Happy Friday, EOD Nation! Today is my last fun day in sunny Florida. Tomorrow we begin the drive back to Minnesota. While I’m sad to see the end of a fantastic vacation with a great group of friends, I’m excited to get back home and into my normal life routine. We’ve had great weather, a ton of fun, AND we’ve stayed on budget. Quite frankly, under budget. How often does THAT happen? Fist pump for great vacations, staying under budget, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Save Money on the Grocery Budget by […] Read more »

Greetings from the road, EOD Nation! The family and I are on a road trip to Destin, Florida for our annual spring break vacation.  The hotel we’re at tonight had free food available in the lobby tonight including breadsticks, salad, and soup.  Instead we opted to go out to a Mexican restaurant, and the food was subpar.  We should have just stuck with the free food at the hotel.  Lesson learned, you just don’t pass up free food! Fists up for my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Comparing Annual Household Expenses from Money Beagle […] Read more »

Well, here we go again.  Another snow storm is forecasted to hit Minnesota this weekend. The snow totals from this system will likely push this season’s snow total into record territory as the snowiest winter ever recorded in my city.  The county’s salt stock piles are depleted, and the supplier is unable to send more. This doesn’t bode well for road conditions in the near future. But, on the bright side, I don’t mind being holed up in my warm and comfy house! Now get your fists up for my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist […] Read more »

One down, two to go. I filed my son’s tax return this morning, which was accepted by the IRS within minutes. Next up, I’ll do my daughters (which will take minutes), and start gathering the data for my own. Hoping to mark taxes completely off the todo list this weekend. Fist pump for putting another tax season in the rear view mirror, and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump 10 Ways to Simplify Your Finances to Save a Ton of Time and Money from Couple Money 6 Ways We’re Saving Money After Buying a […] Read more »

This is the snowiest February on record here in Minnesota, and we’re not done yet.  Another major snow storm is forecasted this weekend, and potentially more next week before the end of the month. We’ve had snow day after snow day from school, and the white stuff is piling up everywhere.  On the positive side, it’s easy on the budget since it’s hard to spend money when you’re stuck at home! Fist pump for snowstorms (I think?) and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Where’s My Tax Refund? How to Check Your Status from […] Read more »

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day.  Some people go way over the top to buy stuffed animals, flowers, jewelry, and other things for their significant other. If that’s what you want to do, and you have the money for it, more power to you. I bought my wife a $3 jumbo card (poster sized!) and a $5 bag of Lindor Chocolate Truffles (she loves them). We did go out to eat, but we used discount cards I bought at Costco, AND the money to buy them came out of last weekend’s discretionary funds. So, my total Valentine’s Day budget was $8.  My […] Read more »

I was reminded recently just how much I love my carpet cleaner. My two cats seem to enjoy throwing up anywhere they please, the stains difficult to get out. I pulled out my carpet cleaner and cleaned the carpet in our main living room while watching television last weekend. Replacing the carpet in just that one room would cost over $1000, having it professionally cleaned around $100, but with my own carpet cleaner I paid only for a $5 bottle of detergent. Fist pump for carpet cleaners and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump […] Read more »

I’ve barely left the house in a week. Thanks Polar Vortex. A few days ago the high temperature was -28 degrees. Things are finally starting to warm up a little and my wife wanted get out and do something.  We decided to go to dinner at our favorite restaurant – but not before we stopped at Costco to by a discounted gift card! Fist pump for warmer weather (relatively), and my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump Haggling or No Haggling When Buying a Car? from Beating Broke The Top Ten Other Words to Describe […] Read more »

I recently watched a motivational video in which the speaker explained the way to find your passion is to try a bunch of things and see what you find most interesting. Then, keep doing it to see if it develops into a passion, or if it’s just something that’s “meh.”  I’ve been smoking meat for close to 10 years now, and I think I’m safe in saying it’s one of my passions.  This weekend, I’m going to try a new challenge.  I’m going to smoke a pork belly.  I hear if it’s done right, it will be the best pulled […] Read more »

I’m working from home today, and writing this from my kitchen table watching it snow outside.  It’s been a mild winter with warmer than normal temps and very little snow thus far. While that’s about to change (arctic blast headed our way next week), the warmer temperatures have significantly reduced my utility bills. While I’m a big believer in snowy winters, I don’t mind the extra cash in my budget this far into the winter. Huge fist pump for lower utility bills AND my favorite posts of the week! Posts That Make Me Fist Pump The Government Shutdown is Every […] Read more »

Happy New Year, EOD Nation!  2019 is young and full of potential.  Personally, I’m putting a renewed focus on my health, looking to lose about 40 pounds and run a half marathon (already registered) in June. I’ve also got some financial goals, including pumping up that emergency fund! I have fun events already planned (and paid for!) in 2019 including seeing one of my favorite bands in concert, a trip to Florida with a large group of friends, and a four day music festival in northern Minnesota. I’m sure more fun and exciting things will pop up, but 2019 is […] Read more »

Happy birthday to me, happy birthday to me! As of today, my heart’s been beating for 45 years.  I’m hoping for at least another 45 and have plenty to look forward to.  My future is bright, and I always believe my future is going to be better than my past (and my past has been pretty great).  Keep on loving life, EOD Nation! Fist pump to birthdays, bright futures, and my favorite posts of the week! Post That Make Me Fist Pump 10 Tips To Nail Your New Years Resolutions from Money Beagle Stop Giving Markets Your Attention from Boomer […] Read more »