I was inspired by Bob B's blog (say that 10 times fast), so I counted out the change in my piggy bank. $40.77, which was accumulated over most of 2011. Not too shabby. I'll bring it to the bank next week, along with any other change I scrounge around the house between now and then, and make it my first 2012 payment to the HELOC.

I spent the day cleaning the house and grocery shopping. We're having friends over for dinner tonight. Very low key, which is what I like best for New Year's. Tomorrow I'm making sauce and meatballs for the freezer so we'll be less tempted to eat out. I'm also planning on foraging through my refrigerator and freezer over the next few days and using up what I have in the house. Between Christmas and New Years, we bought a lot of food, and I'm not entirely sure what all is left. So a few flexible, potluck dinners coming up!

I hope you all have a great, safe evening! Happy 2012!

Labor Day and New Years are my two favorite times of the year. I feel like they both offer me an opportunity to wipe the slate clean and start fresh (Labor Day because the kiddies go back to school and I can get my life back in order after an unstructured summer and New Years because, well, it's a new year).

I usually update my blog at year end to look back on the year that was and look ahead to the next. This year has been challenging. Dad pinched his sciatic nerve in June and was in the hospital/rehab until the end of July. He didn't fully recover until after Labor Day, then spent the fall trying to pack on the weight he had lost. Fortunately, he has great insurance (the bills were insane). It really made me appreciate what those without insurance must go through.

I've paid my Christmas and other bills and am ready to start January fresh, using cash whenever possible. I also have my envelope system set up. I am determined to track and follow my budget, and hopefully pay down my ever-present HELOC. I'll update the totals on the right and track my progress.

I just finalized my 2012 celebrity death bet picks. Barring some unanticipated event over the next 36 hours, I'm poised to win the 2011 contest, thanks to Jane Russell (where did I pull that one out of?!), Steve Jobs and Kim Jong-Il (another long shot that panned out). Apologies to any readers who are offended at this. At the same time, I know that my picking them on this list did not in any way contribute to their demise, so I'm still sleeping soundly at night.

I'm looking forward to the new year. Although I haven't posted in ages, I stay in touch with many SAers through Facebook, and lurk on the blogs pretty regularly. I'm always excited to read about the progress everyone is making on their goals! I hope you all have a happy, healthy 2012!

As always, part of my year-end planning is getting on my blog, wrapping up the current year and looking forward to the next. My two favorite times of year are Labor Day and New Years. For me, they signal opportunities to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. (Labor Day because of the kids going back to school and my life getting back into some semblance of a routine after a structure-free summer and New Years because, well, it's a new year).

Just finished getting my 2012 celebrity death bet list finalized. Barring any surprises over the next 36 hours I'm poised to win the 2011 contest. I'm winning this year with Jane Russell (how I picked her I'll never know), Steve Jobs and Kim Jong-Il (another longshot that panned out). Apologies to any readers out there who may be offended. Then again, I know that my putting them on a list had no impact on their ultimate demise, so I'm still sleeping pretty soundly at night...

I've paid all of the Christmas and other bills, and am ready to start the New Year on a cash basis. I've got an envelope system set up, and am determined to stay on budget, and hopefully pay down the ever-present HELOC. I'll update my totals and see what kind of progress I can make.

On the home front, spent a lot of time with dad this year, due to his nerve problem in June. He pretty much rebounded by Labor Day, then spent the fall trying to pack on the pounds that he lost. He seems to be back to where he was, so I'm relieved about that. I can't believe how expensive it was. Thankfully, he has great insurance, but it makes me appreciate how tough it must be for people who don't. Hubby and the kids are doing well, and work is busy, but can't complain.

Although I haven't posted in ages, I see several SAers on Facebook, and lurk on the blogs pretty regularly. I'm always impressed at the progress everyone is making, and love catching up...

I hope you have a Happy, Healthy 2012!