Waiting For An Emergency Will Cost You Money

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I looked down at the dashboard and noticed all the lights on the dash were flickering. Suddenly the radio cut out, and turned back on. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest when it happened a second time. When the radio came back on again, it was accompanied by a “ding” and several warning lights on the dash board which remained illuminated. Not exactly something you want to happen while driving in rush hour traffic. We carefully drove to my brother-in-law’s house, as we discussed our course of action. We knew the battery was due to be replaced, […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 10/04

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Race weekend is here, RACE WEEKEND IS HERE!  I’m so excited for the Twin Cities 10 Mile on Sunday I’m having trouble sleeping.   The temps look to be great running weather (lows in the 40’s, highs in the 50’s).  As I mentally prepare for the race, I cannot get the lyrics for “Hall Of Fame” by The Script out of my head.  Check back here next Friday to hear how the race went.  🙂 I have to tell you how I found one of my fist pumping posts this week.  If you like reading personal finance blogs you should check […] Read more »

You Can’t Out Earn Bad Spending Habits

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My doctor expressed some concern over my rising weight during my recent annual physical. I told him that I have a solid exercise regiment, working out six or seven days a week. Unfortunately, I use my massive amount of exercise to justify eating anything I want. What he said next shocked me: Losing and maintaining your weight is 80% diet. He must have seen the skepticism on my face, so he gave me an example. He asked me how long it would take me to eat a combo meal from a fast food place. My response was less than 10 […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 9/27

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I’m excited, and not just a little bit. A week from Sunday is the Twin Cities 10 mile race, something I’ve been training for the last 6 months.  I have one more long run tomorrow morning, and then it will be short easy runs next week to keep my legs fresh.  I’ve put in the work, and now I’m ready to ENJOY  the race.  I’m SO looking forward to it! In the middle of October I’m headed to St. Louis for the Financial Bloggers Conference where I will have the chance to network with other bloggers and learn how to […] Read more »

The Cost Of Decluttering Your Home

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It wasn’t how I envisioned my Saturday playing out. After completing my early morning eight mile run, I asked Vonnie what was on her agenda for the day. She suggested we do some much needed cleaning, but first she wanted my help in repotting some plants. After doing one, I started looking for a hand garden shovel that would make the task easier. My search led me to the small shed on the side of our garage. I opened the door of the shed and stared at the cluttered contents, knowing the small shovel was likely buried in a box […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 9/20

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I have to be honest, I’ve been feeling just a little “off” the last couple of weeks.  I’ve been going to bed earlier trying to get more sleep, but I just feel tired all the time.  In the gym I haven’t been able to push nearly the weight I had been just a few weeks ago.   I don’t know what the deal is, but I’m hoping a weekend of relaxation and even more sleep will help remedy the situation.  Have any of you ever experienced something like this? September is almost over, which means your chance to vote for Enemy […] Read more »

What Do Long Distance Running and Getting Out of Debt Have In Common?

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I walked down my driveway and accelerated into my normal running pace as I crossed the line separating the concrete of my driveway and the asphalt of the road. I was excited to head out for a Saturday morning run, the target distance being five miles. I hadn’t run outside much lately but I had been doing a lot of treadmill running, and was sure it would all come back to me. Except it didn’t. I was expecting an effortless run, as I remembered enjoying so many previous times. What actually followed was seventy minutes of alternating between running, walking, […] Read more »

I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 9/13

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In Monday’s post I reviewed Jeff Rose’s book Soldier of Finance, and announced that I would be giving a copy away.  I’m very excited, as this is the first give away I’ve done on Enemy Of Debt!  Without any further delay, the winner is…. Susan! I have your email address from your comment entry, and will be contacting you to arrange shipping the book to you. Congratulations! Yesterday I received my statement for my reduced paycheck for the furlough week.  Vonnie and I sat down and did our budget and spending plan for the next two weeks, and I’m very […] Read more »

Review and Give Away: Are You Ready To Be a Soldier of Finance?

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I had too much debt, no savings and had no idea how to build a real budget and live within my means. In June of 2009 my finances were a mess and I needed help badly. There are thousands of families with their finances in the same state of disarray today, and looking for something or someone to help them get on the right path. I had the opportunity to take an advanced look at a new book by blogger and Certified Financial Planner Jeff Rose which aims to help people in  situation just like mine. Soldier Of Finance leans […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 9/06

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Today is the last day of my work furlough, which means tomorrow I can officially sign into my email for work and begin the process of wading through an entire week’s email.  I’m looking forward to jumping back into the software development game – I’ve missed my bits and bytes.  🙂 Vonnie and I have been watching our spending closely to make sure our finances are ready when that reduced paycheck arrives a week from today.  You can read about how we’ve planned to make it through this rough spot in my post this week in the CareOne Community. Have […] Read more »

Cut A Brisket, Cut Your Costs

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It’s Labor Day weekend and grills across the country are firing up for end of the summer cookouts. We hosted one yesterday, and I was up before the sun (5AM to be precise) to start smoking a brisket for a gathering we were hosting that evening. I removed the fourteen pound mass of meat I had purchased and seasoned the night before from the refrigerator. I snapped on some rubber gloves and began rubbing a little extra seasoning on the brisket ensuring it was fully covered. I ran my fingers across the layer of fat that separates the two major […] Read more »

I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 8/30

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Fridays are normally awesome, but this one is a little different.   When I leave work for the day I’m officially on a one week furlough from my job as a software engineer.  For the week I’m off, I will only be paid 1/3rd my normal salary.  This obviously poses quite a challenge to our household budget.  We’ve known this was coming for about a month, so luckily we’ve had some time to prepare for it.  We have a plan, and believe we have it contained, but it will required us to stick EXACTLY to our budget for the next month. […] Read more »

Surprise, High School Freshman – Real Life Starts NOW!

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Last week we took my son to his incoming freshman high school schedule pickup and orientation. I repeated something that I said to him last spring when we were having some difficulties making him put forth the required effort on his school work. “This year you start high school. This shit’s for real. It counts forever.” I then went on to try to explain the chain of events that starts with day one of his freshman year. Hard work, good grades, and school involvement will dictate what college opportunities will eventually open up in front of him in a few […] Read more »

I Love You Like A Blogger Roundup – 08/23

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Happy Friday, EOD Nation!  The last few weeks of Summer are proving to be rather busy for my family and me.  Both kids had their schedule pick up days for the upcoming school year and walked their initial class schedules.  With Tori entering middle school, and Tristan a freshman in High School they are both headed to new schools this year which brings both apprehension and excitement.  This weekend we have a family reunion to attend and then looking forward to a HOT Sunday afternoon lounging by the pool at our already paid for gym membership to let our checkbook […] Read more »