Frugality!

One of my new hobbies is to look at personal finance blogs to find out how to save money. OK, so I am a nerdy accountant, but saving money for the future is a good habit to get into. It's the little things that kill . . . eating out (which is Dana and I's vice) . . . shopping . . . netflicks . . . toys . . . tanning . . . it all adds up. I've even thought of starting a personal finance blog to add my own thoughts and link to others' great posts that I read for the day. So without further ado - here are some ways that Dana and I have found to save money:

• REDBOX: How can you beat a new release for a dollar per night? You don't have to pay for a monthly membership, you can reserve them online, it beats $5 for 5 days at Blockbuster (who watches them more than once per day anyway?), there are even codes for free rentals online. Savings = 5 movies * $5 (Blockbuster price) - $5 (Redbox price) = $20 per month.
  
• WAL-MART PRICEMATCH: Do you like shopping for deals? I do . . . but hate driving more than I need to. If you get newspaper ads in the mail, plan your meals based on what is on sale, then pricematch everything at Wal-Mart. They will meet all competitors' prices. This saves Dana and I about $30-40 per month.
• RABBIT EARS: I know, we are crazy. We were once DirecTV-aholics, but found that we can get all the major channels by buying some high tech rabbit ears (about $40 bucks) and get free TV. It does get a little grainy sometimes, I miss ESPN, Hailee misses the Disney channel, and Dana whines that Gilmore Girls is not on, but I think it is worth the savings. We don't watch as much TV. Savings = $50 per month.
  
• NO HOME PHONE: We have cell phones, but no home land line. We don't really need it! Our cell phones are a necessity to keep in touch and for emergencies, but who needs to fork out an additional $25 per month for a landline? Savings = $25 per month.
  
• CRAIGSLIST.ORG: Free online classifieds for anything and everything. We bought 99% of our furniture, some tools, a baby swing, and yard equipment off the site. Great deals. Savings = ?? (lots!)
• GYM PASSES: these are beginning to be a necessity, especially when it gets cold outside. If you are like me, you don't want to get into a contract to pay $25 per month. So, if your local gym will do it, buy a contract off someone that has prepaid for 1, 2, or 3 years. I paid $300 for 3.25 years of Gold's gym membership. Savings = $25 - ($300 /39 months) = $17+ dollars per month.
• HAIRCUTS: OK guys, I know you like to go get your hair cut by a professional, but ever since Dana and I got married, she has cut my hair. I admit, the first time after we bought the $30 Wahl haircutting kit and Dana was going to buzz my melon, I was nervous. There have not been many "oops" moments either . . . but now, she does an excellent job in 20 minutes time. To add to this, Dana reminded me that I have dyed her hair a couple of times (please don't tell anyone though, or I will have to turn in my man card). Savings: $12-15 per month.
  
• SCOOTER??: I haven't put this one into practice yet, but with gas nearing $4 per gallon, why not drive a vehicle that gets 90 mpg? Used scooters (on craigslist mind you) are anywhere from $700 - $1500. Driving to work (with a helmet) saves a lot. Savings = ??

More to come later!

New Bed!

So let me tell you . . . I think I often spoil my wife. I like to buy her clothes, take her to dinner, and give her an occasional back massage. This week, we finally got a bed frame for our queen pillow-top mattress we bought while still in college. Yes, 5 years after marriage, we finally have a bed. Let me give you a little history about our beds:

April 2003: Dana and I rent our first apartment for the summer in Rexburg. Since it is single housing, we had to push two single beds together. The funny part is that we had to move in while we were single, and pushing the beds together was a little awkward for us . . . funny story to remember.

September 2003: We move to Provo, and being poor . . . we sleep on an air mattress for 3 months. It was very uncomfortable, to say the least. I'm really not sure why Dana didn't leave me at this point for the Serta Outlet manager. I mean, what kind of husband makes his new bride sleep on an air mattress?

December 2003: I finally pony up the $500 bucks for our pillow top mattress. We get the best sleep of our lives. Considering what Dana slept on growing up, I know this was a great purchase.

Dec 2003 - April 2008: We have the mattress and box spring sitting on the floor. It looks ghetto, but gets the job done!

April 2008: I find a great deal on a black sleigh bed on craigslist. $100 bucks! Dana loves it and even made the bed for a week straight!

As I write this, I realize that every piece of furniture that we have (save our leather loveseat) has been a used "good buy" from craigslist or from a yard sale. I just can't bring myself to pay full price for anything. I guess that is my frugal accounting side. Anyway, enjoy the pics!

More . . .

Hot off the presses - while she actually is holding still!

By Popular Demand . . .

New Pictures! Camryn changes daily . . . so we thought we'd share her with you. Oh . . . and Hailee had her first "bug holding" experience. She held a worm and a potato bug. She tried to pick up a centipede, but I told her that they were poisonous and that it'd bite her. She always reminds me, "Dad, remember when I had the "tinta-pete" and it was going to bite me?" Here you go . . .

Sisters!

Hailee has quickly accepted her new role as big sister. She loves being around Camryn and always wants to hold her by herself. She has had a few "need more attention" fits this week, but I must admit I was more fearful of how it was going to be than how it actually is.

I was concerned last night because I heard Hailee crying in her room a couple hours after I put her to bed. I went in to find out what was wrong, thinking it had to do something with feeling left out...not the case. She told me she wanted to eat her donut in the morning, but she didn't want to wait a long time. So, being the softy that I am, at 10:30 at night my little 3 year old sat at the dinner table and ate her icing and sprinkle covered donut. She talked our ears off for 20 minutes, pulling out more of her tricks in order to stay up as long as possible.

Camryn is quite the little angel. She really only cries when she is hungry or when we're giving her a bath. She doesn't even mind her diaper being changed and sometimes even sleeps through it. We were lucky that Hailee came first, I think she prepared us for anything!

The changing face of Camryn

OK, Dana and I will be honest admit that we are the first ones to point out when a baby is not cute. That said, we have a cute little girl (although we may be biased). Little Camryn looks a lot different than big sister Hailee, as Hailee has a small nose, eyes set differently, ears that stick out. Camryn is chubbier (albeit only 1 pound more in weight), and we haven't really seen her eyes (because she likes to cry, eat, and sleep with them shut - unlike dad's sleeping habits).

We thought that we would update you with some new pictures as newborns change hourly. She has less of an egg head now. Enjoy!

She's here! Camryn Jade Anderson

So, from the top (I apologize in advance for my lack of "writing imagination" - - a night of zero sleep has made me a little groggy!). . . last night after frequenting Target for the 10th time in 2 weeks, we got home and Dana started having some decent contractions. About 8:00pm, she started to slowly leak amniotic fluid. Dana phoned the hospital and they told us to come in to see if it was really her water breaking.

Luckily, Dana's sister - Netti - was able to come stay with Hailee and play the Easter Bunny while we headed to the hospital.

(BTW - Hailee constantly reminded us that the Easter Bunny had to bring her candy and presents to the door - while she sleeps. Also, "tell him to not come in my room because I'm sleeping . . . but don't tell him that I don't like him 'cause it will hurt his feelings - OK MOM?")

10:30pm - we arrive. Amniotic fluid is confirmed. Vitals look good. We check our brackets against the march madness scores.

11:05pm - they admit Dana and send her to the labor and delivery room.

11pm - 1am - Dana reads, listens to music, with short contractions.

1:05am - Dana starts having PAINFUL contractions. The anesthesiologist is called.

1:35pm - "needle boy" finally shows up and administers the epidural that does nothing but numb her left leg. PAIN PAIN PAIN.

2:15pm - baby is just about out . . . waiting for the OBGYN on call. COME ON!

2:30pm - Still waiting. Dana is in a lot of pain. She reminds me several times . . . "I'm NEVER doing this again."

2:33pm - OBGYN on call shows up and finally we start into pushing.

2:40pm - Little girl arrives. A little purple and wrinkled - much like a prune, but healthy and strong. She cries a little, eats well, and has a birthmark on her left arm.

Just so you know, we were bouncing between a few names - but we decided on Camryn Jade. Hopefully she likes it! Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment! She gets cuter as time goes by and as she turns from purple to pink.