Your Best Achievement in 2009?

**mamamia** · 12-17-2009, 05:48 AM

With all the talk about challenges here on the FV, it made me think of my successes and failures over the year. Looking back, I'm afraid that I didn't own up to many of them. But, but, but...I do have to say that my commitment to not spending as much has got to be my "shiny gold star" achievement. Also, I lost 14lbs

, and my coupons have saved me "mucho, mucho

So what would you answer? It doesn't have to be anything super sized. Maybe you stopped biting your nails

lol! Or maybe you socked away enough funds to buy a new car next year. A new baby?

I know there's LOTS of good answers out there in FV land, so let's hear 'em. Whaddya say? Inquiring minds want to know

Theresa

**McD** · 12-17-2009, 06:26 AM

Biggest accomplishments:

1. Maggie being born / Wesley continuing to grow into the awesome little guy that he is

2. Getting a job with the water utility. It's a great opportunity at my age, something that doesnt come along very often.

**Maine Girl** · 12-17-2009, 07:33 AM

Great Thread!! Curbing my shopping even at goodwill. i spent more time out of the stores and even if i did go shopping more times than not I came out empty handed.

**Josephhgoins** · 12-17-2009, 08:21 AM

I quit a job that had been running and consuming my whole life for 14 years. There were some good points to it, but I had no social life. I am late working on my Christmas list (usually a assistant did them and I just signed) and I realize that there is only 1 person on it who is not a work friend.

I am developing some new friends and have moved 135 miles away. I still work for the same company as a work-from-home position and a greatly reduced work load and pay.

I have never been happier!

**DJ1972** · 12-17-2009, 08:28 AM

Financial:
1. becoming debt free (except the 33,000 we owe on the mortgage)

Personal:
1. maturing enough to know that "stuff" isn't important

**savvy_sniper** · 12-17-2009, 08:39 AM

Expanded my online sales to a 4th site.
Built up an AWESOME stockpile.
Discovered grocery salvage stores.
Paid off two credit cards.
Got mom's estate pretty much settled.
Started sewing again.

**miss_thrifty** · 12-17-2009, 09:00 AM

2009this year I only bought one big purchase , thats paid for. so i did well- no large amount of cc. yahhh
bad year for the dang truck ughhh too much money put into it so cant get rid of it now.

**wwe11** · 12-17-2009, 09:48 AM

I got my liense(sp?)
I paid and close one credit card
I am learning now to simpleize my life and make do.

**lotsadebt** · 12-17-2009, 09:54 AM

I like to think that I look at things in a different light. Do I really need it? Can it be fixed or done without for awhile? Is there another cheaper way than the quick-solve?

How many meals can I get out of that buy adding "X"?

**sabrelvssammy** · 12-17-2009, 10:18 AM

paying all 95% of the CC debt...taking on no new debt for anything....

de-cluttering my house...

stopped shopping (even 2nd hand...coz i found that i just spent even more on what i didn't need COZ it was such a bargain)....

used up/re-used/found new uses for things i already owned....

challenged myself to use up every last item of food in the house down to the bare cabinets & empty fridge...then started over with all new.....

simplified all aspects of my entire life....

**piney** · 12-17-2009, 01:44 PM

I have learned to make do not run out store 2or 3 times a week.made a budget, make a menue and doing the envelope budget has helped a lot. Save change and it turns into dollars.I am sure there is more.

**MaryCarney** · 12-17-2009, 01:51 PM

I finally finished my BS degree - 36 years after finishing high school
Survived a devastating (emotionally) job loss, and still have my sanity and 50% of my FFEF
Sold our house (13 months on the market) and will purchase the next one for ca$h
Joined, and made some cyber-friends at, the Village

**Incognito** · 12-17-2009, 02:10 PM

Several achievements:
1. It looks like I've pretty much survived the year 2009 on my year's income of about three thousand dollars.

2. I also have a stockpile now, still have money in savings, spend less, shop less, use coupons, am more knowledgable about shopping; am redefining myself, purpose, worth, achievement.

3. But my biggest achievement is to have survived another hard year of GBS paralysis following my 2007 flu shot.

I remember praying about my circumstances to the Lord, and wondering how He would ever be able to find answers for me in my situation. But here I am now; and God led me to the resources I needed (coupons, sales, etc.) for provisions, and showed me that it was all going to work out.
I refused to die--when I got GBS, when I got poorer, when my job prospects went downhill, when I lost so much of myself and what I had. I lived through it all because God sustained my life.

And so I live, and my life is in His hands.

**shoiji** · 12-17-2009, 04:53 PM

Was able to buy a new computer after saving for two years. With all the budgeting and couponing am able to get high speed internet instead of dial-up

The biggest is that I started knitting. Found really nice yarn at thrift store and used it to knit scarves for less fortunate. Didn't realize how expensive yarn was but figured out how to buy it without breaking the bank!

**Bournecrazy** · 12-17-2009, 05:31 PM

Mine would be that me and FDH managed to get our first home together with a mortgage when i know it was (and still is) a hard time to get one and having do all the work ourselves - with the help of family too.