Dishonest money dwindles away,
but he who gathers money little by little
makes it grow. (Prov. 13:11)
A wise man should have money in his head,
but not in his heart. (J.Swift)
To me, these quotes teach lessons that are exactly what Kevin and I would like to exemplify in our marriage. Think about money but don't let it consume you. Don't become overwhelmed, obsessed, carried away, a worshipper of the almighty dollar. Don't let it brainwash you into thinking that it's the only thing that matters in life. Do what you can to save what you can. We are striving to be smart with our money, to be thinking about what we're spending before we spend and to save as much as possible (within reason). But, we don't want it to consume our waking hours with wonderings and questions about how to get more money in the quickest way possible and we really don't want to have to cut out all of our entertainment just to save every penny. If we want to go to breakfast, we will. If we want to go to the movies, we will. There has to be a good balance. Basically, we want to think of money as a need but not as THE need. There is so much more to life than what you have in your bank account. Plus, you can't take it with you when you go! :) Why work so hard unless you're going to enjoy spending it!?!
So...I have a plan. It's listed out for the rest of 2011 - what our expected bills will be, what our debts are (which isn't much thank goodness) and what we plan to put into our savings every month. It makes me feel good to have this concrete plan. I know, I know...life happens and things don't always go according to plan. If any couple knows that, it's us. There are lay-offs, flat tires, dentist appointments, last-minute trips, etc. So, instead, we are just planning to save X amount every month through the end of this year and we're going to try our hardest to follow the plan. If we need to stray from the plan one month because of this, that or the-other-thing, you ask? Well, then, I guess this will teach us so much more than just money smarts. It will teach us flexibility and rolling with the punches.
*ps. perfect timing because I, ladies and gentlemen, got a raise today! God's timing is perfect! :)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Little moments.
The little moments in life are what define you. These same moments are what keep you going and remind you that you are loved. And special. And blessed beyond measure.
Like when my husband mouthed "I love you" as he returned to work and I was on my way back home.
Like when my dad called to say "you're gone already?" and "you always stop in to say hi to your dad."
Like when I realized folding my husband's clean underwear and matching his socks was exactly what I wanted to be doing on my day off.
Like when I cleaned the kitchen just so my husband wouldn't have to on his day off.
Like when I heard mom say "I love you, bye" and I realized that she never says bye without saying "I love you" too. And that's exactly the kind of mom I want to be.
Like when I browsed the baby section at Kohl's and pictured what our future baby will look like and how proud I will be to have Kevin's child(ren) one day.
In all these little moments, I realized just how blessed I am. I may not have a house or a baby and I may not have a ton of money in my bank account or a well-paying job or that really fabulous pair of black sparkly TOMS shoes I want so badly. But I have health insurance and I have my own in-house laundry machines. I have parents that have accepted my husband as their own son. I have a mother-in-law that's more "mother" and less "in law" who loves me like a daughter. I had a beyond-spectacular wedding, that still remains the best day of my life. I have a husband that promised me the world and he tries his hardest to fulfill that promise every day. I have a dog that practices unconditional love and I have the best girlfriends a girl could ask for. See, I really have exactly what I need. It's all about those little moments that make you think "wow, I am blessed."
Like when my husband mouthed "I love you" as he returned to work and I was on my way back home.
Like when my dad called to say "you're gone already?" and "you always stop in to say hi to your dad."
Like when I realized folding my husband's clean underwear and matching his socks was exactly what I wanted to be doing on my day off.
Like when I cleaned the kitchen just so my husband wouldn't have to on his day off.
Like when I heard mom say "I love you, bye" and I realized that she never says bye without saying "I love you" too. And that's exactly the kind of mom I want to be.
Like when I browsed the baby section at Kohl's and pictured what our future baby will look like and how proud I will be to have Kevin's child(ren) one day.
In all these little moments, I realized just how blessed I am. I may not have a house or a baby and I may not have a ton of money in my bank account or a well-paying job or that really fabulous pair of black sparkly TOMS shoes I want so badly. But I have health insurance and I have my own in-house laundry machines. I have parents that have accepted my husband as their own son. I have a mother-in-law that's more "mother" and less "in law" who loves me like a daughter. I had a beyond-spectacular wedding, that still remains the best day of my life. I have a husband that promised me the world and he tries his hardest to fulfill that promise every day. I have a dog that practices unconditional love and I have the best girlfriends a girl could ask for. See, I really have exactly what I need. It's all about those little moments that make you think "wow, I am blessed."
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Update on the Garv's
We've been busy lately, it seems, but I am not sure with what in particular. House stuff has kinda fizzled - we are just waiting to find something perfect and nothing bright and shiny has popped up yet. Still continuing to save money and live frugally. I have never eaten so many flipping egg sandwiches in my life! Haha. Little changes have been good for us like after we cook our meals together, we actually make it a point to sit at our kitchen table together and talk about our day (instead of planting our butts on the couch hovering around the coffee table and tv). We have been going on daily walks together, either in the morning before work or after we eat dinner. It's been nice to have those moments together to catch up and make sure we're on the same track. Finally got our tax return - that was a nice surprise in the bank account yesterday. We also received our $75 incentive check from the State of Oregon - Energy Trust for the purchase of our laundry machines. That was a nice surprise as well considering we both forgot about it and we purchased them so long ago. Basically, the wheels are still turning around our household and we can feel the energy starting to shift upward. Easter in a couple weeks, Sacramento in May, our 2nd anniversary in July, Lincoln City in August...and maybe a few more trips we're trying to work out. Overall, things are looking good!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Plan B.
Dear husband,
"The most successful people are those who are good at plan B."
I think we've had our fair share of plan B.
The tides are about to turn. I can feel it.
Don't forget to hold my hand all the way through, ok?
Love,
Your wifey
Monday, April 11, 2011
5 things that make our relationship work:
1. Enjoy each others company.
We truly love to be together. Before we dated, we were best friends, quick friends. The kind of friend that will stick by your side through even the worst-of-the-worst arguments. He's the one I can't wait to tell my funny joke to or to see when I get home from work. For him, it's the same. On the rare occasion that we spend time apart, saying "I miss you" is second nature once we do get the chance to talk or be together again. We both just feel really lucky in knowing that we have a strong friendship intertwined into a thriving, loving marriage.
2. Have patience.
Just like my mom said in her speech at our wedding, "Kevin has the patience of Job" and he really does. Me? Not so much. I fly off the handle, I am a bit of a last-minute-gal and thrive on spontaneity. But he teaches me patience every day. His personality makes him think through all possibilities (and sometimes it takes longer than I'd like) whereas I just make rash decisions and sometimes stick my foot in my mouth. I find myself often tapping my foot in his direction, waiting for his response or decision on a certain situation. Thankfully, in our relationship, there is a little push-n-pull and, in the end, we learn alot from each other.
3. Have fun together.
This might seem obvious but this is the glue that holds us together. Neither of us laugh the same way with anyone else. He shows me his true, goofy self and we have dance parties together in the family room all the time. On the outside, Kevin seems like the serious one but when the doors are closed, he definitely has a freak flag (even if he doesn't fly it in public). We are just meant to be, two goofy peas-in-a-pod.
4. Love.
We say it and we show it when we feel it. Multiple times every day (and Kevin would repeat everyday I ask him "Boog, do you love me?" and, although he's probably irritated about answering the same question over and over, he always responds "Love you Boog". He has little ways of showing his love and I do of showing mine to him. He cooks for me and will bring me coffee at work and a warm towel after a shower and he never yells at me for using the last of the toilet paper without replacing the roll. I wash his unmentionables and try to cook him inventive meals and I turn on his side of the electric blanket to heat up his side before bed and never yell at him for leaving his basketball shorts on the floor of the bathroom. We love. In big ways, in little ways and in ways neither one of us notice.
5. Sometimes it isn't worth it.
This has been the biggest hurdle for me so far...learning to pick my battles. He doesn't really get upset about much - very calm all the time. So, in this category, I am the one that is still learning. And his patience and sensitive attitude teaches me in some way almost every day that the little things in life don't matter. They just don't. If he left socks on the floor or dripped some water on my clean counter or if I shattered a dish in the sink or left the back door propped open, it's not the end of the world. What matters is that we're together, we're happy and we're in love. All the rest of is just stuff that won't matter at the end of the day.
We truly love to be together. Before we dated, we were best friends, quick friends. The kind of friend that will stick by your side through even the worst-of-the-worst arguments. He's the one I can't wait to tell my funny joke to or to see when I get home from work. For him, it's the same. On the rare occasion that we spend time apart, saying "I miss you" is second nature once we do get the chance to talk or be together again. We both just feel really lucky in knowing that we have a strong friendship intertwined into a thriving, loving marriage.
2. Have patience.
Just like my mom said in her speech at our wedding, "Kevin has the patience of Job" and he really does. Me? Not so much. I fly off the handle, I am a bit of a last-minute-gal and thrive on spontaneity. But he teaches me patience every day. His personality makes him think through all possibilities (and sometimes it takes longer than I'd like) whereas I just make rash decisions and sometimes stick my foot in my mouth. I find myself often tapping my foot in his direction, waiting for his response or decision on a certain situation. Thankfully, in our relationship, there is a little push-n-pull and, in the end, we learn alot from each other.
3. Have fun together.
This might seem obvious but this is the glue that holds us together. Neither of us laugh the same way with anyone else. He shows me his true, goofy self and we have dance parties together in the family room all the time. On the outside, Kevin seems like the serious one but when the doors are closed, he definitely has a freak flag (even if he doesn't fly it in public). We are just meant to be, two goofy peas-in-a-pod.
4. Love.
We say it and we show it when we feel it. Multiple times every day (and Kevin would repeat everyday I ask him "Boog, do you love me?" and, although he's probably irritated about answering the same question over and over, he always responds "Love you Boog". He has little ways of showing his love and I do of showing mine to him. He cooks for me and will bring me coffee at work and a warm towel after a shower and he never yells at me for using the last of the toilet paper without replacing the roll. I wash his unmentionables and try to cook him inventive meals and I turn on his side of the electric blanket to heat up his side before bed and never yell at him for leaving his basketball shorts on the floor of the bathroom. We love. In big ways, in little ways and in ways neither one of us notice.
5. Sometimes it isn't worth it.
This has been the biggest hurdle for me so far...learning to pick my battles. He doesn't really get upset about much - very calm all the time. So, in this category, I am the one that is still learning. And his patience and sensitive attitude teaches me in some way almost every day that the little things in life don't matter. They just don't. If he left socks on the floor or dripped some water on my clean counter or if I shattered a dish in the sink or left the back door propped open, it's not the end of the world. What matters is that we're together, we're happy and we're in love. All the rest of is just stuff that won't matter at the end of the day.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Yearning for yarn.
I have to have these or else I might will just die. Literally. Are these not the (freaking) cutest things you've ever seen? Ran across them on a friend's blog and my.heart.skipped.a.beat. 
The pink ones with the precious little cream bows? Yes, please! Any little girl of mine wouldn't be caught in anything else :)
And those irresistible magenta t-strap booties? Forgetaboutit! Talk about teaching 'em about lookin' good when they're young!
And let's not even forget about the "Baby Isaac" blue and grey stripes or the chocolate brown beauties. They make my heart melt (every.single.pair) and make me wish I could pop out a baby right this second to adorn with such fabulous knit baby shoes.
Why-oh-why must we be on a budget when I find precious gems such as these? Pleasantly Plump [knits], you are such a tease to this budgeting fashionista. PUH-lease still be around when I am in need of baby-foot bundling! :)
The pink ones with the precious little cream bows? Yes, please! Any little girl of mine wouldn't be caught in anything else :)
And those irresistible magenta t-strap booties? Forgetaboutit! Talk about teaching 'em about lookin' good when they're young!
And let's not even forget about the "Baby Isaac" blue and grey stripes or the chocolate brown beauties. They make my heart melt (every.single.pair) and make me wish I could pop out a baby right this second to adorn with such fabulous knit baby shoes.
Why-oh-why must we be on a budget when I find precious gems such as these? Pleasantly Plump [knits], you are such a tease to this budgeting fashionista. PUH-lease still be around when I am in need of baby-foot bundling! :)
What a pain!
There's nothing like a little kink-in-your-neck to make you appreciate a day at work without a kink-in-your-neck. Let me tell you, sitting at my computer desk ALL DAY trying to answer phones and type at the same time proved nearly impossible. It's necessary to document that today has definitely been a challenge. Almost got into multiple car accidents due to the fact that I have to basically blindly turn since my kinked neck won't let me turn to check for on-coming cars.
Attention all Oregonians on the road - look out for me. I'll be the girl in the dark grey Jetta with her head tilted at a 45-degree angle to the left, wincing in pain every time she hits a bump. Please take pity and smile as you pass me. I'm trying my hardest!
Hopefully this is just temporary and will be all better by morning.
*Note to husband - better brush up on your neck massage skills because you're all mine all night!!*
Attention all Oregonians on the road - look out for me. I'll be the girl in the dark grey Jetta with her head tilted at a 45-degree angle to the left, wincing in pain every time she hits a bump. Please take pity and smile as you pass me. I'm trying my hardest!
Hopefully this is just temporary and will be all better by morning.
*Note to husband - better brush up on your neck massage skills because you're all mine all night!!*
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Extreme Couponing, Extreme Savings!
I have become obsessed with a new show called Extreme Couponing on TLC. It's an addiction, really. These women spend their time snipping and clipping coupons to use on massive quantities of groceries (seriously enough to feed an army) and they figure it out just right so they purchase 500, 600, 1000 dollars worth of groceries but only pay like 5.97 or 13.57 out of pocket. Then they take home their loot and stock up their already bursting "pantries" (that are really an entire room or garage set up like a mini mart) and freezers/fridges to store all the food/toiletries. It's craziness! I am definitely going to take some of the tips I've learned from the show and put it to good use. There is a lot of money to be saved with taking the time to clip some coupons. It's almost like printing money! Or your very own money tree! Obviously, I am excited about this...however, I am not going to take it to the extreme that most of these women do. Who honestly can eat 56 yogurts or 12 packs of string cheese before they expire? And who needs to store 1400 rolls of toilet paper or, for goodness sake, 35 bottles of maalox!?! These women go so overboard with these good deals that I think they by products simply because they are a good deal - whether or not they will actually use those products is another story! *Note to self: just because it's a good deal, doesn't mean you should buy it...you're not saving money if you're buying a product you wouldn't normally buy or consume*
Since I am already a lister, I am already in the habit of creating shopping lists to use each time I go to the grocery store. Next time, I am going to take the extra time to look over my list and print coupons for the products I normally buy and see how much money I have saved. I just might start buying the Sunday paper too. It has the most ads for good coupon selection. Either way, Kevin and I are really excited about this new venture. The more money saved on the everyday stuff just means we have more money to spend on fun things like date night! :)
Since I am already a lister, I am already in the habit of creating shopping lists to use each time I go to the grocery store. Next time, I am going to take the extra time to look over my list and print coupons for the products I normally buy and see how much money I have saved. I just might start buying the Sunday paper too. It has the most ads for good coupon selection. Either way, Kevin and I are really excited about this new venture. The more money saved on the everyday stuff just means we have more money to spend on fun things like date night! :)
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
News! (not the good kind)
Our (modest) dream house has a pending offer that is well above the asking price so we gotta kiss that possibility goodbye. But, it's ok, I know there will be others that we will like and want even more. We are just going to continue the search and see what we find. Thankfully, neither of us are bound and determined to move into a house unless we find the perfect situation. This obviously wasn't it. It's been our philosophy from the very beginning that if doors open for us, then it's meant to be. This door shined and glitzed then it practically slammed in our face so we took that as a sign :) Thankfully, we don't feel pressured. We are just focusing on what could be, instead of what has to be.
And, the search continues!!
And, the search continues!!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Ramen, anyone?
With all of this house talk, Kevin and I have been trying to save money anywhere we can. Before, we'd just spend money without really thinking. Accepting the fact that we earned the right to spend our own money on entertainment. Now that other people are going to be analyzing our expenses, we took a second look and realized just how much entertainment had been costing us. But, not anymore! There are no more movie nights. No more happy hour with friends. No more restaurants or shopping. We have vowed to live like we're broke.
About a week ago we used a visa giftcard that we had lying around to buy our groceries and used the remaining balance on a Safeway giftcard and a gas giftcard. Now, those groceries are dwindling and the gas giftcard is long gone. We are trying to make that $25 Safeway giftcard last all month for the little things you need here-and-there like canned green beans and a head of lettuce. Seems impossible, right? Well, let's just say - we've been eating a LOT of top ramen, breakfast for dinner and pb-and-j sandwiches lately. $1.25 box of spaghetti noodles and a .99 can of sauce, hello! A .99 cent loaf of wheat bread that doesn't mold in like 3 weeks? Yes, please! We have even been frantically searching for old, half-used giftcards - ran across a couple old Chevron gas cards and instantly rushed over to the gas station to see if any funds were available. Nope, so we sped away with red cheeks!
Geez, this is almost like we're back in college. Only this time, it's worth it because we are trying to get ahead. The funny thing is, we're not broke - actually, far from it. But if you live like you are broke, funds grow at a rapid rate so we're going with that theory. Plus, a month or two of scrounging here and there never hurt anybody! So what if we have to turn in our soda cans to pay for our ground turkey for our taco salad? So what if we have to dig out our silver change from our change jar every time we go to the store? So what if I have to scour ads for coupons to save a little change? So what if you see us on the news for being the two crazies in Safeway, denting cans, to get a discount! So what if I can't buy Dove soap because the Ivory is half the price and you get one extra bar. So what if we can't find any more gas giftcards and I have to bum a ride from a coworker or push my car to work - free exercise, right? :) So what if we live in the dark to keep our electricity bill lower and can only read by candlelight? Romance, right? :) It'll all be worth it in the end. However, I think I reached an all-time low yesterday when I went shopping in my mom's guest bathroom for a bottle of conditioner. Thankfully, she didn't mind - she just smiled and said "come back for more when that bottle runs out!" Ahh, moms! What would you do without them? So, just know that if you are kind enough to invite us out for a night on the town, we'll have to humbly decline. Invite us for a night in? Be prepared to hear "what time!?!"
Anyway, I got to sign off. My top ramen is overflowing on the stove :)
About a week ago we used a visa giftcard that we had lying around to buy our groceries and used the remaining balance on a Safeway giftcard and a gas giftcard. Now, those groceries are dwindling and the gas giftcard is long gone. We are trying to make that $25 Safeway giftcard last all month for the little things you need here-and-there like canned green beans and a head of lettuce. Seems impossible, right? Well, let's just say - we've been eating a LOT of top ramen, breakfast for dinner and pb-and-j sandwiches lately. $1.25 box of spaghetti noodles and a .99 can of sauce, hello! A .99 cent loaf of wheat bread that doesn't mold in like 3 weeks? Yes, please! We have even been frantically searching for old, half-used giftcards - ran across a couple old Chevron gas cards and instantly rushed over to the gas station to see if any funds were available. Nope, so we sped away with red cheeks!
Geez, this is almost like we're back in college. Only this time, it's worth it because we are trying to get ahead. The funny thing is, we're not broke - actually, far from it. But if you live like you are broke, funds grow at a rapid rate so we're going with that theory. Plus, a month or two of scrounging here and there never hurt anybody! So what if we have to turn in our soda cans to pay for our ground turkey for our taco salad? So what if we have to dig out our silver change from our change jar every time we go to the store? So what if I have to scour ads for coupons to save a little change? So what if you see us on the news for being the two crazies in Safeway, denting cans, to get a discount! So what if I can't buy Dove soap because the Ivory is half the price and you get one extra bar. So what if we can't find any more gas giftcards and I have to bum a ride from a coworker or push my car to work - free exercise, right? :) So what if we live in the dark to keep our electricity bill lower and can only read by candlelight? Romance, right? :) It'll all be worth it in the end. However, I think I reached an all-time low yesterday when I went shopping in my mom's guest bathroom for a bottle of conditioner. Thankfully, she didn't mind - she just smiled and said "come back for more when that bottle runs out!" Ahh, moms! What would you do without them? So, just know that if you are kind enough to invite us out for a night on the town, we'll have to humbly decline. Invite us for a night in? Be prepared to hear "what time!?!"
Anyway, I got to sign off. My top ramen is overflowing on the stove :)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
House of our (modest) dreams
Let me preface this post by saying - we don't want the world. We don't expect to find the perfect layout, a fabulous gourmet kitchen or even get all the things on our wish list. We are looking for a home that maybe needs a little updating (not huge renovations) but, for the most part, is move-in ready. I can live with ugly cabinets for a while more so than I can live with a giant mortgage that we can't afford. So, we have what I so-lovingly call modest dreams. And, in our stage in life, I think that's a good thing. We are all about living-within-our-means.
Yesterday, Kevin and I found the house of our (modest) dreams, minus the brick on the outside (but I supposed I'll survive), in the neighborhood of my first home back in 1984. It's a quaint 1500 sq ft ranch with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage and a completely fenced backyard complete with large planter boxes and plenty of grass for The Little Monst (and any future rugrats). The inside needs a little updating (like the heinous cabinetry in the kitchen and the dark 70's woodwork throughout), but the updates are all things that can be done over time. From this point, it seems move-in ready. The funny thing is, we haven't even toured the house - only seen pictures on the web. When my brother sent the link to me, I was first deterrred by the cerulean blue paint with fluorescent lime green trim (ahhh, Oregon) and the words "Seattle Seahawks" painted on the garage door. But, once you look past the paint, you see the true gem. It's just a plain and simple, adorable home. A perfect starter home, if you will. With a fresh coat of paint (and eventually a garage door without hideous colored tempered glass) this house would lend major curb appeal. The selling points for us?
1. It's in our price range (a bit above but do-able)!
2. It's in a great, quiet neighborhood where people take care of their yards.
3. There are sidewalks and manicured lawns lining extra wide, smooth-paved streets.
4. Kids toys are not strewn throughout the street and there are not busted up cars in people's driveways.
5. Best of all, the house is in a cul-de-sac surrounded by homes that are even nicer (most are split levels and 2-story homes)!
We are going to set up a meeting to view the home on Monday with a realtor I've known forever (family friend). Hopefully we leaving feeling just as excited as we do now. I keep envisioning the home, referring to it as "our house" and planning what kinds of changes I would make. There I go again, naming the puppy :)
Yesterday, Kevin and I found the house of our (modest) dreams, minus the brick on the outside (but I supposed I'll survive), in the neighborhood of my first home back in 1984. It's a quaint 1500 sq ft ranch with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2 car garage and a completely fenced backyard complete with large planter boxes and plenty of grass for The Little Monst (and any future rugrats). The inside needs a little updating (like the heinous cabinetry in the kitchen and the dark 70's woodwork throughout), but the updates are all things that can be done over time. From this point, it seems move-in ready. The funny thing is, we haven't even toured the house - only seen pictures on the web. When my brother sent the link to me, I was first deterrred by the cerulean blue paint with fluorescent lime green trim (ahhh, Oregon) and the words "Seattle Seahawks" painted on the garage door. But, once you look past the paint, you see the true gem. It's just a plain and simple, adorable home. A perfect starter home, if you will. With a fresh coat of paint (and eventually a garage door without hideous colored tempered glass) this house would lend major curb appeal. The selling points for us?
1. It's in our price range (a bit above but do-able)!
2. It's in a great, quiet neighborhood where people take care of their yards.
3. There are sidewalks and manicured lawns lining extra wide, smooth-paved streets.
4. Kids toys are not strewn throughout the street and there are not busted up cars in people's driveways.
5. Best of all, the house is in a cul-de-sac surrounded by homes that are even nicer (most are split levels and 2-story homes)!
We are going to set up a meeting to view the home on Monday with a realtor I've known forever (family friend). Hopefully we leaving feeling just as excited as we do now. I keep envisioning the home, referring to it as "our house" and planning what kinds of changes I would make. There I go again, naming the puppy :)
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