Only 4 more days until our anniversary! <3
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Count Down......
Our First Anniversary is coming up -
November 3
Only 5 days left!
God has blessed us so much...
November 3
Only 5 days left!
God has blessed us so much...
Grandma Melissa
So, I started to do a cross-stitch. I'm enjoying it a lot! But whenever I work on it I totally feel like a gramma :) I don't really mind... It's just funny, I'll be working on it and look up to answer Nic or listen when he's talking to me and my glasses will be low on my nose, that's totally a gramma thing! I think I'll post a picture of it when I'm done - That means that I have a guaranteed post in about a year because I really think it'll take me that long!! It's a really big picture - I love it!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Lots of Random
We did a big Costco trip this evening. Woah, I totally didn't realize that we'd spend so much in so little time! But looking at all the foods we got and thinking of how much we'd normally spend on the same stuff at a regular grocery store, I'm so sure we saved a bunch :) Nic's friend from work, Alan, took us because we don't have a membership yet. We're still deciding...and I think we've decided we'll get one...just not yet. Maybe after the first of the year or something later like that. I was wondering if they have a specific year that you pay the 50 bucks fee for or does our year start the day we sign up? Does that make any sense? I'll look into it. This is serious business, after all.
So, I called my dad today to get a better grasp on how much we owe for my student loans... and well, if we're disciplined, I think we can pay it down in about a year. That'll be huge discipline, though. And we're not really really good with money. I mean we do fine, but we just have to get motivated to keep living like we're living and to save save save! You know, keep things in perspective and remember the freedom that we'll have to be out from under this. That's where Dave's program comes in. Lord help us!
Just in case anyone was wondering...everything with the hospital bill is taken care of. The lady I talked with from the school did indeed get things worked out and they're not contacting me from collections anymore! Hooray :)
My latest stresses are that I have to go to the dentist on Monday. I haven't been flossing and I know she'll get on me about that :( Also, I love work, but it's hard to let the student to do my job when I'm still so new and want to do it so that I can keep learning. But I'm asked to step back and let her do all the set up and passing and such. It's okay, just a little stressful because I'd like to be the one doing the learning still. And, Nic and I haven't been sleeping all that well. We switched sides in our bed last night and I didn't sleep a wink! What were we thinking? One more thing, my wedding and engagement rings are getting really hard to take off and put on. I have to take them off because I can't wear them during surgery. But I like to wear my rings, of course, so I put them back on after work. I think the daily ritual of taking them off and putting them back on is taking a toll on my knuckle, so it's rebelling and getting large. Lame, isn't it? I'm going to have to up size, I think.
My current joys - My husband: Nic and I have almost been married an entire year! It just keeps getting better and better. He's my favorite. I love his company more than anything. Our small group: We're getting more established and I am just really loving these people. It's getting to the point where I just can't wait to see them Friday nights. I almost feel like a child waiting for a birthday party or something :) My sister - and I went for a walk around Green Lake yesterday. Started with a latte and pastry from Starbucks...walked around twice. Enjoyed quality conversation and just soaked up each other's good company, not to mention the day was absolutely beautiful and warm. I love Amy! Jesus: He is teaching me softly. Tenderly prodding my heart and convicting me of things I need to submit to His authority. He is the BEST!!!!
So, I called my dad today to get a better grasp on how much we owe for my student loans... and well, if we're disciplined, I think we can pay it down in about a year. That'll be huge discipline, though. And we're not really really good with money. I mean we do fine, but we just have to get motivated to keep living like we're living and to save save save! You know, keep things in perspective and remember the freedom that we'll have to be out from under this. That's where Dave's program comes in. Lord help us!
Just in case anyone was wondering...everything with the hospital bill is taken care of. The lady I talked with from the school did indeed get things worked out and they're not contacting me from collections anymore! Hooray :)
My latest stresses are that I have to go to the dentist on Monday. I haven't been flossing and I know she'll get on me about that :( Also, I love work, but it's hard to let the student to do my job when I'm still so new and want to do it so that I can keep learning. But I'm asked to step back and let her do all the set up and passing and such. It's okay, just a little stressful because I'd like to be the one doing the learning still. And, Nic and I haven't been sleeping all that well. We switched sides in our bed last night and I didn't sleep a wink! What were we thinking? One more thing, my wedding and engagement rings are getting really hard to take off and put on. I have to take them off because I can't wear them during surgery. But I like to wear my rings, of course, so I put them back on after work. I think the daily ritual of taking them off and putting them back on is taking a toll on my knuckle, so it's rebelling and getting large. Lame, isn't it? I'm going to have to up size, I think.
My current joys - My husband: Nic and I have almost been married an entire year! It just keeps getting better and better. He's my favorite. I love his company more than anything. Our small group: We're getting more established and I am just really loving these people. It's getting to the point where I just can't wait to see them Friday nights. I almost feel like a child waiting for a birthday party or something :) My sister - and I went for a walk around Green Lake yesterday. Started with a latte and pastry from Starbucks...walked around twice. Enjoyed quality conversation and just soaked up each other's good company, not to mention the day was absolutely beautiful and warm. I love Amy! Jesus: He is teaching me softly. Tenderly prodding my heart and convicting me of things I need to submit to His authority. He is the BEST!!!!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Total Money Makeover
Nic and I are new at life and I've been listening to Dave Ramsey in the afternoons. It's our plan to dive into his 7 Baby Steps program and see where it lands us...
Baby Step 1 - $1,000 Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is for those unexpected events that are not regularly planned for happening in life - you lose your job, there's an unexpected pregnancy, the car's transmission goes out, or, or, or. Something like this WILL happen. Money magazine says that 78% of us will have a major negative event happen in any given 10-year period of time. So get a rainy-day fund, an umbrella.
This beginning emergency fund will keep life’s little Murphies from turning into new debt while you work off the old debt. If a real emergency happens, you can handle it with your emergency fund.
It's also the perfect time to get in the great habit of budgeting. John Maxwell says, "A budget is telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went." You don't have to start a household budget with a perfect month. Start where you are. Write down what you have today. Income and expenses. From then on, spend all your income on paper with purpose before the month begins.
No more borrowing! It’s time to break the cycle of debt!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 2 - Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
The math seems to lean more toward paying the highest interest debts first, but what I have learned is that personal finance is 20% head knowledge and 80% behavior. The principle is to stop everything except minimum payments and focus on one thing at a time. Otherwise, nothing gets accomplished because all your effort is diluted.
You need some quick wins in order to stay pumped enough to get out of debt completely. When you start knocking off the easier debts, you will start to see results and you will start to win in debt reduction.
So list your debts in order with the smallest payoff or balance first (excluding the house). Do not be concerned with interest rates or terms unless two debts have similar payoffs, then list the higher interest rate debt first.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 3 - 3 to 6 Months of Expenses in Savings
Congrats! Now that you’ve completed the first two Baby Steps, you have momentum! But wait… don’t start throwing all your “extra” money into investments quite yet.
It’s time to build up your full emergency fund.
Ask yourself, “Self, what would it take for you to live for 3 to 6 months if you lost your income?” Your answer to that question is how much you should save.
An emergency is something you had no way of knowing it was coming, something that has a major impact on you and your family if you don’t cover it. A great place to keep this money is in a money market account.
Remember, this stash of money is NOT an investment; it is insurance you’re paying to yourself, a buffer between you and life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 4 - Invest 15% of Household Income into Roth IRAs and Pre-Tax Retirement
If you’ve reached this step, you have no payments (but the house) and have saved 3 to 6 months of your living expenses.
It’s finally time to get serious about building wealth.
I don’t suggest investing more than 15% because the extra money will help you complete the next two steps – college savings and paying off your home early.
Well, why not less than 15%? Some people want to invest less or none so they can get a child through school or pay off the home super-fast. I hate to tell you, but the kids’ degrees won’t feed you at retirement, and if you throw all your money into your house, you’ll end up having to sell it to eat and buy the book 72 Ways to Prepare Alpo and Love It. Bad plan.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 5 - College Funding for Children
Whether you are saving to go college or you’re saving for your child to go, the important principle is to start NOW! You should have already started Baby Step 4 – investing 15% of your income – before saving for college.
In order to have enough money saved for college, you must aim at something. Your assignment is to determine how much per month you should be saving at 12% interest in order to have enough for college. If you save at 12% and inflation is at 4%, then you are moving ahead of inflation at a net of 8% per year!
NEVER save for college using:
Remember, college IS possible without loans!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 6 - Pay Off Your House Early
Can you imagine what life would be like if you had absolutely no payments – not even a house payment?!
You’re not too far from making that a reality! You’ve come this far in the Baby Steps; now it’s time to throw all that “extra” money into the largest investment you’ve probably ever made: real estate.
As you attack this last debt, you will gain momentum much like you did back in Baby Step 2 with the Debt Snowball. Remember, having ABSOLUTELY NO PAYMENTS is totally within your reach!
Remember:
Baby Step 7 - Build Wealth and GIVE!
You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist. - Golda Meir
HOORAY! You are now debt free, house and all! Doesn't it feel... weird?
"What am I going to do now that all this money isn't tied up in debt and house payments?" you may be asking yourself.
Build wealth and give like never before. Continue to work toward leaving an inheritance for generations to come. Bless others now with your excess. It's really the only way to live!
Vow to never have a fistful of dollars held so tightly that those precious dollars never get away. Some people think if they clutch those dollars tightly enough, never giving, they are on the path to wealth. The real world teaches that the opposite is true.
Just try it. Let me know if it doesn't work.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 1 - $1,000 Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is for those unexpected events that are not regularly planned for happening in life - you lose your job, there's an unexpected pregnancy, the car's transmission goes out, or, or, or. Something like this WILL happen. Money magazine says that 78% of us will have a major negative event happen in any given 10-year period of time. So get a rainy-day fund, an umbrella.
This beginning emergency fund will keep life’s little Murphies from turning into new debt while you work off the old debt. If a real emergency happens, you can handle it with your emergency fund.
It's also the perfect time to get in the great habit of budgeting. John Maxwell says, "A budget is telling your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went." You don't have to start a household budget with a perfect month. Start where you are. Write down what you have today. Income and expenses. From then on, spend all your income on paper with purpose before the month begins.
No more borrowing! It’s time to break the cycle of debt!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 2 - Pay off all debt using the Debt Snowball
The math seems to lean more toward paying the highest interest debts first, but what I have learned is that personal finance is 20% head knowledge and 80% behavior. The principle is to stop everything except minimum payments and focus on one thing at a time. Otherwise, nothing gets accomplished because all your effort is diluted.
You need some quick wins in order to stay pumped enough to get out of debt completely. When you start knocking off the easier debts, you will start to see results and you will start to win in debt reduction.
So list your debts in order with the smallest payoff or balance first (excluding the house). Do not be concerned with interest rates or terms unless two debts have similar payoffs, then list the higher interest rate debt first.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 3 - 3 to 6 Months of Expenses in Savings
Congrats! Now that you’ve completed the first two Baby Steps, you have momentum! But wait… don’t start throwing all your “extra” money into investments quite yet.
It’s time to build up your full emergency fund.
Ask yourself, “Self, what would it take for you to live for 3 to 6 months if you lost your income?” Your answer to that question is how much you should save.
An emergency is something you had no way of knowing it was coming, something that has a major impact on you and your family if you don’t cover it. A great place to keep this money is in a money market account.
Remember, this stash of money is NOT an investment; it is insurance you’re paying to yourself, a buffer between you and life.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 4 - Invest 15% of Household Income into Roth IRAs and Pre-Tax Retirement
If you’ve reached this step, you have no payments (but the house) and have saved 3 to 6 months of your living expenses.
It’s finally time to get serious about building wealth.
I don’t suggest investing more than 15% because the extra money will help you complete the next two steps – college savings and paying off your home early.
Well, why not less than 15%? Some people want to invest less or none so they can get a child through school or pay off the home super-fast. I hate to tell you, but the kids’ degrees won’t feed you at retirement, and if you throw all your money into your house, you’ll end up having to sell it to eat and buy the book 72 Ways to Prepare Alpo and Love It. Bad plan.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 5 - College Funding for Children
Whether you are saving to go college or you’re saving for your child to go, the important principle is to start NOW! You should have already started Baby Step 4 – investing 15% of your income – before saving for college.
In order to have enough money saved for college, you must aim at something. Your assignment is to determine how much per month you should be saving at 12% interest in order to have enough for college. If you save at 12% and inflation is at 4%, then you are moving ahead of inflation at a net of 8% per year!
NEVER save for college using:
- Insurance
- Savings bonds (only 5-6% growth)
- Zero-coupon bonds. (only 6-8% growth)
- Pre-paid college tuition (only 7% inflation rate)
Remember, college IS possible without loans!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Baby Step 6 - Pay Off Your House Early
Can you imagine what life would be like if you had absolutely no payments – not even a house payment?!
You’re not too far from making that a reality! You’ve come this far in the Baby Steps; now it’s time to throw all that “extra” money into the largest investment you’ve probably ever made: real estate.
As you attack this last debt, you will gain momentum much like you did back in Baby Step 2 with the Debt Snowball. Remember, having ABSOLUTELY NO PAYMENTS is totally within your reach!
Remember:
- When selling a home, think like a retailer.
- When buying a home, think like an investor.
- Never get more than a 15-year fixed mortgage.
- Don't tie up more than 25% of your income in house payments.
Baby Step 7 - Build Wealth and GIVE!
You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist. - Golda Meir
HOORAY! You are now debt free, house and all! Doesn't it feel... weird?
"What am I going to do now that all this money isn't tied up in debt and house payments?" you may be asking yourself.
Build wealth and give like never before. Continue to work toward leaving an inheritance for generations to come. Bless others now with your excess. It's really the only way to live!
Vow to never have a fistful of dollars held so tightly that those precious dollars never get away. Some people think if they clutch those dollars tightly enough, never giving, they are on the path to wealth. The real world teaches that the opposite is true.
Just try it. Let me know if it doesn't work.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Monday's Off Together are the Best!
Monday I had the day off, just like Nic always does! We had a really good day - we were able to relax, get a few things done and enjoy each other's company. Let me try and re-cap our day's activities...
Let's see - Nic and I slept in until about 7:30 ish. We went to the gym to work out for a little bit. It was nice to start the day with a work-out, since we usually end the day with one. Unfortunately, we can't begin our day with exercise because I definitely prefer it! Our mornings just begin so early that it would be incredible for us to get up at like 3:30 just to work out!!! We exercise at Snap Fitness. We love it! It's right up the street from our condo, so we can walk there - even in the cold and rain! :)
Let's see - Nic and I slept in until about 7:30 ish. We went to the gym to work out for a little bit. It was nice to start the day with a work-out, since we usually end the day with one. Unfortunately, we can't begin our day with exercise because I definitely prefer it! Our mornings just begin so early that it would be incredible for us to get up at like 3:30 just to work out!!! We exercise at Snap Fitness. We love it! It's right up the street from our condo, so we can walk there - even in the cold and rain! :)
After our work-out, Nic went to meet with Matt Bayley at Cafe Ladro. Those guys meet every Monday morning. It's been a great encouragement for Nic to spend some time with an older/wiser man in the faith. While he was gone, I spent some time cleaning up our kitchen, listening to music (Shaun Groves), and starting our laundry. Sometimes it gets so out of control. Although, this week it wasn't that bad...I folded it all today - Recently, laundry hasn't been a one day thing, I spread it out over a few days...well, because we like it to take up our couch for a few days, and of course, we love to look at it in our living room, and we just have plenty of other things we'd rather be doing... :)
Anyway, when Nic got home from work, we went to Williams Sonoma where we exchanged this cookbook holder that we had bought with a gift card (Please, don't think we can actually afford to shop there, people!). It had embossed measurements/conversions on it and they all smeared off, so we exchanged it for one and we hope that doesn't happen again! On our way home we stopped at Blockbuster - we have a free 'favorite' every month - and rented Jakob the Liar, a drama set during WW2 with Robin Williams as the lead role. Nic had seen it before, I hadn't, we both loved it and recommend it! While watching, we had Progressive's Chicken Noodle Soup, popcorn, and a few chocolate chip cookies that Amy and I made Sunday night!
Anyway, when Nic got home from work, we went to Williams Sonoma where we exchanged this cookbook holder that we had bought with a gift card (Please, don't think we can actually afford to shop there, people!). It had embossed measurements/conversions on it and they all smeared off, so we exchanged it for one and we hope that doesn't happen again! On our way home we stopped at Blockbuster - we have a free 'favorite' every month - and rented Jakob the Liar, a drama set during WW2 with Robin Williams as the lead role. Nic had seen it before, I hadn't, we both loved it and recommend it! While watching, we had Progressive's Chicken Noodle Soup, popcorn, and a few chocolate chip cookies that Amy and I made Sunday night!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Welcome Home (Shaun Groves)
Welcome Home
Take, me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking
Take, me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking
Welcome to this heart of mine
I've buried under prideful vines
Grown to hide the mess I've made
Inside of me
Come decorate, Lord
Open up the creaking door
And walk upon the dusty floor
Scrape away the guilty stains
Until no sin or shame remain
Spread Your love upon the walls
And occupy the empty halls
Until the man I am has faded
No more doors are barricaded
Chorus:
Come inside this heart of mine
It's not my own
Make it home
Come and take this heart and make it
All Your own
Welcome home
Take a seat, pull up a chair
Forgive me for the disrepair
And the souvenirs from floor to ceiling
Gathered on my search for meaning
Every closet's filled with clutter
Messes yet to be discovered
I'm overwhelmed, I understand
I can't make this place all that You can
repeat chorus
I took the space that You placed in me
Redecorated in shades of greed
And I made sure every door stayed locked
Every window blocked, and still You knocked
repeat chorus
Take me, make me
All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking
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