Cheap buys

With a tanked economy, everything (and I mean everything) is on sale or reduced. If you're in the market for a house or car (and have a strong credit rating and down payment) you can find AMAZING deals on not only the cost of a home, but also the the interest rate on a loan.

But, the point of this post isn't to talk about housing. It's to emphasize that you can find deals on everything! Including bridesmaids dresses (you know wedding talk was coming). Yesterday, I ordered a dress for each of my attendants for $28.00 from Ann Taylor. Yes, you read that correctly - $28.00. The total for seven dresses was $212.00 (that included tax and shipping and handling). We're talking about dresses that originally sold for $198.00. Basically, I saved my bridesmaids over 85% on their dresses.

Not only is the dress re-wearable and pretty, it's so low cost, I could easily give the dresses to my girls as a gift! I haven't been in any free weddings - ever. So, I could be the one bride who bought her attendants their dresses....

Anyways... here's a pic of the dress:




I LOVE IT!!!! What do you think?

Wedding Budget

Wedding plans are getting underway. We've got a target date (8.1.09) and a budget. $10,000.

Let's marinate on that for a minute. $10,000! That's a LOT of MONEY for ONE event!! LOL! But, this is a once-in-a-lifetime event. We're looking at around 200 guests (or thereabouts) and around seven attendants. So, of course I've been doing my research. Here's the suggested budget breakdown for a wedding:

Transportation: 2%
Ceremony: 3%
The rings: 3%
Stationary: 3%
Gifts: 3%
Flowers: 8%
Music: 8%
Finery: 8%
Photography/ Videography: 12%
The reception: 48%

So, with my $10K budget, and my percentages for each category in hand, it's time to figure out how I can have the wedding of my dreams without spending all of my moolah!

Do you have any tips or tricks to save money?

I LOVE paying off debt!

Hi to all of my uber fab readers out there! I know I haven't been posting like I want (i.e. 3-5 times a week). Life has gotten so busy for me! Not only have the usual end-of-the-year rush at work and the holiday hustle and bustle started, but I'm actually beginning to plan my wedding!

But, to not lose sight of our focus, I have an update on my debt snowball progress: As of Monday, I paid off TWO MORE cards! Woohoo!!! Y'all, it's like I can't wait to get paid because I get EXCITED about paying off my credit cards! You know why?!?!? Because once they are paid off, I can use my money for whatever I want. And you know what I want! Yep, that's right. A FAT bank account. AND I don't have that chain around my neck! It's like being an independent woman! ***all my ladies, independent***

Anyhoo... I will update my networth info later. I'm a few days off from a month from when I updated it last. From now on, I want to update after I've paid my bills and the payments have posted for my credit cards. I guess I should do it on the last day of the month before payday then, huh?

Well, next up, I'll keep you posted on my wedding budget (and woes), Christmas shopping, and job search updates.

Oh, just in case you wanted to know, my favorite word for the day is Fiance'! LOL!

Who doesn't love a raise?

The State FINALLY gave me BOTH of my raises. One was my annual raise, and the other was a 2.5% raise to give my position a more competitive salary. I'm not complaining either way. After Uncle Sam got his part, and the State took its part for my "retirement," I'm looking at an additional $200/month. Not bad.

You already know the drill: That $200 has already been sucked up into my debt snowball! Which means I hope to reach my goals just a little faster. The faster I pay off the credit cards, the faster I'll be able to start paying for my wedding! *Grinning ear to ear*

Oh, Happy Day!

Sunday was my birthday and my guy asked me to marry him! Yes!!! I'm getting married! I'm sooo excited and happy and overjoyed and filled with emotions! I love him so very much and he's made me so happy! He proposed in the most special way and did an excellent job selecting the ring! It's absolutely STUNNING!! I LOVE IT!

We're shooting for a summer wedding and we'll probably foot most of the bill. This new development will definitely change my financial goals for 2009! For one, I won't be able to save as much money because most of my expendable income will probably be dedicated to the wedding.

We haven't set a budget or anything as of yet. Once we get everything settled, I'll post it here and track our progress. I plan to continue to save a small portion of my income - I can't go through 2009 without making ANY progress towards my goals!