Isn’t it amazing how our thoughts work?  I’m sitting here, typing this article, and it’s October 7, 2009.  There’s a part of my brain that is occupied with next word I’m going to type.  There’s another part that’s focusing on an appointment that I have tomorrow – and yet another part that’s thinking about next year’s summer vacation.  Even if I tried, it would be impossible to control just how far out into the future my thoughts are capable of exploring.  I can, in a split second, imagine tomorrow’s breakfast, or, just as easily, the birth of my first great-grandchild, decades from now.  My brain has absolutely no trouble imagining or picturing either event, with the exact same clarity.

However, even though I can see both events – the breakfast and the birth of the grand-child – the thoughts about the breakfast are much more linear in nature.  In other words, while I can picture both events in my mind, the paths to each event are imagined in very different ways.

For instance, I know that I will be at home tomorrow and that my breakfast choices will be limited to the foods that are already in my house.  I’m not really a big fan of cooking, so I’ll probably skip the eggs or the oatmeal.  I am, however, on a bit of a health kick this month, so I will not be having pop-tarts or doughnuts.  Let’s see.  That leaves a nice juicy apple and a handful of almonds.  Yes, that’s what I’ll have for breakfast tomorrow.

Did you see how that works?  Very quickly, I was able to narrow down my choices and make a decision about tomorrow’s breakfast.  For all intents and purposes, the decision about tomorrow’s breakfast has been made.  Freed from making that decision, my brain is now free to think about other things.

Let’s consider the birth of my great-grandchild.  Instead of the simple. linear approach that my brain took to figure out tomorrow’s breakfast, it’s now considering a nearly infinite number of scenarios that might lead to me actually holding a newborn great-grandchild at some point in the distant future.

My goal, honestly, is to free my brain up so that it can spend as much time as possible thinking about and planning for the future.  Before it can do that, however, I have to be sure that I’ve taken care certain short-term goals – like preparing breakfast – so that I can then begin to think about long-term dreams – like seeing that great-grandchild.

There are certain times when it is important to focus on short-term, linear goals. Extremely important.  I would never have gotten out of debt if I had spent my time reading books about investing or dreaming up scenarios for how to purchase a newer car.  My thoughts would have been all over the place.  I would never have settled on a specific plan.  I would still be exactly where I was five years ago.  Broke.

Compare that laser-like focus with where I am today.  Debt free with an established emergency fund, I am able to consider a whole world of opportunities.  The difference between where I am, mentally and emotionally, and where I was five years ago – it’s like night and day.

For a short period of time, I had to stop all of the mental-chatter and focus, focus, focus.  Taking the time to get out of debt was the smartest thing I have ever done for myself.  Taking the time to build an emergency fund was the second smartest thing.  I spent two years on those goals and now, I am in a very good position to think about – and dream about- the rest of my life.  Now, my thoughts are free to wander down a thousand different paths and my plans can be bigger than ever!

I would love to hear from you, my awesome readers.  Where are you right now?  Are you focused, like a laser, on the short-term?  Or, are you moving into a place where you are ready to think long-term?  Have you managed to do both?  Comments are more than welcome.

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Some Thoughts About Thinking

As some of you aware, not only do I blog here, at No Credit Needed, but I also have a fitness blog, No. Calories Needed.  Over the past month, I have really started to focus on my health (and losing weight).  Currently, I’m down 12.6 pounds (as of yesterday) – and I’m going to the gym (at least) five times a week.  I’m in the zone, so to speak, and I’m starting to feel about my weight reduction just like I felt about my debt reduction.  I’m (almost) 100% focused on getting in shape.

Which leads me to my current situation.  I’m finding it hard to find the time to really focus on my finances.  In fact, most of the drive and determination, which once led me to shop for better deals and look for bargains, is now focused on losing weight and going to the gym.  I’m not saying that I’ve become lazy or that I’m not paying attention to my money – I’m just not paying as much attention to my finances as I have in the recent past.

Perhaps this is a good thing?!?  Maybe I need a little more balance in my life.  I’ve certainly put a lot of time and effort into creating systems and structures for managing my finances – and my financial house is in pretty decent shape.  Perhaps it’s time to take a little breather – relax just a bit – so that I can really focus on getting in shape, which, as I noted before, will eventually benefit me financially and physically.

What about you?  Have you ever found that you can only “focus” on one thing at a time?  For me, I have to jump in with both feet and go as hard as I can for as long as I can.  That’s what led to my successful debt reduction, and I’m pretty sure that’s what’s going to lead to successful weight reduction.  Right or wrong, my heart, soul, mind, and body are all focused on one, very important, goal.  I am going to lose weight (and be healthy).  If my finances have to take a back seat, for a short time, then so be it, but I feel that this is something that I have to do.  I mean, what good is it to save for retirement if I have a heart attack at 53?

Thoughts?  Comments?  Suggestions?  I’d love to read them.  I’m really trying hard to find a proper balance, but I also know that when I set my mind to do something, I have to go “all in” – or I just will not move forward.

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Finding It Hard To Balance Finances And Fitness

When I buy gasoline from you, I do not want to park my car, lock my door, walk into your store, wait in line, pay for my gas, walk back to my car, unlock my door, pop my gas tank cover, and put gasoline in my tank.  I know that people buy gas and then driveaway, but I do not.  I want to pull up to the tank, pop my gas tank cover, fill my tank up (without having to guess how much gasoline I might need), lock my door, walk inside, pay you, go to my car, and then leave.  In other words, I want to pump and then pay.

After waiting in line – in one of two lines that are actually open out of an available thirty – and paying for my own groceries (with my own money which I actually earned), I do not want to hand my receipt to a salesperson at the doorway, as I am trying to make my way out with my packages.  I understand that you want to stop people from picking up old receipts, bringing them into the store, and stealing your stuff.  That, however, is not my problem.  I just paid for my stuff, and now I want to leave.  In other words, don’t bother me between the cash register and my car.

I have a new baby girl, and I need to buy baby formula for her.  I buy the good stuff, Similac Isomil Advance, and it is expensive.  I do not want to go to the front (or back) of your store, or stand in a special (read: cigarette) line, so that I can ask you to get me a can of formula from behind lock-and-key.  I know that people steal baby formula.  Prosecute them, but don’t treat me like I’m a thief, simply because I like to buy quality baby formula for my child.  In other words, put the formula on a regular shelf, or I’m not shopping at your store anymore.

Today’s rant is brough to you by NCN, who just wanted to buy some groceries for his family, put some gasoline in his car, and leave a store without being harassed.  We’ll now return you to your regular schedule of positive articilse about saving money and getting out of debt.

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I Am Tired Of Being Treated Like A Criminal

Hello, I’m NCN and I’m supposed to know better.

I’m always suggesting that readers contact businesses with which they do business and ask for discounts.  Once a quarter, I’ll call my cell phone provider, just to check if there are any discounts or promotions.

Well, guess who JUST noticed that he’s been paying $20 a month, for five months, for unlimited text messaging – for a phone from which he never sends text messages?!?

Yes, I am NCN, Lord Of The Idiots.

I don’t know how it happened.  I guess, when I logged into my account and was picking and choosing the features I wanted, I inadvertently checked a box that I meant to leave unchecked.  Or, I unchecked a box that should have been checked.  I don’t really know.

I called my cell phone provider, and they agreed to give me a $40 credit towards next month’s bill.  They really didn’t have to do even that, considering it was my own silly mistake.

So, for all of you out there who read personal finance blogs and wonder – Are these folks for real?  Do they make mistakes, forget things, spend to much, and goof up?  Well, in my case at least, the answer is YES, YES, YES, YES, and YES!

Bow before my stupidity and bask in the glow of my ineptitude.  Rock on.

Side Note – I did manage to reduce my satellite bill by $6 a month.  It’s not much, but I feel a little better.

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I Am NCN, Lord Of The Idiots

As a reminder, the Declaration of Independence – (highlights are mine)

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.
He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only.
He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within.
He has endeavoured to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migrations hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands.
He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers.
He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone, for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries.
He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harrass our people, and eat out their substance.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
He has affected to render the Military independent of and superior to the Civil power.
He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitution, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:
For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us:
For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:
For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent:
For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:
For transporting us beyond Seas to be tried for pretended offences
For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighbouring Province, establishing therein an Arbitrary government, and enlarging its Boundaries so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule into these Colonies:
For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering fundamentally the Forms of our Governments:
For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever.
He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us.
He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people.
He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation.
He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands.
He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavoured to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers, the merciless Indian Savages, whose known rule of warfare, is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes and conditions.

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.

Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our Brittish brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in the necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends.

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

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Independence Rocks!

I’m not much of a mechanic.  I can do an oil change and I can keep tabs on tire pressure, but that’s about it.  Last night, while driving home, I noticed that my front-right headlamp had gone out.  Thankfully, the high-beams and the front-left lamp still worked.  This morning, I went to the local auto parts store and purchased two replacement bulbs.  I decided to go ahead and replace both low-beam lamps, the left and the right.

Changing the bulbs took about five minutes, once I figured out that all I had to do was depress a little white clip, pull out a wire, rotate the old bulb, pull it out, replace it with the new bulb, rotate the new bulb into place, and reattach the wire.

I used AutoZone’s product finder to find the replacement bulb.  They were having a sale on their XtraVision brand head lamps – two for $20 – so that’s what I purchased.  They offered some ‘blue’ versions of the same bulbs, but I’m not sure that I want blue headlamps.

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Replaced The Headlight Bulb In The 2001 Honda Accord

A few nights ago, I couldn’t fall asleep.  So, I got out of bed and did a little ‘channel surfing’.

Between reruns of Sports Center and The Andy Griffith Show, I spent a few hours watching a couple of ‘television shopping networks’.

Now, I’m hooked.  Not on the products – but on the way that the products are presented and promoted.

Here’s what I have learned -

Every product was presented as a ’special value’ or ‘amazing deal’.

As each host introduced a new product, a little box, with product details, would appear on the left-hand side of the screen.  And, inevitably, the text would state – ’special value’ or ‘first time offer’ or something similar.

Each product was promoted by a product specific ‘host’ and a product-specific ‘guest’.

It was amazing.  As a new product was introduced, a special ‘guest’ would appear to talk about and promote the product.  The host and the guest would interact and exclaim how ’special’ or ‘nice’ or ‘breathtaking’ or ‘unique’ each product was.

Callers would call in – and want to talk to the host, like they were old friends.

Callers called in and spoke to either the host or the guest, or both.  And, inevitably, the caller would say something nice – really nice – about the PERSON to whom they were talking.  Yes, the caller would mention the product – and how they ‘loved it’ – but, the key to the whole ‘call in’ segment appeared to be the callers’ desires to talk to the various hosts.  It was amazing.

Products were always available ‘at a special price’ or ‘via flex pay’.

No matter what the product was – a set of pillow cases, a pair of earrings, a power tool – the host would mention that it was on ’sale’.  And, sure enough, on the graphic, the ‘original price’ would have a ’strike through’ and the ‘value price’ would be highlighted.  On top of that, most items were available on ‘flex pay’ – where they charge your credit card for 1/2 or 1/3 of the payment, two or three months in a row.  Again, callers ‘loved!” this feature – and many remarked how ‘easy this made it for me to purchase’.

The setting for each product was custom-designed to evoke a specific mood and reaction.

I noticed, for instance, that when they sold a particular toilet cleaning product, the entire ’stage’ became a well-lit, beautifully decorated bathroom.  When they were selling clothing, each item was shown on a different size model.  In fact, ‘plus size’ models were featured.  The entire production evoked a sense of ‘connection’ between the customer and the product.

Each host had her / his own way of promoting the product, but all of them knew how to steer the conversation back to the ‘wonderful product’.

Again, no matter what the ‘guest’ or ‘caller’ might say, the host had an uncanny ability to promote the product.  Over and over and over again, the product was ‘my favorite’ or ‘the third one I’ve owned’ or ‘my mom’s perfect gift’.  Not only did they sell the product, they sold their ‘love’ for the product.

Every item was ‘almost sold out’ or ‘available in limited supply’.

No matter the item, the color, the size, or the quantity – Near the end of each segment, it would be ‘nearly sold out’.  And, as the host talked to the ‘producer’ – she’d be informed that those who ‘called right now’ could be assured that the product would be available, but they needed to call ‘right now’.

Some thoughts -

I have never purchased anything from a ‘home shopping network’.

I find it fascinating (perplexing, and a bit sad) that the callers seemed to consider the hosts to be their ‘friends’.

I wish that I could promote ‘debt reduction’ with the same fervor that these folks promote ‘products’.

I find it odd that after years of selling products via television, these networks still ‘run out’ of items to sell.

Surely, they really are running out?  Right?  They wouldn’t, you know, lie to us?  Would they?

Put the card away, be thankful for the stuff you already own, and call your real friends -

Tell THEM how wonderful THEY are.

You’ll save money, you won’t have to make payments, and you’ll be talking to someone who really wants to hear from YOU!

And, late at night, when you can’t sleep, come back here and read through the No Credit Needed archives!

But, hurry!

Supplies are limited!

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What I Have Learned From Watching Television Shopping Networks

As you move away from financial irresponsibility and towards financial stability, you will find yourself becoming aware of certain new realities. First and foremost, you will note that the vast majority of Americans live without much regard for their own financial futures. Supported by a massive government that believes in handouts and bailouts, many folks have forgotten the idea of personal responsibility. Living well beyond their actual means, most have succumb to the pressure to have more, get more, and use more.

Ironically, instead of supporting those individuals who wish to save, our government promotes consumption. Instead of urging people to save for down payments (and thus prove financial maturity), our government promotes even-lower mortgage rates, swelling the supply of money and lowering the value of the dollar. Instead of honoring its budget, our government grows ever larger, competing with private enterprise, entrenching itself in every area of our lives.

We live in strange times, where people have ceded their liberty for (so-called) security. We have abandoned the ideas of frugality, simplicity, and prudence and replaced them with greed, consumption, and excess. I feel that we are moving towards a day of reckoning – A day when the spinning-plates of an ill-advised war, a convoluted tax structure, and a pseudo-stimulated economy shall come crashing down.

I wish that I knew all of the answers – but I’m just beginning to understand the questions. But, I do know this – Things feel uneasy. I talk to folks all the time – good, honest, hard working folks – and they are worried. Many (most?) are living paycheck-to-paycheck. Husbands and wives are working to provide for their families, but they feel overwhelmed. Burdened with the desire to provide bigger and better things for themselves and their children, but unaware of the methods for bringing about true prosperity, many are one misstep, one illness, one lost paycheck away from financial ruin. And so, they depend on credit and the promises of government, instead of their own ingenuity and abilities.

We must gather ourselves – and move in a different direction. We should demand fiscal responsibility – from our politicians, from the people with whom we invest our money, from the companies with which we do business – and from ourselves.

All true change begins at home. We must learn to live within our means. We must seek for opportunities to increase our income. We must teach out children about financial matters and we must talk with our spouses about money. And, above all, we must take personal responsibility for the financial decisions we make. Reversing our course may be difficult – but we must being to turn the wheel.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Instead of blaming the rich, we should learn from them. Instead of criticizing profitable businesses, we should thank them for the jobs they provide. Instead of supporting failing policies and practices, we should encourage ingenuity and enterprise. Instead of borrowing from our enemies, we should trade with our friends. Instead of glorifying the excess of celebrity, we should applaud the wisdom of the millionaire-next-door. Instead of promoting laziness, we should reward hard work. Instead of doing what we’ve been doing – we should do something else.

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Facing The Frustrating Realities With Which We Must Deal

I’ve been a fan of the Dave Ramsey Show for more than four years. I’ve listened to Dave’s advice, read Dave’s books,attended Dave’s “live event”, and called Dave’s show. Readers of my blog can tell that I’ve been heavily influenced by Dave’s ideas about credit, debt, money, investing, and budgeting. I love the concept of the “Baby Steps” and I strongly agree when he says that personal finance is more about behavior and less about math. I agree that debts should be paid, smallest-balance first. I agree that people should buy used, not new, cars. I agree that term-life is better than whole-life. But, I have found a few instances where I, yes, good old NCN, disagree with Dave.

Dave suggests that you postpone 401k/403b contributions until you are debt-free, including amounts that would be matched by your employer. (I’ve actually hear Dave say this, at a live event I attended in Atlanta.)

I reduced my 403b contributions to a bare minimum while I was getting out of debt, but I wasn’t about to forfeit an employer-match. If I found myself in a situation where I was missing payments or falling behind, then I’d consider canceling all retirement contributions. But, as long as I could reduce my debt AND fund my retirement so that I could receive the match, that’s what I would do. I’m all for getting out of debt, but leaving matching funds “on the table” strikes me as unreasonable. If your company matches 50% of the first $2000 you contribute, that’s an automatic 50% return on your investment! I don’t care how high your credit card rates are, giving up a 50% return would be ridiculous. Please don’t misunderstand. I fully agree that, while reducing debt, retirement contributions should be temporarily lowered, but not below the amount an employer will match.

Dave suggests that you sell your car, unless you can pay it off in 18 months, even if this means that you have to borrow the difference between the amount for which you sell it and the amount you owed for it, and buy a cheaper, used car.

I’ve run the numbers, over and over, and there are times when simply taking a few extra months to pay off the car makes more since than selling it, financing the difference, and buying a junker. Personally, I was able to payoff my car note in less than 10 months, but I know, for a fact, if it had taken me more than 18 months, my wife would NEVER have gone along with the idea of getting rid of her car and replacing it with another, especially if it meant getting another loan for the “difference”. This is one of those ideas that turn people off to Dave and his message. I realize, trust me, that Dave, like me, is excited about helping people get out of debt. Instead of a hard and fast “rule”, may I suggest that you analyze the “total cost” of owning the automobile that you are buying and make an informed, rational decision about whether or not to sell it? In some cases, you should sell the automobile “you cannot afford”. In other cases, you might be better off paying for the car you already have and driving it until the “wheels fall off”.

After completing your emergency fund, Dave suggest putting 15% of your income into retirement. Dave always uses 12% when calculating anticipated returns.

I’m just not a fan of using “percentages”. Instead, I like to focus on the concepts of “fully-funding” or “maxing out”. But, the single, biggest problem I have with Dave is that he assumes a 12% return on retirement investments. I’ve heard Dave’s rational for using the “12%” figure, but, there are SO many factors that go into determining exactly how much an investment will return, that I think it’s somewhat “reckless” to assume that “everyone” can depend on a 12% return. Trust me, I know very, very little about investing, but I DO know that markets fluctuate, meaning that they go up AND down. I’m a big-time proponent of investing for the long-term over a long-time, but I worry about using such, in my opinion, an aggressive percentage. Call me pessimistic, but I always use 8% when I calculate anticipated returns and then HOPE that I’m off by 4%.

Whew. This has been a difficult post to write, but I’ve been thinking about these things for more than two years. I don’t believe in “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” so I’ll continue to listen to Dave’s show and read his books, but on these issues, I’ll have to “disagree” with Dave.

Check out these posts over at My Two Dollars and The Simple Dollar and All Financial Matters and Five Cent Nickel.
They’ve written articles about various aspects of investing, saving, and debt reduction.

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Extra, Extra: No Credit Needed Disagrees With Dave Ramsey

Lots of bits and pieces.

I was able to send in another 200 bucks to ING. That makes my new total of 6300. Yes! You can check out my new chart over at the NCN Network.

As for the podcast, I have recorded Episode 11, but the server at Ourmedia is being a bit sloooow today. Hopefully it will be up sometime later this afternoon.

Clearly I am enjoying putting money into our savings account. March has been a very strange month, and we seemed to have fewer expenses than normal. Some of it has to do with the fact that we are back on the “envelope” system, and we are not writing any checks and are barely using our debit cards. (Next month, we go CASH ONLY, baby!)

I read this book, The Number , and while it is a decent read, I was less than impressed. The author talks and talks and talks about specifics and how each of us is different, and then fails to tell you EXACTLY how to find “your number.” You might want to check it out anyway…

A much BETTER read? The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. Great book, great author, great advice!

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Just Kickin’ It