My Life

I have now read the first week of my Series 7 assignments.  Honestly the only word I can use to explain it is... BLAH!!!! ;) lol
I have read and read and read.. Honestly there are so many things about common stock, preferred stock, bonds, municipal bonds, what they mean.  where they come from and worst... The crazy equations that go along with each.

On the other hand, it is pretty incredible.  I never thought that I would learn so much after school... at least from a book.  I wish that EVERY text book was written like my study guide! It is far from fun to read but gives me al the information I have need and learned.

I still have 3 weeks before I leave my current Government job and enter the private sector... But it is pretty incredible!

SERIES 7!!!

This is now my new life!!

 

Not just ANY 7... The Series 7.   To put it simply this is commonly known as "STOCKBROKER EXAM"

Not too bad???????????? RIGHT???????????

Lets give you a few little facts

-It is a Test

- It is a SIX HOUR Exam

- 260 Questions

- Adminstred by feh Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.

-You only need a 72% to pass

---oh and the small fact.  I take my exam on April 11!

 

 Time to learn what this means.

 And where this is

 All the rules.. Regulations and EXCITEMENT of this Very special Place!! 


If I am MIA between now and then.... Thats my excuse!!

Interview Preperation!

I spent most of the day yesterday planning and researching for my pending interview.  Tomorrow will decide my next few months and ON TO YEARS.  I'm hoping God will provide and that what I think is right for me is, however only God knows what I am ready for.  However, that doesn't mean I don't have to prepare.

We all want it to be simple and easy, however God is not capable of giving us blessings, gifts, or guidance if we are not ready to receive them.

I still feel that there is still so much more I need to learn, however, I'm willing to do all that I need to, to be ready.

Thanks to the wonderful world of Pintrest I found some great helpful topics.  I read though a bunch of tips and wrote down alot of the common questions asked.  I filled about half a notebook with notes to prepare me, and I feel like I am about ready for this challenge.  I also wrote answers to each one of the questions. 
1: I feel that my resume and cover letter were perfected a few weeks ago. (about 2 days after I received the notification of interview #2) then
2: I spent about a week or two preparing for the Critical Thinking assessment.  I was silly and Googled "critical thinking assessment" I received MANY brain teaser questions like...

"You have only an 8-liter jug and a 3-liter jug. Both containers are unmarked. You need exactly 4 liters of water. 

How can you get it, if a water faucet is handy?"
  
Really, you have GOT TO ME KIDDING ME!!
These types of questions are NOT good for me.  My mind doesn't think that way, however I worked and worked and practiced and practiced.  Then I downloaded an app on my phone.  That way no matter were I am, I can prepare.   The app was WAY better then the silly brain teasers.  They were thought out real questions.  TOUGH non the less, they really make you think, but I loved it!
3: I spent the weekend and yesterday preparing for the interview. I have my clothes laid out, I have my answers ready, and I spent a few years researching the company.  On almost every site I read I needed to know about the company.  I knew alot, however I didnt realize how LITTLE I really did know.  Actually made me sad to realize I know so little about my current job. However, im looking forward and working foward!!
I want to end with a quote.

 

I swear one day I will go back to budgeting... However, I think all enjoy a good real life from time to time. 

After time to think: TV

My brain feels alittle like MUSH... I have an EGGPLANT for a BRAIN.. And honestly I am quite ashamed.

I would say..
MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTION IS TO WATCH LESS TV.

However, so far in my past, i've not been very successful with my new years resolutions, SO i have a new idea.  I will be turning off the TV.  I have 3 "shows"  (Parenthood, Revenge, and Grey's Anatomy).  That equals out to a total of 3 hr per week.  Not bad... BUT not good.  Ok now time to put it down.  That pretty much equals 30 min a day.  Well.. thats ok? RIGHT...
Well this is my challenge to myself.  I HATE to work out.. I have never enjoyed exercise, but it is no longer a choice i get to have for myself, I NEED to exercise. So my goal for THIS WEEK ( I do better when I do short term goals) for EVER minute of tv I watch.  I must Exercise that amount.

However I DON'T plan to do them both at the same time.  

Along with this, I will also challenge my son to do something similar. He gets to watch up to 30 min of TV a day. (YES this means I have to be a more entertaining parent) And then it is homework, color, etc.  More then anything BOOK READING time.

I hope this will work :(

WISH US LUCK!!!

I challenge you to unplug and try this out! 


AND to add insult to injury I came across this link

6 Shocking Ways TV Rewires Your Brain
#6. It Changes You, Even if You're Too Young to Know What You're Watching
#5. Yes, TV Lowers Your Attention Span
#4. It Alters Your Dreams

 

 So there you have it.  I guess TV needs to be much more limited in my life!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Budget...????

We started our $2,000 budget a few weeks back, but I am the FIRST to admit, we did NOT follow our bduget like I wanted to for christmas.

Thank You to ALL who sent me money for my Graduation, Because of that we were able to NOT go into ANY DEBT! however, that doesn't mean we did what we should.  So we are working on that now.

I already know how much we spend when it comes to monthly expenses

Groceries	400
Dining Out	400
Gas	350
Shady	50
Medical	50
Gifts	100
Clothes	50
House	50
Dates	50
Spending	300

However when I look at this total of $1800 it is ALOT!!!!!!!!

I am now onto baby steps, so that is my current GOAL!

Some of these we KNOW we cant fix them, (because of necessary expenditures) ie GAS
But otherwise we are on a mission to drop this.

I have been looking at ideas online, however I cant figure out what exactly will work best for us.

Now it is time to face the fire and GET IN CONTROL and lower that amount!

How to pick what for who?

Trying to decide who to buy for and who not to buy for is a CHALLENGE!! I don't care who you are but it is DIFFICULT!!
Over the past few years we have been able to get together with our siblings to agree to buy for the kids and NOT for the adults.  We have also worked to lower the amount of things we buy for friends and neighbors.  We will get a few small gifts for close friends. 
There are many blogs out there that work on how to limit the gifts for your children.  I have to say, that is something I really SHOULD look into.  I feel it will be alot less stressful,... HOWEVER I don't know if I could really do it.

We normally don't get our kids much for their birthdays, and other then christmas we try not to buy them much of anything.  Mom and dad get the kids clothes for christmas so that Santa can focus on the FUN stuff! but here is an idea.
My sweet sister texted me this link this morning and I SWEAR this is TRULY how a baby/toddler feels about christmas! READ THIS!!!(it will make you SMILE!) http://theuglyvolvo.com/2013/12/10/a-ten-month-olds-letter-to-santa/

One idea that worked well for me this year is, I normally try to get something fun and thoughtful for my employees at work. However I have 20 of them, and Chris has 40.  That makes for ALOT of little presents.  So I decided at my work christmas party (only 13 total people were there).  However they were the ones that took time out to be there.  I picked up the tab.  I hadn't really planed on doing it, however it was MUCH less stressful and difficult then trying to find a Simple in expensive meaningful gift.  (I asked hubby before I did, that is ALWAYS a good idea.) but it was less expensive then what I would have spent for the whole office, and I was happy I did it. It was low key, and I loved the feeling I had after.  It was the true feeling of christmas to me. Giving to those who you care about.  Chris is working with his supervisory staff to make soemthing fun for his employees and I look forward to seeing what they decide.


I love this idea that I took from Yahoo Voices

Gifts to People Other Than Family

Limit the gifts you give to people other than immediate family. You might suggest that you and your friends meet for a nice holiday luncheon rather than exchange gifts this year.

An evening of Caroling with your friends is another great idea. Spending time together over the holidays may mean more to all of you than a gift would mean.

There are always people on our shopping list that we feel obligated to give a gift to, such as teachers, the postman, and other people who provide a service for us through out the year. Instead of buying a gift for each of these people considering doing one of the following:

Make a big batch of cookies, muffins, or candy, and divide that up as gifts to these kind of people on your list. Many times you can give a food gift for a dollar or two per person thus saving a good deal of money for these kinds of gifts.

Other homemade gifts such as jams, jellies, and homemade ornaments are often appreciated when they come from the heart and are cheaper than buying something that the receiver may not even use.

Instead of buying separate gifts for coworkers why not bring in a big plate of cookies and present them to everyone. This will not only save money but will brighten a normal work day for everyone and help all to get in the holiday spirit.

I think that is a great way to lower the expectations of things people really don't want. 

 

Also I want to close with the idea of Rather then spending MONEY spend TIME.  Make time for those who are important to you, and that Will make a difference. 

Back in Action!

As my last semester of college is coming to a close, I have felt quite overwhelmed.  So, this blog fell to the wayside.  No not proud of it, but I am back and IN ACTION!! :)

I have been reading listening to a few books.  Here is a slight review of the ones I have listened to so far.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad:  Robert Kiyosaki: I started reading this book prob about a year ago, for a book report for one of my classes, needless to say, I wrote a paper about it, however after talking with a coworker who loves the author, I learned I needed to read it again.  I listened to all 6 disks in just over a week.  I have to say he got me motivated.  He made me want to go out and get rental property, get my money working for me, etc.  However after thinking about it while reading it and the days that followed, it got me motivated, but it also made me realize that I am the poor dad, and I am ok with that.  I know that we should all push for more, but I would like to be self sufficient, however I want it in my way.

I knew that Chris would love it, so after I finished it, I put it in his car and he has been listening to it.  I knew that it would get him fired up and on board with investing and making our money work hard.  I am one that can listen to it, and love it, but when it comes to that type of action, it isnt exactly my cup of tea.  I like the numbers not the research behind it.  So hopefully as a team we will get it together.

The money class: Suze Orman:  I will admit, I have bought into societies opinions of this author. I have heard some very negative things about her, and I let that be my opinion.  A little while back my mother gave me a copy of her book The 9 Steps Financial Freedom. I let it sit on my book shelf then on my night stand for a long time.  I would say at least 1-2 years.  However after going through financial HELL, it was time to give her a chance.  I read the first 2-3 chapters of the book, and just couldn't get into it. There are some books I love to read, however i'm easily distracted, so books on tape are MUCH better for me.  I am on disk 3 of 4 right now, and I have to say that she has some very good ideas.  One of them is to create your own "truth" I liked that part.  I will admit that she tells you to write down alot of things, however when I am listening in the car, I don't do this, and I dont think that I ever will, however it is a good plain.

I am glad that I have given her a second chance to make my own opinion of her.  However, I'm still not a follower.  She has good ideas, and some good info, however she tells you alot about what you should do with money, NOT how to use your money.

Between these 2 books, I would have to say that I liked Rich Dad, Poor Dad better, in my opinion. However I plan to continue to find money books at the library and learn as much as I can.

I do still have to say out of all of the financial advisers that I have listened to SO FAR, Dave Ramsey is still my favorite.  He not only has a what, he has a how.  And as he says, "it isn't complicated but it is difficult."

Books!

I am currently finishing up my LAST class, (3 credit) to get my BS degree, and I have been going to college for the last 8 YEARS so with that, I have not had alot of time to just read what I want.  I have been trying to add a new book at least every few months, to read something for me, that does not mean that I ever really finish them, but I love it.
I started this book at least 6 months ago.  I read a few pages, and even up to a chapter or two, then put it down.  I read the millionaire next door in a few weeks and loved it, so i'm really trying to read for me.  I then picked it up prob about a month or so ago, again to try to read it, I carried it around in my purse too and from school, work etc.  However over the past week im GLUED!! I dont let myself read it too much, i can get Lost in a book and never do anything else.  and thats NOT good.  But I am 2/3 of the way throught it, and will prob finish it by the end of the weekend.

THE HAPPINESS PROJECT!!
This book is ME! I love reading what Gretchen has written about her self, it sounds so much like me sometimes.

It has me looking at important parts of my life.  I just read her chapter about 'Money" no shock, however when i was at the Library last week, I picked up another book with the title "How to Buy Happiness"  I am loving how they use money to build onto happiness, but not in a way that destroys their life.  :)
OK back to book #1 ;) lol.   She is taking many tips as to how to make those around you happy.  She writes about how even though she hasn't really seen a huge differance in her persionaly happiness she knows that those around her have been affected in a good way.

She is different from me when it comes to a religion, however, I love having the mindset as I read and think and learn about myself and how I want to be for my family, and what I can learn that will bless others.

LOANS!

I am sorry in ADVANCE my world is totally HOUSE driven right now! May be bad, and I am sorry, but it is what it is! :)
It is pretty much inevitable that at one time or another, everyone will have a loan.  I know there are many out there (Dave Ramsey) that would like it differently, FREAK ALL of us would like it differently, however that is NOT the name of the game. 
I am the first to admit that I have debt in my life, like most

Car
Credit Card
Student Loan
Mortgage

And now as we prepare to embark on another step of our journey we will be obtaining another mortgage with our new home.

I am back in school, and feeling all SMART again! :) lol  or just doing homework.  I have built an amortization schedule.  The HUGE mortgage ;) we were calculating was $50,000, not sure about your area but here that would buy one a VERY VERY VERY run down home.  However as homework goes, we made up the chart then totaled out the total payments made.
This may come as a suprise to some, but when you barrow  $50,000 at 8% intrest for 10 years you will pay a total of $72,796.56 (not inlcuding extra fees) a cost of just over $22,000 for 10 yr.  But now lets change this just a bit

Here we will discuss amortization over a real mortgage at real rates for real periods.

OPTION 1
The average home price in the united states is $280,000
The current Interest rates on a 30 yr fixed mortgage is at 4.625%
Term 30 years
Payment $1,439.59 

Total paid $518.252.40

Difference of $238,252  MORE then price.  Wow that is almost paying for the home TWICE

OPTION 2
The average home price in the united states is $280,000
The current Interest rates on a 15 yr fixed mortgage is at 3.625%
Term 15 years
Payment 2,018.90

Total Paid $363,402

Difference of $83,402  MORE then price.  Crazy what a difference of 1% point and 15 yr can make. 

Other Options
Sadly more often then not there are many other loan options, and many hurt you more then help

If you have ever heard of an ARM or Jumbo RUN.   
ARM: is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage: Not sure if you are aware but interest rates are at an ALL TIME LOW in our country right now.  My parents always talk of buying one of their first homes at a 14% interest rate, nowadays is under 5%.  The ARM does not take advantage of the options available. 

• "Both 2/28 and 3/27 mortgages are examples of ARMs. A 2/28 mortgage's initial interest rate is fixed for a period of two years and then resets to a floating rate for the remaining 28 years of the mortgage. A 3/27 mortgage is typically the same as a 2/28 mortgage, except that the interest rate is fixed for three years and then floats for the remaining 27 years of the mortgage."

This shows you just how SCARY an ARM can be.  If interest rates are always moving, you may NEVER know what your payments might be and it is CONSTANTLY changing. 


Jumbo:
In the United States, a jumbo mortgage is a mortgage loan that may have high credit quality, but is in an amount above conventional conforming loan limits.This standard is set by the two government-sponsored enterprises, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and sets the limit on the maximum value of any individual mortgage they will purchase from a lender. Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) are large agencies that purchase the bulk of U.S. residential mortgages from banks and other lenders, allowing them to free up liquidity to lend more mortgages. When FNMA and FHLMC limits don't cover the full loan amount, the loan is referred to as a "jumbo mortgage". The average interest rates on jumbo mortgages are typically higher than for conforming mortgages, although not based primarily on credit risk.


Who would want this type of risk? Sadly prior to the Real Estate crisis, this is how lending was taking place, however banks were buying these loans.  Kinda scare don't you think? 

School!

School is one of those necessary evil's right? lol

I love school.  I love to learn and push myself.  However now that I am in my last semester of college for my Bachelors of Science Degree I can't wait to be DONE!!

I feel that it is slightly ironic that my oldest Liam started Kingdergarden a few weeks ago.

School is something that really will hit a budget hard.  It can make either little bumps and buses or HUGE divets, or it can make the whole thing come CRASHING DOWN!!!!

At this point, I MUST admit that my son is in private school.  We are not the predominate Utah religion and at this time we are trying to decide what is the best way to work with this.  
ALSO, he is in full day kindergarten, so by having him there I save money by not having to pay for daycare.

I do NOT believe in student loans, for the sake of student loans, Eventhough we do pay monthly on my hubby's.  We are not adding to our school debt. 


What do you feel is the most important part of education?  How would you decide to handle kids education?