Drastic Times.. Drastic Measures

Greetings from cyberspace!  OMG.. Where do I start??  We had to purchase some equipment for the BF's business... almost $1,500 dollars worth.  Then we had to take Mysti Kitty in to get her fixed (no more kitties!!!) And on top of that, my car may need new rear tires.  What the freak????  I am just so freaking stressed out about this... Seriously...  My five year plan is going out the window.  The interest rate on his business line of credit is killing us.  Grrrrrrrrrr.... I just need to figure out a plan.

Drastic times... Drastic measures....

Little Things

Greetings from cyberspace! I posted about the FreeBirds fundraising for their adoption some time ago. Well yesterday I got my donor packet and inside was an unexpected gift. Simple but powerful. It has a magnet on the backside which has two words. Thank You. I proudly placed this in my fridge. And smile each time I see it. I think of the wonderful things that God has done for this family and what he does for me.  You are welcome.

Again, it is little things that make a difference.

Snails Pace Versus Gazelle Intensity

Greetings from cyberspace!  It amazes me when I read other blogs about how people get 'gazelle intensity' when it comes to paying off their debt.  I get the concept.  I truly do. BUT with the rising cost of energy and gasoline, it does not seem likely.  And another thing - if you are a couple, you have to be on the same page in order to have that intense focus and drive.  There are many bloggers out there are that are just killing it.  I mean, truly killing it.  And then there are others that are making a real dent, but not exactly 'killing' it.  And then there are others, like me and Kim, where the pace is crawling like a snail.  I really don't care for the pace.  And I know what or rather 'whom' the biggest obstacle in my way.  It is tough when your partner does not see eye to eye when it comes to finances, but I keep hoping.  I keep working the numbers.  I strive for balance.  Sometimes I fail, but I do have my successes.  But what I don't do, is give up.  Never give up.  So I will be that snail, but always keep my eye on the opportunity to be the gazelle.

Heart to Heart

Greetings from cyberspace! Yesterday I had a heart to heart with my daughter regarding money. One of my goals is to be able to go see her graduate without incurring debt. She asked if I could help out paying for a summer teen camp. I had to tell her no. I reminded her that she is going to be a senior next year and that there was going to be a lot of extra expenses. And on top of that my trip to see her graduate. And even when she graduates I will still need to help her. So I explained to her that there is a bigger picture. She didn't like it but she understood. I did not like it either because I am in this position because of my judgement and decisions. She knows of some of them and gets annoyed with me but she works with me. And I am grateful for that. And that is why I will never demand that she has to spend a huge amount of money on me for special days like Mother's Day or my birthday. Because she is my greatest gift. Everything else is irrelevant. She is the light of my life.

Blessings in Disguise

Greetings from cyberspace!  You know, it is amazing what happens when you just let God fight your battles. Case in point.  I have been struggling with debt for years.  To control my emotional spending.  And it is constant battle for me. But I have decided to let God take the reigns and guide me through this process.  So, when I planning my budget, I pray to Him to guide me.  And when I am in a store, I ask Him to give me strength to stay within budget.  And when the BF wants to go off the deep end in spending, I ask Him to give me strength to say No.  And it has been working.  And my reward, a sense of calm.  It may take me longer to get out of debt, but I know with His help, I will get there.

A Call to Arms

Greetings from cyberspace!  And Happy Friday!  Today's post is not about debt, but it is about giving.  A little background.  When I first started blogging here, there was a blog that I started to follow - Our Debt Free Path.  The FreeBirds, aka the Fitzpatrick family were amazing.  The literally kicked debt to the curb.  But did it with Faith.  And by the way, they were first bloggers that gave an  U-RAH to. Now that they are debt free, they were called by God to adopt and started to blog about that - Blessed To Be Called.  They have been truly blessed along the way, with people from their church and community holding fund raisers for them.  And their own biologic children have had their own fund raising.  The daughter made items to sell.  And now, their daughter is hosting another fundraiser - Biking The Bridge.  On behalf of the Fitzpatrick family, please read their story and if you find it in your heart, or God has called to you, please consider being a sponsor for this most noble cause.  Yours truly is humbled and honored to sponsor this cause.

And with that... I close with a familiar sound...

U-RAH!! 

Good-Bye April 2013, Hello May

Greetings from cyberspace!  April is over.. really?  What happened to it? It just flew by.  It is all just a freaking blur... really.  It has been crazy busy at work.  And at the home front... gosh.. so much crap going on (in which I won't get into) but overall, I am just a bit overwhelmed.  So let's see how I did.

Physical Fitness -

1. Start conditioning for C25K - Injured my knee doing yard work, but I finally got clearance last week, so I started on Sunday.
2. Start Couch to 5K training - On hold until next month.
3. Meatless meal 4 days a  week - I did this about 2 days per week

Professional -

1. Dedicate 30 minutes daily for email clean up project - well, I made somewhat of a dent
2. Complete 2 CEU exams by April 30th - FAIL!  Part of this was due to bad planning on my end

Financial

1. Minimize use of debit cards - didn't do such a great job
2. Replenish Emergency Fund - still the same
3. Hit debt with a snowflakes - on hold

Spirituality

1. Finish 30 days of 90-day devotional by June 30th - got halfway thru April and just fell off the wagon
2. Finish January-Mid Febuary of Bible reading plan  - got halfway thru January and fell off the wagon

Rhitter really... excuses, excuses... there was no excuse for the dismal month.  You WILL reboot - recharge - got you a$$ in gear.  This is your May No-Excuse plan.

Physical Fitness -

1. Continue conditioning for C25K - The BF had a good idea (and these are pretty rare).  The mornings are getting warmer and warmer, so I should get up earlier and take a brisk walk around the park to jump start my cardio and strengthen the new.
2. Exercise Plan - We have a Wii, and an excellent EA Sports workout as well as a Zumba.  So 4 days of workout, 3 days of short Zumba class
3. Lose 2 lbs - I gained 7 lbs over the last month.  Why... I was eating WAY too much, so this means time to watch the diet and start tracking what I eat

Professional -

1. Dedicate 30 minutes daily for email clean up project - I am tired of my email being so cluttered.  GET THIS DONE!
2. Complete 2 CEU exams by May 31st - Work will pay for this, so get off your duff and do this!
3. Make a To Do List the night before - I used to do this and it kept me focused.  Time to do it again.

Financial

1. Eliminate use of debit cards - you can do this.. really.. you did it before
2. Replenish Emergency Fund - come on girl.. kick this into gear
3. Hit debt with a snowflakes - Don't even think about it.. Get the EF in place.

Spirituality

1. Finish 30 days of 90-day devotional by June 30th - Get caught up.. 
2. Finish Mid January - Current of Bible reading plan  - Ditto

Yeah, I am a little harsh on myself.  I need to be.  That's the beauty of this... Take charge, be accountable and JUST DO IT!