I have been following a blog for a few months and I have been inspired.
Finances have never been something that I enjoy talking about. This could be because I have never had tons, our family is not where we want to be financially, and simply, money stresses me beyond measure.
But this is a new year, so I am putting all of the "fear" I have of money away and meeting it head on. Our family has a goal and we want to reach it, therefore, we have to be at a better place financially.
Since this blog is really my own personal journal I figure I would write down exactly what I am doing, this with hopes that since it is "written" that it will stick. This may be a little too personal and even a little uncomfortable, I am not promising entertainment, or even something you will care to read about at all, so I apologize ahead of time. But either way, we have to do this, so here it goes.To all 3 of my blog readers out there, welcome to:
"the Shepherd Family, cutting out of the crap we spend money on, Cash only,giving to the Lord FIRST and saving for our future home, Financial Journey"
We are a family of 4, 2 car payments, insurance, cell phones, credit cards, school loans, child care, groceries, gas, entertainment, storage, mortgage (land) payment, ymca membership, rent
*Our goal during this deployment (12 months) is the pay off debt while putting some money aside for living off of between Mark's discharge and new employment. We are 4 months into the deployment and have paid down our debt just a little and saved nothing.*
Since we live with my parents, we do not have some normal expenses such as, pricey rent (I pay $185 vs $1045 we paid in CO) and we do not pay internet ($40 in CO).
Some other expenses that have changed since the move:
Groceries ($200 vs $300+ in CO)
Storage + $90
Childcare + $300
I am changing around our bill pay system a bit this month. This will help for two reasons.
1.) relieve some of the pressure of 'little bills' that sneak up during the month
2.) helps to clear some of the fog over the "bigger financial picture"
Each month I will post a new "mission". These are things we are working on and praying about along the journey.
January financial mission:
Get rid of 'little bills':
Take advantage of free military YMCA membership (fee will go from $41 to $0)
Cancel Netflix (+$9)
Cancel Banfield dog insurance (+$24)
Cut out one day of MDO for girls (+$100)
_____________________________
Mission Accomplished = +$174
Finances have never been something that I enjoy talking about. This could be because I have never had tons, our family is not where we want to be financially, and simply, money stresses me beyond measure.
But this is a new year, so I am putting all of the "fear" I have of money away and meeting it head on. Our family has a goal and we want to reach it, therefore, we have to be at a better place financially.
Since this blog is really my own personal journal I figure I would write down exactly what I am doing, this with hopes that since it is "written" that it will stick. This may be a little too personal and even a little uncomfortable, I am not promising entertainment, or even something you will care to read about at all, so I apologize ahead of time. But either way, we have to do this, so here it goes.To all 3 of my blog readers out there, welcome to:
"the Shepherd Family, cutting out of the crap we spend money on, Cash only,giving to the Lord FIRST and saving for our future home, Financial Journey"
We are a family of 4, 2 car payments, insurance, cell phones, credit cards, school loans, child care, groceries, gas, entertainment, storage, mortgage (land) payment, ymca membership, rent
*Our goal during this deployment (12 months) is the pay off debt while putting some money aside for living off of between Mark's discharge and new employment. We are 4 months into the deployment and have paid down our debt just a little and saved nothing.*
Since we live with my parents, we do not have some normal expenses such as, pricey rent (I pay $185 vs $1045 we paid in CO) and we do not pay internet ($40 in CO).
Some other expenses that have changed since the move:
Groceries ($200 vs $300+ in CO)
Storage + $90
Childcare + $300
I am changing around our bill pay system a bit this month. This will help for two reasons.
1.) relieve some of the pressure of 'little bills' that sneak up during the month
2.) helps to clear some of the fog over the "bigger financial picture"
Each month I will post a new "mission". These are things we are working on and praying about along the journey.
January financial mission:
Get rid of 'little bills':
Take advantage of free military YMCA membership (fee will go from $41 to $0)
Cancel Netflix (+$9)
Cancel Banfield dog insurance (+$24)
Cut out one day of MDO for girls (+$100)
_____________________________
Mission Accomplished = +$174
