Oh Baby!

One of my dearest friends told me the other day she is expecting baby number 2!  OK so that was many months ago.  Their daughter Mallory celebrated her 1st Christmas this month!  Since I can't use the ideas found on page 930 of the index in The Complete Tightwad Gazette, I'm dedicating these ideas to my friend in hopes she and others can use them.  Please, share other ideas you use and if you have found these helpful.  So many of this is not in my own words as they are recipes, etc.

All Things Babies:

Food Versus Breast Feeding pg. 97
Wipes pg. 271

• some use paper towels with a mixture of baby oil and shampoo
• Amy used old washcloths instead of paper towels like previous generations.  Baby wipes are expensive and full of alcohol, fragrances, etc. causing irritants.
• If you use the paper towel version because of daycare needs, here's a recipe sent in to The Gazette:

1 roll paper towels, 2 1/4 C water, 2 T baby shampoo or bath, 1 T baby oil

1. "Cut the roll of paper towels in half and remove the cardboard."

2. "Mix the water, shampoo, and oil in a plastic container" (could use an old baby wipe container).

3. Place half the roll inside the container.  "Put the lid on and turn upside down to let the towels thoroughly soak."

4. When done, "pull the towels from the center of the roll."

Baby Items pg. 336-339

   When Amy gave away or sold her baby stuff, she became pregnant with twins.  Using her skills from raising the first four, by "their first birthday...aside from food and doctor bills" she "spent less than $100" on her twins:

1. Buy used and then you can resell "well-maintained items for the same price you paid."
2. "Subtly steer well-meaning relatives and friends from giving you cute outfits that will fit or look new for five minutes.  Instead "encourage practical gifts."
3. Borrow from people because most "don't sell their stuff right away."
4. "Graciously accept all the secondhand things people give you.  Keep what you can use, pass on what you can't" ensuring a "steady flow of used items."
5. "Put off necessary purchases until you can find the items cheap" by "[avoiding] unnecessary items.  Make substitutions, either short- or long-term, to achieve both objectives."

Mallory

The following are items you can substitute temporarily and more information is listed in the book. I've also compared to America's Financial Expert, Ellie Kay and then listed ways to use some of the items when longer needed for babies.

Baby Shampoo- use regular

Baby Tub- use bathtub or sink

Baby Wipes- mentioned above;  To read Ellie Kay's story and get her wipe recipe click http://elliekay.com/blog/39/baby-wipes-tell-your-friends/

Bottles- nurse until 1, then drink from a cup

Car Seat- NO SUBSTITUTE, some hospitals rent for $1 a month; (pg.168) write Center for Auto Safety in Washington and get standards.  One writer said she purchased one at a yard sale that didn't meet requirements and they sent her a new one for free.  I found the website: www.autosafety.org

Changing Table- towel on top of dresser with items in shoebox

Cloth Diapers, Rubber Pants, and Pins- Never used disposal; (pg.62) old cloth diapers can be used at cleaning rags but have been found best to use for window washing due to their high absorbency and are streak-free. (pg. 69) For happy babies do not air dry diapers because their appearance and texture resembles shingles.  Therefore, don't worry about the cost of the dryer because they are a smaller load according to Amy's research. A three page interview with a mom who used disposal diapers and her reasons for going to cloth is presented on pages 177-179.  I learned the time spent using cloth diapers is not a ton and the savings is amazing.

For stubborn pins (pg. 528) use paraffin wax melted in tuna can in hard wax can be remelted.  Amy rubs the pins in her hair along the scalp to get to the natural oils to lubricate them. (pg. 516) Use bread bags as plastic pants in a pinch by slitting at the seams and flattening the bag. (pg. 518) Hot gluing pants will melt in the dryer and stitching old aging pants will tear again, but may last a year longer.  (pg. 569) Using large nylon pants after the small size saves money and still doesn't link.  Nylon lasts longer than vinyl pants. 

Clothes- free from friends or yard sales

Cribs- bedding in a drawer on the floor or playpen

Crib Bumpers- roll a towel

Diaper Bag- duffel or backpack (toss wet diapers in bread bag)

Diaper Bucket- 5 gallon bucket

Diaper Stuff- shortening for petroleum jelly/cornstarch for powder, samples from the hospital; (pg. 332) can add cornstarch to old baby powder container

Eating Utensils- use adults

Formula- breast feed, formula costs about $800 a year; (pgs. 21-23) Though submitted baby formula recipes (2 12 oz cans evaporated milk, 32 oz water, 2 T Karo syrup, 3 mil Poly Vi Sol Vitamins)Doctors and nutritionists who were called about this recipe were told were not ranked high and personally, I would not give babies Karo syrup and evaporated milk.  Newborns are not to have cow's milk because it's too hard to digest.  It's advised to check infant nutrition before making this recipe.  I am a Shaklee distributor and know that their formula is top of the line.  Other information regarding this recipe was discussed in more detailed in the book.

I found a good website to make your own baby food that includes ideas for storing all based on the different stages of life. http://wholesomebabyfood.momtastic.com/#url

Gate- playpen or close doors, make gate to hinge to door casing; (pg. 636) use old ones for drying rack for sweaters by placing over the laundry sink or bathtub

High Chair- baby swing or walker, table top attached

Mobile- entertain yourself or make one

Pacifier- didn't use

Playpen- crib or baby-proof

Shoes- not necessary until can walk

Store-Bought Baby Food- get a hand crank machine to grind food

Stroller- baby backpack; (pg. 320) if you find one needing a little TLC or from a garage sale sometimes calling the manufacturer's 800 number.  The numbers can be found for free from writing the Consumer Information Center for the Consumer's Resource Handbook of I found it online http://publications.usa.gov/USAPubs.php

Toys- play with pots and lids, (pg. 508) make a rattle from a large metal jingle bell (about 1 1/3 inches) to attach to a short colored ribbon

Walker- can be a substitute to other items (playpen), but some doctors feel it slows development

Wind-Up Swing- get only if used, (pg. 351) can use a milk crate by belting child in and cutting two places for the feet, then securely fasten to an existing swing.

Bibs (pg. 312)- Use old shower curtains by "[sewing] on bias tape for neck ties."  Then fold the bottom to the front make a pocket and sew.

(p.713)- For a pull-over bib, use expensive sweatshirts by removing the sleeves and back, then with a zigzag to finish the edging.  You can also use hand towels by folding in half and cutting a hole in the center, then edge the finish with a zigzag stitch. 

Additionally, you could spend time and energy each week cutting all the coupons you need and researching sites, such as http://www.pocketyourdollars.com, a great site, to save money on baby stuff.  For those like my friend, alternatives to coupons are appreciated.  What are your alternatives?

Elise and Mallory

Happiness

I just finished reading The Law of Happiness by Dr. Henry Cloud.  I heard about the book a few years ago when he spoke at Women of Faith.  My mom had it and I picked it up curious as to what it entailed.  Due to my busy schedule and the depth of information needed to seek in and apply to life, I engaged in the book as I would a devotional. 

I find that after my experience a few weeks ago, searching for happiness in all situations is what I need.  Since moving into my apartment in February with no internet, I've been spending my weekend days at my parents to do homework.  Initially I planned to go home Saturday night, but due to the time (12 o'clock)  decided to stay and leave early in the morning.  My mom wasn't feeling good and on her way to bed said I needed to call 911.  I asked 'why' and told her to sit down.  While on the phone she suddenly started snoring with eyes rolling and turning grey.  At one moment she had no pulse and when she came to, didn't recognize me.  She spent two nights at the hospital worried it was being on the gluten free diet only to find out the doctors were not worried about that.  She was diagnosed with diabetes, but her blood pressure medicine was the cause of her passing out and having no pulse. 

She still hasn't fully recovered.  With new blood pressure medicine and changing her diet, she still has the same symptoms.  At one point they said her kidneys were failing, but then said they were normal.  We are now wondering if they are failing.  Lesson learned:  we will never go to this  particular hospital due unmentioned circumstances from this experience and past ones.  I did learn that God put me at the right place for this moment.  Otherwise, she would not have made it and my dad would have come home to a worst case scenario.  Every day we need to learn from those around us and cherish them while we have them.

The following are the laws/chapters and what I took away.  They are not all laws, but also the main concepts of the book.  For more detail and a deeper look, read this book.  I highly recommend it.



The Laws of Happiness
"#1 Wired that when properly "turned on" we get happier.
#2 External circumstances don't inherent power to bring us happiness.
#3 Circumstantial happiness doesn't last.
#4 When pursing the things that don't have power to make us happy, we ignore the ones that do.
#5 Happy People Are Givers- One of the best happiness structures in life is giving to God, and giving to Him first.
#6 Giving past your emotional resources will not lead to happiness, but sometimes unhappiness.
-Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
-It is more blessed to give than receive.
#7 Happy People Are Not Lazy About Happiness
#8 Happy People Don't Wait For Someday- Today, this moment, is all there is or all there will ever be.
-Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
#9 Living in the present will make your stress go down and your happiness go up.
- How are you doing in regards to enjoying each moment?/
-Is your obsession with a bank balance keeping you from enjoying life
#10 Happy People Pursue Goals- Intrinsic goals are the ones we follow and complete and that add meaning.
-How are you going to stretch yourself in the coming week past where you were before?
#11 Connected people do better in all aspects of life, especially in setting and reaching goals.
-Be prepared for sacrifice, but find sacrifice with love somewhere in it. 
-Create SMART (specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, timely) goals similar to writing IEP goals for special education.
#12 Happy People Fully Engage
-Col. 3:23 Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart
#13 There is only one way to live life if you are to be happy: totally in, totally engaged.
#14 Happy People Connect- God has not constructed us to be fueled by accomplishments, but love.
#15 God made our brains to chemically respond in a positive way to support one another and respond negatively when we don't have to.
#16 Happy People Don't Compare Themselves- God made you unique, with your gifts and abilities, talents and horsepower.  To compare yourself with anyone else is like comparing apples and  oranges.
#17 While most women want a man with an actual job and provides, they don't care about external symbols of power.
#18 Happy People Think Well- Every single day, happy people are thinking thoughts that help them be happy and unhappy people do the opposite.
#19 Happy people are the ones who are happy even when there are flaws, missteps, and mistakes.
#20 Happy People Are Grateful
#21 Happy People Have Boundaries- Having boundaries means setting limits on what you will or won't allow into your life.
#22 People with good boundaries quickly address infractions don't put up with repeated patterns of hurtful or irresponsible behavior.
#23 Change yourself and the world changes around you.
#24 Boundaries not only protect you from evil, but protect the good things you are trying to build.
#25 Happy People Forgive- When you forgive others, you are the biggest beneficiary.
#26 Happy People Have a Calling- When we realize we are working for God, every task becomes significant and meaningful.
#27 Happy People Have Faith- Until you have a relationship with God, there is no connection, and you don't experience the benefits of the relationship.
#28 God is taking us somewhere, and tomorrow has a purpose today is part of. 
-Why can't I be different?"

May you have the happiness God intended for you.  Enjoy Spring!

What's Worked

Be A Circle Maker

"God Honors Bold Prayers because
Bold Prayers Honor God" Pastor Mark Batterson

While reading chapter one, the Lord brought a sweet song to mind that I loved the moment I heard it many years ago.  I don't know who sings it, so sorry I can't credit them.

"I come boldly, trusting only, redeeming love.

Flowing freely, to your side now, your atoning blood.

Like a river, like a fountain, like a cleansing flood.

I pour out my worship to you, For your redeeming love."

My dear friend Lara mailed this to me. 
My first piece of mail!

My mom mailed my Valentine card to me. 
She's so talented.

 

Organization & Prep

 

My apartment is still in limbo with the management office as far as letting me know what my compensation will be.  I was unable to live there for a week starting the 1st due to their lack of cleaning, painting, and shampooing.  It's been over a month and I still don't know how much I'm supposed to pay.

To say the least, I've been organizing my clothes by day/season and prep cooking after purchasing fruits and vegetables.  By doing this I'm saving money, recycling and reusing more, and eating healthier.

 

Tightwad

I find it fascinating when families live on $30,000 and are able to save more than the salary in a few years to pay off debt, get ahead, or give it away.  Those with financial knowledge or experience are not all tightwads.  As Dacyczyn says on page 7, "Tightwaddery is not for everyone."  To me it's about being a good steward and making wise financial decisions based on the resources God gives us.  That's why I'm taking her challenge, "Choose one new idea a week.  One new skill a month" (pg. 7).  The plan is to reach your goal.  For me, I use a combination of Crown Financial Ministries and Financial Peace while incorporating saving skills/ideas from Ellie Kay, The Complete Tightwad Gazette (Gazette), and others for today's times.

One thing all four sources say is to write down everything you spend.  Some say one month, while others recommend three.  The importance is to know where you spend your money in order to create a budget based on needs versus wants.

Based on page 10 of the Gazette, here's 9 of the "10 Painless Ways To Save $100 This Year":

1. "Purchase 10 articles of clothing at thrift shops and yard sales this year instead of paying department store prices."
2. "Hang four loads of laundry per week instead of using your dryer."
3. "Once a month make a pizza from scratch instead of having one delivered."
4. "Write a good letter instead of making a monthly long distance phone call."
5. "Reduce your soda consumption by four cans per week."
6. "Bake one batch of bread (two loaves per week)."
7. "Save $50 each on two children's birthday parties by making homemade decorations, cake, wrapping paper, and one present."
8. "Reduce your whole milk consumption by gallons per week, substituting dry milk in cooking, homemade cocoa mix, and half-and-half for drinking."
9. "Pack four inexpensive lunches per week."

 

Cucumber
Stir Fry
Last time I mentioned researching what to do with cucumbers.  I bought a pack of small ones at Aldi and chopped them up to add to a salad, etc.  They were not the best, so I decided to take the advice read online to use similar to zucchini.  They cooked like zucchini in a vegetable stir fry to add on top of eggs for breakfast.  The cucumbers tasted much better and this was a better solution than throwing them away!

 

Refrigerator Pickles
Five years ago I read a Tightwad Gazette book with the idea of putting cucumbers in the jar of  left over pickle juice for four days.  I decided to try this using the skins of a bigger cucumber to not waste it.  Surprisingly, they tasted just like pickles.  I would do this again.  I added the rest of the baby cucumbers listed above to the juice, but haven't tried them yet.

Can you tell the skins from the store bought pickles?
Not by taste!

Financial Update

January

Additional Income: $195 house-sitting,$7 oil change rebate, $10.68 Target return
Taxes: saved $8.76
Housing: New apartment expenses for down payment and application fee -$385
Debt: Paid off private student loan.  Didn't buy any wants or extra for a year, lived with my parents, and house-sat. $4001.68
Entertainment/Rec.: Saved $16.55

• Y saved $20 went 12+ times this month
• Archiver's scrapbook night friend paid back with $10 dinner, saved $1 with a coupon for stickers

Savings: Saved $6.60 in coins (from cash spent)
Medical/Dental: overspent by $315 (flex, medicine, filling)
Miscellaneous: Overspent due to work related expenses needing reimbursement from the Autism Shop.

• Aveda school (cut, color, product)- 20% off discount for services for being a student
• $16.48, $11.94, $11.94 Amazon books splurge (The G-Free Diet, Complete Tightwad Gazette, Millionaire Next Door)

Food: Over spent $2 to eat with friends haven't seen in awhile, free donut and cappuccino at Kwik trip
Transportation: Saved $5- Kwik Trip coupons for gas can be used at Holiday next to my house, elite car wash coupon
Insurance: Car- need to research cheaper insurance for 10 year old car- pay about $800-$900 a year!

 

February

Not a good month!!!!  Savings from living at home I spent on a dream and necessity, rather than applying to debt.  I was able to pay what I have budgeted for debt, but nothing extra.
Additional Income: $2.96 Lakeshore Learning Store return
Taxes: over spent  by $97.22
Housing: over spent by $320 because gave parents extra money for living at home
Food: over spent by $123.98 for lunch and breakfast for those helping me move and getting my first couple trips of groceries (Whole foods and Aldi), and dinner for my parents
Transportation: $292 left over!  Saved $5- Kwik Trip coupons for gas used at Holiday, elite car wash coupon, additional cost was $2.32 for windshield wipers at Napa
Debt: $100 for principal/interest (in deferment until 2017), $100 in savings account for debt
Entertainment/Rec.: over spent by $14.50 to go to the movies and a down payment for scrapbook weekend, saved $20 by going to the Y 12+ times
Medical/Dental: over spent by $30 with a co-pay for non-office visit (will be part of flex)
Miscellaneous: over spent by $1486.79 mostly on my first Apple computer which will be used for school (taxes), then I went across the mall to Godiva for my free truffle for the month, also spent $5 for a transcript for a lane change at work (finished classes), and also Walgreens for my mom (sick)/food with coupons/$.99 for Dawn dish soap (limit 3)
School: over spent by $24.33 for textbooks (saved the money though in separate account, parking downtown, and study guide for special education license test

 

What's Up?

Moving Day

I learned February 3rd, who my friends are, and that I'm truly blessed.  In the excitement of having my own place the night before, my parents and I made few stops for groceries (Sam's Club & Aldi's)and then to The Lone Spur to eat before going to fill out the inspection form of my apartment and drop off a load of stuff.  When arriving at my apartment, it was worst case scenario. 

• carpet wasn't vacuumed, carpet not shampooed, key didn't fit in lock, refrigerator full of mold, walls not painted, cupboards and bathroom not clean, grout not done properly and cracking, etc.

 

Thankfully, the weekend before (when I was told I could move in early) I met my next door neighbor and the weekend caretaker.  She happened to walk by and we explained the condition of the apartment.  After calling the maintenance person on duty, he drove in a snow storm 40 minutes to check the locks and my apartment's condition.  He is not the maintenance person for my building, but thank the Lord he was the one on duty.  He was appalled and called the manager to have the apartment shampooed by the next morning.  I had already gathered a crew to help me move at 8:30 the next morning.

 

I love having a friend who's a social worker.  She's not only compassionate and a great friend, but shares resources to help in my dilemmas.  When Carolyn and her husband, Bruce, arrived to help me move, my parents shared the story of my apartment (same complex my friend's brother lives).  She told me what to ask for when I talk to the apartment, which I'll share later. 

 

My parents best friends Randy and Carol arrived.  I'm sure they were just as excited as my parents and I that I was moving on out.  I've never had so much fun pack move!  Randy and Bruce where the strategic planners to how furniture would be moved, when it would be taken out, and which truck or vehicle to place it.  Friends Lara, Lisa, and Cindy from church came to help load, as well, and then to unload.  They were gems!  I can't believe people would give up their Saturday to help me move.

 

o.k. turn it a little this way

yep. we're going to get it.

oh. it's almost out. we got this.



I work out & carry more.

turn a little this way.

buff ones stay in the truck.



it's cold, but we fun.

not that button, Randy.

w-o-m-a-n



More to come..... 

What Could You Do With....

In The Complete Tightwad Gazette (Tightwad) by Amy Dacyczyn says, "Saving money, rather than earning money, became the means to my goal.  I became a recycler first of aluminum foil, then of Ziploc bags, and now, I publicly confess, I have become a recycler of vacuum cleaner bags" (p.5).  Well for those of you out there, I recycled aluminum foil and Ziploc bags when living on my own from 2002-2005.  I also, recycled Ziploc bags while living on a stipend in China, but have not since living with my parents the last five years.  They though it was not necessary.  I've continued my quest for Ziploc bags, but not vacuum bags since mine is bagless. 

 

Amy continues with her challenge of "how low could [she] get [her] food budget and still have a varied, healthful diet, or how wonderful [she] could make a child's birthday with a $25 budget, or how many years [she] could go without buying wrapping paper" (p.5).  She writes about the ways she and her readers have done this and achieved their goals with sacrifices, but not sacrificing happiness. 

 

What are your financial goals and what are you willing to sacrifice to achieve it? 

Mine is to not honor God by being a good steward in order to become debt free of college loans, give freely, become a missionary, and eventually retire.  My sacrifices are finishing my special education license, live well beyond my means, and learn the art of a modern day tightwad.

Cucumber Peels

While visiting my parents the first week I was able to actually live in my apartment, they gave me an apple, orange, and cucumber.  After finishing my cucumber I wondered what to do with the peels.  I found some ideas on line and some in the Tightwad book.

 

While I have desire to learn canning, I'm not ready in my schedule to take that on.  However, it will be a possible summer adventure.

 

Pickles

1. In the Tightwad (p.313), on reader uses the left over pickle juice to make new pickles.  Buy a cucumber, slice it thin, and place it in the jar.  The reader suggests letting the new pickles sit in the refrigerator for four days.
2. I learned on one website, you can purchase a refrigerator pickle mix at the grocery store.
3. Easy Refrigerator Pickles

6  cups thinly sliced cucumbers

2  small onions, sliced

1  medium carrot

1 3/4  cups sugar

1  cup cider vinegar

2  tablespoons salt

1  tablespoon chopped fresh weed

 

Stir Fry
Cucumbers are similar to zucchini when used in a stir fry. 
 

Garnishes
Make into a flower or any desired design.

Challenge: What would you do with... socks?

 

Financial Update

Even despite my thriftiness, it was not a good month financially.  Details will be included in the next posting.

Apple?

I set out on a quest because my Toshiba last 100% for only two and half years falling apart in 2007-2008.  Could be due to the many travels it went on between countries or the fact that the internet was wiped out when calling the service place.  I still use it for my finances and the files on it and to play Tumble Bugs, otherwise the CD drive doesn't open and there's no internet capability.  Despite what rationale I'm about to give, maybe it was my will to think I deserve it. 

1. I get a teacher/student discount.

2. I can write it off on my taxes since I'm in school

3. Apples last longer than PCs.

4. I just bought Microsoft for multiple PCs (using my parents' computer while living there).

5. PCs are cheaper (though haven't had good success with any lasting more than 3 years), not said to last the 7 years of a Mac.

 

After discussing with the representative at the Apple store, he's a physics teacher, I decided on a MacPro due to the discounts I received.  He said that because I didn't remember the year of my Microsoft, that if it didn't transfer the data, I could return the CarePlan as long as it wasn't activated.

So, it's a good thing the person helping me determine if my Toshiba could transfer the data talked with the data person.  The person who was telling him what to do said it won't work if the internet capability isn't available.  She was wrong.  The data person said as long as there's a USB drive it'll work.  The funniest part was all the Apple workers looking at my PC from 2005 compared to my 2013 Mac.  They couldn't believe I travelled to and through various countries carrying it.  It's an investment and now to get Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  Turns out, that I mentioned it in conversation to our media specialist and technology person at school and our district offers a discount for staff to purchase the software for personal use! 

 

 

Computer Price: $1,199.00

Individual Educator:-$100

Apple Care: $249

Individual Educator: -$66

One-to-One Membership: $99 (cost of educator discount)

Total: $1,460.95 (with tax $1381 + $79.95)

 

Now it's time to look into internet purchasing! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Moving On Up!!!

January 30, 2013

 



Good things come to those wait, right?  After years and months, I finally felt I could move out of my parents' house due to finances, emotional launching, and the stress of finding an apartment in a central location to meet my needs.  I took a big girl step. 

I arrived back to the states the summer of 2007 after living and teaching in Qingdao, China for two years.  Though great experiences since then, overall the job search has been frustrating.  August of 2011, I received acceptance into the CUE (Collaborative Urban Education) grant program through the state of MN and St. Thomas University for a license in special education at the graduate level.  A free program except for textbooks and parking, I knew the Lord was offering a blessing and new direction for my career based on my own journey, my passion for struggling students, and my previous experience as an educational therapist at a private school.  This opportunity has been filled with laughter, a few tears, many sleepless nights, good relationships with new friends in my cohort, research, lots of papers, new technology, and connections in the field.  Though time is valuable, the time we put into something proves its value to us. 

Through the stress, I am so grateful for this opportunity and hopefully if all goes as planned, will finish in May.  By being part of CUE, I have finally landed a job on a variance in a public school nearby in a large district.  That just means I am learning on the job as I go to school to learn the job.  This is not as easy as traditional student teaching, but in the end my friend (not in CUE, but on a variance in the inner city) and I are learning more and will look back on the experience and know He had a plan.

With this part-time position I am able to afford a very modest apartment.  I decided to launch the third week in January to move February 1st.  Though the location seems further away from work, it's actually about 22 minutes (according to Google maps), the same distance to get to work from my parents' house.  I choose this complex for many reasons, one being I know two people that live there and someone who lived there years ago, plus apartments near work cost about $980-$1,000 a month.  That would not keep me on my Road Map (Crown Financial Ministries) or working on my Baby Steps (Dave Ramsey).  I'll just have to take money saving advice learned from mom, friend Ellie Kay (author and financial expert- can be seen on Good Morning America), "The Tightwad Gazette" author Amy Dacyczyn, and hopefully you- my precious readers.

              

 

Here's the financial breakdown on the apartment:
1. $50 application fee (non-refundable)
2. $400 deposit
3. $810 monthly rent (includes: heat, water, trash, underground parking, storage unit...everything but electric/cable/internet)
4. Wash and Dry clothes $2.75 a load (will use sparingly)
5. Tanning bed (won't use- not healthy- $3 per time)
6. Pool, sauna, hot tub- some amenities

What I sacrificed for the price was hard for me, but a smart financial choice: separate dining area and washer and dryer in unit.  Guess I'll be having Monday night dinners with mom and dad to hang-out, do laundry, write reports/homework on their computer (no internet at my place), and watch "Biggest Looser!"  Plus, I can stop at the chiropractor where mom works beforehand (I get to go for free as a family member perk).

What's the biggest move up you've done lately?

 

Once upon a time...

January 27, 2013

Once upon a time, I moved back to the states excited to learn where God would bring me next on the journey.  It was during this time, the summer of 2007, when the Lord put on my heart to start a newsletter for single women.  After my first newsletter, I received a vast amount of positive responses.  I wrote a second, but then life...kept going.  Today I have people asking me to start writing again.  It is a good time to start as at this point in life, I am encountering new beginnings.

In effort to keep accountable, the Lord again gave me an idea compiled with my passions of faith, saving and spending money, cooking and baking, health and exercise, entertainment, and decorating.  My goal is to take and track my spending and the creative ways it takes to do so using the book, The Complete Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn (The Gazette for short), ideas from you wonderful readers, insight from authors such as Ellie Kay, and other sources.  The goal is to take one or more ideas a day or week from The Gazette into everyday life.  Then I'll calculate how much I've saved every week to month to pay off my student loan, save for purchases, and give more using both the Roadmap from Crown Financial Ministries and The 7 Baby Steps from Dave Ramsey.  Incorporated will be other ideas, facts, tips and techniques to encourage and inspire.

 

On my knees....