2007 Photo Review: Double Click collage to view

Happy Holidays Over!

So the holidays are over. woo hoo! Yes I know that I should have been happy they were coming and then here but I am more happy they are over. Time to get back to normal.

The holidays went well for us. I was so worried about money that I didn't buy any big items but found that Tyler had way to many small gifts by the time I was done. I bet he opened over 20 gifts on Christmas from us and his grandparents. Oh well, he really enjoyed himself.

New Years like every year was just a blah day off. Don't get me wrong I didn't want to go to work but after being off for Christmas you run out of things to do around the house and you just want to do something anything. I tend to get a little cabin fever now and then.

Update on dealing with living with the parents: Ben and I made a decision to start paying rent whether they like it or not. We are starting small because of course we are also trying to save up to get out of there altogether. I talked to my dad and he is going to help get my mom on board. Ben and I figure if they wont accept the money we will give it to them in gift certificates to Lowe's as they are trying to do some updating around the house and what are Ben and I going to use money for Lowe's for when we don't have a house.

Also we have started giving 10% of our normal income in tithes. It was a big step for me because I feel like every dollar I can save toward getting us out of our situation is worth holding on to but I know that I cannot rely on myself to get me through and this is one way of practicing my faith in God. Trusting that there will somehow be enough money for it all is helping me to trust God in other situations in my life. And guess what, we had no trouble paying our tithes and buying (granted cheaper) gifts for Christmas.

God has really blessed us lately with work for Ben and I pray that we will do what is best with that privilege he has given us.

God bless you all as he has seen fit to bless me with a wonderful family and friends, a job and all of my needs taken care of.

Please continue to pray for us as with self employment you never know if things will continue to be good or if a slump is around the corner.

I am still alive

Hello all my faithful blog readers.

I just wanted to let you know that I am still alive.
Ben and I are doing better.
We have started the Dave Ramsey way to financial Freedom.

We are working like crazy and still not able to save much but I must say it is nice to even be staying afloat with a little less worry especially around the holidays.

I am however starting to worry about my parents finances since we depend on them for so much. I know they are not making all their bills and yet they continue to pay for things for us all the time. I try to stop them and it just doesn't work. The insist. I don't know how to boss them around when I am living under their roof. What should I do? I know moving out would be the best answer but I just don't think that is feasable right now.

gotta go.

try to get back sooner next time.

A long downward crash with no way to pull up

I am reading a great book call The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It is not great because it makes you feel good that is for sure. In fact I cant seem to read it without breaking down and crying. I keep hearing (also watching a video series at church) and reading about the Hope people felt with a plan in place but yet the more I read and the more I try and try to get gazelle intense about getting out of our student loan debt the worse I feel. I know the only possible way we can do it is to work like crazy people (as we don't have much to sell) and I am already mourning the lost time with my son. I tried to increase my income without paying the sitter the extra time by taking him with me thinking I would also feel better about not completely being separated from him but I just got frustrated and angry with him. I was sick and tired of being around him by the time I actually had the time (after work).

I am a nerd and I can't help but crunch the numbers and they don't give me any hope. It will still take years to drag ourselves out. I will stick with it and keep trying as my experience with loosing weight tells me that eventually you start to believe in what you practice and it gets easier.

By the way the crash implied by the title is an emotional one. I actually know we will not fail at getting out of debt I just also know it will be a very long time and a hard life that I emotionally struggle to endure. The thought of 3 to 9 more years of the status Que is frightening.

Here we go with.
Step 1: Emergency Fund $1000.00

Well we tried selling our most valuable (money wise) posesion, excluding the car needed to get Ben to work, our Big Screen LCD TV and stereo system. We found a buyer but they can only buy it in payments so getting our Emergency Fund done will be delayed if we use this to fund it.

I am requesting more hours at my original part time (used to be full time) job to help out but only time will tell here. If this doesnt work I am thinking about looking for a 3rd part time job. I allready work a 2nd part time job on my days off and this is the one that I tried to take Tyler along on.

Ben is looking for a part time job also (in addition to his law office) to get this paid and get the debt snowball rolling.

And of course we are praying for increased success at his law office which will also help.

Anyone know how I might have a winter garage sale or another way I might "find" some money?