by Claire
I used to look forward to Fridays for the usual reason–a weekend ahead! Now I look forward to Fridays because I get to look at our budget spreadsheet and go pay what I need to pay! I get such a good feeling out of being able to look at our weekly checklist and knowing exactly what I need to do! This is a far cry from what used to be the norm. I’d pay bills frantically with no rhyme or reason and NO PLAN! Wow. Looking back that was so exhausting! While it still isn’t fun to have to send so much of our hard earned money to third parties…at least there’s a plan for doing so and an end goal.
And so I am up very early on this Friday morning hearing birds chirping outside in the morning darkness (they have to chirp pre-PRE-dawn because by 10 am I’m pretty sure they’ve all passed out from the horrendous heat we’ve been dealing with) and getting ready to go knock out some debts!
Stay tuned for another post later today on what I’ve decided will be a new Friday addition to the blog—Random Rants. This won’t be just a gripe session for the sake of griping but instead just my observations about random things that cross my path on a regular basis. They may have something to do with finances but most often–they will not. They will always be about things that puzzle me and make me wonder about my fellow human beings–but, most importantly, I hope they make you laugh!
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
Hi Claire,
I am really enjoying your blog. We are going to make the same jump into “debt-free-living”, I have read Dave Ramsey, but, I was wondering about the nuts and bolts of your budget. You said you only update on fridays and such. Would you mind delving into more specifics?
Keep up the GREAT work, you are inspiring!!
Hi Cheryl,
Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying the blog. Early on I wanted to
Update my numbers weekly. I and the readers agreed that a monthly update makes more sense. My desire for the weekly was bc we are paid weekly so we pay something every Friday. As far as an approach, we are doing highest interest first. We use a very detailed excel spreadsheet my husband Steve created. It tracks everything. We each get spending money each Friday (currently $150 each) out of which we pay for gas and any item we need/want individually). I currently have the categories of kids, dry cleaning, yoga, fun money and salon. I roll over what I don’t spend. We are on track for all but the cars to be paid by December 2013. Gulp. That’s a lot of cash going to debt each month! But we have come so far!!! One spending decision at a time!