Basics...

Okay folks, I am in a mood. I am not sure how long this will last, but I had to write about it, so bare with me!

While Jamie was home, we were on a mission to get a second vehicle. While he was in Iraq, there was simply no need for two vehicles. I knew it was coming, but I wasn't prepared for the out of pocket expense of buying a second vehicle. Jamie has worked hard, and I knew he "deserved" to have what he wanted. Luckily, my husband is not a man of monetary definition...he is happy with whatever we can afford...which didn't happen to be much.

We agreed that whatever we bought would be paid for with cash from our savings. Jamie was bringing home a bit more money for his tour in Iraq, and we were able to put a little bit back each month. I am a saver...I would much prefer to hold on to our hard earned money, but Jamie is just the opposite. Getting to the same page was a task, to say the least. Finally, I went to the bank and made a hefty withdrawal for Jamie's purchase. I handed him the cash and told him to get whatever he wanted, as long as it could be paid for with the money inside the envelope. He looked...and he shopped...and he test drove...and finally, he found what he wanted. It is a pick up truck, extended cab, 3 door, with a back seat. Now I won't lie and say that it is the most beautiful piece of machinery I have ever seen, but it fits the bill and will be great for a second vehicle!

Jamie asked me to go with him to purchase the truck...and I was sick to my stomach to say the least! Nevertheless, I went along. We were able to get a great price on the truck (about half of what they were asking to begin with) because we were able to pay with cash. It felt good!!! It was great to walk in there, no hassles, and be able to pay for the truck...no payments...no interest...and we are able to put liability insurance on it instead of full-coverage! The best part, there was no buyers remorse!

Jamie agreed that we would work extra hard at putting the money back in the savings each month. So, what is my point you ask??? My point is this. After taking the Dave Ramsey class, I learned a lot of important information on living within our means. It felt SOOO GOOD to be able to do that, that I am now contemplating how we can implement this more in our daily lives.

My generation was raised to believe that living on credit was not only acceptable, but also inevitable! For many years, I lived just that way...I charged everything, paying up to 19% interest on every purchase! Shoes? Charge it! Outfits, charge that too! Even groceries went on our Sam's club card! We had credit debt out our ears: Express, Limited, Victoria's Secret, Sam's, Sears, Kay's, Walmart, Capital One...credit, after line of credit!

I am pleased to announce that we are now CREDIT CARD DEBT FREE, and we only have ONE credit card to our names now. It has a zero balance, and I intend to keep it that way!

So, we have goals. Unfortunately, with leading separate lives and two households, it has been a challenge to manage to stay on budget each month!

I want to learn to live more frugally! I would love to learn some basics...gardening? Why pay someone else to grow our food? Why pay grocery prices? Unfortunately, I have NO green thumb, but I could try! I'd also like to learn to make some of our own household supplies: laundry detergent? Cleaning supplies? I hate the chemicals!!! A downfall of mine? I tend to make quick meals, or eat out... I think of what I spend, and it makes me ill. What if I could learn to cook more from scratch? How much could we save?

How do you keep expenses down?