Hello December! I absolutely love December; it’s my birthday and my husband’s birthday during the month, plus of course the holidays and spending time with family. I cannot think of a better time of year, to be honest. Work wise, December is a busy month as we get everything finished for the end of year, but as long as I prioritise and not let everything get on top of me, it should be alright.
Every month I like to set myself aims for the month, to keep myself focused and to make sure I actually use the time during the month wisely! There are two sets of aims: Finance and Personal. November was up and down for us, in terms of both Finance and Personal, so let’s hope that December is much better.
Financial aims for December:
– Have 18 No Spend Days (or NSDs)
– Overpay our mortgage by the interest added on only
– Put £600 into savings
As I missed my NSD aim for November, I’m keeping it the same as December is notoriously more expensive but I’m hoping we can still meet that. Like last month, our mortgage overpayment will just be in the interest added only as I’m happy with how that is going for now. And I have left the savings target at £600, because I’m determined to end the year on a positive note savings wise. This will be tricky, but then it’s not a challenge if it’s easy! Reaching my NSD target does have an impact on savings, so the two go hand in hand.
Personal Aims for December:
– make some gingerbread men
– maintain my weight
– relax over the holidays
As I made this a November aim but then didn’t manage it, I’ve kept the gingerbread men aim for December. I’ve changed my weight loss goal to a maintain the same weight one, as I think this will be difficult with birthday meals and Christmas during this month. In fact, I think if I end December the same weight I started, I’ll have done pretty well! Lastly, simply to relax over the holidays.
Do you have any aims for this month? What will challenge you the most? I’d love to hear from you!
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Philippa smithers says
I hope to enjoy some quiet moments out in the countryside. I like nothing better than frosty mornings at this time of year when I can take my little whippet Wilber out for a good run.. I hate all this crazy Friday and cyber Monday stuff though.
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank says
Really? You can do no spending days for 18 days? Me? I’d like to save $850 this December. However, it seems like it would be hard because of the season. But, I am buying your idea about NSD. If I adopt that, I’d probably manage to put more than $850 into my savings.
Nicola says
18 no spend days is the aim – I hope I can do it 🙂 try it, I bet you’ll surprise yourself!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
Our goal for December is to stick to our budget and make it through the holidays. There are some changes I want to make for 2015 so we plan to get those in writing as well.
Nicola says
Good luck with sticking to your budget; it is hard to do that during the holidays.
Mrs. Frugalwoods says
Relaxing and enjoying the holidays sounds divine to me! And happy birthday to you! I agree, December is pretty much the best month of the year. We decorated for Christmas this weekend and I just love feeling festive. Gingerbread men are so cute–I hope you’ll post photos.
Nicola says
I’ll try to post pictures – the light is terrible at the moment so they probably won’t be the best! 🙂
Mrs. Maroon says
I aim to be organized for the holidays so that it doesn’t become overwhelming and detract from the true meaning. I want to be able to focus on enjoying Mini Maroon #2’s first Christmas!
Nicola says
Being organised will definitely help you with that aim 🙂
Kara @ The Daily Whisk says
What a fun month for Birthdays!
I don’t have any specific December goals, just to enjoy the season 🙂
Christine Berry - Wealth Way Online says
I like that your goal is just to maintain your weight. I think sometimes we’re too hard on ourselves. I hope December’s a wonderful month for you 🙂 x