I Feel Accomplished

I've gotten a lot accomplished this week. My tendancy is to share with you my downs...not always my ups, and in the effort of overcoming a bit of homesickness, that's the avenue I'm taking today.

On the home front, I've gotten a TON of laundry washed, dried, folded and put away...and in order to "put away" I had to organize my closet and each of the kids closets, which were done Friday & Saturday! Huge! It literally must have been 10 loads to go through on Friday...I continued throughout the weekend, and eventually lost count. I cleaned my bathroom, made my bed, put up shelving in kids rooms and closets....Matt vaccumed and mopped for me and cleaned up the back yard a bit. But over all, the vote is in concerning the "nesting phase" of my pregnancy, its definately arrived.

On the Finance Front read my post on my other blog Debt Free Wannabes if you'd like to follow along. It's a strange feeling of accomplishing something, while at the same time--Not. But I have this new job that starts on Monday 11/23 and an interview tomorrow at 10 am for another position...we'll see how it goes. I think I'm a bit anxious about answering to someone else, on the other hand, interaction with others (outside my home) and the idea of bringing in some much needed Money to the "family purse" is exciting and makes me hopeful, especially with Christmas coming, birthdays, baby etc...it will be a huge blessing.

Another blessing that I found out about this week is a friend of mine is planning a "virtual baby shower" for me. You can imagine that after 3 kids, (and 4 years since my last newborn) my baby stuff is broken, trashed, stained or whatever...I have Nothing! And what's a girl to do when she moves over 1300 miles from everyone she knows...A Virtual Baby Shower! How fun does that sound? I am so excited! What a great friend.

Hope you all are well!

I am thankful for my friends near and (mostly) far.

This weekend we took our 1st steps toward Financial Freedom...together. I guess these would be the "Pre-Baby Steps".

Here's what we did:

• Came up with a budget, or at least a work sheet of monthly expenses
• Anaylized areas we thought we could cut a little...to stay with in the recommended percentages
• Came up with areas we could both sacrifice
• Brainstormed ideas for making extra money to get ahead, such as getting back into my Juice Plus Business now that we are getting settled in here...steps I could take to market myself in an area where I know no one. (until recently I was bringin in almost $5000 a year with it, I just got busy with so many other things that it fell to the back burner. I still make a little but I need to bump it back up...) also ebay unused items?
• Put together easy menus so grocery shopping is planned, and not spontaneous spending
• This is our first month doing the Angel Food Ministry Program, this should help save some money. If you are not aware check out the website link above.
• Going to a CASH only System...no debit cards unless absolutely required.

Have you done anything yet? What plan are you using?

Hip Mama

If you don't have a plan yet...We are using Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover"

Baby Step #1: Save $1000 Emergency Fund

Baby Step #2: Debt Snowball

Total Money Makeover:Short Story

I might go back and edit this post, but for purposes of getting something up here I think it's important to tell you the basics:

• Hip Mama & Dad aren't too Hip when it comes to finances...since we are $40,000 in debt.
• About 1/2 of that is Student Loan and Car.
• The other half is frivolous credit cards and some personal loans

The plan is to basically use Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" as a guideline. Check out his website here. I will try to post more soon.

The first step would be to know approximately how much debt you are actually in...then go from there, as GI Joe says, "knowing is half the battle".

Live Like No One Else

"Live like no one else...so that later you can LIVE like no one else."

This is the quote that Dave Ramsey says is his motto for life, or was his motto for life before becoming debt free, and a world renouned financial guru.

I mentioned in an earlier post this week or last that I'd be making some kind of announcement. Well, the announcement is a commitment to be debt free and an invitation to join me (us) in my (our) quest. Finance is a big theme these days. In particular, the disintegration of the family. Lets face it, it seems to be at the root of many issues in the marriage. Why we think divorce solves this, I'm not sure I understand, but nontheless, it seems to be on the "Top 5" list of why marriages end in failure instead of "til death do us part".

So in pursuit, not of wealth or fame, but in pursuit of a successful marriage, and a (more) stress free family, I (and Hip Hubby too!) am commiting my self to the "Live Like No One Else." motto. Hip Hubby and I are commited to honoring the Lord in our finances and in our family. So no more secrets here...

Will you join us and share in our journey? I've created a blog to help with us with accountability and gettin' real. If you're interested, visit my newest blog HERE and join in! So far I've explained the challenge. In the next day or so, I'll be posting my story...and all the dirt on my finances. I encourage you to pray about joining the challenge with me. Imagine how much we could do were we debt free? If you have a good handle on finances share with us how...and encourage others. It doesn't really matter what "plan you are using, just that you have a plan and are sticking to it. Although Dave Ramsey's plan made the most sense, where we are at now. Looking forward to your feedback and your "locking arms" with us.

Total Money Makeover

For the purpose of getting started, I'm creating a blog to help keep me accountable in certain areas of my life. At the moment the purpose is financial freedom. The reason for the title, to Love others, to Laugh with family & friends, enjoy Life, and to "Live like No One Else". See my post here for more explanation.

I don't want to limit the ways we can use this blog, we can use it for financial accountability, or other types of accountability/challenges. I just want it to be used as a place to share, be honest and for those who are commited to Living a life in a different direction. I am a believer, so my journey also includes being a good steward of what the Lord has given me. Up until recently my huband and I haven't been very good stewards. I hope those of you who have conquerd finances will share with those of us who struggle and we can all see how we are doing and lock arms and pray for one another as we journey together on this path.

Another burden I have is the growing number of failed marriages today...specifically in "the church body." I believe finances are a major undercurrent of why these marriages are failing. I hope and prayer is that maybe this commitment or challenge might be a small step in keeping a marriage from getting so stressed over money that they forget everything else.

IF you would like to share your story or join the challenge, please let me know. The goal is to have many contributors, and I will mediate for now, but before you take the challenge here's what's important: HONESTY. If you would like anonymity, that's fine...be whoever you want, just keep it real. Just let me know if you would like to be a "challenger". I am open also to contributor's who want to post some tips....time, money, devotional...encouragement. Whatever. Just let me know.

I did this post on my other blog prior to our Total Money Makeover Commitment:

Well, I'll just be honest, this is probably NOT the Post for me, as I'll admit, my husband and I have been terrible at our finances. I read all of the other really awesome blogs with ideas and advice...and I thought Wow! That's awesome! Part of our problem has been irresponsible or poor decision making and part of it has just been "life". I won't get into it, but we are trying to get our heads above water now, after 9 years of marriage. Thankfully, God has provided for our needs and kept our marriage together and happy despite our fiscal responsibility.

So, here are a few tidbits (b/c that's all I have) of advice:

1. It doesn't take a lot to make your house feel like a home when you are first married, and you can't expect to have the things that you think you need right away. It takes many years for people "set up their homes". It doesn't have to happen over night.

2. DON'T USE CREDIT CARDS. If you don't have it, don't spend it.

3. Save, Save, Save....I think this is #2 on the list...the worst feeling is having something come up, like a big car expense and you have to choose whether or not to pay rent or pay for the car, so you can get to work to pay the rent...not good--believe me I've been there.

4. Okay, so how much do we save. I say, and what we are working on is enough to cover expenses in case my husband looses his job...some experts say 3 months others more. Out 1st goal is 1 month...one day at time.

5. Some would disagree with me, but once we have enough in savings to satisfy, our next goal would be retirement and/or long term emergency.

6. The kids college would be after that. Thankfully we have a little outside help on this issue, and one of my Hip Kiddos started some modeling, so our goal is to put a good chunk away for college for her and hopefully the other Hip Kids will get some work too...and maybe this will be a good contributor. The other chunk, we want to use for special activities/lessons that we wouldn't otherwise be able to do, but the kids want to do.

So, that's what I think....of course use a budget...I'm not so great at that. I'm trying but it's really hard for me. Just being Real, remember? I'm praying for God's strength and help in this! It's a constant battle, so if you think of me...shoot up a little prayer for Hip Mama & Fam!