Wake up call

So I was up until 1:30 this morning playing with budget numbers and cash flow balances. Right now, things really suck! But there is some good news along with the bad. Right now we are $21,500 in debt (including car, excluding house). OUCH! But if we stick to our guns and the plan I have currently laid out, we should be down to just two debt payments (besides mortgage) left by November. We should be completely out of debt in less than 3 years. Of course, that means we don't get to eat out for the next six months or go to a movie or buy any gifts for anyone. *Sigh* OK, so maybe I am exaggerating a little, but not by much.

Here was the scariest number I encountered last night: $464....amount of money spent just EATING OUT last month alone. Even scarier: $3400....amount of money spent eating out for the last YEAR. Definitely sobering to look at those numbers. Of course, if we had eaten at home over the same time period we would of have more grocery costs, but not THAT much. We could have probably saved around $3000 just by eating at home more. That makes driving by McD's all that much easier to do these days. Of course, I feel like I am missing out when my co-workers go out but I can really appreciate the fact that I am helping myself get out of debt by staying at my desk.

Wait a minute.....I thought this blog was supposed to be about the happenings of my family, not our dire financial straights. Yes, that was the intention, and for the most part it remains the ultimate goal. But typing all these things out has really helped me with my thought process.

So how is the family doing, anyway? Scott is well and it looks like he is only going to be spending 2 weeks in New Zealand instead of the original month. I wish I could go with him, but it just isn't going to work; the timing is awful, especially for Caleb. We are still working on potty training with Caleb, and of course, consistency is hardest on our part. He does REALLY well at school, but not so well at home. He is getting it but the age old question still persists....when do little boys learn to pee standing up? I have no idea since I never thought I would ever be asking such a question. Besides, I have never peed standing up so what do I know.

Mom's birthday is this weekend and I think we are going to miss it for the first time in a long time. I had hoped to drive up to spend the day with her, but gas money is really an issue right now and I can't afford a gift right now so maybe if I wait a week to see her I can crochet her something with yarn I already own. Might have to give those dish rags I have been meaning to do a try.