The New American Dream

Recently I learned that someone I know is going to be looking at houses in the next few weeks. I won't go into all the details of this person, but I will say that, in my opinion, it is SUCH a bad idea! I know there's NO way they can have their finances in order to do such a thing, and so my mind wonders why they're even doing this!

But, buying a house IS "The American Dream" isn't it?


Over the last few years, I've watched/listened to enough Dave Ramsay and Suze Orman to know the best path to being financially fit.

Suze has even touted a revolution to bring about the NEW American Dream. Which is actually quite simple. It's basically, to stand in your financial truth—THAT should be the new American dream. It means to live in a home which you can afford (be it apartment, or rental home, or purchasing a home). To live a LIFE that you can afford, and not to be caught up with having everything. She says to get as much pleasure from saving, as from spending. Dave Ramsay is more about saving, saving, saving now, but I think it's about the same thing.

They both suggest having large emergency funds. They both suggest putting large sums of money down on a house you can actually afford (Dave suggests cash, but if you can't, then only going for a 15-year mortgage, and if you can't pay for that, then you need to get a less expensive house). They also say to avoid credit card debt. Is this so hard to understand? Yet people all over our country (and out) have problems with this.

I will admit, that when I heard the news about this person I knew, part of me was jealous at first. I would love to own a home, and we were so close at one point. But, then I look around me, and I smile. I like where we live. We have some nice things. It's comfortable. It's home. But more importantly, we're working toward a financial security, so that we don't have to worry, as many people do, when something goes awry (car repairs, or unexpected medical expenses). We don't live paycheck to paycheck, and we are blessed to say that.

It's their life to live as they want, it just breaks my heart to see people I know and care about making ginormous, potentially bad decisions that could impact them for years to come, when just some simple words of advice, taken and heeded, could make them happier and more secure.

It took our parents YEARS to build up the lives and families that we were born into. We cannot expect us to have it all right away. And yet, many young people do. However, I look at my parents now. Aged. Infirm. And with very little savings. That is not where I want to be at that age. Lesson learned. I hope.

I'm working toward my new American dream. How about you?

Korean BBQ

Ever had Korean BBQ? How about Korean BBQ from a food truck? Oh, I know. That image conjures up rundown food trucks with spotty paint jobs and possibly questionable food-preparation practices.

But, apparently, the food truck has seen a resurgence in the last few years, and they've gone all fancy and high tech!

A few months ago, my company launched their Christmas Book, and I was able to attend the launch party, where one of the things available was Korean BBQ from ssahm BBQ.

See what I mean about a high-tech food truck? (Taken from their site.)

I admit, I've never had Korean BBQ before, especially from a food truck, but I had heard good things, and so, I had a taco and kimchee fries that day. OMG! The kimchee fries! Sooooo good!

This is a pic from their site of the tacos.

Sadly, I couldn't find a pic on their site of the fries, but, just imagine all the stuff on the tortillas, slathered over perfectly cooked fries.

It took me awhile to remember their name, and I found them on FB last night. SOoo wanting to get some more! They occasionally do a dinner stop somewhat near my work, so, maybe one evening .....

Drool..........................

Do YOU Pinterest?

I think of Pinterest as a graphical representation of my virtual bookmarks.

According to Pinterest:

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes.

I like that instead of bookmarking a site, and only having a sometimes badly named link as my only reference, now I can see the lovely little image of whatever it is that inspired me -- craft, recipe, decor, etc.

Some claim it's a time waster. I don't know. No more a time waster than anything else online! *LOL* Also, I think it can be helpful when thinking about, say, what your decorator style is. Maybe you don't know, but it you start pinning everything you like on one board, then you'll eventually get to see a pattern.

So, if you want to,




And, if you need an invite, let me know! ^_^

My Cats Have Heating Pads

Yep, that's right. My cats each have their own heating pad.

And, yes, that mean's they're spoiled. ^_^

But, truthfully, during the winter we keep our home a little on the cool side (artificial heat is icky) and so, if we're cold, we can just put on more clothes. Sadly, the cats can only do so much. And, after many times taking over one of our heating pads (whether for our feet, or our backs, or sore muscles), we decided to get them their own. But, we had to get a heating pad specifically made for pets.

Sound silly? It's not, actually. Heating pads made for humans run too hot for animals, and can actually cause them to become overheated and dehydrated. So, there are heating pads out there for animals that run a lower voltage, safe, continuous heat that keeps them just warm enough.

And, as soon as we break those out, the cats don't leave those heated little ovals of warmth.

And so, that's where the cats are right now. On each wingback chair, we have their blankets and a heating pad. And each cat is curled up on one right now. They're so cute!

And hey, if our pets aren't meant to be spoiled, then who/what CAN we spoil? ^_^

Muppets Movie

Brian and I went to see the new Muppets movie. It was cute. I felt the first part dragged a little, but when they got into the "show" part, it was a lot of fun. Funny, too, in parts. But some parts were just really, really cheesy, and I really felt they could have gone a little smarter with it. It kind of reminds me of Enchanted, in that Disney is totally poking fun at themselves, but also brings in little homages to other Disney films. And, I have to say, the songs were really good in that one! (I sing along to them on occasion in the car.) But, the Muppets songs were ... not as memorable. Mostly.

The original show was on just shortly after I was born, but I do remember watching many in reruns. It was cute and funny, then. There were some characters in this movie that I don't even remember though!

All in all, it was nice to get out and have some fun. Because Brian had off on Friday, and I got off early on Friday, all chores and whatnot were done by Friday, so we were able to enjoy Saturday completely for ourselves.

Thankfully, it seems I am on the mend, which is nice -- means this never turned into a full-blown whatever. And, the cough I had developing has mostly subsided. (I think it's because I'm not draining as much. I know, TMI. Sorry. ^_^)

Thanks for the well wishes!