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Some of you may remember this post from the first time I shared it, six months ago. Most of you weren’t here yet though, and since it had some great information, I wanted to share it again.

Where Can You Reduce Spending Without Pain? This is the first question that many people ask when they realize they need to get their financial acts together. (It is certainly the first question we asked when we got to that point.) Just like with dieting, when you drastically alter your lifestyle to reduce spending, the changes will not last. You WILL get tired of having to sacrifice and go back to your previous handling of money. After all, you can only stay with Dave Ramsey’s recommended “Gazelle Intensity” for so long.

Here are some of the easier ways to reduce spending without impacting your daily life TOO much.

1. Get rid of the Sirius or XM Radio - Unless you are in an area where there is no radio reception or you’re on the road a lot and make tons of use of it, get rid of the satellite radio. It’s a slow drain on your finances.
2. Newspaper or Magazine subscriptions - Spending money every week or month for magazines and newspapers you don’t read is a waste of your resources (and the environment’s). You can read most of the local newspapers and magazines online. You can also read them at the local library, often with a much larger selection of reading materials. * Exception - Sunday paper for the coupons
3. Cable Package - Remove services you don’t use. Figure out how many hours a month you’re watching the television and divide that by the amount you’re paying for cable per month. Is this really worth it?
4. Cook Once Eat Twice - Double your recipe once a week to freeze for a quick meal later in the week. This will make it easier to resist the urge to eat out when you’re tired or rushed. I’ve been doing this for a while now, and it is working great!
5. iTunes - Set a budget for music, just like everything else. iTunes can rack up tons of charges without you even realizing it. Don’t mindlessly pay for downloads on impulse.
6. Movies - Movies are getting more expensive every day. Heading out to a movie occasionally may not break the bank, but if you’re a regular movie buff, you may want to try these alternatives:
   1. Check them out at the library
   2. Wait for 2nd run at the dollar theater
   3. Get a Netflix account instead of buying DVDs
      1. On the other hand, if you have Netflix but never use the service (don’t return the movies to get new ones or don’t watch them in a timely manner), cancel it and check out the DVDs for free at the library.
   4. Watch free movies On Demand from your cable company.
      1. They also have paid movie rentals too, which isn’t as good as free, but is cheaper than driving out to rent one or doing to the movies theater.
7. Books - I am a book lover! We have a ton of books. Books on shelves, and in boxes, and probably a few tossed on the bedside tables. But, books are expensive, especially new ones. If you’re an avid reader, try these frugal alternatives to buying new books.
   1. Check out the library
   2. Start a local book swap group with your friends
   3. Use Swaptree.com or Paperbackswap.com
   4. If you have to buy, go to used book stores, not new
   5. Fast Food - Very few people really enjoy eating fast food instead of home cooked meals. Most of us eat it because it’s fast and easy. Some ways to combat the need to stop for fast food:
8. Finger Food Night
   
   1. Chop up fresh fruit and veggies and combine them with dips.
   2. Make Ants on a Log (celery with peanut butter and raisins on top) your kids will love this!
   3. Make English muffin pizzas.
   4. Breakfast for dinner - No meal is much easier than pancakes and eggs, or sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches. Breakfast for dinner is also fun for the kids.
   5. Recipes for quick easy meals - Gather a few recipes for quick and easy meals for those days you’re really not up for being experimental
   6. Publix has an entire series on 30 minute meals. Some of them are fabulous.
9. Cancel Unused Gym Memberships - You know the one. The gym membership you signed up for in January when you were on a resolution health kick. The one you only use once a month when the automatic draft comes out of your account and you remember that you really should get some use out of. That $40 a month membership full of good intentions is draining your wallet of $300 a year! Dump it and go for a walk.
10. Switch to fee free bank accounts - The $7 for that Bank of America account, and $12 for that money market account are not doing you any favors. Try these free bank accounts to lighten the dings you take to the wallet every month:
    1. Ingdirect.com
    2. Wamu (Now Chase) Free Checking
    3. Wachovia
    4. There are dozens, do your own research and find the fee free accounts that are best for you. Worst case, you can put an end to those fees. Best case, you get an account that earns you interest on the money you have there.

What about you? What are some of the ways you can think of to reduce your spending painlessly?

It’s been a long time since I read a finance article on Yahoo! Finance. Mostly because the blogs that I subscribe to go much further in depth and apply more to my interests than the homogenized articles that get put on the mainstream websites’ Finance sections.

Today I gave it a look and read Budget-Trimming Tips for a Down Economy by Laura Rawley, on her Money & Happiness column. While her tips are clearly for people who are just starting out on the journey to cutting their expenses, I pulled one good nugget from there.

Laura’s tip begins: “2. Prescriptions: Only about one-third of prescription drug purchases are mostly or fully covered by insurance, according to a recent Consumer Reports survey, and prices can vary by as much as $100 for the same drug. Always ask your physician for a generic equivalent, which can cost up to 40 percent less, then shop around.”

I can honestly say that I’ve never comparison shopped for prescriptions. A co-pay is a co-pay right? Does it make any difference? I still can’t find the answer to that question from searching the ‘net (YET) but I did find a bunch of interesting articles on the topic of uninsured customers and medications.

Freakonomics wrote an article on the variances of drug pricing. In it, he says: “…So Wolf began snooping around and found that two chains, Costco and Sam’s Club, sold generics at prices far, far below the other chains. Even once you factor in the cost of buying a membership at Costco and Sam’s Club, the price differences were astounding. Here are the prices he found at Houston stores for 90 tablets of generic Prozac:

• Walgreens: $117
• Eckerd: $115
• CVS: $115
• Sam’s Club: $15
• Costco: $12

Those aren’t typos. Walgreens charges $117 for a bottle of the same pills for which Costco charges $12.”
If I wasn’t paying straight co-pays, I’d absolutely be getting my prescriptions filled during my Costo runs! Have you shopped around for prescription prices?

I suspect that this is the way the pharmacies can afford to pay you $25 and $30 in gift cards to switch your prescriptions from one pharmacy to the other!

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As parents, we have a lifetime of moments to, not only live our beliefs, but to teach them to our children. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we succeed. Other times, we succeed BY failing. Last week was just one of those moments.

YL19 called Wes from college. As all college aged offspring (not children, because they’re grown) are wont to do, she was calling for money. Since Wes hasn’t had steady income in 14 months, we’ve been hit pretty hard by the down economy. No matter what our initial instincts are, we simply don’t have extra money to send right now.

Wes was upset for the entire evening, feeling like a failure as a parent and provider, until I started probing into things a little bit.

• I asked “What would your parents have done if you’d called home for money when you were in college?” He replied “I worked 60 hours a week in college. I didn’t call home for money.”
• I suggested that she try to get a part time job. He said “I suggested that too, but she doesn’t want to. She’s worried that she won’t be able to get time off to go home for the holidays if she works retail.”
• I asked how she was spending money for sorority functions and socializing with friends if she needed money. He said “She said she didn’t budget properly.”

HOLD IT! You worked and didn’t ask for money in that same situation. She doesn’t want to get a job because it cuts into her travel schedule. She freely admits that she blew money on crap and didn’t handle her responsibilities first. And YOU feel bad that you can’t send money?

If Wes was still working and making good money, our initial reaction would have been to send money and Wes would have half heartedly lectured her about being more careful with her money. Since our finances aren’t in a place where we can do that, it forced us to both evaluate the situation more closely.

It’s HARD not being able to reach out and lift your children up when they stumble, but it’s the only way they learn to stand on their own. In our hearts, we’re enablers. We want to enable our children to have it easier than us. In our minds and actions, we’re no longer those squishy people. We hope.

What about you? Are you finding it hard not to say yes to your grown children’s wants? What are you doing about it?

One other thing!  My post The Magic Of A Spending Log was included in the Carnival of Financial Resources at Financial Wellness Project.  Go check out the rest of the carnival.

• Blaming Parents For Financial Problems – Frugal Dad
• Teach Your Children the Four Pillars of Money Management – Moolanomy
• 100 Ivy League Business & Entrepreneurship Courses You Can Take For Free – Bschool (SO doing these!!!)
• 20 Reasons You’re Not Rich – Free Money Finance
• The Rules of Financial Responsibility – Master Your Card

You know you love the Lizard

No, seriously. And what’s more, I don’t think I’ve ever done such an easy transaction in my life. I filled out the online quote info, because I really hate dealing with people. But, once I got the online quote, I realized that it was a big decision to make without actually speaking to someone.

I called the 800# and was immediately greeted by Bill. 1^st ring answer, babyee! I gave him the online quote reference number. He accessed my information and asked if I had the VIN number for the vehicles. I’m at work, so I didn’t have them. His response? “No problem, I can pull that up right here.” POOF. Done!

Next, he asked for Wes’ driver license number. Er… I don’t have that either. His response? ” No problem, if you give me his social security number, I can pull that up right here.” POOF. Done!

Then he gave me the quote. 58% less than our current Nationwide coverage, but it was only for the state minimum. So, I asked him to check on comprehensive coverage for me. It changed my quote by a whopping $17 a month. The final quote…50% less than our current payment, for the same coverage. And that is with the discount that I get for having auto and homeowner’s insurance with Nationwide together.

So far, so good. I say, let’s do it! Bill says “You get a $3 per month discount for automatic draft from your checking account.” Deal! I know I know… Momma gets a little crazy when folks try to save me money. Then, he follows it up with… “Oh, and let me go ahead an email you your policy right now. And we’re sending a letter for you in your mailed packet to send to Nationwide. All you have to do is sign it.”

“When is the coverage effective”, I ask. Bill says “Right now”.

I love their customer service. I hear good things about their company and their customer satisfaction rating. They’re saving me $1200 a year. I give them “two thumbs WAY WAY UP” (bonus points if you can name the movie that’s from).

In honor of my massively awesome accomplishment today (ok, my 5 minute phone call), I’m gonna shut up now and share some of my favorite reads with you.

• 7 Things I learned as a new manager – Ron @ The Wisdom Journal
• Frugal Living For Beginners – Lynnae @ Being Frugal
• How to get out of credit card debt, and stay out – Frugal Dad
• 4 steps to turn debt into wealth – Millionaire Money Habits
• Make time for yourself – Emily @ Remodel This Life
• Where to find info about your money – Ben @ Milk Your Money
• Less is more: Lessons from our little basement apartment – Crystal @ Money Saving Mom
• Don’t raid your 401(k) to make mortgage payments – JD @ Get Rich Slowly
• Reaching the tipping point – Pete @ Bible Money Matters
• Frugal Eats: Crockpot Minestrone Soup – Ashley @ Wide Open Wallet

Please link to some of your favorite places (or your own blog) in the comments. I am always looking for new fun things to read.

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There is something to be said for the almost magical powers of keeping a written record. Grab a small notebook (or start a list on your PDA or iPhone or Crackberry) and write down every single penny that leaves your hands every day.

That’s it. It’s not complicated at all. Stop at the gas station for a cup of coffee? Write it down. Left a $1 tip in the jar at the coffee shop? Write that down too.

If there are other adults in your family, encourage them to log their daily spending too. After all, family finance isn’t just about one person. Getting your money moving in the right direction requires a team effort.

Choose a convenient day and time, once a week, to review the week’s spending log. If there are other adults in your home, make this a group project. During these review sessions, something amazing happens. You really see where your money is going! It’ll go like this: “WOW… I didn’t know I spend $14 every week on iTunes (or sodas or coffee or candy or video games or …)! That’s $728 every year… I spend 2 car payments every year on downloaded music (or…). I can use that money to make our finances better by… (putting it in savings, paying off our debts faster, buying more organic foods, …).”

Over time, you’ll find that the knowledge that you’ll have to write down every single penny will curb some of your impulse spending. Your mind will automatically start equating the bad purchase amounts to good purchase amounts such as “I could spend this $3.00 on a coffee, or I can get a cup for free at the office and use that $3.00 toward building our vacation fund a little faster.”

After a few weeks, you’ll see a dramatic change in your impulse purchase (hopefully!) and be well on your way to making your money work for you, instead of the other way around. Cutting $19.24 a week in impulse spending will save you more than $1000 a year. Broken down a little further, that’s $2.75 a day. That’s it. Less than one gallon of gas. Less than half of a McDonald’s Super Value meal. All for the cost of a $.99 little notebook to track where your money is going.

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This is a repost of an entry from January, when my blog had no readers except my husband and best friends. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to comment.

The setup: Every night, our family sits together at the dinner table. There are very few exceptions to this rule. There are two chairs of major import at our dinner table: The Special Chair, and The Topic Chair. The children rotate their seats every night so that each of them gets an opportunity to sit there. The child who sits in The Topic Chair is allowed to… you guessed it… choose the topic. The child who sits in The Special Chair gets to talk first. Over the last several years, we have had some incredible conversations and have also been enormously surprised by the things we’ve learned about our children during our family dinners.

Last night, the topic was “If you could create any law, what would it be?” Given the current political goings-on, we were happy to get up to our elbows in this topic. The laws we chose went like this:
10 year old: Everyone 10 and older could drive
12 year old: All households should have a cap on the amount of water they are allowed to use.
14 year old: Gays and Transgendered people would all have equal protections under every law. (WOW)
Wes: A flat consumption tax
Me: Every able bodied OR able minded person (as many handicapped people can still provide infinite value to someone’s existence) would be required to volunteer a minimum of 2 hours per week of their time.

The conversation then rambled and we discussed the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) that was developed during the Great Depression. Wes and I had a lively debate about whether working in return for public assistance should be compensated at a living wage, or too low for a family to scrape by on. Now, being that I was a single mother with physical disabilities working a 3rd shift waitressing job for quite a while, I can intelligently speak on the subject of public assistance. The pros, the cons, and the realities of the situations facing people who need to ask for that assistance.

Where am I going with this? Well… my youngest daughter started to cry. We’ve sufficiently scared the 10 and 12 year old children so much, by discussing the Worst Case Scenario of people who live in poverty in this country, that they are terrified at the thought of growing up and leaving home.

We have a strict honesty policy with our children. Wes and I feel that, if they’re old enough to ask questions and open a dialogue with us, we owe them straightforward (age appropriate) answers. They all have their own savings accounts and get their monthly statements in the mail. I am working to teach them about budgeting, comparison shopping, saving for things that matter, and conservation. I don’t think that they will grow up to make the same mistakes I have made with money. I plan to give them a head start and a good working knowledge of money dos and dont’s.

Now to convince my youngest child that it’s ok to let go of my leg and play outside again.

Do you enjoy what you’re reading here?  Please subscribe to the RSS Feed, or get it emailed directly to your inbox.  Share the links with people you think will enjoy or benefit from them.  Most importantly, don’t forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments. 

Last week, we had a surprise visitor. We opened the curtain to our back sliding glass doors and saw not the normal two, but THREE dogs wagging their tails at us. Now, I’m not an expert on animals, but I do believe it’s the very first time I’ve ever seen a dog circumvent a fence to get IN.

The visiting dog is about 3 months old, but already bigger than a full grown mid-sized dog. His paws are roughly the size of saucers. He’s black and brown brindle and oh so very beautiful. He’s not fixed and has no tags, but does have a collar. The children put up signs all over the neighborhood saying Lost Dog and giving a short description with our phone number. We’re all hoping nobody claims him.

I realize this may be just about the UNfrugal decision we could make, but we have fallen instantly and completely in love with this little (ok, big) bundle of fur. If nobody claims him, we’re going to keep him for our very own. He looks like this:

He’s what is called a Plott Hound. I’ve named him Bagheera, because he sits so proudly and sedately behind Wes’ feet when he’s in the kitchen puttering. He is very playful and energetic, but the moment he comes into the house, he’s perfectly calm and sedate. (Maybe Hobbes and Req will take some lessons!). WHEW…3 big dogs…. time to get a 2^nd job to pay for the food.

Has this happened to you? Have you ended up falling in love with an animal that you KNOW you shouldn’t keep but your heart decides for you? In my case, this is the 2^nd time it’s happened. The first time, it was Wes that I kept. *grin*

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After many (many… many… MANY) hours of watching Wes wrestle with Photoshop, I spotted a link on Plurk for logos and entrecards and decided to try an alternate route. If you don’t know, Pete from Bible Money Matters does some pretty spectacular work. Check out some examples here.

Not only was the work done quickly AND beautifully, but the prices are unbeatable. So, if you’re looking for a logo or entrecard graphic for your blog or website, give Pete a try. I did, and I couldn’t be happier.

He even did the new cover for Momma’s Coupon Management System. Can’t wait to roll that one out! See his fabulous work below.

So, THANKS PETE! I hope you get a ton of business.

Don’t forget to leave a comment here or link to my contest for a Free Momma’s Coupon Management System with OVER $1000 worth in coupons included.

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Things at Momma’s house have been making dramatic changes. And no changes at all. We’re sort of stuck in the in between space, poised for … whatever in the hell is getting ready to happen. As many of you know, my husband Wes has been trying to make a go of his own company. The economy hasn’t been much of a friend to us in this endeavor, and so he’s decided to rejoin the ranks of the traditionally employed.

A couple of months ago, when he decided to start looking for a job again, he immediately got half a dozen really great job opportunities. He turned them all down because they would have required us to relocate our family, in some cases to the other end of the country. Our 15 year old is in a performing arts magnet program at her high school… and our youngest son lives 3 hours away with his mother. A cross country move is just not something we could easily manage.

After several months of really pounding the pavement looking for work locally, Wes sat down at the table with me last weekend. He was visibly upset when he told me that it was time to consider the options of relocating for work. So far, the options were San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX. I have to admire his perseverance in trying to keep us in one spot, because I would have been taking those out of town jobs long before now.

We broke the news to the children, none of whom were very happy at the prospect. They cried … dramatically, I might add (yay for having teenaged girls) every time they walked through the house for 2 days. They cried at the thought that the dogs wouldn’t be able to come. They sobbed when someone mentioned their grandmother, or cousins that live close by. They broke down when the phone rang and it was one of their friends. It was a lovely few days!

Now that they have acclimated themselves to the idea… and have looked at photos, read reviews, researched the areas, and fallen in love with the idea of moving, Wes has had 5 job interviews for local positions in the last week with more to come next week. The interviews keep coming, some local and some not. The children are ready to move. Wes is ready to stay put. I’m just ready for SOMETHING conclusive to happen.

Luckily, I can blog anywhere. I can ship my Coupon Management System from anywhere. I can Plurk and Twitter and Livejournal from anywhere *grin*. I can get a job as an IT Help Desk type person anywhere. As long as I’m with this crazy family, I’m all set.

Is this job market sucking your stability away? Are you facing the same tough kind of decisions? How are you handling the changes that crop up in your life? If you don’t mind, I could use everyone’s help sending good vibes out to the universe for a happy resolution to this limbo state.

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Don’t forget to leave a comment here or link to my contest for a Free Momma’s Coupon Management System.

I’ve never been motivated by external stimuli. Motivational speakers don’t get me worked into a frenzy. The promise of some thing, whether tangible or not, has never been really motivating for me either. Free Stuff, Easy Money, Quick Cash, Unlimited .. er.. you get the idea… none of this stuff makes me want to exert myself.

I am motivated by things that speak to me. Seeing my family and friends struggle with their finances motivates me to make a difference. Reading other finance blogs (currently, I subscribe to 82 of them) and not seeing much information targeted toward my family type motivates me to make a difference. I write this blog because I feel like I can help. I feel like I have something that everyone else doesn’t have… a good grip on how to get a large, blended, scattered, and sometimes even fragmented family back into the black financially.

Recently though, I’ve lost my motivation. Stress and exhaustion have taken their toll. I still go through the motions of cranking out content, but not with the passion I once did. It shows. I still feel like I have a message to share and a way to help all of those families out there like mine. I still love writing and sharing. I still love reading what my other blogger friends have to say. But, it’s time to get back to the message I started out to share. It’s time for me to stop following the pack and writing about all of the same things that are being rehashed all over the net.

This morning, on my search for some internal motivation, I did a little light reading So, if you’re like me, and trying to relocate your motivation or trying to refocus your content, give these posts a read. Maybe you’ll find something you can use.

Zen Habits: The Ultimate Guide To Motivation - How To Achieve Any Goal

No Credit Needed: Rejuvenated And Ready To Rock - 10 Steps For Getting Back On Track

The Simple Dollar: Using Twitter And Blogging To Motivate Yourself Towards Personal Finance And Other Personal Goals

John Chow: Three Ways To Have Fun Again With Your Blog

Money Ning: Motivation Monday - Hang Around Motivated People

Money Ning: Motivation Monday - Get Some Fresh Air

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been having more and more conversations with my friends about money. When I talk about writing this book and the money I’ve kept from going out the door, they all look at me entirely different. They look at me as though I have some kind of secret knowledge that they don’t have access too.

I used to look at people who had their financial act together in a very similar way. The more people give me that look of panic when I discuss personal finance, even in vague terms, the more worried I get about my friends and family.. and the community in general. EVERYONE is talking about the economy, but in all of those conversations, I have not yet talked to one person in my daily life that says “yep, I have all my finances handled and I’m prepared.”

The desk staff that my doctor’s office have asked me to bring in my book when it’s finished, they’d be interested in buying it. I was chatting with the ER nurse that cared for YL12 on Wednesday about the economy and finance and my book, and gave her my blog address right before she gave me YL12’s discharge papers.

I’m walking a very narrow line right now, in regards to my own personal belief system. I believe that I can make a difference in the lives of people around me. I believe that I have gathered, with the help of my blogger friends here, and the library, and the news articles, and personal experiences, fabulous information to share with many people. But on the other side of that line is my worry that I’m just jumping on the bandwagon to be just another opportunist, looking to make a fast buck from the panic around me.

I know there is nothing wrong with earning a living from doing a service for people. In fact, that’s pretty much the ONLY way to make a living. Even as I write this, I remember all of the major points from Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich by Lois Frankel, Ph.D. and her basic point is that women think that Doing Good… and doing WELL are mutually exclusive. I’m trying to break that mindset. It’s hard… but dangit… I’m going to provide something that most of the people I know desperately NEED… and I’m not going to feel guilty for earning a living providing that service.

Mostly…

Well, yesterday was not my most frugal day ever. I did have to spend $100 on an ER copay to make sure that YL12’s leg was not broken. YAY that it wasn’t! Afterward, we were so hungry that we were mildly faint (we got to the ER at 7:15 and hadn’t had breakfast.. it was 10:00 before we left) so I spent $8.00 on breakfast. But, that was it.

I cut all three girls’ hair, so that saved at least $36 plus tip.. and that’s the cheapest place. Wes repaired my laptop for free! Now I have a working laptop for book writing and web developing and blogging, and we don’t have to replace it. $200 to $800 bullet dodged.

Yesterday was a bad day for us emotionally, with the money issues. We have been planning all along to buy YL18 a Macbook for her graduation gift. For a year, Wes has thought about how much he wanted her to have a Mac for school. However, our finances at this point will not allow for a $1000 gift. We are both very upset at this, but other than making an unwise financial decision to just wing it and spend the money, we aren’t finding any good options. New snowflaking goal is a Mac for YL18 before she goes to college in the fall.

This is an ongoing mental battle for Wes and I (within ourselves and not with one another). We both want to be able to provide for our children the things they need, and make sure those things are good quality. But, we’re also both moving into a more frugal mindset with each passing day. Sometimes it is a hard line to walk.

Back in March, I wrote a post about my friend who owns the Mom & Pop coffee shop in our town. It’s a fabulous coffee shop and the owner has done a great job turning it into a place we love go to. We’re going to miss her. Wes and I stopped in to get coffee and bagels this morning and the owner told us that she’d be closing her doors by the end of the month.

This little coffee shop has held on for far longer than Wes and I thought it would. It opened in a new shopping center about 2 years ago, when there was nothing else on that stretch of road. Last year, a McDonald’s and a Starbucks went in side-by-side across the street from the shopping center. Both the McDonald’s and Starbucks are on the right hand side of the road during morning rush hour, and when given the opportunity to get coffee from a drive-thru without crossing the street instead of driving into the shopping center, getting out of the car, and going into the shop, it’s easy to see why her business dropped off so much.

I guess the old saying is true: Location is Everything! No matter how great her product was, or her personality, or how comfy her chairs… sometimes it’s all about the location.

I’ve decided to get off the fence and go with my passion. I love helping people improve their household finances. Over the last several years, I’ve read a million and one finance articles. I started reading Yahoo! Finance, then MSN Money, MSNBC Business, CNN Money, and a ton of books. I’ve taken online accounting courses through a local university, and even pondered going back to school to get my degree in Finance.

From the point of reading that first Yahoo! Finance article, I became obsessed with getting our family’s finances on the right track and maximizing our spending. Mostly, I focused on retirement research. After I opened my 401k with my employer and maxed out my contribution, I breathed a sigh of relief and went on about my business. My projections show that with a standard rate of return, if I work until I’m 65, we’ll have enough in the retirement account to live on $120,000 a year for the rest of our lives and still leave money for the kids.

I realize that retirement is far more complicated than that, but knowing that I have at least a loose plan, I felt free to make changes in other areas of our lives. I created a budget for our family in excel. It’s a complicated spreadsheet and covers lots of variables for 5 years. It also has a section that tracks debt reduction, and feeds right into the rest of the calculations. This spreadsheet has been shared with quite a few friends and relatives over the last year and it’s been wildly successful!

I’ve tweaked and adjusted and learned more and implemented tips and tricks from other bloggers and sources until I have our finances rolling like a well oiled machine. And everything I need to manage our household finances on a monthly basis is contained in one 3 ring binder. Not too long ago, Wes was watching me process the weekly grocery list and manage our household finance tasks and had an epiphany.

I think everyone is aware that the economy is going down the tubes. For most of the people in our lives, this means radical changes in their household finances… but they don’t know where to start. I’m going to help give people that start.

My new career path is Household Finance Coaching. I’m writing a book to go along with the organizational binder. I already have the binder in Beta form. I’m working with several test households to get real numbers in line. I’m building a new website, and am going to give this a whirl. I really am looking forward to making a difference.

And when the book is finished, I’m going to give away a free copy here.

If you like what you’re reading, visit http://3princessesmomma.blogspot.com to check out some of my olders posts.

Thursday, on my drive to work, my Overdrive Off light started blinking on the dash. While I was driving, I could feel the transmission repeatedly engaging and disengaging the Overdrive. Then, as I was pulling into the parking lot at the office, the check engine light came to life too.

SIGH… Just when I thought we were getting a handle on things, here we go again. The last time we had to have the transmission replaced on my Windstar was 2 1/2 years ago and, at $2600, it meant that Wes and I had to fore go our wedding reception. This time, I decided that I wasn’t sinking another $2600 into a repair for an almost 9 year old car with 153,000 miles on it.

Yesterday, Wes dropped the van off at the repair shop and I headed on in to work in his car. When I got here, I went online and tried to line up financing for the new (used) car we were going to have to get. I filled out a couple of online apps and within 30 minutes had 3 offers for full auto financing at conventional rates. Thank goodness I’ve been working so hard to get our debts paid off and our credit score boosted.

After the 3rd call from the finance departments, Wes called. The problem was a $2 sensor that the transmission place replaced for free… no labor or part cost. The owner said t hat if we refer one customer, we’ve done well for him. Can’t beat that!

So, I’ve called back all of the finance places and thanked them for their time and told them we’ll keep them in mind for when we replace our cars next year. WHEW… I’m glad we didn’t have to go further in debt, but I’m glad to know that it’s an option if we’re desperate.

If you like what you’re reading, visit http://3princessesmomma.blogspot.com to check out some of my olders posts.