Total Money Makeover

We've had a lot of changes the last few months.  For a month it felt like our life was up in the air and we didn't know how the cards were going to fall.  Michael quit his job the same week we found out we were pregnant.  Talk about scary.  What was his next career move?  Were we staying in New Sharon? How can we live on one income, even if it was short-term? 

It was that chain of events that changed my mindset.  For years Michael has listened to Dave Ramsey on the radio.  He'd tell me about Dave's beliefs about money and how it should be spent.  I wasn't overly keen on doing it that way.  I'm an instant gratification person.  When I want it, I want it NOW!  No waiting and saving or thinking of other ways the money could be better spent. We make a decent living and couldn't fathom ever going without or not having enough money for the necessities of life. 

Michael bought "The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey in December.  Within days we had it read and were completely committed.  For the first time ever, we had a written budget.  I had no idea how much money we spent each month on unnecessary things, or how much we could have been saving, putting towards retirement, or making bigger house payments. 

We started out way ahead of some of the people in the book or that you hear on his radio show.  Our only debt was Michael's student loan and our house.  Every year around tax time Michael toyed with the idea of paying off the student loan.  Just to have a good starting point, he paid it the same day we did our first budget.  Done.  Only our house to focus on. 

It's been four months that we've sat down together, gone through the previous month's budget, and planned out the next month's budget.  No fighting or arguing.  We are working towards the same goal for the first time in our marriage.  We now tithe, have fully funded retirements funds, and and make triple house payments.  Our pinnacle is paying off our house in less than 4 years.  How freakin' cool will that be to own our house?!?!?!?!? 

I'm excited to continue this journey together.  We've definitely had to make changes.  We actually think twice about where our money goes.  We're planning for our future, not just the present.  It's exciting to think about our retirement years when I know we'll have money to do as we wish, not be greeters at Wal-mart. 

I highly recommend "The Total Money Makeover" to everyone.  It'll change your marriage and your life!

Half way!

I have been lax on blogging.  Mostly because everything is on my phone.  I don't need to get on my laptop for most emails, Facebook, or basic internet searches.  Consequently that means I don't blog either. 

Here's an update:

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and all is well!  I'm out of the nauseous stage where my body was responsible for keeping the couch grounded from 4:00-8:00PM.  We had an ultrasound last week.  Baby Mitchell is measuring right on.  He/she wasn't cooperating to get a good profile shot, but we got some good ones of his/her long legs.  Already taking after the Mitchell side.  If its a girl, she could be a super model. 

Baby Mitchell has been very active since week 17.  I feel daily movements.  Michael has gotten to feel a couple of kicks.  Kincaid hasn't yet.  As soon as his hand is on my belly, the baby quits.  Already teasing his/her older brother. 

As of yet, I've only gained a few pounds.  I attribute that to the weight I never lost after the twins.  I'm just now getting into maternity clothes.  I held off as long as I could. With a first pregnancy, maternity clothes are fun and exciting.  With proceeding pregnancies, they lose their luster... at least with me. 

We moved Kincaid's room from the back bedroom to the front bedroom.  The back bedroom is bigger and can accommodate more furniture.  And the smaller the kid, the more stuff they require.  At first Kincaid wasn't sure, but he's liking the front bedroom better now.  He can see into the kitchen and he has a bigger closet.  And he can't hear the coyotes cry at night. 

Kincaid has been walking with me on the days it's nice enough to be outside.  I love the fresh air and he needs/loves the exercise.  He's very excited to ride his bike while I push the baby in the stroller come August and September. 

We continue to get more excited as every week passes. 

I have 11 close friends and family that are also expecting right now.  I love this baby boom!  Babies bring so much joy to the world!