The BEST 2008 has to offer...

Below is a quote that I was reminded of today. I like it. We could save ourselves a great deal of emotional energy by using this quote to determine who our friends are and what lives we will involve ourselves in.

We should be able to see the best in each other....we should have friends that see the best in us....that encourage us to be better....that make us want to be better.

2008 - new year, new chance to be the best we can be. A new opportunity to define OR re-define the relationships in our lives....to only surround ourselves with people who call forth our very best.

Our friends see the best in us,

and by that very fact

call forth the best from us.

Be brave...be willing to say "Good bye" to someone or "Hello" to another.

AKM

"I see debt people"

Had to post about Dave Ramsey. I started to listening to him on XM Satellite Radio - Channel 165 a few months ago. I have listened to many "finance" people - Suze Orman, Jean Chatzky, etc. By far, Dave Ramsey and his plan is the best. (In my humble, but most accurate opinion)

First of all, Dave has been there (has lost everything, pursued by creditors, sued, etc.) AND he treats people with empathy and compassion. He ministers just as much as he gives sound advice.

To me, his plan is simple and it makes sense. His Baby Steps give you an instant plan and priority regarding your money.

Baby Steps are as follows:

1. $1,000.00 in an "Emergency Fund" ($500 if income under 20K/yr.)
2. Pay-off all debt utilizing the "Debt Snowball" - except the house (making all future purchases with cash)
3. 3-6 months of expenses in savings
4. Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement savings.
5. College funding
6. Pay-off home early
7. Build Wealth (Mutual Funds/Real Estate)

I have never approached debt quite like this and so far it is really working for me. I have always been a "budgeter", but I now feel like I understand what my goals should be.

I strongly encourage any reader to go to Dave's website and purchase some books and learn what he has to say. (Just click on his name above).

Dave's plan is not just about paying off debt - it's about living debt free. Paying cash for every single thing...car, house, etc. He has done that for the past 10 years and I feel it can be done by anyone.

Life is too short to be living paycheck to paycheck OR to be in a situation where you can't take off work to have a baby or be sick. Most people live this way.........I chose not to!

Dave's motto:

Live like no one else so that later you can live like no one else.

Sounds good to me!

AKM

Let's get WEIRD!

I know it's been awhile since I have posted, but had to pass along some WEIRD news that my friend, HLC, told me about tonight.

Barnes and Noble is having a great sale and right now you can buy any book in the Weird Series for just $9.97. Original Price is $19.97. There are 22 books in the series and I highly recommend them all. I have at least 6 and plan on getting the rest. They are interesting and fun. They make great gifts.

Check them out. If you are clever and find some coupon codes, enter a B&N membership number, you can save even more money. Orders over $25.00 are shipped for free! Orders over $75.00 include a free gift if you put the gift in your cart. (Right now it's the Sports Backpack)

So, try the Weird Series....you won't be sorry! If you don't see your state or are in doubt of which one to get, try Weird U.S. for starters.

Let's get WEIRD, people!

AKM

Guess What?!

Nope.

Guess again.

Uh, NO!

Come on people!

Alright, I'll tell you.

I AM A HOME OWNER!!!

It was made official Friday at 1650 and I couldn't be more excited.

I can't believe it though. I just can't believe that I finally own my own home and I don't have to worry about answering to someone about what I do to it or when I leave, etc......

It's going to take me a while to wrap my brain around home ownership.

My goal is to be in MY HOUSE the 31st - my birthday. Can't think of a better gift.

Happy Birthday to me! :)

Thanks for all your prayers and encouragement through one of the most difficult processes I have ever been through.

Fought the "Big Bad Wolf" and won!

I'll post my before and after pics once the home improvements are finished.

AKM

Reality check

Had a sobering moment today watching the news. Brought me to tears quite frankly.

The story was out of Iraq. The first thing I saw was a disabled man in a wheelchair with a huge smile on his face because he was able to buy a block of ice for $2.00. That was it. Victory over a block of ice smaller than his lap.

It's 130 degrees in Iraq. In this particular city there is no electricity and no running water. What remains are children that have heat rashes and water that makes them sick.

There was one shot in the new story where a sweet five year old boy snuck a little piece of ice while his mother's back was turned. Sneaking ice....not money out of the wallet or a fist full of cookies....just frozen water.

Story just stopped me in my tracks. What do I have to complain about? What?! NOTHING. I can go buy 10 bags of ice right now, sit in my air conditioned home, lay back in a tub full of water to relax, drink water out of the tap without getting sick, turn on my lights...

I will not make a political statement on the war in Iraq and will quite frankly delete any comment posted that may be political. All I know is that there are people suffering, children who don't know what it's like to have a fun day playing in the water, running in the house for a popscicle.

Let's take it one step further. We have soldiers that are covered in gear standing in 130 degrees, separated from their families, day in and day out. All of that for you and me.

So, what were you going to complain about today? Me? Nothing now. I plan on giving thanks and praying for those sweet babies in Iraq and our dear soldiers.

AKM