A Final Look at 21 Before 21

In April of 2010, I set 21 goals to achieve before my 21st birthday, which is: tomorrow! You can see all of my 21 before 21 posts by clicking here.

Here is the short version:

1. Bake homemade bread
2. Take a sign language class
3. Read a book just for fun
4. Buy a house
5. Reupholster a piece of furniture (in progress)
6. Plant a garden
7. Make cake icing out of avocados
8. Get an internship
9. Write a pros and cons list for future careers
10. Go on a weekend away
11. Perform a random act of kindness
12. Build Dmitri a play kitchen (in progress)
13. Write a love letter
14. Scrapbook from July 2009-July 2010 (in progress)
15. Build a piece of furniture "from scratch"
16. Take a practice GRE test (decided against it)
17. Perfect a whole wheat sugar free cookie recipe
18. Create a budget and follow it
19.Face a fear.
20. Blog about it
21. Start a compost

The Final Tally:

Completed:16
In Progress: 3
Aborted: 1
Unrealistic: 1

All in all, I feel pretty good about it.

As fun as it was to have a vision for the year and goals that I wanted to achieve, this next year I think I'm going to change it up a little bit:


Two Before Twenty-Two

1. Give birth to baby # 2
2. Graduate from college

And there you have it.

Show me the money...

 So, today's post is admittedly not as fun as before & after pictures. I don't really like talking about money, probably because we have very little of it! As college students who are financially independent and  parents to (almost) two kids, money is tight. We have to make sacrifices and things are difficult from time to time (like living without central heat for 8 weeks this winter...during which time we had TWO snows in Georgia). But having less inspires us to be resourceful in many ways, from decorating to grocery shopping, and we try to make the most of it.

One of my 21 Before 21 goals was to make a budget and follow it. With the start of the new year, it was a good time for us to sit down, pull out the calculator, and analyze our bank statements from the previous year and make changes for this next year. What we found was quite shocking, and many of our pre-concieved ideas were way off track.

Myth # 1: If we go out to eat more, then we spend less on groceries that month.

-Simply not true! There was very little correlation between going out to eat verses how much we spent on groceries. Which means that if we spent a lot on going out to eat, it was just costing us more, period.

Myth # 2: We both made guesses on how much we thought we spent on going out to eat each month. 

-Several months we spent nearly DOUBLE what the lowest guess was. Ouch.

Myth #3: Most of what we spend is "necessary" and there are not very many opportunities to cut spending.


-There are definitely places we can cut spending! Primarily in our household spending and going out to eat.

So here are our strategies and goals when it comes to budgeting and cutting spending this year:

1. Limit eating out to once a week: This is especially a challenge for us during midterms/finals, and on nights when we don't get home from classes until nearly 7 PM. So far, we have kept this goal in January. What helps us make this possible is:

-Keeping easy and fast meals on hand, like spaghetti, soup, grilled cheese, and sandwiches
-Plan when we go out to eat. If we look ahead at our schedule, we can decide which night we need to eat out most. For instance, we have to travel to the midwife's house for an appointment this week, so that will be our out to eat night since it requires us to be gone about five hours after being in classes all morning and afternoon.
-Pack snacks for the car. Sometimes I feel like we live in our car. Because we only have one car, and we don't have a parking spot on campus, there is a lot of driving and dropping each other off at classes and work every day. Bringing snacks and water helps with the munchies and keeps us from stopping somewhere.

2. Skip the dessert: While neither of us would usually order dessert out, ever since I have been pregnant/breast feeding, sometimes it's hard for me get full. To cut down on our dessert intake, I am making sure that I order an extra filling entree or order a small side to go with it.

3. Couponing: One of my New Year's goals was to become better at couponing, while I'm no expert, I am definitely obsessed!!! I can already see how much money it is helping us save on household items and toiletries. A few sites that helped me a lot are: Couponing 101 & Organic Deals.I buy two copies of the Sunday paper every week and I have a big binder in which I organize all of my inserts. I also print a lot of coupons online. I have been able to save around 50% on household items like toilet paper, razors, mouthwash, etc.and I expect to save more the better I get at it.

4. Shop gas prices: So this one is not a major saver, but every little bit adds up. Thanks to the website Gas Buddy, I found out that by stopping at the most convenient gas station to us (which we pass on our way out of our neighborhood, basically) we were spending 10-15 cents/gallon more than if we stopped at a gas station a little ways away from us. Now, we don't drive out of our way. That would seem wasteful too...but when we are near a cheaper gas station, we make sure to fill up as opposed to waiting for the empty light to come on and feeling forced to stop at the nearest station. (An added perk, there is less chance of running out of gas!)

A few other steps we've taken:
-I analyzed our phone bill usage over a several month period and switched plans to avoid overages
-We keep the thermostat dialed down (64 actually feels quite warm compared to 50-55..which is what our house was at when we did not have heat)
-Fixing simpler meals with less ingredients to cut down on groceries

So do you follow a budget? What steps do you take to save money?

21 Before 21 Update

There are only three weeks and a few days left until my birthday; I figure it is time for a little update on how my goals are coming. I set 21 goals last April that I wanted to achieve before my 21st birthday on February 16th, 2011 (yes, I know, I'm a baby!). So let's look at that list:

1. Bake homemade bread

 -Done! I made a loaf of homemade bread for our Thanksgiving dinner, which we hosted at our house this year. I was amazed at how easy it was, and I have made several loaves since. Actually, this past weekend we ran out of bread, so instead of sending the husband to the store, I whipped up a fresh loaf. So delicious.

2. Take a sign language class

-Complete! Actually, not only did I take a sign language class, I am in the middle of my third.

3. Read a book just for fun

-Fini! I read the book, Having Faith by Sandra Steingraber. I wrote up a little review here. A few days later, I actually got an email from Sandra Steingraber! I was so ecstatic, as she has become one of my heros.

4. Buy a house

-Yep! We closed on our 1901 farmhouse on April 26th. It was a long time coming! Here is my write up about the closing.

5. Reupholster a piece of furniture
-Ok, here is where things get a little sketchy...I started re-upholstering our sofa the week before Thanksgiving. I did not know what I was getting into... I'm still hoping to finish it...*nervous laughter*!

6. Plant a garden
- Planted and blogged. However, my garden did not turn out as promisingly as I had hoped...aside from a handful of cherry tomatoes, I'm embarrassed to say that it hardly produced at all. If I'm going to be completely honest, Planting a Garden 2010 was an epic fail. But, I did try it. AND, I am even more excited about planting a few plants this year and doing it a little differently (and hopefully with a very different outcome).

7. Make cake icing out of avocados
-Yummy and unique! Check it out: Avocado Icing!

8. Get an internship

-Accomplished! For June & July 2010 I interned at my local hospital's midwifery clinic, where Dmitri was born. I researched fear and self-efficacy in childbirth and read a lot of interesting studies. It was right in my niche and I enjoyed every minute of it.

9. Write a pros and cons list for future careers

Achieved. I have known for a while that I want a career within the birth world, but have not been sure exactly what that would look like. I have done a lot of research, soul-searching, and thinking about different options and I have a vision for what I would like to do. But, for the moment I am focusing on getting baby # 2 here and finishing my A.B in Women's Studies (in December!). Then we will see where I go from there!

10. Go on a weekend away
-Nope. Pretty sure this will be a fail. I'll blame it on a lack of funds and being pregnant...

11. Perform a random act of kindness
-Yes, but, I think it would defeat the purpose to write about it.

12. Build Dmitri a play kitchen
-I plan to turn a TV entertainment center into a toy kitchen for Dmitri. We ran into a few road blocks transporting the entertainment center from my sister-in-law's house (it would not fit in our vehicle)...so I was not able to work on it when I had the time. I am hoping to make progress on it, though it probably will not be finished by my birthday. Nonetheless, I have some ridiculously cute plans for it that will be worth the wait!

13. Write a love letter
Still need to do this one. I just need to decide who to write one too...just kidding! Valentine's Day is coming up, so it seems appropriate.

14. Scrapbook from July 2009-July 2010

-Although I have not finished this, I have made some progress. I sorted through and ordered over 300 photos. I unpacked and organized all of my craft/scrapbook supplies. The next step I need to take is finding an album since last year's is full (I end up doing a new album every year).

15. Build a piece of furniture "from scratch"
-Definitely done! We built a day bed, as well as our King sized master bed

16. Take a practice GRE test
I am scratching this one off the list. I do not plan to take the GRE anytime soon, so I am not going to take a practice GRE now.

17. Perfect a whole wheat sugar free cookie recipe

-I've tried a few, but haven't "perfected it." Sounds like I need to put my apron on and mess around in the kitchen!

18. Create a budget and follow it
-In progress...A blog post will be coming soon about how we've started budgeting this year.

19.Face a fear.
-I have pondered for months what my "fears" are and how I can face them. I was pretty afraid of getting pregnant again and having another baby. At 32 weeks pregnant, I can honestly say I have faced that belly on!

20. Blog about it
-Here you go. = )

21. Start a compost
-I have started a compost pile, but have mostly put yard debris in it. I need to get better about taking our fruit and veggie remains out to the pile!

So there it is. It's not perfection, but it's progress. Hopefully I can knock a few more off the list before my birthday!

Number Three: Read a book JUST for fun

I decided to take on a 21 Before 21 list of goals several months ago. I started out strong but my 21st birthday is only 5 months away and my pace as slowed down a little. However, I was able to check off number three this week!

Number Three: Read a book just for fun


I read, a lot. And I enjoy a lot of what a read. But, I usually go the entire school year without reading a book of my own choosing. I decided that needed to change. So I read the book, Having Faith: An Ecologists Journey to Motherhood by Sandra Steingraber and let me tell you, fun doesn't even begin to describe it.

I should warn you, I am a complete nerd, especially, when it comes to birth and pregnancy. Add to that: I'm a health nut too. So, that might give you an idea of what I think is, well, fun. I could barely put this book down. I think David is quite excited that I finished it, hoping that now, maybe I will stop going on, and on, and on...about placentas, lead, seafood, DDT, Sweden, and breastfeeding...

Sandra Steingraber wittily details the events of her pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding, in a relate-able way (Sandra, I feel your round ligament pain!) and yet, goes so far beyond most pop-pregnancy books with her scientific detail and anecdotes. I am amazed by the extensive detail, research and knowledge that is contained in this book, which oftentimes is shocking, and even scary. And most challenging, is her call to praxis: to take action to protect ourselves, our children, and our grandchildren from environmental pollutants and carcinogens. There is no doubt that this is my absolute favorite book about pregnancy, birth, ecology, breastfeeding, public health, environmental pollution etc. I teared up often, was stretched and challenged, and fell in love with this book.

I think this quote illustrates her brilliant writing, her depth, and the beauty of the book, Having Faith: An Ecologists Journey to Motherhood:


"In the world outside this glass room, songbirds are feeding and resting in the trees. Some will take off tonight and not land until they reach Venezuela. Sandpipers, plovers, and broad-winged hawks have already left for Patagonia and Panama. Bats are headed for caves in Kentucky and Tennessee. Out in the Atlantic, humpback whales pass by on their way to the Caribbean. Even now, Canada geese are honking toward us from Quebec. It is a good day for the beginnings of journeys.
Every time I look at you, I think, Now I cannot die." - Sandra Steingraber




Reading a book just for fun was wonderful. I think I might even do it again...suggested reading anyone?

Number Two: Take a Sign Language Class

Number Two on my 21 Before 21 list is take a Sign Language class. I started American Sign Language I last week. It's sure to be an intense and quiet class this summer. It's completely "voices off"; the equivalent of "No English" in a foreign language class. It allows us to learn more quickly, although it is paralyzing as well. I love sign language, and I'm already enjoying this class so much.

Below is an fun ASL "music video." It's cool to watch, even if you don't know sign language. Maybe it will inspire you! ; ) I apologize if you don't like Miley Cyrus.





Thank you for all the sweet messages. They really cheered me up - I feel better already! We still aren't sure what the cause of the illness is, but as long as it goes away, I am content. 

Avocado Icing

Number Seven on my 21 before 21!

These Who-ville worthy cupcakes were interesting to say the least. So if you are up for an adventure, here is the recipe!

2 Avocaodes
2 limes (just the juice)
1 cup of powdered sugar

Remove fruit from the avocado peeling and place in a bowl. Squeeze the juice from the two limes. Beat with a mixer until smooth. Add the powdered sugar. Beat until combined. Yield: Icing for two dozen cupcakes.

If you don't like avocado...you probably won't like them. If you do like avocado, you may or may not like them. However, my family ate them up!

21 before 21

21 SMART Goals before 21

1. Bake homemade bread
2. Take a sign language class
3. Read a book just for fun
4. Buy a house
5. Reupholster a piece of furniture
6. Plant a garden
7. Make cake icing out of avocados
8. Get an internship
9. Write a pros and cons list for future careers
10. Go on a weekend away
11. Perform a random act of kindness
12. Build Dmitri a play kitchen
13. Write a love letter
14. Scrapbook from July 2009-July 2010
15. Build a piece of furniture "from scratch"
16. Take a practice GRE test
17. Perfect a whole wheat sugar free cookie recipe
18. Create a budget and follow it
19.Face a fear.
20. Blog about it
21. Start a compost

What is SMART? - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time Bound

Thanks for the suggestions for the 21st goal. Composting wins! = )

What are your goals for the near future?