Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
I've Fallen In Love......
I've fallen in love...with nothing materialistic...but simply a bible verse. Since day one, Dave Ramsey has given us this verse and I have fallen in love with it:
"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain"
--Proverbs 31:10-11
Tonights Lesson" The Role of Insurance"-- am really interested in this because since day one of being a grown up and paying for insurance- I HAVE NEVER UNDERSTOOD IT! So hopefully I will have many of my questions- answered!
As for our budget- well-- I've began to do all the figuring/totaling to see how far over/under we are! I can tell you though that we paid off a big chunk of debt this month and that was a huge plus! I can also tell you that we got 75% of Christmas bought, and paid for, in cash! We also were able to pay for an $800 pickup repair, in cash, plus an additional $100 in parts. (This repair wasn't budgeted, in ink, since we were unsure of what the final figure would be!)
And now-- it's the end of the month--- and we get to start this all over again. I know now why he said it takes 3 months to make a budget work, because you don't budget for somethings, and some things, you over budget for! So- we are starting to get the hang of this!
Finally, I do want to express that I'm tried of the budgeting remarks being made. First off- EVERYONE-YES EVERYONE- should operate on a monthly budget. Hardly anyone does because they don't have the will power, the discipline, or the want to. Lots of people can't do a budget because, plain and simple, they don't want to take the time and see how careless they are with their money.
REASONS WE SHOULD ALL DO A MONTHLY BUDGET:
1. A written plan removes the management by crisis from your finances.
2. Managed money goes farther.
3. A written plan, if actually lived and agreed on, will remove much of the guilt, shame, and fear that may now be a part of buying necessities such as food or clothing.
3. A written plan, if actually lived and agreed on, will remove alot of stress from your life. (VERY TRUE)
4. A written plan, if actually lived and agreed on, will show if you are OVERSPENDING.
I was recently having a conversation amongst a group of people, and one was about to make a big purchase for something. They remarked: "But it's 0% financing for X months"-- I wanted to stand up, scream, and shout, NO NO NO NO NO you CRAZY person! Don't ever ever ever finance anything other than cars and homes in your life! When you walk into a store to buy something, you either pay cash, or take what cash you do have and save it up to buy it. Chances are, you take all that cash with you in the store, throw it on the table, and 9 times out of 10, you will get a 15-20% just from paying cash. If they don't offer you that discount- then you walk out of that store-WITH YOUR CASH-and take it to the next store. They make other "things" like the "thing" you are wanting. You don't HAVE to buy it there. You don't have to STRESS about a monthly payment when you pay for it in CASH!
OFF MY SOAP BOX! (until tomorrow!)
"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain"
--Proverbs 31:10-11
Tonights Lesson" The Role of Insurance"-- am really interested in this because since day one of being a grown up and paying for insurance- I HAVE NEVER UNDERSTOOD IT! So hopefully I will have many of my questions- answered!
As for our budget- well-- I've began to do all the figuring/totaling to see how far over/under we are! I can tell you though that we paid off a big chunk of debt this month and that was a huge plus! I can also tell you that we got 75% of Christmas bought, and paid for, in cash! We also were able to pay for an $800 pickup repair, in cash, plus an additional $100 in parts. (This repair wasn't budgeted, in ink, since we were unsure of what the final figure would be!)
And now-- it's the end of the month--- and we get to start this all over again. I know now why he said it takes 3 months to make a budget work, because you don't budget for somethings, and some things, you over budget for! So- we are starting to get the hang of this!
Finally, I do want to express that I'm tried of the budgeting remarks being made. First off- EVERYONE-YES EVERYONE- should operate on a monthly budget. Hardly anyone does because they don't have the will power, the discipline, or the want to. Lots of people can't do a budget because, plain and simple, they don't want to take the time and see how careless they are with their money.
REASONS WE SHOULD ALL DO A MONTHLY BUDGET:
1. A written plan removes the management by crisis from your finances.
2. Managed money goes farther.
3. A written plan, if actually lived and agreed on, will remove much of the guilt, shame, and fear that may now be a part of buying necessities such as food or clothing.
3. A written plan, if actually lived and agreed on, will remove alot of stress from your life. (VERY TRUE)
4. A written plan, if actually lived and agreed on, will show if you are OVERSPENDING.
I was recently having a conversation amongst a group of people, and one was about to make a big purchase for something. They remarked: "But it's 0% financing for X months"-- I wanted to stand up, scream, and shout, NO NO NO NO NO you CRAZY person! Don't ever ever ever finance anything other than cars and homes in your life! When you walk into a store to buy something, you either pay cash, or take what cash you do have and save it up to buy it. Chances are, you take all that cash with you in the store, throw it on the table, and 9 times out of 10, you will get a 15-20% just from paying cash. If they don't offer you that discount- then you walk out of that store-WITH YOUR CASH-and take it to the next store. They make other "things" like the "thing" you are wanting. You don't HAVE to buy it there. You don't have to STRESS about a monthly payment when you pay for it in CASH!
OFF MY SOAP BOX! (until tomorrow!)
Monday, November 28, 2011
Here lately.......
Yes, I know, it has been quite a while since I last blogged, but for very good reason. What time I did have available here lately to blog, I had been using to game plan a strategy for black Friday! My mother and I hit the shopping trail Thursday evening at 8:30, and returned back at 9 on Friday morning. I don't think I could have gone another minute. I was completely zonked! We did however get some incredible deals and got a huge chunk marked off our lists! Yay for us!!
Thanksgiving was filled with many blessings. Our weekend started with an engagement party for Jeremy's cousin. Then a day full of food and laughter on Thursday at Mimi's house. Black Friday shopping then game, then the day of recuperating was what happened for the remainder of the day. My husband, was by far, AMAZING! He kept the girls while I shopped but as I got home, I really, so badly, just wanted to sleep. My husband let me sleep, well Jentri slept with me, while he watched Jaylee. He then woke me up for lunch. I cleaned the mess, got Jentri and went BACK to bed...woke back up about 5:30 (because he woke me up questioning if I was going to sleep all day) and so I just got up and moved to the couch and slept some more! All the while he was playing Betty Crocker and making homemade dough for some jalapeno cheddar kolaches! We then ate supper, cleaned that mess up, watched Elf on the Shelf with Jaylee. This is a new tradition we are starting this year! Then we all got the dough back out, kneaded it and started rolling it out. Jaylee had a BLAST! She had already taken a bath prior to this activity, but we ended back up in the tub afterwards. She had flour from head to toe and all over her face/hair...it was caked into her hair! I loved every minute of it! Then Saturday was another day of Thanksgiving with the Lowe Family....then my husband and I attended the local Brazos Stone dance afterwards. THANK YOU MOM FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE A DATE! We don't ever get an OFFER extended to us to keep our kids that allow us to do anything by ourselves anymore, so THANK YOU MOM, you are truly a sweet, giving, mother who thinks about not only our kids, but our marriage and how important that is from time to time!
Sunday was quite the lazy day. Got up and made pies for my mother's birthday, took the girls and myself to church while Jeremy slept. He was not feeling too well....strep throat/flu perhaps!? Anyways..... he was pretty crummy all day yesterday....but seemed to be better yesterday evening! Then, the time came....Jeremy began to pack his pickup and the meltdown began. I knew it.....we got spoiled to having him for 4 days and 4 nights with us......and Jaylee knew immediately as he began to load his pickup what was about to happen. She held onto me tightly and bawled saying numerous times "I want my Daddy, I don't want him to leave".... Jeremy came back in.... and well....you can imagine the heartbreak for him. He ended up just staying last night and getting up at 2:30 to leave. Poor guy! I can't imagine having to drive at 2:30 then having to put in a full day after that. Which by the way, he has been at this job now for ONE YEAR as of this weekend! Can you believe that!?!? YAY! Here comes the 4 weeks PAID vacation! Here comes the Christmas bonus!!! And sadly, this lifestyle.....continues.....but I will look on the positive and know that "This too Shall Pass", " This is not forever" and "I am blessed that we are both happy, healthy, and employed!"
Thanksgiving was filled with many blessings. Our weekend started with an engagement party for Jeremy's cousin. Then a day full of food and laughter on Thursday at Mimi's house. Black Friday shopping then game, then the day of recuperating was what happened for the remainder of the day. My husband, was by far, AMAZING! He kept the girls while I shopped but as I got home, I really, so badly, just wanted to sleep. My husband let me sleep, well Jentri slept with me, while he watched Jaylee. He then woke me up for lunch. I cleaned the mess, got Jentri and went BACK to bed...woke back up about 5:30 (because he woke me up questioning if I was going to sleep all day) and so I just got up and moved to the couch and slept some more! All the while he was playing Betty Crocker and making homemade dough for some jalapeno cheddar kolaches! We then ate supper, cleaned that mess up, watched Elf on the Shelf with Jaylee. This is a new tradition we are starting this year! Then we all got the dough back out, kneaded it and started rolling it out. Jaylee had a BLAST! She had already taken a bath prior to this activity, but we ended back up in the tub afterwards. She had flour from head to toe and all over her face/hair...it was caked into her hair! I loved every minute of it! Then Saturday was another day of Thanksgiving with the Lowe Family....then my husband and I attended the local Brazos Stone dance afterwards. THANK YOU MOM FOR ALLOWING US TO HAVE A DATE! We don't ever get an OFFER extended to us to keep our kids that allow us to do anything by ourselves anymore, so THANK YOU MOM, you are truly a sweet, giving, mother who thinks about not only our kids, but our marriage and how important that is from time to time!
Sunday was quite the lazy day. Got up and made pies for my mother's birthday, took the girls and myself to church while Jeremy slept. He was not feeling too well....strep throat/flu perhaps!? Anyways..... he was pretty crummy all day yesterday....but seemed to be better yesterday evening! Then, the time came....Jeremy began to pack his pickup and the meltdown began. I knew it.....we got spoiled to having him for 4 days and 4 nights with us......and Jaylee knew immediately as he began to load his pickup what was about to happen. She held onto me tightly and bawled saying numerous times "I want my Daddy, I don't want him to leave".... Jeremy came back in.... and well....you can imagine the heartbreak for him. He ended up just staying last night and getting up at 2:30 to leave. Poor guy! I can't imagine having to drive at 2:30 then having to put in a full day after that. Which by the way, he has been at this job now for ONE YEAR as of this weekend! Can you believe that!?!? YAY! Here comes the 4 weeks PAID vacation! Here comes the Christmas bonus!!! And sadly, this lifestyle.....continues.....but I will look on the positive and know that "This too Shall Pass", " This is not forever" and "I am blessed that we are both happy, healthy, and employed!"
Monday, November 21, 2011
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday to my Mom!
Here's to someone who is such an inspiration and a wonderful role model! I definitely almost caused her several strokes.....but our relationship only grew stronger because of it. She has shaped me into the person that I am today. Not many children are blessed to have such a talented, amazing, giving, caring, loving, and as grammatically in-tuned mother as I am. No one also is as lucky as me to have the Bible Nazi as their mother either. Whenever I'm struggling with my faith or need a pep-- I know I can always have a prayer or bible verse within minutes, almost seconds, through an e-mail. It's almost therapeutic! I love e-mailing my problems to her and always within moments getting a direct response! She helps me make many mothering decisions as well as life long decisions. I don't know of one big obstacle in life that I haven't gone to her for advice. My most recent memory is sending her my usual "need your advice email" and her response this time was "You always get me to thinking!" I loved it! I always said I never wanted to be my mother, but since I've become a mom, I want to be nothing less than the wonderful Mom that she was to us. Looking back on my childhood, I cannot imagine raising three girls, by myself, working a full time job and having no child support. There are many many days that I think "how the hell did she ever do this-- those years by herself" when comparing my current lifestyle to hers.... but with the exception of me being continually blessed by a wonderful husband who loves his children and his wife more than life itself. I know that she will tell anyone that she wouldn't have made it without continuous faith and prayer. She will tell you that it was hard leaving my Dad, and to make that decision......but she did what was best! My mother is awesome! She's the rock that holds us all together! I know that my Grandmother would be extremely proud of her and all that she has become and made of herself. I look at her life and I think "Wow! To have a successful career, without a college degree, that she has moved up in all because she WANTED better for herself and her retirement, to look back upon three daughters who are college graduates, happily married with children, and a son who is on his way of becoming a man himself as well. To have 4 christian children who try diligently, day after day to live their life according to the christian example that was set before them. To be blessed with 7 grandchildren who love their Nana to the moon and back! To be at her age and to accomplish what all she has accomplished--- I can only think of that bible verse that says in Luke 19:17 "Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant!" Here's to you Mom....and Many Many more happy, healthy, years!
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Catch up Time!
Well....I didn't blog much last week because it was just a bad week. Jaylee was exceptionally moody/needy and Jentri was fussy at times. It also didn't help that Mommy was having a stressful week at work either! But, God was watching over us and gave our family a nice, easy, peaceful, relaxing weekend!
When I got to Canadian Friday I had a card waiting on me that read" I appreciate everything you do and realize how tough things are on you right now. Just remember that this is for the better interest of our family and that this isn't forever. Thanks for everything you do. I love you. P.S. Enjoy....
So as I was wondering what in the heck I was going to "enjoy".... he then told me that on December 3.......we had a date..... (we never get to go on dates anymore!) ..... I'm so lucky to have a husband who remembers weird things....like me mentioning back in MAY that one concert that I would love to go to is Lady Antebellum...... so... he got us tickets for their performance on December 3! I'm one lucky girl! :) The countdown is on until then..... I'm more excited about just getting to have a date....much less a concert too! 
So, now you are probably wondering "well what about that Dave Ramsey thing yall were doing...how did this fit in the budget??" Well, yes we are still very much intact with our budget and following it, there is a budgeted amount for "entertainment" but he didn't even dip into that envelope--he just used his blow money on the tickets! I feel so loved!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
It happened......
That crying jag that I last posted about......well....it happened....
5AM- Jaylee wakes up crying b/c she wet the bed. I go and get her clean undies and a shirt and she wanted "more jammies". Well, being the slacking mother that I am, her other jammies were dirty.....
5:03- Jaylee preceds to throw a tantrum...... Jaylee is warned that if she continues to scream she will have to go to her room b/c she will wake Jentri....
5:05...she continues screaming so I carry her to her room so I don't have 2 screaming children.....
5:07.... (Mom is in deep prayer) Jentri wakes from the screaming in the other room.....
5:08... I start to nurse Jentri b/c she is hungry..... Jaylee gets mad because I'm feeding her and inturn throws another tantrum....
5:10..."I want my daddy! I want my daddy! I want my daddy!" (Repeat 100 times)
For those of you that read my blog and don't have kids--- this might be good birth control!
5:15- jaylee gives it up- lays down beside me while I continue to nurse Jentri.....
5:30- she needs to go potty--- Mom forgets (because it's so d*** early) that Jaylee likes to flush the potty---and so here goes tantrum number 3
5:40- I drag her off the floor- take her to the couch- turn on Dora and go get in the shower---
5:40 and 10 seconds- jaylee is screaming because her milk cup is leaking-- I fix her cup
5:45- I get out of the shower and go open the front door to let the dog out---
2 seconds later- jaylee throws tantrum number 4 because "she wanted to let her out!"
5:50- I start getting make up on, fixing hair, ironing clothes- she is finally content with Dora and her milk (for now!)
6:15- I text the babysitter asking what kind of coke she would like for me to bring since she is going to need all the caffeine in the world to deal with this today....
Reply from babysitter-- "Oh lord!"
6:45- I get both girls ready, lunches and breakfasts packed, and nurse Jentri again before leaving for the babysitters
7:15 (time to start moving towards the car)- I get Jaylee in and buckled- go back to get Jentri and all I hear is screaming--- jaylee got out of her car seat, and ran to the door throwing tantrum number 5 b/c she needs to go potty---
7:20- Daddy calls and is mad because I won't talk..... (hmmm wonder why?)
7:25- They are at the babysitters....I'm thanking God for just getting me out the door on time....
7:40- Husband calls back....asks what's wrong..... I start bawling....met my breaking point....and I get the reply of "Well crying like a (blank) two year old is helping how?"
Reaction not appropriate for writing......
7:45- Pull up at work- eyes full of tears----
Walk in the building--- put on my teacher face----- will deal with these feelings some other time!
5AM- Jaylee wakes up crying b/c she wet the bed. I go and get her clean undies and a shirt and she wanted "more jammies". Well, being the slacking mother that I am, her other jammies were dirty.....
5:03- Jaylee preceds to throw a tantrum...... Jaylee is warned that if she continues to scream she will have to go to her room b/c she will wake Jentri....
5:05...she continues screaming so I carry her to her room so I don't have 2 screaming children.....
5:07.... (Mom is in deep prayer) Jentri wakes from the screaming in the other room.....
5:08... I start to nurse Jentri b/c she is hungry..... Jaylee gets mad because I'm feeding her and inturn throws another tantrum....
5:10..."I want my daddy! I want my daddy! I want my daddy!" (Repeat 100 times)
For those of you that read my blog and don't have kids--- this might be good birth control!
5:15- jaylee gives it up- lays down beside me while I continue to nurse Jentri.....
5:30- she needs to go potty--- Mom forgets (because it's so d*** early) that Jaylee likes to flush the potty---and so here goes tantrum number 3
5:40- I drag her off the floor- take her to the couch- turn on Dora and go get in the shower---
5:40 and 10 seconds- jaylee is screaming because her milk cup is leaking-- I fix her cup
5:45- I get out of the shower and go open the front door to let the dog out---
2 seconds later- jaylee throws tantrum number 4 because "she wanted to let her out!"
5:50- I start getting make up on, fixing hair, ironing clothes- she is finally content with Dora and her milk (for now!)
6:15- I text the babysitter asking what kind of coke she would like for me to bring since she is going to need all the caffeine in the world to deal with this today....
Reply from babysitter-- "Oh lord!"
6:45- I get both girls ready, lunches and breakfasts packed, and nurse Jentri again before leaving for the babysitters
7:15 (time to start moving towards the car)- I get Jaylee in and buckled- go back to get Jentri and all I hear is screaming--- jaylee got out of her car seat, and ran to the door throwing tantrum number 5 b/c she needs to go potty---
7:20- Daddy calls and is mad because I won't talk..... (hmmm wonder why?)
7:25- They are at the babysitters....I'm thanking God for just getting me out the door on time....
7:40- Husband calls back....asks what's wrong..... I start bawling....met my breaking point....and I get the reply of "Well crying like a (blank) two year old is helping how?"
Reaction not appropriate for writing......
7:45- Pull up at work- eyes full of tears----
Walk in the building--- put on my teacher face----- will deal with these feelings some other time!
Monday, November 7, 2011
Tears~N~Tacos
Well, I had rough weekend to say the least. We didn't get to be a family b/c Jeremy had to work and I had made a prior committment to playing the organ at church Sunday. So, I had a fun time with the girls Saturday, watching cartoons, making a mess of toys, etc.....then Sunday came and that's our "family day" where we do nothing but worship in the morning, then have a family lunch, then enjoy the rest of the day as family time. I was mad, even bitter yesterday. I really was having an oh poor me day and just wanted to cry....then heard the words of my mother saying "Oh just suck it up!" so....I did! Today went off just like any other typical Monday, except we did get rain! That was a little out of the norm! Then after I got the girls home, I thought about what to make for supper.... My mother in law had earlier extended an invite to come over for Tacos..... I excitedly accepted, then immediately backed out....after remembering what our last meal was like during the week.....pure hell just about sums it up..... so.... I just thought I would make tacos for Jaylee and I. So....got Jentri fed and situated in her swing, and Jaylee and I went to cooking away in the kitchen! She's quite the little cooker/helper these days! Reminds me of me when I was little! I LOVED to cook....and still do to this day! Anyways..... I had never served her a taco meal before, until tonight. (Side note- when you let a kid help PREPARE a meal, they tend to eat better b/c there is some sense of ownership!) She ate a ton! We had delicious, crispy, even a tad bit greasy tacos...and rice to go with it! It was wonderful... I hadnt made tacos in forever...then I remembered why... Jeremy LOVES tacos...by far one of his favorite foods...I started to cry.... that oh poor me feeling just took over!
I guess this lifestyle is getting the best of me at the moment. I thought I was doing so good, staying strong, making it and taking it day by day; just thanking God daily for the blessings he gives us. But as of tonight, I'm sick of it. I'm so tired of living this way. I miss Jeremy not sitting down with us at supper. He would have loved Jaylee's tacos that she made, and it would have tickled her to see him eat them! I miss that "just got home from work-- walk in the door, how are you kiss".... I miss that butterfly feeling of hearing his pickup drive up when he gets home from work (yes I still get butterflies when he shows up on friday nights) I miss just messing with each other, teasing each other and wrestling from time to time. I miss just getting to be us when we want to. I know this isn't forever, I keep telling myself this.... but it just seems to be getting harder and harder emotionally. So....for now I'm going to have my "oh poor me" moment.....it's like a friend quoted today...."I am all for the oh poor me crying jags....They just seem to clear the cobwebs and other things clouding the view!"
I guess this lifestyle is getting the best of me at the moment. I thought I was doing so good, staying strong, making it and taking it day by day; just thanking God daily for the blessings he gives us. But as of tonight, I'm sick of it. I'm so tired of living this way. I miss Jeremy not sitting down with us at supper. He would have loved Jaylee's tacos that she made, and it would have tickled her to see him eat them! I miss that "just got home from work-- walk in the door, how are you kiss".... I miss that butterfly feeling of hearing his pickup drive up when he gets home from work (yes I still get butterflies when he shows up on friday nights) I miss just messing with each other, teasing each other and wrestling from time to time. I miss just getting to be us when we want to. I know this isn't forever, I keep telling myself this.... but it just seems to be getting harder and harder emotionally. So....for now I'm going to have my "oh poor me" moment.....it's like a friend quoted today...."I am all for the oh poor me crying jags....They just seem to clear the cobwebs and other things clouding the view!"
Saturday, November 5, 2011
I DID IT!
Wahoo! Success! I went ALL week long without blowing my $20 bill this week! I think I blogged earlier about how we started this week and Jeremy took all of his blow money at once, and I just took a small portion of mine! Anyways.....I am so proud of myself. I didn't give into the "Oh poor me, I didn' thave time to cook breakfast....I want a burrito this morning" temptation..... or the "I need that Dr. Pepper craving tempatation".... I went all week, taking my breakfast each morning and then on Friday, I thought I was going to have to break it. I ran off and forgot my lunch! I was so upset, even considered fasting so I wouldn't have to break it! (That's kind of serious huh!?) Anyways, it was getting to be close to lunch time and a sweet friend stopped by and said "I ordered you lunch today, my treat!" Ahhhh! Thank you Jesus! You were watching out for me and knew how bad I wanted this to work out! SO instead of pulling another 20 out this week of my stash- I get to keep saving it--- and that's closer and closer that I get to that DVD player being installed!!!!
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Day 2- Thankful for my husband
As I begin this month and remembering and looking into what all I am thankful for..... I post my daily thankful fors on facebook. However, as I posted yesterday that I was thankful for a husband who works hard providing for our family and who is an awesome dad to Jaylee and Jentri; I feel the need to elaborate.
Not many people can live the lifestyle that we do. Not many husbands are willing to up and leave their family and spend many, countless nights away from their children to provide for their family. Jeremy has given up alot for us. He has to be away from us, from his "HOME", from what he would love to be doing at the farm. Never did we think that he would be doing this current job for almost a year and having hopes of continuing this job as long as he can. Life has become easier in some areas, and harder in some as well. But knowing that this lifestyle is not forever is what keeps us all going.
Jeremy is by far amazing and always knows how to make me smile when life is too much to handle for me. Even when I think I've had all I can take- he always puts things into perspective and makes the situation 100 times lighter. Of course, he can get under my skin and make me want to spit nails sometimes, but that's what I love about him. Life is never boring, thankfully. He has shown me a different way to live and approach life and to that I'm grateful. (I just wish he'd adapt to my schedule/plan a little more! :) )
Not many people can live the lifestyle that we do. Not many husbands are willing to up and leave their family and spend many, countless nights away from their children to provide for their family. Jeremy has given up alot for us. He has to be away from us, from his "HOME", from what he would love to be doing at the farm. Never did we think that he would be doing this current job for almost a year and having hopes of continuing this job as long as he can. Life has become easier in some areas, and harder in some as well. But knowing that this lifestyle is not forever is what keeps us all going.
Jeremy is by far amazing and always knows how to make me smile when life is too much to handle for me. Even when I think I've had all I can take- he always puts things into perspective and makes the situation 100 times lighter. Of course, he can get under my skin and make me want to spit nails sometimes, but that's what I love about him. Life is never boring, thankfully. He has shown me a different way to live and approach life and to that I'm grateful. (I just wish he'd adapt to my schedule/plan a little more! :) )
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Week # 4
Whew! Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that putting our finances in order would ever cause as much stress as this is causing. Reworked the budget today, only to get a phone call after work stating that Jeremy's clutch went out, so there goes part of the EMERGENCY FUND! (An emergency fund is having 3-6 months of total living expenses put into a savings account!)
I wanted to cry, scream, shake my hands, and just GIVE UP! Why God, Why!?
Seriously, just try to get your finances in order, prepare yourself a budget, and just see how hard life "seems" to get! Life is financially awful right now- no if's/ands/buts/ors about it-- it's awful. We get a plan going then BAM! Here goes another something wrong! Get back going again- BAM another something goes wrong! It's like I blogged early on this summer "It's always something!"
So, as I start looking at ways to cut back this month to begin replinishing the emergency fund-- my stupid self started to consider less tithing...then I go to my devotional before bedtime and it is titled "Develop a Lifestyle of Giving"....and the last paragraph reads..... "If you need financial miracles, don'tbe afraid to obey God concerning your finances. Begin proving God's power to bless you by tithing and then giving even beyond that."
So- obviously less tithing is not the solution--- stupid me for even thinking such a thing!
Tonight's lesson was all about "Dumping Debt"-- OUCH! Look at these interesting myths:
Myth: If I loan money to a friend or relative, I will be HELPING them.
Truth: the relationship will be strained or DESTROYED.
Myth: Playing the lottery and other forms of gamblings will make me rich.
Truth: The lottery is a tax on the poor and on people who can't do math!
Myth: Car payments are a way of life, and you'll always have one.
Truth: Staying away from car payments by driving reliable used cars is what the typical millionaire does. That is HOW they became millionaries. (O-U-C-H!)
Myth: You can get a good deal on a NEW car.
Truth: A new car loses 70% of its value in the first four years!!!!
(THANKFUL I DIDN'T BY NEW!)
Myth: I'll make sure my teenager gets a credit card so he/she can learn to be responsible with money.
Truth: Teens are a huge target of credit card companies today!
(THANKS MOM FOR PERSUADING ME TO TRY OUT MY FIRST VISA AT AGE 18!)
Bottom Line: THE BORROWER IS SLAVE TO THE LENDER!' Read Proverbs 22:7 " The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender"
5 Steps to get out of debt:
1. Quit borrowing money.
2. You must SAVE money.
3. Prayer really works!
4. Sell something.
5. Take a part-time job or overtime temporarily!
#2 in the Baby Step Process: Pay off all debts using the debt snowball! (I created this two years ago and began working on this- double O-U-C-H!) If you don't know Dave Ramsey, don't care about his class, the one thing I HIGHLY recommend is creating yourself a debt snowball and working it off. We are kicking into "gazelle" mode (inside joke from class video) and it's time to get debt free! Can we do it? YES WE CAN! We can live like no one else now, so later we can LIVE like no one else!
"Owe no one anything except to love one another." Romans 13:8
I wanted to cry, scream, shake my hands, and just GIVE UP! Why God, Why!?
Seriously, just try to get your finances in order, prepare yourself a budget, and just see how hard life "seems" to get! Life is financially awful right now- no if's/ands/buts/ors about it-- it's awful. We get a plan going then BAM! Here goes another something wrong! Get back going again- BAM another something goes wrong! It's like I blogged early on this summer "It's always something!"
So, as I start looking at ways to cut back this month to begin replinishing the emergency fund-- my stupid self started to consider less tithing...then I go to my devotional before bedtime and it is titled "Develop a Lifestyle of Giving"....and the last paragraph reads..... "If you need financial miracles, don'tbe afraid to obey God concerning your finances. Begin proving God's power to bless you by tithing and then giving even beyond that."
So- obviously less tithing is not the solution--- stupid me for even thinking such a thing!
Tonight's lesson was all about "Dumping Debt"-- OUCH! Look at these interesting myths:
Myth: If I loan money to a friend or relative, I will be HELPING them.
Truth: the relationship will be strained or DESTROYED.
Myth: Playing the lottery and other forms of gamblings will make me rich.
Truth: The lottery is a tax on the poor and on people who can't do math!
Myth: Car payments are a way of life, and you'll always have one.
Truth: Staying away from car payments by driving reliable used cars is what the typical millionaire does. That is HOW they became millionaries. (O-U-C-H!)
Myth: You can get a good deal on a NEW car.
Truth: A new car loses 70% of its value in the first four years!!!!
(THANKFUL I DIDN'T BY NEW!)
Myth: I'll make sure my teenager gets a credit card so he/she can learn to be responsible with money.
Truth: Teens are a huge target of credit card companies today!
(THANKS MOM FOR PERSUADING ME TO TRY OUT MY FIRST VISA AT AGE 18!)
Bottom Line: THE BORROWER IS SLAVE TO THE LENDER!' Read Proverbs 22:7 " The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender"
5 Steps to get out of debt:
1. Quit borrowing money.
2. You must SAVE money.
3. Prayer really works!
4. Sell something.
5. Take a part-time job or overtime temporarily!
#2 in the Baby Step Process: Pay off all debts using the debt snowball! (I created this two years ago and began working on this- double O-U-C-H!) If you don't know Dave Ramsey, don't care about his class, the one thing I HIGHLY recommend is creating yourself a debt snowball and working it off. We are kicking into "gazelle" mode (inside joke from class video) and it's time to get debt free! Can we do it? YES WE CAN! We can live like no one else now, so later we can LIVE like no one else!
"Owe no one anything except to love one another." Romans 13:8
URGH!
So, as we finally, start the budget, TODAY, I already had to go back and change some things because of the rain that caused my husband to not get to work last Thursday or Friday, so that influenced a smaller paycheck, which totally changed the budget all up! URGH! I've put so many hours into this, and now to have to go back and pinch even tighter in some areas.....it's starting to hurt!!! I'm having to consider doing without my housecleaner this month, or cut back on my blow money, or decrease our entertainment amount (what little it was!).
I know some of these posts probably sound like a broken record. Or like one commented thsi weekend "I've been reading for weeks about you "fixing to start" this budget and you haven't even started".....This person hasn't met Dave Ramsey either! Until you have sat down and prepared a budget, (yes- even single people need a budget!) you don't have any grasp of what you are spending. We "thought" we "sort of" knew what we were spending..... until we put it down on paper! Plus we were delayed one week after cancelling class two weeks ago! And you really can't start a budget in the middle of a month!!!
Tonights lesson: DUMPING DEBT! This one is probably going to "get me right there" and I'll probably walk way wishing I hadn't of just purchased a car. (I know this b/c I read this book 2 year ago!) But- I also know that if you manage your money/budget appropriately/then you can still have a nice car and a nice home!
I know some of these posts probably sound like a broken record. Or like one commented thsi weekend "I've been reading for weeks about you "fixing to start" this budget and you haven't even started".....This person hasn't met Dave Ramsey either! Until you have sat down and prepared a budget, (yes- even single people need a budget!) you don't have any grasp of what you are spending. We "thought" we "sort of" knew what we were spending..... until we put it down on paper! Plus we were delayed one week after cancelling class two weeks ago! And you really can't start a budget in the middle of a month!!!
Tonights lesson: DUMPING DEBT! This one is probably going to "get me right there" and I'll probably walk way wishing I hadn't of just purchased a car. (I know this b/c I read this book 2 year ago!) But- I also know that if you manage your money/budget appropriately/then you can still have a nice car and a nice home!
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