I'm a pretty big fan of the Wicked Witch of the West. Today's version of Music Therapy Thursday pays tribute to her (and my chosen Halloween costume this year!). Thanks to Lori and Melissa for introducing me to "Wicked." I think this version that Idina does is absolutely beautiful. If you are unfamiliar with the song (or the musical) you MUST listen to the words of this song. It is one of my FAVES!
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Money Matters Monday
Well, it's been a week since I've put our family BACK on a budget and I'm here today to give you an update. One thing that I had forgotten from the last time I lived by a budget, was to leave myself a little "wiggle room." Note to self: not leaving enough cash to handle the things that will inevitably pop up during the week will have you running around like a chicken with it's head cut off, trying desperately to pull off some creative financing. It's NOT a pretty sight....
No worries, though. I pride myself on being the Queen of penny pinching. So with a few little tweaks to the budget (and a raid of my piggy bank!), it all worked out in the end. You laugh, but there are several ways that I can think of where you can get your hands on some "free" money in a hurry. Here's some of my tried and true faves:
1. The Yard Sale: Many people shy away from having them because they think it's too much trouble. I've just about got the whole thing down to a science as I have two every year. On a later post, I'll give you the deets on how to have a successful yard sale. For now, know that you are sitting on hundreds of dollars of unused stuff that is just taking up space in your closet and in your garage. That's right. HUNDREDS...
2. Roll Those Coins: I keep an old coffee can to hold the spare change that I collect from all over the house. If change is left in plain sight, it's mine! Money found in the laundry... mine! And yes, I've even found money in the couch. All mine! When you start using "cash only" instead of the check card, the change starts to add up. Get some paper rolls from the bank and roll those babies up! A friend of mine actually buys her Christmas presents with the CHANGE she saves throughout the year. Impressive, I know.
3. Sell Your Gold: I've done this a couple of times. That one little hoop earring that's lost it's mate, the ring your boyfriend from college bought you for Christmas, that broken neclace... that's money in your pocket. Gold is at an all time high right now, and many jewelers advertise with little signs in their windows if they buy gold. If you are unsure if yours does, give them a call. They can at least put you in the right direction. It can be VERY profitable. I would advise staying away from the tv advertisements and stick to your local jewelry shop, though, just to be on the safe side.
4. Selling Online: I heart E-Bay. I've never actually sold anything on there, :) , but several of my friends have. Sites like this and Craigslist are good places for getting a little more money for your stuff, as opposed to selling at a yard sale. I've been thinking I might sell some of my rubber stamps from my extensive collection when I decide which one's I can part with. When I do, I'll let ya know how it goes.
So there you have it: four easy ways to get yourself some cash in hand. Whether it's for a bill, for your savings, or for an emergency fund, go find some stuff that's taking up valuable real estate in your home and turn it into M-O-N-E-Y!
No worries, though. I pride myself on being the Queen of penny pinching. So with a few little tweaks to the budget (and a raid of my piggy bank!), it all worked out in the end. You laugh, but there are several ways that I can think of where you can get your hands on some "free" money in a hurry. Here's some of my tried and true faves:
1. The Yard Sale: Many people shy away from having them because they think it's too much trouble. I've just about got the whole thing down to a science as I have two every year. On a later post, I'll give you the deets on how to have a successful yard sale. For now, know that you are sitting on hundreds of dollars of unused stuff that is just taking up space in your closet and in your garage. That's right. HUNDREDS...
2. Roll Those Coins: I keep an old coffee can to hold the spare change that I collect from all over the house. If change is left in plain sight, it's mine! Money found in the laundry... mine! And yes, I've even found money in the couch. All mine! When you start using "cash only" instead of the check card, the change starts to add up. Get some paper rolls from the bank and roll those babies up! A friend of mine actually buys her Christmas presents with the CHANGE she saves throughout the year. Impressive, I know.
3. Sell Your Gold: I've done this a couple of times. That one little hoop earring that's lost it's mate, the ring your boyfriend from college bought you for Christmas, that broken neclace... that's money in your pocket. Gold is at an all time high right now, and many jewelers advertise with little signs in their windows if they buy gold. If you are unsure if yours does, give them a call. They can at least put you in the right direction. It can be VERY profitable. I would advise staying away from the tv advertisements and stick to your local jewelry shop, though, just to be on the safe side.
4. Selling Online: I heart E-Bay. I've never actually sold anything on there, :) , but several of my friends have. Sites like this and Craigslist are good places for getting a little more money for your stuff, as opposed to selling at a yard sale. I've been thinking I might sell some of my rubber stamps from my extensive collection when I decide which one's I can part with. When I do, I'll let ya know how it goes.
So there you have it: four easy ways to get yourself some cash in hand. Whether it's for a bill, for your savings, or for an emergency fund, go find some stuff that's taking up valuable real estate in your home and turn it into M-O-N-E-Y!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Music Therapy Thursday.....Ahoooooo!
If this doesn't put you in the mood for some Halloween festivities, I don't know what will! Enjoy today's version of "Music Therapy Thursday" by the late, great Warren Zevon. Everybody, now: "AHOOOOOOOO.......!" :D
Monday, October 18, 2010
Mondays and Money... A Double Whammy!
I've been talking to a couple of friends lately and MONEY seems to be hot topic around most households. Well, the lack thereof would be a more fitting topic it seems. I'm so sick of hearing about the economy and how the country is getting deeper and deeper into debt. What do we expect from our government when any one of us on any given pay period has to "steal from Peter to pay Paul?"
Most everyone I know lives paycheck to paycheck and none of us ACT like we do. We are all out buying new cars, traipsing all over town while paying out the wazoo for gas, and indulging our every whim with a little retail therapy. And that's just the grown-ups. We run out the first chance we get to buy little Johnny and Jane whatever their hearts desire, or worse: make sure they have whatever the brat down the street has so our little sweets won't be "left out." Pathetic. To coin a Dave Ramsey phrase, we are going broke trying to keep up with other broke people. Well, I'm DONE.
Last week I sat down and made out a budget (I know... it's such an ugly word) and frankly, I was SHOCKED to find how much of our hard earned money gets put into the "miscellaneous" category, and even MORE SHOCKED to tally up the balances on ALL of my credit cards. I had not done this in a while and it was sobering. I suggest you do it too and then we can both look around together and compare what we actually have to show for all that spending. Here's a hint: A BIG FAT BUNCH OF NOTHING, THAT'S WHAT!!!
I'm mad, can ya tell? And it's at myself, mostly. I KNOW what to do, WHY don't I do it?!?! I mean, I have already taken Dave Ramsey's seminar on Financial Peace SIX years ago. Sometimes you just have to get sick and tired of being sick and tired (another one from Dave) and I guess I reached it today when after carefully budgeting our moolah for the next two weeks, I find a lonely little bill that somehow slipped into obscurity and did not get paid. UGHHH!!! Don't you HATE it when that happens?! I know I'm not the only one. ;)
So after ranting on and on (sorry, I can get wordy) I'm on the wagon again. Yep. I'm on a budget ((wince)) and I have calculated that it is going to take approximately FIVE years ((gasp, gasp)) to become totally debt free (excluding the house). I'll dedicate my Mondays to blog about my Fiscal Fitness (did you see what I did there?? :D) and other money matters I may be facing. C'mon, let's get out of debt together!!! Who's with me??? To print out a sample budget to get started, head on over to www.DaveRamsey.com. It's an amazing website.
Most everyone I know lives paycheck to paycheck and none of us ACT like we do. We are all out buying new cars, traipsing all over town while paying out the wazoo for gas, and indulging our every whim with a little retail therapy. And that's just the grown-ups. We run out the first chance we get to buy little Johnny and Jane whatever their hearts desire, or worse: make sure they have whatever the brat down the street has so our little sweets won't be "left out." Pathetic. To coin a Dave Ramsey phrase, we are going broke trying to keep up with other broke people. Well, I'm DONE.
Last week I sat down and made out a budget (I know... it's such an ugly word) and frankly, I was SHOCKED to find how much of our hard earned money gets put into the "miscellaneous" category, and even MORE SHOCKED to tally up the balances on ALL of my credit cards. I had not done this in a while and it was sobering. I suggest you do it too and then we can both look around together and compare what we actually have to show for all that spending. Here's a hint: A BIG FAT BUNCH OF NOTHING, THAT'S WHAT!!!
I'm mad, can ya tell? And it's at myself, mostly. I KNOW what to do, WHY don't I do it?!?! I mean, I have already taken Dave Ramsey's seminar on Financial Peace SIX years ago. Sometimes you just have to get sick and tired of being sick and tired (another one from Dave) and I guess I reached it today when after carefully budgeting our moolah for the next two weeks, I find a lonely little bill that somehow slipped into obscurity and did not get paid. UGHHH!!! Don't you HATE it when that happens?! I know I'm not the only one. ;)
So after ranting on and on (sorry, I can get wordy) I'm on the wagon again. Yep. I'm on a budget ((wince)) and I have calculated that it is going to take approximately FIVE years ((gasp, gasp)) to become totally debt free (excluding the house). I'll dedicate my Mondays to blog about my Fiscal Fitness (did you see what I did there?? :D) and other money matters I may be facing. C'mon, let's get out of debt together!!! Who's with me??? To print out a sample budget to get started, head on over to www.DaveRamsey.com. It's an amazing website.
Monday, October 4, 2010
I Have Decided....
As I begin to address the ever-growing laundry pile in my laundry room, I am going to thank God that my family has clothes to wear on chilly mornings like today.
When I move to the kitchen to load and unload the dishwasher (again), wipe down the counters (again), and clean off the table and sweep (AGAIN), I'm going to thank God that our refrigerator is full and for the delicious supper that we had last night.
When I start to pick up the kids' toys and games and books that are strewn about the house, I'm going to thank God that my husband has a job and can buy us not only the things we need, but also the things we want.
When I change the sheets on the beds today, I'm going to think about the people who don't have a home to come home to or a soft bed to sleep on at night. I will pray for them and thank God for mine.
As I begin to grumble about the hardships of caring for a child with special needs, I'm going to thank God for the progress that science has made through medicine, surgery, and equipment, making any semblance of a normal life for us possible.
Thank you, God. You have blessed me with more than I deserve. Help me to continue to see you and your blessings in the details of my daily life. Amen....
When I move to the kitchen to load and unload the dishwasher (again), wipe down the counters (again), and clean off the table and sweep (AGAIN), I'm going to thank God that our refrigerator is full and for the delicious supper that we had last night.
When I start to pick up the kids' toys and games and books that are strewn about the house, I'm going to thank God that my husband has a job and can buy us not only the things we need, but also the things we want.
When I change the sheets on the beds today, I'm going to think about the people who don't have a home to come home to or a soft bed to sleep on at night. I will pray for them and thank God for mine.
As I begin to grumble about the hardships of caring for a child with special needs, I'm going to thank God for the progress that science has made through medicine, surgery, and equipment, making any semblance of a normal life for us possible.
Thank you, God. You have blessed me with more than I deserve. Help me to continue to see you and your blessings in the details of my daily life. Amen....
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Music Therapy Thursday
As I was picking Anna up from school this afternoon, I heard this song on the radio. The sun was shining in the clear blue sky. The weather was perfect for Autumn. I passed the Fire Department where the American flag was whipping in the breeze. It made me thankful that I live in the southeast United States. I haven't always wanted to live here, but I'm loving my little "small town." Enjoy today's version of "Music Therapy Thursday," wherever you are!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Dear Ol' Dad... He Ain't What He Used To Be
Every time I attempt to get on my soapbox about something, I think to myself, "Surely I'm not the ONLY person that feels like this." Most of the time I'm not, but something has caught my attention as of late and it's rampant, the "norm," if you will. And I don't like it.
If you know me, you know I'm a HUGE fan of the children's channels. I can guarantee that NOBODY was a bigger fan of "High School Musical" ( 1, 2, OR 3) than moi. "ICarly" is one of my favorite shows (true) and I think "Phineas and Ferb" is pure genius. Compared to what is on "regular t.v." as I call it (That's anything on the major networks and NOT The Disney Channel or Nickelodeon), most of the kid shows are pretty tame. I have had issues in the past with the sassiness of the characters and some of the cheeky language that they use, but last night I was overwhelmed by show after show with parents who are portrayed as mindless goofballs and the children who have NO RESPECT for them.
Sure, we could peck over every petty little thing on T.V. if we wanted to and then we'd have NOTHING to watch. But I think this is very disturbing and I'll tell you why. Where are kids taking their cues from? T.V. Who are kid's trying to emulate? T.V. stars. Who do they want to dress like, look like, act like? It's not you and me. We are LAME compared to Miley, Selena, Miranda, and the rest of the teen and pre-teen idols. EVERY parent figure on these shows are boobs. They are goofy, uncool, and lack intelligence. ESPECIALLY the men. What is this saying to our kids? Sure, we all thought our parents were big ol' nerds, too, back in the day. I get that. But the father figures I remember were from "Leave it to Beaver," "Growing Pains," "Family Ties," and "Diff'rent Strokes." They may have not been the coolest dads in their kids' eyes, but they were treated with respect. Last night on "Good Luck Charlie," the little boy's character said "I wonder what kids with SMART dads do for fun?" after he had tried to pull one over on his father. REALLY?!?! Could you have seen Arnold Jackson saying that about Mr. Drummond? For those of you under the age of 30, um... that's a heck to the NO!
In the end, the dad from "Good Luck Charlie" actually pulled one over on the youngest son which I'm sure was a win for proud moms and dads everywhere. The young boy realized his dad wasn't such a goofball after all and all was well in the world of kid shows. Hopefully that little tidbit will also sink in to the minds of our impressionable youth as much as all the other innuendos they are bombarded with. We can only hope. I plan to talk to Jamie about this more in detail later and perhaps turn the T.V. off and nurture her love for books more than I have in the past. 'Cuz my reaction to having to give up my kids shows would be a pouty "What chu talkin' 'bout, Willis?!" And nobody wants to see me go THERE! LOL! ;)
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