Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!  We will close May 8th as long as everything goes smoothly!  You'll start to see our account dwindle, but I'll keep adding to it as we want new furniture and a play set for the kiddos outside.  I'm SO excited!   We also need to put an egress window in the bedroom downstairs for the boys the day we buy the house.  So, tonight I plan on making a list of things we need in order of priority so I know what to focus on and what we can accomplish buying in a decent amount of time.   

• Deposited $9.38 in spare change (I didn't have much, so I didn't make a trip to the bank)
• Deposited $1.94 from Endorse
• Deposited $14.96 from a mystery shop 
• Withdrew $750, for home inspection and earnest money
• Deposited $891.17 from my vehicle getting hit
• Deposited 41c in interest 
• Currently Saved $8,401.02

The following are the other loans we currently have that will get paid off with the rental income once we get our side rented out and our mortgage refinanced. 

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,494.81

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,817.57

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

Victor and His Tie

Victor LOVES his tie and wants to wear it all the time, no matter what shirt he is wearing :)

Happy 9th Birthday, Derrick!

Derrick Thomas

03/30/04

10lbs 4oz 24 inches

 

1

 

2

 

3

 

4

 

5

 

6

 

7

 

8

 

 9!

 

 

Derrick LOVES anything to do with the solar system.  So I made him a sun cake surrounded by 8 cupcakes decorated like each planet :)

 

Derrick is starting to really love to read.  He's excellent at math in school and has too much energy at home!  Besides learning about the planets and stars, he keeps busy building spaceships with his Legos.  That's my boy :)

Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – Goal $20,000.00 by 3/31/2013. I'm thankful that even though we had $1000s in medical and vehicle repair bills, that we always had the money for it. I'm also very thankful that we can now start putting our money towards the House Fund again! That was a long two months! We have one more major bill, but we are on a no-interest payment plan with them until we get reimbursed from Samaritan Ministries, hopefully in April.

According to the bank, we have all we need for our down payment (5% as of Feb 1st) and all the other fees and escrow money. So from here on out it's all extra money to use to fix the new house up or to put a bigger down payment (which is what we're going for). Now we just wait for a nice home to come onto the market. I've driven past several, and crossed them off due to location. I've got my eye on a few in our ideal location, but waiting for them to drop in price before we look at them. 

• Deposited $8.24 in spare change (I didn't have much, so I didn't make a trip to the bank)
• Deposited $2.18 from Endorse
• Deposited $153.71 in leftover income. 
• Withdrew $600 - We signed up our oldest in Tae Kwon Do.  Totally worth it! 
• Currently Saved $8,233.16

The following are the other loans we currently have, but will put them on the back burner as we save for a house bigger than a 2-bedroom for our family of SIX! We plan on keeping the duplex we currently own, and renting out the side we currently live in, thus earning more money each month that will pay these off for us

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,494.81

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,817.57

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

White Belt for Derrick!

Derrick earned his White Belt in Tae Kwon Do today!  Great Job, Dirk!  First of many to come :)

Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – Goal $20,000.00 by 3/31/2013. I'm thankful that even though we had $1000s in medical and vehicle repair bills, that we always had the money for it. I'm also very thankful that we can now start putting our money towards the House Fund again! That was a long two months! We have one more major bill, but we are on a no-interest payment plan with them until we get reimbursed from Samaritan Ministries, hopefully in April.

According to the bank, we have all we need for our down payment (5% as of Feb 1st) and all the other fees and escrow money. So from here on out it's all extra money to use to fix the new house up or to put a bigger down payment (which is what we're going for). Now we just wait for a nice home to come onto the market. I've driven past several, and crossed them off due to location. I've got my eye on a few in our ideal location, but waiting for them to drop in price before we look at them. 

• Deposited $0 in spare change (I didn't have much, so I didn't make a trip to the bank)
• Deposited $2.38 from Endorse
• Deposited $25 in leftover gas money (Some weeks I really love Hy-Vee's Gas Rewards!)
• Deposited $290 in leftover income. We can finally start depositing in our House Fund again!
• Deposited $20 in work bonuses :)
• Currently Saved $8,669.03

The following are the other loans we currently have, but will put them on the back burner as we save for a house bigger than a 2-bedroom for our family of SIX! We plan on keeping the duplex we currently own, and renting out the side we currently live in, thus earning more money each month that will pay these off for us

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,494.81

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,817.57

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – Goal $20,000.00 by 3/31/2013. I'm thankful that even though we had $1000s in medical and vehicle repair bills, that we always had the money for it.  I'm also very thankful that we can now start putting our money towards the House Fund again!  That was a long two months!  We have one more major bill, but we are on a no-interest payment plan with them until we get reimbursed from Samaritan Ministries, hopefully in April.   

According to the bank, we have all we need for our down payment (5% as of Feb 1st) and all the other fees and escrow money. So from here on out it's all extra money to use to fix the new house up or to put a bigger down payment (which is what we're going for).  Now we just wait for a nice home to come onto the market.  I've driven past several, and crossed them off due to location.  I've got my eye on a few in our ideal location, but waiting for them to drop in price before we look at them. 

• Deposited $0 in spare change (I didn't have much, so I didn't make a trip to the bank)
• Deposited $3.68 from Endorse 
• Deposited $481 in leftover income.  We can finally start depositing in our House Fund again! 
• Currently Saved $8,331.65

The following are the other loans we currently have, but will put them on the back burner as we save for a house bigger than a 2-bedroom for our family of SIX! We plan on keeping the duplex we currently own, and renting out the side we currently live in, thus earning more money each month that will pay these off for us

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,658.31

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,937.74

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

Syllie-ism

Syllie and Victor lined up dining room chairs into a bridge near the couch.  She's running across her "bridge" and screaming, "I'M SUPERWOMAN!" with her arms out like she's flying and leaps onto the couch.

My little superhero lol

Victor-ism

V & S are lining up our chairs to make a bridge.

 V, while crossing it - Mom! This makes us healthy!
M - Why does it make you healthy?
V - Because at the end of the bridge, you get to jump on the couch.
M - Jumping on the couch makes you healthy, huh? Why?
V - Because when you jump on the couch you get hot. Like jumping jacks.
M - You mean you're exercising?
V - Yep.  

 Ha! Doing naughty things in the name of exercise I guess is ok haha!

Victor-ism

Love conversations with little ones...
V - Mom, can we have the soup for lunch that makes me not have boogers?
M - Chicken noodle soup?
V - No.
M - Ramen?
V- Yep!
I told him weeks ago soup has salt in it that kills stuff that makes him sick with boogers. He remembered. :)

Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – Goal $20,000.00 by 3/31/2013. The house we put an offer in fell through, so we are starting from scratch. I have a new drive to work like crazy and stock pile more savings! We have paid off 1/2 our medical bills and will be reimbursed for them over then next 6 weeks now. Tuition is due at the end of February (hope to use part of our tax return for that). Otherwise, we can start putting all our money back into our House Fund!

According to the bank, we have all we need for our down payment (5% as of Feb 1st) and all the other fees and escrow money. So from here on out it's all extra money to use to fix the new house up or to put a bigger down payment (which is what we're going for). 

• Deposited $10.50 in spare change 
• Deposited $16.04 from a Mystery Shop
• Deposited $2.90 from Endorse
• Deposited $64 in leftover income. 
• Currently Saved $7,846.97

The following are the other loans we currently have, but will put them on the back burner as we save for a house bigger than a 2-bedroom for our family of SIX! We plan on keeping the duplex we currently own, and renting out the side we currently live in, thus earning more money each month that will pay these off for us

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,658.31

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,937.74

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – Goal $20,000.00 by 3/31/2013. The house we put an offer in fell through, so we are starting from scratch. I have a new drive to work like crazy and stock pile more savings! We have paid off 1/2 our medical bills and will be reimbursed for them over then next 6 weeks now. Tuition is due at the end of February (hope to use part of our tax return for that). Otherwise, we can start putting all our money back into our House Fund!

According to the bank, we have all we need for our down payment (5% as of Feb 1st) and all the other fees and escrow money. So from here on out it's all extra money to use to fix the new house up or to put a bigger down payment (which is what we're going for).

• Deposited $6.63 in spare change
• Deposited $10 from a work bonus
• Deposited 62c in interest
• Deposited $25 from leftover gas money (I had a 50c/gallon coupon, so I didn't need as much gas money this week!)
• Deposited $19.10 from Endorse
• Deposited $0 in leftover income.  We had to take a bit out of our House Fund to pay off our mechanic bills :(  From here on out I fully expect no more bills!  lol
• Withdrew $1196.05 to pay off mechanic and pay kids' tuition.  (Only one more medical bill to pay off!  I'm tired of all our extra income going towards bills, especially 3 mechanic trips in 3 weeks!  But still thankful to have the money, even if it's not what we wanted to spend it on!)
• Currently Saved $7,753.53

The following are the other loans we currently have, but will put them on the back burner as we save for a house bigger than a 2-bedroom for our family of SIX! We plan on keeping the duplex we currently own, and renting out the side we currently live in, thus earning more money each month that will pay these off for us

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,658.31

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,937.74

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

Finding "Extra" Money - Endorse

Another way I earn money to deposit into our House Fund is using the Endorse application on my smartphone.  Each week (usually mid-week) I get a message on my phone asking what's on my shopping list for the week.  Many are generic items, like crackers, fast food, diapers or pet food, but sometimes it's specific things like Mountain Dew or Zatarain's.

All you do is take a picture with your Smartphone of your receipt and Endorse will credit your account.  Each item is worth different - from 10-100% cashback.  Some things are 10% with the option of upgrading to 50% cashback if you post it to your wall on Facebook. 

Receiving your cashback bonus is easy.  Once you accumulate $20 (only took me a few weeks!) you can request a check.  Otherwise I cashed out sooner because I used my Paypal account. 

What are you waiting for?  This is the easiest way (along with Ibotta) I've earned money!

Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – Goal $20,000.00 by 3/31/2013. The house we put an offer in fell through, so we are starting from scratch. I have a new drive to work like crazy and stock pile more savings! We have paid off 1/2 our medical bills and will be reimbursed for them over then next 6 weeks now. Tuition is due at the end of February (hope to use part of our tax return for that). Otherwise, we can start putting all our money back into our House Fund!

According to the bank, we have all we need for our down payment (5% as of Feb 1st) and all the other fees and escrow money. So from here on out it's all extra money to use to fix the new house up or to put a bigger down payment (which is what we're going for). 

• Deposited $0 in spare change (I haven't gone to the bank yet)
• Deposited $3 from a survey
• Deposited $20.02 from Upromise.  (Ask me for an invite and you'll get a bonus $5 and I will, too!)
• Deposited $131.35 from leftover income - we had massive bills show up (tuition, fuel pump and struts replacements on our vehicles, medical bills).  At least we are keeping up with bills.  Our checks from Samaritan Ministries have started to arrive to pay off our medical bills!  Next week I'll have to withdraw a little bit to cover the tuition bill for this semester unless I have an amazing tipping weekend :)
• Currently Saved $8,948.96

The following are the other loans we currently have, but will put them on the back burner as we save for a house bigger than a 2-bedroom for our family of SIX! We plan on keeping the duplex we currently own, and renting out the side we currently live in, thus earning more money each month that will pay these off for us

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,658.31

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,937.74

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

Finding "Extra" Money - Spare Change

As we save up for a house, I'm always on the lookout for creative ways to add to our House Fund.  One of the easiest ways for us is to not spend any of our spare change.  We use cash for nearly everything we buy, like groceries.  If the total is $49.06, I give the cashier $50 and take the 94c in change and put in my coin purse.  I used to deposit this weekly, but our bank is on the opposite end of town, so now I deposit it once a month or whenever I get to the bank.  In 2012 we deposited about $200 just in change.  We'd have more, but we use gift cards through the Scrip program at the kids' school that helps pay down their tuition.  Otherwise, it would be VERY easy to at least double this every year!

What's a creative way you save? 

Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – Goal $20,000.00 by 3/31/2013. The house we put an offer in fell through, so we are starting from scratch. I have a new drive to work like crazy and stock pile more savings! We have paid off 1/2 our medical bills and will be reimbursed for them over then next 6 weeks now. Tuition is due at the end of February (hope to use part of our tax return for that). Otherwise, we can start putting all our money back into our House Fund! 

According to the bank, we have all we need for our down payment (5% as of Feb 1st) and all the other fees and escrow money. So from here on out it's all extra money to use to fix the new house up or to put a bigger down payment (which is what we're going for).

• Deposited $7 from selling things on Facebook
• Deposited $3 from a survey
• (Deposited 73c in interest last week, forgot to mention that)
• Deposited $0 from anything else we did - we had massive bills show up (tuition, fuel pump replacement, medical bills)  I'm looking forward to our tax return so we can get further ahead!  At least we are keeping up with bills.  I'm thankful for that.  Several years ago I would have admitted myself to the Looney Bin!
• Currently Saved $8,794.59

The following are the other loans we currently have, but will put them on the back burner as we save for a house bigger than a 2-bedroom for our family of SIX! We plan on keeping the duplex we currently own, and renting out the side we currently live in, thus earning more money each month that will pay these off for us

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,658.31

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,937.74

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

New Children

My kids decided to dress in the opposite gender's clothes...

Introducing...

Derricka, Evan, Victoria and Sylvester ;)

Financially Fit Friday

“When real faith grips you, you develop a mind-set that looks for the best in everything, refuses to give up, finds a way around or through every obstacle, and presses on to victory.”
- Norman Vincent Peale

Have you started a money makeover? What are you planning on paying CASH for? What bill are you paying off? Share a bit of your story! No story is too small to share! Real life stories keep Carrie motivated. Catch up on Our Story to see how far we’ve come.

Emergency Fund - $1000 – Stocked

House Fund – Goal $20,000.00 by 3/31/2013. The house we put an offer in fell through, so we are starting from scratch. I have a new drive to work like crazy and stock pile more savings!  We have paid off 1/2 our medical bills and will be reimbursed for them over then next 6 weeks now.  Tuition is due at the end of February (hope to use part of our tax return for that).  Otherwise, we can start putting all our money back into our House Fund!  We look at two more houses today - wish us luck!

According to the bank, we have all we need for our down payment (5%) and all the other fees and escrow money.  So from here on out it's all extra money to use to fix the new house up or to put a bigger down payment (which is what we're going for). 

• Deposited $14.57 in spare change (2 weeks worth)
• Deposited $30 in leftover income
• Deposited $4 from selling items on Facebook
• Currently Saved $8,784.59

The following are the other loans we currently have, but will put them on the back burner as we save for a house bigger than a 2-bedroom for our family of SIX! We plan on keeping the duplex we currently own, and renting out the side we currently live in, thus earning more money each month that will pay these off for us

Hubby’s Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $9395

• Outstanding Balance is $8,658.31

My Student Loan as of 10/01/2011 $6480

• Outstanding Balance is $5,937.74

Family Loan $3000 – I was told to keep this and put this towards a new house, since the person doesn’t need this money right now. Bonus

"CYM" Visit

Victor kept saying he wanted to go to the "CYM" aka YMCA haha!  He had most of the letters!

He so desperately wanted to play in the ball pit, but there were A LOT of kids in there and, I'm not a germ freak, but the kids have been pretty healthy, so we nixed the ball pit and played in the gym.

Evelyn's Birthday Pictures

Evelyn Marie

1-29-2006

9lbs 10oz

21 inches

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7!