Say No To Bankruptcy

Have you ever heard of Dave Ramsey? He is a money management dude that has a radio show and has written a few books. He teaches how to get out of debt and save money. Tom and I used to listen to him religiously and we even went to a live event a couple of years ago.

Because we listened to him we changed our way of thinking. When we started, we owned 5 houses and of course they were all mortgaged to the max. We were pretty much in debt way over our heads and had very little in the bank but we thought that was fine because the company we worked for was teaching us to do that. It was so far from fine that I want to puke! It is the fastest way to bankruptcy imaginable. Anyway, because we listened to Dave, we sold 4 of the houses, paid off our cars, and got out of debt (with the exception of our student loans and the last mortgage).

We then started following a budget and saving like crazy. We have focused on saving just in case something happens.

I wanted to do this blog post because I have a feeling that there are at least a couple of people who may read this and need a new plan. His website is daveramsey.com. My favorite book of his is called "The Total Money Makeover."

The Church teaches us to get out of debt and have our lives in order. Dave Ramsey gives a step-by-step plan to do exactly that. So, all that said, go get out of debt and save money!

Morgan Update

Morgan is 9 months old next week and we are doing something special all week long. Pictures will be posted soon after. Here are a few of her that were recently taken.

This is her first real encounter with a dog. She would hold still and flutter her eyelids while he sniffed her, then she would let out a little squeal that sounds more like a cough. I think she liked Bandit, the dog.
She loves standing up. Here she is using the recliner to steady herself...

...but here she is standing by herself. She'll stand for a few seconds before she sits down.

A couple of days ago she started crawling. I was hoping for her to wait a while but I realize it is more fun for both of us to have a little action around here.

We finally had a decent day with no inversion, fog, rain or snow so I bundled her up and took her for an hour and 45 minute jog yesterday. She loves being outside. She always has.

A few other things about Morgan are:

She is such a mommy's girl but she is getting better with her babysitter. They only watched "Baby Signing Time" twice the other night, which sure beats five hours straight like last month.

She still does not sleep through the night. She goes to bed around 8:30 and is up again around 11:30 for some mommy time, then up again sometime around 2:30. That's when I usually bring her to my bed and Tom goes to the guestroom. We all probably sleep better that way.

She does well in her car seat, as opposed to when she was younger and would scream anytime we would go anywhere. Now she just waits until we get to where we're going before she wants to get out.

Last, but certainly not least, she gives kisses when asked (or begged) by her mommy and daddy.

That's my little girl -- the big 9-month-old.

New Blog

Today I paid my entry fee to participate in the Ironman 70.3 Boise. I also started a new blog to talk about how my training is going ("I. Am. Ironman."). Feel free to check it out and offer any helpful training and nutrition advice in the "comments" section.

$363.73

Our December gas bill... $363.73.

Number of days we were gone... 11.

Temperature to which the heat was set... 67.

Having a warm, empty house for 1/3 of the month... priceless.

(Next time we leave we will not forget to turn the heat down to 50)

JACKPOT!

Congratulations to my gambling husband who won the Nielson family college football bowl pool!

Everyone that wanted to put $2 in for each entry and went down the list guessing who would win each bowl. He got all but 6 right and won a grand total of $78! Great job, Tom.

I tied with Wendall for 2nd, missing 9 and Kay took 3rd, missing 11.

Resolutions

This year I have decided to have trackable goals for my resolutions (instead of just trying to be better at something). We had such a blessed 2009 that it made me think of ways to help other people in 2010. To start that charity resolution we are going to purchase a whole bunch of winter coats when they go on clearance in the spring so we can donate them next winter. It would be super if anyone reading this did it too. Hey, if every reader bought one coat to donate, that would be like 3 coats! Think about it... three warm, happy kids next Christmas. No really, we could all help a bunch of people at a minimal cost. Its all in the planning. I bought Morgan a heavy winter coat on clearance last year for $10. So anyway, WINTER COATS EVERYONE!!!

My fitness resolution is to do the Ironman 70.3 but I already blogged about that. I don't have to make any weight loss or body fat goals because that should all come with the training of this monster.

For my monetary resolution I want to start a business. I've talked with my partner already and we are going to make bow making videos. Who knows if we'll make money, but I need to follow through with it. So let it be written... so let it be done.

My spiritual resolution... hmm... be on time for church is a good one. I should probably read the Book of Mormon too since I don't think I've finished it since my mission (but boy do I have 1st Nephi down).

Tom and I have been going on dates once a week and I think for my relationship resolution I will resolve to continue with that.

My travel resolution (I could think of a resolution for any category) would be to either get another stamp on my passport or to do an Alaskan cruise.

Well, I think that about covers it. Don't forget your clearance coat to donate next year.

Happy New Year!

We were at Tom's mom's house for the new year. On New Year's Eve we had fondue cheese, meat and chocolate (oh my gosh it was good). I read a book and Tom got a lot of Super Mario playing in on the Wii.

Ron's son, Trevor, and family came over for dinner and to ring in the new year.

Morgan fell asleep around 9 so she dreamed in the new year...

...until we started on the gazoos.
Then she was up and ready to party.

The rest of the week was relaxing and fun. We went to all of our favorite restaurants (Mekong Cafe for Thai, Cafe Rio, India House, and Tom got sushi at Tsunami). I read "Shattered Silence" about the life of a serial killer's daughter. It's a true story by Melissa Moore.

Tom and I also got to go to a movie. We saw "Couple's Retreat" at the dollar theater that is now $2 per person. It was pretty funny but very predictable. When we got home at midnight, Jo Ann and Morgan were outside wrapped in a blanket because Morgan woke up and cried for 40 minutes until Jo Ann took her outside. Thanks Nana for giving us a break and taking one for the team.

We also saw Jer and Brit's new house (a great find), Jenn from my mission, BJ from Tom's mission, and Super Target (there are none in Boise).

Morgan has been moving around a lot while she's asleep. Here she is against the backboard. Apparently she couldn't move up any farther.