Trimming The Fat...

It's that time of the year again, when people examine their life and look to the future and at the magic strike of midnight, on Jan 01 of any given year, we set goals,resolutions and do-overs. We here at The Cayer house we are no different. We have set 4 monetary goals as a family this year, which means giving up things we love like take out, concerts, Fargo wknds, Winter trips, shopping, just to name a few. But we are trying to each our girls along with ourselves about the Big Picture, getting what you want and not getting into debt to get it. Our daughter is nearly 13, and was obviously on the same destructive financial path as we have been on for many years....buy now pay later, reconsolidate. It's a nasty circle to feel comfortable living in. After a few sleepless nights, I realized it was time to make a change and along with setting a good example for our kids We Will Be Finacially Responsible this year. So I went over statements after statements, found our weaknesses, and started to think of a plan. I am a big fan of the envelope system, after bills are accounted for, the rest of the money is transferred to different accounts, my electronic envelopes, and dispensed by needs and priorities. I hope to have two credit cards, a personal loan and 1/2 of 2013 Vacation money saved or paid off! Without really sacrificing happiness. We have lived to excess and have not fully enjoyed the basic comforts of home in many years. We are settling in in for a slow down, pay down kinda year!! Good luck to you with your goals for 2012! If you have any great tips, free activities or great deals, please feel free to post here, I think we all love a good deal!!