September's Challenge--The Art of Saving

This summer was our big trip out west, and I had prepped, planned and saved for that trip for some time.  It was a GREAT trip!

But, we also realized that we had to use a week at a condo in 2015, so last month, Bret and I had to find some place else to go in 2015.  Woe is me, right?

But, we know we're not going to have a ton of money to spend on this second trip... so I need to save an extra $500 to make it happen.  The cost of the gas will already be covered (gas is so cheap now, I could do budget cheerleading moves about it); our great condo is covered, but that $508 price tag to get a family of five into the Magic Kingdom for one day is looming in front of me!

So, my goal this month is to save $500 IN ADDITION to what I am already saving.  I need this money to be "extra," or I can't justify spending it on a second vacation. I already save money each month, but that savings has a purpose: retirement, a bigger emergency fund, college accounts the kids, or our next car--so this needs to be on top of all of that!

For me, there are two budget categories that stick out the most as a possibility for reduction for the month: Entertainment (which includes eating out) and Household (which for us is clothes, groceries, household products, etc).  Additionally, I will try to sell some stuff on Craigslist to make it happen.

So, how about you join me?  Couldn't you use some extra money in the bank?  Maybe $500 is just too steep for your personal situation and your personal budget?  Maybe you don't really have that kind of wiggle room... I get it!  I bet you can, however, come up with a number that makes sense for you.  It's got to be big enough that it hurts a bit... changes your habits at the grocery store or the food court (or lack thereof), but it also has to be doable.

For me, $500 is the sweet spot.  It's enough of a change that it's going to take daily (if not moment by moment) intentional decision making (and a month of meals of rice and beans), but it's also by no means impossible.

If you need help thinking through this or setting up a budget, let me know.  I simply LOVE talking about and planning budgets--sticking to them is a whole lot less fun! ;)

Cheap Labor

These two give a killer (I mean, really, really good) foot massage, and their going rate of $4 an hour can't be beat (plus Friday and Monday free, according to them).  This is the best 30 minutes of my day today, even if it confirms they have no business scruples.

Off to Preschool

and so excited!

Post church exhaustion plan

Working well, so far... They appear none the wiser that a 6:30 bedtime is looming.

First Day of School

....and just like that.... they start second and third grade IN THE SAME CLASSROOM!  Is a bottle of scotch an appropriate Christmas present for a teacher?

August's Challenge--The Early Bird Gets the Worm

I used to be a morning person.  Then, I became a mom.  I think that explains things.

But, for the month of August, I want to get up an hour earlier than I normally do.  The few times I have done this throughout the year, I am amazed at how much I get done in that hour and how much more smoothly the rest of the morning goes.

There's lots of research out there that shows how waking up early really does have a positive outcome.  People who get up early are:

1. Less likely to blow off a workout!
2. Are less depressed.
3. Eat healthier (actually eat 250 fewer calories a day)
4. Are more cheerful
5. Are more proactive in business
6. Make more money
and the list keeps going!

So, I'm going to get up during the weekdays an hour earlier than normal, and--don't type it, don't type it--I'm going to do the same on the weekends too.

I tried not to type it.  I tried to give myself a "break," but I really think good things are going to come from that early morning wake up!

So, who is up for 31 days of early rising?  Please don't make me do it alone!

Knotts Berry Farm

For our last day, we are at my childhood amusement park with cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents... for my kids, this is as good as it gets.

Dodger Game

a sizzling LA tradition...

Loads of cousins...

and loving every minute of it!

A Gorgeous Day for a Ride

We had a nearly perfect time with Uncle Richie, save for Grant veering into traffic a time or two. 

Paddleboarders

They were naturals!

Movies, trampolines and burgers

With some cool weather and rain in the forecast, we finally went to the movies today (Inside Out) followed by Grant tackling the bungee trampoline.  Trent has been super tired today (vacation overload), and not even famous milkshakes and burgers at SnoFlake helped.

Pope Beach

A day of swimming, burying kids in the sand, paddle boarding, kayaking with uncles, and playing with cousins.  Simply perfect.

Well, hello.... Lake Tahoe

someone is happy the desert is behind him...

baby fever

Baby Layla is making me want #4.  Great Aunt Erin is in love.

one more park

Someone's not happy to be here.

July's challenge--STOP staring at that screen

I'm not going to use this as my soapbox for why I hate Facebook.  Many of you have heard me rant on and on about it, and there's no need to get all critical here.  I forgive Facebook... or, at least, I am trying to forgive Facebook.

But, even though I hate it, it kind of sucks me in... as does Pinterest... or Instagram.... or any other socialcomputerwasteofmytime!

So, this month, it is NO [social media] SCREEN TIME!  It is going to be hard... but I picked a gorgeous month for the challenge.  It's not winter.  We don't need to be inside... and we don't need to carry our phones with us every waking second while we are outside enjoying the summer.

If someone sends me a message via facebook, I am going to answer it... and treat that like email, but the random scrolling, stalking, surfing the internet for WHO KNOWS WHAT... is over for the month.

I know it's going to be harder for some of you... because you don't actually HATE Facebook like I do. But, even though giving up Facebook will be easy for me, the random surfing of the web will not be!

So, unless it is something I need to do for work, church or family (like ordering medicine or buying toothpaste [yes, I buy our toothpaste at Amazon]), I'm out.

Anyone else want to be "out" with me?

Breakfast

What you let your kids eat when you have to empty the fridge, leave the beautiful barn, and drive ten hours on the Loneliest Road in America...

First and Last (please)

Last night, we headed to a rodeo here in Bryce.  But, this wasn't your average rodeo.  Oh, there were bull riders and bronc riders and ropers, but this rodeo also featured Grant and Grace too. 

Grace signed up to ride a sheep which, other than a few scrapes from the fall and a massive allergic reaction, went smoothly.  Grant was slated to ride a cow, and he was second in his group.  After the first kid went, this mama started praying because those cows were set to buck!  I swear that first kid almost died (even Bret was concerned)!  On the video, you can hear me audibly praying and then audibly relieved and thankful when he gets up off the ground. 

Grant and Grace loved it, and they each earned some rodeo winnings, and I am so proud of them!  Not much is once in a lifetime, but this might be... at least I hope so!

Happy Birthday

This beauty (inside and out) is seven today.  Seven never looked so sweet.  Happy bday, my silly, kind, helpful and smart little Wei-Wei.