Are You Up For A Challenge?

 

For a few years now I have followed bloggers who have done the February No Spend Month Challenge and this year I have decided to hop on board.

Carla over at My 1/2 Dozen Daily is hosting a double challenge and I am putting my hand up for this one. You can read all about it on her blog (click on the picture below) but I am also going to copy and paste the details below.

Here’s how the Low (no) Spend Challenge will work:

1. Choose a financial goal for the month!

- Would you like to build up your emergency fund, save up enough money for something special you’ve had your eye on but can’t afford, want to double up your debt payments, wipe out a credit card completely?! Whatever your goal is, I want to know! 

(I think mine will be to clear my credit card)

2. How will you achieve your goal this month?

- You need a plan of action! Will you be cutting your budget back, cutting out eating out for the month, no “hobby” shopping, trying to earn extra money? Come up with a plan & make it work!

(I’m thinking no eating out / coffee shop for the month, no spending on anything except essentials / groceries I think)

3. How will you allot your spending this month?

- Obviously I suggest a “cash” budget, as you can’t spend what you don’t have! There is no putting it on credit, throwing it on a tab, digging into $$ you shouldn’t be spending, etc.… But if you deal with debit cards, credit cards, etc.… Go with what keeps you on track! Will you budget daily, weekly, bi-weekly? Find what works best for you & stick to it!

 (Might take my grocery money and keep cash envelope system for the month)

4. Track your purchases!

- Keep track of your spending. Yes, even that pack of gum that was “only” $.79! It REALLY helps you to see where exactly your money is going!

(Does that mean I should go buy a notebook for the challenge, ha ha only kidding!)

5. Are there any “exemptions” for the month?

- Do you have any previous engagements, birthdays, events, etc.. that simply won’t fit into the month? Then choose your exemptions & plan from there how you can still reach your goal! 

(Hmmm Valentines Day ... but I have some ideas there)

Here’s how the Decluttering challenge will work:

1. There will be 4 main challenges for the month. I pick the theme, you pick the challenge!

• Week One: Personal Space Challenge

 (clean out the bedside tables)

• Week Two: Family Space Challenge

(just did a BIG declutter last month so not sure about this one)

• Week Three: Productivity Challenge

 (Maybe get up 1 hour earlier?)

• Week Four: The “Dreaded” Challenge

(Hmmm, decluttering my computer that is very dreaded to me!)

2. Bonus Challenges!

- I will be giving you 4 *bonus* mini challenges throughout the month! Fast & easy to accomplish!

3. Purging!!

- Toss, sell, or donate 29 items! One item for every day of the month in February… Easy as pie!  

(OK even after the big cleanout I am sure I can manage that one, another look at the husbands tie rack might be in order heheheh)

4. The Proof is in the pudding!

- If you have a blog, before & after photos of your decluttering projects would be awesome please!!

Ok, now for the nitty gritty rules!

1. Please leave a comment on this post letting me know that you’ll be joining in, and please state if you’re joining one, or both challenges!

2. Take (borrow, steal, etc..) my challenge photo from above & post it on your blog along with your goals for the month & please don’t forget to link me up!

3. Commit to updating about your challenge status at least once a week! So 4 updates at the minimum please! Simply post about your progress on your blog & let me know that you’ve updated in my comments section. My blog dashboard DOES NOT show me any incoming links, so I need “direct links” please! If the month goes along and there’s been no updates after the first week or so has been posted, I’ll assume that the challenge didn’t work for you. I’d like to keep the link list page updated & current so we can encourage & follow each other! I also need to track participants for my “bounty” prize at the end of the month!

Well I need to go work out our goal for this month and also what commitments I have already made etc.…

I have just added my thoughts in red above.

I am going to try and rope in a few friends here in Muscat to make it a bit more fun.

Thanks for stopping by …

Coffee with the Al Abri’s

Another weekend over, where does the time go?

Over the weekend we had a little pup come and stay with us, her name is Lexy.

We fostered her through a great Animal Adoption and Fostering program here in Muscat.  We learned that a permanent dog is not in our near future sadly but she was a delight to have even for such a short time.

Late afternoon we headed over to the coffee shop, a wonderful Friday Afternoon tradition.

Lulu had the KG Class pet – Philip the Frog - over for the weekend. I had to watch him though as he was trying to drink my coffee!

Laith was showing me his Stars Wars moves.

Sami intent on getting to the next level while eating cake, hah who said that boy could not multitask. Mind you I did catch him putting his fork to his Nintendo one time, he stopped realised it was not his cake and burst out laughing, sweet boy.

When you can’t finish a level then go ask your big brother to help you . That is when he takes a break from his own game …

And here is my darling husband pulling silly faces when I tried to take a nice shot … so to teach him a lesson I am using the “bad” shot on my blog (hee hee).

So that’s it folks, here’s to a new school week with lots of after school activities starting so it should be fun.

Sorry there is no picture of little Eyad today. I will sure to post one soon.

Thanks for stopping by …

HAPPY NEW YEAR – Lets Rock 2012

Wow another year over, a new one just begun … (sing along now if you like).

Last night my Mum and I went to see the Mariinsky Ballet at the Royal Oman Opera House. It was lovely. There were three acts, the first being a traditional pretty ballet with lots of jumping and dancing etc., the second a fantastic modern piece and the third was based on Carmen. Fantastic night.

This was us outside the Opera House last night.

As I type this post my Mum “should be sleeping” as she needs to get up for her flight home at 3am. Oh dear I will miss her. Thanks Mum.

Today we chilled. In the morning the kids did some puzzles.

This is our new IKEA bookshelf / desk for the “art area”. I purchased this hopping it would get the kids around the same table and interact more than working on their own art tables. This afternoon when we came home from lunch Laith immediately got a game out and went to the table and then asked the other two to come and play. The BEST 50 rials I spent in 2011!

Laith then went on to use some of the Montessori activities I have created.

Meanwhile my other munchkins were playing make believe. I believe they were off to New Mexico on a trip … Eyad was riding cargo class I think! And there is the Christmas tree all packed away in its box ready for another years hibernation in our storage room (must add that to Ali’s to - do list).

2011 was a good year, I have no complaints. Experiences, lessons, basically life happened!

2012, well I am hoping for a great year. My main goal is to be more organised and I hope that I can be a more present mum and wife.

My love to all my family and friends and wishing you a very Happy New Year.

Thanks for stopping by …