Debt Update March 2012

As a recap, in July of 2010, Tommy and I took a class at church called "Common Cents". It was basically a starter course on budgeting, etc. At the end of the class, we were given Dave Ramsey's book, Total Money Makeover.

And although we are not "gazelle intense", we have worked hard to get our crazy debt paid down.  Below is an update of how we are doing.
Oh, and in case you were wondering, this has honestly changed our lives!

August 1, 2010 Total Debt Balance
(excluding the house)
$41,704.45

March 31, 2012 Total Debt Balance
(excluding the house)
$21,495.25

In 20 months, we have paid off $20,209.20 in real debt and we are almost half way done! The awesome thing is that as we continue to snowball, the debt goes away faster and faster.  Yay!

Hope you are enjoying a beautiful Spring and that the pollen doesn't have your allergies all crazy like mine!

2012 Home Goals

My home decor/design hero, The Nester, is hosting her annual Home Goal Linky Party.  So, of course I have to participate!

This year, I really want to focus on a few key things that I think can make a big impact for not a ton of money!

1.  Since the formal dining room is a space that everyone sees when they enter our house, I would like for it to be special.  I have been scouring Craiglist unsuccessfully for a buffet.  But, maybe when yard sale season starts, I can find something great.  I also want to add window treatments (or mis-treatments) plus a new chandelier and rug.

The only picture I could find of the dining room includes some Christmas decor, but you can get the picture - tan walls, tan chairs, brown table, no window treatments - boring!

Window Treatment Possibility:

Kimono Gypsy by Premier Prints

2.  On the other side of our entrance is the office.  It doesn't need huge amounts of work, but I would like to get some additional art on the wall and the bookcases need some rearranging.

3. I want to cover my wire pantry shelves like they did at FocalPoint. This is such an awesome DIY!  Then, I want to do some better organizing in there.  Maybe something similar to The House of Smith's below (a girl can dream, right?).

4.  Try to introduce more of the blues and greens we both love (pulled from our Good Earth pottery) into the living room - maybe through new chairs, throw pillows and window treatments/mis-treatments.

Good Earth Pottery - Bluebird Pattern

Photo from JustALittleOrganic.com

That's all!  Pretty simple.  There are other things that I would be happy to do if the right deal came along (kitchen counters, new breakfast table, etc.), but these few things would really make great impact in our ever-evolving house! :)

Eating an Elephant - Part 2

For years, my money has controlled me.  I have always wanted to open a children's resale/consignment boutique, but money (well, lack of) has derailed this dream.  It has also caused me to worry, have strife in my marriage and live what I feel like has been an existence of shame.  I have never known if my loan application, car financing, or credit card request would be denied and it made me feel worthless and out of control.

But, Tommy and I have begun to change!  Back in August I posted that we were beginning a budget and trying to get a plan together to work on our debt.  You can read that post here:  Eating an Elephant - Part 1.

I wanted to take the time to give a little update on our progress.

August 1, 2010 Total Debt

(excluding the house)

$41,704.45

January 31, 2011 Total Debt

(excluding the house)

$34,368.88

We have paid off $7,335.57 in only 7 months!

I am so proud of us!  Although we have had some setbacks (car repairs, house repairs, etc.), we have stayed on course and are beginning to see the fruits of all our hard work.  I'll keep you updated!  I can't wait for the day that I can scream that I am debt free!

FYI,  I have a budget spreadsheet that I am happy to share.  If you would like a copy, leave me a comment and I will pass it on.

Goals for 2011

The always fabulous Nester, challenged her readers to list some home goals for 2011.  Not resolutions or hopes and dreams, but true goals.  Wow!  That really got me thinking about some concrete things that I would like to accomplish this year - but for my home and in my personal life. 

So, in no particular order, here are my Goals for 2011 (including a few home goals):

1.  Pay off $10,000 of our debt.  We have been on a true budget (yep, Excel spreadsheet and all) since August and it is one of the best things we ever did.  This goal should definitely be accomplishable. Is that a word?

2.  Blog twice a week.  I started this blog as a way to keep up with my children and sadly I am seriously lacking in that regard.  There is no reason I can't do better.  I need to remember that not every post requires pictures!

3.  Join Weight Watchers and get serious about losing weight.  My goal for the year is 40 pounds lost.  When you are fat plus-sized like me, it should be attainable.

4.  Spend a week in Florida with the family (with minimal Blackberry usage).  We love Okaloosa Island and it's an ongoing goal that we be able to spend a week there every summer while our children are at home.

5.  Have the shower in our master bathroom tiled.  I have hated the shower stall in our bathroom since day 1, but have done exactly zero to change it.  This year I would like to bite the bullet and make it great.

6.  Finally decorate my master bedroom!  We have lived in our house for two years so it's definitely time.  I recently purchased new bedding as a jumping off point so I hope to get this done in the first quarter of the year.

Here is a sneek peek at the bedding.  You can see more here.

Do you have goals for 2011?