debt

Get tired of seeing stacked up bills on your desk, counter, or dining room table?

A couple years ago John and I took a Dave Ramsey course.  It really helped us get a hold on all of the debt we had.  There were credit cards, doctor bills, student loan bills, vehicle bills, and all the other monthly bills that NEVER go away.  It was not fun keeping track of all of the different due dates and minimum payments.  We set up a plan to get rid of the smallest debts first, Dave Ramsey's plan.  It works!  I was amazed how awesome it felt to get some debt paid off.  We paid off all of our credit cards, sold a car, sold a truck, paid off some doctor bills, and reduced the bigger debts in chucks that were very noticeable.

Warning: This does not come without some sacrifice.

For me, being in debt is never an option.  I don't like it, and I HATE worrying and arguing about money. I have always worked hard to save my money and pay my debts off as fast as I can.  I hate monthly bills, period!  So, I started a monthly plan so I would only have to worry about them once a month.  I figured up the amount of money I pay out for all the monthly essentials, house, utilities, phone, cable/internet, trash, and daycare, and other monthly debt payments.  After totaling all that up, say it was $1500, I opened a savings account just for bills.  It took me about 2 months to save enough in the account.  After I had enough in the special account for my bills, I transfer the amount needed to my checking account, and I waited til the first of the month rolled around.  As soon as the 1st comes, I get online (which I use to pay ALL of my bills) and just go down my list and pay off each one.  Now, one thing I learned is that not all of the bills were ready on the 1st, but it was no big deal to call and have the billing dates changed around to fit my pay schedule.  So one by one, and only on one day a month, I pay each and every bill that I will owe for one month.  This is such a stress reliever for me.  When I received my paychecks for the month I just place them in the special account, and then on the 1st I transfer just enough to cover my bills to the checking account. For example, the checks I received in May will be deposited in the savings account, then on June 1st will transfer just enough to cover all of June bills.  This is awesome in 2 ways.  I have found that I have saved a lot more than what I had planned since I like seeing my savings account grow with the "extra" money left over, and it helps me keep in perspective how much money I am actually spending each month.  I only use my debit card, or cash, for everything so being able to log on to one bank account and see everything that has come in or gone out is awesome to me.  I love not feeling like I live paycheck to paycheck (which is probably what I do anyway, but at least it doesn't feel like it :D )

I know it may sound kind of confusing, but it is really easy once you have enough saved to cover one month of bills.

I personally only have 2 debts right now, my student loan and my mortgage.  My student loan will be paid off in about 2 months (unfortunately I am not graduated yet so that might pop up again). My mortgage will be paid off in about 7 years, I bought the house in 2007.  This will all be done using the Dave Ramsey plan of once something gets paid off, you take that monthly payment and add it to another debt payment.  I will definitely be throwing a debt free party when that day comes!!!

all in

Finally, this morning I checked my grade book and all of my grades are in.  All A's!!!  My GPA is at a 3.9, I could almost cry reading that.  For those of you who are going to college trying to get your first degree, while having a family at home, I applaud you!  It is not easy to feel like you are being selfish by going after your own dreams.  Getting a degree is definitely one of my dreams, and I am so grateful to have people in my life that are allowing me to pursue that. 

I have decided, however, to not take any classes over the summer.  This is so I can finish working on the house and my purging to get ready for the baby to come in August.  I do plan on starting back up this fall, classes start in middle Sept.  I don't know how it will be having a 3 year old, a new baby, and classes....plus cooking, laundry, and all the other things that come with having a family. But I do know one thing, I CAN DO IT.  My best friend Trina bought me in inspiration book for Christmas and one of the quotes is "half of doing something is knowing you can do it"  I have it on my nightstand to remind me everyday that I can do whatever I put my mind to.  My son, and the new baby, and my family will always be my first priority, but there is always a space somewhere to fulfill your own destiny.  Whether you are in college, starting your own business, staying at home with your children, homeschooling, being active in your children's lives, or whatever you find yourself pursuing, please know that you CAN do it.  Life is about choices, priorities, and a whole lot of fun things.  Enjoy it all while you can.

let's begin the DIY fever

Now that classes are over with, I am in the mood to get crafting.  I have several projects up my sleeve and really need to start on them or else my brain is going to go into overload.  This is a plant stand that I re-painted this weekend. Small project to start off with, but I think it makes a big difference.  I can't wait to plant some coleus in this stand.  With the aqua color and plants it will look beautiful.

This is the plant stand before. I took all the pieces apart, cleaned and sanded the whole thing.  The gold color just kind of blends in with the deck, fence and trees.  It definitely needs some color!

The plant stand primed and ready for some color! (sorry for the dark picture, the sun was going down fast)

The aqua color sure makes a difference!

Hello sunshine!  There is no blending in now, I love it!

tuesday quote

"Be true to your word, your work, and to your friends,"  As seen on the middle school sign coming into work this morning.

I don't think that much has to be said about this quote.  I saw it this morning and thought to myself, "wouldn't that be an ideal world."

wednesday quote

“The trick is in what one emphasizes. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves happy. The amount of work is the same.” Carlos Castaneda-Anthropologist

How true is this statement to you?  For me, I fully believe that I control my happiness.  That doesn't meant I always remember that, because there are plenty of times I have blamed someone else for my unhappiness or grumpy mood.  But, when it comes down to it, YOU control YOURSELF.  Life brings many happy moments, and unfortunately it also brings some unhappy and very sad moments. Life does go on. You may have to take a moment or two to be sad, to grieve, to be mad, but the longer you wait to smile and move on, the worse you will start to feel inside about more things around you.

Be thankful for your life and all that you have in it. 

getting a little tight

I am now 18 weeks pregnant!! YIPPEEE!!  I can almost say that I am half way there.  I really need to start taking pictures, don't I?  I might just start doing that now that I am starting to look like I have a pregnant belly and not trying to hide a big ol' muffin top, LOL!!  Luckily I am still in my regular pants and can even zip and button them, but they are getting a little tight so I don't think it will last much longer.

monday quote

We judge others by their behavior. We judge ourselves by our intentions. Ian Percy.

I will be the first to admit that I am very quick to judge.  I don't believe it is who I really am but I do it, it is like a really bad habit.  When I first meet someone, I decide if I like them or not, when someone is telling me a personal problem, I am already picking out parts that they could have done differently.  I always think that I am doing the world a favor by giving my advice or avoiding certain people.  But the truth is, how do you really know someone if you don't give them the chance?  How do you know someone isn't going down the exact path that they should be going down to learn that most valuable lesson?

This is the hardest thing to do, especially with a loved one.  You don't want to see people you love be destructive in their life and do things, that you see from being on the outside, that are going to cause trouble in their life.  But what do you do?  How do you do it?  And is doing nothing the best thing?

Life is about learning and everyone learns in different ways. That is where this quote fits it.  It reminds me that I am not perfect, and that everyone has good intentions...sometimes they just don't come through.