
@fiscallychic best nine from 2016
2016 was quite a year personally (Alex’s platelets are back to normal!) and professionally (self-employment!) and I’m pretty excited for a fresh start in 2017. Yes, I know I can start over at any time, but there’s something about the untapped potential of a new calendar year. And there’s also something to be said about the collective effort in everyone declaring their New Year’s resolutions. Without further ado, and in no particular order, I’m getting back into blogging by putting my goals out in the universe for all to see:
You’re going to see my smiling face around here more often :) Apparently my summer sabbatical turned into an extended blogging vacation and I started to miss this creative outlet.
Of course there’s the standard, eat healthier, try to keep the house clean, and work out more. To help stay motivated on the exercise front, I asked for a Fitbit Alta for Christmas. I love tracking and analyzing my stats, but I still need to do better about consistently hitting 10K steps. Seeing how little I move when I’m parked in front of a computer all day is pretty depressing. At least my Fitbit reminds me to move every hour. And let’s not even discuss my paltry sleep. As Jim Gaffigan says, “bedtime is a crisis” and our kids are taking shifts waking up in the middle of the night.

@brightwaterfin best nine from 2016
When it comes to self-employment, my BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) is to replace my corporate salary with that from Brightwater Financial, Brightwater Accounting, and this blog. I’m still formalizing my plans for the year, but things are already humming along with Brightwater Accounting (it is tax season, after all!). I’m also considering offering some online products like spreadsheets and workbooks in addition to the services offered.
And interestingly enough, I earned more income from Fiscally Chic (including on Instagram) in 2016 than I did in 2015. Yes, some of that was in products, which doesn’t exactly pay the bills, but it’s still something.
For example, the Mane Message sparkly bobby pin pictured in my @fiscallychic best nine is from the December . It’s a box filled with full-sized surprises valued at over $100 for only $39.95 per month, shipping included. You can receive $5 off your first box using the code SHOP5.
In previous months I received a Kendra Scott bracelet (similar), a Stowaway Cosmetics eye palette, the CHEERS bottle opener, and so many other great things.
Finally, I’m trying to be more “balanced.” I worked a traditional 9 to 5 job for almost 10 years, so I’m still figuring out my newfound flexibility and routine. I need to take advantage of the fact that I now work from home. I need to give myself a little grace and try not to feel guilty when I need to stay home with a sick kid. And yes, I need to actually go to the gym. It felt nice going for a walk during lunch this week. Now if only it wasn’t so darn cold!