I did a quick total of our year end retirement balances. And things are up, up, up!!

We contributed $15,153.88 in 2012 in the TSP and Roth IRA's combined. Our total retirement accounts went up $42,464.89. We are quickly approaching another milestone, too. It sure makes up for those few years back where it was hard to see the balances go down.

Did you do okay with your retirement contributions and investing this year? Did you contribute? If not, you still have until April 15 to do so for 2012!

My husband went back to work this morning. My girls have one more day off from school. Because they have all been home, I haven't spent the time to focus on our 2013 goals. I have a vague idea, but I'd like to have them more concrete before posting them online.

I will say that I have a couple snowflakes. One was the book I sold on half.com for $0.83 profit, there was one Pinecone survey I was paid for late last month for $3 as well. I used a Menard's rebate of $3 to purchase kitty litter which I have a rebate to send in for a free bag. Eventually, a check will arrive to compensate for that.

I was not on Swagbucks much at all in the month of December, because I wanted to focus on the season and spend more time with family. It was definitely worth it! I still managed to accumulate enough points for a $5 Amazon gift card because I did just a few daily points here and there, search wins while online shopping, and search wins from a referral or two. I'm to attempting to meet the daily goal for the day and will start stock piling Amazon.com gift cards again for next Christmas!

One of my tricks last year, was to primarily purchase Amazon gift cards. If I bought something on Amazon during the year, I would use the gift cards in my account, but then deduct the amount from my checking balance to be held in our Christmas fund account, so that I had some cash to purchase gifts in stores or give the nieces and nephews.

Clearly one of my goals is to accumulate another free Christmas in 2013, one snowflake at a time!