Reassessment Day

Last week, I put in my planner a Reassessment Day to take a new look at our finances. Friday was that day, friends. Here's what I learned about our finances in the last 6 months: Kitten shots hurt ($295) Moving hurt (truck rental, application fees, cat deposit, microwave: $905) Our eating out habits sunk us ($1240.32)   Insert all of the shocked, crying, angry emojis here. The last 6 months has been a free for all. In our defense, we did move which pushed the eating out, but over $1200 worth!? And it would be different if we weren't buying groceries, too. If that was our eating budget period, maybe I'd be a little okay with it. But no... I buy almost $100 worth of groceries and household items (paper towels, cleaning stuff, medicine) a week.   We also bought a washer and dryer and are paying 3x the minimum to get them paid off in 1/3 of the time! They're no interest, so that's a blessing for sure.  (I know Dave, I know.) We have 6 months left on Jackson's little car paying almost $60 extra per month on that. We've saved up for car registrations and tags in the next couple of months, and we're working on saving for the bachelorette shindig I have to throw in March where my bride is wanting to go to Gatlinburg. As far as our Baby Step 1 Savings? yeah... See "Moving hurt".    So my plan of attack:

1. Pay all of the extra we can on Jackson's car to get it paid off quicker. There's less than $1,000 left and that is $150 a month we can put other places like our Baby Step 1!
2. List a whole lot of the stuff we found while moving that we just don't use anymore; put all of that into savings.
3. Institute a "cash only" eating out budget. Cash envelopes are hard for us because we're always running opposite ways and I don't want Jackson to need an envelope and not have it. But, when we eat out, we're together 99% of the time. So this will be a good place for that.
4. Allowances. That's right - like we're ten.  We have a monthly spending budget, so I am splitting it right down the middle and putting it in cash money. When it's gone, it's gone, but that way we don't always have to ask if we can spend that extra bit. We can save it for something big, or we can dip into it for that Friday Dunkin run. ;)
5. Learn patience. A lot of my struggle is that I want our debt paid off now. and that just isn't going to happen. Learning patience and not letting our money run me or our family will help my sanity a little. Understanding that I will be provided for no matter what... it seems to be my daily needed reminder.

 

 (via)  

Communication is Key

We've all heard the line "Communication is key." Heck, I have a bachelors of science in communication. Thousands of dollars spent to learn, and I'm no better at it than I was before. Why? I'll chalk it up to human nature, but it's probably because I'm stubborn. Communication is like exercise. It sucks to do it, and it's hard to get started, and sometimes you have arguments because of it (or puke, in exercise's case), but after it's all said and done, you're so thankful you did it!   Someone once called me a "let me do it" personality.  That's a nice way of saying I'm a control freak. I like to know things are done the way I like them done, and the only way to do that is to do them myself.  In high school, I was the kid in group projects that would tell my teammates that I would do the project and they could have the A. Most people were okay with that!   Insert husband here. (just because I think this gives you a great idea of who he is...hahaha)   I'm now one person on a two person team. There's very little room for "let me do it" personalities in a marriage because eventually, the more laid back of the two starts to feel like he/she is being left out of the planning and the doing.    For example, we recently talked about our finances and what they mean for our five year plan.  Talking to my husband about our finances, our bills and debts, where our money goes, where each of us would like it to go, and what it means for moving, growing our family, etc. was one of the best things I've ever done.  Why did it take me almost eleven months to do it? Because I figured I had it under control and he would go along with it. I felt like a 5,000 pound weight was lifted from my shoulders when all was said and done, and Jackson felt like he was included.  It also helped him feel like he was better able to lead our family because he was better informed.  He has been praying for God to make him the leader our family needs, and through our talk, he was able to grow! I had been praying for relief from my money stress, and having someone who shares our goals and plans lifted that weight.  Talk about answered prayers!   Letting people, especially my husband, in is becoming easier and easier the more I realize how much better it makes me feel.  I don't have to carry my burdens alone, and that is something I constantly have to remind myself. 

20 things I've learned in 23 years

Today's my 23rd birthday! Blink-182 told me no one would like me at this age....     It's not 18, I've been legal for five years (??!!?!) It's not 20, I kissed teenage years goodbye three years ago (??!?!) It's not 21, I've been legally allowed to drink for two whole years (never have I ever!)   But it is 23. My first birthday as a wife. The first birthday I get off of work in forever My 10th to celebrate with Jackson The last on a weekday for years   I'm spending today sleeping in, hanging with my daddy, celebrating with Jackson, and reflecting on 23 years of life.   Here's what I've learned   Stop rushing life - I am a rusher.  I rush through life, fun events, the little "insignificant" things to get to the big things.  Rushing life has caused me to miss the importance of things in the here and now.   You have to let people in - I spent a lot of time with walls.  I didn't want anyone else inside those walls, and I was just fine, thank you very much.  College and friends broke those walls down and shared real and raw life with me.  The walls make you miss out.   There's value in hard work - Whether it's a day completed at the office, or a project you complete just for you, there's value in it.  I never understood people who don't have work ethic or drive to work. The reward is often self-gratifying and warrants a pat on my own back, but hey, that's okay.   You don't get an opinion unless you're informed - I have turned into one of those obnoxious adults who, in an argument, wants to hear the reasoning behind why someone thinks how they think.  I hold everyone (even myself) to a high standard when it comes to forming opinions.  Unless I've researched something enough to have all of my facts, I don't get to argue my opinion.   Some days call for no makeup and sweatpants - This one is pretty self explanatory.  Some days are like that, and that's ok. You don't have to be dressed to the nines every day.  Sometimes, pajama pants are just fine.   Confidence is key - So much good comes from having confidence.  Whether it's an awesome outfit that you thought you'd never pull off, or a public speech, confidence makes the difference.   You don't need everyone - Being an extrovert, this is a huge deal to me.  I get my energy, my "go" from being with and amongst people. It's dangerous to think you need everyone.  You don't.  I promise.  Some people will only work against you for the rest of your life. It's okay to let them go.    Splurge, you will end up wasting it anyway - Honestly, I have learned that some things are splurge worthy. For example, my Nikon D3100 that has been used twice was totally worth every penny.  Looking back, I can always remember the things I didn't splurge on and reallllly wanted; I can't tell you what I bought with the money I saved.    Don't change for people - This one is huge.  I went through high school not knowing what it was I wanted, who I wanted to be, or who I really was.  I let my friends, boyfriend(s... there were only two besides Jackson), and parents tell me who I needed to be.  I remember going to college and breaking down because I didn't know who I was.  My year away from home really made me realize what I wanted and who I wanted to be.  Once I became that person, I realized I was happy. Sure, there are still people who don't like me, but do you need those kind of people anyway?     Dad was (and always is) right - I used to joke that Dad was never wrong, but the older I get, the more true it is.  My dad was 39 when I was born, and he had done some living.  He had been through the 50's and 60's, high school and college, wars, jobs, friends, etc.  You name it, Dad has a story about it.  He was right when he said me and my friends from high school would grow apart, when he said I was always going to love my mother no matter how awful she can be, and when he told stories about the values of hard work. He is always right.    Smile at everyone - Don't know them? Doesn't matter.  I have resting grumpy face, so I, personally, have to make an effort to smile at everyone.  It started out as faking it so I would stop getting asked what was wrong with me.  Then it became a habit.  I'll never forget the day someone posted on our "college confessions" page (lame, I know) that the blonde haired girl in the elevator of whatever building wearing a grey striped shirt with a "CMR" monogrammed backpack smiled at them and changed their day.  Do it! It's worth it!   Sisters stick together - Cameron and I didn't really grow up close.  We were so alike but so different that we didn't really mesh well.  I was the social butterfly and she was very academic.  We didn't see eye to eye on a lot. I would have traded her for $20 back then, but I wouldn't trade her for the world now.  I know she is and will always be there.    Say "I'm Sorry" in moderation - There is always a reason for someone to be sorry, but that doesn't mean it always has to be you.  I was guilty of apologizing for things that weren't my fault, apologizing when there wasn't anything I should be sorry about, and talking myself into thinking it was my fault.  I'm sorrys are only okay when they're said by the person truly at fault, and when they are meant wholeheartedly.    It's too hard to hate people - Holding grudges, hating people, being mad for long periods of time is simply exhausting.  What's the point, anyway?   Stop talking - I used to get myself in a lot of trouble trying to talk my way into or out of things.  I'm a talker, and I'm a confident talker at that.  I can talk to anyone, about anything, and arguing is my specialty.  The problem was that I was always forcing people to listen.  By shutting up, I was able to learn so much more about life around me.   Leave it to mystery - This goes mostly for clothes.  I was a high schooler who would let it all hang out.... until I realized no one wanted to know me better. There was no depth and no mystery.  My junior year, I got my wits about me and went "Jackie O" and realized that my relationships changed drastically.   Hostess gifts are not optional - Even if it's a Thank You card, the hostess deserves a gift.  It doesn't matter if it's Christmas, if it's family, or if it's a friend for a sleepover.  Follow your dream - This time last year, I didn't even have an embroidery machine. This year, people are coming to me to embroider things for them for Christmas.  There's no telling where it will take me by this time next year!! All because it was something I wanted, Dad Santa invested, and boom!  You're Beautiful - I'm not a size two, I have a butt too big for jeans that fit everywhere else, I am short, my hair is frizzy, and I have breakouts.  But by golly, I'm beautiful, just the way God made me.   Ask; the worst someone can say is no - Whether it's the raise you want, the discount on something awesome, etc... don't be afraid to ask because the worst someone can say is no.  If you never ask, you never know how it might have turned out.    

Wedding Wednesday: Bloominous

After getting married in February, I know how easy it is to get carried away with a budget.  I spent hours looking for places we could make cuts so that we could spend the money elsewhere.  One place I was able to cut a lot of our money was our flowers! I went to every Joann's in Nashville and bought every light pink Peony, rose, and white garnish they had in stock to make seven bridesmaids' bouquets, my bouquet, mothers' and grandmothers' bouquets, and eleven boutonnieres.   My favorite part: I got to arrange them how I wanted and I saved a ton of money My least favorite part: they were artificial.    Could anyone tell? No. Could I tell? Yes.    Did you know there is a typical 300% markup on flowers when you use a florist? Did you also know that the flowers are often frozen and thawed when they come to you?   I stumbled upon an amazing company that I wish I had known about in February.  Insert Bloominous!

  This awesome company has a variety of flowers for every bride.  They send cut-to-order flowers to you along with everything you need to assemble them. The DIY kits also come with an arrangement guide in case you don't know anything about flower arrangement!!  

(via)

  My personal favorite is their Party Pop Collection! These would have fit our wedding beautifully!!

  By cutting out that middle man (without cutting out the florist experience), you save oodles and kaboodles!! You pay $5 for boutonnieres, and $40 for bridesmaids' bouquets!   Brides! Take the guesswork out of the floral side of your plans. Visit Bloominous and explore their options!! They're bound to have something that fits your wedding style and saves you money! Who wouldn't want a little change to spend on their honeymoon!?      

Birthday on a Budget

One week from Saturday is Jackson's 23rd Birthday, and his first birthday as a husband.   

    I spent weeks trying to think of the perfect gift.  I was researching guns and accessories and making it 10 kinds of complicated. I kept thinking about gow awesome the Titans tickets were last year, and how I could never match that! I wanted to make it birthday of his dreams on our newlywed budget.   Here's how I made it work:   Plan in advance By planning ahead, you give yourself plenty of time to watch sales, to change your mind, and to think of the perfect birthday components.  If you wait until the last week, you may be forced into the gift and not enjoy it as much. I started planning three weeks in advance.   Listen to him; he will tell you what he wants While going through his closet, he commented about really wanting a pair of American Eagle jeans.  He followed that by, "when we have extra money for them."  My heart started to ache just a bit because his luxuries had to wait until our budget allowed.  Insert lightbulb here; I remembered his birthday was a few weeks away! While it's not a huge expensive present, it's something he wants which is just as special.   Wait for a sale By giving yourself a few weeks, you can wait for a sale.  I waited them out until jeans were under $30 and I had an awesome coupon.  By shopping a sale, you are able to stay in your budget or free up more money for little gifts to go with it.  I plan to fill his pants pockets with iTunes gift cards and Date coupons!!   Be original Believe it or not, guys are aware of the lists like "Best five gifts for your husband's first married birthday" lists.  I was guilty last year of Googling "What to get male on the last birthday before you're married." I was totally busted! The more you intentionally listen to him, the easier it is to be original. For example, Jackson also has never been to the Cheesecake Factory, so I plan to take him there for dessert!! :)

Friday!

 Well, here we are, once again! What does this mean? It means we made it through another week, we have a weekend upon us, and that I'm going to sleep from 10 tonight until 10 tomorrow morning. Exhausted is an understatement this week. I hope yours was great!!

 

1.

Tuesday, I finally hung the name frame over our gallery wall.  I don't know that I love it yet, but we still have some pictures to add and the "I love you"s where the paper pieces are on either side of the H.  Maybe it will grow on me.

 

2.

Wednesday, I ordered some Alumni swag, finally. In my defense, I sold the same amount on eBay, so it's justified, right? I ordered a car decal to replace the other one that got killed when we had the ice storm earlier this year, and a t-shirt! Why it is being rerouted to Memphis and Mississippi, I don't know.  I live 25 minutes from the pickup site.  sigh.

 3.

Jackson and I have been taking advantage of the pool in the evening before it closes.  It really helps his aches and pains after a long day at work.  And it's almost always empty which means we get to act like five year olds.

 

4.

We have a food truck coming for our monthly birthday luncheon today, and I'm leaving for that special project this afternoon, so I have like four hours of work today. Win. Have any of my Nashville friends ever heard of Captain Slider?

 

5.

I'm so thankful for all of your sweet words about my budget crisis this week.  Knowing I'm not the only one who has ever forgotten a massive bill makes me feel so much better! ;)

 

Linking up with Karli and Amy, Lauren

TGIF

I am truly learning the meaning of TGIF more and more every week.    1. First and most importantly, little Ricky is back on the road! Praise God! Jackson has him at the shop today to run some tests to check his work, but we're pretty sure he's perfectly okay! :) The best news?! We came in at under $500! Woo Hoo! We owe it all to Pull-A-Part!   2.  Wednesday, my boss came to my office and told me she was going to be teaching me the ins and outs of Human Resources so she could give me the work she is too busy to do. Yay for experience, boo for her timing!   3. I am loving this Nashville weather! Sure, we can't live in the freezing pool, but we never go there anyway, so it's the best! It's really making me want to pull my boots out from under our bed, and I may be wearing a sweater to work today! Thank goodness it's never too early for a bonfire!

    4. I found my favorite pillow after I washed sheets this week.  I thought it disappeared in the move, but I'm so glad I was wrong! It was stuffed into one of the shams that just gets thrown in the floor at night.  I have been sleeping like a baby ever since.   5.  I am so thankful for the sweet man who has had his head under the hood for three weeks. And for my in-laws who have cooked us dinner and helped with the car and housed it for three weeks. We are immensely blessed, even if this is the main view I've had of my husband for a few weeks. 

Linking up with Karli and Amy, Lauren

Summer 2014

My favorite thing about Summer is that I feel like I get more time.  I have more time to spend with Jackson, more time for family and friends, more time in general.  I love the fall, but I feel like it's dark when I go to work and dark when I come home, not leaving a whole lot of time for much of anything, really. 

(via)

This summer is our first as a married couple... our own little family, if you will.  We have been so busy with weddings, camp, vacation bible school, car trouble, etc. that I feel like we have barely had time to breathe this summer, let alone focus on a bucket list! We have only been to the pool once, for goodness sake, and it's right where we live! It's saddening, really, because I know I'll be back to limited daylight before we know it.     Jerrica did a post which made me think about my lack of Summer list this year. So, Summer 2014, before you completely escape, here are the things we have to fulfill:   Do my bridal portraits Oops. In my defense, everything was dead and frozen in February when we got married, so I said I'd do them in the Spring. The Spring came and went, and we have just a couple more months to get this done before everything dies again.   Add a planter box to our deck I am itching for some color to make the deck pop, and I can't think of a better way than by planting flowers! Plus, I need to prove I'm good with plants if we're ever going to be able to have a dog and family. haha.   Spend a whole Saturday at the pool I mean, except for two hours Memorial Day, we have not been to the pool at all. It'd be okay if it weren't right in our parking lot. I mean, what!?   Put the phones down Jackson and I are really bad about watching a show and both being on our phones the entire time.  He has started playing a stupid game called Clash of Clans and is constantly on it.  It drives me crazy, but I realize I'm just as bad with texting, social media, etc.  While we're at it, how about we include tablets, computers, and the like.    Go camping We have a beautiful tent sitting in the closet that has been used once.  I'm itching to reconnect with nature, even if only for a day or so.    Spend smarter and say no We eat dinner out way too much for our little baby budget. We have our trip to Florida and Harry Potter to save for, cars to fix, birthdays and Christmas around the corner, etc. We also kinda spend money like we're rolling in it, but a lot of that comes from our inability to say no.  Sure we'll spend $50 on shotgun shells and clay targets that are all going to be trashed at the end of the day of shooting.  Sure we'll spend $30 on cigars for a guys night. Sure we'll drop $50 on pottery painting with friends.    Spend time outside We have an adorable and quiet apartment complex, and I love living there.  There is a trail that leads to the lake from our back yard.  We're couch potatoes, but I'm hoping we'll start to get up and go outside, be it for a walk after dinner, a jog in the afternoon, time at the pool, catch lightning bugs, etc.   Declutter We just got married, so naturally, we still have boxes and boxes that contain life before marriage.  One box contains eight IHOP coffee mugs... trophies from nights of laughter and pancakes. One box has other boxes inside - old cell phone boxes, the box his GPS came out of, etc. There's really no way to know what all is in there, really, until we get in there and make an effort to declutter.  All of my clutter is still at my parents' house, but it's a goal to get over there and clean my room out completely. We have all of this clutter not only taking up space, but it is weighing us down.   Read and pray more together We get so busy during the Summer that by the time we get in bed we're out like lights.  It is my hope that we will make reading and praying a habit to carry long past the Summer.      What are your summer goals!?

Silver Linings

Lately, I've had so many instances of bad luck come my way. If I didn't look for silver linings, I'd be curled up in bed moping.  I have been blessed over and over again with reminders of how much I have to be thankful for.  I am learning patience, obedience, and contentment. Perfect timing, God.   Car overheats on the side of the road Husband is not far away and can fix it.   Other awful things go wrong with the car Husband knows just how to fix it We own two cars, even if they're not perfect.   I don't have a car to drive at my convenience We still have one functioning vehicle and the finances to fix the broken one. I get more time to spend with my husband in the mornings and afternoons. I have amazing best friends who don't mind coming to pick me up for girls' night!   I got so sick I couldn't even breathe I have a job that provides insurance. We have a health savings account. I have a husband who takes care of me in sickness and health. Doctors, shots, and antibiotics make it so much better.   No signs of leaving the Little Hiney Home any time soon I am getting to make our sweet home more homey.

I don't have a lot of square feet to clean and manage. We have the coziest space I've ever been in. I can already mentally prepare for Christmas. ;)

4th of July Weekend!

Happy Monday. I can guarantee you if I were at work, it wouldn't be so happy; I'm soaking up every second I can of this long weekend! 
Friday Jackson and I went to Dickson for the Fourth like we always do. One of our best friend's moms hosts a huge cookout with real home-smoked pit bbq, lots of sweets, and we always shoot shotguns and do fireworks! I made a beautiful cake that disappeared before I could get a picture of it!! We shot clay targets for hours, and then ended up going to a park to watch the city's fireworks. They were great, but we kinda wished we had gone downtown to see the nationally ranked Nashville fireworks!! 

Saturday

We slept in until ten, got up and made camp in the living room. We didn't move until it was time for me to go to dinner with my best girls! We were going to try this new sushi place in Donelson, but they were closed, so we went to my favorite Mexican place - Los Tres Amigos! We then went to Green Hills for the Cheesecake Factory and sat for hours just catching up, beaming about how wonderful married life is, and naming our unborn children.  I love life with them! Jackson did the last bit of work he could do before we had to call in additional professionals for my car.  It's taking longer than I expected, but I'm trying to enjoy the positives, like the morning drives to work that I get to spend with Jackson. 

Sunday

Jackson and I went to church, and then went to his parents' for lunch.  We had some deep conversation with them about tithing and finances.  We have so much more insight and feel so much better! After that, we went to the grocery and then rested for a little bit.  We went to Waffle House for dinner and then Chuck's for snowcones! 

Our work has decided to extend the 4-10 hour days a week, so I am off on the next eight Mondays.  The lack of a car, however, has left me stranded to do cleaning, cooking, organizing, dusting, PLL watching, gallery wall hanging.  I hope you had a great 4th weekend!! 

Friday!

Happy Friday!! I am on the struggle bus as always! This has been a long, busy week.   1. We spent all week at Vacation Bible School.  Jackson acted, I taught, we had a blast. 

 

  2. My best friend got her wedding photos back. I love so many of them! I will do a photo dump next week, but here are a handful of my favorites! (Credit: Emily Lester Photography)

 

 

 

 

 (please note her daddy in the window ^^)

 (totally my idea ^^!)

   3. I have finally framed and laid out my gallery wall!! I will definitely be hanging it sometime next week!

    4. Good news, we found out what's wrong with my car. Bad news, it's not good. I have a cracked head in my engine. Now we are weighing our options: Fix it and wait for something else to come up, or buy a new car. I feel like we can't win, either way, it's money we don't have.  sigh.   5.  Jackson has been my rock through all of the car nonsense, sneaky spending whatnot, and through the 10000 times I've been sick since February (like now!) My sweet man keeps life fun, Godly, and light.  I'm so thankful for that during stressful, hard times! For example:

Coupon Queen!

Since last Friday, I've gotten a lot of questions about how I saved a whopping $42.31 in one grocery shopping trip, and even how I have managed to save $471.56 this year!

 

Getting married and learning to grocery shop on a budget has been hard.  Jackson grew up with a lot of name brand food stuff, so he is a snob when it comes to certain items (cheese, cream cheese, and the list goes on and on.). Once, I bought off brand cheerios and put them straight in the canister to see if he would notice. Sure enough, he called me at work to ask if I bought offbrand cheerios. WHO DOES THAT!??

 

That's not a bad thing, shopping all name brand all the time just wasn't really what I was used to.  Don't get me wrong, I grew up with awesome food.  My daddy was a great cook, but didn't see the point in spending oodles and kaboodles of money on food that was the same in the Kroger packaging that it was in the Kraft and Kellog's packages.

 

That being said, for the things we buy name brand, we coupon!!

 

 

I'm not quite as advanced as Mama June, but I do save quite a lot of money. 

 

Our grocery budget per week is $100. Some weeks we don't spend anywhere near that, but we leave what's left in the budget in there for the weeks that we need medicine or are having a special, expensive meal, or accidentally grab one too many bags of Goldfish.  If we have extra money in our budget and something is on super sale, I go ahead and use the extra money to stock up. It evens out because the normal price won't be coming out of our weekly grocery budget.

 

I don't go to any sites to obtain coupons.  I rely solely on my apps and my Sunday paper.

 

Here are the steps I follow on a weekly basis to get prepared for grocery shopping:

What you'll need: paper, a pen, a few highlighters, ads, the coupons in the Sunday paper, a little knowledge about what coupons you can combine (you can usually do a store and manufacturer coupon in the same transaction).

 ** I have found it is possible to use both a print and electronic coupon at Kroger - don't scan your plus card until after your coupons have been scanned. When they're done scanning, hit the "Go Back" on the self checkout and scan your coupons. **

 

Step One: Check your ads and mean plan around what's on sale.   If Kroger has porkchops and chicken on sale, we usually have Honey Garlic Porkchops or Apple Sage Porkchops and chicken and dumplings, Chicken stuffed shells, teriyaki chicken kabobs, etc. If they have green peppers on sale, we'll probably do stuffed bell peppers one night.

 

Step Two: Make your list writing down each thing you need for each meal.  If it helps you, break it down by meal.  I write mine down in order of the store.  Type A? Is that even a question at this point? I make different lists for different stores.  If cheerios are BOGO at Publix, I don't write them on my Kroger list, too because that gets confusing.

 

Step Three: Clip Clip Clip! I clip for everything we use and for things we'd like to try. That way I have it if I want it, but I'm not forced to use it if the price is still just too high.

 

Step Four: Download the Kroger, Food Lion, and Publix apps (for your Nashvillians) or whatever grocery apps you have available to you.  I think there may be some other good coupon apps out there, but I only use these three.  I color code my highlighters: Blue - coupons on my Kroger app (or if I'm on my Publix grocery list, it's for coupons in my publix app), green - coupons I've clipped, yellow - BOGO. Make a mark by each item noting which type of coupon you have.  If it's a print coupon and I have different coupons for different brands, I write something like "$0.25 off Charmin" and "$0.75 off Quilted Northern" so I don't have to take them out and look over and over.  Just because the coupon is worth less money doesn't mean it won't save you more.  If Charmin is $5.99 and QN is $7.99, obviously you'll buy Charmin and use your $0.25 coupon. Every little bit helps!

 

Step Five: The notebook I use has a zipper pouch in the front. I got it at Target for $4.99 and it's the best for groceries!! I put all of my unused coupons at the bottom of the pouch and all of the ones I'm going to use are folded together at the top (obviously not right now because I haven't clipped for this week yet). 

 

Step Six: Shop, Checkout, Scan your coupons, viola!!  

What's been your best shopping trip savings? Is there anything you do differently?

Two Become One

One of the hardest parts about newlywed life so far has been getting into the "ours" mindset.  Sure, I'm great with sharing a home and a plan and a main bank account and a bed. But money was the hardest adjustment for me.    A couple of years ago, I got my own credit card to establish credit.  I was an envelope system user, but it was made evident that if I didn't have credit, buying a house was going to be impossible.  (this was before we decided on the apartment)   So I would put things on the credit card that I had the money on my debit card for. When I got home, I would budget that money so I could pay it off at the end of the month.  This system was great. Who can get in trouble with a $500 limit?  

    While I didn't get into financial trouble in the sense that I ran up hundreds of dollars of debt, I ran into financial trouble in the sense that it was my own secret shopping card that Jackson never had to know about.  Our direct deposit is set up so that our Health Savings is automatic, our Emergency Savings (baby step 1) is automatic, and the rest goes to our main account.  Well, my credit card is linked to my old bank account that became our "Emergency Savings."  I knew Jackson never logged on to our account to check the savings, so it was my own little secret that I would use it to pay off whatever credit card purchases I had made.   Sneaky? Yes. Ethical? No.   I couldn't let go of my shopping habits to benefit our savings and our overall plan.  When I would sell things on eBay, my money would sit in my own Paypal waiting for something I'd like to buy. It started to hurt most when we needed that emergency savings and we didn't have as much in it as I thought we did. Oops.   Two become one.   This phrase has to be present in all aspects of life, big or tiny, or it just doesn't work. 

Comparison and Contentment

  Something I think we've been struggling with lately is comparing ourselves to our other newlywed friends.  It's human nature, it's normal, and I know we're not alone.   Comparison is everywhere.   We are constantly comparing ourselves to people at work, and depending on where they stand, we measure whether or not we are successful.    We measure ourselves based on what others have that we don't. We're in a one bedroom apartment, but our two newlywed couple best friends have a two bedroom and a house! We assume we're lacking because we don't have what they have.   We hear others talking about their $100k+ salaries and feel like we're not good enough because we don't make near that much.   What we forget, though, is this: we have jobs. we have a home. we make enough.   It's so easy to get bogged down in this rat race that is American culture. It's so easy to lose sight of how blessed we are to have the little things we have. There are families who are striving for what we have.   Contentment and appreciation: that's the goal.  

Fridays and Weddings!

This week has been exceptional. Busy, overwhelming, but exceptional.   1. I scored this adorable skirt and this awesome tripod for our new camera on Groopdealz.

 

 

2.

Jackson was able to sell his toolbox!! Mind you, the guy pretty much stole it from him, but hey, we needed it gone and he needed a toolbox. Now we can pay off two whole debts and focus only on his huge tool bill and school debt!! Yay for making grown up decisions!!

 

 

 3.

 My best friend from high school came over to our apartment on Monday night for dinner. She just graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and was home for Mother's Day weekend. I am so glad that we have stayed friends for almost ten years!

(2004//2014)

 

 4.

I found the perfect planner for our lives right now on Etsy. It's got seven sections so you can plan for you, hubs, kids, chores, outfits, dinners, etc. They have great student planners that break things down by class instead of by family member. There are also teacher planning books. Awesome shop, in my opinion.

 

 

 5.  Tonight, we're celebrating the marriage of my best friend, Brittney. She is getting married tomorrow, and tonight is her rehearsal. I'm so excited for she and Jared!!