Another beginning

Well I've been gone for a long time, but I haven't given up because this is a lifetime journey.

I've been taking a look at all the things of my life and realized I need to be healthy in all aspects of my life, not just my body, so I took some time to gather all my thoughts and figure out what things I want to be better at.

My first choice was to be a better mother/wife. I volunteered to start working from home and I love it. I have been able to be home if I'm needed and still get my work done. During my own lunch time I take the time to plan for dinner. This is a big deal because we were eating out all the time! Plus, I even get to work my schedule out where I can volunteer at my children's school and help out while they walk around the track.

Next, I decided to get Financially fit. I have always worked out a budget and still seemed to never get my finances right. I clipped coupons and searched for bargains, but still bought impulsively. My husband introduced me to Dave Ramsey. Wow!! what a wake up call. With all my number smarts I realized I was still stupid. I went to the library and checked out his books "Financial Peace (revisited)" and "The Total Money Makeover" and we are now on our way of being debt free!! "If I live like no one else now, later I can live like no one else"

Finally, I decided if I don't work out everyday, that's okay. It's not the end of the world. Instead of killing myself working out and stressing about it I'm starting with the smaller changes such as, walking at the park with my kids, eating at home instead of eating out, and limiting my soda intake.

Now I'm still in progress with all of these things. When I stopped working out I kept getting stuck at 155 lbs. With the changes I have made withing in 2 weeks I am at 152 today.

By the way when I find something I like, I love to share it. So see below for some of the online tools I use.

Dave Ramsey: If you don't know him visit the website. You can listen to his radio show for free or listen to past ones. He has a free podcast on iTunes as well. Yes he sells products but he also has the same steps free or go to your library and read his book. http://www.daveramsey.com/

Alice: An online store to buy products with no coupon clipping required. Although everything is not cheap you can find some great steals. I recently got Suave Shampoos and conditioners @ 60 cents each . . . shipping is always free! http://www.alice.com/referral/23F359BB

EMeals: I married young and cooking is not my thing. I can make a few dishes but it was much easier to go to the drive thru. At $5 a month I get 7 pre-planned meals that not only tell me what ingredients to use, but also gives me the directions for cooking and a shopping list with each cost of the item. This has helped with my budget. They have lists for Wal-Mart and Kroger. You can pick a family meal, a meal for 2, or a low-carb meal, a low-fat meal, or vegetarian. I've only tried it for 1 week and love it so far. My family is getting a variety of foods and its all in my budget. They haven't even mention McDonald's.
http://www.e-mealz.com/amember/go.php?r=69275&i=l0

Coupons: I still clip my Sunday newspaper coupons, but if you don't have that kind of time you can get coupons on bettycrocker.com or coupons.com and just print them off your computer. Plus you only pick the ones you know you want.