Money Matters Monday - 2013 Budget

Ugh.  Money.  Mondays.  Not the two most desirable topics, especially together.  However, in an effort to keep myself accountable, and try to interest you in my little blog, I am going to use Mondays to talk about money - lack of it, acquiring of it, saving of it, whatever pops into my mind or confessions I need to make.  Maybe I can give you some pointers or you can leave some pointers for me!  Let's help each other save more and live more fully in the coming year.

So, with that in mind, I need to talk about budget.  I need one.  Well, I need a better one.  I have been doing a better job for the past few months at making a written budget, keeping track of every expense (even the $1-$2 trips to the vending machine at work), and trying to lower some areas of spending - like eating out - while trying to increase other areas - like paying down debt or building an emergency fund.

I came across another blog the other day about a family that decided to not eat out at all for an entire year.  Wow!  I was inspired and motivated.  So, I tossed the idea around to the 3 boys and the other girl in the family.  To my surprise, they were in agreement that we should try to eat at home more.  Not only will we probably become healthier by doing this, but I believe we will also save lots of money.  On average, our family eats out to the tune of $350-$500 a month.  Woah!  In two or three months I could have my $1000 emergency fund if we stopped eating out.  This is going to be a real challenge for my family since we are constantly on the go with ball games and practices.  It's going to take some planning and preparation on my part.  But I'm willing to try.  If I can save that much money (and it's honestly a little more than that because that is just the amount out of only my paycheck each month) then the extra prep will be worth it.  My realistic goal is to limit our eating out or pick up food, including pizza delivery, to once a week.  With a family of 5, that could bring that number down to $250 or less.  Still saving money, though.

So, my suggestion to all of you on this Money Matters Monday is to make a budget for 2013, or at least a goal worksheet.  Take a look at your expenses and see where you can make adjustments and save more money for a rainy day shopping trip, a vacation, or add to that retirement or emergency fund.  Since I'm asking you to make goals, here are mine:

1.  Have a $1000 emergency fund.  (I know we should already have one but we don't.  This is why this is numero uno.)
2.  Save for educational trip to Spain in June 2013.
3.  Save for family Christmas vacation in December 2013.  This year's goal is Hawaii.  (We dream big!)
4.  Pay off TV loan early (will be paid in full in January 2014 anyway).
5.  Pay off vacation club package by October 2013.

I have other goals but these are the top 5.  What are your top 5 money goals for 2013?

Be blessed!

My daily inspiration to achieve my goals.

Closing out 2012 and Welcoming 2013

For the first time ever, the Charles family went on a vacation for Christmas.  And not just any vacation.  We braved the hundreds of thousands of people at Disney World in Orlando.  It was crazy.  It was crowded.  Lunch was awful.  We went a little over budget.  But it was worth it. 

The looks on their faces as we approached the crowded parking entrance on Christmas day does not really explain the excitement and joy that they were feeling...well, maybe Miss Hollywood in the middle.  She was so thrilled to learn of our adventure.  Especially since she thought we were going to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon for the past four months!  We had to break it to her earlier than we wanted because she was so excited to be flying in a plane and we were really driving to Florida.  So we told her the night we left out by letting her open a little gift that I had made for her for the trip.  Her "magic shoes" and the ticket hiding in them, with a handmade Disney Christmas shirt and scarf (which she did not wear because Santa brought everyone a new Disney shirt to wear).

We started off with Space Mountain because the wait was only an hour and we did not upgrade our tickets to include FastPass.  Note to self - we will next time!  We rode the tea cups, Splash Mountain, and a few other rides.  We happened upon the Christmas parade as we were riding the train around the park.  That was really neat!  Then, my favorite part.  We had just finished riding the space plane thing in Tomorrowland and Cinderella's castle had the blue and purple lights shining on it.  We were making our way back to Main Street to try to get some autographs because little miss didn't have any and it was already after 6 pm.  We noticed crowds in front of the castle and a holiday show going on.  Yes.  It was Cinderella's wish to have the castle lit for Christmas.  And what a magical moment it was!  I teared up a little from the sheer amazement and beauty of it all.  Christmas is my most favorite holiday and this was just the thing that made my cup full of blessings overflow.  I also teared up at the joy and wonder on little Jessalyn's face as all this happened.  It most definitely made every second of the craziness we had experienced all day worth it.

We ended our Christmas day by walking down Main Street USA as snow flakes fell on the crowd.  Yes, I sort of got my white Christmas too.  Even if it was in 78 degree Florida weather with 100,000 other people.  And we ended up getting a signature for the autograph book before we left.  The big one.  Mickey.

Our vacation included visits to Daytona Beach, Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and several other attractions.  It was a great way to end 2012 by bonding with each of the children and sharing in this fabulous family adventure.  I pray that 2013 will hold as many blessings as I continue to thank God for all that he has given our family.  I pray that you, the reader of this little blog, will be blessed as well.

Holding myself accountable

It's my blog.  It's my dream.  So why am I so jealous when other people are living the lifestyle I want?  Because I keep letting "stuff" get in my way.  Now, some of that stuff includes the kids' ball games and practices, church activities, or the full-time teaching job I have.  But enough with the excuses.  I can do this.

I found this quote tonight and it really hit home.  I must keep trying and persist until I succeed.  No more waiting around for something amazing to happen.  I must make that amazing thing happen on my own.  I must hold myself accountable and stop making excuses.  So what if I have a job?  I also have a little bit of free time that I can truly devote to making my dreams come true.  And it starts now.

Thanks for reading my little post.  Time is short, back to school tomorrow (and I have to be there early), but I will find the time to start making my dream my reality.  No more excuses. 

Be blessed!