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Our new mortgage needs to have a snowball payment otherwise we will not have our house paid off until 2038. Ouch! Ideally we could pay off our current mortgage in 10 years. Here are the different...
View ArticleSwitching to a Cash System
1) Spend existing dollars2) Save more because you see the dollars leaving your hands3) Do not need to worry about interest rates and finance charges increasing4) Some stores offer discounts for paying...
View ArticleOur 3 cribs
1st -over 15 years old2nd -less than 103rd -unknown, 2nd hand*all pass the soda can test for the barsWhen you have three children under 3 more cribs become essential but how many do you actually need?...
View ArticleBrother John
Are you sleeping, are you sleeping Brother John? Brother John? Morning bells are ringing, morning bells are ringing Ding, dong, ding. Ding, dong, ding! We all love baby, yes we do. Yes we do.We all...
View ArticleInvestments
A couple years back, Americans were afraid to open their retirement savings statements for fear of knowing how much they lost. Was that true? Wouldn't you want to know if your statement said zero? Is...
View ArticleFinancial Makeover
It is always good to revisit your finances when changes in your life occur. In our case, we need to adjust for additions to the family, paycheck changes and school tuition increases. Snowball...
View ArticleHow Do You Mentally Prepare For 4 Weeks Without A Paycheck
--Due to taking four weeks of family leave this issue is upon us.Prepare ahead of time1) Take the rest of the paychecks and make up the difference. For example $26,000 per year becomes $24,000 per...
View ArticleChallenge: Can we spend less than $X,000 per month?
For example:$7,000 -Yes$6,000 -Maybe$5,000 -NoHOMEMortgageSnowballInsuranceLawn CareImprovementsRepairsFurnitureDecor ItemsLandscapingPest ControlUTILITIESCablePhone Cell Phone PlansCable Modem for...
View ArticleMissing Sock Pairs
I discovered the mystery of the missing socks that come out of the wash.You need both socks to go into the washer in the same load to get an entire pair to come out!Happy Halloween.
View ArticleWinter is upon us
Last weekend I spotted some hats and gloves in the center aisle. I thought I might as well get them now. Next I was hit by Christmas decorations. That makes sense but what I was surprised about was...
View ArticleMy Mantra
I think it is time to revisit my mantra.mission statementIf you teach a child to fish he will become a fisherman.If you teach a child to read he will become a reader.If you teach a child to be potty...
View ArticleOverdraft Protection
If you decide to use your debit card; make sure you set up overdraft protection. There might still be a fee for the use but it should be less than without the overdraft protection. Normally you would...
View ArticleFees Paid for Making Partial Payments
Does anyone have any issues with paying in installments for insurance and then getting charged a fee for paying in installments?For exampleLife insurance could be $150 per year but if you chose to pay...
View ArticleWinterize Your Car
You are at work and outside you car is being snowed on. You are prepared because you have your boots and your ice scraper. It is starting to snow pretty heavy. Your employer releases the employees but...
View ArticleGrocery Shopping
At the beginning of the year is the time to start analyzing your expenses such as grocery shopping. How much of your bill (dollars) is going to food and how much is going towards other items? Some...
View ArticleWhat is the price of a smile?
When planning a child's birthday party, what is your intended outcome?A) For your child to be happy.B) For your child to have fun.C) For you to have a relaxing day.Can all of these goals be...
View ArticleHere We Go Again
January always seems like crunch time. We refuse to finance on our credit cards and would probably sell some things before dealing with credit card finance charges.The idea of switching to a cash...
View ArticleUnexpected Hospital Bill in February
Son 2 goes for a sick visit and comes home three days later. Parent portion of the hospital stay is $850. Now the fun part, having to pay this bill after paying all the holiday bills. Options 1) pay in...
View ArticleBirthday Parties
Do you need a kids party every year? Probably not, but what do you do instead?Make the day special by having a play date close to the child's birthday. Go on an adventure. Make the child's favorite...
View ArticleSummer Living
Last summer we rented a three bedroom home for a week. Amenities included use of tennis courts, pool, a lake, a full kitchen, a charcoal grill and a washer and dryer. Being in a rancher with two...
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