We Bought a Truck

For several months, Trey and I have been saving money for a new pick-up truck. Every side job that we've done, we've been putting it in savings. You don't know how many times I wanted to take the money and go on a nice vacation, but we stuck with our plan to hoard it until Trey found a truck.

This is our new (to us) '07 F-150 Fx4, that we paid for in cash money...no car payment. Good -- since we already have one of those.



Now that we bought a truck, we can get back on track with our 2012 financial goals.

Trey was working on a family truck. It was a '86 F-150.

He put a brand new engine in it and did a lot of body work to it. Since he bought a new truck, he sold the '86 F-150 to his Dad. Trey still has a few more things to finish up on it before he sends it off to Abilene. 

Bill Tracker

It's a new year and I kind of feel like getting things organized.

Since 2004, we've been keeping track of our monthly bills. This is our bill tracking method. Everything is in there.

It's simple. It's a notebook. Nothing fancy. There is a list of our monthly bills, due date, paid date, amount paid, payment method, conformation #'s, balances and notes. We store the paper bills in a file cabinet, that's in another location. Trey is the one who started us on this method and it's come in handy. I've lost track of all the times we've had to go back and make reference to this notebook.

It's interesting to look back.....
Back in 2004, when we first got married and moved in together we were paying a few hundred dollars a month for rent. Oh, the good ol' days.

Although this system works, I get tired of handwriting the same thing over and over again, so I created a document with our most common bills and a few blank spots for unexpected items. I think this new system will work better than the old way. Out with the old and in with the new and improved.

How do you organize bills?

She's Worth It

Today, is a good day. After two and a half years, Trey and I finally paid off Cheyenne's medical bill. She spent the first week of her life in NICU. Even with insurance it cost us a pretty penny. But ya know...she's totally worth it ;)

I still remember the night she was transferred to another hospital. The nurses prepared us for the worst and it freaked us out. There were lots of tears that night. Trey and I were terrified, but fast forward to 2011 and we have a gorgeous healthy daughter.

It was difficult seeing her in NICU. The hospital had strict visiting hours. I spent 9 months growing her in my belly and then all of sudden I was separated from her. That was tough!

I mean really, who wants to see their newborn child like this?

I have to say, the nurses did a fantastic job putting her on a 3 hour feeding and napping schedule. So, it wasn't all bad. Our family was great too. They spent time with us in the hospital, brought us food, made me rest and kept us distracted.

If you are interested, here is the blog post from 2008, when Cheyenne was transferred NICU.

Financial View
Oh wow, it feels so good to have one less bill to pay each month. Trey and I want to keep the momentum going. Dave Ramsey Debt Snowball? You bet!

A Nice Bump

I got great news today that I will receive a pay raise! After working so hard this week, that's exactly what I need. I'm so thankful and happy for the bump.

So, other than getting a pay raise, it looks like the painters will be returning. The have some touch ups to do in the nursery and I'm going to have them paint this accent wall where the fireplace is. I have to look at the color pallet but I was thinking a rich brown color.

The Cost of a Child

One thing Trey and I learned from taking Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, is to always have an emergency fund set aside---for unexpected cost. With that being said, Friday I noticed I had a flat tire on the Element and you guessed it, it was time for not one, but four brand new wheels. Tires, especially good ones don’t come cheap and I hate the idea of making payments. So, Saturday we made the transfer from savings to checking and I had to remind myself that’s what this money is for: an unexpected cost.

Money has new meaning when you become a parent or in my case a parent to be. I’m such a planner and organization freak, so last week Trey and I sat down and tried putting a budget together once Cheyenne makes her debut. I just about had a heart attack, after crunching the numbers. A young mother of two made me feel better when she told me, “You’ll make yourself crazy if you try to put the cost of a child on paper.” She’s right! So, I’m taking a new approach of just relaxing and going with it. I’m not naïve or oblivious, I just know it’ll be fine. My mom did it with three of us, Trey’s parents did it with three of them, my older sister is currently doing it and it’s all good.

The cost of childcare is what really got me going on a financial frenzy. But I'm feeling better about the whole thing, especially after I had a chance to talk to several women who have childcare backgrounds and certification about possibly watching Cheyenne when I need to return back to work. I'm trying to keep my options open through this whole process so that means weighing all options. I've visited a few traditional daycares: one close to work and then another one close to home.

I would prefer first a nanny ($$$$$), second an in home daycare (especially since I know the two perspective caregivers), and lastly traditional daycare, but only time and our budget will tell.

It'll work out, it always does.

The Summer Without My Scooter

Scooter withdrawals don’t even begin to describe how I feel not having my shiny friend. With the move and our current living situation, Trey and I have made the wise decision to keep his motorcycle and my scooter in storage. Trey jokingly said we can bring my scooter to Fort Worth, the only catch is--- I have to drive it from Abilene to here. He’s crazy and he knows it.

Last week, as we were driving I saw a vintage scooter shop. As Trey passed it I yelled, “STOP AND TURN AROUND!” When I was browsing through the aisles of shiny bikes, I began to regret leaving mine behind. There really isn’t anything I can do to make it better except look forward to spring. Maybe by then we’ll have a place to store our bikes. The funny thing about the whole situation is we recently paid the note off on both bikes…so now we really own them and we can’t even drive ‘em. The next note to be paid is the Element. I’m really excited about that one because by end of this year we’ll own it too! Hooray for financial peace!

Margaritas and Mexican Food

In a matter of days Trey and I will officially sell our house! Selling this house is huge for us. I’m really excited about our financial future and I know Trey is too.

To celebrate I opted for champagne, but Trey is not a drinker. So, I proposed sparkling cider for us and then later Margaritas and Mexican food. Yes, I like Margaritas. Is that surprising?

Shacking-Up…..In A Small Space

Since I last posted, things have been moving fast. In a matter of days Trey and I will be moving to Fort Worth to start our new jobs. This weekend we made a trip to the area with Johnny and Joneil, friends from church.

Trey and I are in the process of selling our house here in Abilene and we’ve decided we’ll shack-up in an EFFICIENCY APARTMENT for a few months while we’re in FW and eventually buy a house there. I can barely believe it, but this weekend we found an apartment. When we move into our efficiency apartment I know it will be a drastic change, since our current house is over 1,600 sq feet and this apartment is only 400. Yikes! I’ll adjust and I’m looking forward to living below our means. Joneil told me she’s really proud of us because we’re not using this new job as an excuse to splurge and she said Dave Ramsey would be proud. Who cares what Dave Ramsey thinks because I’m secretly excited about living a much simpler life for a while. You wouldn’t believe how affordable our rent is, even if I told you and the surprising thing about it is that we’re in a really cool part of the city. We have access to two malls, tons of restaurants, shopping, churches, and no telling what else.

A Perfect Day

Yesterday was absolutely beautiful! I know…I know it rained all morning and afternoon, but it was such a delight. Before it started to rain I went for a jog with Linda and hoped we wouldn't get drenched. Later I came home watched several movies and feel asleep on the couch. I need my rest because this weekend I'm going to be super busy with work.

I have great news: my night job will soon come to an end! That's right, I was talking with Trey about how I think it's a good time for me to quit and he said, "yeah, go for it." The night job was great while it lasted and we got the FPU "Debt Snowball" rolling. I think in our culture people don't take on their financial responsibilities like they need to. Sometimes, you just have to take a big bite of humble pie and be a responsible adult to take care of your future. Boy did I eat some humble pie and then some.

Not As Bad As I Thought

So, I got this second job working mainly weekends. I initially thought I'd be working every week night, but the way the schedule works out I've been getting all my hours during weekends. I love bringing in extra cash flow and Trey and I are well on our way to some financial freedom. Hooray for the Anderson's!!!

At first, I thought this job was going to be horrible, but it's really morphed into a great experience. I've learned a lot about myself and I've started managing my time more wisely. To make the most of the weekends Trey and I have been getting up early and getting out of the house several hours before I have to clock into work. This past Saturday we went to Home Depot and decided in the next year or so, depending on how things go, we're going to remodel the den. We decided on the wall color and type of floor. It's gonna look great.

In other news, today was absolutely beautiful. I think I got a glimpse of spring, especially when I went to water my indoor beefsteak tomatoes and saw them starting to break the soil.

Voted To Talk On Our Behalf

Sunday Trey and I had to stand before our church congregation and give a testimony about taking the Financial Peace University class. If you know Trey at all, you know he's not much of a public speaker. When he has to talk even in a small group he gets nervous and his eyebrows start to twitch. To save him the twitch, I was nominated to speak for both of us. I was a little nervous, but I got through it and managed to crack a few jokes. Trey just stood beside me and when I asked him if he wanted to add anything he said no.
Well, immediately after church I had to work. Trey drove the car as I changed clothes and ate. I hate rushing, but I'm glad my boss doesn't make me work on Sunday mornings.

Nights & Weekends

So, I got this part-time job, this is of course aside from my day job.

I’ll be working nights and weekends…so, basically when Trey is off, I’ll be working. It’s gonna suck for a few months, but like I always say, “I’m not making a career out of this.”

I’m gonna bust my butt for 6 months or so and do what I have to do in order to be where Trey and I feel financially comfortable (if that’s even possible, not just for us, but for anyone). Since taking the Financial Peace University class we’ve really laid out goals we want to accomplish and if that means getting a second job I don’t have a problem with that.

Selling Cool Stuff We Don't Need

Trey and I are selling stuff we don't need anymore.

Jasmine Acoustic Guitar for $40


55 Gallon Fish Aquarium for $150 (minus the cowboys sticker. the sticker can easily be peeled off)


PSP for $180


Jeep Mountain Bike for $50 (this is a steal)


Tomorrow I'll insert more pictures. Let me know if you're interested....

Financial Peace

Trey and I have been attending a financial peace class at our church. You might know it. It's the Dave Ramsey video class. We've learned so much and it's been so helpful, especially since we're a young married couple.

The objective is about getting and staying out of debt....paying off all existing debt, paying off the home early, and finally investing. I think the biggest thing I've learned about myself is this money thing is primarily self-disciple.