Our 2011 Vision: Ambitious Goals for Home, Finance, and Blog Growth

As the new year dawns, it’s natural to reflect on the past before eagerly looking towards the future. After a thorough recap of our 2010 achievements and lessons learned, we now turn our attention to the exciting possibilities that 2011 holds. This year, we’re embracing a proactive approach to growth and transformation across various aspects of our lives, from our home environment to our financial well-being and, of course, the evolution of this very blog.

You might wonder why we dedicate time to publicly sharing our annual aspirations. There are several compelling reasons behind this transparency, each designed to foster personal growth, encourage accountability, and hopefully, inspire you to embark on your own goal-setting journey:

1. We firmly believe that setting clear, measurable goals is fundamental to personal development and progress. These targets provide a roadmap, allowing us to focus our efforts, track our journey, and objectively evaluate our successes and challenges over time. There’s an incredible sense of accomplishment and motivation derived from ticking off items on a thoughtfully curated list. It transforms abstract desires into tangible achievements.
2. By openly presenting our goals, we sincerely hope to spark inspiration within our readers to define and pursue their own ambitions. You’ll quickly discover that our objectives, while meaningful to us, aren’t overly complex or unattainable. They are rooted in everyday life, focusing on practical improvements and sustainable habits, demonstrating that impactful change is accessible to everyone.
3. Finally, sharing our goals allows us to build excitement and anticipation for the journey ahead. You’ll be privy to upcoming changes around our home, new culinary creations, insightful how-to guides, and fresh perspectives shared right here. This fosters a sense of community and allows you to join us vicariously as we work towards making these visions a reality.

Our Comprehensive Goals for 2011

This year’s objectives are thoughtfully categorized to provide a holistic approach to personal and family advancement. Let’s dive into the specifics:

Home Improvement and Nesting

Our home is our sanctuary, and 2011 is poised to be a year of significant transformation, focusing on enhancing both its functionality and aesthetic appeal. These projects aim to create a more comfortable, efficient, and beautiful living space for our family.

1. Replace Living Room Carpet with Prefinished Wood Floor: This ambitious project remains a top priority, and we are thrilled to announce significant progress! After dedicated savings, the necessary funds are now secured, patiently awaiting our final selection of the perfect wood flooring. This makes the goal entirely achievable this year, a truly exciting prospect after dreaming of it for so long. Beyond the visual appeal, a durable wood floor will offer easier maintenance, superior longevity, and a timeless aesthetic that elevates the entire living space.
2. Update the Kitchen: The kitchen, often considered the heart of the home, is next in line for a much-needed refresh. This will be a multi-stage process designed to maximize both form and function. We’ll kick things off by installing a modern, space-saving over-the-range microwave, a practical upgrade that will free up valuable counter space. Following that, we plan to install new countertops that are both durable and aesthetically pleasing, providing a fresh, clean look. A charming beadboard backsplash will add character and protect the walls, while a fresh coat of paint on the existing cabinets will provide an instant, cost-effective facelift. This phase marks step two in our ongoing kitchen remodel, a journey we began six years ago with painting the cabinets, updating hardware, and adding glass doors. It’s rewarding to finally move forward after a longer-than-expected hiatus.
3. Tear Off Back Deck and Replace with Hardscaping: What was once a pleasant outdoor feature has unfortunately become a significant safety concern. Addressing the deteriorating back deck is no longer a project we can postpone. Our plan is to completely remove the old deck and replace it with durable, low-maintenance hardscaping. This transformation will not only eliminate a safety hazard but also create a more robust, long-lasting outdoor living area perfect for entertaining or quiet enjoyment, requiring less upkeep than a traditional wooden deck.
4. Convert a Shed into a Chicken Coop: This has been a long-held dream, and we’re optimistic that 2011 will be the year it comes to fruition! Repurposing an existing shed into a functional chicken coop aligns perfectly with our desire for greater self-sufficiency and the joy of fresh, homegrown eggs. This project involves careful planning to ensure the coop is safe, predator-proof, and provides a comfortable environment for our future feathered friends, integrating a sustainable element into our backyard.
5. Finish the Laundry/Mud Room: Believe it or not, this essential utility space has remained in a partially finished state for approximately five years since its conversion from a garage. Our goal is to finally complete the lingering details, including applying all the necessary moldings for a polished look. Additionally, we aim to design and implement a dedicated gardening and seed-starting area within the room, transforming it into a fully functional and organized space that perfectly serves our household needs.

Personal and Financial Wellness

Achieving financial peace and fostering personal well-being are paramount. Our goals in this category are designed to secure our financial future, allow for cherished family experiences, and promote healthy living.

1. Pay Off Our One Remaining Debt (aka: Garage Debt): Our top financial priority for 2011 is to eliminate our final outstanding debt – affectionately known as the “garage debt.” This commitment is driven by our desire to become completely debt-free, a principle we’ve embraced wholeheartedly, inspired by financial mentors like Dave Ramsey. Once this significant milestone is reached, the funds previously allocated to debt repayment will be strategically redirected into increasing our retirement savings, accelerating our journey towards long-term financial security and peace of mind.
2. Save for a Vacation: After foregoing a major trip last summer, we are determined to prioritize family time and create lasting memories in 2011. Our plan is to diligently save for a fun, rejuvenating vacation, ideally another adventure in our beloved vintage trailer. These trips offer a unique blend of exploration, relaxation, and connection, reinforcing the importance of stepping away from daily routines to recharge and bond as a family.
3. Save for the Replacement of Our Jeep: With our reliable Jeep boasting over 214,000 miles on the odometer, the need for a replacement vehicle is becoming increasingly apparent and is not far off. To approach this significant purchase responsibly, we are committing to a dedicated savings plan throughout the year. This proactive financial planning will allow us to make a sound investment when the time comes, minimizing stress and ensuring we are prepared for this essential expense without incurring new debt.
4. Keep the Food Budget Under $400: Managing our household expenses effectively is a continuous effort, and the food budget is a key area of focus. Our goal is to consistently keep our monthly food spending under $400. This requires diligent meal planning, smart grocery shopping, and a commitment to eating “real food” – prioritizing whole, unprocessed ingredients. We will strategically utilize coupons for specific categories such as dairy, health & beauty products, protein sources, and non-perishable staples that aren’t typically found in a box, ensuring we maximize savings without compromising on quality or nutrition.

Blogging and Community Engagement

Our blog is a passion project, a platform for sharing and connecting. For 2011, we have ambitious plans to enhance the reader experience, expand our content offerings, and foster deeper engagement within our wonderful community.

1. Implement a New Design: While not a radical overhaul, our aim is to give the blog a fresh, cleaner, and more intuitive look. This “cleaning up” will involve refining the visual aesthetics, improving navigation, and ensuring a more seamless user experience. We recognize this is a significant undertaking for both Brian and me, involving technical and creative challenges. Therefore, we’re not setting a specific launch date but are prioritizing it as a key improvement. Although it would have been ideal to coincide with the blog’s two-year anniversary in February, the focus remains on quality over strict deadlines.
2. Create a Comprehensive Recipe Index: For quite some time, a centralized and easily navigable recipe index has been a highly requested feature. This year, we are committed to building a robust index that will allow readers to effortlessly browse and discover all the culinary creations shared on the blog. The vision is for a user-friendly page where recipe names are clearly listed and clickable, simplifying the process of finding your next favorite meal or dessert.
3. Develop a Craft/DIY Tutorial Index: Similar to the recipe index, we understand the need for a dedicated resource for all our craft and DIY tutorials. This new index will systematically list every project, making it incredibly simple for you to find inspiration, locate specific instructions, or revisit past guides. Whether you’re seeking a quick craft idea or a detailed home improvement tutorial, this index will serve as your go-to reference.
4. Host a 2-Year Blog Anniversary Celebration with Our First Giveaway: Marking two years of blogging is a significant milestone, and we want to celebrate it in a special way! This year, we are thrilled to announce that we will be hosting our very first giveaway. While we may be “late bloomers” in the giveaway department, we’re excited to offer something meaningful to our loyal readers as a token of our gratitude and appreciation for your continued support.
5. Integrate Lessons from the Savvy Blogging Summit: The insights gained from the Savvy Blogging Summit were invaluable, and 2011 will be dedicated to actively implementing those lessons. Key areas of focus include enhanced networking with fellow bloggers and industry professionals to broaden our reach and knowledge base, as well as engaging in guest posting opportunities. These strategies are vital for increasing visibility, fostering collaborations, and bringing fresh perspectives to our content.
6. Facilitate Easier Interactions with You: Building a strong, engaged community is at the core of our blog’s mission. We are actively seeking ways to improve our interaction with readers, moving beyond simple comments to foster more in-depth conversations. Specifically, we would love to be able to respond to comments directly through people’s emails, making ongoing dialogue more convenient and personal. If anyone has recommendations for excellent resources or tools to achieve this, please do share!
7. Continue Providing More DIY Tutorials, Recipes, and Connecting with the Tuesday Garden Party Community: Our commitment to delivering high-quality, practical content remains unwavering. You can expect a steady stream of new DIY tutorials that empower you to create and improve your home, along with fresh and delicious recipes to inspire your cooking. Furthermore, we will continue to nurture and connect with all the fantastic participants in our beloved Tuesday Garden Party, a vibrant hub for sharing gardening tips, ideas, and friendship.
8. Launch My First eBook: This is perhaps the most daunting yet exhilarating goal on the list, and writing it down feels like a significant commitment! The idea of creating an eBook has been percolating for a while, and 2011 is the year to transform that concept into a reality. This project will allow me to delve deeper into a specific topic, offering comprehensive guidance and value to a wider audience. I’m excited, and a little nervous, to embark on this new creative endeavor!

As we meticulously plan for 2011, your input is incredibly valuable to us. What content, features, or discussions would you be most excited to see around here? We would absolutely love to hear your thoughts and suggestions as we strive to make this blog an even better resource and community for you!