The Best Reader + book

Vacation 2012

So I have a pretty huge announcement. Dan and I started Dave Ramsey's FPU course last fall (Sept 2011) and we're finally making a dent in our student loan debt (together totaling about $75,000 — we have about $60,000 to go). FPU is all about "Living like no one else so you can LIVE like no one else." It's basically about being frugal and knowing where your money is going. As a teacher and a nurse, like everybody else, our bank account is not limitless. FPU has really helped Dan and I focus in on what we have rather than what we wish we had (like no debt).

We've just recently refinanced our house so that we can lock in a good interest rate (3.75 for 30 years). I'm taking graduate classes that we are able to pay for by saving money and not taking out any more loans. We've already put money away for a trip to Mexico next December to celebrate my brother-in-laws five year anniversary with Dan's family. AND (here's where it gets exciting) we've just booked a cruise for July to the Caribbean for 7 days!

I am so excited because as Dan and I didn't go on a huge honeymoon last summer (instead we bought our house) and we've only been together since June of 2010 — we haven't had the chance to travel together. Last August we did go to the Twin Cities for a few Twin vs Red Sox games (which was awesome) but other than that this will be a whole new experience for us!

We will be taking the Carnival Legend cruise (yes, I'm completely aware of the recent disaster) and stopping in Belize, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Mahogany Bay. Dan's parents are coming with us and I'm so thankful. Since I married the baby, if the in-laws didn't come I'm pretty sure I'd be doing all the work.

Anyway, with the cruise and Mexico this year, I'm already working on my beach body (and planning what books to bring with me!).

and more:

Vacation 2012 + book