by jolyn on July 15, 2010
Finally. Oh, how I’ve missed you all! We logged almost 2000 miles in ten days between Ohio and Kansas. It did rain over the 4th of July, effectively canceling my sister’s Independence Day Bash. We did, however, manage to set some money on fire light some fireworks at my parent’s house in between bouts [...]
by jolyn on April 12, 2010
Alternate Title: Why You Shouldn’t Travel Without an Emergency Fund Alternate-Alternate Title: How Not To Communicate with Your Husband About Finances Alternate Sub-Title: Why You Might Not Want to Max Out a ROTH Right Before Traveling Cross-Country First I Met With Our Financial Adviser On our recent trip to Kansas to visit family, I met [...]
by jolyn on April 6, 2010
Whew, what a Spring Break we’re having! We drive almost 800 miles to visit family in Kansas; the air conditioner goes out in the van; my youngest has an ear infection and a sinus infection; and my oldest has strep. Oh, and my camera broke. Why is it we came here again? Hmm… To be [...]
by jolyn on January 28, 2010
I have just been dragging my heels writing this post because it is such a sore point for me: When I look back at stupid ways that we’ve spent our money, this one’s near the top of the list. We bought a timeshare 10+ years ago. Ages ago, it seems. And we’ve had some great [...]
by jolyn on November 19, 2009
(Yes, Carmen, I went to Chicago! Thank you for playing!) So… What do a musician from Milwaukee, a yoga instructor from Chicago, and a stay-at-home mom from Dayton have in common? Why, a Kansas high school, of course! We reconnected at our 20-year high school reunion this summer. Amy and I were BFF’s way back [...]
by jolyn on November 17, 2009
Hint: I drove there from Ohio. It was windy. I spent a wee bit of money. (Details to follow…)
by jolyn on August 10, 2009
…and it ain’t pretty. Our van needed a new starter. The total cost of the repair? $1041.55! Ooch. Cost breakdown: Labor: $249.50 Parts: $546.72 Towing: $157.00 Repair Order: $17.47 Sales Tax: $70.86 It was sooo good to get our van back and get back on the road. I think our greatest fear was that the [...]
by jolyn on August 7, 2009
I can no longer pretend I am on vacation, even though we aren’t home yet. We traveled to my hometown in Kansas for my 20-year high school reunion! But we have been stuck here with car trouble, waiting for a part for our high-maintenance (never again) VW Eurovan. Breakdown of the trip so far: Miles [...]
by jolyn on July 22, 2009
You say a lot of prayers and cross yourself even though you’re not Catholic. Then you pray some more and plaster a smile on your face and rattle off everything you think he needs to know again even though you know he’s not listening anymore and finally you say it’ll be okay just relax you [...]
by jolyn on July 16, 2009
My sister Carmen and her 13yo son Ben flew in from Kansas and visited us for a few days. Quote from Carmen, “I don’t want to end up on your budget blog as to how expensive it is to have your sister visit!” Ah, come on! Having family is the perfect excuse to go out [...]