Our New Used Car

In an attempt to downsize our monthly bills, we have decided to give up our 2011 Honda Pilot (with heated leather seats, navigation system, Sirius/XM radio ready, DVD player, ugh shall I go on?) for a 2008 Mazda CX-7:

This is the first of many hard decisions (but RIGHT decisions) we are making. Even my friend's daughter, who happens to be a highly recommended raleigh accountant, said we are being smart. Hey, this car is saving us $200/month and about $100/year in car insurance!

My Little Guy

Awww, my Wyatt - the baby. He is still so short! Olivia and Dante are tall and then there is Wyatt, who still needs to stand on a step stool when he washes his hands or brushes his teeth.

That's him at one of the football games Olivia's squad cheered at, so this was back in October. He is wearing her zip-up sweatshirt - look how big it is on him!

More Date Nights on the Horizon

CJ and I still have like 3 customized gift cards yet to use that we got for Yule last year. We usually use these situations to get a date night for us.

I am so glad my mom lives next door because that makes it easy for her to watch the kids while we go out. As the years pass I am realizing how important it really is for CJ and I to have alone time together.

Looking for Unique Things

I am always on the look out for sites that showcase unusual gifts and other unique items, regardless if it is the holiday season or not.

Recently, I decided to create a blog to feature my favorite items as well as host contests and giveaways. Check out Cool Gifts and Giveaways and if you are hosting a giveaway, please let me know about it so I can pass it along!

Saving Money

Guest post written by Derick Burks

Being an only child made me grow up fast but one of the best things is that I learned how to save money from my mom. She was always clipping coupons and seeking out sales and I learned some real tricks of the trade from her and that’s helped me score the best deals.

I love using my WIRELESSINTERNET.NET connection to see what’s going to be on sale where the coming week and then I come up with a plan. Usually use my lunch hours at work to get out and run errands, buying things at a discount that otherwise would be really expensive.

I think it’s cool being able to see the register ring up at so much less than the tag price but you know, at the end of the day I wish I could save more, always. It’s that drive that keeps me playing this game and I can thank my parents for instilling this penny pinching way into me – it’s made me a lot of money over the years!