Money Tip Monday!

Welcome to my first installment of Money Tip Monday! Money seems to be a topic that everyone is interested in, so I thought I would share tips and tricks I have learned throughout my journey to being debt free. Not sure yet if this will be a weekly thing, but we will see!

Tip 1: Create a new budget each month. 
(or if you're crazy like me, each paycheck)

In the past when I created a budget, it would never work. My numbers were always off. It seemed like every month I would have different expenses, which would ruin my whole budget. When I started reading Dave's books, he mentioned doing a new budget every month. DUH. Why didn't I think of that? It seems a little daunting at first, but after you get the hang of it, it's really easy and doesn't take too much time. Since each month is so different (trips, birthdays, special events, etc.) it is VERY important to sit down and think about these things. If you don't, your budget won't work. I get paid every other Friday, so I have found it's easiest to do a new budget for each paycheck. If you get paid on the same dates each month you could probably do just a budget for the whole month. But since my pay days vary, so does what bills land on each paycheck.

So, each Thursday before I get paid (or sometime before payday) I sit down a think about all of the expenses that paycheck. Do I have any out-of-the-ordinary things happening? What bills are due during this paycheck? Sometimes I will also write out the next paycheck after that to start planning how I will split the bills up.

It will take some time to get the kinks worked out. Nobody's budget is perfect on the first try. Mine isn't perfect and I've been doing it for a while now. The main thing to keep in mind is to just do a budget. Try it. And try again. You WILL get better.

Click here to find some budget form templates. Make it a goal this week to try a budget.

Favorite Things Party - $10 and Under!

Today I am linking up with Erika and Andrea for the my favorite things party! This is a link up to your favorite thing at the moment that is $10 and under. I love this idea because if you find something really cool, you know you can most like afford to buy it! (only if it's in your budget, of course) :)

I love trying new makeup, and particularly drugstore makeup. Mainly because a. It's affordable and b. there is some good stuff out there! It's much more accessible to me because of the price. Don't get me wrong, I have my wish list of more expensive stuff...but most of it is just a wish list right now. (I have a few high end products thanks to family members!)

Today's favorite thing is my new Maybelline Color Plush Silk eyeshadow quad. Have you guys tried this stuff? I thought it was a regular shadow, but it's actually a creamish/powder shadow. Does that make sense? Yeah, it doesn't to me either...haha. You can tell I thought it was a powder because of the large fingerprint in the tealish color. I have found it is best to put this on with a brush (don't worry, it doesn't mess up your brush. It goes onto the brush like a powder). It is VERY pigmented and so pretty on my eyes. I can't wait to try the other color palettes as well. This is a limited edition palette called Olive Martini. I don't see it on the site anymore. :( but there are 12 options. 

Also, that teal color...yeah. It's actually brown. Really weird I know but it's so pretty! It's like a brown color with a teal sheen when you look at it from a different angle.

Here is a link to purchase if you don't feel like going to a store. Cause, hey, that requires lots of effort sometimes!

I hope you all try it out. And if you do, let me know what you think! 

If you read this you will be wealthy!

Ok, so you might not be wealthy immediately after reading this post, but if you take some advice from me (well, Dave Ramsey) then you yes you can have wealth!

Money - where do I even start with this topic? Money is so much more than just money. It's an extremely emotional topic, and one that I am very passionate about. I have so much to say but I thought it would be best to start with telling you all about my story and how I got to where I am today. I hope I can be an inspiration to someone out there and help you realize that living paycheck to paycheck and living in debt does not have to be a way a life. There is a way out.

Two summers ago, I met with a financial planner and was very unsatisfied with the advice he had to give me. I had a little bit of credit card debt, and he suggested cashing out my 401k that I had built up at a previous job to pay it off. I knew this advice was crap. To cash out a 401k, you basically have to pay taxes and fees that take up to almost HALF of what you have in there. I had watched enough Suze Orman in my day to know that this was a bad idea. He also told me to make sure I chose a career I liked, because people "my age" would never be able to retire. I simply could never save enough money. WHAT? Are you serious? I also knew this was crap. So, I left very disappointed and confused and mad. I was determined to prove that man wrong. When I went back to work I was complaining about this advice, when my coworker said, "have you heard of Dave Ramsey?" Nope, I hadn't. As he began to explain his ideas I thought, this man is nuts! Never ever borrow money again? Impossible. Pay cash for everything? No way. 

Well, turns out it's possible. I borrowed the book, My Total Money Makeover and read it as fast as I could. The book lays out 7 simple baby steps to financial freedom. I joined mytotalmoneymakeover.com and started on the zero-based budget immediately. I made a plan to be out of debt in 11 months. I started listening to his podcasts and completely immersed myself in all things "Dave".

During this time I had heard about Financial Peace University. It's a more in-depth program offered through local churches. I didn't really think I had any more to learn (I mean, I already knew the baby steps!). But, when I saw it was being offered at my church, I knew I had to sign up. And I'm glad I did...I learned so much more.

My first day of FPU, September 15, 2012. 

Today I am completely debt free and loving it. I beat my goal of 11 months and accomplished it in 9. I am currently on baby step 3 (building a 3-6 month emergency fund) and hope to be done with that by the end of 2014. 

If you read my recap of 2013, you will already know that this past fall I co-facilitated my first FPU class. It was such an amazing experience. I saw lives changed before my very own eyes. I saw a newly engaged couple lay a foundation for their marriage that will set them up for nothing but success. I saw single people taking control of their lives and couples coming together towards a common goal. It just makes me so excited! Starting February 5th, I'll be facilitating my first FPU on my own and I cannot wait to see what God has in store for this group of people!

If you have any questions at all, please please email me, Facebook me, comment below, anything. I asked so many questions in the beginning so I completely understand. Make 2014 the year you take control of your finances and your life!

You probably can't tell, but I am not sponsored by Dave Ramsey in any way, shape, or form. Although I probably should be...

Top 13 in 2013

Well, 2013 is over and done and as I look back, it was definitely a great year! Here are my top 13 in '13 (in no particular order)

1. Joined a core group at my church (and met the most amazing friends!)

A few members of the group. We laughed for about 10 minutes getting this picture!

2. Visited Cincinnati with my family and attended a Cards/Reds game at Great American ballpark.

This photo was taken on the "Ride the Ducks" tour. It was a blast!

Great American Ballpark.

3. Attended Mizzou's 102nd homecoming and was there for Jessi and Jose's engagement (and watched Mizzou have an amazing season in general).

Finally got to see Chelsie for the first time in years!

Jessi and Jose know how to throw an awesome tailgate. No doubt.

4. Watched my cousin Shannon get married and videoed 5 weddings, just in October/November alone.

5. Went to my first post-season baseball game and watched the Cardinals make it all the way to the World Series! (again!)

6. Bought my first gun.

Watch out.

7. Watched Gone Girl being filmed in Cape Girardeau and got to see Ben Affleck up close and personal.

8.Went to Mexico for the first time ever!

Our "Star Friend" Dario.

Outside the discotheque!

9. Volunteered at the food bank with my sis.

There were TONS of apples. Literally.

10. Started really loving makeup and watched lots of YouTube videos and read lots of blogs. Sounds superficial, but I really love playing around with it. It's like a blank artist's canvas!

11. Attended Joyce Meyer's Love Life conference and read and learned a lot about the Bible and Jesus.

12. Reunited with my best friends from high school (ALL of us - which is very rare!)

Aren't they pretty?

13. Became completely debt free and helped facilitate my first Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (FPU)!! This was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. It was amazing to see lives changed before my very own eyes. Starting in February, I will leaded my very first class completely on my own. Prayers appreciated.

www.daveramsey.com

Most importantly, in 2014 I spent lots of time with my amazing family and friends. I am so, so lucky! My only new year's resolution is to have more fun in 2014! Can't wait to see what it brings.