Yesterday was the last day of school for the kids, so summer vacation is officially underway.    I think I’m just as excited as they are as I get three months of not having to go through the morning routine of pulling kids out of bed, making sack lunches, and making sure they get to the bus stop on time.  We all get to sleep in a little longer, and our daily pace can slow down just a little bit.  I’m looking forward to some lazy afternoons by the pool at our health club, and evenings sitting on the deck with […] Read more »

Our spending the last two weekends have been all about celebrations.  Two weekends ago our son got confirmed, so we hosted a celebration with family and friends at our home.  Last weekend we hosted our 17th annual Memorial Weekend party.   In June the focus will shift towards purchasing some things for the family.  Vonnie and I made a list of things that we need and/or want. First up, this weekend both Vonnie and Tristan will be getting some much needed new tennis shoes. The entire family is due for eye exams.  Vonnie will get new glasses and Tristan a fresh […] Read more »

Vonnie and I are in full party planning mode for the 17th Annual Pizel Memorial Weekend Party.  I’m off of work today to fire up my smoker and BBQ my way to some pulled pork and brisket.  So if you’re anywhere near South Eastern Minnesota this weekend, stop on by we’d love to have you.  🙂 Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Carrots for CareOne from A Straight Talk On Debt in the CareOne user community The Blog Post I’ve Been Waiting to Write from Blonde On a Budget MagicJack Reviews: 30 Day Free Trial of MagicJack Plus from Three […] Read more »

On May 2nd, we had 15 inches of snow dumped on us.  On May 14th temperatures soared into the middle 90s.  My son, who inexplicably is somehow 14 years old already and will be entering high school next year, is being confirmed this weekend. Life is crazy. Even more crazy, we received a flyer in the mail for that 14 year old son to signup for driver’s training.  $350.  Really?  My public school supplied that class for free for everyone when I was his age.  I could just say it’s too expensive and not have him do it, but in […] Read more »

It’s been a crazy weather week here in Minnesota.  On Tuesday we were outside in shorts and t-shirts enjoying 75 degree weather at my son’s baseball practice.  Yesterday I had to throw on my winter jacket and boots to shovel 13.5 inches of snow that got dumped on us from the largest snow storm ever to hit Minnesota in May. On the financial front,  my freelancing income got a boost in April as I picked a few new pieces of work.   Extra income is always good, and provides some additional breathing room in our financial picture! Time to give out […] Read more »

Our finances feel very strange at the moment.  We’re 4 days from payday, and we’re not trying to stretch every dollar trying to make it until the next infusion of income – which was the standard method of operation for so many years.    We have our budgeted amounts for groceries, gas, and allowance for the kids plus our own weekend entertainment fund.  Did I mention we have a baby emergency fund too?   That’s the power of sitting down and having twice a week budget discussions with Vonnie, making a detailed spending plan, and most importantly actually sticking to it. I […] Read more »

Uffda, it’s been a busy week!  For those of you not familiar with “uffda” it’s a Norwegian phrase, but I think you get the idea of what it means and it sums up my week pretty darned well.  One of the very cool things that happened this week was that I increased my flat bench press maximum weight during my strength training routines…..twice. That never happens.  Never. On Monday, I lifted 275lbs for the first time.  Yesterday I pushed 280.  I was super excited as this  is by far the strongest I’ve ever been.  I literally leaped off the bench […] Read more »

This weekend we will celebrate my daughter Tori’s 11th birthday.  I can easily see the bits of personality she has inherited from her mother and I.  She has her mother’s dramatic flair, compassion for others,  as well as her strong will (otherwise known as stubbornness).   She gets her work ethic and sense of humor from me.  🙂  She’s seriously one of my favorite people in the whole world to hang out with – you never know what that girl is going to come up with next. I worry sometimes about how our debt situation affects her, as she (like her […] Read more »

Last Friday was a very exciting milestone for my wife and I.  We made our 45th payment to our Debt Management Program, but more importantly according to the tracker tool we have 12 payments left.  Which means a year from now we will be DONE with our DMP, and will have paid off $109,000 of credit card debt.  As I thought about that, I teared up a little.  Look, I’m a glass half full, optimistic, find the silver lining in everything kind of guy.  When I look back at the last 45 months, I think about all  the changes Vonnie […] Read more »

The kids are on spring break from now until April 8th.  Anyone want to start a pool as to how long it will take before the first “I’m BORED” is said?  I personally am excited for this weekend because there is a Minnesota personal finance blogger meetup (FinconMN) tomorrow in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.   We bloggers have an interesting work environment as we don’t get many opportunities to talk in person to other bloggers, so I’m really looking forward to it! Enough about my weekend, you came here for links, and I’m a giver so here you go: Posts That […] Read more »

I got an email from my daughter’s teacher telling me that Tori had a part in her Elementary School Assembly yesterday.  So Vonnie and I showed up to watch our daughter help teach her schoolmates about integrity.  What we didn’t know was that she was one of two people voted by her class as a person of integrity and would be receiving an award during the assembly. So. Proud. Of. Her. Another person that I’m extremely impressed with, and very fortunate to have met in person at last year’s Financial Blogger’s Conference, is Cait from Blonde on a Budget.  She’s […] Read more »

Another Valentine’s Day has come and gone.  Vonnie and I agreed not to get all caught up in the usual flowers, stuffed animals and sentimental cards.    Maybe when we’re out of debt we will re-instate a small Valentine’s Day gift exchange, but for now we just don’t think it is the wisest use of our money.  Here’s what I did do for her: Made her breakfast:  School day mornings are crazy busy.  I busted ass to get all the usual stuff done in order to make her and the kids a great breakfast, including heart shaped pancakes. We already had […] Read more »