Menu Plan

Leftover turkey, dressing

Roast beef sandwiches

Quesidillas

Mannicoti

Vegetarian chili (Heather's recipe)

Italian chicken (Spark people)




Need moz cheese, chicken breasts, noodles

New Debt

I haven't posted in three months and my finances reflect my lack of focus. I've been on this debt-free quest for two and a half years and I really lost focus. I think several factors contributed to my relapse into spending, including the long-time in this step of debt repayment. Dave Ramsey recommends trying to finish Baby Step 2 in 18-24 months. I can see the wisdom in that.
My new debt is a car loan. I bought a 2004 Dodge Stratus, mainly for my son to use. Sharing a car was proving difficult once school and cross country were in full swing, so after much deliberation and car shopping I found a car that should last him through college. He is thrilled and I am able to make plans more freely.
My total debt is now just under $4000. Not where I wanted to be, but on the bright side, it is less than this time last year!
Time to refocus--plan meals, apply for a summer job.

Enjoying the snow!

This pre-Christmas snow is just gorgeous! We have about 8 inches here and it's still falling! I'm staying inside, making cookies, and listening to Pandora radio.

Menu Plan

1. Cheeseburgers, pasta salad

2. BBQ's, coleslaw

3. Pizza

4. Spaghetti with meat sauce

5. chicken or steak (I have not done the grocery shopping for the week, yet, but I think I have everything else on hand.)

6. salmon cakes, macaroni 'n cheese

7. scrambled eggs, turkey bacon, toast

I know, I know, these menus are boring, but it's what we eat. Having a list of meals does help me save money and not be stressed at dinner time.

Very funny!

I just read the funniest post by Soph at BooMama. Honestly, I laughed throughout the entire post and all 289 comments! The topic is "Christian closing phrases for letters", which doesn't sound too funny, but get ready to laugh. My favorite is from Shannon:

"Training my children up in the way they should go while submitting to my husband and considering a field and buying it and having no fear for my household because all of them are clothed in scarlet"

I found Soph's post because she is BlogHer of the week. It is a classic post.

Menu Plan

1. Cheeseburgers, oven fries
2. Homemade pizza
3. Beefy bean burritos
4. Hot dogs, pasta salad
5. Steak hoagies
6. Oven fried chicken, browned potatoes, broccoli


Only 6 meals to plan this week because we're going out of town for a cross country meet.

September Earn More Goals

Even though September is a very busy month for me, I going to make several goals for the Earn More Challenge. I plan to learn from the other participants and hopefully add some $$ to September's budget. I'm going to keep my goals modest and practical:

• Collect snowflakes--reimbursement from school and medical savings account


• Post on Craig's list--2 window air conditioners


• Inquire about teaching another class next semester and about summer job

I think that's all for right now. These seem doable and not overwhelming!

Thank you, Money Funk, for the great challenge for September! It should be fun!