Fit and Frugal

I have a love for personal finance! I love to teach it and read about and help others with it. I have co-instructed money management classes at ISU and even helped open a Financial Wellness Center on ISU's campus. Someday I hope to work in a financial counseling office, helping others with their personal finances. I have a library of great reading and have taken several seminars and college courses. However, applying the principles that I know can be so darn difficult! Dane and I are really big savers--we currently live off of one income and save the other one. We are working hard to pay off our car and a little bit of student loans. We are serious about paying our tithing and have faith that things work out financially for us because of this! I know that we could do much better!

Today was a bit difficult for me. I have been wanting some shelves from IKEA for about a year now. Just this weekend I found out that my mom and sisters are planning a girls trip down to SLC for some home decor shopping in April. Oh, I can hardly wait to go--and I have a jar full of money I have been saving for an occasion such as this.

Today was hard because I decided to put that in savings instead. I have really learned to have patience and to postpone that instant gratification by saving for things. Dane and I have some pretty bright financial goals to fulfill before the little babe arrives, so I am doing my very best to stay on target. If I can just work really hard for the next few months, we will have so much peace of mind when our tiny man arrives.

You know, Dane and I just measured--and those bookshelves of my dreams are actually a bit too large for our room anyway. It is a purchase that would naturally have to wait for a little house in the future. I am feeling much better about that silly savings decision earlier.

I spent a while today also rebuilding our budget for the next few months, and it was wonderful. We definitely have some cushion and will meet our goals if we can stay on track for a little bit longer. Right now I am thankful for two parents who taught me that value of saving and being careful with money. They were able to pay cash for everything but their home, and they are wise and finance with 15-year mortgages, paying them off early as well. We lived comfortable, good lifestyles, and I hope to imitate what I have seen for so many years.

Dane and I did splurge this weekend and purchased a little bbq grill with money from the savings jar--nothing fancy by any means, but it is enough to encourage us to keep managing these apartments for another year or two. We are getting a bit stir-crazy, so having a useable space outdoors for the summer will make a huge difference for us! Onward and upward.

Poor Dane--once I am hooked on something finance-related, I just go crazy. I am an all-or-nothing kind of girl. My recent financial inspiration came from good old Dave Ramsey himself. I have been putting off his literature for a while because I have clashed a bit with a few of his ideas--however, after a good read of one book, I am pretty hooked. Of course, 95% of the book is really consistent with all financial authors I have found.

I was wondering if this idea is silly: I want to start a financial blog, where I chronicle (anonymously) my financial practices for better fitness and tie in statistics, tips and tricks, and sound money management advice all in one place. Is that a silly idea? I think I would take more time to make posts worth reading than I do here (of course). I could even have little guest-posters with their frugal ideas (couponing, furniture refinishing, cheap dates, etc.). If you made it all the way to the end of this, I would love to hear from you!

Ready for Some Summer (or Warmer Weather)!

Today might have welcomed a bit of snow, but it was really pretty fabulous outside overall. What better can you do to welcome in some nice weather than throw some burgers on the grill?!

Time for a Little BUNCO

After a successful year of the avoidance of hosting Bunco, I finally gave in. Last month when the question regarding the host came up, there was silence. If anyone knows me well, they know that I will always volunteer to do something if no one shows interest within the first 30 seconds. Bunco is one of my favorite nights each month, and I must say that I still had a great time, even if I was worried to death about fitting 12 of us girls and 3 tables in my dining and living rooms. It helps when they are 11 of the kindest gals around.

I decided to attempt to dress up the usual Bunco stuff: the food area, the prizes, and all the Bunco necessities/tools. I wish I had thought about doing that sooner, but a few minutes and a couple of extra things seemed to work out okay. Please note: I am not yet a professional party planner--I think those people plan things out more than one hour in advance, a habit I still haven't discovered.

I am usually pretty competitive when it comes to Bunco--and let's be honest, there is really no strategy or skill involved whatsoever. I have practiced the art of "The Secret" a few times and really believe that some positive energy makes a big difference, as silly as that sounds. Anyway, I think I pretty much had the game of my life: I had 4, count 'em 4, Buncos--that is equal to about my grand total from previous times, and I also had the most wins. It was certainly a night to remember. Cali and some of the other girls will have to watch out because I am on a roll!

Of course the girls are really the most important part of Bunco. I am so grateful for how flexible and kind and fun they are! It ended up being a great night for me because of them!

And now we'll see just how long I can possibly go before my turn to host Bunco comes up yet again. It will be a breeze the second time around! Thanks to everyone for coming! It was good to see you all!

Add that to the Dictionary

Last week, after I wore different cardigans six days in a row, Dane dubbed an obvious wardrobe staple the "card-again."

Needless to say, he sang the famous cardigan line from Miley's "Party in the USA" one too many times.

I am in need of an intervention, especially after I wore yet another today. So, I am trying a new experiment for the chilly month of March this year--I will wear a new outfit each day of the month--no repeating cardigans or sweaters--all different clothing. This will give me an opportunity to be more creative with the clothes I do have, and it will help me to move away from my little obsession.

Oh, dear cardigan, how I do adore you!

Image found here.

Do you happen to have a favorite item of clothing?

A New Day

Lately I haven't been able to will myself out of bed before about 7:30 (the only side effect of pregnancy that I have experienced)--this morning was a welcome exception.

I was up, wide-eyed and bushy-tailed at 6:30, semi-ready to take on the world. After viewing my blog reel and checking Facebook (a daily task) and doing a quick pick-up around the house, I got ready for the day and had an extra 20 minutes before I left for work.

Best part of the morning included making my daily to-do list and doing some quiet reading before the day began. I think I will make this a regular part of the morning routine. I could already tell that it was going to be a great day!

This is Hard...

Right now I am patiently waiting for Dane to get back from taking care of "The Properties," the family investment. I guess one of the families moved out of a house, and it was in pretty bad shape afterward. Yikes! The boys got to fix it all up today, pulling carpet and painting some walls--along with some other stuff, I am sure.

Lately, I have been going to sleep between 10:00 and 10:30 each night. I am usually ready for bed around 8:00 and just fight the urge to sleep as long as possible. I am trying my very best to wait up, but boy am I fading fast right now. The housework is done, so I don't have any physical stuff to keep me moving around.

Thank heavens for the Shaytards, a YouTube sensation, for keeping me up a few more minutes. My friend's older brother makes vlogs about his family, and he has like 800, 000 followers. The past few days I have watched a few of the videos, and that local family is just hilarious! Without a few of those videos and the new B.o.B's "The Kids," I wouldn't get to see my boo tonight!

Almost there...he should be home around 12:30 or so! Only 15 minutes to go. I can do this...

Happy V-Day to Dane

Today a coworker told me to listen to this song--and I am completely in love. So, here is my cheesy but genuine song dedication to Dane. I am trying to make Valentine's Day a daily little thing around my house--not the gifts or meals at Pasta Vino--but instead just more of an attitude of gratitude and love. Savoring all of those little moments together during this challenging but exciting time.

Dane did a great job on Valentine's Day this year though. I finished working at 9:30 after a FAFSA/application night over at Sho-Ban High School. When I got home there was a plant, letter, and my favorite chocolates on the bed. It was a busy day for him, but he still made time to make the night special. I also found out that he ordered a pair of Sperry's for me. Yikes--I can hardly wait to see them.

Anyway, I hope everyone takes some time to celebrate being with the people they love the most--everyday. What a great blessing we all have. If you have time, take a few minutes to listen--please do. I promise you will be glad you did!