February being such a short month, I wasn’t able to catch up on everything I wanted to. Briefly, I had the notion that I was going to be able to accomplish so much, but that didn’t exactly come to fruition.
One weekend in February found me snowed in; we got more snow (which stuck!) than we have had since we moved here four years ago.
We did get quite a few things planned for our wedding. We were able to book the photographer, chair rentals, secure tables for the reception, send out the invitations, and we even began to arrange for our rehearsal dinner. Logistics are starting to fall into place. We’re only 4 and a half months out.
We also booked flights for our amazing honeymoon. We’ll be away for just under four weeks in September and October. We did a bit of an experiment with travel hacking and it turns out that we can, in fact, travel hack in Canada.
I’ve been plugging away at my goals for the year. Here’s the progress I have made:
1. Lose 15 Lbs
I have no doubt that I lost a few pounds in February. I started yoga again, and continued being more active in small ways. I was able to stay on track with very healthy eating, though I sort of fell off the wagon in the last few days. I have still been eating very well, but have added some guilty pleasures back into my diet.
I haven’t been tracking my weight as religiously as I used to, because weight isn’t everything. I did measure and weigh myself about a week ago, so I’ll do so in another couple of weeks to ensure I’m on track.
2. $20,000 Online Income
In February, I received $1,627 in payments for online work/income. I’m not including any payments for work I did in February that I haven’t received yet.
This is an increase from January, when I made around $1,600 online.
Affiliate income from my various websites has picked up, and I was able to pick up another exciting staff writing job, which is great.
I would say this is a huge success. While this is still less than I have made in the past, I have changed direction and am being much more intentional with how I make my income.
If anybody needs a staff writer, commenting services, social media manager, or even blog startup (WordPress loading, basic formatting, customization of Weaver) let me know!
3. 1 Hour/day Unplugged
I would still say that I met this goal. The main purpose of this goal was to spend time with my fiance, but in February most of my unplugged time was spent doing yoga or re-finishing furniture (which takes a surprising amount of time).
I don’t track this because .. well, that’s pointless and what would I get out of tracking it? But it’s something that I am striving for.
3. Get a Promotion
Again, a work in progress.
I have to advocate/negotiate a new salary/compensation package in the next few days – it has been a long time coming. I am excited for the final result, but nervous of the process.
Are you willing to share where you’re going on the honeymoon? I love living vicariously through others travels.
I’m working towards a promotion, as well. Harder said than done, right? Keep pushing!
Projects around the house take longer than I expect them too. There are many times all I want to do is lay in bed, watch tv, and ignore the world. I did this yesterday. Sometimes it’s the only way I get to refresh.
It’s year end review at my company and I’m hoping for a promotion; any tips?
I have a similar history on turning “I hope it works out” online income into more planned and strategic income. I have had a $1,000 per month goal for a couple of years, but was all over the map. Sometimes in 2013 I missed by a long-shot, sometimes I more than doubled it.
This year, I have more regularly scheduled freelance work, so only part of what I make is up in the air and relates to sales and advertising. Much better way to go for me so far.
Congrats on losing some weight and making so much online income- that’s killer! But I’m with you on the promotion front. I’m hoping/working towards one (because I can wish in one hand and sh*t in the other and see which fills up first, right?) but it’s going to be another couple of months before I think I’m at that point. And yeah, there’s totally no point in tracking how long you’re unplugged for… at least for me, I would have to track it using my phone. Awesome work Daisy, keep it up in March!
Great goals! Remember, all money saved is like money earned. Something that you typically hire out, take on the tasks yourself. Housecleaning, a meal or two a week that was eaten outside, lawn mowing, etc.