So I've been reading as many books as I can about personal finance. I've read a couple of Dave Ramsey's books ("More Than Enough" and "Financial Peace"). What I enjoyed about the books was the straightforward, easy read. I learned a lot from the books - debt is bad, you can take charge of your finances, you can find peace through discipline, etc. I've found them to be really good motivators.
Last night I skimmed through a book called "I've Been Rich. I've Been Poor. Rich is Better." by Judy Resnick. I found her story to be fascinating. Her attitude towards men is interesting and my overall impression is that she's pretty bitter about her youth. But she sounds very intelligent and confident. I admit that I'm not very smart when it comes to investing, etc. but I found that I was feeling a lot of negativity when reading the book so I didn't finish it. Maybe it's for another day....
I also read "The Automatic Millionaire" by David Bach. I really enjoyed his book - although I'm not so sure I agree with him when he says you don't need a budget or discipline when it comes to money. Maybe some people don't - I think DH & I do need them. I'm amazed everyday at how much better this system is then what I was doing before D-day! I did enjoy the reminder that saving automatically is much easier than trying to do it on your own because it doesn't really happen when left up to adding that to your monthly check writing schedule. It's too easy to rationalize the money being needed elsewhere.
Anyway -all these books talk about becoming rich. Which would be nice.....but really, I just want to make sure that DH & I have some security for the future and maybe take some fun vacations along the way! Okay - and decorate the house. And buy some good trees and a fence for the yard. But that's it. Maybe be able to go get my hair cut more than once a year. And possibly buy some decent clothes for the family. But I promise - that's all!
Really though - I wouldn't want any of these things if it meant debt. Never again. I don't like it. It's not worth it.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Loans and Laundry
So it's official - we have only one more payment on our student loan which will come out of our account on Friday! The balance as of this morning was $91 and some change. When I called yesterday, the gal gave me an estimate of what we would pay in interest by Friday. I'm pretty sure she calculated it on the entire balance, not on the last $93. So - we are accruing only a couple of cents a day til Friday which means we overpaid by a dollar and some change. It's all good though - we got rid of another loan!! I'm sure they'll send us a check for the leftover amount.
DH & I checked the accounts again this A.M. It's still a bit weird because we haven't done our finances together for so long....years and years. BUT - it's something I can really get used to! I have to say - I'm LOVING doing the finances together. Right now we have a clear and concise plan to get rid of our debt and then a general plan of where our money will go after that. It's exciting to look to the future.
I've got a lot to do today in the house - mountains of laundry to fold and put away (yuck - my least favorite part of laundry!), plants to water, and some phone calls to make. The baby I babysit had his 6 month shots yesterday so I'm hoping he cooperates today and lets me get some housework done.
It used to be that DH would get on the Internet and I would wonder how on earth he could spend so much time on the computer. Now I get it. I'm obsessed with finance articles and blogs and just trying to soak up as much info as I can. I could probably spend all day reading this stuff - yet another area of discipline for me. It's funny though - the message is basically the same no matter where you go - spend less than what you make. Simple. DH sent me the SNL video skit about the guy who wrote the book about not spending money you don't have. Funny stuff.
Anyway - I have to pry myself away from the computer and get some work done, play with the kids, and read some books to them. I'm not very good at playing with the kids - it's like I've forgotten how to play. My four year old loves to teach me, so we should have some fun. It's time now to demonstrate that discipline I was talking about and go fold that laundry.
DH & I checked the accounts again this A.M. It's still a bit weird because we haven't done our finances together for so long....years and years. BUT - it's something I can really get used to! I have to say - I'm LOVING doing the finances together. Right now we have a clear and concise plan to get rid of our debt and then a general plan of where our money will go after that. It's exciting to look to the future.
I've got a lot to do today in the house - mountains of laundry to fold and put away (yuck - my least favorite part of laundry!), plants to water, and some phone calls to make. The baby I babysit had his 6 month shots yesterday so I'm hoping he cooperates today and lets me get some housework done.
It used to be that DH would get on the Internet and I would wonder how on earth he could spend so much time on the computer. Now I get it. I'm obsessed with finance articles and blogs and just trying to soak up as much info as I can. I could probably spend all day reading this stuff - yet another area of discipline for me. It's funny though - the message is basically the same no matter where you go - spend less than what you make. Simple. DH sent me the SNL video skit about the guy who wrote the book about not spending money you don't have. Funny stuff.
Anyway - I have to pry myself away from the computer and get some work done, play with the kids, and read some books to them. I'm not very good at playing with the kids - it's like I've forgotten how to play. My four year old loves to teach me, so we should have some fun. It's time now to demonstrate that discipline I was talking about and go fold that laundry.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Another loan down...mostly
We wanted to pay off the student loan this morning but it's too late to stop the auto payment for Friday. We paid an estimated balance today so the auto payment on Friday should bring the loan balance right to $0. That ROCKS!
I also put an additional $840 on the LOC so that balance is decreasing also. It's so thrilling to think about this debt being paid off.
I like to think about what we can do with the paychecks that will soon be all ours. DH & I will come up with a final plan once this is all over but I'd like to put a ton of money in the 401K, build up our emergency savings, and then save some money for a fun vacation and also things for the home.
I have a good, long wish list for the house, but I can be patient and wait until we have money saved up. I'd like to paint the boy's rooms, the dining room and the kitchen. I'd also like to get the TV room painted which requires professional painters. I really want a water softener and a water filter. After that - a fence, wood floors in the hallways would be a treat, bar stools, cabinets in the laundry room, some furniture for the master bedroom, closet organizers in our closet, and a few other things. DH & I will have to discuss this further.....I'm guessing he has a nice list of his own!
Anyway - the point is that the gratification of paying off these loans and increasing our cash flow is fabulous! I love knowing that two loans are paid off. What I love even more than that is just having a partner in crime with our finances. It's been SO fantastic working on this with DH. He is the best.
I also put an additional $840 on the LOC so that balance is decreasing also. It's so thrilling to think about this debt being paid off.
I like to think about what we can do with the paychecks that will soon be all ours. DH & I will come up with a final plan once this is all over but I'd like to put a ton of money in the 401K, build up our emergency savings, and then save some money for a fun vacation and also things for the home.
I have a good, long wish list for the house, but I can be patient and wait until we have money saved up. I'd like to paint the boy's rooms, the dining room and the kitchen. I'd also like to get the TV room painted which requires professional painters. I really want a water softener and a water filter. After that - a fence, wood floors in the hallways would be a treat, bar stools, cabinets in the laundry room, some furniture for the master bedroom, closet organizers in our closet, and a few other things. DH & I will have to discuss this further.....I'm guessing he has a nice list of his own!
Anyway - the point is that the gratification of paying off these loans and increasing our cash flow is fabulous! I love knowing that two loans are paid off. What I love even more than that is just having a partner in crime with our finances. It's been SO fantastic working on this with DH. He is the best.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Another one soon gone...
Today I deposited the state tax refund check - now we can pay off the student loan on Monday. It sucks to not be able to buy fun things with this money - but it sucks WAY more to be in debt! I can't wait til it's all gone - the debt, not the money!
I also can't wait until Monday to get rid of one more loan. I wish I could do it online, but I'm not sure how it works with the payoff. I want to make sure that the automatic payment doesn't go through even though the loan will be paid off. Like the newspaper - we canceled it and they still took out our payment for the month. I've already called once, but it looks like I'll have to call again on Monday. I hate that. Maybe when I call, I'll ask them to deliver a free Sunday paper for all my troubles - then I can get some more coupons!
I tried to cut my youngest son's hair yesterday in an effort to save some money and because it was driving me crazy. Anyway - I tried using the clippers but they were our old ones that don't work, so then I tried just cutting it with scissors. Have you ever tried to cut a 2-year old's hair? I wouldn't recommend it unless you've got some serious experience! He was wiggling all over the place and then when he started screaming, I thought I better stop before I scar him for life. So - his hair looks TERRIBLE! Poor thing. I'll have to wait until DH is home so one of us can hold him and the other can cut. I'm SO looking forward to it....ha ha ha. Cutting hair is definitely something I'd like to learn how to do. I find it annoying to pay someone else to cut my boy's hair. I wouldn't dare do DH's, but I should know how to do the boy's hair....isn't that something a good mom knows how to do? Maybe that's not a fair gage, but I'd still like to learn how!
I also can't wait until Monday to get rid of one more loan. I wish I could do it online, but I'm not sure how it works with the payoff. I want to make sure that the automatic payment doesn't go through even though the loan will be paid off. Like the newspaper - we canceled it and they still took out our payment for the month. I've already called once, but it looks like I'll have to call again on Monday. I hate that. Maybe when I call, I'll ask them to deliver a free Sunday paper for all my troubles - then I can get some more coupons!
I tried to cut my youngest son's hair yesterday in an effort to save some money and because it was driving me crazy. Anyway - I tried using the clippers but they were our old ones that don't work, so then I tried just cutting it with scissors. Have you ever tried to cut a 2-year old's hair? I wouldn't recommend it unless you've got some serious experience! He was wiggling all over the place and then when he started screaming, I thought I better stop before I scar him for life. So - his hair looks TERRIBLE! Poor thing. I'll have to wait until DH is home so one of us can hold him and the other can cut. I'm SO looking forward to it....ha ha ha. Cutting hair is definitely something I'd like to learn how to do. I find it annoying to pay someone else to cut my boy's hair. I wouldn't dare do DH's, but I should know how to do the boy's hair....isn't that something a good mom knows how to do? Maybe that's not a fair gage, but I'd still like to learn how!
Thursday, February 22, 2007
One loan down....
Today DH & I were looking at our checking account to see what checks cleared and we discovered a fun little surprise. Our federal tax refund was deposited into our account a day earlier than we expected. WOO HOO!!!! That was TOO much fun to see. So - we paid off the scooter loan. It's done. Gone. No more. Buh-Bye! What a beautiful thing. It's amazing to see that balance at a big, fat, ZERO. $0.00!
What a relief. I can't wait until ALL the debt is gone. I am so happy that we are one step closer to being debt free. We have quite a few steps more to go, but I will take any victory! Yahoo for us!
So - it's been a less-than-easy week with the $30 grocery budget, a sick child, and the regular emotional roller coaster....but I have to say that this moment of paying off that loan is SO worth the budget, the envelopes, the discipline, etc. I'll have to remember how I feel when things get difficult again. This is awesome.
What a relief. I can't wait until ALL the debt is gone. I am so happy that we are one step closer to being debt free. We have quite a few steps more to go, but I will take any victory! Yahoo for us!
So - it's been a less-than-easy week with the $30 grocery budget, a sick child, and the regular emotional roller coaster....but I have to say that this moment of paying off that loan is SO worth the budget, the envelopes, the discipline, etc. I'll have to remember how I feel when things get difficult again. This is awesome.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Being Frugal
So - I've always considered myself a frugal person. The last time I paid more than $20 for a pair of jeans was when I was in high school. I buy my shoes from Payless Shoesource and my makeup from Target. I do like to 'splurge' on hair product - if you can count spending $12 or so for a bottle of shampoo splurging. Anyway - it's grocery store hair care for us now and it's going to take some getting used to!
It makes me really nervous to not have a backup of pantry items, meat, laundry soap, fabric softener, etc. so it's making me crazy to use everything up as we go. Also something I'm going to have to get used to! Hopefully DH & I can start to build up a nice food supply when this is all over.
So - I'm learning that even though I've always considered myself frugal, I've never been so deliberate in my spending habits. I can see what a huge difference it makes and what a huge advantage it is to plan where every penny goes before it gets to you and then actually sticking to that budget. What a revelation. It's like calories and weight.....(lightbulb!!)........I've been doing it all backwards! I get it now.......I need to create a calorie deficit and a dollar surplus, not a calorie surplus and dollar deficit! DUH!
I am so grateful for a great hubby who is supportive and committed with me to get rid of this ugly debt. Although I hope that some of our budget amounts increase next year, I also hope that we continue this system of working together, envelope budgeting and never getting into this trap again.
It makes me really nervous to not have a backup of pantry items, meat, laundry soap, fabric softener, etc. so it's making me crazy to use everything up as we go. Also something I'm going to have to get used to! Hopefully DH & I can start to build up a nice food supply when this is all over.
So - I'm learning that even though I've always considered myself frugal, I've never been so deliberate in my spending habits. I can see what a huge difference it makes and what a huge advantage it is to plan where every penny goes before it gets to you and then actually sticking to that budget. What a revelation. It's like calories and weight.....(lightbulb!!)........I've been doing it all backwards! I get it now.......I need to create a calorie deficit and a dollar surplus, not a calorie surplus and dollar deficit! DUH!
I am so grateful for a great hubby who is supportive and committed with me to get rid of this ugly debt. Although I hope that some of our budget amounts increase next year, I also hope that we continue this system of working together, envelope budgeting and never getting into this trap again.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Another payment!
We just got our gas bill in the mail and it's $68 less than what we budgeted...with all our bills paid for the month, we were able to put another $131 on the scooter loan! WOO HOO! That is so awesome. What a great feeling. It's SO nice to see the balances going down instead of up.
Last night, DH & I went to the grocery store together. 'We' make me laugh. He is such a shopper and I am not. He was just browsing around, looking at things here and there that struck his fancy and I was all business - go in, get the stuff, get out. It was really nice though to have him there with me. I liked having a grocery partner - so much so that I might make him go with me the next time! He'll love that, I'm sure. When I get to the store, I always see things that I need that I wasn't planning on so it was good to have my partner there keeping me to the grocery list and looking for the best bargains. Anyway - I had more fun with him at the grocery store than I did at the party we went to. I wouldn't care if we used grocery shopping as our dates. Maybe I'll suggest that next weekend....
Last night, DH & I went to the grocery store together. 'We' make me laugh. He is such a shopper and I am not. He was just browsing around, looking at things here and there that struck his fancy and I was all business - go in, get the stuff, get out. It was really nice though to have him there with me. I liked having a grocery partner - so much so that I might make him go with me the next time! He'll love that, I'm sure. When I get to the store, I always see things that I need that I wasn't planning on so it was good to have my partner there keeping me to the grocery list and looking for the best bargains. Anyway - I had more fun with him at the grocery store than I did at the party we went to. I wouldn't care if we used grocery shopping as our dates. Maybe I'll suggest that next weekend....
Friday, February 16, 2007
Another $400
Late last night, DH & I paid $400 to the scooter loan.....Woo hoo! We were going to pay it to the student loan, but because of interest vs. principal questions, we put it on the scooter. One more week and we'll pay off both loans with the tax refund.
DH also promised us a family dinner out with some of the tax refund. It's been forever since we went out to eat as a family, so it will be a fun treat.
These next 14 months or so are going to be a challenge with all the sacrifices, but it will be well worth it. I just read a few blogs of some people who paid off their debts and I can't wait. It was on Blogging Away Debt's blog, but I don't know how to put in the link to make it all pretty. Anyway - to echo Beyond Broke, I'm looking forward to the paychecks being ours - not someone else's. That is some really good motivation to keep going. Not that there's a choice, but it helps keep a good attitude when things get challenging.
My challenge this week is to buy an entire weeks worth of groceries for five people on about $30. The budget is normally $100/week but I have to buy diapers, shampoo, hair product, face soap & lotion. Even going totally cheap it still all adds up so fast. Hooray for Ramen, Mac & Cheese and spaghetti.
DH also promised us a family dinner out with some of the tax refund. It's been forever since we went out to eat as a family, so it will be a fun treat.
These next 14 months or so are going to be a challenge with all the sacrifices, but it will be well worth it. I just read a few blogs of some people who paid off their debts and I can't wait. It was on Blogging Away Debt's blog, but I don't know how to put in the link to make it all pretty. Anyway - to echo Beyond Broke, I'm looking forward to the paychecks being ours - not someone else's. That is some really good motivation to keep going. Not that there's a choice, but it helps keep a good attitude when things get challenging.
My challenge this week is to buy an entire weeks worth of groceries for five people on about $30. The budget is normally $100/week but I have to buy diapers, shampoo, hair product, face soap & lotion. Even going totally cheap it still all adds up so fast. Hooray for Ramen, Mac & Cheese and spaghetti.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Down with Debt!
For some reason, our bank shows the paycheck in our account a day earlier than it should....not that I'm complaining about that! It means that I pay the bills a day earlier. I like to take care of them asap. It's too bad my obsessive/compulsive behaviors don't translate into other areas of my life - then I might be a skinny, wealthy wife with an insanely clean house and perfectly pressed children. HA!
So - here's the debt payment breakdown as of right now:
(Car - $305)
VISA - $337
LOC - $68
Scooter - $95
Home Depot - $38
Student Loan - $93
I don't include the car payment here in my total debts....yet. After we get everything else paid off, I'm guessing that that balance will be our new 'Total Debt' amount.
For now - I estimate we'll be able to add another $400-500 to our student loan payment. We are still waiting for our gas bill and cell phone bill so how much extra we pay on debt will depend on how much those are.
This has been an emotional roller coaster for me these past few weeks. Today I'm feeling totally excited at being able to put a bunch of $$ towards debt, and I can't wait til we get our tax refund next week. We'll be able to knock out two entire loans which will give us an extra $200 per month! That is so exciting to think about.
I'm a daydreamer so I like to think about having ALL the debts paid off and how nice it will be to have more money in the bank. I want to be a successful "After" story. I feel like we are already leaps and bounds ahead of where we were 3 weeks ago. But....some days are more difficult than others - like when I'm reminded of what a mistake I made by not including DH in what was going on with finances.
One thing I feel bad about is that now that I've come clean, I'm sleeping better at night but I'm sure my DH has lost at least a few nights of sleep over this. I've felt so bad for so long that I feel really good about things now and I'm still not used to that. That's not to say that I don't feel bad still about how I handled things, because I do. I just tortured myself over this issue for an entire year. It's unfair, really. I feel better and sleep better but I'm not sure DH feels the same. He is a great guy and I'm hoping that he can forgive me.
I really feel like our working together has been the silver lining. For how difficult it's been, I just feel like we are taking a new road and we are taking it together, hand in hand. And I have to say - anytime I can hold hands with my honey, I'm totally there!
I'm such a girl!! I'm SO emotional about things. I've found it interesting as I write these entries how this is all so emotional for me. DH is NOT an emotional kind of guy. Everything for him is black and white...no grays...no in-between...no happy medium. People ask us if we are going to try for a baby girl....my response is that HA! I'm pretty sure that DH couldn't handle another emotional girl! Anyway - the point is that maybe between us, we make for a really great balance.
So - here's the debt payment breakdown as of right now:
(Car - $305)
VISA - $337
LOC - $68
Scooter - $95
Home Depot - $38
Student Loan - $93
I don't include the car payment here in my total debts....yet. After we get everything else paid off, I'm guessing that that balance will be our new 'Total Debt' amount.
For now - I estimate we'll be able to add another $400-500 to our student loan payment. We are still waiting for our gas bill and cell phone bill so how much extra we pay on debt will depend on how much those are.
This has been an emotional roller coaster for me these past few weeks. Today I'm feeling totally excited at being able to put a bunch of $$ towards debt, and I can't wait til we get our tax refund next week. We'll be able to knock out two entire loans which will give us an extra $200 per month! That is so exciting to think about.
I'm a daydreamer so I like to think about having ALL the debts paid off and how nice it will be to have more money in the bank. I want to be a successful "After" story. I feel like we are already leaps and bounds ahead of where we were 3 weeks ago. But....some days are more difficult than others - like when I'm reminded of what a mistake I made by not including DH in what was going on with finances.
One thing I feel bad about is that now that I've come clean, I'm sleeping better at night but I'm sure my DH has lost at least a few nights of sleep over this. I've felt so bad for so long that I feel really good about things now and I'm still not used to that. That's not to say that I don't feel bad still about how I handled things, because I do. I just tortured myself over this issue for an entire year. It's unfair, really. I feel better and sleep better but I'm not sure DH feels the same. He is a great guy and I'm hoping that he can forgive me.
I really feel like our working together has been the silver lining. For how difficult it's been, I just feel like we are taking a new road and we are taking it together, hand in hand. And I have to say - anytime I can hold hands with my honey, I'm totally there!
I'm such a girl!! I'm SO emotional about things. I've found it interesting as I write these entries how this is all so emotional for me. DH is NOT an emotional kind of guy. Everything for him is black and white...no grays...no in-between...no happy medium. People ask us if we are going to try for a baby girl....my response is that HA! I'm pretty sure that DH couldn't handle another emotional girl! Anyway - the point is that maybe between us, we make for a really great balance.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! It's a beautiful day today - the sun is shining and there's spring and love in the air. Although I'm a huge fan of Valentine's Day, I've never been really into the gift giving part of it....just ask DH. I'm a terrible gift giver....and receiver as well. He, on the other hand, is by far the best gift giver I know. He has been as long as I've known him which is forever. We've been married for over 12 years but we've known each other for 20 years. Wow - time flies....I can't believe I'm old enough to have memories that are 20 years old!
Anway - the rule is....no gifts for each other til debt is gone. I'm a simple girl, so I'm good with it. I tell my DH that all I really need is a little love note and I'm totally good. I've asked for a love note from him for every holiday for the last 100 years and every holiday he tells me that he's just not the love note kind of guy. I ask him every time for two reasons...1) because I'd love one and 2) it's become a tradition and I kind of like to tease him with it. I'm pretty sure I'll never get one, but I still like to ask!
For Christmas, he got me TWO Little Blue Boxes!! You know....little blue boxes?? TIFFANY'S! It's a beautiful chain and bracelet with a Tiffany heart on each. I LOVE wearing them. It makes me feel spoiled. There's quite the story behind the gift - he was saving money to buy himself an EWI but bought me the jewelry instead. Then, some band members and friends heard what he did and then started a collection (without DH knowing) and raised enough $ for him to still get the EWI. He's been so busy with work that he hasn't been able to play it at home very much so I can't wait for him to be able to play it more. It's really sexy to see the man you love do what he LOVES to do. Especially when it's playing the saxaphone. I've always been a sucker for the sax - I remember being in middle school and thinking it was so sexy, so it's fun to have a hubby who plays.
So - the grocery money is gone til Friday and I didn't plan ahead for Valentine's Day so I have to figure out some great meal for tonight using only what I have in the house. It might not be a very sexy meal, but I'm sure the kids will appreciate that! Ooooh....just thought of what I can serve for dessert....but I'm not going to say because if I don't have all the ingredients, I won't disappoint anyone and if I do, then I can surprise DH. And like I said, I haven't told him where my blog is, but I'm sure he's already found it. He still won't tell me where his is...stinker. I'm sure his is eloquent and has lots of doo-dads and is all sorts of fancy, unlike my rambling, bumbling entries. I'm okay with it - I embrace my simplicity! Although, I'm sure my honey would like it if I was a little more high maintenance!
Anyway - I'm off to finish off the last minute details for my boy's class party today. I went totally cheap (total $ spent - four dollars!) but I think the kids will have fun. Besides - they'll be so hopped up on sugar that maybe they won't notice if it totally sucks. Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
Anway - the rule is....no gifts for each other til debt is gone. I'm a simple girl, so I'm good with it. I tell my DH that all I really need is a little love note and I'm totally good. I've asked for a love note from him for every holiday for the last 100 years and every holiday he tells me that he's just not the love note kind of guy. I ask him every time for two reasons...1) because I'd love one and 2) it's become a tradition and I kind of like to tease him with it. I'm pretty sure I'll never get one, but I still like to ask!
For Christmas, he got me TWO Little Blue Boxes!! You know....little blue boxes?? TIFFANY'S! It's a beautiful chain and bracelet with a Tiffany heart on each. I LOVE wearing them. It makes me feel spoiled. There's quite the story behind the gift - he was saving money to buy himself an EWI but bought me the jewelry instead. Then, some band members and friends heard what he did and then started a collection (without DH knowing) and raised enough $ for him to still get the EWI. He's been so busy with work that he hasn't been able to play it at home very much so I can't wait for him to be able to play it more. It's really sexy to see the man you love do what he LOVES to do. Especially when it's playing the saxaphone. I've always been a sucker for the sax - I remember being in middle school and thinking it was so sexy, so it's fun to have a hubby who plays.
So - the grocery money is gone til Friday and I didn't plan ahead for Valentine's Day so I have to figure out some great meal for tonight using only what I have in the house. It might not be a very sexy meal, but I'm sure the kids will appreciate that! Ooooh....just thought of what I can serve for dessert....but I'm not going to say because if I don't have all the ingredients, I won't disappoint anyone and if I do, then I can surprise DH. And like I said, I haven't told him where my blog is, but I'm sure he's already found it. He still won't tell me where his is...stinker. I'm sure his is eloquent and has lots of doo-dads and is all sorts of fancy, unlike my rambling, bumbling entries. I'm okay with it - I embrace my simplicity! Although, I'm sure my honey would like it if I was a little more high maintenance!
Anyway - I'm off to finish off the last minute details for my boy's class party today. I went totally cheap (total $ spent - four dollars!) but I think the kids will have fun. Besides - they'll be so hopped up on sugar that maybe they won't notice if it totally sucks. Have a Happy Valentine's Day!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Discipline
Today I realized I have no self-discipline and I need some!
My four year old doesn't know how to read yet and doesn't recognize some, no, most lowercase letters. After I quit my job last year I wanted to do preschool for him at least 3 times a week. Here we are one year and almost two months later and I've done maybe 3 pre-k sessions total.
Housework? Well - I've been really good in 2007 at getting the dishes done everyday (except weekends). Laundry - I slacked last week but I feel pretty good about how well I've kept up. With three little boys, one big boy, and me in the house, the laundry is never done. But...other than a few bad days, I've kept up pretty well. My family might disagree, but what can ya do? Areas for improvement: bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, mopping, baseboards, etc. I've got quite a list.
Diet and exercise? Oh my. Don't get me started. At least 3 times a day I commit to eating right and being active. Now if I can just get some of that discipline and actually do it! Maybe tomorrow I can start. HA! Yesterday I walked to school which felt REALLY good. If DH is working late, I'll get on the treadmill after the kids go to bed tonight.
And I've already written about the money part. Ugh. DH & I have really done well though the past two weeks. We are both totally committed to changing old habits and it's been a positive thing for us as a couple. I love him.....(dreamy sigh). DH gets paid on Friday and we are both anxious to pay the bills and put some more $$ to our debt. More to come
My four year old doesn't know how to read yet and doesn't recognize some, no, most lowercase letters. After I quit my job last year I wanted to do preschool for him at least 3 times a week. Here we are one year and almost two months later and I've done maybe 3 pre-k sessions total.
Housework? Well - I've been really good in 2007 at getting the dishes done everyday (except weekends). Laundry - I slacked last week but I feel pretty good about how well I've kept up. With three little boys, one big boy, and me in the house, the laundry is never done. But...other than a few bad days, I've kept up pretty well. My family might disagree, but what can ya do? Areas for improvement: bathrooms, vacuuming, dusting, mopping, baseboards, etc. I've got quite a list.
Diet and exercise? Oh my. Don't get me started. At least 3 times a day I commit to eating right and being active. Now if I can just get some of that discipline and actually do it! Maybe tomorrow I can start. HA! Yesterday I walked to school which felt REALLY good. If DH is working late, I'll get on the treadmill after the kids go to bed tonight.
And I've already written about the money part. Ugh. DH & I have really done well though the past two weeks. We are both totally committed to changing old habits and it's been a positive thing for us as a couple. I love him.....(dreamy sigh). DH gets paid on Friday and we are both anxious to pay the bills and put some more $$ to our debt. More to come
Monday, February 12, 2007
Going shopping
Wow - do I have a lot to write about! So - let's talk grocery store.
DH & I are doing envelope budgeting...cash in the envelopes and when it's gone, it's gone. I have a budget of $200 every two weeks for groceries. We are just finishing up the first two weeks of this system and I can tell it's going to take some getting used to. The first week, I went to the store I had my list and menu plan for one week. I also had to buy some extra groceries for a brunch at my house with both sides of the family. The ideal is to spend $100 per week. Well, I went over $28. Which meant I had less for week two. So - last Friday I did my shopping for week two. I did great and had some money left over so I splurged and bought a 24 pack of Diet Pepsi. I prefer Diet Coke, but it was too expensive!
Flashback....about 8 years ago, I remember a lady in my neighborhood talking about going to the grocery store and having to take a calculator and add everything up as she went because she only had so much money to spend. I felt bad for her and was so glad I didn't have to do that. How naive was (am?) I? So - it totally stinks to not be able to just throw things in my grocery cart but I am seeing that you do what you have to do.
Back to my grocery experience....so as I'm grocery shopping, I was just getting more and more annoyed and ornery because it SUCKS to go to the grocery store with a calculator. I wrote every cost down as I went, added up each section (produce, meat, dairy, etc), added in tax, then shopped some more. If I had been smart, I would have put back the soda and bought a package of TP or something. As I'm talking to myself and working myself into an annoyed frenzy that my budget isn't nearly large enough to accommodate everything household, I'm putting DP in my cart - a luxury at this point of my life. What an idiot. I think I bought it more to rebel than anything. I just can't justify that purchase at this point. Anyway - next grocery trip, I'm hoping to be more emotionally prepared. Given my current situation, I really need to be careful. All over $6. It's so stupid isn't it? Not being totally forthcoming w/DH over the last year certainly wasn't worth it.
So-I'll have to be extra careful this next paycheck to make up for diapers ($34) and some other misc. household needs. By the way - here's the question....do I buy yummy cheese at Costco (Tillamook 5lb brick for $11) or not so yummy cheese at the grocery store (store brand 2lb brick for $6)? It's cheaper in the long run to buy the yummy cheese, but then, that's TWELVE DOLLARS(!) out of my $200! Such a dilemma.
Ok - I think I'm addicted. I've got to shut down the computer and get some serious housework done. Today I HAVE to do laundry, clean up the kitchen (ALWAYS a disaster after the weekend), a general pick-up of clutter, and make dinner. One of my goals is to read at least one article or blog dealing with debt, money, or personal finance every day. Does my own blog count? Maybe. Anything that will keep my motivated and focused! I really would like to read another chapter in "More Than Enough" by Dave Ramsey. My favorite thing in the book so far is this:
"....J.C.Penney said, "Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I'll show you a man who will make history; give me a man without a goal and I'll show you a stock clerk." The rich do get richer and the poor do get poorer because of vision, and vision dressed in street clothes is called goals."
So - I've got my goals for the day and I'm off to accomplish them.
DH & I are doing envelope budgeting...cash in the envelopes and when it's gone, it's gone. I have a budget of $200 every two weeks for groceries. We are just finishing up the first two weeks of this system and I can tell it's going to take some getting used to. The first week, I went to the store I had my list and menu plan for one week. I also had to buy some extra groceries for a brunch at my house with both sides of the family. The ideal is to spend $100 per week. Well, I went over $28. Which meant I had less for week two. So - last Friday I did my shopping for week two. I did great and had some money left over so I splurged and bought a 24 pack of Diet Pepsi. I prefer Diet Coke, but it was too expensive!
Flashback....about 8 years ago, I remember a lady in my neighborhood talking about going to the grocery store and having to take a calculator and add everything up as she went because she only had so much money to spend. I felt bad for her and was so glad I didn't have to do that. How naive was (am?) I? So - it totally stinks to not be able to just throw things in my grocery cart but I am seeing that you do what you have to do.
Back to my grocery experience....so as I'm grocery shopping, I was just getting more and more annoyed and ornery because it SUCKS to go to the grocery store with a calculator. I wrote every cost down as I went, added up each section (produce, meat, dairy, etc), added in tax, then shopped some more. If I had been smart, I would have put back the soda and bought a package of TP or something. As I'm talking to myself and working myself into an annoyed frenzy that my budget isn't nearly large enough to accommodate everything household, I'm putting DP in my cart - a luxury at this point of my life. What an idiot. I think I bought it more to rebel than anything. I just can't justify that purchase at this point. Anyway - next grocery trip, I'm hoping to be more emotionally prepared. Given my current situation, I really need to be careful. All over $6. It's so stupid isn't it? Not being totally forthcoming w/DH over the last year certainly wasn't worth it.
So-I'll have to be extra careful this next paycheck to make up for diapers ($34) and some other misc. household needs. By the way - here's the question....do I buy yummy cheese at Costco (Tillamook 5lb brick for $11) or not so yummy cheese at the grocery store (store brand 2lb brick for $6)? It's cheaper in the long run to buy the yummy cheese, but then, that's TWELVE DOLLARS(!) out of my $200! Such a dilemma.
Ok - I think I'm addicted. I've got to shut down the computer and get some serious housework done. Today I HAVE to do laundry, clean up the kitchen (ALWAYS a disaster after the weekend), a general pick-up of clutter, and make dinner. One of my goals is to read at least one article or blog dealing with debt, money, or personal finance every day. Does my own blog count? Maybe. Anything that will keep my motivated and focused! I really would like to read another chapter in "More Than Enough" by Dave Ramsey. My favorite thing in the book so far is this:
"....J.C.Penney said, "Give me a stock clerk with a goal, and I'll show you a man who will make history; give me a man without a goal and I'll show you a stock clerk." The rich do get richer and the poor do get poorer because of vision, and vision dressed in street clothes is called goals."
So - I've got my goals for the day and I'm off to accomplish them.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
First Timer...
So - this is my first ever blog post. Possibly the most boring one ever written too! But that's okay. It's good for me branch out a bit and do something different.
So - here's the story..... I quit my job, used the credit card to supplement DH's income over the last year. I came clean about it (the CC, not quitting - he knew about that!) 2 1/2 weeks ago - D-day - and as hard as it was, as hard as it is, lots of good will come of it. We are now working together on finances which we haven't done for years. We have a common goal - get out of debt. We plan on getting rid of all lines of credit, loans, etc. by March of 2008. If we keep it up, we could also have our car paid off by the end of 2008. It's way too cool to think about getting rid of these debts that we've had for years and years. We've been paying $95 every month for a scooter that was used for five months out of the three years we've had the loan. I'd like to fix it up and use it during the summers. Maybe next year. We'll finally say "bye, bye" to student loans, which, by the way, I'm SO grateful for what they represent - my DH has an education and has that safety net. I'll just be glad to have that extra $93!
Next to go will be the LOC attached to the checking account. I really screwed up using this and the VISA. Every time I used it, I thought I'd just make it up with the next paycheck, but that never happened and I just used it more and more. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about it. I should have just told DH about how tight money was from the beginning. Anyway - I'm sure there will be more on that subject later! After the LOC will be the Home Depot card. We had to pay for sprinklers two summers ago but we thought we would be able to pay for them with the Christmas bonus. Well, that particular year was not a good bonus year and we got enough bonus $ to barely pay for the kid's presents. So, we've carried that debt for a while - $26/mo in interest and about $12 to the actual loan. We might have paid that off by 2030....MAYBE. Anyway, after HD card will be the VISA. That is the one that I really, really, really messed up on. I added probably $6,500 - $7,000 over the last year - on a fabulous wardrobe, nails, great shoes, perfect hair cuts & color, kitchenware...oh wait......nope - none of those things. I used it for groceries, gasoline, b-day gifts, etc. Just living expenses. That card now has a balance of $13, 474...(gulp)...including the previous balance we've carried from forever ago, a new keyboard, rental car repair deductible, and my plentiful additions. The thing that makes me most ill is that I kept this important info from my hubby and it affected so much more than our debt. That was so unfair of me to do to him. If I had told him earlier, we could have worked together on it and not gotten this far behind. Gratefully, I've been able to pay all the bills, and on time. It just all catches up with you.
So....there it is. Now you know my dirty little secret. So, maybe not so dirty, maybe not so little, but a secret. Secret that's not a secret anymore, thank heaven! Before I told him, I'd been trying to work up the courage for weeks...no, months before. I'd go into my closet or into the kid's toy room and just lay on the floor for hours and try to get up enough nerve to tell him. You know how it finally came out? He was talking about how to spend our tax refund and said we'd pay off the keyboard part of the VISA bill. From what he said, I thought he was saying that the VISA would then be paid off. I had to take a big breath, I tried not to throw up, and told him the truth. Ugh - really one of the worst feelings I've felt because it was my own fault. It really sucks being accountable for something wrong I've done! I told my friend one time that it really sucks to have your husband mad at you, especially when you've done something to deserve it!
DH started his own blog and won't tell me where it is. I tried to keep this a secret because of that, but I give him about 1.2 minutes to find it...starting..........now...... He probably already has it bookmarked! He's good at this stuff. Me? Not so much. I'm not sure where to find his. I can only assume that he won't tell me because he's written things about me that he doesn't want me to see. I'm thinking he vented to his blog, not to me. Oh well...what do you do?
He's a good man with a good heart. He was (I'm guessing still is) really mad at me over this, but he's been great and we are working together now. Which is what I've wanted for a lot of years. You know what 'they' say about debt? That it's a prison? 'They' are right. I can't wait to get out! What I'd like to do is get a nice, big, fat, nest egg, pay cash for everthing, have a family vacation every year and a romantic trip every year w/DH only. I adore my children - I'm so much in love with them that it's sickening.......but....my DH & I have been married 12 years and we deserve some romance!! I want to take him to Hawaii. I've been there twice - once with my girlfriend and once with my siblings & parents (no spouses, no kids - a story for another day). Both could have been romantic, but my honey wasn't there to share them with me, so they weren't! I'd really like to go take moonlit strolls on the beach while holding hands with my hot husband!
So - back to the finances. I'm babysitting a baby to help earn money to put towards debt. I don't make all that much, but anything I can contribute is good. I started watching the baby so I could earn money so I would not need to use the CC so much. Now I'm watching him to pay it off. I was going to stop after this school year, but I'll keep watching him for another year. The mom is going to teach 1/2 days so I'll have him less, but I'll be making more per hour. He was 2 months old when I started and I make $2.22/hr. Not very good, but every little bit helps.
DH gets paid this Friday and we are going to be able to put $500 towards the student loan. As of today, we have $22, 243 in loans, not including cars. Ugh. Let's see how we look after Friday...
So - here's the story..... I quit my job, used the credit card to supplement DH's income over the last year. I came clean about it (the CC, not quitting - he knew about that!) 2 1/2 weeks ago - D-day - and as hard as it was, as hard as it is, lots of good will come of it. We are now working together on finances which we haven't done for years. We have a common goal - get out of debt. We plan on getting rid of all lines of credit, loans, etc. by March of 2008. If we keep it up, we could also have our car paid off by the end of 2008. It's way too cool to think about getting rid of these debts that we've had for years and years. We've been paying $95 every month for a scooter that was used for five months out of the three years we've had the loan. I'd like to fix it up and use it during the summers. Maybe next year. We'll finally say "bye, bye" to student loans, which, by the way, I'm SO grateful for what they represent - my DH has an education and has that safety net. I'll just be glad to have that extra $93!
Next to go will be the LOC attached to the checking account. I really screwed up using this and the VISA. Every time I used it, I thought I'd just make it up with the next paycheck, but that never happened and I just used it more and more. It makes me sick to my stomach to think about it. I should have just told DH about how tight money was from the beginning. Anyway - I'm sure there will be more on that subject later! After the LOC will be the Home Depot card. We had to pay for sprinklers two summers ago but we thought we would be able to pay for them with the Christmas bonus. Well, that particular year was not a good bonus year and we got enough bonus $ to barely pay for the kid's presents. So, we've carried that debt for a while - $26/mo in interest and about $12 to the actual loan. We might have paid that off by 2030....MAYBE. Anyway, after HD card will be the VISA. That is the one that I really, really, really messed up on. I added probably $6,500 - $7,000 over the last year - on a fabulous wardrobe, nails, great shoes, perfect hair cuts & color, kitchenware...oh wait......nope - none of those things. I used it for groceries, gasoline, b-day gifts, etc. Just living expenses. That card now has a balance of $13, 474...(gulp)...including the previous balance we've carried from forever ago, a new keyboard, rental car repair deductible, and my plentiful additions. The thing that makes me most ill is that I kept this important info from my hubby and it affected so much more than our debt. That was so unfair of me to do to him. If I had told him earlier, we could have worked together on it and not gotten this far behind. Gratefully, I've been able to pay all the bills, and on time. It just all catches up with you.
So....there it is. Now you know my dirty little secret. So, maybe not so dirty, maybe not so little, but a secret. Secret that's not a secret anymore, thank heaven! Before I told him, I'd been trying to work up the courage for weeks...no, months before. I'd go into my closet or into the kid's toy room and just lay on the floor for hours and try to get up enough nerve to tell him. You know how it finally came out? He was talking about how to spend our tax refund and said we'd pay off the keyboard part of the VISA bill. From what he said, I thought he was saying that the VISA would then be paid off. I had to take a big breath, I tried not to throw up, and told him the truth. Ugh - really one of the worst feelings I've felt because it was my own fault. It really sucks being accountable for something wrong I've done! I told my friend one time that it really sucks to have your husband mad at you, especially when you've done something to deserve it!
DH started his own blog and won't tell me where it is. I tried to keep this a secret because of that, but I give him about 1.2 minutes to find it...starting..........now...... He probably already has it bookmarked! He's good at this stuff. Me? Not so much. I'm not sure where to find his. I can only assume that he won't tell me because he's written things about me that he doesn't want me to see. I'm thinking he vented to his blog, not to me. Oh well...what do you do?
He's a good man with a good heart. He was (I'm guessing still is) really mad at me over this, but he's been great and we are working together now. Which is what I've wanted for a lot of years. You know what 'they' say about debt? That it's a prison? 'They' are right. I can't wait to get out! What I'd like to do is get a nice, big, fat, nest egg, pay cash for everthing, have a family vacation every year and a romantic trip every year w/DH only. I adore my children - I'm so much in love with them that it's sickening.......but....my DH & I have been married 12 years and we deserve some romance!! I want to take him to Hawaii. I've been there twice - once with my girlfriend and once with my siblings & parents (no spouses, no kids - a story for another day). Both could have been romantic, but my honey wasn't there to share them with me, so they weren't! I'd really like to go take moonlit strolls on the beach while holding hands with my hot husband!
So - back to the finances. I'm babysitting a baby to help earn money to put towards debt. I don't make all that much, but anything I can contribute is good. I started watching the baby so I could earn money so I would not need to use the CC so much. Now I'm watching him to pay it off. I was going to stop after this school year, but I'll keep watching him for another year. The mom is going to teach 1/2 days so I'll have him less, but I'll be making more per hour. He was 2 months old when I started and I make $2.22/hr. Not very good, but every little bit helps.
DH gets paid this Friday and we are going to be able to put $500 towards the student loan. As of today, we have $22, 243 in loans, not including cars. Ugh. Let's see how we look after Friday...
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