Well, turns out my kids really don't like soccer...and of course we have to pay for the uniform, cleats, and shin guards to see that. Oh well I am of the attitude that it's better to explore something first to see if you like it then not even do it at all.
So with that said, soccer is over!! We had a nice dinner and then BBQ for each of the kids teams. Here are some pics of them..actually playing instead of looking at the sky or doing cartwheels.

The big "B" word

Um that is budget for all of you out there who think I'm swearing! For any of those who know me, budgeting is not my idea of a good time. However, like Dave Ramsey says MONEY IS ACTIVE, if you don't tell your money what to do, it will always RULE YOU! Isn't that the truth, I'm sick of being ruled by my money!

Spend your month on paper and allocate where everything goes. Simple words but lots of work. Plus he says it usually takes 90 days for a budget to really work, and you have to do a new one each month. So I started it, Mike and I will do it together on Friday (I know, what a fabulous date night-make a budget!) and it is amazing how much further your money goes!

Another big lesson is using the envelope system to pay cash! I know, some of you might just ask... CASH, WHAT IS THAT? It's that green, paper stuff you can pay with that does not resemble a debit card. Now bills and some things you don't pay for cash (EFT's) but food, entertainment and clothing should all be allocated a monthly amount and used. So my first lesson will be getting my week's groceries with my cash! When it's out it's out! I think most of the blogs I follow with the coupon ladies, they all use cash. You see how much you spend, you don't have to keep track of it with your bank and will probably spend less. You put the amount in an envelope and there you go. Now with clothes I don't buy them all the time but I know that summer and back to school will be here before I know it, so I'm going to start allowing some cash to go in an envelope so I will be ready and NOT GET OUT THE CREDIT OR STORE CARD!

BABY STEP 1 BUST
So remember how excited I was with my baby step 1 and emergency fund? You'll never guess-this week we have two EMERGENCIES. Our washer broke. So there goes $200 because we kinda need our washer. Our car is idling all weird and the engine light is on, so we'll have to take that to the shop for a diagnosis and then who knows how much it will cost (the warranty ran out last year). The good news is: we don't have to put any of it on a credit card!! Bad news is: we have to build our $1000 back up. There is a sense of peace knowing you have the money to pay for it though and not the guilt and remorse over pulling out the credit card.

Words of the wise for the week:

"The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty". Proverbs 21:5

Overdrafts are a sign of CRISIS LIVING and sloppy, lazy money habits.
Note: in 2008 banks made 10.3 billion in overdraft fees

A written plan removes the "managment by crisis" from your finances.

Use the four walls principle: you must build your (financial) house with four walls before you can do anything else, so always make sure every month you have paid for: food, shelter, clothing & transportation.

If you will LIVE like no one else, later you CAN live like no one else!

Ahhhh, this lesson which encompasses Mike and I: the nerd and free spirit unite. Must I say more of the need for us to get this lesson?

The lesson was mostly about relating to money and Dave did a great job explaining marriage, and kids and money. I learned that my nerd is coming across as controlling only because he wants to take care of me, and he learned that by me feeling like I am controlled doesn't get anything accomplished (but this does not give me the excuse to not deal with anything).

Also the kids section was great, with his kids he did "commissions"- basically his kids had jobs to do just by being a part of the family (clearing their plate, taking out the trash, etc) then they had a list of things that if they did they got $1 each for. At the end of the week, they only got paid if they did it. They didn't do it, no money. Money gets split into three envelopes: giving, savings, spending.
Now we have been doing this to some extent, but instead of commissions, we gave the kids an allowance and they had to save and then spend some. I like Dave's way better. By relating it to a job you are teaching a work ethic and how to manage money, by just giving them money they come to expect it and not relate it to something done to get it. I really want to teach my kids to give, I think it's an important life lesson. While Mike and I maybe not agree with where the giving money goes (he's against all tithing), it is still invaluable to raise a child to look beyond them selves and to give to others.
So we will start our new process this week with the kids.
Another lesson from Dave-when his kids got older, he stopped the comissions and they opened up a checking account where he put money in there for lunch, food, clothing-all the things he would buy for them. They then got to spend their money but had to keep track of it and budget it. When his middle daughter bounced her first check, she had to go to the bank and PERSONALLY apologize for "using the banks money that she didn't have". That was a good one. Plus when his kids turned 16 he matched their savings for a car, so the oldest daughter had $3,000 by the time she was 16, so he matched it and she got a $6,000 car. When his middle had seen how much that plan really worked, she saved $6,000!! She got a pretty nice car at 16 and now Dave is very worried about the youngest child who is working on a Hummer :-)

Also we have $790 toward our emergency fund and by the end of May will have the complete $1000! Yeah, baby step one will be done.

Next week is the art of budgeting.....oh boy let's not all shout yipee at once.
For those of you who do not know about Dave Ramsey, he is really engaging and funny and takes a pratical approach to money and it is biblically based. His main focus is to teach people how to live debt free!!!

I don't even know who reads my blog but I wanted to share the knowledge that Mike and I are gaining through going to a class called Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey.
Budgeting, reducing credit card debt, building savings and retirement are just some of the reasons we decided to take this class. Communicating about money and taking the emotional roller coaster out of the equasion (having peace) is the biggest.


So we got our kit, which had a TON of stuff in it-all lessons on CD to listen to, a book, workbook,forms, and a wallet with envelopes and notepad. Note: our membership is for a lifetime, we can go to any class any time.

Our first lesson was SAVINGS.
Here are some things from the workbook:

• You will either learn to manage money, or the lack of it will always manage you.
• "In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has." -Proverbs 21:20
• One definition of maturity is learning to delay pleasure. Children do what feel good; adults devise a plan and follow it.
• Give, save, then pay bills in that order.

Are you SICK of hearing about the unemployment rates, the bailout scandal, the bad news that goes on and on? There is a difference between reality and over-hype.

So I am here to list all the GOOD, the WONDERFUL and the AMAZING things that I am thankful for DESPITE the raging economy blues.

1. A healthy family. We have sniffles, occasional pukes fests, but my kids have never seen the inside of an emergency room and have only missed 4-6 days of school so far. I thank God.

2. A husband and partner that sticks with me through good and bad, and shares LOTS Of laughs in between. Love you sweetie for loving me just who I am.

3. A source of income. I whine and complain and a temp job scanning and part-time job at Kohl's is NOT my longterm plan, nor does it fulfill any goals I have...but it PUTS FOOD ON THE TABLE AND GAS IN MY CAR!

4. I am learning how to live with less. Do my kids need $50 of toys for Easter baskets? No. Do they need to understand what Easter is and appreciate it? Yes. Do they NEED a trip to Disneyland we had planned in October? No. Will we set an example for them by NOT using credit cards and teach them something that lasts beyond a trip to see Mickey? YES.

5. Coupons are my friend and I will borrow any recipe, idea and technique on how to get more out of my groceries and dollars. Thanks thrifty mom!

6. I really DO NOT need to eat out two or three times per week. I can cook (*sharp intake of air*) and eat better and enjoy a meal with my family, and TEACH my kids more cooking skills.

7. I choose to live in a Kingdom where worldly matters DON'T matter and my destiny has already been written. Thank you Lord.

8. I have friends that provide a laugh, a smile and an ear.

9. I have a church family that builds me up when I am out of steam, broken down and tired and remind me of #7.

10. I have really wonderful kids. How I love them for their creativity, occasional sassiness, abundance of love, freedom and trust. They teach ME everyday.

KEEP SMILING!!