What challenges are YOU doing in 2009????

**Preston** · 12-23-2008, 11:46 AM

In another post I have come clean about having issues with problem gambling. I will be keeping an active blog on here in regards to that issue, but I am also posting things here to give myself further incentive to keep away from my worst habit.

First goal is to stay gamble free for 1 week, then a month, then 3 months, 6 months a year.

My goal is to be out of debt within two years and in that time gamble *ZERO* times.

My further goals are to be car free by the end of 2009 and have $2500 in savings on top of cutting our debts in half.

I will do what I have to do. I will work overtime and/or a part time job if I have to, but I will slay this beast.

**Debbie-cat** · 12-23-2008, 12:05 PM

Good for you Preston! You are on the right track. Take it one day at a time, you will beat this!

**C@rol** · 12-23-2008, 12:11 PM

:chighfive:to you Preston,

We're all pulling for you here at Frugal Village.

**wwe11** · 12-23-2008, 03:27 PM

You can do it. It just takes one day at a time.

**homesteadmamma** · 12-23-2008, 03:55 PM

Question: Do you have a support group where you attend meetings like http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ You need others to come along side you and give you support. I know what addiction can do (my oldest dd has an addiction) and I don't think anyone can make it by just posting on a forum. I'm hoping that you do have other support.

**Cricket1** · 12-23-2008, 04:28 PM

Preston--good luck and good for you for trying to change your ways. My dad was addicted to gambling. We lost everything due to his gambling. Our house, my parents' saving, his job. Anytime you need to talk or need a good reality check, pm me.

**ktsmama** · 12-23-2008, 04:32 PM

Good luck to you!! With the right support, you can do this. We are here for you, too.

**kmonokwe** · 12-26-2008, 10:55 AM

Preston, we're all pulling for you here! How are things going for you?

**MRAHoffman** · 12-26-2008, 01:02 PM

I would like to know what challenges you are participating in next year? Take care and God bless.

Rhonda

**madhen** · 12-26-2008, 01:04 PM

Mine are all listed in my sig.

**jacqueline** · 12-26-2008, 01:24 PM

Just changing my siggie today to reflect what I hope to accomplish in 2009.
Mine are: Book Challenge (by month)
Penny Challenge
Change Jar Challenge

Personal ones: 365 Challenge-walk/jog 365 miles this coming year. This one could be hard for me, but something I need to do for my health. I'm thinking of wearing a pedometer at work and on my treadmill so those steps count. In wearing a pedometer this past year I have figured out that my sedentary job sitting at a desk and my sedentary life sitting on my couch doesn't get anywhere near the 10,000 steps a day that are recommended. I feel if I keep myself honest here, it will be a motivator. It may seem not much for others but to a couch tater like myself, I think I will have to step up to the challenge and get off the couch.
Get Cooking Challenge-I made a group for this one. Hope I will get some good recipes from others here at FV. I want to cook something at least once a week and especially things that will have leftovers to take to work. I very rarely cook anymore and want to get back to making my own meals. Even from scratch cooking and make my mix stuff too.
Weekly Focus Challenge-week by week something that will improve my house, finances, me, etc. The first one up is a big one for me-picking up the big chunks in my house. It is so cluttered I don't invite anyone over anymore. Aiming to get rid of things I don't use this year and keep the well-used, well-loved things.

Hopefully I do well on these ~ good luck to everyone in 2009

**Nishu** · 12-26-2008, 02:03 PM

I haven't written anything down yet. I'm working on it.

I want to do something with my house, it's too messy. I think the wording of my challenge will be "Keep my house guest-ready 70% of the time" or something like that. Luckily, I don't care that much about what the guests see so guest-ready shouldn't be that tough.

I'm going to come up with a number for my debt... as in "Below XXX amount of debt by Dec 31." Have to look at the numbers to come up with that one.

I need to lose weight. The baby's almost 6 months and it's about that time.... I want to be 150. I know that's not an 'ideal' weight but it's about as low as I want to go.

I'm going to come up with yearly numbers for my budget based on an optimistic look at my regular expenses.

I want to fund my EF, which up to this point has been pretty weak.

I'm going to come up with a top number for diaper expenses for the entire year. It will have to include cloth and disposable investments. I'll have to think about this one more!

I want to set a goal of random stuff that I want to do... take a trip to Canada, take the kids camping, learn to sew and knit, make a pair of longies (whatever those are

)

I also want to figure out how to do my own taxes. I may be biting myself in the butt with this one!

I also need to get a stockpile going. What little I had of mine has been used up.

I have big plans for next year!

**homesteadmamma** · 12-26-2008, 02:09 PM

I'm doing:

~my own personal challenges
~bookclub challenge
~change jar challenge
~homemade Christmas gift challenge
~business challenge (madhen's)
~grocery challenge ea month

I'm probably forgetting a couple.

**pat in east texas** · 12-26-2008, 02:11 PM

I'll continue doing the no-spend days and add weight loss.

QM · 12-26-2008, 02:14 PM

I have two challenges I'm working on...

Quiltin' Mama's Saving for Christmas 2009 Challenge [ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113804"]Quiltin' Mama's Saving for Christmas 2009 Challenge - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

Quiltin' Mama's Frugal Challenge to Herself
[ame="http://www.frugalvillage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=112399"]Quiltin' Mama's Frugal Challenge to Herself - Frugal Village Forums[/ame]

I'm also thinking of starting a Weight Loss Challenge. I'm too scared to step on the scale, but I know that if I'm going to track my weight loss I'm going to have to soon. The last time I stepped on a scale I was somewhere around the 165 lb mark. Starting the beginning of January I'm going to start a Quiltin' Mama Revised South Beach Diet. I'll start tracking my weight loss then.