It’s time to review October’s mini goals.
I set one non financial goal for October because I deliberately wanted to keep the month simple. And it worked. The goal (to finish up the back bedroom) has been achieved and the room is now ready for my son when he returns for a weekend or for the holidays. Yay for another room completed.
Now onto the financial goals.
- Overpay the mortgage by at least £700 – Yes
- Keep grocery spending below £240 – Yes spent less than £200
- Keep miscellaneous spending below £100 – Yes
- Make £300 in extra income – Yes
Wow. October was a good month. Every now and again you have a really good month and you should allow yourself to celebrate it……and then try and repeat it! 
I’m sure my success this month was down to an improvement in my physical well being. A wonderful orthopaedic consultant has diagnosed and treated my painful leg and I can now walk without pain. And my weight loss is back on track. I’m not going to make my target of 30lbs for 2011, but I’m thinking I might make fifteen.
I wanted to have everything ‘right’ before we moved to Portugal and that included my health (and my weight). It wouldn’t be sensible to move to a different country when you have outstanding medical stuff that needs treating, so this year, although I haven’t mentioned it, has been my year to get stuff done.
I’ve come to realise that another side effect of working a job that takes over your whole life is neglecting yourself. And I did. Badly. No excuses. I should of paid more attention to things. Anyway I’m having a simple procedure done this week and hopefully I’ll be further towards my goal of having my body back. It won’t be my 20 year old body but it’ll be a new and improved forties version 
Gosh that turned into a ramble. Anyway. Don’t neglect your body folks. You only get one!
How did your October goals turn out?
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Congrats Laura, you’ve had an amazing October. Keep it up and you are so right about your health!
We are very pleased with October. Our Mortgage reduction was greater than we thought, thanks to Mr Sft’s tax deductions . And our energy bill came down (about time we paid less, we are living in a 1 bed cottage with only a storage heater) too so that’s all going towards the mortgage pot.
We reduced our Botswana Challenge amount for visas/tipping and insurance.
We even saved £5 of our Grocery budget!
AND ANOTHER GREAT DECISION IS TO SCRIMP AND SAVE FOR A NEW YEAR BREAK IN CORNWALL!
Hugs
Sft x
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movetoportugal Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 6:29 am
YOU had a great October! Very inspiring x
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good on you achieveing your goals.
Ours were to get a couple of jobs completed in the house, and we sort of got them done. Also prepare for company coming today and prepare for the dd wedding on the 5th of November without breaking the bank which we sort of have accomplished.
Gill in Canada
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movetoportugal Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 6:28 am
Thanks Gill – it sounds like you had a great October too!
Enjoy the wedding – I love family weddings, so much fun.
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Good luck on surgery. I have been tending to a lot of the same things except it was a combo of having kids and working full time. I have been ticking things off the list including physical therapy for lower back issues but I still need to get fit again. 10 pound should make a huge difference in how I feel and look.
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movetoportugal Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 6:26 am
HI Sandy. My problems came from working full time and looking after 3 young children – I was always last on the list. Which I realise now was naughty. It’s so important that we try to make ourselves a priority. Good luck getting fit and losing that 10lbs
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Great job on the saving and glad you found a doctor who helped you with the pain. Also hoping the surgery went well. Our October had no surprises for the budget so all is well. For November we have some birthdays and of course Christmas to shop for but that is planned. I am working more away from my home office so am doing some limited clothes shopping too. We have added budgeting for a son’s wedding for 2012 so will be starting those discussions in November as well. I’m extra glad we had already decided not to go to Paris until 2013 – just a nearby vacation this spring and now the wedding travel.
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movetoportugal Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 6:27 am
Thanks Juhli – You must be so excited about the wedding (and Paris in 2013)
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I’ve never had a major injury but have had other stuff happen likely due to working too much and pushing past what my body was trying to tell me. Somewhere there’s a ‘just right’ balance and I’m determined to find it. I think I forget sometimes how long some things can take – like fixing up bedrooms or getting back in shape – or how long it takes for a 40-something person and not a 20-something.
Hurray for you for getting your bedroom done and health issues resolved. Onward and downward!
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movetoportugal Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 6:24 am
Thanks Jacq!
Part of my problem is not accepting the fact that I’m now 40+ and not 20+ – it’s kinda annoying!
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Good on you Laura for doing so well this month! I know what you mean about health problems. This year I’ve had to have regular physio for a knee injury. It happened at the gym! Needless to say I’ve found walking the dog to be a much safer (and cheaper!) form of exercise!
I’m glad you’ve had some relief with your leg.
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movetoportugal Reply:
October 31st, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Thank you! Yes, stick to the walking, much cheaper
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