This weekend, I’m helping my employer save some money. My internal organization is having a picnic an volleyball outing, and for the second year in a row I’m smoking BBQ for the main course. I checked how much a local BBQ place would charge for what I’m supplying, and I’m saving my employer 75%.  For an organization of roughly 120 people, that’s hundreds of dollars. I’m not doing it for profit, I’m just doing it as a favor….and for glory, of course. Fist pump for BBQ, saving money, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist […] Read more »

My daughter, who will start her senior year of high school in just over a week, has orientation today for her new job as a certified nursing assistant (CNA). Her place of employment is less than two miles from our house, she’ll be making good money, the hours are flexible, and it’s in her desired career field. She’s already been accepted at one university with a great nursing program, and is waiting to hear back from another. Huge fist pump for bright futures, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Best Cheap Cell Phone […] Read more »

I’m soooo excited about this weekend, friends! I am participating in a BBQ contest at my church.  I’ll spend the entire day smoking ribs and chicken which will be judged later in the afternoon.  Then, the food is fed to neighborhood folks that come to enjoy sliding on a slip-n-slide.  It’s an opportunity for me to fire up the smoker, enjoy the day with other meat smoking enthusiasts, and participate in a community outreach program for my church. Fist pump for BBQ, fun, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 5 Sacrifices that can […] Read more »

Happy Friday, EOD Nation! I’m pumped because my monthly budget is about to get an infusion of extra cash.  I have two installment loans with their last payment this month, adding hundreds of dollars to our discretionary funds each month. We haven’t figured out exactly what we’ll do with these funds, but likely there will be a bump to our monthly retirement and emergency fund contributions as well as just having more money in our pockets.  Life is good! Fist pump for cash infusions and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump How to Afford […] Read more »

I went to get my van’s oil changed and came home with my wallet $150 lighter than expected. I had forgotten my van was also due for a transmission service. Since I’d rather pay for the service than to have a more catastrophic transmission problem, I had it done. It made me think about one of my favorite posts from this week (listed below) about saving for car maintenance.  If only I had followed THAT advice…. Get your fists up for my favorite posts! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump How to Budget the Easy Way from DINKS Finance 5 […] Read more »

My daughter, who eventually wants to become an RN and/or a midwife earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certificate a few months ago, and has recently had a few interviews at nearby nursing homes. She has one offer on the table, and expects to get another in the next few days.  Must be nice, being 17 and having job offer options… Fist pump for my daughter getting her medical career off to a great start, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump How to Budget on a Small Income from Club Thrifty Low Effort […] Read more »

I’m currently camping with friends and family at a four day music festival but that won’t stop me from sharing my favorite posts of the week, OR saving money! Concerts and festivals usually jack up the price of everything knowing they have you as part of a captive audience (meaning you don’t have a choice as to where you buy your bottle of water – either it’s from them, or you just don’t get it). But even here there are some ways to save money and make every dollar go as far as it can. One such method is buying […] Read more »

We’re getting together with friends tonight for a shrimp boil.  Everyone is contributing something to the boil and we have several people in the group that have experience with doing them.  It should be fun and frugal, not to mention delicious. Fist pump for shrimp boils and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 9 Legit Ways Make Money on the Weekends from Frugal Rules Why I’m Feeling Guilty Spending Money from MoneyNing Guaranteed Ways to Save Money on Groceries from Red Debted Stepchild 6 Warning Signs you’re Living Beyond your Means from Create My […] Read more »

Yesterday was Independence Day – Happy Birthday America!  I didn’t do any of the usual 4th of July stuff. No grilling out, no being outside playing games, and I might have seen one or two fireworks explode out my living room window, but I wasn’t really paying attention.  I did go to the new Spiderman movie with my wife, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and then hit up some favorite restaurants for a few happy hours. While it wasn’t the traditional 4th of July sort of activities, it was exactly what I wanted to do – spend time with loved ones, enjoying […] Read more »

After a relatively cool start to the summer, this weekend looks to be a scorcher here in Minnesota. My wife and I will be celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary, and we’ll be hanging out with friends on a boat doing some tubing and waterskiing.  I love summer! Fist pump for summer, anniversaries and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 4 Ways to Make Sure Your Bills Get Paid On Time from Beating Broke Step Up Your Grilling Game With These BBQ Blogs from Clever Dude Your Emergency Fund: Why You Need One And How […] Read more »

I’m excited to run a half marathon this weekend. As race day approaches, I’ve been peppered with the customary questions  from people wondering why I put myself through such an ordeal. My answer is really two parts.  First, I like running.  I like the feeling of accomplishment, the fact that it takes both physical and mental strength to finish. Second, as one of my favorite motivational speakers like to say, we should all do difficult things. Doing difficult things gives you the mental perspective that you can do anything you put your mind to.  Running a long race once or […] Read more »

I was reminded this week how valuable good insurance is.  My daughter had her wisdom teeth taken out, total bill coming to about $2500.  After my insurance was applied, my bill was $513, which I paid for with pre-tax funds from my HSA.  Since the HSA funds were deducted from my paychecks, I can’t say the procedure required zero out of pocket funds.  But I can say not one penny was taken out of checking or savings, and there was zero impact to my monthly budget. Fist pump for good insurance, HSA funds, and my favorite posts of the week! […] Read more »

We’re rolling up on another weekend, EOD Nation!  My neighbors have twin girls graduating from high school this year, and their graduation party is tomorrow.  They’re doing brunch for food, and asked if I would make omelets for their guests using a propane fueled flattop in their garage.  Cooking omelets on a flattop outside?  That’s an emphatic “YES” for me.  Can’t wait! Fist pump for omelets and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Tipping On Carryout Orders – Yay Or Nay? from Money Beagle How to Sell Your Old Mobile Devices for Cash from […] Read more »