dreams

Currently Daydreaming…

Posted by Ginna on Feb 10, 2011 | 2 comments

About my seven-day honeymoon in Cancun:

…and the sunny new outfits I want to buy for it:

Speaking of honeymoons… make sure to enter YOUR story on my Married Guest Post series that will feature when I am honeymooning. Details here. Deadline is February 25!

(Photos from H&M, Target, Old Navy, Madewell, Anthropologie and J.Crew)

I have decided…

Posted by Ginna on May 2, 2010 | 8 comments

…. to quit my job and move to North Carolina at the end of May.

No, I don’t have a job yet. Yes, this is a big leap of faith and quite possibly a really stupid thing to do. But I’m willing to take that risk. Sorry for all of the secrets around here, but come back tomorrow and I promise to fill you in on all the details. :)

It’s about the journey…

Posted by Ginna on Apr 20, 2010 | 7 comments

“Life isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey.”

I’m trying to come up with the word to describe my life at the moment, but can’t really pinpoint what the adjective is. It’s something close to the following: Evolving. Emotional. Exhausting. Exciting.

For the last four months there have been little life developments that I have been DYING to update you all on! Unfortunately I have to continue to be mysterious… but let me just give you a tiny little hint: One of my 2010 goals may be accomplished soon.

{photo credit}

(Town)Home Ownership?

Posted by Ginna on Mar 17, 2010 | 16 comments

{via}

J and I agree on all major life issues, but we try not to plan our lives away and simply take each day as it comes (a much easier task for him than me). A few weeks ago, however, we indulged in a little future dreaming. He asked me what my ideal financial time line would look like. We’re pretty open about our finances and discussed emergency funds and saving for retirement and getting his debt paid off and saving for a home and when kids would fit into the picture. (I know—serious talk, right?)

We stayed on the house topic for a while. I confess I’m slightly terrified of buying a house; one because I’m so ignorant of the house-buying process, and two because I’ve heard so many horror stories about young couples who get trapped in a home that they cannot afford. We both agreed that we don’t want to rush into anything and want to be financially prepared for home ownership.

Then he asked me whether I would want to purchase a townhome or a house. Honestly, I had never considered a townhome, but I’ve been thinking more about it. It would be a low-maintenance frugal first home. However, both of us would like to have kids one day and I’m not sure if I’d like to raise kids in a townhouse, so is it wise to buy a place that has an expiration date on it? But then again, perhaps it would be a good transitional home while we save for a real house. Hmm.

Townhome Perks:

• cheaper
• low maintenance
• community amenities
• could rent it out to others

Townhome Drawbacks:

• limited space
• noise/neighbors
• community fees
• could be difficult to sell
• little yard/garden area

What are your thoughts on owning a townhome vs. a single family home? Is owning a townhome a good investment? I’m not seriously considering it, but am interested in hearing others’ opinions on the topic.

I’M DEBT FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Posted by Ginna on Mar 4, 2010 | 49 comments

A person’s lifetime is filled with memorable dates: birthdays, first dates, anniversaries, etc. I am happy to announce that March 4, 2010 is added to my list of significant dates in my life. Today is the day I become Debt Free!

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This post may be slightly dramatic recapping my quest towards debt-freedom… but some day I will grow accustomed to having a positive balance in my financial life and slowly I’ll forget the significance of today. So before moving on, I kind of want to be sentimental and inadequately describe the fantastic feeling of freedom I have at this moment. I owe nothing! Not even a tiny balance on a credit card! When I look at my money, it is all mine. Three years and $13,800 later, I am finally debt free! Here’s the final recap of my payments:

Thank you to anyone who has encouraged me during this last year! To anyone who is in debt… you CAN do it! It takes a lot of hard work and perseverance, but I promise the end result is worth it. I’m done! I’m done! I’m done!!!!

My Me Fund Choice….

Posted by Ginna on Dec 10, 2009 | 16 comments

Yesterday I asked what you would save for as a “debt-free celebration.” I already had in mind what I would choose, but I found the answers to be very interesting! A lot of you chose to take a trip. I love traveling and really like that idea, but I think that I’ll save that for once J is finished with his debt also so we can both enjoy it together (more on that later). The gift I plan to get myself will be just for me. :)

I’ll give you three hints about what I choose my “debt-free item” will be:

1. It sparkles.

2. It shines.

3. It arrives in a pretty teal box.

That’s right: I’d like this debt-free item to be jewelry.

Ann was actually dead on when she commented about jewelry being a keepsake forever. My grandmother was a very classy lady and taught me that nice jewelry tells stories. She would remark on each of her fine pieces, saying “This is the necklace your grandfather gave me on our 10th anniversary. This is the bracelet I bought when I traveled to Rome. This bracelet your mom and aunts gave me for a birthday one year.” When we were little, she told each of her granddaughters that she wanted to buy us a ring when we turned 13 to mark our teen years. It was so exciting to shop for a ring with her and pick out our favorite jewel. I still wear that ring to this day and it always makes me think of her and the legacy that she left our family.

So I think it fitting to have a nice piece of jewelry to remind me of my financial journey. And what is classier than Tiffany’s? (Answer: nothing). Sure you may be paying for the label, but that’s part of the fun, right? ;)

So there it is folks. Now I need to get my head out of the clouds, off the Tiffany’s website, and put my mind towards more productive things… like getting this dang debt paid off asap! Thanks again for all your votes and suggestions yesterday! You guys really are the best.