Financial Peace #2

Well, we have had one class of Financial Peace University and we have already learned some new words; "It's not in the budget." We already knew those words because we had no budget for them to be in. At least not a written budget where every penny coming in for the month was given a name and told where to go before the month began. We are hoping to indocrinate the kids in this new mindset and I think it is catching on already. The other day I needed to buy a USA Today (Prepaid Legal Services was featured on the front page of the Money section; I will be happy to share it with you if you want, just let me know (John)) and when I got back in the van, Anna Clair said loudly, "Hey, that's not in the budget!"

We ate at a new restaurant in Ashville tonight. It's not too often a new restaurant becomes available in Ashville. Except for the one restaurant that keeps changing names or when one of the pizza shops puts up a new sign, (Stewey's Pizza, then Mike's Pizza). They can sure come up with some fancy names for pizza joints can't they? Anyway, the new place tonight we enjoyed was called "Ehlo's". Now you pronounce that just like you would say it if you put the letter 'L' and the letter 'O' together. The food was tasty and the atmosphere was pleasant. The place was decorated in a familiar Mary Engelbreit pattern of bright colors and lots of cherries. I came to find out that "Ehlo's" was in fact the letter 'L' and the letter 'O' put together and it stands for leftovers. That Dave Ramsey and his Financial Peace University!!

I think we will be amazed at how much frivilous spending we do every month when we sit down and tell the money where to go. We will implement the envelope system next week and will be forced to spend only the money designated for certain things. There will be a blow envelope but I have a feeling that at the beginning we won't be blowing anything. I will keep you posted on how we are doing. Dave walks us through the Baby Steps (there are 7 of them.) We have just about got the first one done and then will begin on the debt snowball. If anyone is interested in a fine, black, 2002 Honda Accord with a sunroof, let me know.

I am thankful that God has brought this into our lives and I know that He will bless our efforts.