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Posts tagged with: awesome man
Oct 7, 2026    |      0 comments

Three Things I have Learned being Cash Only

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I’ve been on a CASH ONLY basis since I took the Dave Ramsey course this past spring. It just made sense to me in a way few things have. And I dove right in.

Current Circumstances

Now just a reminder of or introduction to my current life for those that haven’t been here that long. I live with my dad. I moved in here about a year and a half ago to help take care of my mom (and dad). My mom passed away in June of this year.

My dad lets me stay here for free and pays for all the groceries. I do not pay any rent or utilities. In exchange, I do all the cooking and general care of the home. I’m also now taking over bill paying for him with financial oversight by my siblings. It’s not a job I asked for or wanted, but it makes the most sense since I am here.

My dad has pointed out several times that since I moved in, he is spending less on food. And he’s definitely eating more variety and more healthy. (He is also a diabetic so our diets are structured identically in that sense.) So it’s actually been saving him money to have me around. He can’t cook. And has no desire to learn.

All that to say, my monthly bills are very low. My car is paid for. A single student loan is my only outstanding debt. And while I still pay my cell phone, internet, and support my dogs, most of the income I bring is goes to savings these days. Thank god!

Taking a class at my church is really the only time I leave my house every week. I have a dinner with a group of women every other week, but other than that, I am perfectly content to be home.

How Cash has Helped

Last spring, I took the Financial Peace class. And while I’ve know about the Baby Steps forever. I had never heard him speak. It made so much sense to me.

Here are my top three take aways since going cash only:

  1. Carrying cash is not something I do. I’ve never been one to carry cash. And that hasn’t changed. Makes it really hard to buy anything when you literally have no way. I know this is extreme, but it’s what I do. And we all know I need the discipline. (I do use my debit card for gas at the pump, but 1) it’s in my budget and 2) since I rarely go anywhere on a regular basis, I don’t have to get gas often.)
  2. Preparation is key. Food has always been a weakness. The convenience of restaurants, drive thrus, just made my money disappear. That was especially true when all 5 of my kids were home. So when I know I’m going to be away from home. I pack food. And it’s really helped getting to cook and keep groceries I enjoy. And being Texas, it is HOT! So I always have my water bottle or two with me. And even carry one for the dogs. Even dog sitting I take my meals.
  3. There is power in big bills. When I do have cash. Which is still very rare. I try to keep it in big bills. There’s something about breaking a big bill that makes me think and rethink if I really need whatever it is I’m tempted to buy. And 9 times out of 10, I choose not to make the purchase rather than break a big bill.

I know these are silly. But for the last 6-ish months, I’ve saved more than ever, more quickly than ever, and without feeling like I’m depriving myself at all. And that is a win for me. I have the most money for the longest time in a savings account that I think I’ve ever had. (I don’t think I said that well, but I hope you understand what I’m saying.)

 

 

Oct 5, 2026    |      0 comments

Grateful for What Is

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I have a secret I’ve been keeping from you all. I recently applied for a very high-level role in academic administration. While I wasn’t sure that I wanted to go into academic admin, the job description sounded like it was written specifically for me. It was in perfect alignment with my skills, talents, and interests. I had to go for it.

I made it through multiple rounds of interviews, making it to the top 3 who interviewed in the final round for the role. And a couple of weeks ago, I got the call – they decided to go in another direction.

At first, I was disappointed, of course. I had really prepared for this interview. I’d done everything right! I’d bought a new suit (it’s not common to wear full suits in my current position, and though I own a couple of suits, one is too small and one is too large – a testament to my fluctuating waistline across the last decade – ha! So I bought a brand new one in my current size). I also paid to have my resume printed on high-quality paper so I could pass it out during face-to-face interviews. I even created and printed an Impact Report I’d made to show my accomplishments during my time in my current role. I really prepared for the interview, practicing my responses to questions I may encounter, and thinking about what I would bring to the role. I think I made a good impression, and I could tell that the committee, and later higher-ups, were impressed with my responses. I followed up after the interview with personal emails to the hiring committee and thanked them for their time and efforts.

I had visualized myself in the role. Saw myself driving into campus and getting to work each day. I was excited about the prospect of making a larger impact across an entire campus community (whereas the impact of my work now is mostly limited to within my own department).

But then it’s funny how things happen. The day I received the call, I actually couldn’t answer when the call came through. It was 4pm on a workday. I was home (not on campus) and was dealing with a minor emergency with my children. I wasn’t able to pick up the call and had to schedule a call back for the next day. I thought to myself, “If I can’t even take an important phone call…and it’s during work hours still…how on earth am I going to be able to commit to being on campus 5 days/week from 8am-5pm + occasional nights and weekends?!”

Since then, there’s been more parenting-related drama. Nothing major, and I don’t want to infringe on my teens’ privacy by going into it. But suffice it to say there have been things that have required my time and attention. Yes, even during work hours.

Also, this semester has been pretty intense for me. I’m teaching back in person again (for the first time in 8+ years), and it has been a big transition since I’ve been teaching fully online for the better part of a decade. Going to campus so much more frequently has really been an adjustment. These are first-world problems, but I’ve been joking to my husband (who routinely works 50+ hours/week outside the home), “How do you do this?”

I’ve been so spoiled to work mostly from home! I’ve always been around if there’s a delivery that needs a signature, or if there’s a repair person coming to fix an appliance. I can start a load of laundry in between Zoom meetings, and there’s zero commute time, so I have more time to exercise, walk the dog, prep dinner, etc.

A morning walk before work. Grateful for the time and flexibility to enjoy it.

In the end, I’m grateful for what is. The fact that I did not get this job. Yes, maybe it could have led to more money and prestige. But my freedom and flexibility are worth their weight in gold. I could not trade my current life for that of someone who is expected to be at work 45+ hours/week. Really, truly – you all amaze me! I legitimately do not know how you do it and keep a house running and raise children and all the things!

I’m grateful to be in a place where I can recognize that my time has value. And that my flexible schedule has value, too. I’m grateful to have been put in a position where I had to weigh these things and grateful – so, so grateful – that I don’t have to make a choice between career and caregiving. That my job allows me adequate time and flexibility to do both, while still earning a good living.

Sometimes, all we need is a little perspective to realize how good we already have it.

What are you grateful for?

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