Mother's Day is One Week Away... Are You Prepared?

Ahhh... Mother's Day... it's just around the corner and time for a bit of planning. I've been a bit lax lately on putting a lot of thought into gifts. Call it frustration on my financial situation or
attempting to put as much towards my debt repayment as possible. Either way, I have been feeling really guilty about it.

There are certain holidays that I have mixed emotions about... Valentine's Day, Father's Day, and Mother's Day. This is primarily because I believe that we should be celebrating the people we love throughout the year. So with concerted effort, I am looking for a compromise to the greeting card and candy holidays and am looking for meaningful ways to let mom know how much she means to me without spending more than $5-$10, staying environmentally friendly, and ensuring my efforts are memorable rather than put into the next Goodwill donation bag.

I made a pledge some years ago that I will only give gifts that are usable. (No singing trout, Chia pets, or other last minute panic gifts.) Gift wrap must also be reusable or recycled. I work in an office that receives lots of gift baskets during the holidays and I'm known for grabbing seltzer and unwanted baskets for reuse.

So how do I meet my self imposed guidelines and feel good about the gift I give? Here are some ideas:

• While reading through some blogs I stumbled upon this idea, (as soon as I find it again, I promise to give the well deserved credit) take a number of slips of paper and write down things you are grateful to mom for, special memories, or favorite mom sayings. Fold them up and put them in an attractive container. She will enjoy reading them over and over and the cost is next to nothing.
• Go to the local farmers' market to pick up seasonal flowers. Put them in a mason jar or vase picked up at Goodwill for a $1 and tie a ribbon on it. The money paid helps support the local economy and is much more reasonable than the traditional $50 bouquet from a florist.
• Create a coupon book for mom with gifts of your time. Mow the lawn, weed the garden, a home cooked meal that she doesn't have to cook, hugs, etc. anything goes and you are giving her time spent together as well.
• Create a CD of her favorite songs from her collection, yours, or even the library's.
• Scan the newspaper or web for free events in your area and take her. Bump it up a notch and pack a picnic lunch.

Falling Off The Wagon

In my journey to financial independence, I've struggled, stumbled, rededicated myself, and persevered. Like kicking addictions, financial health is all about identifying destructive behavior and building new habits. Unfortunately, like kicking addictions there are stumbling blocks. Do you run for your favorite department store to combat depression? Pick up the last round of drinks because it's "the thing to do?" Buy the expensive gift to impress the giftee? Or, lend that friend or family member your savings because you feel responsible for them? These are all unhealthy habits that keep us in debt, but forgetting to budget for basics like food, gas, or that emergency savings. I think, "If I can just pay off that bill quicker, I'll be free." What really happens is that emergency comes up or there are no groceries left for that last day before payday.
So how do we change these habits? First, identify the triggers. Next, make baby steps until the changes become what feels normal. Then, build in a cushion for those slips. Make sure you also build in rewards along the way so you don't feel deprived and "binge." Most importantly, don't beat yourself up. Acknowledge the set back and get back on track.

The "B" Word... Budget

A few years ago, I created a full spreadsheet budget. This baby has everything down to formulas for income to expense ratio (a truly scary experience when you realize what that is.) Every year I faithfully sit down and figure changes to the budget while trying to tweak it to get the optimal debt repayment plan. And then life happens... the gift you've got to pick up... the dish you're supposed to bring to the potluck but unexpectedly ran out of a crucial ingredient... the long distance drive that brought the gas tank down to empty.

My budgets never give me enough elbow room to deal with the little things. As a result, my progress on debt repayment is more like two steps forward and one step back. Tonight I took two very big steps forward. I cut up all of my credit cards. I haven't abused them like I did when I started this mess, but I still fall back on them when my budget didn't make it. I just solved that problem with a couple of snips. That safety net doesn't exist anymore. The second step was evaluating just how short my budget really is. I figured out that I need to increase my income by $150 per month because I don't have any give until I can pay off two minor debts. Those two are my focus with a plan of taking them off the board in the next two weeks.

Moral of the story... BE REALISTIC.

Alternative Transportation

There was a time when I received assistance with my parking, but after my '84 Olds meet her untimely death, I never asked to have that assistance reinstated. I've been paying my parking ever since. For a time, I had a carpool buddy. Granted we never discussed how much he was going to contribute and I took his age and lack of income into consideration I didn't push the question. When I lost my carpool buddy, I bit the bullet and started taking mass transit. I don't know why I didn't do this sooner except that I was concerned about loosing my parking spot. I knew it would be impossible to get it back.

Confession... I live within walking distance of Fareless Square, an area of town where you don't have to pay for a ticket as long as you stay within "Fareless Square." The walk is about 10 blocks, but I'm enjoying to peace and quiet. It helps me relax before sitting down to my desk. The time on the bus has given me a chance to read, something I haven't had time for in quite awhile. I will have to reevaluate this choice if they get rid of this zone as the rumors have been suggesting.

On the really nice days, I've been walking all the way to work, which is about 2 miles. If they do get rid of Fareless Square, that's always an option and finally have no fear, I have a backup. My bike is tuned and ready to be put into action. I live in a very bike friendly city and am practicing on the weekends.

Finally, when the season changes and the rains come in, I have started networking for a new carpool buddy. I think I've got a good one lined up for the rainy season.

Bottom line, I'm saving $8 per day or $140 per month and I'm happy to say that I've already lost 15 pounds. Consider alternatives. Its good for the earth. Its good for your body. Its good for the pocketbook.

How Many Meals Can You Make Out of 1 Chicken Breast?

As a single person, its difficult to be inspired to cook a meal for one. One of my favorite ways to combat this boredom is to cook chicken breasts to leave in the freezer and fridge to pull out when I don't want to cook. Below are a few suggestions for the simple chicken breast.

Chicken Quesadilla - Take chicken slices and spread out in a tortilla. Add shredded cheese (any kind will do.) Then get wild with all the choices. Italian: Use mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes. Club: Add bacon and blue cheese. Mexican: Sour cream, salsa, and olives.

Chicken and Pasta - Add Parmesan cheese, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, olive oil, and a bit of cream. (I cheat with a touch of sour cream for thickness.)

Chicken Shepard's Pie/Pot Pie - Use left over mashed potatoes, biscuits, croissant, etc., gravy or cream of mushroom soup, carrots, peas, and mushrooms.

Chicken Bento - Leftover rice (I tend to make a big batch over the weekend and keep it in the fridge to warm up.) and vegetables with a touch of teriyaki sauce. Heat in microwave.

Chicken Salad - Get creative. Anything goes.

What ideas can you come up with?

September Goals

The journey to debt repayment isn't always an easy one. For me there have been many trips and stumbling blocks along the way, but my determination still stands. I look at the stock market and think, "Now is a great time to scoop up some of those bargains." I'm looking at the housing market and think, "If I hadn't gotten myself into this mess, I could be purchasing a home now." Its difficult to keep the enthusiasm up when you deprive yourself even if the goals in sight are what you really desire.

During this quiet period, I've picked up a second job to help pay down my debt quicker. While my determination to get on top of my debt is strong, I took a look at my spending lately and realized that I haven't gotten very far and its because I've been taking care of those things I put on the back burner. You may think you remember where your at in your plans, but it often takes a look at the hard copy to get the real picture. So, with that said...

My Goals for September ~
- Take parking down to $40 for the month (If I get reimbursed for it, that's even better.)
So far I've only driven once this month and my mom paid for it because I was her taxi.
- Take my lunch four times a week. Limit dining out to 1 lunch per week.
- Pay off 401k loan. I know, I know, BIG MISTAKE to take a loan out against your 401k!
- Create Christmas list so I can take advantage of sales over the next 3 months.
- Add $50 to Emergency Fund
- Add $50 to Roth IRA

Updates and Evaluations

I've been reevaluating my ability to save money and taking a hard look at my decisions. Its easy to say I'm paying off debt, but a completely different reality when I realized I was only partially committed. I'm happy to say that I've started to use public transportation and even walking to work. It's saving me at least $8 a day in parking. I've been working at packing my lunch and breakfast which is saving me $5 for breakfast and $12 for lunch. I'm making sure I get my money's worth out of my gym membership frequently making workout dates with friends rather than going out for dinner or coffee. Finally, I've picked up some side work on the weekends which is bringing in some much needed extra cash.