I'm heading back to work VERY soon. It's painful to even type that. I'm terrified of losing it. It's going to be emotionally devastating leaving my boy everyday. But it's something that (at least for the meantime) needs to be done.
Me going back to work will enable us to reach financial freedom. If I put my all into it now I should be able to become a stay at home mom two short years from now. Going back to work now means family vacations and more quality time together farther down the road.
I think I'm going to have to write down a goal or something along those lines pertaining to why I'm working each morning before I leave to carry with me throughout the day.
Until then, I'm still home with my boy. Life is wonderful!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Yesterday we signed on the refi. Friday the new mortgage will be final. Next month we don't have to make a mortgage payment and we will be debt free in less than 15 years. Oh and did I mention that I have the greatest son ever!
All the little headaches, grrr moments, fears about going back to work, ect; no big deal. We can do this! Hooray for breakthrough moments in life like this.
All the little headaches, grrr moments, fears about going back to work, ect; no big deal. We can do this! Hooray for breakthrough moments in life like this.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Blessings Abundant
Just three posts back I laid out some of our upcoming financial difficulties. I feel I must report back with news of a few small miracles.
The repairs on our van are costing a significant amount but it's being fixed at this very moment without us having to charge it. My dad has been embarking on a strange sort of spending spree as of late and he offered to repair the van for us. I didn't even ask or hint at this scenario. In fact I gave up asking my dad for any sort of help 10 years ago. For him to randomly just offer is really a miracle. Apparently he's not to fond of his daughter being stranded at home with his brand new little grandson while my hubby is at work for 8 hours everyday. Praise the Lord for this!
The other day we were triple charged for a transaction at a store. My husband called the bank about it and during the course of the conversation he was informed that we were in very good standing for a refinance on the house and would we be interested in a much lower rate. My husband said yes and on Monday we will be signing the papers (for the easiest refi. EVER). With the new interest rate we cut SEVEN years off of our mortgage and will be saving $50,000 in interest payments. It's a 15 year mortgage. Also, the thing I'm most excited about because it's relevant in the here and now is that we'll be skipping one mortgage payment due to the change over in policies. That's $800 dollars next month that I've budgeted that we no longer have to pay. Looks like we're officially caught up on the maternity leave over spending (I'm not going to have to "rework" payments in May and June) and I've money to renew the license plates now.
Like I said, "I am truly TRULY blessed! All that financial stuff will work it's self out (somehow... I hope). It always does."
The repairs on our van are costing a significant amount but it's being fixed at this very moment without us having to charge it. My dad has been embarking on a strange sort of spending spree as of late and he offered to repair the van for us. I didn't even ask or hint at this scenario. In fact I gave up asking my dad for any sort of help 10 years ago. For him to randomly just offer is really a miracle. Apparently he's not to fond of his daughter being stranded at home with his brand new little grandson while my hubby is at work for 8 hours everyday. Praise the Lord for this!
The other day we were triple charged for a transaction at a store. My husband called the bank about it and during the course of the conversation he was informed that we were in very good standing for a refinance on the house and would we be interested in a much lower rate. My husband said yes and on Monday we will be signing the papers (for the easiest refi. EVER). With the new interest rate we cut SEVEN years off of our mortgage and will be saving $50,000 in interest payments. It's a 15 year mortgage. Also, the thing I'm most excited about because it's relevant in the here and now is that we'll be skipping one mortgage payment due to the change over in policies. That's $800 dollars next month that I've budgeted that we no longer have to pay. Looks like we're officially caught up on the maternity leave over spending (I'm not going to have to "rework" payments in May and June) and I've money to renew the license plates now.
Like I said, "I am truly TRULY blessed! All that financial stuff will work it's self out (somehow... I hope). It always does."
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Monday's Lovely
We walked the paths in the dunes on Monday. When we arrived at the beach I didn't want to walk out to the water because I didn't want to get sand in my shoes. I really am getting old. I was more than happy to head back through the trails. However there was a 4 year old with us so of course avoiding the water wasn't an option. He'd collected rocks all along the trail to throw into the lake. We were going to be there awhile.
It was Abe's first trip to the lake. I love noticing all the firsts. It really fascinates me that all these tiny little things that I've experienced hundreds of times are brand new to him. I reluctantly walked out onto the sand. I looked down at my feet hoping to avoid covering them (and filling my shoes with discomfort). After a few steps I noticed tiny craters forming in the sand as I walked. Surrounding each footprint for a radius of at least 10 inches the sand was caving into tiny little holes. It was as if little bubbles were popping as I walked. Honestly it was the first truly new thing I've experienced (or noticed) in awhile. It was memorizing and magical. I started stomping up and down the beach like a 4 year old watching the small buried bubbles pop and form little bean sized holes around my feet. A few of the other adults were impressed but no one was truly fascinated by the phenomenon like I was. That is to say I was the only one stomping up and down the shoreline like a kid.
I think the reason I enjoy traveling so much is that you get so much more of an opportunity to experience brand new fascinating things when you travel. I love the fact that everything is new to my boy, EVERYTHING. Eventually he's going to be able to taste blueberries for the first time and apple pie, ooh and chocolate. He'll have the opportunity to see a bird and smell a flower for the very first time. There will be a first gaze at the stars and a first viewing of a sunset. Right now he's looking at himself in a mirror and smiling from ear to ear. Life is unfolding, blooming, mesmerizing to a baby and to children. For us adults it's kind of boring at times, incredibly difficult more often than not, and rarely new and exciting.
I'm thankful for Monday's lovely, for the little sand craters, for moments of discovery that cost nothing but enrich my life so much. In this rat race were running while ever so focused on finances and frugality its easy to miss these little moments. I encourage everyone to keep your eyes open. Life may be rough especially if you're embarking upon a similar financial journey as me but life is full of absolute (free) beauty! Look...
It was Abe's first trip to the lake. I love noticing all the firsts. It really fascinates me that all these tiny little things that I've experienced hundreds of times are brand new to him. I reluctantly walked out onto the sand. I looked down at my feet hoping to avoid covering them (and filling my shoes with discomfort). After a few steps I noticed tiny craters forming in the sand as I walked. Surrounding each footprint for a radius of at least 10 inches the sand was caving into tiny little holes. It was as if little bubbles were popping as I walked. Honestly it was the first truly new thing I've experienced (or noticed) in awhile. It was memorizing and magical. I started stomping up and down the beach like a 4 year old watching the small buried bubbles pop and form little bean sized holes around my feet. A few of the other adults were impressed but no one was truly fascinated by the phenomenon like I was. That is to say I was the only one stomping up and down the shoreline like a kid.
I think the reason I enjoy traveling so much is that you get so much more of an opportunity to experience brand new fascinating things when you travel. I love the fact that everything is new to my boy, EVERYTHING. Eventually he's going to be able to taste blueberries for the first time and apple pie, ooh and chocolate. He'll have the opportunity to see a bird and smell a flower for the very first time. There will be a first gaze at the stars and a first viewing of a sunset. Right now he's looking at himself in a mirror and smiling from ear to ear. Life is unfolding, blooming, mesmerizing to a baby and to children. For us adults it's kind of boring at times, incredibly difficult more often than not, and rarely new and exciting.
I'm thankful for Monday's lovely, for the little sand craters, for moments of discovery that cost nothing but enrich my life so much. In this rat race were running while ever so focused on finances and frugality its easy to miss these little moments. I encourage everyone to keep your eyes open. Life may be rough especially if you're embarking upon a similar financial journey as me but life is full of absolute (free) beauty! Look...
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
What Not to Wear?
Ever since the first week I spent in the mountains of Guatemala witnessing first hand real poverty I've lost all interest in fashion. In fact I have an odd respect for backwoods, mountain man, red neck, hillbilly type folks. Yes, these folks do have a style of their own but they certainly aren't obsessed with appearance. I used to notice "messy" individuals and I'd wonder, "how in the world could he/ she leave the house like that?" More recently however I appreciate the lack of concern they have for what the general population thinks about them. To me that is respectable.
In truth it's been about 6 years since I've purchased new clothes. I've gotten a few pair of pants as needed, a t-shirt here and there, but in general my clothes are getting old. This reality doesn't really bother me. I could easily and happily wear poorly fitting pants, holey scruffy shirts, and the rest of my pathetic wardrobe until it's completely unwearable. I'm quite comfortable in my skin. I know who I am and I don't feel a need to look a certain way for any reason. Clothing just doesn't mean that much to me.
So, to the point: recently we got cable in order to save money on our communications package (weird, I know). I've been watching "What Not to Wear" on TLC. I can honestly say that I look comparable, in my own way, to the majority of the poorly dressed people on that show. It's slightly embarrassing not so much for my own sake but I really don't want my husband to have to be married to a slob.
I do not intend to buy a whole new wardrobe anytime soon especially considering that I've baby weight to lose but I'm realizing that I do need to take action.
I've a really small wardrobe but:
Do you all think I should part with my holey and tattered clothing?
Should I embrace the frugal messy look I've got going or does appearance matter?
Does anyone else have the same sort of odd respect that I've got for the seemingly fashionless mountain men type individuals out there?
What are your thoughts friends?
I have a vest I bought over 11 years ago at a thrift store for around $3 and I still wear it constantly. Normal or lame???
In truth it's been about 6 years since I've purchased new clothes. I've gotten a few pair of pants as needed, a t-shirt here and there, but in general my clothes are getting old. This reality doesn't really bother me. I could easily and happily wear poorly fitting pants, holey scruffy shirts, and the rest of my pathetic wardrobe until it's completely unwearable. I'm quite comfortable in my skin. I know who I am and I don't feel a need to look a certain way for any reason. Clothing just doesn't mean that much to me.
So, to the point: recently we got cable in order to save money on our communications package (weird, I know). I've been watching "What Not to Wear" on TLC. I can honestly say that I look comparable, in my own way, to the majority of the poorly dressed people on that show. It's slightly embarrassing not so much for my own sake but I really don't want my husband to have to be married to a slob.
I do not intend to buy a whole new wardrobe anytime soon especially considering that I've baby weight to lose but I'm realizing that I do need to take action.
I've a really small wardrobe but:
Do you all think I should part with my holey and tattered clothing?
Should I embrace the frugal messy look I've got going or does appearance matter?
Does anyone else have the same sort of odd respect that I've got for the seemingly fashionless mountain men type individuals out there?
What are your thoughts friends?
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Happy With Life : )
Since my absence in blogger world life has been... crazy!
The day we brought baby Abe home I realized that my life was COMPLETELY changed forever. The first few weeks were similar to what it must be like to live with an entirely helpless alien. We hadn't a clue what we were doing and he was just learning how to be alive. Time ceased to exist while we learned how to burp, feed, diaper, decipher cries, bounce and rock him in ways he likes, sing songs that soothe him, and swaddle just right so that he'll sleep longer than 15 minutes in his bassinet. Needless to say I haven't blogged much during the past 6 weeks, or read many blogs, or cooked, or cleaned, or spent very wisely.
I'll be starting back to work in three weeks. I'm terrified at the reality of it and trying my darnedest not to think about it and not suffer a nervous break down and lose my sanity. I've been very consciously trying to savor every moment of this time off that I have left with my boy. I may possibly be creating a dependent monster but I intend to sing to him, hold him, talk to him, and soak up every little expression that shows on his face. When I'm tired and stressed and grumpy it doesn't even matter because I'm here, at home with my son. Nothing else matters.
Financially, yikes! We're about $300 over the 3 month maternity leave budget. Not a big deal because I can pay some stuff late until paychecks start coming in again in May. Additionally however the plates on the vehicles need to be renewed this month:$200. The van broke down and needs to be fixed before I go back to work. The breaks on the car are going out and since I drive over 1600 miles a month we can't exactly ignore them. I NEED new work clothes and shoes before I go back. We have EIGHT birthdays coming up in the next month including my husband. The hospital bills have started coming in: over $2000 already. When it rains it pours! But I don't even care. I'm not phased by any of it because the cutest boy in the whole world is living in my house and I get to be his mom. I get to witness all of his amazing smiles, and respond to his adorable coos, and praise him for lifting his muscle man head. I am truly TRULY blessed! All that financial stuff will work it's self out (somehow... I hope). It always does.
I actually managed to go over the budget, add everything up, get everything caught up today AND write this blog. Our average spending so far this year comes to $13.75 a day. I am pretty dog gone happy with that. (what the heck does that expression even mean, geesh?)
Today's Lovely: absolutely every little thing about my boy. Even his cries, toots, and super whiny moments.
The day we brought baby Abe home I realized that my life was COMPLETELY changed forever. The first few weeks were similar to what it must be like to live with an entirely helpless alien. We hadn't a clue what we were doing and he was just learning how to be alive. Time ceased to exist while we learned how to burp, feed, diaper, decipher cries, bounce and rock him in ways he likes, sing songs that soothe him, and swaddle just right so that he'll sleep longer than 15 minutes in his bassinet. Needless to say I haven't blogged much during the past 6 weeks, or read many blogs, or cooked, or cleaned, or spent very wisely.
I'll be starting back to work in three weeks. I'm terrified at the reality of it and trying my darnedest not to think about it and not suffer a nervous break down and lose my sanity. I've been very consciously trying to savor every moment of this time off that I have left with my boy. I may possibly be creating a dependent monster but I intend to sing to him, hold him, talk to him, and soak up every little expression that shows on his face. When I'm tired and stressed and grumpy it doesn't even matter because I'm here, at home with my son. Nothing else matters.
Financially, yikes! We're about $300 over the 3 month maternity leave budget. Not a big deal because I can pay some stuff late until paychecks start coming in again in May. Additionally however the plates on the vehicles need to be renewed this month:$200. The van broke down and needs to be fixed before I go back to work. The breaks on the car are going out and since I drive over 1600 miles a month we can't exactly ignore them. I NEED new work clothes and shoes before I go back. We have EIGHT birthdays coming up in the next month including my husband. The hospital bills have started coming in: over $2000 already. When it rains it pours! But I don't even care. I'm not phased by any of it because the cutest boy in the whole world is living in my house and I get to be his mom. I get to witness all of his amazing smiles, and respond to his adorable coos, and praise him for lifting his muscle man head. I am truly TRULY blessed! All that financial stuff will work it's self out (somehow... I hope). It always does.
I actually managed to go over the budget, add everything up, get everything caught up today AND write this blog. Our average spending so far this year comes to $13.75 a day. I am pretty dog gone happy with that. (what the heck does that expression even mean, geesh?)
Today's Lovely: absolutely every little thing about my boy. Even his cries, toots, and super whiny moments.
Friday, March 23, 2012
The Rundown
During week ten of 2012 we spent $81.81 (just a tad under the $12 a day budget) Hooray, and thanks to the kind folks from church who brought us some meals!
The baby is 3 weeks old now. Surprisingly time is not flying by. With the impending doom of work resuming in May I figured it would.
During week eleven of 2012 we spent $97.07 ($13.07 over budget). Not horrible considering I've been paying NO attention to finances.
Did anyone else know before having children that babies sort of make time cease to exist? For the past three weeks I've had virtually no clue as to what day it is, what time it is, or when the last time I took a shower was. Yikes.
Ok, so my total spending for the year comes to an average of $13.72 a day. It's not $12 (yet) BUT it's less than last time I calculated it. GETTING BACK ON TRACK! Woohooo
It's REALLY difficult to tell when you're basically staring at your newborn baby every minute of everyday but he's definitely getting bigger. (that's a good thing) It's really great being a mom, having a new little person in the family, being privileged to such an extent as to have the responsibility for this new AMAZING life!!!
The baby is 3 weeks old now. Surprisingly time is not flying by. With the impending doom of work resuming in May I figured it would.
During week eleven of 2012 we spent $97.07 ($13.07 over budget). Not horrible considering I've been paying NO attention to finances.
Did anyone else know before having children that babies sort of make time cease to exist? For the past three weeks I've had virtually no clue as to what day it is, what time it is, or when the last time I took a shower was. Yikes.
Ok, so my total spending for the year comes to an average of $13.72 a day. It's not $12 (yet) BUT it's less than last time I calculated it. GETTING BACK ON TRACK! Woohooo
It's REALLY difficult to tell when you're basically staring at your newborn baby every minute of everyday but he's definitely getting bigger. (that's a good thing) It's really great being a mom, having a new little person in the family, being privileged to such an extent as to have the responsibility for this new AMAZING life!!!
Found A Second
Due to feeding, burping (which can take 20 minutes with our little guy), changing, catching breath and repeat, this is the first time in two weeks that I've managed to get to the office/ bedroom computer to go over the bills, budget, spending... WISH ME LUCK!!!
I'll report back soon with details. Yes, I'm a tad bit scared.
I'll report back soon with details. Yes, I'm a tad bit scared.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Baby Steps
I waited anxiously for years for this... who could ever ask for anything more?
 |
| Contemplative Abe : ) |
It took A LOT of patience and hoping in order to arrive at this much anticipated stage of life without losing my sanity.
Once the seed for little man was planted I waited more; nine months of dreaming and hoping and pure excitement. That last month and then a bit was dreadful. I've never wanted something so much. Never had anything been right at my finger tips yet so very unattainable. But now he's here. I made it through.
Now that he's here I couldn't be happier. I couldn't be more blessed. But learning to be a mom is just another step in this journey of waiting and patience. In the middle of the night when he's screaming for no apparent reason... more waiting and patience.
REALLY good things come to those who wait and to those who endure. I've a long road of financial struggle ahead of (and behind) me. It's not what I'd call a fun journey traversing this road of financial responsibility and trying to climb from the pit we've dug but I know the finish line will feel SOOOOOO sweet!
Just keep baby stepping (like the tortoise) and this race will be won! I'm certain of it.
Those are my thoughts for today.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Week 9... not sure what happened to 8
I found a little time today to go over the budget and pay some bills. It was nice to see the electric and gas bill a bit lower than I'd budgeted for the month. Another super great bonus: people from church have been bringing meals over every now and again. There's definitely no time or energy around here for cooking (or shopping). Learning to be a parent to a new little person who's learning how to be alive is quite the adventure.
Last week despite not paying one bit of attention to our spending we only went 94 cents over budget. I'm stoked about that. I haven't been able to add my purchases to the 2012 purchases because I have not been paying any attention/ keeping track. So far the spending for the year has come out to $13.93 a day. I've managed to get it down a little. Yay!
Last week despite not paying one bit of attention to our spending we only went 94 cents over budget. I'm stoked about that. I haven't been able to add my purchases to the 2012 purchases because I have not been paying any attention/ keeping track. So far the spending for the year has come out to $13.93 a day. I've managed to get it down a little. Yay!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Baby Abe
Genuinely the entire world looks new. Something I've been dreaming about most of my life has finally arrived. Now that he's here I don't know how I lived a day without him and yet he hardly seems real. Every single time I look at him I can't understand how something so amazing, so wonderful, and so unbelievably precious could truly exist. Yet he's real as real can be and here to stay!
Glory to God for the undeserved blessings He showers upon us!
Glory to God for the undeserved blessings He showers upon us!
 |
| My brand new baby boy (just finished eating) |
Friday, March 2, 2012
Blogging From the Hospital
: )
Baby Abe (it's a nickname) was born yesterday March 1st. 7pounds 7ounces. He's better than anything I could have ever expected. The waiting was difficult but oh my oh my was it worth it.
I wish you could see the smile on Daddy's face. He hasn't stopped glowing since the moment he saw the tip of his head. YAY! I'm a mommy (to more than just furry babies).
I will post photos relatively soon. Right now my son needs to eat.
Baby Abe (it's a nickname) was born yesterday March 1st. 7pounds 7ounces. He's better than anything I could have ever expected. The waiting was difficult but oh my oh my was it worth it.
I wish you could see the smile on Daddy's face. He hasn't stopped glowing since the moment he saw the tip of his head. YAY! I'm a mommy (to more than just furry babies).
I will post photos relatively soon. Right now my son needs to eat.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Leap Day
February is almost over. Well it is in fact over... today is like an entire extra day. A free day. At least that's how I'm looking at it. The babe has yet to arrive. I figured he'd be here THREE weeks ago! He should have been here almost 2 weeks ago. We've an induction scheduled for Friday if he's still being stubborn by then. I can't believe how long I've been waiting for this little man. At least now that I know we'll be meeting him for sure by Friday there's this huge cloud lifted from me. I'm SOOOOOO ready! (yeah, I was ready 3 weeks ago)
At the close of February this year's spending tally comes to $14.15 a day. Again, we're only two months in. I think I can catch back up to the $12 a day budget and beat last years $13.70 a day spending. So far so good. I'm still sort of bumming about not being able to go full speed ahead with the credit card debt payoff but I'm REALLY thankful that we're able to pull off 3 months of unpaid maternity leave without going into debt and so on and so forth. Pretty much at no other time in our marriage would we have been able to make this work. Last year really changed things for us. AND as much as I'm not looking forward to going back to work (and trying my hardest to not think about it) the debt payoff will jump back up a bit once I do return.
This year it's ALL about the little boy. We're trying to stay on budget, attempting to spend responsibly, and putting all our thought into the little guy. There's really no wiggle room/ extra for debt payoff. BUT the debt's going down (as I keep telling myself) and we're doing alright!
At the close of February this year's spending tally comes to $14.15 a day. Again, we're only two months in. I think I can catch back up to the $12 a day budget and beat last years $13.70 a day spending. So far so good. I'm still sort of bumming about not being able to go full speed ahead with the credit card debt payoff but I'm REALLY thankful that we're able to pull off 3 months of unpaid maternity leave without going into debt and so on and so forth. Pretty much at no other time in our marriage would we have been able to make this work. Last year really changed things for us. AND as much as I'm not looking forward to going back to work (and trying my hardest to not think about it) the debt payoff will jump back up a bit once I do return.
This year it's ALL about the little boy. We're trying to stay on budget, attempting to spend responsibly, and putting all our thought into the little guy. There's really no wiggle room/ extra for debt payoff. BUT the debt's going down (as I keep telling myself) and we're doing alright!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Week 7 Budget Wrap Up
Wow, I made 13 purchases last week. That seems CRAZY! Only 13 things. BUT I'm ashamed to have you look over them. I wasted money like a blind fool. Last weeks total spending came to $78.22, $5.78 under budget. Hooray! That's two weeks in a row now that I've managed to squeak by a bit under budget.
I have to attribute some of my success to a kind lady from hubby's work who brought us dinner the other night. She said she knows how awful these last few weeks can be and she just wanted to lessen a bit of the headache. Also my cousin sent a gift card to Starbucks which was used for a lovely breakfast one morning, shakes for dinner one evening, and a few coffees : )
We've spent and average of $14.46 a day this year. Seeing that it's only February I think I can get that number down a bit.
13. 2 Subway subs $10.60
Feb. 21 NO SPEND
Feb. 20 NO SPEND
12. Lunch with sister $7.31
11. Sandwich $4.75
10. Coffee $1.06
9. Cheesecake with hubby $9
8. Fajitas for lunch with hubby $22.32
7. English muffins $3.99
6. Toilet paper $6.99
5. Cranberry Juice $8.49
4. Ice cream $5.48
3. Latte $4.61
2. Shamrock shakes $5.28
1. Diaper detergent $8.92
HEY, thank-you to whoever clicked on one of these "interesting" ads yesterday... I have seen a few good ones pop up.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Checkin in
I'm still in existence... in case anyone was wondering.
Generally when I'm absent from blogging I'm also spending horribly. These past few weeks have been an exception. I haven't been spending wisely but I haven't been spending in excess either.
I'm in this Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day" slump waiting for the baby boy to pick a birthday. I wake up, wait for baby, and then go to sleep rather disappointed that alas today was not the day. Actually there's several little boughts of sleeping thrown into that routine. And repeat. At this point everything kind of hurts (not in a horribly unbearable way but just in an "I'm uncomfortable and don't really want to move for any reason" way). I'm depressed for having been off work for so long now and yet I don't even have the little one here with me (outside of tummy that is). I'm not beating myself up too badly for being off work because I could not physically work any longer BUT it's really difficult just waiting. As every day passes by that's one more day of maternity leave gone and one less day I get to spend with the new little man. It's REALLY difficult. In fact I've yet to face anything in life that's been as difficult as these past two (almost three) weeks. It's crazy that something which will result in one of thee absolute best aspects of my life would be so very awful and draining. (on second thought that's how most grand things in life come about I guess). I feel as though I'm broken, shut down, not really entirely existing. Everyday is the same now. Everyday could be the day he arrives. Everyday I have less than ZERO motivation to do anything but hope and wait. I haven't been blogging because I've just been waiting (rather impatiently and grouchily). No one wants to hear a pregnant women whine everyday about the same exact thing and so I've refrained. This blog is bad enough as it is.
Recap: no baby yet. I've been doing ok with the budget these past few weeks (although spending it on nonsense). I CANNOT wait to make the announcement to all you lovely folks that he's finally arrived... still, waiting none the less.
I think maybe he wants to be a leap day baby? OH, I hope he doesn't wait that long!!!
Generally when I'm absent from blogging I'm also spending horribly. These past few weeks have been an exception. I haven't been spending wisely but I haven't been spending in excess either.
I'm in this Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day" slump waiting for the baby boy to pick a birthday. I wake up, wait for baby, and then go to sleep rather disappointed that alas today was not the day. Actually there's several little boughts of sleeping thrown into that routine. And repeat. At this point everything kind of hurts (not in a horribly unbearable way but just in an "I'm uncomfortable and don't really want to move for any reason" way). I'm depressed for having been off work for so long now and yet I don't even have the little one here with me (outside of tummy that is). I'm not beating myself up too badly for being off work because I could not physically work any longer BUT it's really difficult just waiting. As every day passes by that's one more day of maternity leave gone and one less day I get to spend with the new little man. It's REALLY difficult. In fact I've yet to face anything in life that's been as difficult as these past two (almost three) weeks. It's crazy that something which will result in one of thee absolute best aspects of my life would be so very awful and draining. (on second thought that's how most grand things in life come about I guess). I feel as though I'm broken, shut down, not really entirely existing. Everyday is the same now. Everyday could be the day he arrives. Everyday I have less than ZERO motivation to do anything but hope and wait. I haven't been blogging because I've just been waiting (rather impatiently and grouchily). No one wants to hear a pregnant women whine everyday about the same exact thing and so I've refrained. This blog is bad enough as it is.
Recap: no baby yet. I've been doing ok with the budget these past few weeks (although spending it on nonsense). I CANNOT wait to make the announcement to all you lovely folks that he's finally arrived... still, waiting none the less.
I think maybe he wants to be a leap day baby? OH, I hope he doesn't wait that long!!!
Friday, February 17, 2012
Last Weeks Wrap Up
As I'd expected it's much easier to not spend money when I'm not in the supermarket for 8 hours a day. This past week I only made 27 purchases and 2 of those were for a birthday. The budget for week 6 of 2012 came in a few cents under $12 a day at $83.54. Yay! Back on track (sort of).
Still no baby here. He's taking his dear sweet time, getting bigger and bigger everyday and mildly driving me insane but I'm doing much better now that I'm done working (just don't have any patience left).
The budget without any income from me for the next three months is still looking ok. The husband is trying to spend less... he is really trying. We've still had some stupid extra expenses popping up. I paid a $117 dentist bill last week. Life is SOOOO not cheap.
Week 6's 27 purchases and FIVE no spend days!
Feb. 15 NO SPEND
Feb. 14 NO SPEND
Feb. 13 NO SPEND
Feb. 12 NO SPEND
27. Milk $5
26. Cheese $5
25. Cranberry Juice $8.49
24. Peanut Butter $3.19
23. Apple Juice $1.97
22. Celery $1.69
21. MnM's (not for me) $1.25
20. Cadbury eggs $2.37
19. Birthday Legos $8.99
Feb. 10 NO SPEND
18. Blueberry syrup $1.39
17. Cherrios $2.99
16. Turkey $8.99
15. Milk $5
14. String chesse $3
13. Milk bones $4.99
12. Chocolate chips $4.59
11. Strawberries $2
10. Bagels $1.50
9. Cream cheese $1.50
8. Life cereal $3.34
7. Turkey bacon $2.59
6. Asparagus $1.04
5. Muffin mix 49 cents
4. Pancake mix $2.12
3. Cadbury eggs $2.37
2. Bananas $1.22
1. Light bulbs $1.58
Week 6's 27 purchases and FIVE no spend days!
Feb. 15 NO SPEND
Feb. 14 NO SPEND
Feb. 13 NO SPEND
Feb. 12 NO SPEND
27. Milk $5
26. Cheese $5
25. Cranberry Juice $8.49
24. Peanut Butter $3.19
23. Apple Juice $1.97
22. Celery $1.69
21. MnM's (not for me) $1.25
20. Cadbury eggs $2.37
19. Birthday Legos $8.99
Feb. 10 NO SPEND
18. Blueberry syrup $1.39
17. Cherrios $2.99
16. Turkey $8.99
15. Milk $5
14. String chesse $3
13. Milk bones $4.99
12. Chocolate chips $4.59
11. Strawberries $2
10. Bagels $1.50
9. Cream cheese $1.50
8. Life cereal $3.34
7. Turkey bacon $2.59
6. Asparagus $1.04
5. Muffin mix 49 cents
4. Pancake mix $2.12
3. Cadbury eggs $2.37
2. Bananas $1.22
1. Light bulbs $1.58
Monday, February 13, 2012
44 Items of Clutter
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.Only two posts back this was my debt quote Tuesday quote. I keep seeing it when I update/ open the blog. I really love this quote. Time is SOOOO valuable and our lives are so very full of things we need to maintain. Think of cleaning your home: If you husband is anything like mine then you spend a considerable amount of time each day just placing things where they belong. IF none of those things were present that time would be spent elsewhere. I love the idea of a simplistic minimalist lifestyle because it frees up so much time to embrace life, to be outdoors, to notice all the little things that make life splendid, to be with loved ones (free of clutter). I just keep reading the above quote and it just keeps stirring something in me.
-Henry David Thoreau
Goal number two of the 45 is to get rid of something useless everyday. So far this year I've been rather preoccupied and haven't paid any attention to this goal. Today Thoreau inspires me to clean a little clutter out of life. I'm going to attempt to get rid of 44 things today; one item for each day of the year thus far. This is a VERY difficult task for me. Even though I love the idea of simple living, even though I hardly ever acquire anything new I have a terrible time throwing anything that could have any sort of use out. And when it comes to taking something to the thrift shop I have to wonder 5 billion times if I might in the future need said item. I'm rather ridiculous about not wasting anything ever. The other day at the mall some I was with grabbed two handfuls of ketchup and mustard packets for her pretzel, used half of them, and then threw the rest in the trash. This little act of waste is STILL driving me crazy. Why would anyone think it's ok to throw out a handful of unopened unused perfectly good sauces???
So, 44 things of wasted space and unwanted residence in my house HERE I COME! (hopefully)
*so far the $12 a day budget for this week is going well : )
Friday, February 10, 2012
Past Few Weeks
I've been a bit lazy with the blogging, with the budgeting (sticking to budget), and with the 45 daily goals. To be honest I'm up half the night, asleep half the day, and CONSTANTLY thinking about meeting the little fellow that I've been waiting for most of my life. This end part is atrocious.
Last week I went $39.06 over budget. The week before that I went $48.23 over budget. Both of those are pretty horrible outcomes. I'm not going to excuse either of them. In fact I'm planning on cutting $10 out of the budget each week for the next month in an attempt to make up some of that reckless spending. This week's going pretty well though. So far this year I've spent an average of $14.67 a day.
We'll see how it goes once the little guy arrives. I can't even begin to imagine what we're going to need or how our spending habits are going to evolve. I like to think the husband will be leaving the house a bit less so that'll save some money (fingers crossed). We shouldn't have any formula costs if everything goes according to plan and I am cloth diapering (no diapering costs... after I finish acquiring all the BumGenius we need). We can do this. Yes we can.
A quick update on the hooded towel conundrum: We returned several of the extra hooded towels along with some duplicate items and a few things we in no way shape or form needed which we'd received at the baby showers and we were able to purchase a nice swing for our little guy without spending a penny. It's assembled, sitting in the living room, and waiting patiently for baby (unlike mommy who's lost all patience at this point).
Last week I went $39.06 over budget. The week before that I went $48.23 over budget. Both of those are pretty horrible outcomes. I'm not going to excuse either of them. In fact I'm planning on cutting $10 out of the budget each week for the next month in an attempt to make up some of that reckless spending. This week's going pretty well though. So far this year I've spent an average of $14.67 a day.
We'll see how it goes once the little guy arrives. I can't even begin to imagine what we're going to need or how our spending habits are going to evolve. I like to think the husband will be leaving the house a bit less so that'll save some money (fingers crossed). We shouldn't have any formula costs if everything goes according to plan and I am cloth diapering (no diapering costs... after I finish acquiring all the BumGenius we need). We can do this. Yes we can.
A quick update on the hooded towel conundrum: We returned several of the extra hooded towels along with some duplicate items and a few things we in no way shape or form needed which we'd received at the baby showers and we were able to purchase a nice swing for our little guy without spending a penny. It's assembled, sitting in the living room, and waiting patiently for baby (unlike mommy who's lost all patience at this point).
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Debt Quote Tuesday/ I met a little Thoreau
A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone.
-Henry David Thoreau
I'm fascinated by almost every word in Walden. As many times as I've read it I've yet to actually read through it. There's so much to think upon. Thoreau was such an interesting man with such an interesting mind. He lived quite an elaborate experiment. He's now respected by so many but in honesty what would you think of someone you know if they told you they were going to move into the woods with virtually nothing and build a tiny home, grow some beans, read books, and think in their down time?
If you're a minimalist like me you're thinking, "YEAH, more power to you. Way to go!!! It's a lifestyle I kind of dream of. I sort of envy you. You rock!" But would you REALLY think that? If a real person, someone you actually know, a person in your life at the moment told you they were going to "live off the land" starting from the ground up like Thoreau did what would you really think?
I conversed for a bit with a little Thoreau at a pub that my husband was performing at the other night. This individual has always been the town eccentric. He doesn't drive but has pretty much always rode a bike instead (for those of you over seas, in the US (at least outside of big cities) EVERYONE drives). He looks a bit like a pirate, like a Johnny Dep Pirates of the Caribbean pirate. He's a little guy with ALOT to say and he's friendlier with more energy than most people you'll ever meet. He moved away/ across country for several years. He's back now because his parents sold him several acres of land for $1. He was ecstatic about his new land. He said he planned to build a small home from the trees on the property. He was going to plant some crops and sell his goods at farmers markets or wherever. The entire time I conversed with this fellow I admired his passion and vision and I couldn't help thinking that I was talking with a modern day Thoreau. But he seemed like a crazy man. Our lives are SOOOOO involved with stuff and modern day conveniences for anyone to talk about living off the land and truly simplistic living it just seems too far fetched to be real.
The whole experience has enlightened me a bit. I admire Thoreau so much but I'm now thinking that if I'd had met him when he was alive, lived when he lived, witnessed his experiment first hand I imagine I'd have been just like everyone else really. I'd have thought he was a crazy man.
Life is about constant change and growth. If you're not changing, if you're not growing then in fact you're not really living. I'm not proud of this new revelation (about Thoreau and that in reality I think he's a crazy man) BUT I'm excited about the doors it opens. I've such a long way to go on this journey called life. There are so many passions within that don't line up with the steps I take. It's exciting really to think about taking new steps, steps that will bring me closer to the life I love, to the passions that are flaming within my chest. I'm excited about the idea of growing into the me I really want to be (even though I fully realize it shall take me a lifetime).
It took only a simple conversation with an eccentric pirate like person to help me better see. May your eyes always be open and ready to see something grand, something new in your little world!
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