Financial Peace University, the financial plan for debt repayment associated with Dave Ramsey, will be offered at Truth and Life Center 1924 West Pulaski Highway, North East, MD 21901. The preview will be 3/31 at 7:30 pm with classes beginning on 4/12. It will be held on Monday nights at 7 pm. If you go to Dave Ramsey’s web site and click on classes, search for it and you can sign up on line.
This weekend the Calvert Grange is featuring free (or for a donation) bluegrass gospel music and food. The donation goes towards rental of the grange and the cost of food. It is from 4 – 9 pm.
Goodwill in Elkton is having their half off clothing sale this Sunday. The web site has hours of 11 am – 6 pm for Sundays but you may want to call and see if they open early on this Sunday.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Envy
I know why envy is one of the Seven Deadly Sins. I found out first-hand what envy can do to relationships. I lost my closest friend over a dozen years ago, due to envy. I know that I need to always control and keep a check on this terrible character defect. Otherwise it can not only damage my relationships but land me into terrible financial trouble.
Many of you know envy under the other, more modern name of “keeping up with the Joneses”. This is just another name for envy. I have never really aspired to keep up with the Joneses. I don’t care what type of car I drive. (For years, we drove a 15 year old Corolla that looked terrible. My daughter would still be driving it if she didn’t crash it.) We lived in a rented townhouse for 3 years. My furniture is about 14 years old (and it is starting to look it! Thanks, doggy). I didn’t want to keep up with anyone because I didn’t have those values.
A few days ago I heard that someone I am related to is going to Europe for Spring break week. Not just one of them but this couple is taking their 3 children with them for the week. That is MY dream! I WANT to go to Europe! I have wanted this for years. About 8 years ago, I almost took off for a week, on my own, and financed my trip with a credit card. (Good sense intervened before that happened!) I have my first trip all figured out. I know where I am going, what I am seeing, etc. Why can’t I go? Why can everyone else go? I ENVY my relatives.
Last week, when my husband told me about our relatives going to Europe, it sparked my envy but it also got me thinking about our financial goals. When we sat down and discussed our goals this past weekend, I found out my husband has very few financial goals (really none). We discussed his personal goals and we discussed mine. His personal goals didn’t involve money. Mine did (ut-oh!). I am not materialistic but I have my dreams. They involve getting my house looking nice, going to Europe, and a few other things.
But the fact remains that I can’t achieve those dreams yet because I must clear up our debt. When I get that cleared up, when we have a large emergency fund, I will be able to make my dreams come true. Until then, I will use these goals as the carrot on the end of the financial stick to motivate me to become debt free. I don’t like envy but I am willing to use it and turn it into the motivation that keeps me on track to clean up our financial house. Then I won’t have to envy anyone because I will be able to make my dreams come true!
What role does envy play in your life? Is it a motivator or is it what got you into trouble?
Many of you know envy under the other, more modern name of “keeping up with the Joneses”. This is just another name for envy. I have never really aspired to keep up with the Joneses. I don’t care what type of car I drive. (For years, we drove a 15 year old Corolla that looked terrible. My daughter would still be driving it if she didn’t crash it.) We lived in a rented townhouse for 3 years. My furniture is about 14 years old (and it is starting to look it! Thanks, doggy). I didn’t want to keep up with anyone because I didn’t have those values.
A few days ago I heard that someone I am related to is going to Europe for Spring break week. Not just one of them but this couple is taking their 3 children with them for the week. That is MY dream! I WANT to go to Europe! I have wanted this for years. About 8 years ago, I almost took off for a week, on my own, and financed my trip with a credit card. (Good sense intervened before that happened!) I have my first trip all figured out. I know where I am going, what I am seeing, etc. Why can’t I go? Why can everyone else go? I ENVY my relatives.
Last week, when my husband told me about our relatives going to Europe, it sparked my envy but it also got me thinking about our financial goals. When we sat down and discussed our goals this past weekend, I found out my husband has very few financial goals (really none). We discussed his personal goals and we discussed mine. His personal goals didn’t involve money. Mine did (ut-oh!). I am not materialistic but I have my dreams. They involve getting my house looking nice, going to Europe, and a few other things.
But the fact remains that I can’t achieve those dreams yet because I must clear up our debt. When I get that cleared up, when we have a large emergency fund, I will be able to make my dreams come true. Until then, I will use these goals as the carrot on the end of the financial stick to motivate me to become debt free. I don’t like envy but I am willing to use it and turn it into the motivation that keeps me on track to clean up our financial house. Then I won’t have to envy anyone because I will be able to make my dreams come true!
What role does envy play in your life? Is it a motivator or is it what got you into trouble?
Review of Four Local Thrift Stores
I have noticed in the past year that several local thrift stores have opened up. These are business ventures by people and not for raising money for charitable causes such as Goodwill or the Elkton Nearly New Shop. On Saturday I was what my mother calls “on a mission”. My mission was to find a pair of size 8 rain boots. I decided to go and check out several stores that I saw on route 40.
The first store is located in downtown North East. The Nifty Thrift is located at 1 Mauldin Ave. This is the second time I have been by there trying to go in. It was closed at 1 pm on a Saturday. I did not see store hours posted. I will try to get there to review it.
I then drove East on Route 40 and stopped in at the next store, Diane’s Thrift Shop, at 1610 West Pulaski Highway. It is in a yellow, one story building on the right if you are traveling east. It is easy to tell if she is open because she puts out a few racks of clothes in front. I enjoyed my visit to her store. The owner is a very nice person and answered the few questions that I had. Right now she is having 50% off of clothes. She has very few women’s things size 18 and above, although she plans to have these in the future. The store is a mish mash of EVERYTHING although mostly clothing. I saw house wares, toys, books, videos, DVDs and even an old style sump pump! Her prices are very reasonable. The quality of the clothes varies. I bought a sweater for $2 but no boots. Those went in the snow she said. I plan to go back frequently.
Next, I continued on down the road to Handy Andy’s Thrift Store. The first thing I noticed was that the store smelled like cigarette smoke. They have very few clothes for sale so that is a good thing. What I found was a collection of collectibles, house wares, furniture, toys and tools. A man was busy in the tool section and said to my daughter and me, “That is the best part of the store!” Indeed, if you need hardware or tools, check out what Handy Andy has available. I did not buy anything here but enjoyed looking at all the stuff. I also found the owner’s pictures on My Space so you can see get an idea of what the store offers.
I didn’t find any address information but it is on the Eastbound side of Route 40 just before you get to Ace Hardware.
Next we went to the New 2 You Consignment Shop in Elton. I will review this in a separate entry since it is not a thrift store.
Lastly, we went to Goodwill, the old staple of thrift stores. I love the goods they have at Goodwill. I hate the prices. I let my daughter buy 2 blouses. One was $8 and the other was $6. The $8 blouse was in the boutique area of the store and that was why it was so expensive. However, this Thursday from 8 pm to 12 pm, Goodwill is having Midnight Madness where everything in the store in 50% off. I have to pick my son up at school at 10 pm, so I intend to stop at 9 or so and shop. Maybe I will see you there?
The first store is located in downtown North East. The Nifty Thrift is located at 1 Mauldin Ave. This is the second time I have been by there trying to go in. It was closed at 1 pm on a Saturday. I did not see store hours posted. I will try to get there to review it.
I then drove East on Route 40 and stopped in at the next store, Diane’s Thrift Shop, at 1610 West Pulaski Highway. It is in a yellow, one story building on the right if you are traveling east. It is easy to tell if she is open because she puts out a few racks of clothes in front. I enjoyed my visit to her store. The owner is a very nice person and answered the few questions that I had. Right now she is having 50% off of clothes. She has very few women’s things size 18 and above, although she plans to have these in the future. The store is a mish mash of EVERYTHING although mostly clothing. I saw house wares, toys, books, videos, DVDs and even an old style sump pump! Her prices are very reasonable. The quality of the clothes varies. I bought a sweater for $2 but no boots. Those went in the snow she said. I plan to go back frequently.
Next, I continued on down the road to Handy Andy’s Thrift Store. The first thing I noticed was that the store smelled like cigarette smoke. They have very few clothes for sale so that is a good thing. What I found was a collection of collectibles, house wares, furniture, toys and tools. A man was busy in the tool section and said to my daughter and me, “That is the best part of the store!” Indeed, if you need hardware or tools, check out what Handy Andy has available. I did not buy anything here but enjoyed looking at all the stuff. I also found the owner’s pictures on My Space so you can see get an idea of what the store offers.
I didn’t find any address information but it is on the Eastbound side of Route 40 just before you get to Ace Hardware.
Next we went to the New 2 You Consignment Shop in Elton. I will review this in a separate entry since it is not a thrift store.
Lastly, we went to Goodwill, the old staple of thrift stores. I love the goods they have at Goodwill. I hate the prices. I let my daughter buy 2 blouses. One was $8 and the other was $6. The $8 blouse was in the boutique area of the store and that was why it was so expensive. However, this Thursday from 8 pm to 12 pm, Goodwill is having Midnight Madness where everything in the store in 50% off. I have to pick my son up at school at 10 pm, so I intend to stop at 9 or so and shop. Maybe I will see you there?
Friday, March 12, 2010
I have Lost my Goals
When trying to forge a financial path through the wilderness of money management, it is important to have a goal. A goal gives you a place to work towards and a place to know that you have achieved something in the end. When my 4 children were younger, we had a goal. I wanted to be home with them as much as financially possible. In order to do that, we had to pinch every penny so I wouldn’t have to work full time. In the past few years, as my children grew up, the goals shifted to getting a full time job with benefits and to buying a house.
Today, I realized that I had several vague financial goals. They are not clearly defined. They are also my vague goals. I am married and my husband and I have yet to discuss our goals since we bought our house last year. I don’t know what, if any, financial goals he has. (I tend to think about these things and he doesn’t until I bring up the subject.) We are just floundering around and that isn’t good for us.
Financial goals change over time as your life changes. The goals you had at 25 aren’t the goals you will have at 35 (or even 30). Life is a very fluid, series of events, many of them life altering, and your goals in life, and financially, will change over time. If you are in a committed relationship where you share finances, then it is a good idea to sit down, every so often, and discuss with your partner/spouse what goals you both have. Forging a financial path together is the way to get both people committed to the goals. (It also creates good harmony)
This weekend I hope to sit down with my husband and talk about our financial goals, both short term and long term. When this is done, we will know what must be done to set us on our chosen path.
Today, I realized that I had several vague financial goals. They are not clearly defined. They are also my vague goals. I am married and my husband and I have yet to discuss our goals since we bought our house last year. I don’t know what, if any, financial goals he has. (I tend to think about these things and he doesn’t until I bring up the subject.) We are just floundering around and that isn’t good for us.
Financial goals change over time as your life changes. The goals you had at 25 aren’t the goals you will have at 35 (or even 30). Life is a very fluid, series of events, many of them life altering, and your goals in life, and financially, will change over time. If you are in a committed relationship where you share finances, then it is a good idea to sit down, every so often, and discuss with your partner/spouse what goals you both have. Forging a financial path together is the way to get both people committed to the goals. (It also creates good harmony)
This weekend I hope to sit down with my husband and talk about our financial goals, both short term and long term. When this is done, we will know what must be done to set us on our chosen path.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Frugal Club – First Organizational Meeting!
I have reserved the meeting room in the North East Library on Tuesday, March 23rd, from 6 – 8 p.m. This is to hold the first meeting of the Cecil County Frugal Club. This is an organizational meeting. I am starting the club but I am, in no way, a leader. So, please come out and join me. At this point, I am hoping there are at least a few other people besides me at the meeting! I am bringing a frugal snack and don’t want to have to eat it all myself!
For more information, please read this web site about what a Frugal club is:
http://www.wisebread.com/entertainment-value-start-a-frugal-club
For more information, please read this web site about what a Frugal club is:
http://www.wisebread.com/entertainment-value-start-a-frugal-club
Wee Cycle Mart Comes to Perryville
The Wee Cycle Mart is holding a sale in Perryville at the outlets in the old L.L. Bean store. It is March 12-14. This semi-annual event sounds great and I wish they had this when my kids were young. If you need extra cash then clean out your kids items and sell them on consignment at the mart. Or just attend and buy what you need for the upcoming season.
I have never been to one of these and would love to have someone, who has attended a sale, talk about it in the comments section so we know if they are as good as they seem.
I have never been to one of these and would love to have someone, who has attended a sale, talk about it in the comments section so we know if they are as good as they seem.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Teen Agers and Wants
If you don’t have teen agers, this is still a good article to read. It pertains to wants and needs too!
My 17 year old daughter is going to have surgery next month. Until she has the surgery she needs to manage her pain. Her last trip to the doctor, she didn’t get any pain meds. That night she slept for about 4 hours. Her pain comes and goes but when it is here, she needs something for it. I asked her why she didn’t ask the doctor for pain meds. She told me she didn’t want to cost us any more money. She knows she is costing us a lot and didn’t want us to have to pay out more money.
Two things raced through my mind. The first is “what a horrible parent I am.” The second is “she doesn’t understand that we always have money for needs but often have to do without our wants.”
I apologized to her for making her think that we didn’t have the money for the medication. Then we had a long discussion about wants vs. needs. I told her we don’t have money for her to go with her cheerleading team and stay at a hotel overnight for a game. But I did have money to pay her medical bills. I don’t have money for her to roam around the countryside and use a quarter tank of gas like she did 2 nights ago. But I did have money to buy the pain medications. Then I asked her when we ever did without a need? We often tell her no when she asks for an unnecessary item (like fast food) but we have yet to say there is no money when she needs something.
It is important that teens, especially, understand the difference between wants and needs so they can be good money managers. Self control with money is a big issue at this age. (Self control with anything, really!) To be able to understand and differentiate a want from a need is a very important tool for good money management.
The pain meds cost $6. Less than a fast food meal.
My 17 year old daughter is going to have surgery next month. Until she has the surgery she needs to manage her pain. Her last trip to the doctor, she didn’t get any pain meds. That night she slept for about 4 hours. Her pain comes and goes but when it is here, she needs something for it. I asked her why she didn’t ask the doctor for pain meds. She told me she didn’t want to cost us any more money. She knows she is costing us a lot and didn’t want us to have to pay out more money.
Two things raced through my mind. The first is “what a horrible parent I am.” The second is “she doesn’t understand that we always have money for needs but often have to do without our wants.”
I apologized to her for making her think that we didn’t have the money for the medication. Then we had a long discussion about wants vs. needs. I told her we don’t have money for her to go with her cheerleading team and stay at a hotel overnight for a game. But I did have money to pay her medical bills. I don’t have money for her to roam around the countryside and use a quarter tank of gas like she did 2 nights ago. But I did have money to buy the pain medications. Then I asked her when we ever did without a need? We often tell her no when she asks for an unnecessary item (like fast food) but we have yet to say there is no money when she needs something.
It is important that teens, especially, understand the difference between wants and needs so they can be good money managers. Self control with money is a big issue at this age. (Self control with anything, really!) To be able to understand and differentiate a want from a need is a very important tool for good money management.
The pain meds cost $6. Less than a fast food meal.
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