Nillionaire

As I entered the upper division classes of my senior year of college, the classes became MUCH smaller and I started to feel misplaced as I got to know my colleagues better.  One day in particular, they were discussing their philosophies on being frugal:  "A shirt that is more than $15 is too expensive", "I give my husband a spending allowance of $5 a month", "I will only buy the 88 cent shampoo and conditioner", "my roommate threw away bread that was moldy, I took it out of the garbage, picked the mold off, and ate it for the next week".  As they continued to one-up each other, I sat SILENTLY, shrinking in my chair; I was in a major with a bunch of crAzy penny pinchers and I was nothing shy of a shopaholic...

I have a bachelor's degree in Family Consumer Human Development with an emphasis in Family Finance and I am a Nillionaire.

The process of drafting a budget, manipulating numbers to see various financial scenarios of what COULD be, is my favorite.  The DISCIPLINE it takes to actually FOLLOW a budget, not my favorite; however being a Nillionaire is also not my favorite so I've got no choice but to figure this money thing out.

I have experimented with various budgeting methods but my preferred method is pencil and paper budget forms.  Here are a few financial forms I've created.  I've got several others I adapted from various forms which I'd be glad to e-mail to you. 

Comparison of the recommended, budgeted, actual, & goal percentages.

 Currently, 50% of our income is going to debt: credit cards,  student loans, and car loan.  We are making power payments or snowball debt payments, can't wait to be debt free!

I created the year at-a-glance form to track progress of money spent on variable expenses-expenses that change from month to month.

Revolving savings allows you to plan out irregular expenses or revolving expenses-the expected but often forgotten expenses: annual car registration, quarterly oil changes, annual amazon subscription, birthday expenses, holidays, vacations, etc.

 Ivan and I have separate accounts. (I know it's not recommended, but it's an intentional decision we made) This form helps me keep track of ALLLL our account login info. I know where WE stand financially, I don't have to wonder or guesstimate, I can access his accounts and he can access my accounts.

Home of a Homebody

This quote by Daniel Pinkwater is my homebody manifesto.

My home is an extension of who I am and what I believe & love.

We are currently living in a 3 bedroom 2 bath condominium.  

It isn't perfect, there's some things I'd like to add and change but I do love it.  

 The majority of my home decor comes from thrift stores & Ross or TJ Maxx. 

I bought most of my decor for my wedding (in 2012) with the intent to use it in my home.

Here's a peek into my office.

I originally used this layout in our first apartment but liked it so much

 I used it again for this apartment.  

When my dad saw the original creation from our first apartment, he asked, "where's the bed pan?"

Our living room, is quite small and a bit awkward in shape and placement of doors, 

but I think we finally found a layout we could live with.  

I found these shutters at Deseret Industries for $10!  My husband and I painted & distressed them.

My couches are my favorite! The fabric is fantastic and the style is chic AND comfortable!

Ivan made these "industrial" shelves for me.  We still need to stain them.

I found this beauty at Pier One Import.  It was marked 75% off because it's missing legs.  Anyone think the mirror piece is ruined with missing legs?  I didn't think so! 

And one from Christmas cause I loved my tree.

The kitchen is also small.  It's my least favorite space.

The 2nd bathroom is also the laundry room.

Next up, my FAVORITE room in the house-my bedroom!
 It's peaceful and bright and has gorgeous pattern combinations, textures, and furniture.
Hope you like it!

The side tables are from my sister Laura who was going to donate them to Deseret Industries. I originally wanted to paint and distress them but never got around to doing it. 

 I'm SO GLAD I didn't! 

They fit perfectly with my bedroom color scheme and design just as they are.

All but the script pillow are from TJ Maxx.  The script one is from Ross.  

Eventually, I would like to buy some white Euro sized pillows.  I think adding them will make my bed look more proportionate.

This old window pane was something I made up for my wedding reception.  

It is super HEAVY so it just sits next to my bed.

This next piece of furniture is from my sister Ana. 

 I ABSOLUTELY ADORE it.  

She lives in New Mexico and finds THE BEST pieces of furniture at the local thrift shops.  

I believe she and her husband painted and added the decals.  It was in their daughters bedroom.

If you look close, you can see some pencil artwork, courtesy of my nieces and their friends!

I plan to sand it down and repaint it but it does make it even MORE sentimental.  

The top drawers are filled with some of my jewelry. Pretty obvious which one is Ivan's drawer.

My closet...decent size but in need of a little TLC.
Some nice boxes to organize/ HIDE things for a start.

I carried a similar color palette into my bathroom.

In addition to being a homebody, I am a housewife.  So having a home I enjoy is really important to me.  I strive to make it a home where the Spirit of God can dwell, a place that my husband looks forward to coming home to, a place that friends and family are always welcome.