The year without

So for 2009 I am officially committing to The Year Without along with some fellow DAM moms. My husband and I have been going over goals and rules this morning and here is what I have so far.

GOALS
1. Pay off student loans and hospital bills
2. Be able to send Corwin to Wylie Preparatory Academy
3. Have a smaller negative impact on our planet

RULES
1. Commit to spending only $600 a month on groceries
2. No buying any clothes for retail. Consignment shops only
3. Nothing new for the house including bookshelves, trees and plants for the yard and any decorations or kitchenware
4. Vacation = camping and any equipment we need we borrow.
5. Eating out = only on Sunday afternoons

I am also committing to a healthier diet for my family. This includes........

1. Make things from scratch including bread, sauces, tortillas and anything else I can learn to make
2. No sugar, less gluten and casein
3. No artifical flavors or dyes
4.. cut out chemicals by making own laundry soap, toothpaste and household cleaners.

Now this is just a preliminary list so more may be added as I find new ways to be healthier, more environmentally friendly and a better steward of God's blessings.