What makes up a great Saturday?
And what makes a great Sunday?
- sleeping in
- getting errands done
- getting a free book
- wonderful music and activities at farmers market
- getting awesome coffee, treats and a pumpkin from farmers market
- a nap
- a college roommate visiting
- Art Beat in DTSB
- free parking
- seeing old friends & new
- hot dogs
- art
- jewelry
- fun
- Chocolate Cafe
- chatting on the sofa
- watching the ND game with the fam
- smorgasbord of food during the game
- the Irish winning!
- talking and praying with my honey to end the day
And what makes a great Sunday?
- sleeping in
- church
- visiting with friends
- being surprised by my honey
- being surprised by my honey washing my dishes (awwww!!! Isn't he great!?!)
- shopping the mall with Josh
- Panera salads
- FPU class
- being excited about creating a budget
- a visit to Target
- phone call with a good friend
- hearing the birth announcement of a friend
- sipping flavored decaf coffee
- watching the Colts
- a light breeze coming in my open living room window
- knowing Mom made it back safely from Missouri
- knowing I don't have to get up early tomorrow
Ok, I think even Dave Ramsey would be proud of this:

Casual, comfy black dress
Original Price: $49.50
Markdown: $29.99

Fun cocktail dress
Original Price: $69.50
Markdown: $39.99
Original total: $119.00
Markdown total: $69.98
$70 for 2 dresses.
Oh, I can do better than that!
Clearanced out to $12.99 each!
You think I'm done?
I had a coupon for $15 off any purchase of $15 or more.
Therefore...
I got 2 dresses originally sold for $119 for $10.98! And, I paid CASH!
Woot woot!!

Casual, comfy black dress
Original Price: $49.50
Markdown: $29.99

Fun cocktail dress
Original Price: $69.50
Markdown: $39.99
Original total: $119.00
Markdown total: $69.98
$70 for 2 dresses.
Oh, I can do better than that!
Clearanced out to $12.99 each!
You think I'm done?
I had a coupon for $15 off any purchase of $15 or more.
Therefore...
I got 2 dresses originally sold for $119 for $10.98! And, I paid CASH!
Woot woot!!
I drive past McDonalds every day. Today I could smell the fries. I was so tempted to stop! But instead I kept driving and ate lunch at home - food I had already paid for.
Tonight I'm going shopping. I have to order a bridesmaid dress for a wedding I'm in in 9 weeks (gulp!). So I will be spending money there for the dress (as well as the wedding gift I purchased last night). And, I have a coupon for $15 off a purchase of $15 or more at a clothing store, so I might have to see what $15 can buy there.
I really want to go to other stores too. I have coupons galore in my purse. The only problem is that even if I'm saving money with the coupons, I'm still spending it on things I don't necessarily need. That is something that saving money forces you to examine: a want vs. a need.
This morning I read a great article about money saving here. One of the many things that struck me from the article was this advice: "Ask yourself, 'If I lose my job tomorrow, what would I cut?' and do it NOW instead." These are things you don't need.
Another article about needs vs. wants that I skimmed earlier today says: "But what fun is life without wants? The point isn't to abandon all of the stuff you want, but to realize how much of your monthly spending is tied to wants. It's fine and healthy to want things, but when you're sinking financially just to maintain things that you want, there's a real problem."
A final reminder from the first article: "The goal is not to cut out all sources of joy in your life, it's to spend only on those things and experiences that are going to really improve your life, that you use and enjoy a lot, and that will give you a great lift and not just a momentary lift."
I was inspired after reading the article; I hope you will take a look at it and also be inspired.
Readers, I hope you don't mind the attention I've been giving these last couple few days to the topic of saving money. It's something I need to focus on, and something I think a lot of us should be focusing on as well.
Tonight I'm going shopping. I have to order a bridesmaid dress for a wedding I'm in in 9 weeks (gulp!). So I will be spending money there for the dress (as well as the wedding gift I purchased last night). And, I have a coupon for $15 off a purchase of $15 or more at a clothing store, so I might have to see what $15 can buy there.
I really want to go to other stores too. I have coupons galore in my purse. The only problem is that even if I'm saving money with the coupons, I'm still spending it on things I don't necessarily need. That is something that saving money forces you to examine: a want vs. a need.
This morning I read a great article about money saving here. One of the many things that struck me from the article was this advice: "Ask yourself, 'If I lose my job tomorrow, what would I cut?' and do it NOW instead." These are things you don't need.
Another article about needs vs. wants that I skimmed earlier today says: "But what fun is life without wants? The point isn't to abandon all of the stuff you want, but to realize how much of your monthly spending is tied to wants. It's fine and healthy to want things, but when you're sinking financially just to maintain things that you want, there's a real problem."
A final reminder from the first article: "The goal is not to cut out all sources of joy in your life, it's to spend only on those things and experiences that are going to really improve your life, that you use and enjoy a lot, and that will give you a great lift and not just a momentary lift."
I was inspired after reading the article; I hope you will take a look at it and also be inspired.
Readers, I hope you don't mind the attention I've been giving these last couple few days to the topic of saving money. It's something I need to focus on, and something I think a lot of us should be focusing on as well.
Ok, one day of not spending is a lot easier than two.
I was tempted numerous times today, but did not give in.
Don't be thinking I'm going all cold turkey and not buying anything for a year like I know others have done. I won't deprive myself THAT much; I'd go insane.
I know I am going to the Nappanee Apple Festival this weekend and definitely buying a slice of their famous 7' apple pie!!! So I guess I have that to look forward to. I just need to make it til then!
I did some sorting of paperwork at home yesterday, and I'll just say it pays to get organized! I found 2 checks, woot woot! Right into savings it went!
For the last few years I've had this weird thing about needing at least 2 reasons to go somewhere or do something. So, if I go out to get groceries, I will stop for Starbucks as well, or if I go visit Jen & Andy I will also pick up dinner. Tonight I went to Jen & Andy's and drove straight there and straight back. I went against my nature. Hopefully the choices I continue to make now to save, rather than spend, money will eventually become easier and more natural.
Baby steps. Day Two down.
Thought you might enjoy some pics of the 7' apple pie. These were taken a year ago.


I was tempted numerous times today, but did not give in.
Don't be thinking I'm going all cold turkey and not buying anything for a year like I know others have done. I won't deprive myself THAT much; I'd go insane.
I know I am going to the Nappanee Apple Festival this weekend and definitely buying a slice of their famous 7' apple pie!!! So I guess I have that to look forward to. I just need to make it til then!
I did some sorting of paperwork at home yesterday, and I'll just say it pays to get organized! I found 2 checks, woot woot! Right into savings it went!
For the last few years I've had this weird thing about needing at least 2 reasons to go somewhere or do something. So, if I go out to get groceries, I will stop for Starbucks as well, or if I go visit Jen & Andy I will also pick up dinner. Tonight I went to Jen & Andy's and drove straight there and straight back. I went against my nature. Hopefully the choices I continue to make now to save, rather than spend, money will eventually become easier and more natural.
Baby steps. Day Two down.
Thought you might enjoy some pics of the 7' apple pie. These were taken a year ago.






