Well, my daughter needs braces!!  It is going to cost us an arm and a leg……  Money is tight around our household and we are giving ourselves a challenge!!!  Tonight, before we are all in bed, Mark and I are going to talk to the kids about our goal.

We had to take a small medical loan out to pay for these braces.  If I had a few more years, I probably could purchase them outright.  But, then Justin will need them!  Our dear dentist has already explained that he will need them as well…. OY!!

It is a two year loan and will not strap us to say the least.  However, Mark and I want to pay it off earlier than the bank would like for us to.  So, for the next 6 months we are planning to pretend that we only have $3.00 left in the bank and any extra money will go towards this loan….

1.  Vacations:  We will only set ourselves a spending limit of our regular “grocery” budget costs and weekly gas (for both vehicles).

2.  Cash only:  I will only use cash for the grocery trips.  Any extra cash will go into a fruit jar.  Once we reach the total of a montly payment, we will take it to the bank.

3.  We will have to all be penny wise. No snacks from the store.  No candy at the free movies (we can bake our own cookies).  Water only.  Sorry Justin no sodas!  Feels like Lent again!!

4.  We will have to keep our traveling at a minimum to save gas.

I know I know!!  Sounds like stuff we always do!!  BUT, this is just a reminder to really stick to it!!  WE become relaxed sometimes!!

5. Outside of Birthdays:  NO GOING OUT TO EAT!!  We will be armed with calculators and only can spend $25.00 for the trip out!!  (Mark’s and Justin’s Birthday dinners!)

6.  In six months it will be Christmas time!!  Once again, we will do homemade and keep everything under $5.  We are considering upcycling the materials we have to create the gifts!  This should be fun!!!

Wish us luck!!

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