My daughter took her driver’s license road test today. Unfortunately, her dreams of having the freedom to drive herself wherever she wants to go will have to wait.  She didn’t pass. Needless to say, she was crushed. While this holds off rising insurance costs for little while longer, quite frankly I’d gladly pay them to take away the disappointment.  She tries again in two weeks – time to practice! We can still fist pump my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 10 *Downsides* to Early Retirement from Budgets Are Sexy 8 Highly Successful People Who […] Read more »

Yesterday was my daughter’s first day at her first job! She worked in a food vending stand for a local restaurant on a summertime weekly street event hosted by our downtown business association. She wrapped burgers, served food, and whatever else they needed. She worked hard for just over four hours, and was exhausted by the time she was done. I was so proud of her, and can’t wait until she gets her first paycheck! Fist pump for first jobs, and for my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 7 Ways to Save on Groceries […] Read more »

This weekend is shaping up to be exactly what I need after having over 150 people at my house last weekend for our annual Memorial Weekend Party.  I mowed my lawn last night, I’m making some pulled pork on the smoker today for a benefit and tomorrow?  Tomorrow is going to be cool and rainy all day.  I plan to spend the entire day sitting on the couch recovering and recharging my batteries.  I’ve never been so happy to have absolutely no plans. Fist pump for lazy weekends and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist […] Read more »

My son is home from college for the summer and my daughter wraps up her sophomore year of high school in a few weeks.  This all means it’s time to switch our budget into summer mode.   The grocery budget will have to be increased to account for feeding a hungry college student and more snacks will be needed since the kids will be at home more.  It’s all part of the process known as life, we just gotta roll with it and plan accordingly! Fist pump for summer vacation, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me […] Read more »

I’ve spent a little bit of time each night this week working on installing my new garage door opener.  I’ve run into several roadblocks that have required additional hardware (like a rail extension kit for a larger door, and more iron angle to rehang the new opener in a new location), but I’m making progress.  Hoping to finish today.  I started to wonder if all the aggravation and time was worth it, so I got some price quotes for how much it would cost to have someone in, and found I’m saving at least $200 by doing it myself.  SCORE! […] Read more »

As soon as I finish this post, I’m heading out of town to my mother-in-law’s retirement party.  She’s done the calculations and determined she’s financially set to retire.  That must be a GREAT feeling!!!  Congrats to my mother-in-law for making it to the promised land! Fist pump for retirement, being financially set, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Do These 7 Things to Save More for Retirement This Year What Are We Doing to Help Us Save a Bundle on Groceries? 5 Ways to Deal With Financial Stress and Improve Your Finances 13 […] Read more »

I look for it every year, and I’m never disappointed.  The great spring charcoal sale is on at Walmart.  Twin pack 15 pound bags (30 pounds total) for $7.88.  This is a GREAT deal, and over 50% off the regular price of a bag of charcoal.  You have to be careful though, as they always have twin pack 18 pound bags (36 pounds total) for double the price.   I’ve got 300 pounds so far, and I might pick up a few more bags to last me the entire year until the sale next spring! Fist pump for cheap charcoal, AND […] Read more »

I’m currently on vacation in sunny Florida with my family.  I can’t think of a trip I’ve taken in my life in which I’ve been more happy to have been away from home.  While I’ve been basking in the sun at the beach in temperatures close to 80, my home state of Minnesota got slammed with a late season snow storm that dumped 8 inches of snow. Fist pump for missing snow storms, and for my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 9 Money Goals Everyone Should Have from Money Beagle 9 Best Apps to […] Read more »

My daughter will be turning 16 in just a few short weeks, and what she wants for her birthday is to have a dance with her friends.  Nothing fancy or elaborate, just a big open space with music and order pizza.  We found a building on our county fair grounds that has lots of parking, big space, and reasonable to rent.  While I thought we were done with the whole big birthday party scene, we want to do this for her sweet sixteen party.   Even though it is rather reasonable, it’s still not a trivial amount of money.  I agreed […] Read more »

We’re preparing for one last gasp from Winter here  in Minnesota.  A snow storm is supposed to roll in later today, dumping heavy wet snow on us.  But as normal, there’s a bit of uncertainty in that the temps may stay warm enough where it’s mainly rain.  I’m all for that at this point.  I’d rather have the liquid form of precipitation fall today and tonight and the sun come out tomorrow.   Come on, Spring! Raise those fists to Spring, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 10 Habits to Change to Save Money […] Read more »

I went into my mechanical room yesterday to clean out my cats’ litter box, and found water leaking from the water heater.  We have an appliance repair service plan, so I called to have a person come look at it.  Unfortunately, he gave me bad news.  The tank had cracked,  and after 14 years of serving us faithfully, our water heater needed to be replaced.  So today I’ve been working from the kitchen table as I watch a new water heater be installed, at a price of about $1800. At least I can still fist pump for my favorite posts […] Read more »

Alright, friends, I’ve finally reached my breaking point.  It happens every year, but this year I held out all the way until March.  I’m officially sick of winter.  I want no more cold, sleet, ice, snow, blizzards or snowdrifts.  I’m done shoveling.  Just done.  Bring on the spring weather, the smell of freshly cut grass and the warm sun beating down on my freshly shaven head.  I know that there’s likely a snow storm or two still in our future for the season, but at least I have a trip to Florida to look forward to in less than 3 […] Read more »

Have you done your taxes yet?  I’m usually not very excited to do my taxes, as I’ve owed money the last few years.  Last year I changed my withholdings such that I was really close to breaking even.  This year, however, I will get a tax credit for a portion of the tuition paid under the American Tax Opportunity Credit.  I’m actually looking forward to doing my taxes this year! Fist pump for tax refunds, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 6 Reasons Why Debt is Like a Financial STD from FI Me […] Read more »