Upon first looking at the title of this post, you might think that I am talking about food dieting. Heading into the holidays has always been a time of gluttonous pleasure; a time of forgiving sweaters to hide the evidence of too many mint mochas at Starbucks. And I can't say that today at my monthly book club meeting, which gathers at Cafe Brazil, that the thought of starting out my day with a slice of pumpkin cheesecake with a brownie crust didn't cross my mind. But today I am actually talking about a debt diet.
This economy has struck most everybody I know in one way or the other. And if it hasn't struck you personally, you probably know at least several people who have, in some way been affected. A friend of mine teaches free financial literacy classes and over the past year I have attended several, including "Recession Proofing Your Finances" and "How to Survive a Financial Crisis." This past week his organization had a financial literacy forum with panel guests that included Pamela Yip from the Dallas Morning News and Elizabeth Leamy, a regular contributor for Good Morning America and the author of "Save Big: Cut your top 5 costs and save thousands." I won't go too into all the knowledge that I gleaned at the forum (however, for anyone that is interested, I could talk your ear off on the brilliant why didn't I think of that? revelations).
Immediately after leaving the forum, I called Eric and proclaimed that we needed to go on a "debt diet." My friend had indicated that he and his wife tried an experiment of not going out to eat for...an...entire...month. It was almost a challenge to see if they could do it, but after the first month they saved over $1100. For everybody, a debt diet can be different. For our family, the money doesn't just fly out of the window in one particular area. We don't have just one vice that consumes our entire paycheck. For us, it is about feeling like not cooking one night at getting take-out instead. One night too many. It is about going to Target for a gallon of milk and leaving $60 poorer because we saw a tuxedo shirt that Liam just "couldn't live without."
Really, our attempted debt diet will be about generally reeling it in financially. Thinking once, twice, and maybe even a third time before we charge an item. Paying off debt where it exists. And realizing that, with any diet, you have to have realistic expectations of yourself. You can't be discouraged when you fall, and given the time of year, it will indeed be a challenge. In an effort to save big, I will definitely be more diligent about taking advantage of the deals around me. Pairing coupons with weekly sales. And not taking for granted little deals that hardly seem worth the effort of taking advantage of (i.e. not being so darn lazy).
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
18 Months
Yesterday Liam had his 18 month appointment with his pediatrician. It is still hard to believe that my little baby is now a big boy! He had several shots but remained in great spirits. He currently is in the 50th percentile for height and weight. His head is still in the 75-90th percentile.
He constantly amazes us with his energy. It is very common for us to have to chase him, pull him off of furniture and keep him from destroying the house. He is definitely all boy! Vocabulary wise he says about a dozen words and relies on signing to communicate a lot of his needs. He points to items all the time and says, "That?" He LOVES to look at himself in the mirror and flirt with the ladies. I think he will be a handful in his teenage years. He dances...all...the..time. He sings "Old McDonald" (really he mostly chimes in with E - I - E - I - O) and "Do Re Mi" from the Sound of Music. He loves turning on and off lights. He has recently become obsessed with our Swiffer (a man after my own heart), so I have to sneak-clean when he is around or he insists on pushing it around...for ever.
He is starting to mimic our actions. The other day I scolded Cooper for stealing a sock and he came up behind me and tried to spank Cooper (yikes). He copies me when I yawn or talk on my cell phone. He likes to comb his hair and brush his teeth. Going to the playground has become an obsession for him; one that usually ends in him melting down when we are forced to go home.
Because Liam has had so many ear infections, several of which have been back to back, this past Friday he had tubes inserted in his ears. During the procedure they also did a nasal scope to determine whether his adenoids had to be removed. If there was a blockage of 75% or more, the adenoids were going to be taken out. However, despite his persistent congestion, he was only about 30% blocked. I guess he is just destined to have cruddy allergies like his Mom and Dad. He is starting to feel a lot better and today was his final day of ear drops. I recently told one of my friends that putting ear drops in a baby's ears is akin to trying to give a cat a bath.
In other news, Eric has had a persistent cough for the past month resulting in an upper respiratory infection. I decided to add to the trifecta by getting a horrible stomach virus this past weekend. We hunkered down for a long, germy few days. Hopefully this next weekend is a lot better!
He constantly amazes us with his energy. It is very common for us to have to chase him, pull him off of furniture and keep him from destroying the house. He is definitely all boy! Vocabulary wise he says about a dozen words and relies on signing to communicate a lot of his needs. He points to items all the time and says, "That?" He LOVES to look at himself in the mirror and flirt with the ladies. I think he will be a handful in his teenage years. He dances...all...the..time. He sings "Old McDonald" (really he mostly chimes in with E - I - E - I - O) and "Do Re Mi" from the Sound of Music. He loves turning on and off lights. He has recently become obsessed with our Swiffer (a man after my own heart), so I have to sneak-clean when he is around or he insists on pushing it around...for ever.
He is starting to mimic our actions. The other day I scolded Cooper for stealing a sock and he came up behind me and tried to spank Cooper (yikes). He copies me when I yawn or talk on my cell phone. He likes to comb his hair and brush his teeth. Going to the playground has become an obsession for him; one that usually ends in him melting down when we are forced to go home.
Because Liam has had so many ear infections, several of which have been back to back, this past Friday he had tubes inserted in his ears. During the procedure they also did a nasal scope to determine whether his adenoids had to be removed. If there was a blockage of 75% or more, the adenoids were going to be taken out. However, despite his persistent congestion, he was only about 30% blocked. I guess he is just destined to have cruddy allergies like his Mom and Dad. He is starting to feel a lot better and today was his final day of ear drops. I recently told one of my friends that putting ear drops in a baby's ears is akin to trying to give a cat a bath.
In other news, Eric has had a persistent cough for the past month resulting in an upper respiratory infection. I decided to add to the trifecta by getting a horrible stomach virus this past weekend. We hunkered down for a long, germy few days. Hopefully this next weekend is a lot better!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Pumpkin Patch
This past weekend we went with our neighbors, the Gragerts, to Owens Pumpkin Farm. In addition to it being Liam's first time to a pumpkin patch, it was actually my first time too! Earlier in the day Liam and I went to Fall Fest in Sachse, so needless to say, he was a little tired even after his nap. For those of you in the area looking for a good pumpkin patch, this was a great place for little kids. They had a petting zoo where you can feed the goats, hayrides, and of course, lots of pumpkins!
I am not sure if it is a boy thing, but Liam is obsessed with sticks. After we arrived at the farm, he had little interest in the pumpkins. What drew his attention where the stiff pieces of straw. Every time he found a superior piece of straw, he would discard the former piece. The piece de resistance was when he found an actual stick. If you take a look at the pictures that follow, you will see that he would NOT let go of the stick.
Dad tries desperately to show Liam how cool the pumpkins on the ground were. Nope. He only has eyes for the stick.
Double-fisting it in the pumpkin patch
Feeding the goats. Or rather Eric is. Perhaps Liam was afraid they would go for the stick.
That goat does seem to be eying the stick....
The Gragert Family on our hayride. We definitely got a workout chasing all of our kids around!
Perhaps Eric and I got more out of the pumpkin patch than Liam did! The stick traveled all the way home with us, whereupon we distracted Liam to get rid of the dirty, farm souvenir. Overall, a really great day with great friends!
I am not sure if it is a boy thing, but Liam is obsessed with sticks. After we arrived at the farm, he had little interest in the pumpkins. What drew his attention where the stiff pieces of straw. Every time he found a superior piece of straw, he would discard the former piece. The piece de resistance was when he found an actual stick. If you take a look at the pictures that follow, you will see that he would NOT let go of the stick.
Dad tries desperately to show Liam how cool the pumpkins on the ground were. Nope. He only has eyes for the stick.
Double-fisting it in the pumpkin patch
Feeding the goats. Or rather Eric is. Perhaps Liam was afraid they would go for the stick.
That goat does seem to be eying the stick....
The Gragert Family on our hayride. We definitely got a workout chasing all of our kids around!
Perhaps Eric and I got more out of the pumpkin patch than Liam did! The stick traveled all the way home with us, whereupon we distracted Liam to get rid of the dirty, farm souvenir. Overall, a really great day with great friends!
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