10 Things to Smile About: April

Wow!  April is over - how in the world did that happen?  It was a crazy month around here - a good month, but a bit of a blur.  So here are 10 things that made me smile last month...

1.  Grace continuing to grow in knowledge and in her heart.  She came home with this handwriting work from school - this made my heart so happy.  God is growing her.

2.  Easter.  We had a lovely brunch with my parents, followed by an Easter egg hunt.  With all that's been going on in life, this was a truly sweet day.

3.  Lots and lots of time with new friends.  I'm amazed how quickly I've grown to love a group of people, I've only known for a short time.

4.  Autumn turned 2!

5.  Continued success with our journey to become debt free. Our grand total since September 2011 is $10,900.  Lots of hard work to do still.  But we've made a ton of progress and I can't wait to know how it feels to be able to say "we are debt free".

6.  A new workout routine that I'm incorporating with my workouts at the YMCA.  The workouts are hard, sweaty, but somehow super fun.  I'm seeing some good progress in just one month... can't wait to finally be ok with swimsuit season.

7.  Going to Harvest University in Chicagoland with my new church... wonderful teaching, inspiring ministry and God-glorifying worship.  It was truly amazing.

8.  A sleepover with 3 Kindergartners.  It was crazy.  It was loud.  It was exhausting.  It was fun.  Oh, and thanks Mom, for putting up with all my sleepovers.  I had no idea!

9.  Our first trip to the zoo this season. 

10.  With only a month of school left, we are making fun plans for the summer - a trip to the East coast, a trip to Seattle and some horse riding lessons for Miss Grace.

Our Fiancial Freedom Journey: 6-Month Check-Up

In September, I first blogged about our goal to become debt-free.  Well, that was 6 months ago, so I thought it was time to fill you all in on what's been going on in our household.

Our ultimate goal is to be completely out of debt, except for our mortgage.  We are absolutely done with consumer debt and since I graduated nearly 9 years ago from college, I'm ready to be done with my student loans.  For 6 months, we have gone to a cash system:  I take out $100 each month for my own fun-money, and I also taken out $250 every other week for groceries and household items.  The only charges we make are on our Debit card (the $ comes directly from our Checking account), and those are for things like prescriptions and gas.  If either Joel or I want to do anything "extra" like buy clothes for the kids or go out to eat, we always talk about those decision together.

Let me also say that our marriage has grown stronger because of this.  We are finally on the same page financially.  But we are also focused on the same goal and we are both 100% committed to that goal.  We are not hiding any purchases from the other person.  We both feel extremely free now!

So, do you want to know how much our little military family has paid-off since September?  $9,200.  Over $9,000 is off our backs.  Our load is lighter and it feels so good!

I have a lot of friends who are struggling to manage finances with debt  hanging over them constantly.  Let me just encourage you... if we can do it, so can you!  It's not fun.  There is a whole lot of self-denial.  But we can finally see the day when we can say we're debt-free... and it's not too far away!

10 Things to Smile About: January

1.  A start to a new year. Fresh starts always feel great.

2.  Continuing our Journey Toward Financial Freedom by paying off over $1,000 of debt in January!

3.  A little more down time than usual with Daddy... and helping him nap.

4.  Finally joining Twitter!  Follow me @ATroopsGirl.

5.  Celebrating Grace's 100th day of Kindergarten by counting (& eating) 100 Skittles.

6.  Discovering and falling in love with Army Wives... oh, the tears I've shed in January!

7.  Finding skinny jeans.

8.  Lots and lots of pj days.  I love pj days!

9.  Finally getting some peace about big decisions for our family.

10.  Shopping with the girls.

Our Financial Freedom Journey: A Look at September

Last month, Joel and I began our journey toward financial freedom.  You can read more about our plan to become debt-free here.

Our biggest adjustment was going to to a cash system. I take $250 out every two weeks - $200 of that goes toward groceries and $50 is what we call walking around money.  I manged pretty well with just $100 per week in grocery money.  I forced myself to go through my freezer and pantry and start to use up things that, for some reason, I've been storing away.  I've realized that I'm a bit of a food hoarder - I like to stock up on things when they're on sale and then I forget they're there.  So we have a full pantry and freezer that has fed us well.

Right now, I'm still trying to figure out how to budget for household goods - toilet paper, toothpaste and laundry detergent or absolute necessities but they add up fast and are eating into our grocery budget.  Two days before the end of the month, we had 1 roll of toilet paper in our bathroom and I literally had $1 in my wallet.  I ran out and stocked up -  putting it on my Debit.  But I need to figure out a way to avoid that this month.

I'm also having to adjust my shopping habit.  Joel and I both get $100 each month to do with as we like.  At the end of September, I still had quite a bit left... mostly because I was afraid to spend it just in case I came across a pair of boots that I couldn't live without.  But I have to admit that it has been hard on me to have to be limited while I'm shopping.  I like clothes, makeup, shoes, accessories and purses. Actually, I love them.  And when I see something I like, I just get it.  And that's probably why we're financially behind and having to make this big life change.  I'm a shopper and I don't like to be limited.

So instead of shopping, I've been going on walks, taking the girls to the library and reading. Those things have been fun but I do feel like I have shopping withdrawals right now.

September was also a great month for Joel and I as a couple.  It's a good feeling to know we are on the same page with our finances and our future.  We still have some things to work out.  Those things will come in time though.  And I'm sure it'll get easier as we learn more through this process.

So, one month down and a little bit less in debt.

Source: prairieflowerfarm.blogspot.com via Jill on Pinterest

10 Things to Smile About

I've been wanting to join Emmy Mom, in doing her monthly blog post "Ten Things to Smile About".  I love reading hers each month and I thought it was finally time to join in and share with you what things I've loved from September.

1.  Kids who keep learning & growing -

and one who recently discovered how to use our copy machine.  Oh, Autumn...

2.  Starbucks coffee.  I love when the new coffees come out in the fall and winter -

right now I'm loving the Salted Carmel Mocha.

3.  Happy kids in cars.

4.  Pinterest  I received an invite a few weeks ago and am hooked.  Do you Pinterest?

5.  The start toward financial freedom!

6.  Joel's Birthday.  Not only was he in-country this year, but I pulled off

a surprise party for him.

7.  Along with a birthday comes cake.  I love cake and

I'm thrilled that Joel's as crazy about chocolate cake as I am.

8.  Cooler temps.  I adore fall - especially those perfectly crisp days.

9.  For those of you have been with me for a while, you know I'm a major beauty junkie. 

Yesterday I picked up a new Chanel foundation that I'm loving. 

And since I returned some product I wasn't loving, I didn't pay a cent for it. 

10.  Happy kids!

Financial Bumps

I wrote earlier this month about mine and Joel's plan to become debt-free.  We've only been going by our new budget for a few weeks now and have already seen huge progress.  I'll blog more about that at the end of the month to recap things.

But isn't it just like life to throw a wrench in your game-plan?  At the end of August, as we were gearing-up to our new live-like-we-have-no-money lifestyle, a chunk of our neighbors tree fell on our fence and my car.  And because it was an act-of-God and not our neighbor's fault, it goes against our insurance.  Now, I cannot even begin to tell you about the amount of homeowners claims we've had or how many times my poor car has been in the body shop.  So, this is an old story for us.

So, as we're working toward financial freedom, life happens, and it puts a major kink in our plans.  Normally this would get us down and it would really bother us... Why does it seem like life is against us sometimes?

But I have to tell you, even though we're bummed that we're going to have to pay some deductibles and some out-of-pocket expenses for this, we are beyond grateful to be in a position that we can pay for these things.  Yeah, I'd rather be paying down debt.  But we created our new budget so we could take a "hit" from life and not have to worry if we'll be able to pay our bills.

We feel blessed - even with a few financial bumps at the start of this journey.

Source: behance.net via Jill on Pinterest

Our Jouney Toward Financial Freedom

I mentioned earlier this week that Joel got an AGR job at our local base.  Not only is this a great pat-on-the back for him, but it's a huge boost for our family's financial stability.  During the last 8 years, we have probably gone through nearly $20,000 of our savings during periods of unemployment.  We are thankful that we had that money to rely on, but going through that much hasn't allowed us to move forward.

As of September 1st, Joel and I started on our journey toward financial freedom.  Our goal is in the next 18 months, to be debt free.  And by debt free, we mean paying off all debt besides our mortgage.  We now know how much is coming in each month and we can finally count on that income.  Now we need to make that money work for us and begin to make forward progress.

So, as of the first of this month, we are living like we are broke.  Or close to it.

Here are some of the changes we have made:

Allowances - Joel and I each get $100 at the beginning of the month to do as we like with.  So, if there's a big-ticket item we want (*ahem* a new Micahel Kors purse), we will have to save up for it.

Walking around with cash - I am taking out $400 in cash per month for groceries & $100 in cash per month for walking around money (ie fast food, trips to Target, Starbucks, etc.)  Once the cash is gone, it's gone.

No Cards allowed without permission - First of all, credit cards are off-limits.  No exception.  The only card we are allowed to use is our Debit, which comes directly out of our checking account.  The Debit can be used for things like filling the cars with gas or picking up a prescription.  Any other purchases on the Debit card has to be cleared with the other spouse.

Total honesty - Have you ever heard of financial infidelity?  Well, it's a huge problem, and I have to admit to being unfaithful financially.  But there's something to be said about letting your spouse know all of you, even your mistakes.  Joel and I have sat down and shown each other all of our "numbers".  Everything is out in the open.... and it feels unbelievable!  What a relief.

Loving communication - Discussing money with your spouse can be hard.  It's been hard for us.  But we've made a rule that we can discuss it with "safety".  It's a topic that has to be talked about, and you have to be able to discuss it knowing that you can be honest and that the other person is going to still love you at the end of it.  It hasn't been fun to discuss it, and it can get heated.  But we continue to remind each other that we're working toward the same goal.  And in the end, it'll be worth it.

It feels good to get this out there.  I can't wait to share our progress with you all.  I'm sure we will make mistakes along the way, and I'll share those, too. 

Source: lh4.ggpht.com via Jill on Pinterest

MilSpouse Friday Fill-In

Hop on over to Wife of a Sailor and join in on the fun!

1.How do you spend your deployment money, do you save, pay off bills or enjoy the extra money while it is there to buy the things you do not normally have? (from Troop Petrie)
We do a little bit of everything.  Joel and I have a goal to become debt-free, so I'm working to get some debts paid off, including my student loan.  (See ya Sallie Mae).  I have a few to-do's on my list that are not in our normal budget, including getting our trees trimmed (done) and getting some rooms painted professionally.  And then there's some fun trips to the mall to get this somewhat skinnier body some new clothes.  The extra money during deployment is definitely nice, but I'd much rather have my hubby home.


2.If you could relive one occasion or moment, what would it be? (from Currently On Land)
My wedding day.  It was just amazing - from beginning to end. 

3.What’s the worst job you ever had and if it was so bad why did you take it? (from Faith and Deploying)
I was a grocery store check-out girl for about 6 months in high school.  It was a new store that eventually had plans to have a Starbuck's inside.  I was hired on for Starbuck's, but worked up front while Starbuck's was being built.  I hated it.  I have so much respect for people who do this job!

4.If you could play any character on TV, who would you be? (from Many Waters)
I'd be Pam on The Office.  That show is hilarious and that particular kind of dysfunction seems like too much fun.

5.If you could become the world’s expert in something, what would it be? (from Army of Two)
I'd be the world's expert landscaper.  Crazy, right?  I love landscaping and have a stack of landscaping books that I could seriously read over and over again.  I watch all the landscaping shows on PBS and love to pop in to Lowe's and other greenhouses just to look at plants and read tags. I know I'm making myself sound totally lame here.  Don't judge me.

Coupon Counting

I love spending money, but not nearly as much as I love saving it.  Joel and I love Dave Ramsey's financial philosophies and are working toward becoming debt-free.  I can't wait to be debt-free.  But we're not there yet and right now I'm just trying to save money in any way that I can.

One very easy and painless way to save money and keep the budget tighty is to coupon and utilize savings that stores offer.  I get the weekend paper just so that I can have the coupons and I subscribe to business emails just so I can get exclusive savings and coupons.

I really want to see exactly how much I save by clipping coupons and using store offers.  So, I decided for the month of August that I would track every coupon and offer I use.  I would love for you to join me!

I started tracking today and saved $8.50 at Babies 'R Us just using coupons! 

Happy couponing.