Hopes for 2013

I am officially back to blogging after a whirlwind of holidays, trips and stomach flu. All of it was wonderful, minus the stomach flu of course. Watching your 3 year old vomit all night is, well, heart wrenching and exhausting!

Now back to the point of this post---I'm not big on resolutions, because I tend not to stick to them. However I have decided to make a list of things that I would like to do this year. This list has been written with the expectation that not everything on the list will be accomplished. It is a guideline I have made for myself to keep my goal on track. Here it is: 

1. Learn to sew- I have watched friends and family make these beautiful creations and mend clothes like it's nothing; it's time I learned how to do the same!
2. Plant a garden- At least plant some flowers in 3 big planters outside, and not kill them right away.
3. Get my master's in occupational therapy and pass the national boards- Only 6 more months until I am cleared for graduation. YAY!
4. Have a part-time job
5. Run a 10K- Running is something I am not crazy about. I'm convinced that once I start doing it for real, I won't mind it though.
6. Learn to knit- This goes with sewing, it's one of things that I should be able to do.
7. Read more books- I am currently working on a list of books that I'd like to read that apply to many different areas of my life.
8. Make clay ornaments for Jesse tree in time for next year- This was a project I got started on this year, and only got about half way though. I love the tradition of the Jesse tree and think it would help my family to grow in our understanding of the lineage of Christ. 
9. Blog more- I love blogging! My goal is between 3-4 times per week. 
10. Intentionally pray once a day
11. Save money for a down payment for a house- A decent house around us cost at least $160,000, but more likely around $200,000-$215,000. My dream home has at least 4 bedrooms (for lots of kids eventually) and an enormous backyard. I'd like to save close to half the amount for a down payment. My husband, I'm sure, would tell you that it is an impossible goal. My hopes are still high!

What are your resolutions or hopes for 2013? 

Marrying Young: Grad School and Mommy Style

You can check out my first ever guest post for Mandi over at Catholic Newlywed! I am so excited to share it with all of you.  I wrote about my experience marrying young, having a child young and going to grad school. Here is a little excerpt: 

"The first few months were blissful, but challenging. There were small arguments about things like where the dishes should go after a meal. Then there was the fact that he liked olives on his pizza, and I think they are possibly the most disgusting food on the planet. "

If you are visiting my blog for the first time I am so glad your here! I encourage you to check out some of my favorite posts so far:  About Me,  Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, When To Buy Cheap, and When Not To, Sirach and Duties Towards God, and Wedding Rehearsal Ribbon Bouquet

I also love it if you would follow me!

Now I'm sending you back over to some of my favorite posts from Catholic Newlywed: Stay at Home vs. Working Mom, Mapping Your Love Story,  and Advice I Wish My Mom Gave Me Before I Got Married

Thanks for visiting! 

Biblical Wisdom for Personal Finance

I find money frustrating, and I always have. With money, comes greed. Yet it is impossible to live in civilized society without money. I spend probably a little too much time thinking about money, trying to make the best use of what we have. I have searched countlessly for advice on the topic of personal finance. Then I though, what better place to look then the Bible? Here is what it says about money: 

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is life not more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are not you more important that they? Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan?"

-Matthew 6: 25-27

Wow! I couldn't think of a more powerful quote. While, it doesn't mention money specifically, it does bring up material possessions. It is so important that we put our trust in God, in everything. This applies to even our finances. God will provide for us, if we trust in Him. This can be so hard for me to do in my own life, because I always want to budget down to the cent. If we find ourselves with an unexpected situation like a flat tire, I find myself worrying the whole rest of the month about money. I need to remind myself that God says not to worry, and trust in Him. He will take care of us!

"Rely not on your wealth; say not: 'I have the power'."- Sirach 5:1

We again are reminded to trust in the Lord, and not in our wealth. Money gives us the illusion of power. But really, we have nothing without God. 

"Barter not a friend for money, nor a dear brother for the hold of Ophir."- Sirach 7:18

This is one of those quotes I wish I would have read long before I came across it. We shouldn't lend our family and friends money! This is hard for some people to hear, but it really is true. Lending family and friends money puts a barrier in between you and the other person. It can cause a lot of harm in your relationship. Now this doesn't mean that you shouldn't help out someone close to you who needs help. But maybe it means that you should help them out, without expecting return payment. 

"One man pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth. A man's riches serve as ransom for his life, but the poor man heeds no rebuke." - Proverbs 13: 7-8

What does this mean? It means we should live within our means. We shouldn't buy a home we can't comfortably afford, we shouldn't max out credit cards to give others the false illusion that we have money. We end up tied to our belongings and they really can't and won't serve us. On the flip side, if we have been blessed with wealth, we shouldn't flaunt it. It might be tempting to spend it all on really nice things, but we are told not to. We will find a much greater wealth in giving to others and finding joy in people and Christ, rather than stuff. 

"Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts."- James 5:4

We should be generous with the money we do have! If we go out to eat and the waiter serves us well, we should tip them well. If we have a hard working babysitter that lovingly watches our children, we should pay them well. If we are in a position of management we should pay our employees well. 

What are some of the biggest lessons you have learned in your own life about personal finance?