Interesting Book

This family has inspired me to try to pay off our home early. I know we will do it, just not sure of how early. Can you imagine having paid off a home in 8 years? Can you imagine having no house payment? I can only wish, and after reading this book, that I can do it. It's a goal I have and will gladly work towards.

America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money

Bills Bein' Paid!

Recently, I took over our bill paying. While I am the first to say The Man is totally awesome with money, his timing and over-extended schedule made for some late paying on the bills. Nothing dramatic, none of that final-final notice stuff. But, things weren't getting paid on time and I now see the value of saving on late charges!

For the last 7 years, they have been pretty much his responsibility. I've reminded him here and there not to forget to pay one or another, but in his traveling and my oblivion, they would get overlooked.

I now feel a part of our getting out of debt. By January we will pay off one entire credit card, the balance (no interest/no payment for one year deal) on our furniture, and our car! Our car will FINALLY be paid off! Now to just pay off that lousy student loan. Hmph.

One tip I can share in this is to distribute money based on your income. We get our mortgage bill and music lesson bills at the end of the month, so a lot of the paycheck goes to these. I simply distribute money from the previous check to a savings and then move it at the end of the month, covering a lot of those payments. It's worked well.

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62 As a 1930s wife, I am Superior Take the test!

My Personal Challenge

I am challenging myself to eat at home for one month. I will allow one trip out to eat but that is it. Can I do it? Will it save me money in the long run? I can't wait to see what happens!
BTW...the Rockstar, without the rockstar hair.

Change of Heart

We are going to homeschool the Princess! Yeah! Oh, and the Rockstar chopped off all his beautiful hair. Pictures to come...it's been a busy weekend.

School

The Rockstar has started school. He is taking:

• Biology (preparing him for AP)
• 10th grade English
• World History
• Sign Language I
• Math (Still figuring that one out)
• Elective (still need to decide)

With his math, the good news is he may be starting Austin Community College. It counts towards college credit and he's in a class that is free because we live in the city! How cool is that?! He's matured so much and I'm amazed at how much he absorbs and knows. He's one smart cookie. Oh, and he's starting drums. Hello, ear plugs!

The Princess, sadly, is going to school. I know sadly shouldn't go into that sentence but it really conveys how I feel. I didn't think sending her to school full-time would bother me but really, I wanted to homeschool her again. I know statistics are totally on my side and she would just blossom, but I also know the feeling of being overwhelmed with her attitude and her not wanting me to teach her. I am sad to see her go to school. I just want to keep her with me and continue to teach her as I always have. She's about 1 year ahead of our local "exemplary" school district, and I know her first grade year, she'd just blossom. I'm sad to see her go into school but also know she deserves a chance at it. I'm torn, really.