FPU Week 5 & 6: "Gazelle Intensity"

Financial peace here we come!!  We have gone through weeks five and six and are feeling positive, excited and making progress.  That's one of the most encouraging aspects of this program: PROGRESS!! It's called "Gazelle Intensity."  This happens once you make the decision to change your life financially.  You have to go at it fast and intense as a gazelle would running away from a predator- In this case, the predator is debt and debt collectors.  Once you start seeing results- almost immediately- its hard to slow down or even make a conscious desicion to 'not' do your budget.  This doesn't mean not 'having a life,' or not doing the things you love, it just a matter of "situational awareness."  You make a budget for the necessities and what ever is left over, you put towards debt to get that snowball running.  I am not as eloquent as Dave Ramsey, but that is the gist of it. 
This week we filed our taxes and after much discussion and a little heartbreak, we have decided to put all of our refund towards our debt and putting a new roof on the house in Washington.  As much as we would like to buy a new computer, among other things; buying more "stuff" would go against everything we are trying to accomplish now. 

What are we trying to accomplish again?

-Being Debt Free (except the mortgage) in 3 years,
-Saving up 3-6 months worth of expenses,
-Saving for college for our children, investments and eventually building wealth.

According to Dave Ramsey, the average person that sticks to the baby steps get out of debt in 18-24 months!  If you listen to his radio show or pod casts, you will hear the many people on there telling their stories and it really is amazing!  You don't need to have a high income now, or even have a dual income household to get out of debt.  You do YOUR budget and go at your pace, but I'm telling you- once you get that fire lit- you will want to go at it like a Gazelle!

Sunday Snapshots: Lets Rodeo San Antonio!

Yee Ha!!  As the cowboys and girls would say.  This weekend, we packed up our little family and headed up to the the big city of San Antonio.  On Friday we got up there early and shopped til we dropped- at least I did...
Saturday was rodeo day!!  We got up early and headed to the rodeo with our little buckaroo in tow.  Met up with some friends, pet some animals, wine tasting, and got full off of fair food.  Sunday, we headed home in the afternoon and relaxed the rest of the evening.  It was a great little weekend getaway, and one of the best parts- We stuck to our budget!!  We are so proud of ourselves...
Until next time, I bid you Adieu. 

Our Little Family <3 <3 <3

Baaa!

Oink Oink!

My Little Cowboy <3 <3 <3

Sunday Snapshots: Seminole Canyon



Finn just hanging out



Seminole Canyon, Archeolympics and Fate Bell Rock Shelter Pictograph Tour

Welcome to another great weekend!  This weekend, went by far too fast.  Bryan and I got brave and decided to take Finn hiking! 

We drove about 45 minutes east on Hwy 90 to the Seminole Canyon, where we took a two-mile, guided, walking tour.  The tour descended into a limestone canyon where you can view 4,000- year-old Pecos Style pictographs. They are among the oldest, most colorful, complex and distinctive ancient paintings in all of the Americas.  It is considered to be a moderate-strenuous hike- but only because of the stairs.  Once you get down into the canyon, it is easy peasy.  The other great thing about this Texas State Park is that there is camping, a museum and another 6 mile hike that you can go on that is bike, stroller and pet friendly. 



On this particular weekend, the 4th annual Archeolympics were taking place as well.  There was basket weaving display, fire tindle making, and spear throwing!! 

We had a great time with friends spending the day outside.  Here are a few pictures of our adventure:





An indian Pictograph from 4,000 years ago





Fate Bell Shelter



The Shaman

Sunday Snapshots: 2nd ed.

Superbowl Sunday!! Packers won the Steelers. Okay, so I wasn't watching wholeheartedly, I mostly like this little American "holiday" for the friends and food.
It was a great day overall.  Started the morning off with going to church, then headed home for a straight-up cooking marathon.  I even recruited Bryan to help.  I am on a mission to make a meal plan for two weeks!!  So far, im off to a good start.  Got my grocery shopping done and so far I have made an appetizer for the game tonight: Parmesean Gnocchi, Chicken casserole for Wednesday night, homeade marinara and chicken stock for future recipes, and pureed spinach for Finn.
I made a huge mess in the kitchen, and I recruited Bryan to help do dishes- love that man!!
We also had the pleasure of watching a friends' baby girl, while they had an afternoon to themselves; so Finn had a playdate today.  It was a beautiful sunny day, and far too short.  I am having problems with my pictures that I actually took today, so Ill leave some from a past Sunday in December...

Finn's Justin Timberlake outfit

Loves his bath time

Red Cardinal in our back yard

Have a great week!

FPU Week 4: Where Do You Find Inspiration?

Week Four of Financial Peace University.  Thankfully its the beginning of the month, so I can start spending money again...
Not to say that I can't, or that we are totally restricting ourselves, but at the end of the month and all the money is spent, well- it sucks.  We did have a small victory though- we stuck to our budget and were even able to put extra money towards our credit card; thus we are getting our debt snowball rolling (step 2).  The only set back was Bryan's truck had to be taken in, and apparently a new belt replaced or something- so that was kinda  of considered an "emergency," so we tapped into that fund, and now our goal for February is back to step one- Emergency fund of $1000. 
Two steps back, one step forward.  Doesn't it always go that way?

Anyways, regardless of the technicalities, I really do look forward to going to class each week- like really look forward to it.  There is a small group of us there, but you feel like you are a part of something bigger.  Dave Ramsey is a really great motivational speaker and who-would-have-thought there was humor is talking about money.  He is inspirational.  Also, it is exciting and inspirational at the thought of learning about where your hardworking money can take you in life.  I feel like a changed person.  One small step at a time, I (we) are taking control over our lives.  Granted, we have only been doing this "officially" for four weeks, we have really been doing it since October.  Bryan's parents started FPU (Financial Peace University) then and introduced it to us. We read Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey on our own and started applying those concepts to our lives in October.  The first three months are a learning period, where you work out all the kinks.  We did good in Oct and Nov, but fell off the wagon in Dec.  Once we discovered there was a FPU coming to Del Rio, we hopped on that like an old potato sack, so now we are "official."  I am obviously excited, otherwise why would I be writing about it and probably boring those who are reading this (dont worry Ill put pics of Finn up next time).  Part of our homework is keeping a journal- so that is what this is I suppose.  Who knows, maybe Ill get the oppurtunity to inspire just one person. 

Here is a video of the FPU preview...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLX3wUY1xGg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQQ0DI1nv8M

Til next time, Cheers!