a Lifestyle blog about life, dreams and hope
One month into our debt free journey and we have our first true emergency. We own a small house down south beside my sister, so we went south for the holiday weekend. Once we arrived, we turned the thermostat up and went over to visit with my sister. When we came back to go to… Continue reading “How are you staying so calm?”
We paid off one more bill this week, and I feel different. When we paid off the first two bills, I was excited about it and still unsure if we can continue this. Can we keep the momentum and stay focused? I’m not totally amazed that we managed it - I’m CONFIDENT about it! We… Continue reading What’s the Difference Between an Elephant and a Chocolate Chip Cookie?
Previously: …I didn’t have a plan, money wasn’t a concern; the lights were on, the house was warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Until 2014, when my husband was injured at work and couldn’t continue heavy physical labor any longer. Now, I’ll tell you the rest of the story… So now I’m… Continue reading Part Two
My phone rings about 11:00, I look down at it - I don’t recognize the number, so I’m hesitant to answer, “Hello?” “Hi, is Patricia available?” “This is…” “Hi, my name is Jeremy and I’m from blank-blank payday advance company. You haven’t been here in a while and I can offer you $25 on a… Continue reading The Pay Day Loan
Budgeting is a balancing act, its not easy. “…If it were easy, everyone would do it.” We’re half way to Baby step 1: $1000 in the emergency fund, at least we were until we had to have this tool. I came home last night, to find my husband frustrated with our debt free plan. We… Continue reading Frustration Set in
Changing behavior with money is the key to budgeting. Paraphrasing one of my favorite quotes by Charles Swindoll “Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it” reflects how I feel about money. Its amazing how funding an emergency fund changes our reactions. I’ve experienced its unwise to make financial decisions… Continue reading Money and Relationships
Intentional My word of the year for 2019 is Intentional - with my life and with money. Almost two years ago, my family experienced a life altering event, which I’ll share in an upcoming April post. We were in survival mode, just getting by emotionally and financially. “To the world you are one person, but… Continue reading Intentional
I’m preparing for my first NaNoWriMo project: 50,000 words in thirty days. I organized my desk and my work space, position it front of the picture window in the living room. I enjoy looking out as the neighbors sit on their porches and chit chat over a cup of coffee and a smoke. Some writing experts… Continue reading My Desk
I listened as I heard a soft noise coming from downstairs. My grandparents were trying not to wake the rest of us. My family slept upstairs, and my grandparents’ room was on the main floor. “Aloisia, how can you sleep?” I poked my sister, but she brushed my hand away. I prodded her again to… Continue reading Morning With Oma
Holling destroyed the church records in 1946, taking my family history and leaving more questions than answers. I knew my great-grandparent’s names, but no birthdates or date of death. My mother always spoke about her step-grandmother and how much she loved her, and vice versa, but I didn’t know her name. My mother passed away… Continue reading Her Name Was Emilie
