Hip Mama's Blog

Just wanted to let any new visitors to know that I have decided to consolidate this blog with my main blog at www.hipmamasblog.com  click on the lable "money makeover" for our progress and to join with us in our journey.  For now, it's just easier to do it all in one spot. Ya know?

Thanks,

Autumn aka Hip Mama

Updates....

I wish I could say we are making great progress toward baby step #1, but we're not.  Baby Step #1 If you don't already know is to come up with a $1000 emergency fund...anyway way you can.  So my goal was to start selling some stuff on Ebay to help out with that.  So far I've made about $175.00.  But unfortunately my "Emergency Fund" is still at a Whopping ZERO.  We keep having to use the money for necessities.  So, I've been looking for a JOB!  Ugh.  Something that fits around the school schedule, and where I would still be able to keep up with the house a bit.  And a job that pays more than $8 an hour (seems like not such an easy task here in our part of Texas.

So, this past week I found a VERY flexible job, w/ decent pay, 10-20 hours a week.  I can do early morning or evening, and I think I might be able to convince the owner to let me do some of it from home eventually.  I start a week from Monday.  I also have an interview for another part-time position that fits within my schedule on Tuesdays.  So we'll see.  I may just take both for a little while since Christmas is coming up and we need things for baby...and the whole Debt. thing.  We shall see.  We're praying God shows favor on us regarding Christmas bonus for My awesome hubby.  His new boss in known to be generous with Christmas bonuses even for new people...we're definately NOT counting on it, but we are HOPING.  :) 

So we are basically still where we started, which could be discouraging if we allowed it to be, but the goal is there, and we are being REALLY careful with our spending.  Keeping track and trying to use cash.  So if you're discouraged...we are all in the same boat.  Did I mention we are getting rid of our Car (with the payment)  and we'll be getting a "beater" for Matt.  We're praying God leads us to a reliable beater. :)

Have you started a budget?  Have you figured out how much debt you are in?  Have you come up with any creative ideas on how to get out of debt?  What have you done differently?

First Steps

This weekend we took our 1st steps toward Financial Freedom...together.  I guess these would be the "Pre-Baby Steps".

Here's what we did:

• Came up with a budget, or at least a work sheet of monthly expenses
• Anaylized areas we thought we could cut a little...to stay with in the recommended percentages
• Came up with areas we could both sacrifice
• Brainstormed ideas for making extra money to get ahead, such as getting back into my Juice Plus Business now that we are getting settled in here...steps I could take to market myself in an area where I know no one. (until recently I was bringin in almost $5000 a year with it, I just got busy with so many other things that it fell to the back burner.  I still make a little but I need to bump it back up...) also ebay unused items? 
• Put together easy menus so grocery shopping is planned, and not spontaneous spending
• This is our first month doing the Angel Food Ministry Program, this should help save some money.  If you are not aware check out the website link above.
• Going to a CASH only System...no debit cards unless absolutely required. 

Have you done anything yet?  What plan are you using? 

Hip Mama

If you don't have a plan yet...We are using Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover"

Baby Step #1:  Save $1000 Emergency Fund
Baby Step #2: Debt Snowball

Our Story

I might go back and edit this post, but for purposes of getting something up here I think it's important to tell you the basics:

• Hip Mama & Dad aren't too Hip when it comes to finances...since we are $60,000 in debt. 
• About 1/2 of that is Student Loan and Car.
• The other half is frivolous credit cards and some personal loans

The plan is to basically use Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" as a guideline.  Check out his website here.  I will try to post more soon.

The first step would be to know approximately how much debt you are actually in...then go from there, as GI Joe says, "knowing is half the battle".

The Challenge

For the purpose of getting started, I'm creating a blog to help keep me accountable in certain areas of my life. At the moment the purpose is financial freedom. The reason for the title, to Love others, to Laugh with family & friends, enjoy Life, and to "Live like No One Else". See my post here for more explanation.

I don't want to limit the ways we can use this blog, we can use it for financial accountability, or other types of accountability/challenges. I just want it to be used as a place to share, be honest and for those who are commited to Living a life in a different direction. I am a believer, so my journey also includes being a good steward of what the Lord has given me. Up until recently my huband and I haven't been very good stewards. I hope those of you who have conquerd finances will share with those of us who struggle and we can all see how we are doing and lock arms and pray for one another as we journey together on this path.

Another burden I have is the growing number of failed marriages today...specifically in "the church body." I believe finances are a major undercurrent of why these marriages are failing. I hope and prayer is that maybe this commitment or challenge might be a small step in keeping a marriage from getting so stressed over money that they forget everything else.

IF you would like to share your story or join the challenge, please let me know. The goal is to have many contributors, and I will mediate for now, but before you take the challenge here's what's important: HONESTY. If you would like anonymity, that's fine...be whoever you want, just keep it real. Just let me know if you would like to be a "challenger". I am open also to contributor's who want to post some tips....time, money, devotional...encouragement. Whatever. Just let me know.