How I did on my January Goals (plus some for February)
I know it's Wednesday, but I don't have a baking recipe photographed and ready to share. So instead, I'm going to do a goal update.
January Goals
I had 4 goals for January (you can read more about them if you want).
1. Make Crackers
I get partial credit here. I made one batch of graham crackers, but that was it. I really wanted to try a bunch of different cracker recipes and get this process down pat, but it didn't happen. I can put some of the blame for that on the black plague that took us down for part of the month, but the rest of the blame can be put on me. 😉
The graham crackers that I made were pretty good, but I can see that cracker baking is going to take some practice. Knowing how thin to roll the dough and how long to bake the crackers (so they're crispy but not burnt) is something that seems to require an eye of experience.
I didn't learn how to bake great bread overnight, though, so I'm willing to keep at this.
So, instead of learning to bake another thing from my list for the year, I'm going to keep working on crackers this month. If I find any really fabulous recipes, I will be sure to share them in Wednesday Baking posts.
2. Fix the cracked drywall
I don't even get partial credit here. I didn't touch that corner!
I did, however, talk to my very home-project-savvy older brother, and he suggested scraping out the cracked and chipped material and using caulk instead of spackle to fix the corner (a reader suggested that too, if I recall correctly).
This was very happy news for me because I would so much rather deal with caulk than with spackle. Yay! So, now we just need to get ourselves some caulk and we'll be in business.
3. Set up a new college and retirement savings plan
I did great with this! I set up a college savings account through ING Direct for each of the kids and I also set up automatic deposits for their accounts each month. Right now we're not able to put a ton of money in each month, but something is better than nothing, I say.
I also set up a retirement account through ING, and I've got automatic deposits going into that account too.
I'm so pleased to have this done because I've been meaning to do it forever! And I'm so grateful that we're at a point where we are able to funnel more money towards these goals.
4. A little selling
I didn't do well with this, but Mr. FG did! He and my brother listed a bunch of laptops on Ebay (they fix up broken ones and sell them), and Mr. FG also sold a propane heater of ours.
Joshua and I did list some of his Transformer toys on Craig'sList but we had no bites.
February Goals
1. Make more crackers
I want to makes graham crackers again, try a wheat cracker recipe, and make a cinnamon oatmeal cracker recipe that I made a while back.
2. Fix the drywall
For real this time!
3. Finish up our taxes
I use TurboTax, which I love to pieces. Looking at actual tax documents makes me feel uber-confused, but Turbo Tax makes it so easy! I can even manage to do my self-employment taxes without a problem.
I've got our return started, but I'm still waiting on a few documents to show up, and I need to pull together the rest of my self-employment records. I want to get this finished and filed before February is up.
4. Sell some stuff
Even though Mr. FG did so well with this, I still want to contribute by selling more of our un-needed items. There's a small pile of stuff taking up precious real estate in our under-the-steps closet, and I want it gone! If you've got some Ebay/Craig's List tips for me, leave 'em in the comments. I need help, apparently.
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Hopefully February will be a more healthy month for me than January was, and I can have a happy report for you at the beginning of March.
Today's 365 post: Aren't my shoes cute??
I saw ina making these a few weeks back, and I thought of you..... Just did a search on food network.. so there is the link to them below...I have never made them, but thought you might give them a go....I am sure you can put your own twist on them.
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/parmesan-black-pepper-crackers-recipe/index.html
as for craigslist- i just sold my moms coffee table that was just taking up space. I had to list it a few times before it went. good thing because you do not have to pay for it.
ebay, i have had some good luck and some not so good luck... i think that one is a hit or miss. (i think much better when it first came out, its so flooded with things now...)
A friend of mine says freecycle has a sister site that you can sell stuff on, for the life of me I cant think of the name of it. Maybe another poster can help out with that. Or if I can get my friend to tell me the name again...I can let you know.
I have a heap of stuff I want to sell also. Might wait til the yard sale at my mil place in may....
have you ever done the kids clothing swap thing?
Graham crackers, yes. I've got a recipe I've been meaning to try since September. I'm adding that to my February to-do list.
I know...it's so hard to get motivated to list on Ebay/Craigslist. There are so many steps involved (from taking photos, to researching price, writing the listing, and then putting the listing online) that I can't expect to do them all in one day.
I find it's best if I do it in stages. First, I take photos of the item(s) when the inspiration strikes me. Then when I next have some time at the computer, look up what it's selling for and decide on a starting or asking price. Jot down how I want to word the listing. THEN, when I'm ready and have uploaded the photos onto my computer, it's just a matter of data entry to post the listing. All this can happen over a course of several days or more.
Another way to stay organized (and motivated) is to keep a list of all the items you want to sell, along with the price you expect to get from each sale. Seeing that total dollar figure is great motivation!
Dear Hubby and I have lived in our home for 13 years (we are plant roots and stay FOREVER kind of people, I guess). We have lived in our home long enough it's time to dejunk! We were just talking about selling a few things on E bay, so am looking forward to tips from other readers, too. Any money we make will go into our emergency fund. We did decide that the kid's outgrown clothes and excess blankets and bedding will go to our local homeless shelter. It has a wing for battered wives and children.
I sell quite a bit on Craigslist so here are some tips:
1. Look up what you are selling so you know the competition and search words being used (if you are selling a love seat, also put in couch so if someone is searching the ad will still pop up).
2. Use good photographs that are uncluttered and bright (I use a white wall as a backdrop)
3. Add some good key words (example gaming chair is also a game chair)
4. Put in the right category that will get the most hits (gaming chair should go in gaming versus furniture as it is specialized).
5. Good descriptions!
Good luck and sometimes you do have to re-post but be patient and eventually you will sell it!
Don't forget to be safe about meeting or having buyers come over!
Thanks for these tips! I have a bunch of things that need to be sold/given away as well and really want to utilze Craigslist.
Thanks again!!
I like this idea of doing monthly goals. I am kind of doing the same thing. Last month I did my wedding scrapbook; this month I have another scrapbook I want to do! I should probably add in a few more necessary to do goals as well.
Good job. You may want to consider having a pro fix that wall problem because, if done incorrectly you can get more problems you do not want. Good luck.
I just listed things on eBay for the first time ever, so I don't have a ton of tips but I figured I'd mention (since I just found out) from now until February 8th eBay has a free listing offer on auction style listings with ANY minimum set. Usually it's only free if you list it for .99 or under. Since discovering this little promo I'm going crazy trying to get all the clothes I want to get out of my closet photographed and listed!
I just did a post on how I sell my kids' outgrown clothes on eBay. Many of the tips (like running a 30 day buy it now auction) can be applied to selling other things on eBay. (Here is the link: http://www.momsplans.com/2011/01/how-i-dress-my-kids-in-gymboree-clothes-for-free-or-nearly-free/)
I need help with selling things on Craigslist though! I tried to sell some baby gear and only got one question, and no buyers! I'll be checking this post to learn more. I have to dejunk the big stuff like bouncy seats, baby swing, etc.
Great goals! It is motivating to look at them monthly!
As to the crackers, a dehydrator will dry them to the right consistency without burning them. Once you use a dehydrator all sorts of things will become open for drying so I suggest an Excalibur. With the income tax this year I am getting one to replace my little one not in production anymore. Paying off a bill too, yay. Good luck with the cracker making.
Just wanted to say I really like your photo challenge!! Also you say you learnt how to make really good bread - do you have any pointers or a tutorial/recipe? My bread always comes out yeasty and dense so I have kinda given up! I really need to get some things on Ebay but will tackle this once my declutter 11 in 11 challenge is over that way I'll have all the things to sell in one place! Stacey x
Thanks so much, your post motivated me to set some of my own goals for February. Good Luck and thanks again
check out manvsdebt's ebook for tips on selling on ebay! it is great! http://lobotomeblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/manvsdebts-awesome-new-guideebook-is.html