Financial Shape in 2008

I have been searching the internet for blogs that are frugal minded and will help with tips to staying on a budget. I came across Crystal, at Money Saving Mom a few weeks ago. She is hosting a challenge to get in Financial Shape in 2008.

B and I decided that we would start living only on what he brings home each month beginnning Jan 1 to see how we make it. As long as we can get by, I will quit my job once we bring AG home later this Spring. I am bound and determined to make this budget thing work for us, as I want to be able to stay at home with our daughter once we get home from China. This is the one true goal that I have this year. On a side, I had also applied to go back to school and get my Master's in Social Work, but I am having second and third thoughts on starting that in August. Mainly b/c that would mean that I would have to put AG in some type of daycare setting for a few days and I really just want to be able to stay home and enjoy her for a little while before having to do that-so that may be put on hold until 2009. We'll see.

The challenge is to post your budget, but I'm too private to do that so, I'm just going to make my committment to stick to this budget public to help keep me accountable.

I did make some calls yesterday and reduced a few of our monthly costs. We started with cable reduction. I don't watch HBO or Showtime, so why should we pay an extra $23/month for something that we can certainly live without? We're not anymore! Then, I researched and found that I can raise my deductibles on my car insurance and reduce my monthly insurance payments by about $13 each month. I know that it may not sound like much, but when you add things together it can really add up. So, my total savings from yesterday was $36/month. That, my friends, is what we will budget for entertainment. That would get us one movie night out and a couple of rented movies each month.

B ordered all 3 Dave Ramsey books: Total Money Makeover, Financial Peace, and More Than Enough. He's started reading the 1st one, Total Money Makeover. I'm so glad that we are both committed to making this work. It's not a long term change, but one that we feel is VERY important. I can't wait to stay home with our little girl!!

Happy 2008!!!!!!!!!

Awesome Graphics at pYzam.com

I am SO ready to get going in 2008, good riddance to 2007!!!!

Ramblings...

I got my hair chopped off...see...


We had a good Christmas, now let's move on to New Year's....like the new layout? I thought it was cool, but I'll have to change it again next week :) Looks to me like I have too much time on my hands, actually, it's just that I'm putting off work in lieu of something more fun.

We're going to a murder mystery party for New Year's Eve. We did this earlier in the year and it was really fun.

Brian's mom only has ONE more chemo treatment!!!! YAHOO! We are so happy for her. Hopefully, she can be finished with the radiation treatments before we leave for China to get AG.

Speaking of AG, she got a few things for Christmas. I'm not in the mood to follow the rumors right now. So, I think I'll just live in blissful LALA land until I referrals actually get closer to getting here for January.

Brian and I are starting to live on a budget of only his $$ to see if we can make it without me working. I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. I have always wanted to not work once AGgets home and now I will have the opportunity to do that. I am bound and determined to make this budget thing work. I will do whatever I have to so that I can stay home with our little girl.

Ok, I guess that's it for now. Hope all of my bloggy friends had a good Christmas!!!

MMMM, what kind of cake are you???

You Are Strawberry Cake

Fresh, sassy, and romantic. You're a total flirt, who never would turn down a sugary treat. Occasionally you're a bit moody - but you usually stay sweet!

What Kind of Cake Are You?

Yep, that about sums it up-haha!

My Girls!

These are my very best friends! We meet every year for a Christmas lunch, where we exchange gifts and have some mimosas!! MMMM, those were good! We always draw names around October, but have it all figured out by the time we meet for lunch. Mostly, it's because someone forgets who they drew and have to call the others to find out. Oh well, it's always fun. Brian wonders why we even bother drawing names anymore-LOL.

These girls have been through the good, the bad, and the Ugly with me over the last 17 years. Gosh, it doesn't seem that long ago....I guess that's what happens when you get older! Having these girls have been one of the biggest blessings in my life!! Go hug a friend today!

Referrals have arrived from China and they got through 12/14/05. That means there are 21 days ahead of us. I think it will be March before we see AG's referral. Do you realize how close March really is? I mean, it's almost Christmas, then New Years, then February (which is a short month by the way), then March!!! I guess I will go out on a limb and say that there is a VERY slight chance that it could be February.....but, deep down, I don't think it will happen. Although, it would be a great birthday present for Brian! I think March is our month.

Updates...a little late

It's been a while since I posted, again! Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving-yes, I'm aware that it was two weeks ago...

Here is the slide show from when we worked on the nursery. Yep, it still looks like that-incomplete-lol. My dad is coming back in January to paint the final bird(he doesn't want me doing it-haha), then we will be putting the crib up and arranging the furniture.