Have you ever done something stupid? Over ten years ago (I think) I opened up a store credit card. A Gap card. I loved the Gap. And I thought it was a great way to save money on clothes. Buy now, pay later. Earn reward points to use on future purchases. The catch? In order to redeem the points you must use your Gap card. It was a vicious cycle. For the most part, I was responsible and paid of the balance every month. However, at some point I decided I didn't NEED to pay it off every month. I'll just pay half now, and the rest next month. I bet you know how the story goes. In no time, I had a balance I wasn't proud of. I stopped spending on the card close to two years ago, yet it wasn't until the last six months that I got serious about paying it off. This month, I made the last payment. It feels amazing. AMAZING. I paid it off ahead of schedule. One stupid mistake now corrected. Please don't make the same mistake I did.
Now, I have two cars and three student loans left. The hefty balances. My payment calculator estimates I'll be done in 2019 and that feels forever away. I'm sticking with my stressful job in hopes of making a big dent in our debt. My dream is to be able to work part-time (or at least 32 hours per week) once my student loans are paid off. Its good to have dreams, they help motivate you.
3.15.2012
3.14.2012
Sticking to the Budget
What's better then sticking to your budget? Doing it in style. As you may remember from previous posts (here and here) Hubby and I strive to operate on a mostly cash budget, utilizing an envelope system. While the system works well, paper envelopes do not. We also tried a small plastic accordion folder, but didn't have success with that either. Thank goodness for the internets. I found an awesome solution on Etsy and took the plunge.
This is the carrying case. Don't you love the gray and yellow?
.....And of course the envelopes. I love that they are all different patterns. The seller pre-printed the category labels for me. The zipper pouch is for coins. We have been using these envelopes for over a month and I LOVE them. Hubby can just take one or two envelopes and leave the rest at home. He actually prefers that method since he thinks the carry-case is too girly.
If you are the crafty type, I'm sure you could make this easily. I am not. It is my first purchase from Etsy and I am incredibly pleased. (link to seller here.)
What do you think? Any Etsy addicts? Would your Hubby carry this around?
This is the carrying case. Don't you love the gray and yellow?
This is the interior. It is lined with a thicker cloth and feels rather substantial.
.....And of course the envelopes. I love that they are all different patterns. The seller pre-printed the category labels for me. The zipper pouch is for coins. We have been using these envelopes for over a month and I LOVE them. Hubby can just take one or two envelopes and leave the rest at home. He actually prefers that method since he thinks the carry-case is too girly.
If you are the crafty type, I'm sure you could make this easily. I am not. It is my first purchase from Etsy and I am incredibly pleased. (link to seller here.)
What do you think? Any Etsy addicts? Would your Hubby carry this around?
3.12.2012
Princess Turns Four
This past weekend was a momentous occasion, Princess had a birthday.
It didn't start off so well.
My baby girl didn't sleep the night before or all day. She had a slight fever and congestion. Poor honey didn't know what to do. We babied her by watching TV all day with occasional breaks to play the iPad. She didn't sleep very well Friday night, but at least she slept some. By Saturday, she had most of her energy back.
We had a birthday lunch a local pizza/game zone place. She had a blast, and of course I left the camera in the car. You will just have to imagine her running around with her uncles in tow from game to game.
After pizza, we headed home for cake, specifically cake pops.
The presentation isn't perfect, but they were delicious and my daughter loved them. Its a win in my book.
A dozen balloons were a nice surprise. (they are tied to the chair)
We sang "Happy Birthday" and Princess sang it two more times. She really likes to sing.
Of course we opened presents. Both kiddos really enjoyed it this time.
After destroying my living room, it was time for one more present.
First, a lovely blue hat.
She absolutely loved her new bike. And of course she was adorable trying to ride it.
She had lots of help with Daddy, Papa, and two uncles to rally behind her.
She loved her blue helmet so much she wanted to wear it the rest of the evening. By the end of the weekend she figured out how to pedal herself. I think she enjoyed her birthday weekend.
It didn't start off so well.
My baby girl didn't sleep the night before or all day. She had a slight fever and congestion. Poor honey didn't know what to do. We babied her by watching TV all day with occasional breaks to play the iPad. She didn't sleep very well Friday night, but at least she slept some. By Saturday, she had most of her energy back.
We had a birthday lunch a local pizza/game zone place. She had a blast, and of course I left the camera in the car. You will just have to imagine her running around with her uncles in tow from game to game.
After pizza, we headed home for cake, specifically cake pops.
The presentation isn't perfect, but they were delicious and my daughter loved them. Its a win in my book.
A dozen balloons were a nice surprise. (they are tied to the chair)
We sang "Happy Birthday" and Princess sang it two more times. She really likes to sing.
Of course we opened presents. Both kiddos really enjoyed it this time.
After destroying my living room, it was time for one more present.
First, a lovely blue hat.
She absolutely loved her new bike. And of course she was adorable trying to ride it.
She had lots of help with Daddy, Papa, and two uncles to rally behind her.
She loved her blue helmet so much she wanted to wear it the rest of the evening. By the end of the weekend she figured out how to pedal herself. I think she enjoyed her birthday weekend.
3.07.2012
Packing Up
As you have figured out by now, we are moving again in a month. Our closing date is less then a month away, although we won't have free time or help to move the big stuff until April. Meanwhile, I should be packing up and organizing my house contents. The problem is, I have no motivation. I just went through this a year ago. That move was well planned; I started packing 6 months before the truck came. I had everything planned out to the date.
Not this time.
I am excited to be in the new house, but I'm secretly waiting for the moving fairy (have you heard of her? She's related to the dish fairy) to wave her wand and make my stuff appear in boxes. Organized boxes. To be honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed. The last move also was a result of a major purging. We didn't want to move things we didn't need or love across the country. Now, I'm moving 20 minutes away. It doesn't have the same motivation, plus I can't re-buy stuff I don't want to move.
Anyone have any suggestions? Any encouragement? I'm not begging for help, I'm just genuinely overwhelmed and need to get my rear-end in gear.
Not this time.
I am excited to be in the new house, but I'm secretly waiting for the moving fairy (have you heard of her? She's related to the dish fairy) to wave her wand and make my stuff appear in boxes. Organized boxes. To be honest, I'm a bit overwhelmed. The last move also was a result of a major purging. We didn't want to move things we didn't need or love across the country. Now, I'm moving 20 minutes away. It doesn't have the same motivation, plus I can't re-buy stuff I don't want to move.
Anyone have any suggestions? Any encouragement? I'm not begging for help, I'm just genuinely overwhelmed and need to get my rear-end in gear.
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