How Time Flies

I can't believe I haven't posted in almost a month and haven't read any of your posts either! Sometimes its good though to refocus and gather yourself. I kinda just thought "an unintentional fast" good stuff :) Well, I'm gonna restart if nothing more my gratitude list, It was really helping me to stay thankful everyday of the gifts God has given me! Helping me focus on the things that matter.

This year, Bill and I having gone through the better part of Dave Ramsey's financial study decided to cut up all our credit cards not even leaving one for you know those "emergencies". Not having credit to spend with made us think about how much we spend at Christmas on gifts. We are starting a new tradition here at our house, that is putting Christ back in Christmas. We will only give/receive 3 gifts this year. There are 4 of us so that means only 12 presents under the tree. Whew! what a relief it is to cut down on the madness. Don't get me wrong I had a little gut check and felt the lump in my throat for a little while but now I am so excited to shift the focus for our family. We have always had Jesus in the center of our season but put all the gifts and self up higher. We will not only cut down on gifts but they will be reminders of the gift Jesus received, gold, frankincense and myrrh so our gifts will represent body, mind and spirit. I feel like the pressures off. We don't have to buy everything and the things we do buy will have a meaning, they won't just be random stuff.

Some of our ideas are:

Body- Heated rollers, Yard sale Scooter for $1, Hunting boots
Mind- Music lessons, Video game, Learning Games,
Spirit- CD player, Cd's, Bible sticks, Comfy chair for quiet time(yard sale or thrifted of course)

I also found a 2$ end table for my quiet time spot (yard sale) and a 25$ sewing machine(pre-bought gift from Bill for me that I couldn't pass up!)

Yay! can't wait to hear your ideas!

Cash Flow Planning...Oh My!

"Money flows from those who don't manage it
and to those who do."

A little late on my Thursday post, here it is...

Ok, so just being honest here, I am totally stoked about all the forms and getting things organized. If you know me, you know what it is to be/have "a little" OCD! This part excites me a little, ok a lot, I know my inner "Nerd" is showing...I'm good with it.

The idea here is to create a zero based budget using the income you'll have. Spend every dollar on paper before the month begins...being sure to secure your "4 walls" first. Paying for necessities before creditors ie.

1)food

2)shelter including utilities

3)clothing and

4)transportation

Then continue allocating all income until you reach a zero balance. You have now told it where to go. Next step follow your plan...

I am not excited about the reality of this...We had our Budget Committee Meeting and there is definitely to much month left at the end of the money, it is scary to lay it all out and really look at what a monster you've created. I cried and he used a few choice words then we realized how bad we need to do this! We did not get in a big fight with one another just emotional about the reality of the situation.

I made a Family Budget Binder w/ a FPU cover sheet to keep things organized and accessible. I plan to work on more forms today and use our Budget Binder when planning for and when paying bills ect. The categories that recommend using cash for we are committed to use "cash only". Our plan says we will be out of consumer debt by July/Aug of 2012...not to far away! Come on cleaning jobs for me and a little overtime for him, then maybe we can do this thing sooner!

Wish us commitment and diligence!

"Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to you herds" Proverbs 27:23

Relating with Money

"Accountability and support are the ladders that lift us up from life's pits."

One step closer to getting somewhere, Bill and I went to class last night and laughed our butts off! This week Dave talked about nerds and free spirits uniting, basically how very different men and women are, in every way you can think of. The fact that: The #1 thing that ends marriages in America is money fights, Wow! He made it clear both should be making the financial decisions, then we are accountable to someone and that we should be teaching our kids about money. Prov 22:6-7. Lots to think about this week...

We made commitments to...save something in an emergency fund, even if it's only $4 bucks and to come to class.

This weeks homework:

• Read ch.14-18
• We are going to begin collecting credit card offers from the mail and at the end of class total them up to see how much debt we've avoided.

We have defiantly taken the first few steps needed to shift our thinking and begin taking control. We have a little tiny emergency fund started exactly 7.50% of our goal, Yay! We are on our way! I love the member resource website... very easy to use and lots of helpful tools. I feel like we already have a better handle on things, although It doesn't seem possible in just over a week but when your only spending what comes in, that's a heck of allot better than borrowing.

"The rich rules over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender." Prov 22:7

Super Saving

"You can get anywhere if you simply go one step at a time"

Well, tonight was the first of a 13 wk class put on by Financial Peace University. Hubby and I decided to sign up for this one as we have a record of making what we "think" to be good decisions. However, our current state proves otherwise.

With that said I am excited to be part of this class although Bill won't be able to attend every wk I'll be there to take it all in. The video sessions taught by Dave Ramsey are hilarious and he really seems like he is legit, ya know not just a millionaire trying to make more, from telling you how to do things their way. Nope, not him at all, this is totally Gods way and Dave's just relaying the info.

My plan is to post what my thoughts are after each session and have some accountability to follow through with my weekly homework (which doesn't seem to heavy but this is only week 1)

• fill out the quickie budget, bring it next week
• log in to FPU member resources
• read ch.1, 2, 3 and 10
• begin saving my first 1,000.00 emergency fund

My hope is to have a better out look on how to handle our money. I also hope to walk away from this program with the tools to make wiser choices with how we spend our money. And hey, if we have managed to save a nice chunk for emergencies in the process, sweet!

"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful, Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."
Hebrews 12:11