Budgets are the new black!* (Now we just need to figure out how to use one.)

Welcome to my blog!
I will be chronicling my family's attempt to get debt-free and to prepare for the unexpected so that we're not reaching for the credit card every time something comes up! I've been wanting to start this new blog to encourage us to keep running the race, and this week's Blog Party at 5 Minutes for Mom seemed like a good time to start!

We are a middle-class family of five living in the suburbs on my husband's Air Force salary. I know, we are such a unique flower. We have moved nine times in the last fourteen years -- that makes for a lot of financial upheaval! We have always tried to live within our means, but usually we find ourselves reacting to our transient lifestyle instead of preparing for it: We'll put everything on the credit card, and once the dust settles we'll just hope we can pay it off.

This is, truly, the very beginning of our journey to really take control of our finances and to stop letting them control us. I am sure we will make lots of mistakes along the way. I plan to be forthright and dollar specific on this blog, but I readily admit to sometimes struggling with denial or just plain laziness. That's the point of this blog: motivation to stay on track; and accountability -- That's where you come in!

I believe we have so much to offer to and learn from each other. I would love for you all to join me on this quest to be financially free while continuing to take care of the things we already have. This is not about sacrifice; it's about stewardship!

Cast and Crew: Me and The Hubs

This is a rare shot of me and The Hubs, taken during a function we attended last summer. My husband is an active duty Air Force officer who once upon a time was enlisted Army, so we've run the gamut of pay-grades and level of financial solvency. Unfortunately, our cost of living has always seemed to increase every time our income has! Hmmm...

I have always managed our finances, for better or for worse, during our 14 years of marriage. And we have always shared accounts. Working on finances as a couple is necessary in maintaining a budget, and that is the area where we have always struggled. It is vital in our lifestyle that the non-military spouse has a handle on the financial accounts and knows how to pay the bills, but in our case that seems to have gone to the extreme: I manage the finances while he simply spends them.

Oh, I kid! Nothing but love for you, babe. *Mwah* Of course it takes two to tango! And if I had to pinpoint my own financial weakness, it's that I'm a sucker for a good deal: if it's a great price, that must mean I can afford it, right?

Ahem. Needless to say, I'm still working on that. As they say, the best defense is a good offense. A good way to not spend money? Don't go shopping. Novel idea, I know.

Of course it is sometimes necessary to go shopping, and I am a proud bargain shopper who can't remember the last time I paid full price for an article of clothing. (That really is a $5 dress I'm wearing!) I also love taking care of my home and don't believe you have to sacrifice quality and taste just to save money -- you just have to know what you like and know where to look.

Cast and Crew: The Kids

Conner...
This is our 13-year-old. The orthodontist just told me this week that he should get braces on now. We're looking at almost $5000 total cost. We have not saved for this.

As The Hubs said, "His teeth just ate his first car."

I think he was a little shocked. Did I mention that I've always paid all the bills? I knew this was coming, but still we're not prepared. I actually thought we'd have another six months or so until we had to deal with this...

Olivia...
This is our six-year-old, our kindergartner, our super hero, if you will. She's a precocious little firecracker. The only thing holding her back from going somewhere and doing something anytime and anywhere is her mom's resistant to being a chauffeur and our finite ability to pay for a gazillion activities.

Any given day she will say that she wants to learn to play the violin, or the harmonica, or do Karate. Right now she's in dance and tap. We plan to save for a piano...
She reads like a first grader and makes friends wherever she goes. You can't put a price tag on that.

Peter...Meet our four-year-old, our preschooler, our beautiful little boy who spoke nary an intelligible word this time last year. Peter was diagnosed with a speech disorder verbal apraxia a little over a year ago and has been going to private speech and occupational therapy weekly ever since. He also attends preschool part-time with an IEP (Individualized Education Program).

His progress is amazing, and I am so thankful that we have insurance that has paid for these therapies so that we have not had a financial burden to deal with on top of going through the emotional journey of getting this little guy the help he needs.

Thank you for taking the time to stop by, and I hope you come again! Now go and party around with some others and spread some more love.

* I totally swiped this title from USAA magazine's latest issue. Is that okay since I give them credit?

There are so many cool prizes to be won at this year’s Ultimate Blog Party, but my top three picks would be:

• $50 gift certificate to Target Stores Provided by: Shoot-Me-Now

• Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer Provided by: Moms Who Think

• Children’s “I’m An Author” Story Writing Kit Provided By: Tara Brown

And if my top three picks are already chosen, I’d love any of the following:

21, 22, 71, 84, 88, 118, 4, 20 or anything else related to teens or young children.