In less than three weeks the Pizel family will be loading up the van and heading to Florida.  Our accommodations are paid for, and we’ve been saving up our spending money.  In my last paycheck I got an extra bump due to some patent activity awards that came in.  That’s extra cash that will definitely come in handy on our trip! Fist pump for bonus cash, and for my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Gently Used Car from Debt Discipline 4 Tips To Stop Living Paycheck To Paycheck from MoneyNing 5 Simple Ways To […] Read more »

I’ve got a treat for you today, EOD Nation!  This debt thing that we talk about here on EOD isn’t just a US thing….it’s worldwide.  I’ve got a friend who lives in the UK who put her nose to the grindstone and paid off a ridiculous amount of debt.  Now, she wants to share how she did it, and how you can apply the same principles to rid your life of debt FOREVER.  Part one of a multi-post series of how to do it is up right now.  It’s relatable,  it’s detailed, and it comes from her personal experiences.  I […] Read more »

I did something last night that I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.   I registered for a class to become a certified competition BBQ judge!  It’s just a 4 hour class, and I have to travel about an hour north to the University of Minnesota, but it’s going to be so much freaking fun.  I don’t necessarily want to actually judge a competition (although that would be AWESOME).  I thought that learning how BBQ is judged, I might get some tips on what competition BBQ tastes like, and what is expected of it in order to improve my […] Read more »

My family is going on a trip to Florida for spring break at the end of March.  We’re actually going with some family and friends, and we’re renting a house together for the week.  The payment for the house rental is due, so today I’m writing out a check for what we owe.  Paid in full using funds stashed away in the bank because THAT, my friends, is what is possible when you’re not under the crushing weight of debt. Fist pump for vacations paid in full, AND my favorite posts of the week Posts That Make Me Fist Pump […] Read more »

Happy Valentine’s weekend, EOD Nation!  In addition to celebrating love (I hope your plans have been properly vetted for value!), with the end of the NFL season it’s time to construct a project list, and get busy.  My daughter gets confirmed in May, which means a large gathering of family to celebrate the event.  I’m not sure why family gatherings of such proportion requires extra cleaning, painting and other home related projects, but at this point, I just accept it. Fist pump for home projects (what?) and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump You […] Read more »

Earlier this week brought the end of January, as well as the conclusion of the first month with a reduced blogging workload.  I have to tell you, I didn’t realize just how much of my time it was taking up until  I was able to back off a little due to the promotion and raise received within my full time career.  I had been redlining for a couple of years, and it feels GREAT to have a couple of evenings each week where I don’t do any blogging at all.  As a result, my stress level has plummeted. They say […] Read more »

I’m feeling a little lost about this weekend.  Normally I spend my Saturday grocery shopping, doing my long run, laundry and any cleaning or other tasks that need to be done. I do this so that my Sunday is completely wide open to watch football. Except there is no football on this weekend.  What will I do with myself? Of course I’m being a little tongue in cheek, as I won’t have any problem filling the void with family activities or projects around the home.  Maybe I’ll even fire up my smoker……… Fist pump for firing up the smoker AND […] Read more »

Tomorrow is my son’s birthday.  His 17th birthday.  How did that happen?  I’m almost positive that just a few days ago I was standing on a chair putting up Christmas decorations, telling a young toddler to stop hitting the cat with the staple gun.  That really happened (it was empty, just in case you were concerned).   Tonight he’s having all his friends over for a computer gaming party for a dual celebration as one of the other boys in the group shares the same birthday.  This particular friend has a computer, but it’s not the best for gaming.  So, the […] Read more »

I’ve been waiting for it, and it’s FINALLY going to happen.  The NFL season begins in September, when there’s still plenty of nice fall weather to take advantage of.  I feel bad sitting inside watching football when it’s so nice out.  Even when the weather turns colder, there’s fun stuff to do outside.  I long for weekends where the weather just begs you to stay inside. This weekend is that weekend. High temperatures will be in the single digits, wind chill readings way below zero.  It is the PERFECT weekend to whip up a pot of chilli, plop my hind […] Read more »

Happy New Year, EOD Nation!  With a start of  a new year will come a lot of talk of starting over and wiping the slate clean.  While January 1st IS a great way to signify the starting point to achieve new goals and change your behavior, I encourage you to NOT forget the mistakes and the lessons learned in 2015 (and the years before that).  Take your experiences that have made you who you are, and use them as the foundation for a BETTER and IMPROVED you in 2016 in finances, health, or just flat out being a better person. […] Read more »

Merry Christmas, EOD Nation!  The Pizel family just completed the opening of gifts, and the kids are off trying on clothes, playing new games, and texting their friends sharing what was under the tree.  I hope you got everything you wanted this year, including some quality time with your family and friends. Fist Pump for Christmas!!! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 16 Cheap Ways to Ring in the New Year from Young Adult Money 7 Reasons Why You Can’t Get Out of Debt from The Frugal Farmer Financially Stressed? Give Yourself This Gift from I Heart Budgets The Other […] Read more »

With one week to go until Christmas, I’d put our shopping at about 50% complete.  I sat down and ordered everything  I could online at the beginning of the week, and the packages are starting to roll in.  Vonnie and I will be finishing the rest over the weekend, and then next week is a short work week.  Two days of work, then I’m off until January 4th.  To add to that awesomeness, my birthday is the 28th.  Anyone want to take a guess at how old you think I am??? Fist pump for holidays, vacation, birthdays AND my favorite […] Read more »

I can’t believe how late we are with our Christmas present shopping.  I’ve really put the screws to my kids for ideas of things they want…I mean we have some good ideas tucked away, but we need some help since both my kids are teenagers and their wants are locked deeply inside their “my parents just don’t get me,” brains.  I was able to get my son to deliver a wish list last night, and to be honest I was REALLY excited. Remember my hope that I could do much of my shopping online?   EVERYTHING on his list would need […] Read more »