2012 and changes that happened.

2012 was truly a year of changes.
I was in 5 different bible studies.
I found two part time jobs.
I search my own heart and looked at what was important for me.
Not my sisters.
My son.
But just me.
What did I want?

I feel through;

searching.

looking

investigating

I did what was right for me.

And the girlie.

I truly looked into the possibility of moving cross country.

Was it feasible?

How could I make this happen?

Did I really need to make another change?

Even having family back east would they be there for us in a pinch?

I can say the only change was to not make a change again.

Stay put.

Plant roots.
I think Grandma Sherre was the happiest of all.

With some heavy soul searching, I had thought what was feasible and why was I so uncomfortable.

I was tired of constantly living so constrained.

I needed breathing room in a sense.

So after having a mentor from church, a leader within the church and a counselor through the church all tell me

"it's not about finances"

"you need to plant roots"

"can you realistically bring in a roommate to save some money?"

All I knew is that I had five types of financial commitments payable to vendors that needed to be paid.

I wasn't seeing the balances dropping.
Pretty discouraging at times.
So saying yes to bringing in the roommates was a necessity.

By Nov 7th, I had brought in a Single mom with a young daughter.
They have the front bedroom with the bathroom off the hallway that used to be Savannah's.
Within the first month of having roommates I paid off two accounts.

After Christmas I paid off another.

I can say I have two more to pay off.

It's going to feel good to not pay towards five different debts.

It's been a huge transition for two families under one roof.

And it's two mom's just trying to put food on the table.

There has been the compatibility of lifestyle.

routines.

Everything you can think of is compromised.

I don't know how long I expect to live this way, but for right now I'm walking the way GOD has aligned the road.
I'm honoring him first.
Trying to attain good financial stewardship.
I have to stay on task, and I can't do anything different till these bills are paid OFF.
Savannah and I are on our way to having stability because of this.

Here are some small changes I've made.
I used to fret about food for a month at a time.
Why?
It gets super scary seeing your bank balance and wondering how are you going to pay for food when there is really nothing left?
I guess the way I was living I was looking at the big picture instead of one day at a time and just living for that one day.
So I started making out a menu for a week.
Shopping for what is on the menu.
It's really saved me alot of money that way too.
Here's a menu I posted for the next four days.

I only plan for four days max. 

The next thing I do, Is If I have cash, I write down how many expenditures are purchased with that money on hand.
Makes you somewhat more thrifty.
Do I really need something additional?

And One last Item, this Lil Shiny beaut is the next change.
I'm drinking more tea (caffeine free) as my drink of choice.
No purchasing of soda.
I love this hot water pitcher.
You having boiling water in 90 secs.
Can't top that boiling it on the stove.
My best bud Barb had brought it home from her office as they weren't using it.
It's used every day!

God bless you and yours.

What is on the front burner for your weekend?