Showing posts with label money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label money. Show all posts

Monday, December 14, 2009

Money & kids

This new vision is something I want to ensure that our kiddo not only knows but that it is a way of life. No student loans, credit cars, saving up for a car and not buying into credit card debt, and maybe just maybe even paying for a house with cash. Doesn't that sound a little ridiculous, I thought so too, however, I hear about it quite often now... now that I have opened my ears to it. We have been told for so long that we must save for a down payment, buy a car with no money down, get a credit card and make regular payments, preserve your credit score, that we know no different. But we are determined to change that for her, to ensure that her life is different, and better, save your money for a car, save your money for that new furniture, be patient and your reward is that your life will never be chained down to another person, and the economy will survive. Because the economy is not dependent upon your credit card, it is dependent upon your ability to spend responsible.

When I think about what I learned from my parents growing up, there is not much to write about. We were very poor, lived off welfare, "government cheese", and other such things. So saving wasn't at the top of the list, if there was a list. Not to say they didn't try, I was raised by my grandparents, and the were disabled and retired, and struggled. But they tried, God love em' Not a cycle I wish to repeat.


Monday, December 7, 2009

Big dose of Financial reality or Financial Peace University lesson 1

Today is lesson one of financial peace university. It was relatively easy to go through, the layout was very nice, easy to use. I had video issues, but learned it was because I had left a ton of stuff on my desktop running in the background.

So far we are off to a good start, the emergency fund is in place. Though we had to dip into it, it is nice knowing that it was there, no panic! We will have to budget tonite and be ready to stay on path.
I had an ah-ha moment today when I was looking at quickbooks... it seems we really eat out alot, now I consider ubakes and as well or anything like that, not fully prepared by me as dining out. it is my weakness.. my solution is to time manage better and to cook better meals, or some that kind of similiar to what we get when we go out. Maybe I will even squeeze in some healthier stuff!

So though tonite will be boring and busy, I look forward to moving through these steps to financial freedom!

Friday, December 4, 2009

Financial Peace... the experience

Dave Ramsey has been a blessed discovery in our lives, and during veterans day, they gave a way to all veterans a free 16 week course to the Financial peace online class! My husband and I are both veterans of the United States Marine Corp and I am excited to start this session.

I decided that I will be posting my experience of taking this class on this blog, now I won't be posting the class, however I will be posting the experience as I process this new direction in our lives. I am excited that we will be able to teach this to our daughter so that by the time she becomes an adult, she will have a strong foundation to begin her life.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Cash for Clunkers... wonder or blunder


*Update* I realize I did not put in the cost of parts and repairs for the older vehicles!

hmmm. Admittedly I am tempted, after all there are cars out there you can get for $5000 brand new after the government credit! So why do I hesitate, the gas mileage would be alot better than my Nova (which by the way is never an option for trade in or sale) My van is decent mileage about 18 or so on a good day. It would be prettier than my van that is for sure, poor little work truck, filled with gear, waiting for a little more in the budget for her makeover.

So I couldn't help myself... had to figure it out. Now I am no accounting wizard here just gathered some information from what I knew personally regarding parts and from what I got when I called local shops.

So here it is check it out I think you would be shocked as I was! The money alone we could save... would fix the air conditioning in the van, brand new paint job, and reupholster the whole thing in just a couple of months of what I would save if I opted to not get a new car. The Nova by the way is perfect in all those departments

The figures for monthly expense includes what you would need to put away for replacement of wear and tear. Most people say well older cars are not dependable. On our newer car we learned that everything is much more expensive; from simple oil changes, inspections, etc. From talking with other people at the time our car payment was considerable low at the time. All in all these figures I believe will be different for each person, maybe your car payment is higher or maybe your gas mileage is better. I think it is better to hammer out the long term factors before considering Cash for Clunkers.

For me I'm thinking maybe not, because I can put the van in perfect running order with new paint and interior and not only, not have a car payment but save other expenses as well.

Good Luck in your decision


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