Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Happy Wife - Happy Life
I am one happy wife. Thanks to Hubby's generous support, I am finishing packing this morning to head out tomorrow on the trip of a lifetime. I will be joining 3000+ bloggers, get a chance to meet tons of brand representatives, take home lots of swag, go out to parties, meet some of the super fabulous women that I only know through blogging/twitter/facebook, visit the ocean, try sushi and visit California for the first time. I can not wait to get around people who are finally going to understand what I am talking about with this blog thing that I do!
I am extremely grateful and thankful that the only thing that I have to do for the next 4 days - is have fun. Live it up.
I intend on making the most of this opportunity, not letting myself get in the way of have the best possible time and being in the moment for every moment.
If you don't already follow along with me on Twitter, FB and/or Instagram.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
This Isn't Monopoly Money
My heart dropped when I opened a over draft letter from my bank this weekend. If you haven't read about all the hard work that we have put into our bills:
Cut Off Notice
Where is the Water Bill?
Keeping it Between the Mustard and Mayo
Holy Cow, I Am Finally Growing Up
This just isn't something that happens to us anymore. We pay our bills. On time and in full. We take care to make sure that our money goes to the things that it's supposed to.
I was certain that this mistake was made by my bank. I am just too careful.
But it turns out that yes I had asked my bank to send money to my Paypal account - rather than the other way around.
Twice.
Since we only use our checking account to pay 2 bills (or mortgage and a student loan) of course my bank declined the payment, issued a $20 overdraft fee for the first transaction.
That was until we made the deposit to actually pay the mortgage.
By the time that I realized what was going on the second transaction had taken $150 from my checking account ensuring that my mortgage check would bounce. And after talking with PayPal I was informed that the first transaction that had already been refused would be sent through for a second try. It would go through my bank informed me unless I paid a $22 stop check fee. So I did.
After work we were able to deposit enough money to cover the fees and money that was transferred to ensure that our mortgage (which I worked really hard to get in the first place) payment would be made on time. I also sent the money back to my bank the second that it landed in my Paypal account along with the money that I was originally trying to transfer there in the first place.
It was a stupid mistake, but one that I am thankful for.
It has made me realize that while dealing mainly in cash was a good thing 2 years ago, in fact it was necessary then. Then it ensured that we never spent money that we didn't have. We paid the bills first and what cash was left we were able to use for needs and wants.
But now?
We are adults. I mean we were adults before the word mortgage was in our monthly budgeting vocabulary, but now we are adults with high stakes and responsibilities.
A different method of budgeting is certainly needed. A different way of saving is warranted as I don't want to be left scrambling the next time that one little mistake puts so much in jeopardy. I don't want to be left scrambling if some expensive or necessary goes haywire our house.
Even as guilt inducing and dramatic as this mistake was, I am thankful that it happened. It's shown me that what we are doing just isn't working where we are in life.
So what I need is help.
I wish that it was as clear as the day that I decided to pay our bills, pay them on time and live off of only what was left. That was a piece of cake compared to this. I know that we need money in savings so that when something comes up that we are not expecting, we are prepared. But what I don't know is how to break out of the strict rules that I have set up for us. Do we go on a spending freeze or just make a payment to ourselves each month? How much is enough put aside? How do you go from cash only to a different way - and what is that way? How do you pay for things like school clothes and supplies while still sitting aside some money each month?
What are your best budgeting and saving tips?
How much do you keep in your savings account for emergencies?
Do you have a cash only system or use your checking account?
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Monday, August 1, 2011
Without Them, I Wouldn't Be Me
I am grateful that I get the chance to make a difference in the lives of 4 people. I get to shape their world with my attitude and willingness to understand what they need from me.
Sometimes it's as simple as a summer treat. Other times it's as hard as saying no to something they have been looking forward to for a long time.
My wish for these 4 kids:
I hope that they look back at their childhood and remember it well. I hope that the things that we do together, for each other and in spite of all the turmoil that is going on in the world around us makes a huge impression. I hope that they look back and think - we had it so good. Why did we have to go and grow up?
Next year Miss Maddy will be 5. My baby will be in Kindergarten. She will be old enough for all the things that we have been waiting for, holding off on. One of the things that I am preparing for, besides the fact that she will be much more of a kid and way less of a baby, is a family vacation.
I am starting a savings account now. I want to take my kids to see the ocean, Mount Rushmore and skiing. I want them to leave our home with experiences. I want them to enter the world with a sense of the world. I want them to travel. I want for them a lot of things that I never had the chance to experience. I want to create memories that will never be forgotten and memories that they might like to re-create with their own kids.
Do you take family vacations?
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