Dumping Debt...

Dumping Debt
So on to baby step #2 and the real reason that most people are looking for help. DEBT. We think it’s normal. It’s part of life. Everyone has a car payment. Everyone has student loans. Everyone has a Visa bill. Well, we were tired of being normal. Dave Ramsey has a saying “Normal is broke. Be weird!” I can’t remember EXACTLY where we were on...

Ethiopia Necklace Giveaway...

Ethiopia Necklace Giveaway
I have a friend who has entered a photo contest sponsored by Sigma and is hoping to win some great camera gear from them. Josh is passionate about using his skills as a photographer and videographer to help non-profit ministries like World Orphans and so I would love to see him win this contest. So much so that I’m offering a cool giveaway if you will help me...

His turn…...

His turn…
I didn’t really intended to take a blog-cation during my mom-cation but it kind of turned out that way didn’t it. I even skipped a Financial Freedom Friday. Sorry – I was having too much fun. Poor Mark was not having quite so much fun. All four kids ended up at sleepovers on Friday night (that part was okay). I got this text message from my husband at...

The Ever-Essential Momcation...

The Ever-Essential Momcation
There are three classifications of vacations in our house – family vacation, couple vacation and the ever-important “momcation”. Yes, I totally made up the word but I predict it will take off like gangbusters. See family vacations are fun – bonding times going to the beach, Disneyland, camping, whatever they may be. (My husband is laughing right...

Our chore system – “the anti-system”...

Our chore system – “the anti-system”
Growing up my brothers and I had standard jobs. Daily I had to set the table, Brad cleared, Phil did dishes. On Saturdays I was responsible for cleaning both bathrooms and mopping the kitchen. In there as well was the general keep your room cleaned (I was the worst) and make your bed (rarely did). Mark, well, he grew up taking out the trash…sometimes. (My MIL will...

The ever-important emergency fund...

The ever-important emergency fund
Hm, so where did we leave off? Ah yes, we’ve made a budget, we’re using the envelope system and now it’s time to attack those baby steps of Dave’s. For a refresher, they are: $500-1000 in an emergency fund pay off debt except house 3-6 months expense in emergency fund invest15%; college funding; pay off mortgage build wealth The sad truth is...

Risky Moves...

Risky Moves
Noah loves games and, like his dad, tends toward games that involve strategy – chess, checkers, Stratego, etc. He is the only kid who hangs in til the end in monopoly (usually because he’s winning). This week he discovered the Risk game we had and begged Mark to play with him. They started yesterday and today after we got home he gave up snack time to get...

Clothing Challenge Update...

Clothing Challenge Update
So it’s been 4.5 months of the 12 month “no new clothing” challenge and I figured you guys were due for a little update. Interestingly in the last month I’ve read a couple of news articles about similar challenges. The “6 items or less challenge” had about 100 people going 30 days wearing the same basic 6 clothing items (not including...
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