Well, Hello 2013

Well...Hello 2013.  On this first day of the year I have been rather productive.  I worked on my budget and my goals for the year, as well as my 3 year financial plan.  I know, that sounds boring but it actually fired me up to do the rest of my tasks for the day.  I listed 12 items on my Etsy site!  I've got to clear the clutter (for real, this time) and make some extra cash for my trip to Spain in June.  I still have 16 more items to list but that can wait until tomorrow.  Hopefully I can free up some much needed storage space and make a little cash at the same time.  I still need to work on my novel for the writing contest so that's next on the list for an hour and then it's bedtime because I have to go back to work tomorrow.  Ugh.  I don't wanna go.

I thoroughly enjoy my time at home during the holidays but I didn't get quite enough of it this Christmas since we went on a first-ever Christmas vacation (which will become a regular event now).  I very much want to be a stay-at-home, write-from-home, craft-from-home kind of mom but right now that just isn't in the cards.  But if I stay positive and organized and motivated, maybe I can make it happen. 

I saw this on a wall in Magic Kingdom and had to take a picture of it.  It is my inspiration right now because if I can stay focused and motivated on reaching the goals we've set in place, the reward is for the entire family, not just me.  This applies to so many of the goals we are working on this year, not just the financial ones.  So...keep dreaming!

Be blessed in 2013!

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!

Just a little 50,000 word novel

Well, today marks the beginning of NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month.  I'm entered and will begin soon writing my first words of the 50,000 word goal by the end of November.  Funny thing is, I had this strange dream last night that I believe is what I'm supposed to write.  And it is intriguing.  I'm pretty excited about getting started but a little nervous at the same time.  I've always wanted to be a writer and a novelist.  In my Senior Memory Book I even wrote that I would be a novelist in 10 years.  Well, now it's going on 19 years since I graduated but I am determined to make this goal.  I did write and illustrate - and publish - a children's book in 2007; so, what's a little 50,000 word novel in a month?

So, I need support, time, encouragement, and inspiration.  Here we go!

Be blessed!

Overwhelmed, frustrated, but a break is in my future

I have just had a lot going on lately.  Well, actually, I always have a lot going on.  Today, my middle child officially became a teenager.  I just can't believe he's 13.  I seriously feel like I just graduated high school myself and here I am with 2 teenage boys and a little 8 year old princess.

So, when I say I am overwhelmed, that's an understatement.  With these kids and their activities and homework, plus the hubby going back to school online, I feel like a single mom of 4!  Add the 151 students I teach each day and you can see where the frustration comes in.  I am constantly surrounded by kids and don't really have time to take for myself or to spend with other adults.

But, fall break is just one and a half days away and I will get a 5 day mini-vacation from school.  However, I have papers and projects to grade before I can break away.  My work is never done.

I am really feeling frustrated with the youth that I teach and desperately want them to meet my expectations but I leave so disappointed almost every day.  I need a spark to ignite pride and passion in them.  It is so hard.  I love my subject area but that isn't enough today.  They want YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, videos, media, etc.  I am not a one-woman entertainment empire but I have to be and I am honestly worn out at 3 pm.  So worn out that I can't stand to be around my own children in the afternoons, after they have been with their teachers for most of the day (probably driving them crazy).

I am hoping and praying that these few days of fall break will provide plenty of rest, quality time with my own kids, maybe some arts and crafts time (because that makes me very happy), and just a break from all the running around I normally do - so I can get after it again on Monday.

Be blessed!

I'm frustrated...again.  It seems I stay that way.  This time, I'm frustrated with television programming.  Or, maybe I'm frustrated with myself for watching.  Both.

The current trend of reality TV is ridiculous.  If it weren't for my boys and their ESPN, I would cut my cable and bank the money.  But I can't.  Or, more appropriately, I won't. 

Now, I've done it before but the boys were small and only watched videos anyway and the hubby was gone all the time with his job.  So, why did I need to pay that outrageous cable bill when I could save the money to buy diapers?  And for about 6 months, that's what we did.

The kids are older now and would totally fReAk OuT if I cut their cable.  But, seriously, have you seen some of the current programming?  Of course you have.

Let's talk about TLC.  I used to love this channel and, occasionally, it will still offer some quality entertainment.  But Honey Boo Boo?  Toddlers and Tiaras?  What are we doing folks?  We are encouraging families to go into debt by exploiting their young children in crazy, glitzy beauty pageants.  And we watch it.  As for Honey Boo Boo, I'm torn.  On one hand, they do seem to love each other and have a nice family unit.  However, there's no discipline, no consequences, no manners, and, in my opinion, no morals.  My daughter does beauty pageants but she is not allowed to prance around and act "sexy" and I am not going in debt over a dress or entry fees for an 8 year old.  We do natural pageants that are not glitz and it is very limited, not a way of life. 

Real Housewives of wherever.  How "real" are they?  They have more money than they know what to do with, get Botox and plastic surgery like it's no big deal, and spoil their children by buying them everything and then don't understand why the children disrespect them. 

There are some shows that I do actually like and would miss if I cut my cable but I think with all the technology, Redbox, Netflix, and Internet, I could probably find the show I want to watch.  It might be the next season before I see it but I'm OK with that.  I'm usually at a ball field anyway, set my DVR and still don't ever watch the show I recorded!

Well, I think I've convinced myself that I don't need cable and I know I could find other things on which to spend that $100 a month.  Now, I just need to convince the three boys and the other girl!

Be blessed!