1. Walk at least 500 miles this year (191 down and 309 to go)
I am almost past the two hundred mile marker for the year! This week, I swam, walked, and did YouTube workout videos to reach my weekly goal of 10 miles.
2. Read two nonfiction or classic books each month
This week I read At Home in the World. I really love travel memoirs. I personally do not desire to travel around the world, but I love getting to see the world through other people’s travels. This book is about a family who decides to travel around the world with their homeschooled children for an entire year. I especially loved how real the author is about their experiences and the frugal lessons she learns during their stay in each country. **My favorite part of any travel memoir is the food they try along the way.
3. Try to buy nothing new this year
I received a new phone for Mother’s Day (I actually picked it out and bought it for myself. Receiving gifts is my very last love language) I have withheld from the smartphone game for so long that my old (somewhat) smart phone has refused to pickup Facebook Messenger or even to allow me to access the internet lately. The final straw was having to download text messages lately from almost any contact. So now I have a new Samsung Galaxy phone that does all of that and more. I might even go crazy and try out Instagram:)
4. Take each of my children on an outing by themselves (One down and one to go)
I am hoping to take Ben to see Detective Pikachu this week
5. Have two family game nights each month
One down and one to go
6. Complete two home improvements each month
Not yet
7. Edit and publish my NaNoWriMo novel
I finished editing Chapters 9-13 this week, and then realized that I needed to add a little more hints as to who the killer was earlier on. I hate when the author makes it too easy or too hard to guess who the killer is. This week, I am adding a bit more to Chapter 5 and plan to write the last chapter as well before I have my husband and daughter do the next round of edits.
8. Learn how to knit and crochet
No progress this week to report
9. Try out two new low carb or gluten free recipes each month
I previously shared that I tried out a new GF biscuit recipe last week, but wanted to make some alterations before we tried them again. Well I am happy to report that both kids loved the updated version. I added a little more salt and a teaspoon of sugar to the mix and ended up making pigs in a blanket with the dough. While they were not exactly pretty, apparently they tasted great. **I will try to write up the recipe this week to share with you.
10. Spend less than $500 each month on groceries
This week I spent $160 at Kroger on groceries, which brings my total up to $310 for the month (That is not great because we still have three weeks left in the month!) **I also bought a 1/4th of a cow from my dad, but I do not count that in my monthly grocery spending because it would bust my budget every time!
The Thrifty Educator 