I saw this on Me in Million's blog and thought it would be fun to do (plus it's an excuse to procrastinate at work).
My Money Coat of Arms. In this exercise you create a shield with four sections and a fifth section in the middle. In each section, write out:
One thing I do well with money:
I earn a good salary ($72K minus 10% furlough puts me right around $66K annually).
One thing I don't do well with money:
Small impulse purchases that add up over the month (lately, it's been cooking and knitting related - two of my hobbies).
Way that I have a hard time spending money:
Saving for big ticket items, specifically trips.
Money Motto:
Spending smart is the only way to get out debt and build wealth.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Get Rid of Stuff Week 6
This weekend I got rid of:
13. The uncomfortable low ride work out pants I mentioned last week.
14. An old bikini from Target I never wear anymore.
13. The uncomfortable low ride work out pants I mentioned last week.
14. An old bikini from Target I never wear anymore.
30 Day Shred "Do Over" Day 9 - 13
I haven't had a chance to post much this week but I have still been going strong with the 30 Day Shred!
Thursday, Feb 4 - Day 9 - Level 2
Friday, Feb 5 - Day 10 - Level 2 and yoga DVD
Saturday, Feb 6 - Day 11 - Level 2 and yoga DVD (only ten minutes of yoga though)
Sunday, Feb 7 - Day 12 - Level 2
Monday, Feb 8 - Day 13 - Level 2
Today would have been Day 14 but I woke up late!! My alarm didn't go off and even though I was aware somewhere in the back of my mind that it was time to get up, I didn't. So that's a major bummer. I won't be able to work out tonight (unless I do it really late) because Tuesday is my weekly coffee-night with two of my girlfriends. . . If I don't get to it tonight, I'll do two workouts one one day this week (Saturday?).
This week, DF bought me an iPhone as a beleted birthday gift - we were waiting for my contract with Sprint to end this month. I'm pretty excited even though at first I was hesitant about the added cost. DF and I are on a family plan that will work out to about $50 per person a month. Plus a $30 data plan per phone. So I estimate, with taxes, my monthly contribution to our bill to be about $90. That's $40 more than previously (I paid $53) and while I'm not totally excited about that, I guess I've chalked it up to paying a little over a $1 a day to be connected to the Internet where ever and when ever I need to be. Also, it meant that I could turn in my blackberry for work and not carry two phones.
I've done great this week on my goal not to eat out during the week or buy lunches at work. I've been cooking up a storm, baking casseroles and freezing them for later in the week, bringing leftovers with me to the office, and avoiding fast food. Except for coffee on Tuesdays (which is ok - it's my much needed exclusive girl time) I've done a really great job.
Next weekend my brother is coming for an extended weekend visit and I'm a little concerned about how I'll be able to keep up with my workouts. I'll have to figure something out like get up before he does or get out of the house to do something else - I know I'll feel funny doing a video in his presence. Funny that I don't care if DF is home when I'm doing one! Just as long he doesn't sit there and watch me. LOL!
Thursday, Feb 4 - Day 9 - Level 2
Friday, Feb 5 - Day 10 - Level 2 and yoga DVD
Saturday, Feb 6 - Day 11 - Level 2 and yoga DVD (only ten minutes of yoga though)
Sunday, Feb 7 - Day 12 - Level 2
Monday, Feb 8 - Day 13 - Level 2
Today would have been Day 14 but I woke up late!! My alarm didn't go off and even though I was aware somewhere in the back of my mind that it was time to get up, I didn't. So that's a major bummer. I won't be able to work out tonight (unless I do it really late) because Tuesday is my weekly coffee-night with two of my girlfriends. . . If I don't get to it tonight, I'll do two workouts one one day this week (Saturday?).
This week, DF bought me an iPhone as a beleted birthday gift - we were waiting for my contract with Sprint to end this month. I'm pretty excited even though at first I was hesitant about the added cost. DF and I are on a family plan that will work out to about $50 per person a month. Plus a $30 data plan per phone. So I estimate, with taxes, my monthly contribution to our bill to be about $90. That's $40 more than previously (I paid $53) and while I'm not totally excited about that, I guess I've chalked it up to paying a little over a $1 a day to be connected to the Internet where ever and when ever I need to be. Also, it meant that I could turn in my blackberry for work and not carry two phones.
I've done great this week on my goal not to eat out during the week or buy lunches at work. I've been cooking up a storm, baking casseroles and freezing them for later in the week, bringing leftovers with me to the office, and avoiding fast food. Except for coffee on Tuesdays (which is ok - it's my much needed exclusive girl time) I've done a really great job.
Next weekend my brother is coming for an extended weekend visit and I'm a little concerned about how I'll be able to keep up with my workouts. I'll have to figure something out like get up before he does or get out of the house to do something else - I know I'll feel funny doing a video in his presence. Funny that I don't care if DF is home when I'm doing one! Just as long he doesn't sit there and watch me. LOL!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
4 down - 1 to go!
I'm so close to being without ANY credit card debt, I can TASTE it!
Today, my last payment to credit card #4 was posted! I have about $600 left on my very last card. I can't believe this! It feels so great!
I'm definitely on track to be credit card debt free by April!
Today, my last payment to credit card #4 was posted! I have about $600 left on my very last card. I can't believe this! It feels so great!
I'm definitely on track to be credit card debt free by April!
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
30 Day Shred "Do Over" Day 8
It's Day 8 and I'm now officially in week 2 of my Do Over Challenge. I can't remember the last time - if ever - that I've worked out 8 full days in a row!
This morning, I decided that I was ready to move on to Level 2. Woah, that was hard. I was getting a little cocky with Level 1 thinking that I ought to go up to 8 lb weights. But this morning I could barely do some of the moves with my 5 lb-ers and even went down to 3 lb weights for a few of the moves. And what the heck was up with all of those plank position moves? Holy crap they were hard. I'll be doing Level 2 for the rest of Week 2 - I have a feeling that I'm going to start to see some real progress! I had no idea how much I was skating along in Level 1!
After the work out, I popped in my new yoga DVD and did an approx. 20 minute routine focusing on back bends. In the past, I've always hated doing downward facing dog. My arms always shook and I could never really hold myself steady for the entire time. But this morning, I noticed that my arms are definitely stronger. I could stay in downward facing dog longer and I felt more centered. It was great!
And now, drum roll, my progress in one week:
Starting weight: 167.6 pounds. Waist measurement: 31 inches.
Current weight: 166.6 pounds. Waist measurement: 31 inches.
I lost a full pound! Yay! It's not much - and I really wasn't expecting to see big results - so I'm good with that. I can't wait until next week!
*
DF and I talked about Vegas this weekend and we decided not to go. I'm so glad! I did a quick check on airline tickets and it would be about $300 round trip per person. I didn't want to drive because I just drove up to Nor Cal last month and I really need to get a tune up before I do another intensive drive somewhere. DF drives an older SUV that gets horrible gas mileage so that really wasn't a good option. Money aside, a two day trip to Vegas would be exhausting. I hate not having any downtime before starting the work week again. So, it's for the best that we don't tag along. Instead, I think I'm going to take DF out to diner this weekend to celebrate his birthday on the 10th (and I'll make him his favorite dinner the day of his b-day). It's a good compromise.
This morning, I decided that I was ready to move on to Level 2. Woah, that was hard. I was getting a little cocky with Level 1 thinking that I ought to go up to 8 lb weights. But this morning I could barely do some of the moves with my 5 lb-ers and even went down to 3 lb weights for a few of the moves. And what the heck was up with all of those plank position moves? Holy crap they were hard. I'll be doing Level 2 for the rest of Week 2 - I have a feeling that I'm going to start to see some real progress! I had no idea how much I was skating along in Level 1!
After the work out, I popped in my new yoga DVD and did an approx. 20 minute routine focusing on back bends. In the past, I've always hated doing downward facing dog. My arms always shook and I could never really hold myself steady for the entire time. But this morning, I noticed that my arms are definitely stronger. I could stay in downward facing dog longer and I felt more centered. It was great!
And now, drum roll, my progress in one week:
Starting weight: 167.6 pounds. Waist measurement: 31 inches.
Current weight: 166.6 pounds. Waist measurement: 31 inches.
I lost a full pound! Yay! It's not much - and I really wasn't expecting to see big results - so I'm good with that. I can't wait until next week!
*
DF and I talked about Vegas this weekend and we decided not to go. I'm so glad! I did a quick check on airline tickets and it would be about $300 round trip per person. I didn't want to drive because I just drove up to Nor Cal last month and I really need to get a tune up before I do another intensive drive somewhere. DF drives an older SUV that gets horrible gas mileage so that really wasn't a good option. Money aside, a two day trip to Vegas would be exhausting. I hate not having any downtime before starting the work week again. So, it's for the best that we don't tag along. Instead, I think I'm going to take DF out to diner this weekend to celebrate his birthday on the 10th (and I'll make him his favorite dinner the day of his b-day). It's a good compromise.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
30 Day Shred "Do Over" Day 7
I will totally fess up to the fact that this morning I was NOT in the mood to work out. I was soooo tempted to turn over and go back to bed for another hour when my alarm went off at 5:15. In fact, I did hit snooze for ten minutes . . .
But I got up anyway, gritted my teeth, and went downstairs to pop in the video. I went through the motions of today's work out but my heart was definitely not in it. For one, I was wearing my least favorite work out pants that are uncomfortable, ride low on the waist, and bunch in the crotch area - yeah, NOT comfortable! In fact, I decided as I was working out that this would be the LAST time I wore those pants. They are going in my donate pile as soon as they come out of the wash. And for two, I just wasn't feeling it.
But I did it and it's done . . . so yay!
Tomorrow, on Day 8, I'll weigh in and post my Week 1 results. But, I have to admit I'm not expecting anything major. I've been getting on the scale religiously every day and have only seen MINUSCULE results. Fabulous Financials wrote a terrific post on the evils of the scale that I totally related to. I know you really shouldn't put much stock in your weight fluctuations on a daily basis but it's hard not to. I've been putting in a lot of effort this week to eat right, cook at home, work out daily . . . and seeing only a .2 difference is disheartening.
But I vow to move forward . . . I'm excited to be adding yoga to my daily routine (as soon as I get the DVD in the mail); I've been loving my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that I've been making from scratch with healthy ingredients; and I FEEL stronger from doing the Shred DVD.
These are the positives that I will choose to focus on rather the number on the scale. Right? Right.
In other news, last night DF and I met with a DJ and decided we really liked him. He is a semi-professional DJ who actually works full-time as a teacher and DJs at weddings on the weekends as a way to earn extra cash (got to respect that!). He's extremely personable and has been doing this for a long time . . . AND he came highly recommended from a co-worker of DF's who hired him for her wedding. And did I mention the amazing price? $500! For the ceremony AND reception music. Amazing! I didn't have to think twice about this one. He's hired!
And DF asked me last night if I wanted to go to Vegas this weekend. A couple that we are good friends with, A&E, are going for one night and they've invited us to join them. At first, I thought it would be fun . . . but then I started thinking about the money . . . and the disruption to my workout and eating schedule . . . and I thought, hmmm, is this worth it? So, we need to have a conversation about it tonight. The only bright side is that it would get us out of having to attend two super bowl parties on Sunday. Two friends of ours are having tension and they've BOTH scheduled separate parties at their homes. These friends are both very important to us (they are in our wedding party!) so we can't just go to one. Ugh. I'm not looking forward to driving all over the city (from University Heights to Solana Beach) just to be sociable but we can't give the illusion that we are taking sides either. Sigh!
But I got up anyway, gritted my teeth, and went downstairs to pop in the video. I went through the motions of today's work out but my heart was definitely not in it. For one, I was wearing my least favorite work out pants that are uncomfortable, ride low on the waist, and bunch in the crotch area - yeah, NOT comfortable! In fact, I decided as I was working out that this would be the LAST time I wore those pants. They are going in my donate pile as soon as they come out of the wash. And for two, I just wasn't feeling it.
But I did it and it's done . . . so yay!
Tomorrow, on Day 8, I'll weigh in and post my Week 1 results. But, I have to admit I'm not expecting anything major. I've been getting on the scale religiously every day and have only seen MINUSCULE results. Fabulous Financials wrote a terrific post on the evils of the scale that I totally related to. I know you really shouldn't put much stock in your weight fluctuations on a daily basis but it's hard not to. I've been putting in a lot of effort this week to eat right, cook at home, work out daily . . . and seeing only a .2 difference is disheartening.
But I vow to move forward . . . I'm excited to be adding yoga to my daily routine (as soon as I get the DVD in the mail); I've been loving my breakfasts, lunches, and dinners that I've been making from scratch with healthy ingredients; and I FEEL stronger from doing the Shred DVD.
These are the positives that I will choose to focus on rather the number on the scale. Right? Right.
In other news, last night DF and I met with a DJ and decided we really liked him. He is a semi-professional DJ who actually works full-time as a teacher and DJs at weddings on the weekends as a way to earn extra cash (got to respect that!). He's extremely personable and has been doing this for a long time . . . AND he came highly recommended from a co-worker of DF's who hired him for her wedding. And did I mention the amazing price? $500! For the ceremony AND reception music. Amazing! I didn't have to think twice about this one. He's hired!
And DF asked me last night if I wanted to go to Vegas this weekend. A couple that we are good friends with, A&E, are going for one night and they've invited us to join them. At first, I thought it would be fun . . . but then I started thinking about the money . . . and the disruption to my workout and eating schedule . . . and I thought, hmmm, is this worth it? So, we need to have a conversation about it tonight. The only bright side is that it would get us out of having to attend two super bowl parties on Sunday. Two friends of ours are having tension and they've BOTH scheduled separate parties at their homes. These friends are both very important to us (they are in our wedding party!) so we can't just go to one. Ugh. I'm not looking forward to driving all over the city (from University Heights to Solana Beach) just to be sociable but we can't give the illusion that we are taking sides either. Sigh!
Monday, February 1, 2010
Get Rid of Stuff Week 5
This is my fifth week of getting rid of stuff. Every weekend as I'm cleaning and doing my household chores, I try to figure out what I'm going to get rid of this time. Usually I have no clue and then I open a drawer, a cupboard, a closet, or look under my bed and items just pop right out at me! This time it was:
11. Two free project bags I got last summer when I went to a Stitch N Pitch event at Petco Park. DF and my brother went with me and they gave me theirs so I had three total. I have no need for three project bags so two (still wrapped in plastic) are going to Good Will.
12. Volcano Lava Lamp . . . um, this is actually DF's. He got it from his work's white elephant gift exchange this past holiday season. It's totally ugly and there is no way we'd ever plug it in. I have no idea what his co-worker was thinking when he or she picked this up. It's still in the box so this is definitely going to Good Will too.
11. Two free project bags I got last summer when I went to a Stitch N Pitch event at Petco Park. DF and my brother went with me and they gave me theirs so I had three total. I have no need for three project bags so two (still wrapped in plastic) are going to Good Will.
12. Volcano Lava Lamp . . . um, this is actually DF's. He got it from his work's white elephant gift exchange this past holiday season. It's totally ugly and there is no way we'd ever plug it in. I have no idea what his co-worker was thinking when he or she picked this up. It's still in the box so this is definitely going to Good Will too.
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