managing money

I love talking about finances.  I find spending habits and how couples manage there incomes fascinating.  I don't need to know how much they make but what do they do with their money is so interesting to me.

I realize that I am a dork, but I love this stuff.

We don't have a budget.  I am not saying that it is a financial free for all at our house, but some money comes in, some goes out, and goes to savings.  I know about what I spend each month on groceries and extras, but that is it. 

I got laid off just before we were married and then promptly had Taylor, we have never been a two income household. There was never mine and yours, it was always ours. 

It works for us, but all my friends do it differently.  Some have budget for everything, some put percents of their income into the communal pot for bills, some have one income go to savings and retirement and one for monthly expenses. 

How do you manage your money? 

Do you know how much or what percent goes to different things each month (like groceries, or eating out, shoes...)?

Do you have any tricks or tips for saving money, budgeting, or otherwise managing money?

Are there things you are not willing to skimp on?

Best,

elena

the path not taken

I have a friend in town.

Our lives are a little different...

She and her coworkers fly on commuter airplane to work each morning.

I drive preschool carpool.

She goes grocery shopping once a month.

I grocery shop one to four times a week.

I have to negotiate every part of my day, my shower, my run, my coffee, everything.

She, well... does not.

I used to dream of being an expat.

Now I day dream of a vacation abroad or down the road with my children and husband in tow.

When I look at my friends that have taken different roads, I think a lot about the choices I have made.

I get to snuggle my babies when they wake up.  We get to picnic in the park, and play in the sun.

There are upsides to each of the paths we choose, this is mine.


Happy Wednesday,

elena

what I did last week

Today I am joining my friend Kim and posting:


     So grab a beer, or a hot cup of coffee and check out my week, it was a good one.


We started out Monday morning with a house full of kids.

My son turned into a boy and not just a baby.

We helped our friend Jeremy celebrate his birthday, you can read their story told by my friend Liz here.

Outside + Sun + Popsicles = Happy Kids + Happy Mamas

We spent Sunday in wine country, yes that is a bottle bubbly and a sippy cup on the table.

To make wine country with kids fun come prepared, we brought a bubble maker, a ball and a wagon.

Rob finally got to come home. Check my family out.

Did you notice Taylor's pose?

It was a good week.


Happy Monday,

elena

I enjoy parenting more when the sun is out

Happy, dirty and loving it

Really.

It has been raining for weeks.

I am not a home body. 

Lugging around two kids in the rain gets old.

This week the rain went away and it got warm, summer warm.

It has been in the 80's.

I am a much better mom when we can play outside.

Warm weather means, the park, summer concerts, picnics, swimming, sprinklers, happy hour in the back yard while the kids play (if you have not tried this I highly recommend).

No more jackets and boots, on to sun dresses and flip flops.

No more hearty soups and red wine, on to berries, barbaque, salad, beer and margaritas (and juice boxes). 

Outside, sunshine.

Parenting is so much better when the sun is out.


Happy Friday,

elena


*What are you looking forward to this spring?