You know your on a budget when...

1. You Google where kids can eat for free. This is our list so far!

Denny's on Tue and Sat. 4-10pm

Texas Roadhouse on Tue.

Luby's on Wed. and Sat.

IHOP every day from 4-10pm

Berry Hill on Tue. and Sat. all day

Wings & More on Wed. nights

2. You get all giddy when your brand new labeled budget cloth envelopes come in the mail! No more falling apart paper envelopes! Yay! I heart them.

In October 2010, the hubby and I attended and completed FPU with our church and it changed the way we do and think about our finances around our house. One of the big changes was getting on a cash based budget to be better disciplined when we are out. We learned there was a emotional feeling when using cash versus using that beloved plastic debit or credit card. I must say it is a little harder to turn over that cash across the counter. We do categories that we use for do day to day life in cash envelopes. And we each have our own allotted cash we get each pay check to blow on whatever we personally want. In using the cash based system we have learned how to say No lots of times. Even when it pained us to do so. In learning how to be better resourceful with our cash I have also become a fan of experienced items and clothes! Yes, I admit I have grown to love Goodwill and Resale Shops! Our envelopes love them too!

This journey has not been easy but well worth it many times over. We are VERY close to paying off all of our debt (except the house). I wish I could tell you how close but my hubby doesn't want to jinx it. LOL. He says as long as we don't have any ER visits or 'unexpected surprises' we should be right on track. It's been especially helpful to be surrounded by people like our small group where we also completed FPU together last year to share in the struggles and victories. It has been such an encouragement to lean on them for prayer and words of encouragement as we near the end of paying off our debt and feel the heat from the enemy to keep us from that goal.

We hope to have a party/celebration when it's all said and done! We have a dear sweet couple whom have been accountability and have been great cheerleaders for us in this area and they promised us they would host the shindig on our behalf! : ) They are way down the line financially that we are and as Dave Ramsey would say it they are Winners with money. They have been the ones on the other side of the mountain encouraging us from the other side saying " Come on you can do it! It's great once you get over this mountain! It's such a wonderful feeling! Your almost there!" Thanks DD and KD for your encouragement and especially DD for just flat out telling us "No you don't need that..you want it. Just hold off until the time is right. Do you know how close you are? Do you know how much sooner you can ______if you just stick to the plan?" We love and appreciate you guys!

I hope to be able to post soon when the deed is done! In closing you know when you are in a budget when.....you constantly have to remind each other with these quotes to make each other feel better or during those low times...

"If we just live like no one else now, LATER we CAN live like no one else!"

and our other favorite....

"Delayed gratification is a sign of maturity." I have to personally tell myself that ALL the time. Although it's helped cutting back on visiting those tempting retail stores!