The king and I have taken/taught the dave ramsey fincancial peace class and followed the principals in it. We really like the philosopies presented in it. We followed those rules for several years. We are presenting them to our children as a good financial plan....because it IS!
But then there is life. 2 summers ago, we had a well stocked emergency fund. We had no debt outside our mortgage and we were moving forward to really get things settled and start really chunking money into a retirement fund. Then a deer totaled my van. We had to chose between a car loan and completely depleting our emergency fund and paying cash. We chose to pay cash for the van. And it feels like we've never recovered from that. We've cash flowed everything. But we can't seem to get caught back up.
We live in the country and had a HORRIBLE well. All of us could not shower daily and I had to ration laundry. We have 4 children. One of them a teenage boy and another a soon to be teenage boy. This was causing incredible problems in our house. We started planning to pay to have "city water" brought to our house. We applied and signed contracts. We saved. We almost cash flowed the whole thing. But not quite
M and I had an opportunity to go to Australia. We cash flowed that trip. Maybe we should have put that money in the emergency fund. But it was an opportunity that may never present itself again. And certainly not while he is old enough to take that flight but young enough to not have too many obligations.
One of the "deals" with my Australia adventure was that the King wanted he and I to go on a little getaway this winter for the 2 of us. I thought we'd have a weekend in Nashville, or New Orleans. He picked an all inclusive resort in Jamaica (I'm not complaining). We cash flowed the trip.
.
We've been having trouble with the bedroom layout in our house (one extra little bedcave room shared a wall with the master bedroom -and the child who slept in it stayed up to eavesrop and comment about what she heard-ahem!- and was not big enough to even really qualify as a bedroom). We decided this fall to do the work required to make a big bedroom for 2 kids and tear out the "cave room" We were going to cash flow this project. Not too difficult.
Then I needed a medical procedure. Insurance raised our deductible 2 days before my surgery without good communication and surprised us. Fine. We'll get it paid for. The procedure has a 90% success rate and we wanted to get it done so we could switch to a medical share option for insurance-that we think will work better for us....but needed to do it first because of timing and pre-existing and insurance mumbo jumbo before switching over) Then I discovered I'm in the 10% and the procedure failed and I have to have surgery (and pay the deductible all over again because since the procedure didn't work the new med share timing is even longer than it was before). I am so thankful it is not life-threatening....but it is life altering. We can not pay cash for this.
The remodel job is half done. We have no choice but to move forward on it....which meant buying/charging building supplies. But 2 of the children can't just sleep in the living room till they are grown.
My van started acting really funny. I felt like I could lose control on the interstate. I figured new shocks were in the cards. Nope FOUR new tires! Yeah. More bills.
We've never gotten to the stage in his plan to put money in retirement. We are further from that stage right now than we were 2 years ago. And yet we are getting older. Forget that. Money goes in retirement starting now. Thankfully, we contributed to retirement faithfully before "financial peace". We aren't getting younger and if we want any part of our retirement dreams to become retirement reality we can't keep waiting to save for it.
Technically, we could cancel our trip. Get most of our money back to use for the surgery deductible(s). I could cancel the kids art classes and music lessons....to put toward tires. I do have a job now. We could cancel all our extras. We could go back to a phone in the wall. We could never eat out. But at what point do you say....we are trying our hardest and we are saving and making well thought out decisions. And things are working against us (hello multiple surguries/deductibles and being in an income bracket where we get zero assistance). But although we want to plan for the future, we are only promised RIGHT NOW and there are opportunites to not pass up for later. Later may never come. And we only get one chance to raise our children. A will be grown and theoretically out on his own in 4 years. The others aren't far behind. We don't get a redo on their childhoods.
So I guess we failed at Dave Ramsey....we failed at financial peace. And yet....making the decisions we've made in the last year or so has led to far more peace than being doggedly tied to the DR philosophy. I would still recommend the class. Our church is actually offering it in 2 different time/location options starting tonight (if you are interested contact me). But for us we are much happier with a milder, more balanced lifestyle.
Edited to add: I am very grateful for the principals that we learned and where we have been so that this isn't more of a setback. It is sucky enough as it is. WE only have the bills associated with all the sucker punches of the last few months to contend with....we weren't already in debt. So at least there is that.
Monday, January 22, 2018
Friday, January 19, 2018
Friday Facepalms #2
More funny things that happened this week.
After church:
After church:
G: Two of my friends were fighting over who got to sit by me in class today. I told them "ladies ladies, there is enough of me to go around"
Me: which friends were they?
G. (both BOY names) But when I said it they stopped fighting.
Me: which friends were they?
G. (both BOY names) But when I said it they stopped fighting.
that's a peacemaker. HA!
M: There is no such thing as a toy weiner dog.
S: Are you sure?
M: Yes. There are toy poodle. Muffin (my mom's dog) was one.
S: What if a toy poodle and a weiner dog had a baby. That would be a toy weiner dog. WAIT! Maybe it would be a woodle.
M or a pienir. NO no not that.
S: maybe not
G: Lets pretend this conversation never happened
All: Agreed.
G: let me tell the story. I was an eye-witness. I wish I wasn't. it was gross.
A: I witness my eyes every day.
By the end of this week, I don't really have a sense of humor and I just want to banish them all to their beds so they will STOP FIGHTING!
G: let me tell the story. I was an eye-witness. I wish I wasn't. it was gross.
A: I witness my eyes every day.
By the end of this week, I don't really have a sense of humor and I just want to banish them all to their beds so they will STOP FIGHTING!
"The Girl on the Train"
You know when there is an accident on the highway and traffic slows WAY down because everyone is slowing down to stare at the mess it caused.....this is book is 11 hours of that. Well, if the accident is really one accident after another accident after another, and every one of them makes you cringe and think WHAT happened here and WHY but for some reason you can't turn away, then you have decent description of this book.
Switching from the first person perspective of 3 female characters, we get to experience all their emotions and thoughts and get to know them. And then wonder if you really want to know anyone quite that well.
I don't like reading reviews that give too much away....but there is maybe 1 character in this book who is NOT a hot mess. Rachel, the main character who is the "girl on the train" lives in a fantasy world and doesn't seem to be able to escape. Unfortunately, the fantasy involves other real life people. One of them, Meghan, appears to be a woman whose life is perfect (through the eyes of Rachel) but we learn she has some demons of her own. And then there is Anna, who just wants to have her happily ever after. We learn all the thoughts and dreams and fears of all 3 of these women.
If you like feel good books with happy endings, then I would avoid this one all together although everything is tied up nicely and we aren't left wondering what happened to someone. If topics like alcoholism, adultery, infant loss, murder, abuse, or gaslighting trigger you in some way, or if the use of cuss words is offensive, this book is also not for you. But if you like a fairly twisted mystery that really keeps you on your toes and in the dark for most of the book then I would recommend it. Although a lot of horrible things happen, none of them are explicitly described (although there are some descriptions).
Switching from the first person perspective of 3 female characters, we get to experience all their emotions and thoughts and get to know them. And then wonder if you really want to know anyone quite that well.
I don't like reading reviews that give too much away....but there is maybe 1 character in this book who is NOT a hot mess. Rachel, the main character who is the "girl on the train" lives in a fantasy world and doesn't seem to be able to escape. Unfortunately, the fantasy involves other real life people. One of them, Meghan, appears to be a woman whose life is perfect (through the eyes of Rachel) but we learn she has some demons of her own. And then there is Anna, who just wants to have her happily ever after. We learn all the thoughts and dreams and fears of all 3 of these women.
If you like feel good books with happy endings, then I would avoid this one all together although everything is tied up nicely and we aren't left wondering what happened to someone. If topics like alcoholism, adultery, infant loss, murder, abuse, or gaslighting trigger you in some way, or if the use of cuss words is offensive, this book is also not for you. But if you like a fairly twisted mystery that really keeps you on your toes and in the dark for most of the book then I would recommend it. Although a lot of horrible things happen, none of them are explicitly described (although there are some descriptions).
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
"The Historian"
by: Elizabeth Kostova
Intrigue! Mystery! Quests! Travel! Immortality! Vampires!
For someone who enjoys something a little out of the ordinary and yet tied seamlessly into real world places and events this book was a fantastic adventure.
Written from a few different first person perspectives it was easy to jump over the line between reality and fantasy........ of course the fantasy world included a realer than real, immortal Vlad the Impaler/Dracula and several of his undead minions. And yet, the writing makes it all seem perfectly feasible, in a darker more secretive world.
The book ties relatively modern day into history by switching from perspectives in the form of written diaries, oral stories, and historic documents with fantasy woven into every nook and cranny. It explores relationships between father and daughter, colleagues, lovers, and others.
This is a book I'd recommend if you are comfortable with vampires and a darker edge to reality. It was fast pased and interesting. I enjoy historic fiction and sci-fi and this book had both in perfect balance. The characters and relationships were well done and believable. The writing was spot on. And if you are into audiobooks (honestly, if you aren't you should be) the narrators are fantastic. Dracula's voice was....well, you'd need to listen to find out! :D
Intrigue! Mystery! Quests! Travel! Immortality! Vampires!
For someone who enjoys something a little out of the ordinary and yet tied seamlessly into real world places and events this book was a fantastic adventure.
Written from a few different first person perspectives it was easy to jump over the line between reality and fantasy........ of course the fantasy world included a realer than real, immortal Vlad the Impaler/Dracula and several of his undead minions. And yet, the writing makes it all seem perfectly feasible, in a darker more secretive world.
The book ties relatively modern day into history by switching from perspectives in the form of written diaries, oral stories, and historic documents with fantasy woven into every nook and cranny. It explores relationships between father and daughter, colleagues, lovers, and others.
This is a book I'd recommend if you are comfortable with vampires and a darker edge to reality. It was fast pased and interesting. I enjoy historic fiction and sci-fi and this book had both in perfect balance. The characters and relationships were well done and believable. The writing was spot on. And if you are into audiobooks (honestly, if you aren't you should be) the narrators are fantastic. Dracula's voice was....well, you'd need to listen to find out! :D
Monday, January 15, 2018
Monday Morning Musings!!
That resume I posted last week?...it was apparently enough. I taught my first private ESL class to a student in China last week. Seriously. I taught a child on the other side of the world. That thought still is just hard to wrap my mind around. The world continues to shrink and I can reach people on the other side of the world in real time while I'm sitting in the corner of my bedroom (my current "classrom" location) and still wearing pajama pants. :)
Sometimes being a stay at home, homeschooling mom feels like a fairly thankless job. My children certainly are not thanking me for making them do school every day. That battle is one I feel like I fight continually. Of course, Shane is thankful and rockstar level supportive. My family is supportive and proud, I think. I love my homeschool friends. I *know* my worth is not tied in any way to what I can earn. But I am so proud and thankful for the ability to earn even a little something while I'm still doing what I know God wants me to do, homeschool my kids.
I currently have 3 more classes this week. One is a 2nd booking from the student last week....talk about positive affirmation!! I have to get up very early for me. But I was more productive and not less. I feel energized. I'm more patient with the kids IN my house. It has given me a push of energy. I am so thankful. Except when I fell asleep on the couch during a family movie at 7....but I woke up for the end. I'll get it figured out.
I really didn't think I had much to offer a company. I thought if I wanted a job I would be working at at a fast food place or waitressing.....which I still think I would enjoy on some levels (talking to other adults) and really not like on other levels (talking to other adults-HA!). But this is an answered prayer because I set MY own schedule. It doesn't effect my homeschool day. And if I am unavailable I leave those squares blank.
It is so nice to feel like I have some control over something in my life. I have a GREAT life. I realize I am very lucky. I know all this. I get it. But recently, I've found myself in a rut. I'm still there a little bit. I'm frustrated by things out of my control. I am so thankful for the opportunity to get out of my head, and out of my house regularly (if only virtually), and do something that makes me feel useful (I know I'm useful but feeling it and knowing aren't the same thing). And the opportunity to earn a little, even if its only enough to support my crafting habit, makes me feel very thankful.
Just in case you are interested in an opportunity like this one...here is my referral link. I would gladly help you get started. :)
Sometimes being a stay at home, homeschooling mom feels like a fairly thankless job. My children certainly are not thanking me for making them do school every day. That battle is one I feel like I fight continually. Of course, Shane is thankful and rockstar level supportive. My family is supportive and proud, I think. I love my homeschool friends. I *know* my worth is not tied in any way to what I can earn. But I am so proud and thankful for the ability to earn even a little something while I'm still doing what I know God wants me to do, homeschool my kids.
I currently have 3 more classes this week. One is a 2nd booking from the student last week....talk about positive affirmation!! I have to get up very early for me. But I was more productive and not less. I feel energized. I'm more patient with the kids IN my house. It has given me a push of energy. I am so thankful. Except when I fell asleep on the couch during a family movie at 7....but I woke up for the end. I'll get it figured out.
I really didn't think I had much to offer a company. I thought if I wanted a job I would be working at at a fast food place or waitressing.....which I still think I would enjoy on some levels (talking to other adults) and really not like on other levels (talking to other adults-HA!). But this is an answered prayer because I set MY own schedule. It doesn't effect my homeschool day. And if I am unavailable I leave those squares blank.
It is so nice to feel like I have some control over something in my life. I have a GREAT life. I realize I am very lucky. I know all this. I get it. But recently, I've found myself in a rut. I'm still there a little bit. I'm frustrated by things out of my control. I am so thankful for the opportunity to get out of my head, and out of my house regularly (if only virtually), and do something that makes me feel useful (I know I'm useful but feeling it and knowing aren't the same thing). And the opportunity to earn a little, even if its only enough to support my crafting habit, makes me feel very thankful.
Just in case you are interested in an opportunity like this one...here is my referral link. I would gladly help you get started. :)
Friday, January 12, 2018
Friday Facepalms!
Since I'm a stay at home mom, you may assume my life gets a little dull....however, you would be wrong....So I'm going to try to keep a little log of facepalm moments each week.
One of M's spelling words was "wieners" Seriously, they couldn't come up with ANY other -er word to pluralize. Apparently, we both have the sense of humor of 12 year old boys.
L can read the word "Ann" but she can not read the word "an"
Me: M you need to clean your shower
M; YES!!!
Me: A you can clean your bathroom sink
A: ok. can I go down to pappy's instead?
Me: Um No (weirdo)
Me: G you can clean either my shower, sink or toilet
G: I'll do your shower
L: I GET TO DO THE TOILET!
Me: A you can clean your bathroom sink
A: ok. can I go down to pappy's instead?
Me: Um No (weirdo)
Me: G you can clean either my shower, sink or toilet
G: I'll do your shower
L: I GET TO DO THE TOILET!
Me: (sighing) Ok, I guess you can
That leaves me my bathroom sink. Worked out pretty well PS-I cleaned their toilet yesterday so it didn't need done today (and I threw away the toilet brush)
That leaves me my bathroom sink. Worked out pretty well PS-I cleaned their toilet yesterday so it didn't need done today (and I threw away the toilet brush)
Me: You need to get ready for Awana
L: What do I wear?
Me: leggings and a shirt
L: Can I wear this? (holding up some clothes)
Me: well those are both shirts so you need some pants.
L: Oh
I also said these words....."Pants are a requirement when packing for a trip." Sometimes I feel like I'm really failing. Why are my children struggling with the necessity for pants this week?!?!?!
Monday, January 8, 2018
MY RESUME
As the last year ended, we decided I would try to find a ligit work-from-home job. In doing this, it has made me think of what my "work experience" on a resume actually looks like. It is both full and empty all at the same time.
I have a Bachelors degree but in my field of study (all those years ago) I would have needed to continue on and get a masters in order to work in that field (thankfully it is valuable outside that field)...Instead I got married and started a family and now my skill set looks something like this....
I have a Bachelors degree but in my field of study (all those years ago) I would have needed to continue on and get a masters in order to work in that field (thankfully it is valuable outside that field)...Instead I got married and started a family and now my skill set looks something like this....
- story reader
- teacher to 4 grades at one time
- referee
- personal driver
- minor plumbing (as in using plunger or plumbing in a sink and drain)
- minor electrical (wiring outlets, switches, and light fixtures)
- basic construction and demolition
- interior design
- organizer
- laundry master
- dishwasher
- cook/baker
- balance/reconcile a checkbook
- gardener
- preserver of food
- menu planner
- penny pincher
- detective (cause "Nobody" couldn't have dumped all the toys on the floor)
- vet duties (including giving shots, jamming pills down throats and goat OB)
- knitter
- sewist (which is a term I'm not incredibly comfortable with but prefer over sewer-not to be confused with sewer-English is so much fun)....PS why don't we say seamstress anymore?)
I don't think any of those things will land me a job....but I feel pretty stinkin accomplished anyway. And a few of them might actually help.
I may not have a corner office (although my office is technically in a corner). I have learned SO much as "just" a stay at home mom. I also still have MUCH to learn. As my kids grow I have to grow right along with them. So I may not wear business casual every day....I may spend more time than I should admit in my pajamas....but I've got skills!!
Oh, and I can also catch vomit that is not my own in my hands. Not even joking. So I guess college wasn't a total waste of time. (Kidding!)
Monday, January 1, 2018
New Year, New Goals, New Start!
So it is pretty safe to say that this blog had effectively died. I haven't posted in a year and a half and that's ridiculous. But as life ebbs and flows, some things stop and start and stop and start again. As the kids have gotten older, I am finding myself with more "free time**", more creative outlets, more personal goals, and just more. So I decided to pop back in here and see if I can write about it regularly. I make no promises but I would like to try.
** free time is the time when my kids are entertaining themselves and I should be cleaning....but I'm probably not. :)
So whats better for a new year than Goal Setting!
I've always got goals....Even goals for what I'm going to clean each week. But I am setting some bigger goals for the year. Sometimes they get done and sometimes they don't....and I'm ok with that.
1) Bible - I've got the plan loaded on my phone to read each day for the entire year. And finish the whole book in the year.
2) Reading! I'd like to read 24 books this year. That's 2/month and audiobooks totally count. Within this goal, I plan to primarily read books I've never read before. I am open to suggestions. I am going to have to chose carefully though because sometimes I pick books that are REALLY long (Outlander I'm talking to you- and Game of Thrones, you too) {If you have suggestions I like historical fiction a lot, a little sci-fi is cool. I don't like romance without a bigger plot line, and I don't like thrillers. YA is fine.}
3) Knitting! I am trying to knit with more intention this year. I have so many (SO MANY!) things I'd like to make...but I jump from one shiny thing to another....So these are my subcategories.
4) Sewing! So I started a new thing in the last 6 months. Clothes making. And it is fantastic. I absolutely love it. And because I just can't do something a little bit I have also joined a thing for 2018. It is a sewing challenge to sew one item each week for the entire year. It is a very loose challenge but I'm going to go for it. I plan/hope to track progress here.
5) Fitness - the last 6 months have been rough. I took the semester of taekwondo off. I traveled for a month. Then I had an outpatient medical procedure. I'm going back to Taekwondo with the family in January. I feel weak and soft and like the first night might just kill me. But it won't and I'll be back in it full swing in no time. I would like to start Bikini Body Mommy but I am unsure if the procedure from November was really all that successful (current signs point to no) so I may be having another surgery in February....so that will wait.
So, watch for updates....but maybe dont hold your breath....sometimes things get put on the back burner around here and I don't get it all done. Personally, I will be using my handy dandy bullet journal (AKA my brain book) to track my personal goals. A new year is always such a fresh feeling. I'm looking forward to 2018 being fantastic from start to finish! :D
Kelli
** free time is the time when my kids are entertaining themselves and I should be cleaning....but I'm probably not. :)
So whats better for a new year than Goal Setting!
I've always got goals....Even goals for what I'm going to clean each week. But I am setting some bigger goals for the year. Sometimes they get done and sometimes they don't....and I'm ok with that.
1) Bible - I've got the plan loaded on my phone to read each day for the entire year. And finish the whole book in the year.
2) Reading! I'd like to read 24 books this year. That's 2/month and audiobooks totally count. Within this goal, I plan to primarily read books I've never read before. I am open to suggestions. I am going to have to chose carefully though because sometimes I pick books that are REALLY long (Outlander I'm talking to you- and Game of Thrones, you too) {If you have suggestions I like historical fiction a lot, a little sci-fi is cool. I don't like romance without a bigger plot line, and I don't like thrillers. YA is fine.}
3) Knitting! I am trying to knit with more intention this year. I have so many (SO MANY!) things I'd like to make...but I jump from one shiny thing to another....So these are my subcategories.
- Socks - 6 pair for me and 6 pair for Shane (1 pair/month)
- Shawls- 3 total (I have patterns for 2 picked out)
- Sweaters - 3 total (but depending on how well the first one fits I may scrap the last 2-I'm really struggling with gauge and fit on sweaters and its frustrating)
- Other - It is ridiculous to assume I won't make ANY other things. I have a girls trip to Chicago to Yarncon in the early spring so who knows what will strike me there. But these are my primary things.
4) Sewing! So I started a new thing in the last 6 months. Clothes making. And it is fantastic. I absolutely love it. And because I just can't do something a little bit I have also joined a thing for 2018. It is a sewing challenge to sew one item each week for the entire year. It is a very loose challenge but I'm going to go for it. I plan/hope to track progress here.
5) Fitness - the last 6 months have been rough. I took the semester of taekwondo off. I traveled for a month. Then I had an outpatient medical procedure. I'm going back to Taekwondo with the family in January. I feel weak and soft and like the first night might just kill me. But it won't and I'll be back in it full swing in no time. I would like to start Bikini Body Mommy but I am unsure if the procedure from November was really all that successful (current signs point to no) so I may be having another surgery in February....so that will wait.
So, watch for updates....but maybe dont hold your breath....sometimes things get put on the back burner around here and I don't get it all done. Personally, I will be using my handy dandy bullet journal (AKA my brain book) to track my personal goals. A new year is always such a fresh feeling. I'm looking forward to 2018 being fantastic from start to finish! :D
Kelli
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