Before I start on that I will give a short update from over a year ago. We are down to one, sweet, well-trained, quiet dog, Brook. We acquired a bunch of used, free cabinets and have installed them throughout the house. They really help with storage and organization. We have gotten free loads of manure and mulch from neighbors for our garden. We have grown two terrific gardens since I wrote in this blog last. The rabbits are gone, but we are working on better rabbit quarters. We are almost finished with our chicken accommodations. This year we have gone into debt about $1000 a month on groceries, clothes, and other basics.
Things have got to change drastically. We live very simply, so I'm not sure how to cut back. However, I believe as we do our best to save and produce the Lord will bless our efforts. We must triumph financially. To me this means being able to take care of our family's needs, help others, be completely out of debt, to have a year's supply of the basics, to be self-reliant, and prepared for the future. No big deal right! Okay, for us it seems impossible, but we can do it with the Lord's help. I know He wants us to be wise, financially secure, and prepared.
So here are the simple ideas I have:
- Improve health.
- Eat only at meals.
- Eat 2 servings of raw veggies before every meal.
- Consume only 400-500 calories a meal.
- Follow daily exercise routine.
- Save money on groceries.
- Use all leftovers.
- Prepare food ahead of time.
- Store everything possible from the garden.
- Eat out of the garden first.
- Set up homestead.
- Use date money to buy fencing, plants, preps, and repairs.
- Prepare soil and irrigation systems for the future.
- Prepare businesses.
- Finish both instruction books I'm putting together.
- Set up websites.
- Design videos.
- Plan to Succeed.
- Prepare shopping lists for food, clothes, household basics, and fuel storage; 72-hour kit, and preps.
- Schedule weekends and plan limit expenses. Plan weekend adventures, workouts, visits, homestead work, and goal progress.
- Educate our smart, sweet children in basics, solid works, web development, and video production. Line up jobs using their new skills. Empower them to follow their passions.
- Live worthy of heaven's help.
- Plan our bucket list.
Our key progress indicators will be:
- Weight and fat percentage
- Money saved for family business
- Storage room inventory
- Homestead improvements
I need to keep in mind that character is keeping a resolution long after the excitement of making it has worn off.
This blog is for me to keep track of my own progress. And to perhaps give my children or great-great grandchildren a glimpse into our lives. I do not spend much time editing or improving my blogs (which are just personal journals). If I did I would never write; I barely have the time and patience now.
