by Claire
I’m in Dallas for the last leg of my Texas tour on the mission I can’t quite define. I met a lot of people that I work with via email and telephone on a regular basis and that is great! The Dallas crew is a friendly bunch and I felt very welcomed. For the record–although it is totally irrelevant really–I like the city of Dallas a lot more than the city of Houston.
So, while on business travel I am obviously on an expense account. I can’t cook a meal so I find myself in restaurants. Even on the company’s dime I found myself hesitating and making decisions based on $$$. I take this as a good sign that I am learning new habits. It would be very easy to just go wild and not be a good steward of what is entrusted to me…and I’m pretty sure no one approving my expense report would even notice. This is a very good sign!
I also learned from someone “in the know” today that the decision to postpone the hire is likely due to the fiscal year and how a pay increase would impact the bottom line. I am trying very hard not to put all my stock in that statement but it DID make my “travels across Texas” worth it.
Final funny to share. Last night I broke down and took the three kids out to eat. My husband–Steve–was in Houston on business and with my early flight to Dallas this morning…well, I just did not have cooking in me! I had everything to make spaghetti but after taking an hour after work to just hang out at the neighborhood pool while the kids swam…completing a First Communion lesson with the youngest…and preparing for a presentation I made today for work…I admit it..I was spent. This is the first time we have taken the kids out to eat in 3 months! They’ve been great about it. I had a coupon for $5.99 all-you-can-eat buffets at Souper Salad. The youngest one’s meal was only $4.00 so while certainly more than I’d spend making something at home…I still gave in. As we pulled up to the restaurant I reminded everyone “water only guys.” We all know how those drinks rack up the final bill and the two boys knew what I was talking about. The 7-year-old girl said, with eyes wide, “you mean we can’t get food?!”
Okay then…I guess our changes ARE having an impact! 🙂
Born and raised in Texas. I’ve at least driven through every state in the US courtesy of a roadtrip loving Dad.
I’m single with two children and a good parenting relationship with their father.
I am a “life is just half full of funny” kinda gal. Humor is my saving grace and I am thankful for it every single day. I have a strong Catholic faith and am thankful for that foundation.
I read a lot for a living but still enjoy a good book. I love biographies but in recent years have found the need for fun fictional books–sadly, for a long time I just didn’t enjoy fiction!
I love live theatre of any kind–from local productions to Broadway.
I love to scrapbook and pride myself in my kids’ albums.
I love being a mom but also love my career. I’m blessed to have found a balance allowing me to be at everything my kids need and want me to be at–while also having a career.
Favorite Quotes: Well behaved women rarely make history.
Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out. -James Bryant Conant
Something is working…I love your seven year old’s comment!
Love the comment from your seven year old!
Just a thought, could you please update the list of financial blogging buddies, as some of the links are dead?
3 suggestions:
getrichslowly.org/blog/
thesimpledollar.com/
manvsdebt.com/
The Simple Dollar is awful these days.
Dragon–I’ll be sure to mention this to the blog list folks…that’s another “department.” 😉
Your daughter’s comment literally made me laugh out loud. That is the cutest thing I’ve read in weeks.
Your 7 year-old is funny! Utilizing coupons is a good step!
that is hilarious. i also cant believe its been 3 months already.
Adam–3 months since we started paying attention to our spending. I’ve only been blogging for six weeks. 🙂
Love it! It’s so fun to see how your new life is impacting everyone……..and making you all stop to think.
That’s a too cute story and one you will probably tell many times over the coming years! I definitely think y’all are working the program!! Good for you!
Your daughter is so cute! Made me smile. Great way to kick-off the day!
Isn’t it great to be able to put faces with names/voices? My company is scattered in different states, so I always enjoy getting to travel to meet co-workers.
Don’t beat yourself up about going out to eat. You’re making great progress, and no one is going to be perfect. Think about how far you’ve come in just a short time – just think where you’ll be this time next year!
Thanks Jean! I’m still pretty happy that 4 of us ate for $22 and it wasn’t all bad “fast food.” Thanks for the encouragement!
Hi – I have a different viewpoint on your 7 year olds comment, please don’t be offended. I was the 7 year old who suddenly learned (via my mom telling me) that my parents had financial problems, for some reason I become her sounding board and learned how much trouble we were in b/c my dad had lost his job. While he got a new one eventually, and the things she talked about (like losing the house) didn’t come to fruition (they tapped all of their retirement funds), it made a lasting impression on me. I’m now obsessed with paying off my own home (so no one can take it from me), and I have a really really hard time spending any money on myself or anything that’s not frivolous. I’m not saying your telling your 7 year old too much, but I just wanted to throw a voice of caution out there as I would hate for her to turn out like me (I’m 32, not completely neurotic, but it definitely messed me up!).