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| (My little bear - My favorite of the week) |
Friday, June 1, 2012
{this moment}
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words -
capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary
moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. - SouleMama
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Ain't That A
Beach.
I imagine many beach trips for me and the boy and another little one or two (ha! let me dream) and I can't get there living on wants right now. I can't but I want to.
I didn't get a credit card. I worked out all my thoughts on paper and in the end, I didn't need one. These classes I wanted to take, while totally useful and oh I still want to take them, aren't necessary. I know what I want to study and I want to go forward with a certification. This class and the next, again, would be great introductions but they would take up money that I can put towards a first level course. Not to mention that the dates for them are a couple days further back than I thought which would give me the opportunity to cash flow them all my own!
So, no credit card. I had decided on that and was rather happy with the decision. My brain and well life maybe thought I should have acted otherwise.
My tire needed to be replaced, my brakes need to be changed all of a sudden and the car inspected. J is slowly working his way out of his current sized clothes, I would love to pay out my certification (which may require a trip out of town), and really I want more 'money' on hand at all times. All reasons I should feel the need for a credit card or should have gotten a credit card. Or so says my brain. Want want want.
I'm hanging in there though. I even saw a summer loan program that my bank does (borrow low, get low terms) that is totally affordable but I don't need it so bad and really that's worse for me than the card. Want want want.
What I want most of all and can actually have will take years. Four years was the original goal but I'm thinking under ten now though I'll still work for four. Mortgage and debt free. That is my biggest goal and really its the only thing I know for a fact that I need (need need need). Maybe instead of cursing in my head about life sometimes (and how it makes me want to borrow loads of money), I'll be able to say aloud that life is a beach and it really will be a beach for us in under 5-10 years. Wouldn't that be nice?
Have to get us to where reality meets the life we're dreaming of. I can get us there, right? Just no credit cards or loans or interest or payments from now on! (I hope I can stick to that with everything popping up lately).
New Month, new plans (or not really new but renewed):
No spend June
Bring in extra money however possible. Ok not really. There are some things I will not be doing ;)
Keep track of budget and spending like a hawk
Spend on class and necessities only
Figure out how to continue having a great summer without spending a ton
Hurdle number one jumped though- resisting the pull of the credit card.
TBC...
On a lighter note, J has been teasing me a bit today.
I took a picture and showed it to my sister who replied with me "awwwwww!" - you know like any aunt would. So he takes my phone, slides and unlocks it, holds it out while walking around showing everyone and saying "AWWWW!!"
I thought he was kinda cute here:
Not too long ago, he took his little trailer/wagon thingy and started pushing it across the floor like a vacuum. He goes to the couch and just rams it into the couch a few times. My trouble spot. I'm always trying to clean close to the couch.
Little eyes are always watching.
Right now he's trying to jump and I am dying from cuteness! Oh my gah!! Gotta go pull out my camera.
I imagine many beach trips for me and the boy and another little one or two (ha! let me dream) and I can't get there living on wants right now. I can't but I want to.
I didn't get a credit card. I worked out all my thoughts on paper and in the end, I didn't need one. These classes I wanted to take, while totally useful and oh I still want to take them, aren't necessary. I know what I want to study and I want to go forward with a certification. This class and the next, again, would be great introductions but they would take up money that I can put towards a first level course. Not to mention that the dates for them are a couple days further back than I thought which would give me the opportunity to cash flow them all my own!
So, no credit card. I had decided on that and was rather happy with the decision. My brain and well life maybe thought I should have acted otherwise.
My tire needed to be replaced, my brakes need to be changed all of a sudden and the car inspected. J is slowly working his way out of his current sized clothes, I would love to pay out my certification (which may require a trip out of town), and really I want more 'money' on hand at all times. All reasons I should feel the need for a credit card or should have gotten a credit card. Or so says my brain. Want want want.
I'm hanging in there though. I even saw a summer loan program that my bank does (borrow low, get low terms) that is totally affordable but I don't need it so bad and really that's worse for me than the card. Want want want.
What I want most of all and can actually have will take years. Four years was the original goal but I'm thinking under ten now though I'll still work for four. Mortgage and debt free. That is my biggest goal and really its the only thing I know for a fact that I need (need need need). Maybe instead of cursing in my head about life sometimes (and how it makes me want to borrow loads of money), I'll be able to say aloud that life is a beach and it really will be a beach for us in under 5-10 years. Wouldn't that be nice?
Have to get us to where reality meets the life we're dreaming of. I can get us there, right? Just no credit cards or loans or interest or payments from now on! (I hope I can stick to that with everything popping up lately).
New Month, new plans (or not really new but renewed):
No spend June
Bring in extra money however possible. Ok not really. There are some things I will not be doing ;)
Keep track of budget and spending like a hawk
Spend on class and necessities only
Figure out how to continue having a great summer without spending a ton
Hurdle number one jumped though- resisting the pull of the credit card.
TBC...
On a lighter note, J has been teasing me a bit today.
I took a picture and showed it to my sister who replied with me "awwwwww!" - you know like any aunt would. So he takes my phone, slides and unlocks it, holds it out while walking around showing everyone and saying "AWWWW!!"
I thought he was kinda cute here:
 |
| my little bear |
Not too long ago, he took his little trailer/wagon thingy and started pushing it across the floor like a vacuum. He goes to the couch and just rams it into the couch a few times. My trouble spot. I'm always trying to clean close to the couch.
Little eyes are always watching.
Right now he's trying to jump and I am dying from cuteness! Oh my gah!! Gotta go pull out my camera.
Friday, May 25, 2012
I'll just say it...
I really really really really really want a credit card.
There. I said it. It's out there. It's no longer just a want running around in my mind.
This cash-flowing (paying cash only for) every single thing is hard. I can't use savings, can't borrow money, can't have what I can't pay for outright and so can't have what I can't afford when there's no money there for it. I've been at it for a while but yesterday I budgeted and am just really wanting to hold on to next month's mortgage payment and spend it on other things.
Sounds so responsible.
I found two classes that I want to take. They aren't super expensive but I have not budgeted for them so I can't have them. I found them today after looking at this site for the longest time. It's like they materialized and just popped out and called my name. They will help me to dip my toes into a field that I'm so super interested in and I want to go ahead and register right now. I went as far as adding them to my online cart and they're just sitting there waiting for the next move. I'm torturing myself cause I know there will be no next move tonight especially since the move I really want to make (credit card, credit card, credit card) is one that I should resist most of all. Its in my rules to live by (no credit cards, no borrowing, cash only) and I know if I break those, any one of those, I may not make it to debt and mortgage free in my goal time. I'll be stuck in a cycle of making up for lost time and lost money. Long or short, its still a cycle that could take time away from the ultimate goal. With that goal being the difference between working for a living and working for extras, I don't think (with the desire for multiple children, years of acupuncture, dream vacations and a possible career change) I can really afford to waste any time or money.
So there. I really want a credit card, really want to take my classes, really want it now but can't have it. I'm super tempted, don't want to wait, earn and save the money, and I can't say I wont get desperate (even more desperate?) and break but I can say that so far I'm doing well to say no. Financially speaking, the classes are not up high on my list of things to save for so we'll see how that goes and if they happen.
I'm trying to remain hopeful but should I even bother to cross my fingers?
There. I said it. It's out there. It's no longer just a want running around in my mind.
This cash-flowing (paying cash only for) every single thing is hard. I can't use savings, can't borrow money, can't have what I can't pay for outright and so can't have what I can't afford when there's no money there for it. I've been at it for a while but yesterday I budgeted and am just really wanting to hold on to next month's mortgage payment and spend it on other things.
Sounds so responsible.
I found two classes that I want to take. They aren't super expensive but I have not budgeted for them so I can't have them. I found them today after looking at this site for the longest time. It's like they materialized and just popped out and called my name. They will help me to dip my toes into a field that I'm so super interested in and I want to go ahead and register right now. I went as far as adding them to my online cart and they're just sitting there waiting for the next move. I'm torturing myself cause I know there will be no next move tonight especially since the move I really want to make (credit card, credit card, credit card) is one that I should resist most of all. Its in my rules to live by (no credit cards, no borrowing, cash only) and I know if I break those, any one of those, I may not make it to debt and mortgage free in my goal time. I'll be stuck in a cycle of making up for lost time and lost money. Long or short, its still a cycle that could take time away from the ultimate goal. With that goal being the difference between working for a living and working for extras, I don't think (with the desire for multiple children, years of acupuncture, dream vacations and a possible career change) I can really afford to waste any time or money.
So there. I really want a credit card, really want to take my classes, really want it now but can't have it. I'm super tempted, don't want to wait, earn and save the money, and I can't say I wont get desperate (even more desperate?) and break but I can say that so far I'm doing well to say no. Financially speaking, the classes are not up high on my list of things to save for so we'll see how that goes and if they happen.
I'm trying to remain hopeful but should I even bother to cross my fingers?
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Weekly Money Checkup
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| Weekly Money Check-Up is a weekly series on My Pretty Pennies. |
1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on Gas. Beyond work, I took J on a few nice outings.We live away from a lot of things so driving is a must.
2. Today I am thankful The motivation to sit and budget!
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was I took J to ride a train this past weekend. It was free and though the wait was long, it was nice to do something else that just required us to show up and enjoy it. I sense a theme here over the last few weeks...
4. I will consider this week a success if I Get my budget worked out with no spending outside of schedule.
5. I am really trying to Stay motivated. Lately I find myself wanting to skip certain financial goals and habits (no borrowing, no credit cards, stick with my steps) and just go for what I want. Vacations, classes, less work and more play. I know that if I stick to it, I'll get what I want but I'm working hard on this motivation thing.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Quickly Now
I always say quickly but really this is long. I can already tell.
1 - First period since I started acupuncture is here!
Bet you didn't think I'd start with that topic...and no I'm not really *thrilled* about it.
This is the first time in a long time that I was able to count the hours of pain rather than the days. Cramping started yesterday evening rather than two or three weeks ago. Last month I was in constant pain, counting down and waiting for my period. Yesterday I started cramping enough to make me think something was up so I started counting down without too much time to wait and then there you go. Our goal was less pain and more 'normal' period and I kinda think this is really starting to work! My cramping isn't too heavy, manageable but still bad enough that I'm not dressed and I'm spread out on the living room floor.
Tomorrow is my appointment and hopefully she'll take this news as well as I am.
2 - Big congrats to J!! I hope you don't mind me sharing.
J SMC-to-be of Poppyseed Love got her fertilization report and it is awesome. Of 17 eggs, 11 were mature and 10 fertilized! Brilliant! Congrats! Wishing you luck on Saturday.
3 - Birth Moms
I'm watching the documentary Birth Moms on TLC. I missed the beginning but its coming on again at 11PM (it's nearly 9:30 here in TX). Interesting. Not at all what I was expecting. One birth mom needed her ID so she could drink and talked about her battery operated boyfriend. It revolves around three birth moms in an adoption center. One wants to be induced so she can go home which is sad. Most shows on adoption show a completely different side - the emotional, the sad, the hurting but this very different. I may not get to finish this first run but I'm DVR'ing it for later.
4 - Financially speaking
On a forum that I'm on, I asked the mamas there what point in their debt timetable did they put in having children. Did it matter when? Did they wait till a certain point? We all subscribe to the Dave Ramsey set of thought in one way or another. This is all based on baby steps and so I wanted to figure out how and when. I was completely surprised by the answer having been through Financial Peace University and not the Total Money Makeover.
Basically, don't worry about what steps you're on and don't worry about when to add to your family just go with whats best for you. Don't put it off because you're not completely debt free or because you don't have the savings that you plan to have in BS3 (at least 3-6 months of living expenses though some of us plan for at least 8-12 months). When you do get pregnant, you throw everything into savings and then pick back up or take everything minus an emergency fund and throw it at your debt later.
That's not to say anything about my plans though. I just like having my questions answered and knowing what to think if I turn in what direction. I'm feeling a little more hopeful with acupuncture working so I know I have now taken care of or being worked on at least. My acupuncturist already mentioned that whenever I get pregnant my system, so to speak, will be in better shape. I absolutely need that.
It's J's bath and bedtime (well passed it actually) so I'm off to get him situated!
1 - First period since I started acupuncture is here!
Bet you didn't think I'd start with that topic...and no I'm not really *thrilled* about it.
This is the first time in a long time that I was able to count the hours of pain rather than the days. Cramping started yesterday evening rather than two or three weeks ago. Last month I was in constant pain, counting down and waiting for my period. Yesterday I started cramping enough to make me think something was up so I started counting down without too much time to wait and then there you go. Our goal was less pain and more 'normal' period and I kinda think this is really starting to work! My cramping isn't too heavy, manageable but still bad enough that I'm not dressed and I'm spread out on the living room floor.
Tomorrow is my appointment and hopefully she'll take this news as well as I am.
2 - Big congrats to J!! I hope you don't mind me sharing.
J SMC-to-be of Poppyseed Love got her fertilization report and it is awesome. Of 17 eggs, 11 were mature and 10 fertilized! Brilliant! Congrats! Wishing you luck on Saturday.
3 - Birth Moms
I'm watching the documentary Birth Moms on TLC. I missed the beginning but its coming on again at 11PM (it's nearly 9:30 here in TX). Interesting. Not at all what I was expecting. One birth mom needed her ID so she could drink and talked about her battery operated boyfriend. It revolves around three birth moms in an adoption center. One wants to be induced so she can go home which is sad. Most shows on adoption show a completely different side - the emotional, the sad, the hurting but this very different. I may not get to finish this first run but I'm DVR'ing it for later.
4 - Financially speaking
On a forum that I'm on, I asked the mamas there what point in their debt timetable did they put in having children. Did it matter when? Did they wait till a certain point? We all subscribe to the Dave Ramsey set of thought in one way or another. This is all based on baby steps and so I wanted to figure out how and when. I was completely surprised by the answer having been through Financial Peace University and not the Total Money Makeover.
Basically, don't worry about what steps you're on and don't worry about when to add to your family just go with whats best for you. Don't put it off because you're not completely debt free or because you don't have the savings that you plan to have in BS3 (at least 3-6 months of living expenses though some of us plan for at least 8-12 months). When you do get pregnant, you throw everything into savings and then pick back up or take everything minus an emergency fund and throw it at your debt later.
That's not to say anything about my plans though. I just like having my questions answered and knowing what to think if I turn in what direction. I'm feeling a little more hopeful with acupuncture working so I know I have now taken care of or being worked on at least. My acupuncturist already mentioned that whenever I get pregnant my system, so to speak, will be in better shape. I absolutely need that.
It's J's bath and bedtime (well passed it actually) so I'm off to get him situated!
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Weekly Money Update
These are supposed to happen on Mondays but my Monday was tiring so here goes:
1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on Food. I had an issue finding vegetarian options so I had to make sure I had something to eat.
2. Today I am thankful for health insurance for J. Had to get the boy some drops for his ear. It's nice to not have to pay for that or else it would be a larger expense right now when added to my own health needs.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was Touch-A-Truck. I'm already looking forward to going when he's older so we can chat and research all the trucks.
4. I will consider this week a success if I post on Craigslist. I've been meaning to...
5. My favorite Disney character is Mulan.
 |
| Weekly Money Check-Up is a weekly series on My Pretty Pennies. |
1. The most I’ve spent this last week was on Food. I had an issue finding vegetarian options so I had to make sure I had something to eat.
2. Today I am thankful for health insurance for J. Had to get the boy some drops for his ear. It's nice to not have to pay for that or else it would be a larger expense right now when added to my own health needs.
3. Money can’t buy happiness. One free thing I did last week that made me happy was Touch-A-Truck. I'm already looking forward to going when he's older so we can chat and research all the trucks.
4. I will consider this week a success if I post on Craigslist. I've been meaning to...
5. My favorite Disney character is Mulan.
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