Total Money Makeover

In January of 2011, we took the plunge. The Total Money Makeover Plunge. We went full out: Envelopes, Budgeting, Not using credit cards, Paying everything that we could with cash and Working hard to pay off debt.

Envelopes: The things that I used to hate. Envelopes are what held me back in the past. I couldn't get past the fact of using envelopes. I tried it. It didn't work. Then I read the Total Money Makeover and realized that I had been doing it all wrong. I tried again. It WORKS.

Budgeting: Ugh. I mean, isn't that what everyone thinks when they hear that word? It's almost as much of a "Christian swear word" as "Submission". I had a hard time with budgets. I knew that I needed one, but didn't know how to use one. I'd tried it. Written, electronic, you name it, I tried it. It didn't work. Then I read the Total Money Makeover and realized that I had been doing it all wrong. I tried again. It WORKS.

Not using Credit Cards: This was the easiest one for me. I only really used my credit cards to put large purchases on. So, that was fairly easy. I just stopped using it (the only one that I had).

Paying for Everything with Cash: This is different for me. I hadn't tried this before. But now I have my money in my little envelopes (little ones are the way to go. The big ones don't work.) It does take me longer at the store, but worth it. Dave Ramsey is right. It hurts more when you spend cash.

Working Hard to Pay Off Debt: We are working hard on this. We have a plan to be completely out of debt (with the exception of our house) by August. I am so thrilled about this!!

Kenny has agreed to come along on this journey with me and I'm so happy about that. Money has always been my area (talk about some unwanted stress) and now we share it. Granted, I still make sure everything is paid on time, load up our envelopes and keep track of where we are. BUT he shows up for our budget meetings AND asks questions. I'm thrilled.

I've found that when my finances are in order, other things fall in to place as well. This has been so freeing and motivating. I truly have had a Total Money Makeover and you should too!

A Slower Pace

Kenny and I went away this weekend. Just the two of us.

We try to get away twice a year for a long weekend without our precious children. Thankfully, we have very kind parents that are so supportive and are willing to keep our children for the weekend. This past weekend, we went to Northern Virginia and DC. I hadn't been to DC since I was in the 6th grade, so it had been a few years...

One of the things that struck me the most over the weekend was not how much I love my husband, although I do love him very much, and it wasn't how much I love my children, although they are so precious to me, it was how fast paced everything was.

Cars everywhere, people everywhere, concrete everywhere, construction everywhere. It was so busy.

I was walking through the mall at Tyson's Corner and I just kept thinking "I love my slow paced life!".

Sometimes we just need reminders that the life we have is what is best for us. It isn't perfect, not always fun and never easy, but it's our life. And I LOVE it. I love that we live in a small "city" where things are Southern and slow paced. That was live in a quiet neighborhood. That we have a home church where people know our names and love our children. That Kenny doesn't have a horrendous commute into work. I'm thankful for a slower pace where we aren't trying to just keep up.

We try to focus on our family, on our children, on each other. It's easy to lose focus and that is why we go away twice a year.

Now, don't get me wrong, I so enjoyed all of the good shopping (not that I bought much because I'm a serious bargain shopper), but I was happy to enjoy two large malls and IKEA. (Oh sweet, IKEA, my new love!) I was thrilled with the great places to eat! (Oh sweet, Cheesecake Factory, my other new love!) And it was amazing to be able to go into DC and explore the museums (Air and Space, Natural History, American History and the Spy Museum). I could have done without the Metro, but preferred my overwhelming feelings of being trapped to trying to drive and park in DC. And more than anything, I enjoyed spending quality time with my husband!

And to refocus.

Things that I Enjoy!

Okay, this is random. And I should not be doing this right now, I really should be working, but I just kept thinking about all of the things that I enjoy. So, this is really for me to get all of this randomness out of my head, not necessarily for your benefit. But, the blog seemed like a good place for this :) These are in no particular order...

Ranch Dressing
The Beach
Flip Flops
TARGET
Gift Cards
My husband
My children
Bed and Breakfasts
Get away weekends with my husband
WARM WEATHER
BUNCO!
Fireplaces (we really should get one of those!)
The color Orange
Flowers
Andy Stanley's sermons
M&Ms
Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream
La Carreta (Am I hungry?)
A good book
Laughing
Being by myself
Being with my friends
Snuggling with my man
Sneaking cookies while my kids aren't looking
Lists

Okay, I feel much better now... I wrote my list... And, yes, Jamie, above everything else... I love Jesus! :)