The details of the phone call seemed a bit strange, but we were enticed by the promise of a gift card for the grocery store. It didn’t take long to realize that we had been duped into subjecting ourselves to a sales presentation. The “snake oil” was a water softening …
I am so proud of the way that we are destroying our debt. It is both rewarding and motivating to see how far we’ve come in just a few short years. Tracking financial progress can provide an immense boost of resolve to continue, and even step up, our diligence. That is why …
Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that can quickly become expensive. Mr. Smith used to send beautiful bouquets of flowers to my office. They were lovely, but honestly, a waste of money. Nowadays, we’re saving our money to pay down debt and fund future adventures. But the kids should …
Reactions to our news about expecting twins, when we already have three young kids, have been pretty interesting. There is usually a bit of shock, followed by one or more of the following questions: (1) are you going to move, (2) are you going to buy a new vehicle, and …
I started the New Year with such great intentions and energy. The pregnancy wasn’t too burdensome yet, but then the stomach flu hit our house, followed shortly thereafter by bad colds. We all seem to be recovering now, and are just trying to get back on track. The twins will …
As we prepare for the arrival of twins in May, we’re going to need to buy some “new” things. And, it’s not just purchases for the babies (because babies don’t really need that much). The other children will be passing down everything from outgrown toys and clothes, to their beds, …
January is all about making goals and getting motivated for an awesome new year. It represents a chance to start fresh and focus on moving forward, instead of worrying about setbacks from the previous twelve months. We all have tons of things that we would like to accomplish, but some …
This past week has brought me back to the beginning of our financial semi-independence journey. Whereas short-term goals may help keep you focused, I find that the vision of achieving your long-term goals can light a fire. The full picture may be somewhat unclear from this distance. However, the confidence …
Happy New Year everyone! I hope that all of you made some great memories during the holidays. 2016 was a rough one for a lot people. The hateful goodbye messages on social media were proof enough of that fact. We faced many challenges of our own, but survived and came …
As we count down the last few days until Christmas, the world around us seems a flurry of holiday activity. Everyone is finalizing preparations and checking things off their family to-do lists. We’re looking forward to a break from school and work that will start on Friday, but the hustle …
