Dave Ramsey Live

A couple things I learned from Dave Ramsey's The total money makeover: 1.) Marry someone who loves numbers, and enjoys taking care of the budget!

(thanks honey!)

2.) Do not display your love for eachother for all 10,000 people to see at a christian financial conference. It's just plain weird!

OK, really here are some key points to remember (BABY STEPS)

1.) Get 1,000 to start an "Emergency Fund"

"68% of Americans could not cover a 5,000 emeregency with cash without having to go into debt for it."

2.) Pay off all debt using the "Debt Snowball" from smallest balence to the largest to help keep you motivated and stay on track. Every time you pay a debt off, you add its old minimum payment to the next debt in the snowball.

3.) Build 3-6 months of expenses in savings. (use money markets b/c the often had no penalty for early withdrawals, and have check-writing privileges)

4.) Invest 15% of household income into Roth IRAs and pre-tax retirement. "It has been said that Albert Einstein called compound interest the eighth wonder of the world" $100 a month from age 25 to 65 at 12%= 1,176,477!

5.) Prepare for college funding withe an Educational Savings Account funded in growth stock mutual funds. The average college student graduates with $42,406 in student loan debt. We just paid ours off this past year!!

6.) Pay off your home early

MYTH- It is wise to keep my home mortgage to get the tax deduction

TRUTH- Tax deductions are no bargain!

Best option is a 15 yr fixed, and payments should be no more than 25% of your take home pay.

example: a $200,000 mortgage at 6% interest

30 yrs: you pay back the loan amt, in addition to $231,683 in interest

15yrs: you pay back the loan amt, in additioan to $103,797 in interest

cash: you pay 0% interest (wouldn't this be nice!)

7.) Build weath and GIVE

"No one would remember the good samaritan if he didn't have money" Margaret Thatcher

I would highly Dave Ramsey books/events to EVERYONE!! They have a great children/teens series also. If you are thinking about getting married or engaged, this is a must!!!

Monon Center Waterpark

Mya in the lazy river

wanting to be just like the big kids

being brave

Blayn fell half way through b/c he couldn't reach the next rope

Mya made it all the way across

This place was great! It was like a mini wet and wild...my fav place as a child!

It had a few big slides, diving boards, lily pads, a lazy river, and a fun play pool for kids.

I only wish I would've discovered it sooner than this past year!

Family Bowling Night

Mya and Blayn loved it!
hoping for a strike

Praise the Lord for bumpers!

Show us your life...wedding dress edition

Here is the picture we started with
She also made my veil as well
It was a one piece strapless with folded tulle and lace
and little silk and pearl flowers around the bottom of the skirt
She offered to make the bridesmaid dresses as well,
however I chose these from a local bridal store

I hope someday I'll have a daughter that will want to wear it on her wedding day

Today I decided to take part in Kelly's Korner Friday tradition of showing the blog world a little bit about yourself, your home, essentially your life. Today is Wedding Dresses!!! My grandmother made my wedding dress, I was so honored!! I found a picture online and then we went and picked out the fabric and the rest is history. She put a lot of hard work into it!

It was perfect, I'm forever grateful to her!

Back at Little Eden

Little Eden is a week....full of beauty
full of tubing

full of boat trips on the new family boat

full of minnow catching

full of fun long lasting memories that will last us forever!

It hasn't changed a bit

Sights of Sanibel (Mendoza Family Vacation)

Things you won't find on Sanibel: big neon signs, crazy spring breakers, or high-rises. Instead you'll find quite the the peaceful, family oriented, friendly island. With over 17 miles of beaches, 26 miles of bike trails (A.D. made it around the Island one day!) and one main street call periwinkle drive full of chic shops and oh so yummy restaurants. You will always see kids and adults fascinated with sea shells. We found quite the beautiful collection along the shores. The island's east-west orientation acts as a scoop for the tide's treasures. We also enjoyed a fun family kayak trip through the J. N. ('Ding') Darling National Wildlife Refuge, and a breath taking sunset/dolphin cruise through the Gulf of Mexico.

Praise the Lord for vacations and relaxation!

Vintage Finds

This reminds me of Bree Van de Kamp

This desk really has me craving an old victorian house

I would love this chenille blanket to hang over our future baby girl's crib

coral rose earrings

All these beauties can be found on ETSY

Lately I've been obsessing over anything vintage...perhaps it's all these garage sales with people selling this precious stuff for nearly nothing! Here are some of my favorite finds.