Since I have joined the Forum at the end 2007, I have been honest with myself about our money situation (basically how to handle the debt we accumulated while saving for big upcoming expenses). I have learned that I need to look at the bigger picture and all of the puzzle pieces and how the choices we make with the small things DO add up to affect the bigger picture (English teacher, please know I wasn't sure it was affect or effect)

I also realized that for me coming up with a budget and making better plans and decisions would free me from thinking about money everyday. I initially thought I would be one of those bloggers with a winsome personality who had thoughts and ideas to share on a daily basiss, however I find that I have NOTHING monentary to write about at this time on a daily basis. This is a good thing.

I have had nine no spend days in the last two 5-day week periods on M-F. My weekend spending is planned on groceries and gas purchases. I have gone through our many of our possessions and made $5.25 on kids cnsignment, donated two big bags to a charity resale shop, put away Christmas decorations in already-owned bins (I resisted the temptation to buy red/green lidded ones that I didn't need). I have gone through the toys and the kids have renewed interest in old items and/or are age-appropriate for new items that were stored and forgotten. I have located several items to sell on ebay (my goal for next month).

For our spending I did find a credit card associated with our bank that offers 5 points for every $1 spent compared to the 2 points for every $1 spent on the debit card. This is a way we wrack up points to use on gift cards at Christmas. I got two separate cards in my name and DHs name and we got bonus points to the tune of a $25 card. I am not concerned about this as "debt" because I immediately transfer the funds from the checking to the credit card (ease of having everything linked at one bank, as opposed to have two different instituions responsible).

I am still tackling the HELOC which has a remaining $600 balance. I forgot about an insignificant $290 we have with Hodges in a fund and I have in a request to have it liquidated and will apply that to the debt.

I am being more diligent about car maintenance and had the $250 budgeted for tires/oil change/new wipers and bulb for one of our vehicles. It came to $220 and the $30 shall remain in the car repair allotment. I am now applying the principles of Mary Hunt.

DH and I were initially in a quandry about mortgage prepayment versus debt paydown. I solicited advise and in the end we decided to put it into the education fund. We are looking at college expeses for five (at least) maybe six or seven. We've decided that we will at least provide a two-year education at the community college level where core courses for an AA or technical skills for a certificate are the goal. Our children have varying interests and academic talents and some may not be Ivy-league college-bound. We are at least planning for our goal. It is a concrete one and more important to us than debt erradication or a paid off house.

I realize that this is a long entry, but the seriousness which I have thought about things has brought some clarity for our finance and freedom of a sort.

Thought I'd share this. Anyone else have a similar experience when taking on their finances?