.  This has saved us a bundle and we are all eating healthier.

2.  Although I have a small freezer, I am doing some freezer cooking.  For instance, if I make a casserole, I double the amount and freeze the extra half for a meal later.  I also make breakfast burritos and freeze them for easy breakfasts in the morning.  Having a frozen pre-made dinner that I cooked, that only needs to be re-heated for those night I don't want to cook has been awesome.  Plus I know what my family is eating.

3.  Eating fresh and saving money!  Hello!!!  Isn't this something every parent wants for their family?  I had seen a friend of mine always posting of facebook about her basket of fruit and veggies from Bountiful Baskets.  I was unaware that I could do the same even though we were hundreds of miles apart!  It's funny how doing a little research can be so eye opening.

It is a mad dash now on Monday to log in and order my basket and any other extras they may have that I could use.  I would say that I cannot wait until Saturday to pick up our basket of goodies to see what we get, but that would be a lie.  My son Kyle seems to be more eager then I am.  It really has become a major part of our weekend.  Once I pick up our basket of veggies and fruits and put them away, I can make the meal plan for the week.  Some of items I get, I do prep and freeze for meals to come.

If you have never heard of this co-op, check them out, Bountiful Baskets.

As you can see, I have learned a few good things last year that I am keeping up with and started out the new year trying out a few good things to help improve the life of myself and my family.  I think we really have started out the new year on the right foot.  Let's just hope we can keep our balance, because, we are in for a wild ride.

Trust me, February has already started out with a bang and even more surprises!  I just hope I can keep up! I may need a whole lot more coffee if things don't slow down!

TTFN

Dee