Frugal Friday With Marsha -- Into the New Year

Welcome to 2018!

It's that time again to think about my goals.  Basically they are the same every year.  Every year I start out fairly strong with them, then I fizzle out.  I'm sure this is the case with most people, which is why so many now say they don't make any New Year's "Resolutions".

Last year one of my goals was a 365 goal.  The goal to get money or gift cards in 365 times.  I actually didn't come too short of my goal, only by about 21 days.  However, I did have to start adding in found money, even that penny on the ground, to come that close.
I am trying for that same goal again.

I have tons of figuring to do yet on what I got from where, and then figure out what I paid for website upgrades etc.   I will be posting about my earning for the year over the next several weeks. 

I do know that my biggest online earner is no surprise at all to any of you.  It was Swagbucks, which earnings of $1,015.00 for the year.


You Can Get Free Gift Cards For Shopping, Searching and Discovering What's Online at Swagbucks.com

I'm standing good on my great start for gifts for this year too.  I've continued to crochet the headbands.  I'm almost done with Amelia's jingle bell blocks for her birthday coming up in 9 days.
I got in the BBQ Utensil set from Amazon that I ordered through Snagshout.   It's a nice set.
I used some of my Recyclebank points to order Preserve Re-Usable Utensil set.  It's not come in yet.  Once it does I will decided if it's something I can order more of for my gift stash.

Another of my goals is to declutter and organize this house.  2018 needs to be the year!! 
I dug out a couple of lists I've started in the past.  I say started because I have tried one of them twice--one time not getting past day 2 and another time I got to day 9.   This is the list I am actually starting with.  It's How to Clean Your House in 20 Minutes a Day for 30 Days.  You can find the article HERE is you would like to check it out for yourself.
Day one was today for me.  It really is surprising just what you can get done in 20 minutes, especially when that is just what you are focusing on.

Apps---so many apps that I "let slide" again throughout the year.  One of those was ShopKick.  I rarely messed with it at all.  At one point in the year my oldest daughter asked me about it.  I opened it and did the discover books for points.  The past couple of months I've been remembering to at least get the walk in points when I've been to Wal-Mart.
I had always gotten Target gift cards from ShopKick.  With the announcement that our Target will close it's doors on February 3rd, I went in and got the final few points I needed to cash in for a $5 Target card.   My intention was to get $5 off of cat food, but when I walked into the store, it's half empty and there was NO cat food left.
I ended up heading to the Christmas clearance aisle and getting a few items for 70 and 90% off.
Adding these items to my gift stash (except the Lindt chocolates, which are being adding to my stomach).

As I said, other apps that I just let slide and didn't do.  Doing so took away a lot of earnings for me.  Over the next several weeks I will also be writing about different apps.  Perhaps when I redeem would be a good time to write about them.

I've gotten too wordy again in this post, so will leave you with a few goodies to check out. 

Free Eggs & Bread at Walmart

Free Larabar at Kroger & Affiliates

30 Free Recyclebank Points

Win a $1000 Yankee Candle Shopping Spree

All Business Monday---New Year Goals

I like to use the word goals over resolutions, even though I am resolving to make changes.
The problem with myself is that I make up a fine list of goals......I do rather well achieving them for some time.....then they fall by the wayside.

Last year I made out my list and even printed it 52 times.  I checked off throughout each week as I completed things on the list.  About May I just stopped.

Most of my goals do have to do with earning money:

1.  Get my paperwork organized and keep it that way---no more throwing stuff in piles here and there to get to it later.  Later for me is something months.   I will take care of any paperwork right away.

2.  I will work on my crafts and sewing daily.  Along with this I will promote a craft for 4 days each week.  I don't mean the same craft for 4 days, but a different one each day.  Originally I put this down as daily, but 4 is more realistic.

3.  I will stay up on my blog postings.  This will include adding more affiliate links in to posts to help monetize my blog.  I will find posts to do on days when I don't have a regular blog to post.

4.  I will be more social in my sharing of the work of others.

These are my goals as far as my earning goes.
You might notice that I say that I WILL do each one.

I want to add to the list that I hope to cash out somewhere, online or through the apps that I run, each day of the year.  I've already been able to maintain this goal in October and November, and I'm pretty close to getting it for this month too.  This just ensures me that I am always earning.

I'm currently reading a book call Go For It, that I will review this next Sunday.  It's a great motivational book.  I will link it below if you would like to preview it yourself before I write my review.

What are your goals?

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