MoneySavingMom's new book on budgeting

I soooo want to get my hands on this book.

Hoping I earn enough amazon dollars to justify buying it... ;)

Goals for 2012

Since we did fairly well with the loosely set goals we had last year, I wanted to see how much more I could accomplish in 2012 by being focused and intentional.

I was inspired by Money Saving Mom's post on her yearly goals, and used her printable templates as a springboard for my own. Last night over Subway sandwiches before Church, my husband and I finalized the breakdown of our yearly goals into monthly ones.

While some of it may seem ambitious (considering there's a newborn on the way and we're limited to one income), I will be happy if I end up achieving more than I did last year, even if everything doesn't get crossed off the list. Having said that, here's this year's goals:


2012 Goals

 Faith:

Practice individual, daily devotions
Commit to prayer/devotions together as a couple
Commit to more regular church attendence
Give to church and charity of choice on a monthly basis

 Family / Marriage:

Finish nursery for Zeke before he's born
Continue monthly date nights after his arrival
Try different traditions to establish as a family
Eat dinner at the table at least 2x a week

 Finances:

Bring student loan down to $**** and transfer to interest free credit card
Increase emergency savings to $****
Start (me) blogging/amazon sales to earn an extra $100-200 /mo. for debt/savings
Read blogs/books on finances regularly for inspiration
Continue couponing, menu planing, and stockpiling deals when possible

 House:

Have at least one room insulated by end of year
Have roof repaired
Install gutters by summer
Clear out brush in yard/Clean out shed
Create ventilation for bathroom and paint ceiling

 Health:

Study nutrition and implement one new change a month
Cook from scratch more and eat less processed foods
Practice yoga and walking as a family

 Simplicity:

Declutter the whole house, room by room. Sell or donate unneeded items.
Create methods for storing and organizing items around house.
Regularly read blogs on minimalism/simplicity for new ideas
Strive to stay on top of chores often put off: dishes, laundry, etc *insert red face here*

I might post weekly goals too for accountability, but haven't decided yet if I'll do so. However, here's to a productive 2012! (it's gonna take me a month to get used to saying '12 and not '11....)

 

Yesterday's progress

While I didn't finish everything on my list, I was able to get a fair amount accomplished. Only thing that probably kept me from doing so was running out of printer ink and having a 3 hour nap (I blame the baby for waking me up at 5am) that afternoon. Overall I'm pretty happy with it and will try to finish the rest today.

Review of yesterday's list:

• Clean off couch (sad thing about having the living room be the first room upon entry is that the couch becomes a snare for dumping stuff).
• Iron 2 shirts from pile (huge pile, but I have decided to finish 2 a day until it's done).
• Clean microwave.
• Wash dishes.
• Bake 2 loafs of banana bread for the last of Christmas gifts.
• Hang awards/degrees on walls.
• Work on organizing nursery.
• Work on thank you notes for baby shower gifts
• Finish thank you notes for Christmas gifts
• Fill in birthdays for next year on calendar
• Print birth plan for doctor appointment next week
• Make cookies for last day at work.
• Make grocery list and print coupons
• Wash, dry and fold one load of laundry
• Finish writing new year goals with husband

So today in addition to the items not yet crossed off, I need to run to Walgreens to get my printer ink refilled and put my leftover flour from baking into sealed containers to prevent any bug infestation. And I need to figure out some fingerfood to make for the New Years party we're attending tomorrow. Hope you all have a great weekend!

Anticipation for the new year

I know it has been another fall off the blogging bandwagon yet again. But since the baby is coming in almost seven (!) weeks, I figure there'll never be a "good" time to start back up again, so I may as well just jump back in and not worry about frequency right away.

This weekend is my last one working which means I'll have a lot of free time to accomplish and finish things I've wanted/needed to do. I'm back into making a new to-do list for each day and have decided to set goals (not resolutions) for the new year with my husband. We've done really well with most of the goals we loosely set the past year so it's time to hit the gear and aim for more internationalism.

So I'm thinking of setting six major goals for different categories and then breaking those down into monthly/weekly action steps. It should be much easier that way to stay motivated and track progress made.

I doubt anyone is reading this at this point, but for the extra (imaginary) accountability I'm posting my list for today and reporting back later how many I was able to finish:

• Clean off couch (sad thing about having the living room be the first room upon entry is that the couch becomes a snare for dumping stuff).
• Iron 2 shirts from pile (huge pile, but I have decided to finish 2 a day until it's done).
• Clean microwave.
• Wash dishes.
• Bake 2 loafs of banana bread for the last of Christmas gifts.
• Hang awards/degrees on walls.
• Work on organizing nursery.
• Work on thank you notes for baby shower gifts
• Finish thank you notes for Christmas gifts
• Fill in birthdays for next year on calendar
• Print birth plan for doctor appointment next week
• Make cookies for last day at work.
• Make grocery list and print coupons
• Wash, dry and fold one load of laundry
• Finish writing new year goals with husband

And that's all folks, but I'll definitely feel like super woman if I can finish all those tasks today. Cannot believe there's only two days left in this year--time to end it with as few loose strings as possible! :) 

The Plight of the Homeless

Does seeing a homeless person begging for money make you squirm in your car seat? When I did a quick Wal-mart run earlier this week, there was a brunette woman with a stray dog; she had a sign that  said "out of work. hungry. every little bit helps."

My first internal response is usually skeptical. How do I know you're not trying to fund alcohol or drug additions you're enslaved to? And then uncomfortable. What of the shelters that are downtown? Are there enough resources in this town, or is it not enough to go around?

A quick google search showed there are a wide variety of of estimates on how many homeless people exist in the United States. It's a hard task to do a census on homeless since they're always on the go from one place to another, and the count is affected by weather, economic times, and high turn-over rates in shelters.

In addition, it's equally hard to pinpoint a certain cause for homelessness. Often people who are poverty stricken are one paycheck away from living in the streets. When illness or loss of work opportunities strikes, the biggest bill, usually the house or apartment payment, gets postponed in favor of food and necessities, leading to foreclosure or eviction.

Other causes, according to The National Coalition for the Homeless, include addictions of different forms, domestic abuse, lack of affordable housing, lack of health insurance, mental illnesses, decline in public assistance, or a combination of several factors. Overall, a mind-boggling 100 million people are estimated to be homeless world-wide.

Interestedly, there is also a list of ways to help given, some of which I hadn't thought of.

• Smile. Avoiding eye contact with homeless people dehumanizes them. They may or may not be at fault for their situation, but still crave human connection nevertheless. 

• Donate. Shelters can use many items such as non-perishable foods, toiletries, clothes, etc. Give of any excess you may have. 

• Help. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and your local shelters can always use hands-on volunteers.

• Give. It may not be a wise idea to hand out cash to homeless, but some people give out gift certificates to fast food joints, bus pass tickets, paid phone cards, or keep snacks such as crackers, water, dried fruit, etc to hand out.

What are your thoughts on homelessness or what ideas do you have to help?

Here I am to Worship

A day in the life of a stay-home-housewife (hey, that rhymed!)

For folks that wonder what I do all day since I don't have a job (yet, I'm really good at landing interviews though ;-) ) I thought I'd try my hand at taking pictures and blogging about it. On a second thought, that seems really vain as that assumes you're interested in what I do. I'll just promise I don't normally do this and get on with this post. :)

Upon waking every morning:

I make the bed so I'm not tempted to crawl back in and sleep some more while my husband gets ready for work. (I puffy heart sleep). I also pack his lunch, start the coffeepot, throw one load of clothes in the washer, turn the computer on, open up blinds, but I was too sleepy to take pics of all those tasks and this is before 8 in the morning. Cut me some slack. :p

After hubby left, I started ironing the huge iron "pile" while watching Dancing With the Stars. I may not be a bon-bon eating, tv watching housewife, but I feel justified watching tv if I do something at the same time.

 Altogether I ironed seven of Mikey's shirts and one of his work pants. (There were still two more pants left in the pile, but I got really tired of ironing by that point--maybe today I'll finish)

Then, time to take out the trash and get the mail:

That done, time to plan dinner (tuna noodle casserole) and shower. 

Onto dishes, got a big pile there from cooking during the weekend:

I cheated and had hubby help with some later. My next house WILL have a dishwasher, I despise doing dishes. However, I do love those moments when we can catch up on our day and talk. Didn't do all of them, as our hunger pangs struck when the casserole was done cooking. Tis okay, I wrapped it up this morning. End result:

 Yay you can see the stove now! Everything's been windexed and lysoled too so it's all shiny and bacteria free. May as well clean off the dining table while I'm at it:

I love those flowers. I impulsively got a bouquet on sale a week earlier while grocery shopping. Now, time to put the washer load in the dryer:

As soon as the floors are re-done, I'm painting this room a sunflower yellow. I cannot wait. 

On to sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, and wiping down mirrors/glass surfaces:

Back of door is our coupons for eating out; that way we won't forget to look for deals for our monthly date nights.

Also straightened up the couch as well (hubby built this, just need to paint the box, add feet, and a padded headboard. Another project for when we have extra $.)

Spent some time posting items to sell online from this pile of items on the floor here. This is what I'm doing for now to make extra $ on Amazon. It's working well so far. 

Now onto dinner:

Chili in the crock-pot. I love using my crock-pot, there is something about taking 10 minutes in the morning to dump, err lovingly mix ingredients in a pot that really appeals to my laziness. As a bonus, I don't have to think about dinner for the rest of the day--I probably use crock-pot recipes about 3-4 times a week. Oh, and the recipe for the chili is from here. One of my favorite blogs ever. 

Now that I'm about done posting this, I need to fold the clothes, make a new menu plan (I use this free website--it's awesome) and go out to do my errands today. In case the layout was confusing, this was from yesterday (Monday) and a part of this morning. I do deep cleaning on Mondays, errands on Tuesday, yard work, kitchen and bathroom cleaning on Wednesday, a project from the ongoing project list on Thursday, and detail cleaning on Friday. Weekends are off, I just relax with my husband, make homemade pizza and watch netflix and hulu with him. It's my goal to post regularly on my blog to help us earn an additional revenue (we'll see how that works out) and it's also my hope you enjoyed this post.

Time to get in gear, this won't get done by itself:

Oh! And have a great day! ;)

The Love of God

I love this song and can watch this over and over without ever getting tired of it. This encourages me whenever I'm discouraged, depressed, or just going through a hard time. This song is often sung too quickly, but this video is slow enough to really let the lyrics sink in. I hope you feel as overwhelmed by God's love as I do when watching this.

Peer pressure never seems to go away...

"If all your friends were to jump off a cliff, would you jump off too?"

I cannot be the only person that hated hearing that as a kid growing up. But there I something I have noticed, and that is peer pressure continues into adulthood if not even more so. Especially in Christian circles, whether it'd be in church, on Facebook, in school, etc.

I've noticed peer pressure when wives are expected to be a Christian version of a Stepford-wives--meek, submissive, a good housekeeper, slaves over a hot stove to make meals, etc. Not that I don't do some of those things, but the idea behind peer pressure is that you will be looked down upon if you do not meet those expectations. My friends, this should not be so.

I've noticed peer pressure when folks are guilt-tripped on Facebook to repost certain statuses or they're "denying Christ". Or they're not supporting our military, politicians, or whatever it may be. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the purpose of Facebook was to stay in touch with friends, share news, and encourage each other during hard times--not perpetrate spam.

I've noticed peer pressure, when parents are asked their plans for discipline, education, even methods of baby feeding/sleeping/ schedules--all with the intent of passing judgment, rather than encouraging them to do what is best for their family. I've noticed it when my alumni mater blocks a local newspaper's website without giving  a logical explanation behind their decision. Discouraging the use of wisdom and discernment in students is yet another form of peer pressure--to get the adult students to think the same way as they do--without an open forum for discussion and debate. As my previous post stated, if there is no room for difference of opinion, true learning cannot occur.

Let us propose something radical. How about we be real? Honest? Transparent? Let's show other people for what we really are in our current season of life and not what we're pressured to be, even if we have much growing and learning left to do. Let's stop with hiding reality and guilt-tripping. Instead, let us be willing to challenge each other on why we believe what we do, lest we grow stagnant and turn into folks that nod their heads to about everything. Let's never stop thinking critically, logistically and start standing our own two feet despite what others may think. If later I realize my previous stance on any opinion was in error, there is no shame in admitting it and changing course.

For life is not a pass/fail test. :)

Quote of the day

"Cognitive dissonance is where true learning occurs. Hearing two vastly different view points causes you to truly examine what you believe and why." 
(from a commenter on a blog)


Love, love, LOVE this! Some of you might be going, "well duh", but I cannot begin to tell you how much that struck a chord with me. 

A penny saved; A penny earned

After walking in the front door, I put my purse on the entry table, took off my coat, and sat in front of the computer and BUZZ, there was an IM from my husband.

"Haha! BBT just sent me the balance update,

I know where you are! You just hit the bank!"

I smiled as I typed him a reply back. Since we signed up for email alerts for all our transactions, he knew I was following through my promise to deposit the extra change we had to our checking. This was in light of our new financial goals to pay off our debt and make needed house repairs. We downloaded a (free) ebook on finances that we're currently reading together, one chapter at a time since there is SO much to glean from.

It drew us in and inspired us to re-evaluate our finances. From that inspiration we made the following goals; perhaps it might inspire you as well:

• Transfer $50 to savings account every payday and budget with the remainder $

• Transfer any extra cash from primary income to credit card the day before payday

• Wife gets a PT job to help fund house repairs (currently going through interviews atm)

• After house repairs are completed, secondary income goes towards debt

• All upcoming bills are to be paid on payday and not the due date; this prevents overspending

• Search for a better deal on internet service

If all goes to plan, our credit card will be paid off by June, our personal loan by 2013 and my student loan by 2014. Even with just one income at the time, it is still very doable. The trick is to keep staying as motivated and on task as we are now.

And the book we're reading? It's no longer free, but still worth getting. Find The Simple Dollar here: http://www.amazon.com/Simple-Dollar-Achieved-Dreams-ebook/dp/B003HOXLHA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&s=digital-text&qid=1302031267&sr=1-1.

We still have a ways to go, but as one of my teachers once said "Luck favors the prepared man".

Food for a thought

Got some snow last night--it is so pretty. I have to admit I'm already looking forward to summer though, but it'll get here soon enough.

Lately, I'm realizing how much I enjoy pondering theological questions. Does the crucifiction of Christ completely eliminate the need for the law in the Christian life (including the 10 commandments--not all of them are repeated in the NT)? How well has the Bible been preserved throughout our history? While God's word is in no doubt, perfect, how much margin for error should we allow for human transcription issues? Since the Bible is so easy to misinterpret or take out of context--is it possible for an average layperson with no knowledge of Greek or Hebrew to defer the true meanings of the text? Does the tribulation happen after or before the rapture--if that does exist at all? How does the Bible (in context) give us guidance on how we conduct ourselves in everyday life whether it be disciplining children, dating/courting, making friends with the unsaved, eating, etc? While on that point, does Bible reading give us a false confidence of a relationship with God? That is, because we can infer a list of "standards" from reading, we're automatically close with Him?

The thrilling part is, I don't have answers but I'm learning is more than okay to wonder and have questions. I used to be scared that these questions and others would make me less than a "good" Christian. I was afraid the answers wouldn't be there and that I'd end up agnostic or worse. If I could summerize all this up, it'd probably narrow down to two questions: what is truth and what is the extent of our Christian liberties?

The next blog posts will be reflections as I begin seeking after knowledge. As a poet Alfred Tennyson said:

I falter where I firmly trod,
And falling with my weight of cares
Upon the great world's altar-stairs
That slope thro' darkness up to God,

I stretch lame hands of faith, and grope,
And gather dust and chaff, and call
To what I feel is Lord of all,
And faintly trust the larger hope.

Pass me not...

An epiphany I just had today: my God is big. I feel like I’ve been cynical and doubtful of many things lately, but He is big enough to handle it. I question my abilities, strengths, and often fear the future. And yet, He’s big enough and it doesn’t faze Him in the slightest. He is big. Big enough to...

understand me
comfort during sorrows
meet my longings
bear my hurts
accept my weakness
forgive my failings
and is much bigger than the box I had placed Him in for years...

I love how Fanny Crosby expresses it:

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.

God is big enough to notice the unnoticeable.

Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.

He's big enough to do what man can't--heal.

Let me at a throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief;
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
Help my unbelief.

Yes, please Lord help us all.

Spiritual Cliches

"Freedom is frightening. There are people who want to be told what to do and when, how to believe and why. And the result is tragic perpetual adolescence." Chuck Swindoll

A big pet peeve of mine is the overuse of spiritual cliches. It's not that I'm an atheist, but every "amen", "just pray on the spirit", "the devil is attacking our ladies", and etc is to me empty, meaningless words. From another point, it's as if these overused phrases gives one something to say when there is no substance to be said. It's playing it safe instead of speaking with sincerity and transparency.

It's a shame really when our English language contains such an exhaustive choice of words. We can say old things in fresh new ways. Perhaps we are just too lazy to do so. For I believe a big part of becoming older is forming your own thoughts and expressing them in an original manner unique to you. Most people seem frightened to do this however. But think. Reason. Feel. And be real. Perhaps in doing so, it'll be a step towards leaving adolescence behind.

Goodbye 2010!

While skimming through my old blogs I realized I had a goodbye post for 2008, but not 2009. Somehow I had two years that have gone by since then. As I wrote on a friend's facebook status: "every year goes by quicker than the one before it". That much I know to be true. Since 2008 was a hard year, it's only fitting I reflect on one of the best years I've had: 2010.

This was the year fulfilled dreams and adventures. When I finally:

finished that last college course,
received my college degree in the mail,
married my best friend,
went on vacations/honeymoon to cool places,
moved to my very first house,
became a preschool teacher (however temporary),
read, learned, decorated and crafted to my heart's content,
and it's safe to say many good things happened in 2010.

As blessed I was this past year, I have so many other goals I wish to achieve in 2011. But regardless of what the new year will bring my main goal is to "...be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." I Cor. 15:58

A blessed 2011 to us all!

Tangled thoughts

The stomach flu while gross, does provide one with ample time of thinking and reflection. While bedridden the past few days with ginger ale and crackers, I pondered my beliefs and values. I love reading the blogs from various Christians with different theological leanings. I used to be paralyzed at the idea of considering other stances on issues I had long thought I had made up my mind on. Now, I find it intellectually invigorating and it forces me to be a "Berean". I'm asking questions like a critical atheist, but with the goal of digging the meat from the bones; instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. (And how bad is it I just used two metaphors in one sentence?)

I'm starting to notice that a lot of Christians that leave legalistic, "Independent Baptist" backgrounds tend to take a reformed/Calvinistic stance. While I relate to no longer wanting to be associated with most of Baptist culture, a part of me puzzles on why they give up much of man's free will/stewardship/etc. And I'll be the first to admit that I haven't figured it all out.

For the goal is that while swimming through the whole Bible versions debate, pinpointing when human conscience begins, noticing when verses are taken out of context, and other big/small issues, is that in the end I'm that much closer to knowing who God is for myself and not what others would have me to believe of Him. My hope is to come close to this before I have a family, but if not I'm willing to be honest about what I do/don't know and learn alongside them.

"Freedom’s calling, chains are falling,
hope is dawning bright and true.
Day is breaking, night is quaking.
God is making all things new.
Jesus saves."

Fall!

Obviously the summer is over. I only have to feel the cold windowpanes upon waking in the morning to know this. While reflecting I realize I did have a great summer--I did deep clean the house, went on a picnic with the hubby and read lots of books in my free time. The painting of the cabinets/laundry room is still in progress and I never did get around to planting anything. We did end up finishing the captain bed...see final result below:

You can't really tell, but it's made up of three open benches in a U shape that I can put baskets in for nice storage option. I love all the hard work hubby put into it and it's beautiful. It'll look awesome with the bookcase headboard when it's done.

With fall comes apple scented candles and cooler weather, but it's also the season for slowing down and savoring the small things. The biggest thing I'm learning is that I need to be willing to reach out to others even if it takes me out of my comfort zone.

Assigning Blame

My post today is more theological in nature. Even though I've been a Christian since five years old, there are many things I haven't figured out. In many ways I feel like I'm starting over in my faith since I've left the overly legalistic churches/college I used to be in. I used to blindly accept the standards and beliefs of others, but it is a lot more work to decide for yourself why you believe something. And that is where I'm at in my faith now.

One thing that has always bothered me is how much power Christians attribute to the devil. If a car breaks down it's the "devil's attack"; if one feels depressed coming down from a high of a church retreat that's an attack too. Or even if one loses a job, gets ill, and loses a loved one that's the devil's fault too. Christians love to quote that "he walketh about as a roaring lion seeking whom to devour" (1. Peter 5:8) as proof for their undesirable circumstances. But the Bible states "resist...and he shall flee from you" (James 4:7). If it's that easy...why do we blame him for pretty much everything bad that happens? Sure the devil doesn't like it when Christians assemble to worship or evangelize, but God does--and isn't He more powerful and didn't he already defeat Satan at the cross? Doesn't God decide what Satan can or can't do to his children (i.e. Job 1:12)? And we already know that in the end of all this, Satan gets thrown to the lake of fire (Rev. 20:10).

And even if all this were true, how can Satan be everywhere attacking Christians all at once? Only God is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent. That is, all-knowing, ever-present and all powerful. Satan is a fallen angel and the Bible indicates that angels do not know everything (1 Peter 1:11-12). I'm not one to dismiss the reality of Satan and his legions, but I am really wary of giving him too much credit for things. Isn't it enough to ask God for help to live the trials of life in a Christ honoring way instead of devoting much energy to "binding and losing"? From my perspective this much attention/focus on the devil, comes borderline close to devil worship. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't want to risk being on that side.

This also seems to set up a situation for Christians to have a life filled with anxiety and fear. If we never know when the next attack might come, and if we have to be alert at all times, how can we ever rest? God has not given us the spirit of fear. He also said "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33).

And in addition, don't most of our troubles exist because we live in a fallen (post Eden) world (see Ecclesiastes). There is a scientific law that everything will eventually atrophy or die. Cars break, people die, depression happens, jobs are lost, etc. The point being we're not in paradise and won't be until we get to heaven or until the Lord returns. Secondly, much of our troubles are a result of man's fallen nature. We are stupid people and do stupid things. Jesus describes us as "sheep that have gone astray. Each one to his own way.(Is. 53:6)". We eat unhealthy food, stay up late and then get sick. We procrastinate getting the car battery checked and it breaks down. We believe the myth that Christians are supposed to be happy 24/7 (happiness is not equivalent to joy) and when discouragement comes, we conclude the devil is responsible.

However, Job himself grieved--he tore his mantle, fell on the ground--at the loss of his family and his life. Satan was NOT testing his happiness level (reminds me when folks say "don't let Satan steal your joy!"). Job got angry at God; he had questions that still aren't answered. However, he still "worshiped" which is simply admitting that God is in control of all things and that God always is what he says.

It seems Satan's role is to tempt Christians to sin; not heap trouble on us that is really the result of a fallen world or our undisciplined actions. God will test our faith by giving us trials. Satan however tempts us to do evil. The first chapter of James clearly explains this. To summarize, I guess I just wish we weren't so quick to blame the devil in our statements and called a square a square. I am not attempting to judge anyone for their believes, but I would like to explore the Biblical perspective of this. I've heard it said we either give Satan too much credit or too little. What then is his role? Thoughts?

Things I want to do this summer...

Paint the kitchen cabinets and the laundry room.


Help hubby finish assembling the captain bed he's building.


Plant summer flowers.


Really deep clean the house. *sigh*


And lastly, visit the new park in bedford and have a picnic with the hubby. :)

Frustrations...

I spent most of today feeling discouraged with several negative thoughts biting at me like lice that refuse to go away. Why can't I be this person I want to be? Why do I fail, get discouraged, and struggle? And then I came across this verse:

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

And then I realized, I have to give everything--my discouragements, failures, self-doubts--up to Him. I can't make myself into what I should be for I'm not God. All I have to do is be willing to be used and follow where He leads.