If you missed my 2018 Action Plan post, check that out here. In that post, I share my 2018 Action Plan (what I’m also calling my “get your ish together list”.) Here is my first check in.
As a reminder, my action items were:
- Cook more.
- Find a church home.
- Build up to marathon training smartly.
- Eliminate consumer debt.
So far, it’s been a solid effort, with some actionable progress. I just paid off one credit card bill, which was incredibly satisfying and I also made a large payment on my car. I’ve also started using You Need a Budget (YNAB). It is software (and an app) that helps you get control of your money and see where it’s going and what it’s doing. I’m still learning to use it but I enjoyed it enough that I subscribed after my free trial. It is incredibly motivating to keep moving through paying off these bills, even with many unexpected expenses (Sasha’s vet bills).
When I have not been traveling, I’ve been making large one pot meals to eat throughout the week. I’ve been cooking more and been better about loading up on groceries. I have one more work trip this week and then I’ll be back on a more predictable schedule, which will help immensely with the cooking.
As far as finding a church home, this is still a work in progress. It is so hard to find a church – it’s like finding a mate. So this is very much still happening but it will take time.
And finally, I feel really good about my marathon build up. It has been HARD and I have had a number of moments of self-doubt while getting back in shape, but I am going to start serious training (i.e. 4 months out from race day) with a good base of 30+ mile weeks and that gives me hope that I can train harder than ever before. I have really had some mental struggles with running this year – the cold, the difficultly of getting back in shape, etc. It has all been tough but I am hopeful.
All in all, I’m satisfied with my action so far and I am motivated to continue working hard to get where I want to be.
Tell me about your plans for 2018 and how they are coming along!
i don’t need an app to tell me where my money is going–it’s going to INKnBURN! LOL! Good for you, it’s really impressive how you are taking control of your finances!
Haha lots of mine goes to Oiselle 🙂
I put all my bills on the same credit card statement and monitor it to see where my money is going. Unfortunately too much of it has gone to doctor bills lately with my injury (I’m ready to over spend on running races). BUT… health is #1 and if you don’t have it, you really don’t have anything I guess. Plus I’m improving on the injury front and at least I have insurance. Your training looks like it is going well lately even with travel and work too, which is a good thing… it’s neat that you set a lot of intentions and and goals for the year.
Health is #1 for sure. I’ve spent a bit of dog expenses which was unexpected but necessary. Hope you are injury free sooner rather than later!
Sticking to a budget and paying off bills is always a huge challenge, especially since we live in such an expensive area of the country. My husband and I are trying to do some of the same this year. Kudos to you on your progress thus far.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Princess Half Marathon Training Log – Week 7
Oh man is it expensive to live here! I love it but jeez! 🙂
I was just looking at budget tools over the weekend. Trying to decide between YNAB and Mint. I must focus on paying off my bills this year, which is extra hard since my financial situation has been a rough road due to unemployment and underemployed. I’m still going to maintain a budget and do the best I can.
I’m trying to get ready for a half marathon….which I had a running coach lol
Doing the best you can is a good plan. I think budgeting is even more important when money is tight so kudos!
You’re doing great, Courtney, especially considering all of the travel you’ve already had this year. Um, feel free to post more about these one pot meals you’re experimenting with… 😉 Similar to you, I am using the Every Dollar app and I love how bringing a little more awareness to my spending/saving habits is already making a huge difference this year.
The travel has been intense. I will share some one pot meals for sure! 🙂
So proud of you! The cooking is tough. I’m working on getting better about meal planning. D laughs at me for “mixing everything together” but one-pot meals are SO much easier for prep and cleanup. Totally worth it to me.
Mixing everything together is the jam lol. So excited about our upcoming adventure!!
I cook, but I cook the same old things over and over… I bought Run Fast. Eat Slow. thinking I would try a lot of new recipes, but I haven’t made a single recipe…
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Recapping My Workouts And A Special Visitor
Haha. I’m usually that way with cookbooks. I have a cookbook holder that I leave on my counter open to a recipe I want to make – it spurs me to go get the ingredients!
I’ve been using YNAB for a few years and I absolutely love it! I would love to hear more about your experience!
Also, I love one-pot meals and make them often… it’s so much less clean-up!
I’m really happy with it so far. Still learning it but really enjoy it.