Today my body hurts.
The day was still blessed, but I guess the point in blogging how I feel is to remind me, and you, that everyday isn't all sunshine.
And today my body HURTS.
...Until next time...
4.12.2008
4.11.2008
Debt-Free vs. Fat-Free...I CAN HAVE BOTH
This morning I started working out again. I've been changing my lifestyle to help me loose weight and I'm down 2 dress sizes and 31 lbs so far :) I'm started almost one year ago and have maintained my success. Now, I'm focused on the next two sizes and 20 or so pounds.
It was actually my goal this week to feel that no pain no gain workout. Mission accomplished. Feeling this pain reminds me of a very important financial lesson. You know how after a HARD workout you can feel muscles you've neglected or forgot about? It reminds you of all the areas on our body that we take for granted. Well it's the same lesson with finances. When you're B-R-O-K-E and want to spend money you're reminded of all the neglectful ways you've spent your income. Both the weight-loss and financial lessons have been so empowering for me.
My financial mindset has shifted from thinking of all of the money that goes out to all of things that come into my life. Does that make sense? For example, instead of focusing on loosing money to pay the electric bill I think about the electricity coming into my home that enables me to enjoy the internet etc. Now I realize that the same logic has to apply to my physical body. I went to a Brazilian steakhouse recently (for my mom's birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMA!), which you may know is a buffet. Well, before taking control of my weight, I would have focused primarily on getting my monies worth. This time I focused on keeping my health as the priority, which is worth FAR more than a buffet. I may not have gotten my money's worth but I kept my weight where I wanted it (actually only gained .1 oz. over the previous week).
It's been a blessed week. My focus for next week is to get Gazelle intense (gotta read TMM to get it) physically and financially. My dh (dear husband) and I created a list of items that we can sell to get things rolling and start paying off more debt!
So stay tuned...who knows maybe you'll want to buy some of the stuff?!
It was actually my goal this week to feel that no pain no gain workout. Mission accomplished. Feeling this pain reminds me of a very important financial lesson. You know how after a HARD workout you can feel muscles you've neglected or forgot about? It reminds you of all the areas on our body that we take for granted. Well it's the same lesson with finances. When you're B-R-O-K-E and want to spend money you're reminded of all the neglectful ways you've spent your income. Both the weight-loss and financial lessons have been so empowering for me.
My financial mindset has shifted from thinking of all of the money that goes out to all of things that come into my life. Does that make sense? For example, instead of focusing on loosing money to pay the electric bill I think about the electricity coming into my home that enables me to enjoy the internet etc. Now I realize that the same logic has to apply to my physical body. I went to a Brazilian steakhouse recently (for my mom's birthday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMA!), which you may know is a buffet. Well, before taking control of my weight, I would have focused primarily on getting my monies worth. This time I focused on keeping my health as the priority, which is worth FAR more than a buffet. I may not have gotten my money's worth but I kept my weight where I wanted it (actually only gained .1 oz. over the previous week).
It's been a blessed week. My focus for next week is to get Gazelle intense (gotta read TMM to get it) physically and financially. My dh (dear husband) and I created a list of items that we can sell to get things rolling and start paying off more debt!
So stay tuned...who knows maybe you'll want to buy some of the stuff?!
4.04.2008
Baby Steps/Testimony
For those who are unfamiliar, there's a concept called Baby Steps that you follow when you're doing the Total Money Makeover (TMM) by Dave Ramsey. I'm not going to go into all the details of the plan, I highly recommend that you get the book or go to his site (see my links) for more details.
Anyway, like a good blogger, let me update you on where my husband and I are on the baby steps and give you an overview of each step:
Pre-Baby Step: Get current with all debts
Baby Step #1: Create an emergency fund of $1,000 in the bank (Murphy's Law Repellent...lol)
Baby Step #2: Get out of debt
Baby Step #3: Create a fully funded emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses
Baby Step #4: Save for retirement
Baby Step #5: Save for college
Baby Step #6: Pay off the mortgage
Baby Step #7: Build Wealth & Pay it forward
So we are on Baby step #1.
Testimony:
We were at step 2 and had an emergency with our car, which we were able to take care of because we have the emergency fund (EF). The price to fix our car should have used a majority of our EF but the price was reduced TWICE between the original quote and when we paid for the repairs. Plus, we received more service on the car than we thought we needed. Did you hear that? We received more for less. God is in the blessing business when we keep is house in order.
I'll admit, it wasn't easy spending the money we worked SO hard to save, but it was worth it to have the peace of mind that all of our other bills would still be paid with no worries. The blessings of the Lord makes one rich. And he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22.
So we are gladly saving again for our EF.
Anyway, like a good blogger, let me update you on where my husband and I are on the baby steps and give you an overview of each step:
Pre-Baby Step: Get current with all debts
Baby Step #1: Create an emergency fund of $1,000 in the bank (Murphy's Law Repellent...lol)
Baby Step #2: Get out of debt
Baby Step #3: Create a fully funded emergency fund of 3-6 months of expenses
Baby Step #4: Save for retirement
Baby Step #5: Save for college
Baby Step #6: Pay off the mortgage
Baby Step #7: Build Wealth & Pay it forward
So we are on Baby step #1.
Testimony:
We were at step 2 and had an emergency with our car, which we were able to take care of because we have the emergency fund (EF). The price to fix our car should have used a majority of our EF but the price was reduced TWICE between the original quote and when we paid for the repairs. Plus, we received more service on the car than we thought we needed. Did you hear that? We received more for less. God is in the blessing business when we keep is house in order.
I'll admit, it wasn't easy spending the money we worked SO hard to save, but it was worth it to have the peace of mind that all of our other bills would still be paid with no worries. The blessings of the Lord makes one rich. And he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22.
So we are gladly saving again for our EF.
Introductions
Well, let me introduce myself. I am Mrs. Wright no pun intended. I am one of the many brides who were married on 07.07.07 but unlike most of them I actually married Mr. Wright. He's my BEST friend and my spriritual partner. (I love you, honey!) We live and work in Northern Virginia. Oh, my nickname from college is Kenubi so feel free to call me the same.
The reason I wanted to start this blog is because I am tired of e-mails (saving, forwarding, printing etc.) Plus, my husband and I are doing something really important that we want to share with you. WE'RE GETTING DEBT FREE. Just like so many others out there we're following the financial advice of Dave Ramsey to achieve Financial Peace. IT REALLY WORKS.
So, I promise to keep you updated on me and our pathway to Financial Peace. I've learned so much that I want to make sure to share with anyone else who may want this the way we do. Let's dump debt together.
Most importantly, let's pray for, and encourage, one another to be better Stewards of all that God has already given us!
Until next time...
Mrs. Wright
The reason I wanted to start this blog is because I am tired of e-mails (saving, forwarding, printing etc.) Plus, my husband and I are doing something really important that we want to share with you. WE'RE GETTING DEBT FREE. Just like so many others out there we're following the financial advice of Dave Ramsey to achieve Financial Peace. IT REALLY WORKS.
So, I promise to keep you updated on me and our pathway to Financial Peace. I've learned so much that I want to make sure to share with anyone else who may want this the way we do. Let's dump debt together.
Most importantly, let's pray for, and encourage, one another to be better Stewards of all that God has already given us!
Until next time...
Mrs. Wright
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