Debt Free Forever! (I can't wait to yell that!)

I was at the first London Gail Club meeting of 2012, and we were thinking of a way to put a system in place for the new folks who want to get help with their finances. We talked about having regular monthly meetings, with bi-weekly check-ins for those who want something a little more structured. We discussed various topics that we could cover, and even where we would meet.

Now, I think I'm fairly good at coming up with topics, and could likely write an article or two about ways to save money, but Gail Vaz - Oxlade I'm not. I've been noodling with ideas for the past week on how this is all going to work.

Then like magic, Gail's blog popped up with this: http://www.debtfreeforever.ca/. For $4.99 including taxes, you get an instant download of her Spending Analysis with instructions, Spending Journal worksheet with examples and The Budget Worksheet with her Life Pie & The Jars incorporated! What a great deal!
(Just so you know, I am in no way being compensated for promoting this products.)

Gail said: " I’ve created this package for all the people who keep writing to me to ask for budgets, spending analysis worksheets and budget binder pages. "

I'm thinking it would be a great idea for those in our Gail Club who need it to buy this download, and this is what we'll work from, because we know from experience, that if you put in the hard work, this system works!

My favourite paragraph that Gail wrote about this product: " If you’re an expert at excel, you can do this for yourself. You don’t need to buy the package. If you’ve got a system that works, please save yourself the five bucks and stick with what you’ve got. "


What do you think? Would your family benefit from the use of a tool like this? Or is what you're doing now working just fine?

Sunday Night Chit - Chat, Jan. 22/12

Courtesy of Carla over at My Half Dozen Daily. Play along if you like. :)

What are you…

Reading?

Watching?

(Can't wait until The Walking Dead starts up again on February 12th.)

Listening to?

Hubby is watching The Hulk as I work on the computer.

Cooking/Baking?

Last night I made Cabbage rolls, and we opted to have a 'leftovers' night to get rid of some of the stuff just hanging out in the fridge.

Happy you accomplished this week?

I finished the shawl I was knitting (boy, did I detest that yarn!) and another dishcloth that I found that was half done. Now I can focus on getting some Swiffer sweeping cloths knitted to use up my cotton stash. I also managed to put change in my sealed pot everyday this week, including the 39 cents that I found in the apartment building hallway today.

Looking forward to next week?

Getting the majority of the charity newsletter articles prepared and starting layout and design.

Being able to eat lots of fresh veggies this week. I devoted about $20 of my grocery budget just to fruits and veggies to help me eat more healthy.

Thankful for today?

Working out a plan with Hubby that should alleviate the housing situation stress.

Hearing my little boy tell a complete stranger that his mommy is 'boo-tee-full'.

Where I'm At Today

Didja see the new progress bars I added to the side? ------->

Trying to stay focused on several things at once is difficult, and my wee little brain gets all swarmed with things I'm trying to remember. Thank goodness I write mostly everything down and/or put them on my blog so I can see them every day.

So this is where I'm at today with some goals:

• 10 pound challenge: I've lost 1 pound. I have eliminated almost all salt from my diet, increased fruit, veggie & water intake. But I haven't exercised. Let's see if the 1 pound stays lost or it finds it's way back home to my rear end.
• Emergency Fund: with only 39 days to go, I'm unsure if I'll make it to the $500. With $63.00, I'm 12.6% of the way there. Money will find it's way into this account if it kills me. :)
• My sealed pot is collecting little bits of change here & there. I'm actually hoping to fill it.
• I did start an Etsy shop, but am procrastinating putting anything in it. Must. Do. Soon.
• I printed out my Big Book, and have started filling it out. Lots of info to compile still.

My biggest stress right now is about our housing situation.I'm not comfortable sharing the whole situation, but suffice it to say we could be moving at the end of next month. We could have some very rocky times ahead of us.

My girl has a PD day today, so I'm bringing her with me and Cub to playgroup this morning. We have a bunch of running around to do after, so it should be an exciting day.

How are you doing with your monthly goals and challenges?

This Just In!!

*Update: This signing is now confirmed with Chapters, and the events page is up to date!

With much excitement, I'm happy to report that I found another Gail Vaz-Oxlade signing!!!

Who: Gail Vaz-Oxlade


What:Gail Vaz-Oxlade, bestselling author and host of television shows Princess and 'Til Debt Do Us Part, knows a few things about taking control of your finances. Meet Gail as she signs her new book, It's Your Money: Becoming A Woman Of Independent Means.

Where:Chapters Oshawa
Oshawa, Ontario

When:
Saturday, February 18th
1:00 pm

Hubby and I have been fortunate enough to be able to meet Gail a couple of times. She is the most wonderful, down to earth, most beautiful person you ever want to meet.

Valentine's Day is coming up, so my request to Hubby will be to go to Oshawa, meet Ms. Gail and have her autograph my copy of her newest book, It's Your Money: Becoming a Woman of Independent Means , along with a couple of other books of hers that we own. :)

The first time we met Mizz Gail. :D

Us with Mizz Gail again. Sweet!

I hope to be able to go see her again. Please Hubby??? Please???