As a software engineer, I have to come up with innovative ways to solve problems in the code that I write.  Sometimes that creativity leads  to patent applications.  One of the perks of my job is that my employer gives us a monetary award for each idea that is deemed worthy of a patent application by the legal team.   In the last month I’ve had two such ideas marked as requiring a patent application, which will result in a nice bump in funds in an upcoming paycheck.    Within the personal finance circles there’s a lot of talk about unexpected expenses […] Read more »

We’ve had several events in the last few months that has consumed a lot of time, energy, focus………and money.  First there was our son’s confirmation, then our annual Memorial Weekend get together, our anniversary, this week’s 4th of July family outing all leading up to Vonnie’s birthday tomorrow.  After that we have nothing major in the calendar for months.  I have loved each of these events for different reasons, and tomorrow’s birthday celebration will be fun as well.  But I cannot tell you how relieved I will be have all of this in our rear view mirror and we can […] Read more »

This weekend Vonnie and I will celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary!  I’m take great pride and joy in our wedding anniversaries given all the adversity that we have endured the last four years as we have worked to pay off our mountain of credit card debt.  Marriage takes a lot of work without having the added stress of financial issues.  I love my wife so much for so many reasons – especially for sticking with me during this very trying time.  Not only are we still together and still fighting, but our marriage is stronger, and we are a better […] Read more »

There’s an eerie calmness with my finances right now.   Things are going reasonably well, we have no big expenses coming up, and nothing exciting has occurred in awhile.   I’m not exactly sure how to feel about it, but I’m trying to convince myself to just relax and enjoy the summer.  I’m going to give it a shot, but I’ve always got one eye on the lookout for something brewing on the horizon….. Alright, EOD nation, let’s get this Friday rollin’ with some fist pumps: Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Party Like You’re a 72-Year-Old Retiree from Afford […] Read more »

Happy Friday, EOD Nation! A strange thing happened to me during the week.  Before the last payment to our debt management program, we had 11 months left.  So naturally I thought after the funds from May’s payment were distributed to our creditors there would be 10 months remaining.  To my surprise the program tracker now says there are  NINE months remaining.   If that’s accurate, that means our DMP would be complete in February of next year!!! If that doesn’t get you fist pumping, I know what will, check out my favorite posts of the week: Posts That Make Me Fist […] Read more »

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 »