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 »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 3/29
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 Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 3/22
It’s March Madness time! Yeah, I’m not much of a college basketball fan. I know the Minnesota Gophers made the tournament, so I might briefly be interested in seeing how they do. If you’re not interested in basketball, you could always checkout my favorite posts from the week, or just read them during halftime. Posts That Make Me Fist Pump: Are You Paralyzed With Fear Because You’re in Debt? from Celebrating Financial Freedom Message Monday: The Entitlement Donut from Money Plan SOS How People REALLY Get Rich (Versus How We Think They Do) from American Debt Project You Saved $128 […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 3/15
After a couple of weekends away from home I’m glad to have absolutely nothing going on this weekend. The agenda for this weekend is relax, relax, relax – oh, and do my taxes. Yuk. I’ve been procrastinating, because I know I’m going to have to pay in. If you’re procrastinating too, check out the articles below – that’ll blow through an hour easy! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump: Financial Thoughts and Personal Reflections at Age 35 from On Target Coach The Art of Communication About Money from CareOne Debt Relief Services Paying Down Debt is Boring from Couple Money […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 3/7
This week I celebrated my 3 year blogoversity. On March 3rd, 2010, my very first blog post went live in the CareOne Community. I can’t believe I’ve been writing about my family’s journey out of debt for three years! I was off work yesterday afternoon and today to be with my parents in Minneapolis as my mom is having back surgery to correct severe curvature of the spine. If you wouldn’t mind, send some positive thoughts this way for a speedy recovery. I don’t know why this is the case, but every time I need to take some […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 3/1
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 »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 2/22
You’ll have to forgive me, I’m a bit cranky at the moment. If you haven’t heard, winter storm Q is making its way through the Midwest (I have a brother-in-law in Omaha, Nebraska that is supposed to get up to 18 inches of snow!) I woke up this morning to find 5 inches new snow on the ground, with a couple more yet to come. Given the weather, I didn’t make my usual trip to the gym this morning. Not because I didn’t want to drive around in the snow, but because I knew that at 5:30am the school district […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 02/15
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 »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 02/08
Looks like Old Man Winter is aiming to put the smack down on the North East this weekend. In some ways I’m kind of jealous because we haven’t had much snow here in Minnesota this year. On the other hand, I am starting to think I’m just DONE with winter at this point. I’m ready for warmer weather and the ability to strap on my running shoes and head out on a crisp spring morning. Not that I mind running in colder weather, it’s a safety factor as the sidewalks are packed with snow and ice right now. I’m just […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 2/1
Three words for you: Super. Bowl. Sunday. I love Super Bowl Sunday and all that comes with it. Funny commercials, great food, good times with friends, and if the game is good that’s just the cherry on top. I have conflicting feelings about who to root for this year. Randy Moss (Receiver) is now a 49er, and he gave Viking fans a whole lot to cheer about for a lot of years. On the other hand, Matt Birk (Center) is a Raven, and I STILL can’t believe the Vikings let him go. Great player, great person. Both teams are also […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 1/11
It’s almost 40 this week in Minnesota, and the snow is melting. The weatherman tells me that big changes are in store for next week when some really cold air is supposed to make it’s way into the area. I hope we get some snow soon, as the sledding hill in the park behind my house is no longer usable. It’s been a very busy week for writing blog posts, but I still managed to do a fair amount of reading as well. As always, check out my favorites of the week below: Favorite Posts: Debt-Free and Afraid of […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 12/28 – It’s My Birthday!
You read correctly, today is my birthday! So, maybe just this once….. since it is my happy day and all, you could love me like a blogger? Hahaha! If you didn’t know it was my birthday, and completely neglected to get me a present, maybe I could guilt you into checking out the following posts and give their authors some love – because they totally deserve it! 🙂 Favorite Posts: Grit Your Teeth and Stay the Course from CareOne’s Straight Talk on Debt Reader’s Question: Handling Finances In Marriage With A Reluctant Spouse from Money Q & […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 12/14
Confession time: Vonnie and I haven’t even started our Christmas Shopping. That’s right, not a single gift has been purchased. The good news is, the kids have made their lists, and we have the cash – we just have to go get them. Anyone want to take a guess at what we’ll be doing this weekend? Favorite Posts Payday Loan Smackdown- Convenient or Ripoff? from Dr. Jason Cabler What do you mean I cannot return this? I don’t want a store credit from Free At 33 Sleep on the Pavement, Piss in a Bottle from My Broken Coin 2012 […] Read more »
I Love You Like a Blogger Roundup – 12/07
We’re a week into December and it’s officially the holiday season. Vonnie and I are hosting a family get together tomorrow for her side of the family which should prove to be a great time. I hate to admit this, but I really wish it would snow. Look, I’m as big of a summertime, warm weather fan as they come but if it’s going to be colder I’d rather there be snow on the ground instead of everything be all brown and dreary. Even my daughter agrees. Last night she said, “We’ll probably have another dirt Christmas.” She does have […] Read more »