My New Plan Of Attack: Fighting Against A Strong Enemy! is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

Hey guys, when I wrote to you last time during my weigh in I told you that I gained 13.4 pounds in the month of April. I also told you that I had a plan to try to overcome some of the physical things that I’d been dealing with lately. So even though I still don’t have any drive or motivation, I know that my success is going to be based on how well I execute this plan in spite of the lack of motivation.

There are 3 major areas that have been affected by our recent health problems, and I plan to address all 3 with small changes:

Sleep

I have not been able to sleep for more than a few hours straight each night over the past two months. There are a lot of things going on, and pretty much all of them have been physical. I’ve had pain in my shoulder off and on that has kept me awake, and even when I fall asleep, sometimes the pain wakes me up. Other times, it’s not pain but it’s my arms and sometimes my legs falling asleep and the discomfort waking me up.

In order to combat this I plan to take Ambien, which my doctor prescribed, each night where I have enough time to allow it to work (at least 8 hours before I need to wake up) and get out of my system by the morning. I will also continue to take melatonin on some nights (not when I take the Ambien, of course) to see if that works as well, since it is a more natural substance.

I also plan to buy a new pillow and to try to do even more natural methods to try to help me sleep.

Exercise

The major problem with my exercise has been the fact that waking up so late does not give me the time that I need in the morning to do my workout. So because of this I’m only able to get in my 3 weightlifting sessions each week and nothing else.

I am actually doing my weightlifting in the evenings when I come home from work. Since I love lifting weights, it has been very easy for me – the desire to get stronger has been enough to overcome my current physical and mental limitations. But I don’t have the same love for running or the cardio that I’ve been doing, so the push to do it in the evening and destroy my schedule isn’t there.

Also, when I workout in the morning my evening schedules are extremely busy as it is, so adding workouts to the evening just throws off everything that I have planned.

What I plan to do here is to try to go back to some of the basic workouts that I did when I first started losing weight – high-intensity interval training is something that I can do in a short period of time that will provide lots of benefits and hopefully will give me a spark to continue.

I’m also hoping that my sleep is regulated so I can go back to my normal schedule, waking up early and being able to do cardio five times a week.

Food

The biggest problem with food is that I don’t have time to prepare healthy meals made from whole foods; and because of my wife’s health, she doesn’t always have the ability. This has caused us to eat out for many meals over the last six weeks or so,  because we simply didn’t have time to buy various groceries to make meals from scratch.

In order to rectify this problem we bought a bunch of groceries recently, where much of the work and preparation has been done for us. We actually went to the grocery store already (as well as getting a delivery from Peapod) and I’m going to link to a couple of videos that we made about trip.

As you can see we purchased TV dinners that are relatively healthy, we purchased lunch meat, bread, brown rice that we can steam in a microwave, and many other things that only take a few minutes to prepare and are a relatively healthy. Because of this we no longer have to eat out when my wife isn’t physically able to cook and I have time constraints.

It should also carry over to where I can take healthy snacks that don’t need a lot of preparation.

I know that eating this way isn’t ideal since these foods are somewhat processed, and probably have chemicals in them to help them be preserved on the shelf. However, it is much better than eating 12-1500 calorie takeout meals when we don’t have the time or energy to prepare things at home.

Also consider the fact that buying groceries is a whole lot cheaper than buying meals from different restaurants each night. Remember we are in a fight to pay off debt, so we can’t afford to have our combined grocery and dining out budget increase.

So hopefully making these changes will allow me to get back on track and if I just execute this plan, I should be able to lose the weight that I put on last month, and get back on the right track with being healthier. Even though what we are doing isn’t ideal or optimal, I believe that it gives us the best chance, given our present situation, to be healthy physically, mentally and financially.

Changing My Calories

You may remember that a little while ago I wrote about the fact that I planned on increasing my calories. I based the number of calories that I was going to take per day on the fact that I would do weight training three days a week and cardio five days a week. Unfortunately, since I have only been able to get in my weight training three days a week, and I have not been able to do any cardio (except for the ones that I get in), I have probably been taking in way too many calories for amount of activity that I have been doing lately.

So I have gone back to the calorie calculator and figure out how many calories I should burn per day if I’m only doing weight training three days a week and no other extra activity. If I find myself consistently doing cardio then I will readjust the amount of calories that I am taking in. However, if I continue to miss my cardio I will already be taking in the correct amount of calories for my current activity level.

I believe that by changing the types of food that I’m eating, eating more foods that I can track easily (even if they are prepared), and altering the amount of calories that I’m taking in per day, I can begin to reverse my weight gain and  can move back in the right direction again.

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

An Update From My Visits To The Doctor is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

You guys may remember last week I wrote about how awful I’ve been feeling lately. I even wrote yesterday about gaining 13.4 pounds in one month.

Well, last week I went to the doctor, actually I went to my general physician and then I went to a specialist. When I went to my primary doctor she wanted to focus on the fact that I haven’t been getting enough sleep. So she prescribed Ambien, and then we also talked about some natural ways that I can try to fall asleep.

I’ve been doing most of those things already such as getting off the computer an hour before I plan to go to sleep, staying away from other electronic devices, not working in bed, clearing my mind and trying to relax mentally and physically before I actually need to sleep; yet none of those things seem to work for me.

So we figured that taken the Ambien would be something that I can add to this routine a few days a week. The one caution that she gave me – after I told her that taking melatonin makes me feel groggy in the morning – is that I need to get myself at least eight hours after taking the Ambien to be able to sleep. That means that if I’m going to bed late one night I probably shouldn’t take Ambien because when I wake up I’ll feel sleepy and groggy and it will be difficult for me to function throughout the day.

Not getting any sleep was the beginning of all of my problems, but I actually went to her to figure out if there was any problem with my thyroid or with any hormone imbalance that was causing all of the symptoms including the insomnia. She wanted to focus more on the lack of sleep, so she didn’t want to run any tests because she figured that may complicate the diagnosis.

However, because I am used to getting a few hours of sleep a day for long periods of time and never feeling the way that I have felt recently, I insisted that she do the blood test in order to rule out any other abnormalities. Fortunately, she agreed and drew blood that afternoon.

She called me with the results of the blood tests and told me that my testosterone levels were extremely low. However, all other markers for which she tested came back perfectly fine. This was sort of a confirmation from me since for about a week before I went to the doctor I was looking up symptoms of low testosterone online and found that I had all of the nonsexual symptoms. That includes fatigue physically and mentally, not feeling motivated, insomnia, hot flashes, and even a denigration of short-term memory.

In fact, before I even made the appointment to see my primary doctor I had a ready made an appointment to see an endocrinologist. After calling me with the results of my blood test, my primary physician suggested that I keep the appointment with the endocrinologist and she sent over the results.

When the endocrinologist saw the results of the blood test he agreed to my testosterone was very low and he actually assumed that it was because I had gained a good amount of weight over the last year or so. When I told him that I actually lost a lot of weight over the last year he was shocked to see my levels that low, but he suggested that my testosterone levels could actually be on the rise since obesity is a huge determining factor in testosterone levels.

He said that rapid changes in weight could cause low testosterone and also that if your body is used to being at a heavy weight for long period of time, it may take a long time for your body to adjust to losing weight even if you do it slowly. However in my case I lost less than 60 pounds in about 15 months and even he indicated that losing 1 pound per week is a very safe rate.

So there was really nothing that he could pinpoint in my life that would be the cause for low testosterone except for the fact that I am still fat. As I said, if my weight is the problem then I am already doing what it takes to solve the problem.

He suggested that I get another round of testing done as soon as possible and then also repeat the same tests in six weeks. He actually added a few more tests that my general physician did not have on the original, exam so hopefully I’ll get more answers when I go to get my blood work in the near future.

I have an appointment to see him in eight weeks in order to discuss the two tests that he is sending me for, however, if the test that I’ll take this week comes back with any abnormalities outside of the testosterone levels, he will see me immediately.

He asked that I be patient and give my body time to react and adjust to continuing to lose weight. His hope is that when I go back to see him and eight weeks, my testosterone levels will be even higher than they were with this last test and also on the test that I would take this week. If that is the case then maybe we can do something to treat the symptoms of low testosterone, while the fact that I’m losing weight will handle the cause of my low testosterone, my obesity.

So there’s the update from the doctors. I will take the Ambien a few days a week in order to see if I can regulate my sleeping, and  if so, hopefully some of the symptoms will go away or at least be less intense. Lack of sleep can contribute to low testosterone levels so we may be dealing with a “chicken or the egg” scenario, since low testosterone causes insomnia as well.

So hopefully next time I come to you with an update on my health, I will tell you that my sleep is more regulated, my memory is getting better, that I am feeling less fatigued both physically and mentally, I feel sharper, I have more motivation to fight against temptations, and that I am able to complete tasks that are difficult or mentally draining.

photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

A Recap of April 2013 for Fat Guy – My Worst Month EVER!!! is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

As the title says, the month of April was the worst month that I’ve had since I began this weight loss journey.  I already wrote about some of the things that I have been dealing with lately, so I won’t go into detail here. I’ll just say that because of everything, it has been impossible to stay consistent with every aspect of my journey to health.

I will write a separate post giving an update on the medical issues, but just know that nothing much has changed, except the fact hat I am now being proactive in dealing with most things. So, here is my recap of how I did in each area of focus last month.

Fitness

I was able to get in all of my scheduled weight lifting sessions. That was one of the few things for which my passion was stronger than whatever I’ve been going through lately. I felt my body getting stronger and I was able to comfortably increase the weight in all of my main lifts and even a couple of accessories.

My cardio workouts – which are usually either Tae-Bo or a ZCUT (high intensity interval training) routine – have been on hold for about 7 or 8 weeks now. Until I am able to get consistent sleep, I don’t see that changing.

I was able to run for about 25 miles in April, which is surprising. I wanted to add sprint intervals to my routine since it’s warm now, but I haven’t had the time or energy. So for now, I’ve just been trying to increase my speed.

Eating

My eating was pretty terrible for April. The lack of time, energy, sleep, and motivation all played a part in my poor choices and lack of discipline. I think the fact that my memory has been failing also played a part in it. There were days where I simply forgot to track or take a picture of my food – something which I was on top of in other months.

Here is the slideshow of all the food I ate in April (when I remembered to take pictures):

Weight

In case you forgot, last month (the end of March) I was 226.0 lbs. When I weighed myself on May 1st, I was 239.4!!! That means I gained 13.4 lbs in April. There is a lot that I can say about this, but since I already said it all in this video, I won’t repeat it here. Of course, you can watch the video to hear all of my thoughts:

Tomorrow, I plan to post what changes I am implementing in order to combat how I have been feeling lately.

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

May 8th: A Special Day & Julie’s Faves 5.5.13 is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

It was such an exciting week for me on the weight loss journey.  On May 8,2013, my daughter turned one and that was one year since I started documenting the second half of my weight loss journey on Youtube.  Those two things were enough to make me extremely happy, but it doesn’t stop there. I got on the scale that morning to see a number I have been specifically aiming for since November.

150.4!!! I wanted to see 150. anything. Knowing I am only a few ounces from the 140′s is unbelievable to me.  My goal is 140, so I am officially on the final 10!

This brings my total weight loss to 90.4 pounds off since Dec. 12,2010, and 64.4 lbs off this past year since May 8,2012.

I wish I could bottle my feelings up and write them all out, but it’s so unreal and still isn’t completely something I was ready for.  It’s exciting, it’s scary, it’s something I am so proud of.  Here is a video I made describing my feelings the best I could.

I remember sitting at 241 lbs and dreaming of 140 lbs and it seemed so far and out of reach.  To be here today a few pounds away is CRAZY!!! The thing I am most proud of is that I haven’t given up foods that I love, or gone on a quick fix gimmick diet.  I simply have learned the meaning of real moderation, and have been encouraged to make better choices when I can.

I am moving, and it’s something I love!  Running is something I will continue because I LOVE to run!

If you are reading this, and you are at the beginning of a dream, don’t stop dreaming.  It will be in your reach sooner than you think.

Stay focused, keep your eyes on the goal, put God first on the journey, do something you love, and when you fall, pick yourself up.

Thank you for all your support, now onto the final 10lbs!

Great reads this week!

Marie at Prairie Eco-Thrifter shares some tips to quit smoking and shares her story. <–Inspiring, and a great move towards better health!

One Cent at a Time has a really great list of ideas for seniors and retirees to make extra money!<–This will be helpful to many!

Luke at Consumerism Commentary writes about proven principles of happiness.<–So interesting!

The Amateur Financier has come up with seven things you can make instead of buy!<– I could do some of these!

Sandy at Yes, I am Cheap has written an excellent article describing how to make money blogging. <–Perfect for new bloggers, or someone looking to blog.

Giveaways:

The Frugal Toad is giving away a Samsung LED TV!

Jacob at My Personal Finance Journey is giving money to the community and a charity!

Bike Lane Living is giving away 2 bike bags, a $78 and $98 value!

Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet was mentioned in the following carnivals:

Carnival of MoneyPros – (Step Away from your computer and go outside- Edition)
Carnival of Retirement – Brick Building Edition! | Brick By Brick Investing
Yakezie Carnival: Happy Cinco de Mayo – ThisThatAndTheMBA.com | Common Sense Approach to Finance

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

I’ve Been Having A Horrible Time Lately is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

For the last 6 weeks or so things have been “off” for me. I have not been able to sleep, I have had no energy – either physical or mental, and I have had no motivation in regards to losing weight.

The lack of sleep has been tough because it’s not due to stress or staying up late to work. I have been getting into bed between 9:30 and 10 pm, but not falling asleep for 2 or 3 hours after that! It’s not that my mind is running with a bunch of plans or thoughts, it’s that I can’t physically get comfortable.

I am finding that my limbs are falling asleep after laying on one side for a little while. I haven’t changed anything in my sleep position, so I really don’t know what’s going on. Even after I fall asleep I am waking up every few hours due to the pain of my limbs falling asleep.

I estimate that I am getting about 3 to 4 hours of real sleep each night, which is having an impact on everything else.

I haven’t been able to stick to my schedule of waking up at 4am in order to have devotions and then work out. So what is happening is that I am waking up very late and only having time for devotions. So I am now doing my weight training in the evenings after work. I am running when I can, which is about 2 or 3 times a week right now.

Unfortunately, I am not getting in my cardio workouts (outside of the running). My normal schedule is weight training on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and cardio (usually H.I.I.T.) every day except Wednesday and Sunday (my off days). So this lack of sleep has lead to me missing 5 days of cardio a week!

On top of the actual loss of time, I have experienced a loss of motivation as well. Honestly, that’s the answer to why I don’t just get in my cardio in the evenings when I miss it in the mornings. I have been physically and mentally fatigued and it takes a lot for me to just push through the things that I have to do (like manage our finances).

With things that I thoroughly enjoy – such as spending time with loved ones, preparing lessons and teaching in church, and lifting weights – I have had no problem putting my mind to them. However, with the things that I do just because I know they are beneficial – managing our finances, intense cardio, being extremely disciplined with food choices, and trying to address huge issues – it has become very hard to push myself to do them.

I have to manage our finances or we will suffer greatly, so I have no choice there. But these other things are overwhelming me because I am so fatigued. My writing has slowed down because it takes a lot out of me to write. Also, I have to make some big decisions about many of my websites in the very near future as well as other things that will take serious planning and creative thinking. Since I am not creative and I generally hate building things on my own, this lack of motivation is winning in this area as well.

Another thing that I have noticed is that my short-term memory is failing me at times. I’m noticing it more and more, and so I began to worry that this may be due to a hormonal imbalance, a micro-nutrient deficiency (or toxicity), or a thyroid problem.

I saw my doctor yesterday, and she believes that all of my symptoms are due to a lack of sleep. She took blood and is running tests to make sure it’s none of the things that I was worried about, but in the meantime, she is treating my lack of sleep.

I am doing some natural things to address the sleep issues, but it’s hard to pinpoint since the issues aren’t mental (my mind isn’t stressed or racing), but instead stem from me not being able to physically get comfortable or settled at night; and when I do, my limbs are falling asleep and causing me pain.

Anyway, that’s my story and I will update you as soon as there are any changes.

photo credit: Freedigitalphotos.net

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Finance Carnival for Young Adults: Cinco De Mayo Edition is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

Happy Cinco De Mayo!  I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to host the Finance Carnival for Young Adults! Celebrate by reading these great submissions!  Enjoy!

Roger Wohlner @ The Chicago Financial Planner writes Target Date Funds: 6 Considerations Before Investing – Target Date Funds are a popular option in many 401(k) plans. Here are 6 considerations to think about when deciding whether Target Date Funds are right for you.

SB @ One Cent at a Time writes Are Young Adults to Be Blamed for Not Having Retirement Savings? – Of all the non-retired generations, including Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, Gen Y is the leader in not saving,. Whom to blame for? Young adults, in the age range 18 -28 go through major life events like first job, marriage, first home, etc. Naturally the inclination towards retirement saving is less likely for this generation, read more.

Deacon @ Well Kept Wallet writes Save Money With A Refillable K Cup for Your Keurig – I drink coffee almost every day and it can be an expensive habit. If you own a Keurig, which is a single cup coffee maker, then you know how pricey it can be for just one cup of coffee. I was at a Starbucks yesterday and a 12 pack of Pikes Place K-cups was $11.95 which comes out to about $1 per cup of coffee.

AxeMan @ Axe Debt writes Ways to Cut Expenses – Cutting your expenses can be a great way to get out of debt fast. It is amazing to see how much goes out every month to pay for our lifestyle. Even if you don’t live extravagantly it can be easy to overspend and not even realize that you are doing it.

Michelle @ Making Sense of Cents writes Should I Pay Off My House Early? – Pros and Cons – Should we pay off our house early? What about the next house? Don’t worry guys, we haven’t bought our next house just yet. We’re keeping our current one for at least another 12 months. However, we have been thinking about whether we should pay off our current house quickly (we have been debating whether we want to rent it out or not – if we decide to sell then we of course wouldn’t pay off the current house quickly) and even whether or not we should pay off our next house quickly as we

Alexis @ FITnancials writes My Plans For College – Bachelors Degree in Dietetics – After 2 years of being out of high school, I have finally decided what I want to do with my life. I will be starting my associates degree in the summer of 2013, and getting as many credits possible at my local community college that will transfer over to the university I want to go to.

Emily @ Evolving Personal Finance writes How to Price a Room for Rent – There are several methods for how to split rent among multiple roomates or to price a room in your home.

Michael @ Financial Ramblings writes Why Buy I-Bonds? – What’s so great about I-Bonds? In my view, the advantages lie in the inflation protection, the tax benefits, and the relatively lax redemption policy that gives you access to your money if/when needed. I discuss the details in this article.

Lance @ Money Life and More writes Buying a Home: Is a Small Down Payment Actually a Big Deal? – When you don’t have a large down payment of at least 20% and you’re trying to buy a house, FHA loans are one option that has been popular in the last few years due to the low minimum down payment of 3.5%. Unfortunately, these mortgages have a ton of fees and they’ve recently drastically increased.

Dorethia Conner @ The Money Chat writes Gambling on Your Future – Gambling can become incredibly serious and ruin your personal financial plan if not kept in check.

Mike @ The Financial Blogger writes Getting Rid of Google Once and for All – Why we are done with Google.

Green Panda @ The Financial Blogger writes 10 Shortcuts For Always Feeling Damn Amazing – Tips for being on top of the world.

Pete @ Intelligent Speculator writes The Time Has Come…I’m Buying Apple – Why Apple is my next purchase.

Martin @ Studenomics writes The Economics of Your Love Life in Your 20s — The Article Nobody Else Will Write – How being single can cost you money/save you money.

eemusings @ NZ Muse writes Funding our RTW trip – How to travel and work around the world.

Blair @ Life, Dollars, and Sense writes Pay Yourself First- Easy Savings Method – Why multiple bank accounts and automatic transfer help to make personal savings a priority.

Robert @ My Multiple Incomes writes Understanding the Future of Your Credit Score After Saying “I Do” – On your wedding day, when you recite your “I do’s,” you’re not only agreeing to a life together for richer, for poorer, through sickness and in health, but also to a life in which you share nearly everything. You’ll share your house, cars, friends, and family, and you may even inherit your spouse’s Chihuahua and last name.

Robert @ Entrepreneurship Life writes Business Lifestyle Choices – Bookmaking – With William Hill being one of the oldest bookmakers in the United Kingdom, it is of no surprise that their adaptation to the online betting industry is nothing but seamless and efficient.

Robert @ Beat the 9 to 5 writes Side Business Time Management 101 – The hardest thing about building a side business is time management, especially as your business grows. This has been something that I’ve perpetually struggled with, especially as my business has grown over time.

Robert @ Kids Ain’t Cheap writes How to Have Family Fun on a Budget – As a parent, you want to provide your kids with the best and you are looking forward to all family fun opportunities. Sometimes, however, financial limitations stand in the way of having a good time.

Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes 8 Ways to Save Money While Saving the Earth – A list of methods to cut down your environmental impact while also saving money, including methods of reducing, reusing, and recycling in your life.

JP @ My Family Finances writes US vs. UK banking: what’s the difference? – For the past few centuries, banking has made looking after money incredibly convenient, no matter what country each banking institution is in.

Kevin @ 20smoney.com writes Cheapest College Towns to Live In – College towns can be the greatest places to live in since the rents can be inexpensive. To describe them in a few words would be lifestyle and value.

Luke @ Learn Bonds writes Barbell Strategy – What it is and How it Works – A barbell strategy are simply another way to try and deal with interest rate and reinvestment rate risk. Here’s how barbell strategies work in bonds.

R.J. Weiss @ The Insurance Protection Blog writes What parts make up a homeowners insurance policy? – Understanding what’s covered and what’s not when it comes to home insurance.

Will @ Card Guys Blog writes Credit card applications – how to reduce the headaches – As handy and convenient as credit cards are, the same cannot be said of credit card application forms. Here is your guide to avoiding headaches when completing credit card applications.

Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes Why Stock Market Investing Isn’t Gambling? – If you are looking to be entertained, gambling online will probably be better than stock investing. You can click here to experience an online casino site, and get the chance to win, or lose, big money.

Sam @ Simplefinancialfreedom writes Reverse Mortgage FAQ – The HECM or home equity corporation mortgage is actually an FHA reverse mortgage. It is used to withdraw on the equity of your home.

Corey @ 20s Finances writes Preparing for Next Year’s Taxes – For most of us, income taxes are a major annoyance, but the overall stress or frustration is usually unnecessary.

Suba @ Broke Professionals writes Freelancers: Making Sure You Don’t Owe Uncle Sam In 2013 – If you do freelance work – or any type of second job – it can be tough to pay the right amount of income taxes. A worksheet on your W-4 can fix that.

Steven @ MyDividendStocks writes Passive Income the American Dream – People always chase after the American Dream. They dream of sleeping in every day, pursuing their favorite hobbies and work when they want. They dream of going to the mailbox every day and receiving a check for not working at a job in years.

Jacob @ AllPersonalFinance writes Understanding Exchange Rates – More people are becoming interested in foreign exchange trading. However even though many people are considering foreign exchange trading they do not have the education necessary for successful trades. Forex trading is an entirely different type of trading than traditional stock market trading.

Ray @ Squirrelers writes Do You Hoard Vacation Days – Most of us really like our vacation days, and look forward to using them. Do you carefully budget and plan them, or do use them freely?

krantcents @ KrantCents writes 10 Things You Don’t Know – 10Things You Don’t KnowThings You Don’t Know, Math, Soft Skills, Food, Personal Finance, Love, Women, Men, Mind, Animals, Future, Self -Assessment

Tushar @ Finance TUBE writes Is Now The Right Time to Buy A Home? – Today i will be talking about Is Now The Right Time to Buy A Home? According to the media now is the perfect time to buy a house. Housing prices may be free from the laws of gravity but they are not free from the laws of economics.

Robert @ The College Investor writes The Machines Rule Us Now – A Lesson in the Stock Market – Yesterday was a very interesting day in the finance world. It was the perfect duopoly – terrible fake news and great positive news.

Michelle @ The Shop My Closet Project writes Are you growing your best life? – For the purpose of this post I want to take this a step further and ask are you doing the things that you need to do to grow your best life? I would argue that most people aren’t putting enough time into creating the life that they would like to live because it may feel overwhelming.

Crystal @ Budgeting in the Fun Stuff writes Have You Heard of Kickstarter Yet? Hubby is a Fan! – Have you heard of the site, Kickstarter? It is used to get creative projects funded. Projects like board games.

Abbie @ Finance Junkie writes Fool- Proof Plan To Rebuilding Your Credit Rating – If you have messed up your credit rating but now you have grown up and need to fix it, this is an easy to understand and very simple guide to sorting it out.

SBB @ Simple Budget Blog writes Pink Slips: Budgeting While Unemployed – Stuck in a rut? Unemployment can be tricky, but we can help. Read here for helpful tips on how to budget your way through a period of unemployment.

David Bar @ Bar Whiz Blog writes What To Tip Your Server (in varius countries) – Tipping is almost universal, but the “going rate” is different in each country. This handy guide will help you travel without losing face when it comes time to leave a tip.

Mr. Frenzy @ Frenzied Finances writes Getting Creative: How to Reuse Items to Save Money – There are many items you can reuse for similar or even different purposes around the house. It’s a great money saver. Here are tips on how to reuse items.

Brent @ PersonalFinance-Tips writes How to Know Your Tax Benefits: – A tax benefit refers to a number of economic bonuses. It consists of “tax-reduction”, “tax deferring” and “tax free” investments. This benefit offer “retirement schemes” and also provides “incentive savings”.

Jester @ The Ultimate Juggle writes Spring Cleaning: How to get rid of clutter – It is quite amazing how quickly clutter can grow around the home. Those old, unwanted things just seem to multiply, taking up the already limited living space you have. That’s the problem when clutter builds up. When it comes to getting out that feather duster, the simple task of cleaning becomes torturous.

John @ All Things Finance writes Teaching Your Teenager About Credit Cards – Teaching your child financial responsibility is one of the most important tools you brace them with. Unfortunately we can’t rely on them learning any financial skills in school so it’s our responsibilities as parents to prepare our kids the best we can.

John @ Fearless Men writes Minimum Balance Nightmare: Why It Pays to Overpay [Infographic] – Credit card debt is racking up in many households, and people want to be set free from it. It can kill a man’s present–and future. Don’t get sucked into the cycle of only paying the minimum balance-that’s a nightmare. It pays to overpay, and the below infographic will tell you why.

BARBARA FRIEDBERG @ Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance writes 3 EASY JOBS TO GET WHILE IN COLLEGE – Make money in college. 3 high paying jobs for college students.

CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes Changing Mindsets: Switching from Short-Term to Long-Term Thinking for Finances – Regulating your finances isn’t a short-term game. It’s important to be sure you have money down the road. Here’s tips on switching to long-term thinking.

Kyle @ The Penny Hoarder writes Ebay Surprise: Making Extra Money with Other People’s Stuff – I love spending money. I would eagerly waste my hard-earned money on clothes, bag, shoes, makeup and more. After years of this unfortunate habit, I reached a point where I couldn’t deal with the guilt. I could’ve saved enough for a house by now — or at least a nice condo.

LaTisha @ Young Finances writes Car Leasing for Businesses – Business owners have started to consider car leasing as a new financial vehicle. This is because auto leasing is going to save them thousands of dollars.

Matt Becker @ Mom and Dad Money writes The Experts Can’t Pick Stocks. Can You? – Most investment advice makes picking stocks sound pretty badass. Here are some facts that might make you think twice.

Hank @ Money Q&A writes This Week’s Podcast with Adam Shepard the author of “One Year Lived” – Adam Shepard shows us in his new book, “One Year Lived” that you do not have to give up on your bucket list and your dreams. I talked to him on our podcast, Your Money Your Choices, this week about bucket lists.

Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes Don’t Panic: Controlling Your Fear During Financial Emergencies – Financial issues weighing you down? It happens. Here are tips on how to keep your calm and control your fear in these financial emergencies.

Marvin @ Brick By Brick Investing writes Investing Is War – A detailed correlation between Sun Tzu’s timeless writing “The Art of War” and stock investing.

IMB @ Investing Money writes How to Execute a Winning Trade – Have some stocks you’re looking to trade? You want to be able to execute a winning trade to get the most out of your stocks. Read here for tips on trading.

Tony @ We Only Do This Once writes How I Quit My Day Job – Well, I did it. I gave notice to my employer. 60 more days, and I am leaving my job. Here’s how I did it.

Jon Haver @ Pay My Student Loans writes Let Family Help Pay Off Your Student Loans – There is no doubt that the expense of sending a child to college is increasing every year. Although there are a variety of student loans and grants available, they often do not cover the entire cost of a college education. In addition, such methods of financing a child’s education often leave a struggling college graduate with large amounts of debt. At GradSave, parents have another option for helping their children pay for the expense of college without having to rely on student loans.

Ryan @ Cash Money Life writes Are Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) Going Away? – With the coming changes to healthcare laws, will your Health Savings Account vanish? Will your premiums rise? Here’s what you need to know.

Arnel Ariate @ Money Soldiers writes 4 Factors to Consider Before Starting a New Business – Don’t think about the negatives when you’re starting a new business, just stay realistic. To maximize your success and minimize your risks, start thinking about profits, taxes and what it takes to get started.

Everything Finance @ Everything Finance Blog writes Getting Your Finances in Order Before You Have a Baby – It can be completely overwhelming, both financially and emotionally, to think about adding a new addition to the family. But it’s also impossible to think that you’ll ever feel completely ready to take the pregnancy plunge. Here’s what we’re talking about in preparing financially for a baby:

Gary @ Gajizmo writes How To Make Money From Home – Saving money and living below your means is fundamental to financial independence, but more importantly, families need to find ways to grow their income. This article can help you get started by giving examples of the best ways to make money from home or online. We discuss factors to consider, resources to check out, and the viability of business ideas.

Maria @ The Money Principle writes 5 Ways to Make Money before you Start University – Going off to university is expensive; if you make money and set up a ‘university nest egg’ before you start you will find it much less financially stressful.

Daniel @ Sweating the Big Stuff writes First Quarter Business and Personal Finance Goals Update – it’s been 3 months since I set my 2013 goals. Here’s how I’m doing so far.

Miss T. @ Prairie Eco Thrifter writes How to Decide on a New Car – Here are some tips and things to think about to make the car buying decision a little easier.

Amanda L Grossman @ Frugal Confessions writes How to Reap High Happiness ROI – Many of us have learned over the years that physical things do not make us happy.

MMD @ My Money Design writes Another Reason Why You Need Emergency Money – For Stupid Car Repairs – If you think having $1,000 of emergency money is going to cut it, think again! This week I’ve spent more than I ever anticipated on stupid car repairs.

MMD @ IRA vs 401k Central writes Is a Self Directed 401k Plan Right for You? – What do you do if you’re self employed or you want more than what your employer’s retirement plan offers? You apply for a self directed 401k.

John @ Card Hub writes Understanding Audits: What Taxpayers Need to Know About Triggers, Procedures & Penalties – For those consumers who rushed through their returns or, even worse, tried to pull a fast one on Uncle Sam, April 15 might very well mark the beginning of a nerve-wracking waiting game.

Ross @ Wallet Hub writes Changes to the Mortgage Interest Tax Deduction – As budget debates have consumed Washington, eyes have turned towards modifying the mortgage interest deduction.

Investor Junkie @ Investor Junkie writes The So Called Experts. . .Aren’t – Media supplied expert advice is free, and as we all know, you get what you pay for! Be careful in accepting the advice of any expert.

Debt Guru @ Debt Free Blog writes 10 Mistakes to Avoid Right Out of College – Just graduated from college? Congratulations! Now the real battle starts. Read here for tips on avoiding these common money mistakes post-graduation.

Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes How to Pay Off Multiple Payday Loans – Easy ideas and solutions on paying off multiple pay day loans when you find yourself in a bind.

SFB @ Simple Finance Blog writes How College Students Can Save Money – While paying off student loans and college tuition continue to be financial burdens on most college students, saving money seems to be almost impossible in today’s world of temptations.

Kevin @ Passiveincometoretire writes Making Money from Tax Liens – 1. You can make a decent amount of money from tax liens if you are willing to do all the leg work to get it. Here are a few tips to get you started. 2. Make a list of all the courthouses in your area. Write down the address, phone number, website and contact information.

Ted Jenkin @ Your Smart Money Moves writes Is Your Retirement Plan Full Of Swiss Cheese – Last year, I did a piece on retirement planning assumptions.

Lauren @ L Bee and the Money Tree writes Is it FOMO? Or just me being afraid people will like me less? – Oh, you know FOMO? Fear of Missing Out? I thought it was ruling my life and my wallet lately, because even though I have been whining about my full financial plate this month, I still kept saying yes to each and every invitation thrown my way.

Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes Understanding Risk Tolerance – In order to be a successful investor and meet your long-term goals, you need to understand your risk tolerance so that you stay invested in the market.

DJ @ Money for College Project writes How to Create Your Own Scholarship – A radical change in the traditional scholarship method. Much like bootstrapping your own business, we show you how to build your college scholarship portfolio from the ground up using corporate sponsors.

Tushar @ Earn More and Save writes Save Money: Combat To Disaster with Help of Online Backup Apps: – Many of the people are using their computer for running their small to medium size business. Large business has a lot of computer for the proper functioning of their work.

John S @ Frugal Rules writes The Cost of a Bad Credit Score – A credit score can be used to determine many things from rates on loans to eligibility for certain jobs. By protecting your credit score you can help yourself potentially save a good amount of money over time.

Grayson @ Debt RoundUp writes How A Door-to-Door Salesman Caused Me to Bite – Here comes a true story about how a door-to-door salesman was able to pitch me into a sale. It was the first and the last time that has ever happened! I let an alarm system salesman get the upper hand during a conversation in my driveway as I built a dog house. I needed what he sold, but I didn’t research the deal well enough. I ended up paying for it in the end. Take a gander at how a door-to-door salesman got me to bite on his pitch.

Mr.CBB @ Canadian Budget Binder writes Junk to Funk: Some Woman Down The Road Left Me With Hardwood – It’s not everyday I come across a money maker in the streets for free but when I do see it I jump on it. Often a simple DIY project can yield you savings in your budget or profits to your bank account if you can sell it. Watch me turn junk into funk and save!

Sean @ One Smart Dollar writes 5 Popular Craigslist Scams to Watch Out For – Craigslist can be a great place to buy and sell items however it also comes with risks. Here are some of the biggest Craigslist scams to watch out for.

Shannon McNay @ ReadyForZero Blog writes Lifelong Goals Are the Key to Motivation – If you’re just getting started with financial planning, then don’t miss this post! Read on to find out why setting lifelong goals is the key to motivation for financial goals.

Nick @ A Young Pro writes How to Advance in Your New Career as a Gen Y Employee – So you are a Gen Y employee starting a new career? Learn how to follow the 20/80 rule to get your career of to a great start and rise through the ranks.

Jon @ Novel Investor writes Stock Split, Reverse Split, & Your Shares – You here about companies announcing a stock split or reverse split all the time. What is it and how does that split affect your shares?

Jim Weston @ Going Political writes How to Get Involved in Politics as a Teenager – Getting involved in politics as a teenager is an interesting career choice, but one that can be rewarding.

Dividend Growth Investor @ Dividend Growth Investor writes Twenty Dividend Stocks I Recently Purchased for my Dividend Portfolio – I had an old 401 (k) with Fidelity, which was eligible for a rollover. In early April I cashed out the index funds in it, and rolled the money over into an IRA. After that I decided to equally allocate the money in twenty individual dividend stocks.

KK @ Student Debt Survivor writes Spending Without Spouse Approval – There have been a lot of posts in the personal finance blogosphere recently about whether you should merge your finances together when you get married. But what about discussing large purchases with your partner? Should you spend without spouse “approval?”

Michael Kitces @ Nerd’s Eye View writes Is Capital Loss Harvesting Overvalued? – Capital loss harvesting has long been a staple of investment tax strategy – so much that the Internal Revenue Code has special “wash sale” rules to ensure that the technique is not overly abused. But the reality is that harvesting losses just defers taxes – it doesn’t avoid them entirely – and as a result, the benefit of the strategy is far less than most realize, and often outweighed by the risks!

harry campbell @ Your PF Pro writes Writing Off Moving Costs During Tax Time – The IRS provides a lot of deductions for hard working Americans like us but a lot of people are unaware of them or maybe scared of an audit. I say bring it on, as long as you have the receipts and proof to back it all up, you should take advantage of every deduction available out there. The ‘moving expenses’ deduction is one of the more valuable ones since it’s above the line, meaning you don’t have to itemize to take advantage of it.

JC @ Passive-Income-Pursuit writes Stock Valuation Method – Discounted Cash Flow – Continuing with my stock valuation series, I look at the Discounted Cash Flow method. If you’re not sure what it is, how to use it, or just want a useful spreadsheet to calculate it for you, stop on by.

Jules Wilson @ Faithful With a Few writes Why We Want To Start A Giving Account – A giving account is a great way to set aside money in order to be a blessing to someone else. Make sure you have this in place, so you can respond when there is a need.

PK @ Don’t Quit Your Day Job… writes Crude Oil Price Return Calculator – Brent and West Texas Intermediate – Younger folks might not have an eye for the commodity market, but this calculator lets you get intimate with crude without investing! Roughly 30 years of daily returns on Brent and WTI Crude.

Glen Craig @ Free From Broke writes BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ Credit Card – Review – The BankAmericard Cash Rewards ™ credit card is an easy to understand card that gets even better if you have other accounts with Bank of America.

Jules Wilson @ Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet writes Scrap Booking On A Budget – Cheap Scrap booking Ideas can help you go from expensive hobby, to a cost-effective way to cherish your precious memories. Here are 5 ways to scrapbook on a budget.

Glen @ Credit Card Smarts writes Which Cash Back Rewards Are Best: Rotating Categories, or Set Cash Back? – Cash back rewards cards are awesome. But which is better – a set cash back card or a rotating category?

Tanya Moat @ The Heavy Purse writes The Sweet Spot: Where Spending and Frugality Coexist – Shannon shares how to find your sweet spot – where you allow yourself to buy what you want without guilt or debt.

Jessica Moorhouse @ Mo’ Money Mo’ Houses writes Rich Dad, Poor Dad’s Robert Kiyosaki & a TV Giveaway! – Robert Kiyosaki is famous for his books all about personal finance and becoming rich, but is he the real deal or just a good salesman?

Jason Hull @ Hull Financial Planning writes 55% of Married Men are Peter Griffin Clones – Find out what 55% of married men have in common with Peter Griffin from the Family Guy

SB @ One Cent at a Time writes All About Car Tires and How it Relates to your Money – Car tires play a very vital role and are a very valuable safety feature on a vehicle. Learn how to save money on car tires, how to increase the tire life and what precautions you must take while purchasing new ones.

Photo Credit: morguefile.com

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

This Is Why We Are Fat #2 – Eating While Driving is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

This is the 2nd post in an ongoing series, where I talk about some of the things that I observe, which I feel best characterize the attitudes and actions that have helped to make us an obese nation. In other words, these are the reasons why we are fat!

In my estimation, rather than being one or two things that can be blamed for the fattening up of America, there are actually a number of things that have contributed.

Whenever I see something that I think represents the problem with either humor or frustration, I will use this ongoing series as a platform to talk about it.

In the first post, I talked about people wasting time and money waiting for parking spaces and how that is a good illustration of our lazy culture.

Warning, what follows is a rant. This is not some organized collection of thoughts or the results of sifting through research or data points. This is simply my reaction to and firsts thoughts about an all-to-common situation!

Getting Fat While Driving

So the other day while I was driving to work I noticed that the car which was coming toward me began to swerve. As my car passed hers (yes, it was a woman driver ) I looked over to see what the cause of her distraction really was (I expected her to be texting). However, as I looked over at her, all I was able to see was a huge bag of chips, and her head thrown completely back as she was pouring the chips down her throat and inhaling the entire bag!

So this woman took her eyes off of the road for at least 10 seconds in order to eat potato chips. She was willing to risk her life and the lives of all those on the road with her because she couldn’t control her chip craving for a few minutes! When she drove past me her eyes were looking straight up into the ceiling of her car (actually, they might have been closed as she was overtaken by the euphoria of the greasy, fried, potatoes)!!

This isn’t a one-time occurrence, either. Each week I see several people who take their eyes off of the road in order to eat or drink something. Every time I see it, I just can’t believe that someone is so overtaken by the desire to taste something, that they are willing to put their life on the line in order to have it!

And we’re not talking about an “all or nothing” proposition here. If you want the food that badly, then pull over and throw it down your throat and then continue driving…or, just exercise a tiny bit of patience until you get to your destination!

Our preoccupation with eating, drinking, and satisfying our base desires has caused all sorts of trouble for us. Too many of us seek a ridiculous amount of pleasure from what we eat and drink, and we are unwilling to consider the consequences of such behavior!

Why is it that I see so many people eating in their cars now? Why is it that people feel like they can’t wait an extra 5 minutes before taking a few bites of their burger, pizza, or even Chinese Food?!?! I wonder how many shirts, pants (oh, those stained crotches), ties, and car seats have been ruined by someone dropping food or spilling juice or soda while driving.

If that wasn’t bad enough, now you have people swerving off of the road or into oncoming traffic, just to get one more bite of that cheesesteak!

When I see how we all mindlessly eat and see us shovel well over a thousand calories into our bodies in the space of 2 city blocks, it’s no wonder why we are such a fat nation!

photo credit: eugene

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Scrap Booking On A Budget is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

My Interest in Scrap Booking

I have been so curious about how to start scrap booking.  It is something I see so many people doing, and I always love what I see.

My sister in law is the queen of scrapbooking. But with 3 little boys under age 6, she doesn’t get to scrap as much as she would like to. She used to host a day each month at church dedicated to scrap booking. She would bring almost all her supplies, which was an insane amount, and allow anyone to use what she had and create memories on pages.

I would get so excited every month, walk in the room, and be completely overwhelmed with what to do.  She had every kind of decoration,tool,and paper you would ever need. I still felt like I didn’t know where to start.

She gave me her old Cricut, which is an amazing tool for cutting paper in many ways.  It has been sitting for quite some time because I just didn’t know what to do with it. I started making cards, but I used some stamps and stickers for that.

I started looking at all my pictures on my computer, and realized that I had so many memories and not many pictures printed out. What good would they do just sitting on my computer or phone. Recently we went to Hobby Lobby to get some supplies for my daughter’s first birthday party.  I decided it was time to take the plunge and attempt to start scrapping.

I started looking at pictures and decided to try and really start scrap booking. It would be easier now that my girls are getting bigger. I could do a little each evening after they sleep, it would be something for me.

If you know anything about scrap booking, you know that it can be an expensive hobby.  Many times you just keep buying supplies that you have the intention of using some day, but end up letting them sit for years never using it. You have supplies, and still feel the need to go buy more.

I actually texted my husband and told him I wanted to start scrapping, and he texted me back asking if he needed to call for an intervention.  It doesn’t help that his ex wife was one of those people who had all the supplies, but didn’t actually use them often.  I told him I had a plan so it would be ok.

Cheap Scrapbooking Ideas

I started trying to think of how I could minimize the cost, and find cheap scrapbooking ideas in order to make my new hobby affordable for someone on a budget. This is what I came up with.

1. Make a list of specific scrapbook pages I want to create.

I wanted to make sure I had a vision.  If I just started buying supplies without a plan, then I would get overwhelmed and have no clue what I would actually need or use. This is a very important strategy for buying just what you need and not ending up with so many things that you forget you even own them.

I took a notebook and came up with about 25 pages I wanted to make.  I had topics like birthdays, taekwondo, baking with the kids, Tessa’s first zoo trip, sister pages, our wedding, and brother pages.

2. Print out specific pictures I needed for those special pages.

I uploaded about 600 pictures to Shutterfly.  Shutterfly gives you 50 free prints with your first order and then 15 cents for each additional 4×6 print.  There is unlimited storage and they have great deals on pictures each week.

I ordered 75 pictures that I knew I was going to use on certain pages. I got 75 pictures for $3.75 and then paid $5.00 for shipping.  Once I actually have pictures in my hands I will be able to start scrapping.

3. Spend time with my sister in law and use supplies she offers so many times.

My sister has an endless supply of paper, stickers, and everything else. She also has many tools that I may want to use once in a while. She said I am welcome to anything she has, so I plan on taking her up on  that offer.  She also has Cricut cartridges that I can borrow if I want to use it on my machine and cut out something.

It seems like everyone knows a scrap booker, and many of them have more than enough and will be willing to share or trade.

4. Only buy paper, stickers, and embellishments if it is on sale.

Hobby Lobby is where I will go most often to get some supplies.  They rotate sales each week, and it is usually paper 50% off one week and the next week stickers will be 50% off. I am committed to not paying full price for paper or stickers. I recently went to a site for overstock scrap booking supplies, and they had many things that were only a dollar.

I loaded up on some things for my pages I have already planned. I know that many people who scrap sell things at garage sales which would be a really great way to load up.

5. Aim to create 5-6 pages at a time and finish them.

I have a list of 25 pages that I want to create right now. I am not going to get all the supplies for all those pages. I will create 5 or 6 pages and then move onto the next. It is important to finish the pages you start.  Keeping it in small segments, and you are more likely to feel accomplished instead of overwhelmed.

I am very new at this, but I thought I would share these tips because they may help someone else.  I get overwhelmed when I have more than I need, and I have a hard time seeing the big picture.  Little bits at a time is my strategy, and I feel this will save me money and make the best use out of my supplies.

Do you have any cheap scrapbooking ideas for me?

photo credit: Bethan Phillips

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Old Sweatshirt Used As a Kangaroo Pouch and Great Reads 4.21.13 is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

The other day I was cold, so I went in my closet to grab a sweatshirt.  I pulled out an old zip up hooded sweatshirt I wore when I was at my heaviest weight of 241 lbs. This sweatshirt fit just perfect, and there was no extra room.  It was actually a little bit tight when I zipped it up.

I was just going to be lounging around the house in it, so being too big didn’t matter.

I zipped it up, and wow it was so big on me! Tessa was sitting next to me and I thought I would see if she could fit in it with me.  Sure enough!

It’s pictures like this and events like these that keep me going. They remind me that no matter where I am in the journey, I have come so far.  It is also a gentle reminder of where I don’t want to return, and it helps me stay focused.

I really enjoyed these articles, and hope you will too!

Retire By 40 wrote a great article asking if you should help your aging parents financially.<– So interesting!

Money Beagle had a great list of things he wonders about. <—Makes you say hmmm…

Jefferson from See Debt Run posts about something many feel is the hardest, taking the first step toward financial freedom.

Kim from  Eyes on the Dollar has advice on how to save money on self storage.<–Very helpful!

Lauren posted on And Then We Saved some great reasons to get motivated to spring clean! <–No better feeling than a house decluttered!

Giveaways:

Barbara Friedberg is hosting an ebook giveaway, How To Get Rich  <–Free Download May 1-5!!

The Frugal Model is giving away Complete Spa Sonic Skin Care System for Face and Body Polisher. ($70.00 value!)

Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet  has a review and opportunity to get you free samples of Recharge Dynamic Nutrition Weight Control Bars.

Mom’s Plan’s is offering one lucky reader their own copy of the Triple Slow Cooker Entertaining cookbook!

Making Sense of Cents has a HUGE giveaway on the site: Sephora, Starbucks, Cash, Target + MORE!

Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet was included in the following carnivals:

Carnival of MoneyPros | Making Sense Of Cents
Carnival of Financial Planning B | Hurricanes, Panties and Dollars | Hurricanes, Panties and Dollars
Yakezie Carnival (There’s a Blizzard in April Edition)
Lifestyle Carnival – April 21 2013 – Freeat33

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

All Mine Are Yours, And Yours Are Mine! is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I started a tradition over at my other site (where I talk about the bible and money), where I would post a devotional thought on most Sundays. I then continued that practice on Fat Guy Skinny Wallet, and I hope to keep posting devotion messages here. My goal is to make this a weekly practice.

They will either be based on my own personal study, or from another source.

Today we are comforted with the thought that all who are in Christ Jesus have a secure and sure future, by James Smith (courtesy of Grace Gems):

(James Smith, “The Pleading Savior” 1861)

“All Mine are Yours–and Yours are Mine!” John 17:10

This claim of Jesus refers especially to the elect. Says Jesus, “All whom the Father has, are Mine!” They are Mine by redemption–and Yours by election!

Election, redemption, sanctification, and glorification–are divine works encompassing the same people.
All whom the Father chose–the Son redeemed;
all whom the Son redeemed–the Spirit sanctifies;
and all who are . . .
chosen by the Father,
redeemed by the Son,
and sanctified by the Spirit–
are certainly and eternally glorified!

“For those He foreknew–He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.
And those He predestined–He also called;
and those He called–He also justified;
and those He justified–He also glorified!”
Romans 8:29-30

The Father’s children–constitute the Son’s Church;
the Father’s beloved–is the Son’s bride;
the Father’s property–is the Son’s portion.

“All Mine”–that is, all of My disciples, My friends, My sheep–”are Yours.”
The Father as Creator, gives them to the Son as Redeemer.
The Son as Redeemer, hands them over to the Spirit as the Sanctifier.
The Spirit works in them all the good pleasure of His goodness, and brings them to the Son, who presents them to the Father as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless!

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Recharge Dynamic Nutrition Weight Control Bars Review & Giveaway is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

Recently, I was contacted by Recharge Dynamic Nutrition about their line of weight control bars. They sent out a free sample to me so that I could try them out, write up a review, and then host a giveaway on the site! <—The giveaway details are at the bottom of this post.

Don’t worry, I promise not to let the fact that I received free samples cause me to give a false review. If the bars are the greatest thing I’ve ever tasted you’ll know that, on the other hand, if they make me shiver in fear after one bite, you’ll hear that as well!

So without boring you with any more details, here are my thoughts on each flavor that I was given:

Recharge Dynamic Nutrition Weight Control Bars Review

Recharge Dynamic Nutrition Raspberry & Apple

The raspberry & apple flavor is pretty sweet. The consistency is a lot like a Rice Crispy treat.

This is something that I would probably get again, because of the sweetness and the fact that there is no aftertaste.

The macros on this are 1.5g fat, 13g carbs, and 8g protein. Because of this nutritional profile, I wouldn’t use it as my primary protein bar, but I would use it more as a quick energy boost that also provides a good amount of fiber.

Recharge Dynamic Nutrition Chocolate & Caramel

Initially the taste is very good. The chocolate is creamy and the caramel is thick (both a plus for me). I almost thought that I was eating a normal candy bar.

However, there is an unpleasant aftertaste which hits right when you are finished chewing.

The macros on this are 2.5g fat, 11g carbs, and 8g protein.

I definitely won’t get these in the future because of that aftertaste. Unfortunately, I have never tasted anything like it, so I can’t tell you what’s causing it. All I can say is that it isn’t the normal aftertaste that I find with artificial sweeteners (like what you find with the diet version of products).

Recharge Dynamic Nutrition Peanuts & Caramel

This one is covered in chocolate, even though it isn’t in the name. I love the chocolate peanut combination, and the caramel just takes it over the top. However, I am getting the same aftertaste as i did with the chocolate & caramel bar.

The macros on this are 3g fat, 10g carbs, and 8g protein.

Because of that aftertaste, I wouldn’t get this one again either.

Recharge Dynamic Nutrition As An Appetite Suppressant

To be honest, I didn’t even realize that these bars had a “weight control” aspect to them. I just thought they were a low-calorie way to get in protein and a little fiber.

I had 2 of these bars at around 10am in order to taste them, and I didn’t even think about food again until about 1pm. Even then I wasn’t terribly hungry, I just knew that I needed to eat something in order to get in enough calories for the day. I definitely think that these bars did a lot to curb my appetite.

Then I happened to look at the package and I noticed the “weight control” label. Sure enough, there is information on their website about the appetite curbing properties of this bar. Even if it takes 2 bars in order to feel the effects (I can’t be sure), that is only 200 calories and definitely something that I can handle on days when I’m trying to eat less.

Overall Thoughts

I would definitely recommend the raspberry & apple flavor, but not the others made with chocolate and caramel. However, I know that I am extremely picky when it comes to my tastes (if you look at my monthly food journals, you’ll see that I eat an extremely limited assortment of food), and I would suggest that you give each flavor a try and not just take my word for it.

If I felt that my appetite was out of control and needed to be dealt with, I would be willing to deal with the aftertaste (or just augment the bars) since they seemed to work so well in that area.

Giveaway & FREE SAMPLES

That’s right! The company was nice enough to not only hold this giveaway, but to also give out free samples to the first 50 readers/followers to respond to the offer.

The sample pack will include 1 of each flavor plus a coupon for use in their online store! Just click on this link and you will be taken to the checkout page to claim your free sample pack. Once there, just enter in the following code “fatguy” (with no quotes), and you will receive your samples.

Again, this is available to the first 50 people to claim this offer, so make sure you take advantage of this right away.

As for the actual giveaway, use the box below in order to gain entries. Please note that you can gain 9 entries initially, and you can also come back daily to earn an additional entry.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Thank you for Opening My Eyes Through Your Writing is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

Finances have always been something in the back of my mind, the very back. I grew up in a household where money wasn’t really something we talked about much. We didn’t have an excess amount and we weren’t struggling either. We pretty much rested in the middle. I always had what I needed and could do things I wanted to do.

A Learned Behavior

This lack of focus on money carried over to the beginning of my adult life. I was someone who lived pay check to paycheck. I didn’t have a savings of any kind. I didn’t rack up credit cards, and I wasn’t a big spender. I just used the money I had, and then would replace it the next pay check. I didn’t think ahead about anything that had to do with money.

My attitude wasn’t really great. I simply felt that when I die, I wouldn’t be able to take it with me, so I might as well enjoy it while I have it.

Marriage and Money

As I got older, I married someone who likes to enjoy the money he has. His view on money tends to be very similar to mine. We don’t like to buy expensive or brand name things, but we like to use our money to eat out and do things we like. We paid off one small credit card that I had when we got married. We paid our bills every pay day, and then spent the rest. I had student loans; he paid his schooling as he went.

We climbed out of a bad financial situation that his ex-wife left us in. We lived paycheck to paycheck, but we never went without.

A Different Perspective

If you had asked me two weeks ago how we were sitting financially, then I probably would have said we were doing alright. We have minimal debt and our bills are paid every month. We opened a savings account not that long ago, it had $50.00 in it. I guess it’s a start, but that was what a savings was to us.

The truth is that we aren’t in a great position at all. We are one paycheck away from being homeless without food. If you read my 2013 goals, then you will have noticed that I had no mention of my financial goals. I honestly never thought about them. Money just didn’t play a big role in my life.

Unexpected Blessings

Khaleef was busy with so many things, so I offered to help him out with his sites. I told him I’d be willing to take time reading and commenting on articles. You can probably guess that reading financial articles wouldn’t be my expertise, but as I started reading them it got me thinking.

I have read literally hundreds of articles over the past few weeks. They have given me a new perspective on my own finances. I honestly just thought I was doing a favor to help a friend. This favor may be something that changes my life forever.

My eyes were opened to the fact that ignoring my financial situation isn’t healthy. It isn’t going to help our financial situation in the future. Living check to check is not a wise thing. We just bought our home last year, and if something big happened then we would have nothing to help fix it.

Going to the grocery store, buying gas, and getting necessities doesn’t have to be a stressful situation trying to figure out how you are going to get it all.

I wanted to thank all of you who take the time each week to write financial blogs. They were very helpful and inspiring to me. I now have my husband on board to stop spending and start saving. Every year, the tax return bails us out for a few months. We usually go on a big spending spree and save a little bit to help us with our monthly bills.

This year we will be using our return to (Click here to see exactly how we spent our return):

• Pay off car
• Pay off medical bills from Taelynn’s birth
• Pay off one student loan

Just being honest, I am sure we will use a small part of it to treat our kids to something special. We also want to buy a new computer, so that I am able to write articles and do things more efficiently. The rest will be put into our savings account.

I am going to be talking to Todd about each paycheck’s plan. It will be so nice to have a cushion. We have to get out of that mindset that says if we have it, let’s spend it. My hope is that we continue to live frugally while saving the extra. We have four kids, and they aren’t getting any cheaper.

We won’t be perfect at this, but we are heading in the right direction. I am sure that as time goes on, and I read more articles, my eyes will be open to many more things. I also hope this inspires those who may feel like it’s too late, or they are in too deep to attempt to get a grip of their finances and start living a little more free.

Update

It’s been a few months since I originally wrote this article, and I am happy to say things have changed and are changing.  We have a small cushion and my life has become much more enjoyable not having to worry about money constantly.

My sincere thanks goes out to each and every one of you. Keep writing!

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

My Baby Girl Turns One! is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I thought I would take some time to tell you a little bit about my baby’s first birthday party. Taelynn actually turns one on May 8, but May is a busy month so we had her party this past week. A lot of time and hard work went into this special occasion. To be honest, my first daughter had a really big first birthday party, so it was only fair that I have one for Taelynn.

I would have rather had something small, but it was so wonderful and there are no regrets. After all, you know the first birthday is really for the parents!

I really didn’t spend too much money because I have a lot of talent and generosity in my family! We invited 60 people, but many were sick so we ended up with about 40 guests. We held the party at my church in the gym, so there would be lots of room for the kids to run around and I didn’t have to clean my house.

We didn’t have to pay anything for that.

My brother is very good at baking and decorating cakes, so he baked cupcakes and a smash cake for Taelynn. (A smash cake is a mini cake that the baby gets to devour and smash.)

We didn’t pay for that because that was his gift. He also took beautiful pictures.

My sister in law is so crafty and creative. She came up with the theme and everything. We worked together to create a Spring Garden theme with butterflies and daisies. She has a Cricut machine and cut out so many paper details to make the day so beautiful. We both found Pinterest ideas and came up with some of our own. The pictures will tell it all!

I bought all the supplies for about $75.00.

I made gift bags by putting brown paper bags through my printer to print on them and used doilies and ribbon. I paid $50.00 for candy and supplies.

My mother in law bought all the table covers, had the flower arrangements, and bought the food also.

We also got a $50.00 gift from a friend that wanted to help with party expenses.

I ordered cute invitations that had Taelynn’s picture on it. I paid about $30.00 for those.

I ordered balloons and my husband picked them up, but they didn’t ring them up right, so we only paid $20.00 for 10 bouquets of 3 balloons. He didn’t know how much they were and I didn’t know about it until later.

Grand Total: $125.00 for a party planned for 60 people. We were so thankful for the gifts as we had budgeted $300.00 for the party originally.

Taelynn was exhausted and slept so well after the party. Mommy and Daddy did too!

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

A Reflection on Boston and Julie’s Faves 4.14.13 is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

My heart is heavy this past week thinking about the Boston Marathon 2013 tragedy. It’s hard to even find words to describe all that I feel in dealing with this news miles away from Boston. I can’t even imagine the positive spirit that flooded the city today only to be crushed in a moment by cries and fear.

As a runner, I am looking at this completely different than I would have before I was running. I can’t fully explain it, but I feel that I am part of a huge running community. I feel like I lost family members today. I have tears streaming down my face as I type this thinking about all that was lost in a short moment.

At the same time, I feel a huge sense of pride and unity. Much like that feeling across the country that was felt on September 11. I am deeply saddened, angered, and in disbelief. I feel strong, empowered to run better than I ever have, and motivated to make every second of my life count.

This week I will be wearing my race shirts in honor of all the victims at the Boston Marathon.

My prayers and heart goes out to everyone affected. Another sad tragedy that will always be remembered.

Enjoy my favorites for the week!

Miranda from Prairie Eco-Thrifter shares some tips for beginning gardeners! <–I’m hoping to start this year!

Amanda at Budgeting the Fun Stuff gives a few ways to make extra spending money on your iPhone and computer! <–Extra money! Yeah!

Melissa from Everything Finance has 7 ways warmer weather can save you money! <–Warm weather excites me, so does saving money!

Latisha at Young Finances posts about 9 principles of success. <–Awesome principles that can be applied to anyone’s life in general.

Squirrelers has a great article about making brand name substitutions that can save you a lot of money in the long run. <–I am not too picky on brands, but many are.

Giveaways

Surviving and Thriving is giving away $50.00 gift card for Yoga gear until April 23.

My Personal Finance Journey is giving money to a charity and to the community until April 30.

Cult of Kale is giving away a book called Eat and Run by Scott Jurek.

Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet was included in the following roundups and carnivals:
Yakezie Carnival April 7, 2013 Edition | Family Money Values
Weekly Chronicles: Easter Edition

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

To Eat To The Glory Of God is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I started a tradition over at my other site (where I talk about the bible and money), where I would post a devotional thought on most Sundays. I then continued that practice on Fat Guy Skinny Wallet, and I hope to keep posting devotion messages here. My goal is to make this a weekly practice.

They will either be based on my own personal study, or from another source.

Today we are challenged to do everything (even eating) in a manner that brings glory to God, by J.R. Miller (courtesy of Grace Gems):

(J.R. Miller)

“Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do–do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31

Nothing in life is left out–”whatever you do.” It extends even to eating and drinking. We are to do all things to the glory of God. This means that we must do everything in a way that will please Him.

To eat to the glory of God is to recognize Him as the Giver of our daily bread, to seek His blessing on it, to eat according to the divine laws, eating to be ready for the best service, and then to use all our strength in doing the work which God gives us to do.

One who eats self-indulgently or gluttonously, or who eats food that is injurious to his health, or who does not use the strength he derives from his food in living obediently–is not glorifying God. In all our life, in everything we do, we are to think of what will honor God.

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

I Finished My First 10K Race! is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I have been training to run a 10K race these past 2 months, and I am proud to say I achieved my goal this past Saturday and finished the race! I knew it was my first one, so no matter what I would set a personal record as long as I finished it.

My Running Inspiration

I have been getting great running advice from my friend Brooke, and she gave me a schedule to train with and some race advice. Brooke is a seasoned runner with a marathon and half marathons under her belt. She has a running coach and is part of a running group in Ohio. We met on YouTube, and she has been the woman I look up to and respect so much.

My Feelings Before the Race

This was my first race of 2013, and I was so nervous. I found myself feeling very nervous and sick to my stomach the morning of the race. I always get like this before races, and always experienced this when I was in sports in high school. Some things never change. I went to bed early the night before and woke up early on race day.

I made this video the morning of the race explaining all my feelings in details.

Race Day Conditions

The weather forecast said it would be 66 degrees with some wind. I was so ready to sport my capri running tights,my race t-shirt,and my Mizunos.

I pinned my number on my shirt.I got to the race location, and noticed people wearing gloves, winter coats, hats, under armor, and long tights. Oh no, I was freaking out. Maybe I didn’t dress warm enough. These people looked like they were ready for a snow storm. I was in my light clothes and a thin zip up hooded sweatshirt.

I stepped out of the van, and realized it was freezing. I had goosebumps, and it wasn’t from the temp which was about 46 degrees, but from the wind. It also started in an open field where the wind was free to blow hard. I wasn’t the only one not prepared, but many others were freaking out as well. I knew I had to wear my sweatshirt to run in. I took my number off and pinned it on the out side of my sweatshirt. I knew I would get warmer once I started running.

I was so grateful I was running this race as opposed to walking it.

My Running Plan – Training To Run The 10k

My plan was to run the first 3 miles at a long run pace, which is slow and I could carry on a conversation with someone. Then I would step it up a notch for the 4th mile. I would go all out the last 2.2 miles. I did this according to plan and below you can see a screen shot of my running application.

My plan was well executed, except in the last mile the wind was blowing directly in my face. I also wasn’t really prepared for the hills that I ran. I am used to a very flat course, so this was new.

Half way through my run, I got so hot, so the sweatshirt came off and I just tied it around my waist. By the end of the race I zipped it back up so that my timing chip would be on when I crossed the finish line. There were water stations at the first 4 miles, but the whole second half of the race I was on my own.

I felt tired and so thirsty of course. I just kept running, knowing there would be a bottle of ice cold water at the end.

My Finish

I finished so strong and was so proud that I did it! I was so grateful that a community group was there taking pictures and they got a great shot of my finish!

My time was 1:08.59.3 and I could not have been happier. I went home and slept for 3 hours and spent the rest of my day eating. I felt so hungry all day!

The race really drained me.

I feel so blessed to have achieved something that I never could have done when I was 241 lbs. This is one thing in my life I can say that seemed impossible, but wasn’t. Dare to dream!

My next race is May 25th, and it is a 5K. I am very excited about it, as this was the first 5K I walked 2 years ago. It is a flat country route, and will be a great experience. Thank you all for so much encouragement and support with my running. Looking forward to my next race for sure!!

Photo Credit: Valpolife.com

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

A Recap of March 2013 for Fat Guy is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I know that this post is very late. My life has been so busy over the last few months, and it has only increased lately. So that means that I haven’t had time to sit down and reflect on the previous month through writing. However, if you are subscribed to my weight loss and fitness YouTube channel, you will have already seen my weigh-in and update. I’ll wait while you go and subscribe.

Fitness…

Alright, so the month of March was a pretty rough one for me in regards to eating and exercise. You may remember me telling you about tweaking my back and going a little lighter on my weight lifting so as to not injure myself. I also wasn’t able to do a lot of cardio for much of the month.

However, I made sure that I stuck to all of my scheduled weight training sessions, and I managed to work in a few runs when the weather got warm at the end of the month – I ran for about 28 miles in March!

One great thing is that I was able to move up in weight on all of my main lifts and a couple of accessories!

Eating…

As far as eating is concerned, I had a good month. It wasn’t as great as my best two eating months ever (January and February of this year), but I still managed to do well. I think I ate out 4 or 5 times last month because of my wife’s health and my busy schedule. However, I handled this much better than I did last summer, when I used her bad health as an excuse to eat out several times a week!

I was able to find things around the house even when we weren’t able to have fully cooked meals. Tuna, canned chicken, eggs, and smoothies made in our new NutriBullet have really helped us out in a huge way recently!

Here is all the food that I ate during the month of March…

So you can see that it wasn’t as good as January, but it was still much better than just about every month of my life!

Weight…

Last month I was 226 lbs and I stayed the same through March (except for the huge fluctuations). Since I don’t have any particular weight goals, the number doesn’t mean a lot to me. However, I share my thoughts about my weight, in this video here:

Changes In My Body…

I already mentioned that I was able to move up to a higher weight for most of my lifts. I can also feel my body getting stronger – I notice how easy carrying those 5-gallon jugs of water around is for me now!

I haven’t noticed any changes in my body over the last couple of months, but I decided to take the pictures anyway. The funny thing is that I actually was able to see changes. Anyway, here is a short slideshow comparing my pictures over the last few months along with my commentary in the background:

So what do you think? Were you able to see a change or was it just me?

How have you been doing with the goals that you have set for yourself? Let me know in the comments below.

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Free Candle From a Stranger and Julie’s Faves 4.7.13 is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I thought I would take the time today to tell you about a kind gesture that gave me a free candle! The other day my husband Todd and I were walking around the mall to get out of the house. A bad stomach bug made its way around our house through all 4 kids, and one ended up in the emergency room for fear of dehydration. What a week! Everyone is back on the mend now, so my mom offered to watch them so Todd and I could have a little break.

We rarely buy things at the mall,since most of the stores are geared to teenagers and everything else is overpriced. We love candles though, and Yankee Candle has the best ones that last the longest. We basically burn them at least 8 hours a day, so long lasting is important for us.

We walked in and started smelling different candles. We decided we would buy one large one which is about $35.00, but we knew it would last.  As we were smelling, a lady and her little son were smelling also.  Somehow we started a conversation and she was telling us the candles she liked. We were talking with the little boy and so on.  By the end of the conversation, she asked us if we wanted a coupon for a free medium candle if we bought one.  We said sure!

This helped us a lot because then we got two different scents, and paid $25.00 for 2 candles.  We ended up getting Turquoise Sky and Green Grass. Spring clean scents surround our home now.  It pays to be kind to people, and have conversation with strangers even though I am not one to do that.

I certainly wouldn’t initiate one, but my husband does all the time.  I usually don’t see these nice gestures at the mall where everyone seems like they are in a hurry.  It was a great, much needed day, and we saved a little money in the process.

Awesome posts this week!

One Cent at a Time posts about celebrity penny pinching, which is something I don’t hear much about. <– I think your money habits can carry over from how you are brought up.

Derek from Life and My Finances questions if our culture promotes debt in this article. <— I’d say, Yes, yes, and yes.

A guest post on Beating Broke gives you 12 tricks to declutter your home! <–Perfect for the spring cleaning!

Sandy at Yes, I am Cheap has a great list to be aware of when renting, scams of landlords and tenants.  <– Very helpful to people renting out or renting.

Hank from Money Q and A gives great tips on how to save money on summer vacation! <–Very detailed and helpful post!

Giveaways:

Jacob from My Personal Finance Journey is giving away $50.53, half will go to a winner and half will go to a charity!

Hank from Money Q and A is hosting a giveaway and you can win an autographed copy of “Real Wealth” by Bruce Helmer

Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet was included in the following carnivals:
Yakezie Carnival April 7, 2013 Edition | Family Money Values
Carnival of Money Pros | Master the Art of Saving

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

My New Sony NWZ-W262 Walkman From Klout! is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

A few weeks ago I was contacted by Klout to let me know that I was eligible for a new reward. For those of you who are not familiar with Klout, allow me to attempt a brief explanation.

Klout is a company that attempts to measure the amount of influence that a person/business/brand has through social media. Once you create an account on the, you then connect your social media accounts, and they do the rest.

They track the amount (and level) of engagement across your various accounts and then assign a score based on that activity. What’s great is that they not only give you an overall score, but they also track your level on influence in various topics. And that’s where the rewards come in to play.

Apparently, I have a decent amount of influence on topics such as exercise, fitness, and weight loss. Because of this, I became eligible to receive a Sony Fitness Walkman! The Sony NWZW262MEB Walkman MP3 Player to be exact.

My New Sony NWZ-W262 Walkman!

The great thing about this unit is that the actual player is attached to the earbuds, so there are no wires! Well, there is the one wire that connects the earbuds and fits behind your neck, but that’s it.

The USB port, power button, volume rocker, playlist manager, and play/pause button, and the fast forward/rewind buttons are all attached to the earbuds.

I received the package the other day and I did an unboxing of the Sony Fitness Walkman on my YouTube weight loss channel. You can see the video below:

First Impressions of the Sony NWZ-W262 Walkman

• The Walkman is extremely light – I have it wrapped around my neck as I type this and I can barely notice it. It is like wearing two light Bluetooth headsets at the same time.
• All of the buttons are very easy to access, even while running – I actually wore gloves (my hands get cold fast) the first time I ran with these and I was able to work the controls just fine.
• The sound quality is great – as a former musician, I get extremely frustrated when I am not able to hear the full range of sounds when I listen to music. I didn’t have that problem with these headphones; I was able to hear highs quite clearly, and the bass was very strong.
• The software was easy to use, but not necessary. – You can just drag and drop files onto the player using Windows Explorer (like any flash drive or storage card); however, if you use the software that comes installed, you can see how much room you have left as you add new files.

There is more that I can say about this unit after only wearing it twice, but I will save that for the full review.

Make sure that you connect with me on Klout!

Reader Questions

1. What is your favorite workout song?
2. Do you use your phone to play music while you exercise, or do you have a dedicated music player? If so, what do you use?
3. Since I play to do a full review (both written and video) of this player, is there anything that you would like to know or a feature that you would like me to test out?

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

After Weeks Off the Scale and Great Reads For The Week of 3.31.13 is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

Hey Everyone, I spent a few weeks off the scale, and worked very hard on focusing on my four goals. Just to remind you that was to get my water in, make good food choices, exercise, and reflect on a non-scale victory.   At the end of the few weeks, I had not been on a scale.  I felt amazing and very successful.  I knew in my heart that I did the absolute best that I could and stayed on track.

Getting on the scale was something I really looked forward to. To be honest, I ended up weighing a week early, but weighed the exact same a week later.  I thought I would see a number in the 140s. I was 155.6 the day I got on the scale before my scale break.  When I got back on expecting to see a huge loss, I saw 156.0.  Again!?

I honestly was shocked, but not disappointed with myself because I knew I did everything I could.  I didn’t let the number take me out of my game. I am going to keep going, and focusing on these goals was so helpful to me.

A number on the scale can’t tell you how hard you worked, how mentally strong you are, and sometimes it has a mind of it’s own. I am more than a number, and I hope you remember that if you are fighting with the scale also.

Remember where you came from and where you want to be.

Enjoy some of my absolute favorite articles this week!!!

Andrea at So Over This has got to be one of my favorite writers, here’s why! <–Such a funny outlook at online dating!

Not Made of Money has some great tips on how to save by doing simple things. <— Great tips!

Money Infant makes great points about why pen and paper may be the right tools for a to do list!<—I always use the pen and paper!

One Cent at a Time brings up a great topic of health insurance while traveling. <— This is something many may not think about.

Amanda wrote for Budgeting the Fun Stuff and has a lot of freebies to share! <—So helpful,like a one stop shop with everything in a great list!

Miranda from Prairie-Eco Thrifter writes why she likes experiences versus things. <— I feel so strongly about experiences and really appreciate this list.

Corey from 20′$ Finances has a great article about how to break a spending habit. <— So many of us can relate to this in some way!

Give Away:

Retire By 40 is hosting a giveaway of The Neatest Little Guide to Stock Market Investing: 2013 Edition, by Jason Kelly.

Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet was included in the following carnivals:

Lifestyle Carnival: Exxon Valdez Edition
Weekly Chronicles: Introducing Annabelle Edition
Financial Carnival For Young Adults | PF Carny
Carnival of Retirement – 63rd Edition
Carnival of Financial Planning B 3.29.13 — Faithful With A Few

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Heaven! Heaven! It is Heaven! is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I started a tradition over at my other site (where I talk about the bible and money), where I would post a devotional thought on most Sundays. I then continued that practice on Fat Guy Skinny Wallet, and I hope to keep posting devotion messages here. My goal is to make this a weekly practice.

They will either be based on my own personal study, or from another source.

Today we are called to think on the sure promise for every Christian, eternity in Heaven, from J.R. Miller (courtesy of Grace Gems):

(J.R. Miller)

An author tells of a French ship which had been lost for months amid storms in the southern seas. One morning land was espied from the mast-head. Passengers and crew gathered on deck, awaiting the sight of the coming shore in suspense.

Vague outlines only were seen, so vague that the uncertainty almost broke the hearts of the watchers. Was it land? If so, what land? Could it be France? Was it indeed France? Or was it some strange country?

Nearer and nearer they came. Clearer and more distinct became the outlines. After some hours, hours which seemed days, the lookout cried, “France! France! It is France!” The joy of the ship’s company knew no bounds.

They were indeed home after all their wanderings, and all their dangers and fears!

So will it be with us believers, when, through the mists of that sea which we call death, we approach the shores of eternal life. After the dimness of dying–our eyes shall open to behold the banks of the celestial land!

Then the shout will not be, “France! It is France!” but “Heaven! Heaven! It is Heaven!“ The storms will all be past. We shall be in eternal glory. Then we shall have life in all its fullness.

Then we shall be home forever!

“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard, and
no mind has imagined–
what God has prepared for those who love Him!” 1 Corinthians 2:9

photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Our New Tool: The Child Training Bible is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

My husband Todd and I are working hard to train our children up in the ways of the Lord. It is something that is very important to us, and we have been able to do an adequate job of this I’d say. Just recently we purchased something that will make this even easier. We know the Bible is the best place to turn to for direction and discipline with our children.

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Past Experiences With Child Training Bible Verses

For example, our 9 year old son has had problems with anger in the past. We get a note from the teacher or principal for that matter. We send him to his room, while my husband frantically is looking for verses from the Bible on anger. He has to get his Bible, concordance, a pen, and a note card. He spends time writing out verses for our son to look up and discuss. So a good amount of time has passed while he waits in his room.

Todd spends time with him going over the verses and discussing each one. He tells him to keep the note card and read those verses. Guess, what I find on the floor within days. Yes, the note card looks like it’s been through a war, and that’s if we can even find it. Long story short, this system is tedious and not the most consistent or effective.

The Discovery of a Child Training Bible System

While cruising around Pinterest and looking up the term “home school ideas”( I am not home schooling, but it’s something I am looking at for the future with my girls.) , I found something that is going to really help our family. I found this under the title “10 Must Haves for our Home School.” The Child Training Bible was something they used to redirect their children. I can see this is going to be a must-have for our family.

I went to the link that was given for the Child Training Bible. It was a very easy site to use, and there was a great video tutorial explaining the use of it, and how to assemble it. It isn’t an actual Bible that you buy, but rather a kit that you put together. It is a system of special cards, highlighters, post-it tabs, and a Bible of your choice. There are links on the site of which things to buy and where to get them. You buy the actual Child Training Bible cards from them for a reasonable price of about $9.00.

The cards have topics that your child will deal with such as anger, jealousy, discouragement, lying, tattling, disobedience,wrong friendships, and many more. You use the cards to line up colored tabs along the edge to mark the pages with verses on those topics. You use the highlighter to highlight the specific verse with a coordinating color. It took me 3 hours to set up the Bible putting tabs and highlighting in it.

It is an investment of time that I feel will be well worth it.

Our Future With Training Our Children From The Bible

We now have a one-stop Bible to go to for training our children. The scenario I mentioned above would go something like this. Our son would come home from school with a note. We would take the Child Training Bible out and look for the tab corresponding with the behavior. Let’s say it was anger, we would flip to the tabs that are lined up under the anger category. We open it up and point straight to the verses. No time needs to go by so we can look up the verses.

The Bible will be kept in a place that we can go to every time as needed. There are no note cards to get lost or ruined. There is also a place on the back of the cards that have a guide of discussion you can have with your children to make them think about what they did, what Jesus says about this, and then a prayer you can say with your child.

Self-Reflection

As I was setting the Bible up, I found myself meditating on these verses. It became obvious to me this Bible will be training the parents in this house as well. I know that if I have a problem, I can also come to this Bible and have the verses at hand. I really had a great time in the Word, while preparing this Bible for my children.

I have noticed that so many times I think I am doing something for our children, but it ends up being a lesson or blessing to me also.

I am excited to have this and use it to bring my children up in His ways, which are far better than the ways of the world.

Photo Credit: Childtrainingbible.com

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

This Is Why We Are Fat #1 – Parking Spaces is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

As I go through life I observe many things at work, while shopping, hanging out with people, reading, and even watching weight loss videos; which all show me attitudes and actions that I think have helped to make us an obese nation.

I know that many in the media will usually pick out one thing that they consider to be unhealthy (like demonizing saturated fats or carbohydrates for instance) and then blame that thing for all of this nation’s obesity problems, but I honestly believe (and have seen a lot of research to support this) that there is a long a growing list of all the things which have contributed to this problem.

Whenever I see something that I think represents the problem with either humor or frustration, I will use this ongoing series as a platform to talk about it.

Getting Fat While Parking!

My wife and I were at a shopping center recently and noticed the most irrational behavior from the shoppers looking for parking spaces.

We saw no less than 10 cars in each isle sitting and waiting for the closest parking spaces to open up. That wouldn’t have been a big deal if there were spaces already open and they were just waiting for the people to pull out; but that was not the case. There were at most 1 or 2 cars that were ready to pull out, and the other people were willing to wait for an unknown amount of time for more people to come out and leave one of the prime spaces.

What I saw was really irrational because the last 20-30 spots (counting both sides of the lane) were open in all of the lanes.

So these people were willing to waste time and burn gas for minutes in order to save themselves from walking an extra 200 feet to go shopping! What made it worse was the fact that they were clogging up the road so that no one else could drive by them and park in one of the dozens of empty parking spaces available – there wasn’t even enough room for people to make turns and pull out when they finally did return from their shopping!

We had to wait for cars to pass on the other side and then go around (or between in some cases) the line of cars.

Now, I’m not going to tell you that parking 10 spaces further away from the door is going to make you drop the weight, but the fact that these people were doing something so dramatic (for the situation) in order to save a tiny bit of walking was quite disgusting!

It also makes me wonder what lengths they are willing to go in order to avoid a few seconds of physical activity in the other areas of their lives.

It just made me think of how lazy we have become as a society. I won’t go into all the ways now – because that is the point of this ongoing series of observations – but just thinking about what I saw made me upset with what we have become.

We are all so obsessed with ease and convenience that it is sending us to an early grave. We have lost meaning of the word ‘labor’ (allowing technology to do most of the rigorous work for us), and we have even become “allergic” to something as basic as walking a few feet to go shopping!

Of course technology is great and we should all strive to make the best use of our time, but those people who were waiting for 5-10 minutes or more in order to save 30 seconds of walking were certainly not being efficient with their time or money.

Even if this nation never changed portion sizes, didn’t experience a proliferation of fast food chains, or go from home-cooked whole foods combined with raw fruits and vegetables to processed and packaged meals, we probably would have still seen an obesity crisis (albeit much milder than what we have now) simply because our goal has become to avoid physical activity at all costs…even if it means sitting around wasting time and burning money (expensive gas) waiting for a spot 50 feet closer to open up!

<end rant/>

photo credit: eugene

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Are You Seeking Great Things For Yourself? – Devotion is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I started a tradition over at my other site (where I talk about the bible and money), where I would post a devotional thought on most Sundays. I then continued that practice on Fat Guy Skinny Wallet, and I hope to keep posting devotion messages here. My goal is to make this a weekly practice.

They will either be based on my own personal study, or from another source.

Today I want to caution you against seeking after worldly success, with these thoughts from J.R. Miller and J.C. Philpot (courtesy of Grace Gems):

(J.R. Miller)

“Are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them!” Jeremiah 45:5

This lesson is not an easy one to learn, for we all want to erect our work for God on the summit of a mountain, where it will be seen by all the world. We easily forget that sometimes the greatest work we can perform for Him, is to do the little things He gives us to do, quietly and sweetly.

**Bonus quote! For pastors only (by J.C. Philpot)

“Are you seeking great things for yourself? Do not seek them!” Jeremiah 45:5

Ministers often seek . . .
great gifts,
great eloquence,
great congregations,
great popularity and influence!

How many ministers are seeking after great gifts–thirsting after popularity, applause, and acceptance among men! They are not satisfied with being simply and solely what God may make them by His Spirit and grace–with the blessing which He may make them to a scattered few here and there.

This inferior position, as they consider it, so beneath their grace and gifts, their talents and abilities–does not satisfy their restless mind and aspiring desires. Their ambition is . . .
to stand at the very head of their peers,
to be looked up to and sought after as a leader and a guide,
to have a larger building,
to have a fuller congregation,
to have a better salary, and
to have a wider field for the display of their gifts and abilities.
Gladly would they . . .
stand above all others,
brook no rival to their ‘pulpit throne’, and
be lord paramount at church and abroad.

And what is the consequence of this proud, ambitious spirit? What envy, what jealousy, what detraction do we see in men who want to stand at the top of the mountain!

“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all!” Mark 9:35

“So the last will be first; and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Carnival of Financial Planning B 3.22.13 is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I am happy to have the opportunity to host the Financial Planning Carnival this week!  There are so many great submissions, so take the time to sit back, relax, and enjoy them!

BUDGETING AND ECONOMICS

Gary @ Gajizmo writes Best Ways To Save Money – The best ways to save money include watching both small and large spending habits. By building financial discipline with small purchases, we develop a habit of rationally determining whether our consumption falls within our budget and future monetary goals. Here are dozens of ways to look at your financial situation and make small and large changes that can net you thousands at the end of the year.

LaTisha @ Young Finances writes The Importance of an Ecommerce Business Plan – Creating an eCommerce business plan is an important step for the success of your business. You need a basic understanding of website building techniques.

Jessica @ Budget for Health writes Leave the Light on, Pay a Quarter – I remember this saying was frequently used growing up. My parents never verbally taught me about finances, but their actions said it all.

Daniel @ Sweating the Big Stuff writes 3 Things We Pay For That Prove We’ve Become Lazy Americans – We pay for things we don’t really need out of laziness. Watch out for these 3 budget busters!

CAREER AND INCOME

Nick @ A Young Pro writes Apply for Every Job You See – During my last semester of school I applied for every job I could see. I learned a lot about myself and landed a great job before I graduated!

eemusings @ NZ Muse writes What I value in a job – When it comes to your work, what matters the most?

Super Saver @ My Wealth Builder writes Time to Quit? – There is a good chance that I will decide I’m not paid enough or get enough perks for the extra effort and stress being imposed by the company.

Robert @ My Multiple Incomes writes Guest Posting in a Changing Online World – This is pretty one-sided. You get massive traffic. You get your name and brand in front of other bloggers. And now, Google has a warning for spammy guest posting. As a result, many top blogs have started discontinuing accepting guest posts: Problogger, Kikolani, and the list goes on. So, is guest posting still the way to go? And how do you get out there?

CAPI @ Creating a Passive Income writes Tools of a Passive Investor – Passive income is all the hype these days. Many of my closest friends are finally understanding the power of passive income. As we all know, it takes time and money to generate passive income. It’s not as easy as some may make it sound, but it is a great way to build wealth. Focusing on passive income also means that you are focusing on the time investment.

MR @ Money Reasons writes Roth IRA Unusual Benefits – The following is how I view a Roth IRA, my view is personal and I don’t recommend this approach, since a Roth IRA is a retirement instrument. That said, it works for me!

DEBT AND CREDIT

Mr.CBB @ Canadian Budget Binder writes How I Paid Off My OSAP Fast – Student loans after graduating can weigh heavy on the shoulders of anyone who has to carry this debt. Learn how Carla graduated and paid off her student loans in a flash.

Martin @ Studenomics writes The Save $100 Challenge to Reach Killer Results! – Let’s save $100.

Kevin @ 20smoney.com writes Student Loan Forgiveness – Student loans allow millions of students in the United States to pursue an education they otherwise would have missed out on.

krantcents @ KrantCents writes I Am Broke! – I am broke, but not broken! Do I have your attention? Should you feel sorry for me? Do I need help? Perhaps, I need a psychological evaluation? My answer is simple, don’t worry about me! You can take away my credit cards,

Jon Haver @ Pay My Student Loans writes Sallie Mae Student Loans – There are many different lenders on the internet that offer loans for students. One of the most trusted online lender in Sallie Mae. Sallie Mae offers different kinds of loans and other banking services based on the individual needs, but is most widely recognized as a student loan lender.

INVESTING AND SAVING

Marvin @ Brick By Brick Investing writes How To Screen 52 Week Lows – Detailed description of how I screen 52 week lows for great stock bargains.

Roger Wohlner @ The Chicago Financial Planner writes Using Retirement Accounts to Pay off Debt – A Good Idea? – Over the years I’ve been asked on a number of occasions if it is wise to tap retirement accounts such as an IRA or a 401(k) to pay down debts. Generally my answer is no. Here’s why I say this, especially for those close to retirement.

Michelle @ The Shop My Closet Project writes How to connect with new people without being a creeper – Last week I went to Atlanta to attend a conference. While I was there I wanted to connect with a friend of mine from Up With People and with some personal finance bloggers who live in Atlanta. I had never met them before and quite honestly they are pretty well known in the personal finance community and I am not. I’m a big believer in meeting new people but introducing yourself to new people can be tricky. You don’t want to come across as a creeper.

Ashley @ Money Talks Coaching writes My Dad Has Cancer But Not Health Insurance – My dad has cancer. He started chemo today. The onset was fast and severe.

Debt Guru @ Debt Free Blog writes Hidden Fees When Traveling – My wife and I started planning our annual vacation last week. Every year we plan a week-long vacation to celebrate our anniversary. We usually alternate having a “big” vacation and a mediocre vacation. These are poor descriptions, but the basic idea is one year we take a more expensive vacation and the next, a moderately-expensive one.

Brent @ PersonalFinance-Tips writes What to do after Bankruptcy – Bankruptcy is one of the most significant events in life, comparable with marriage or divorce in its impact. However, unlike those two events bankruptcy is almost always a sign of bad times.

Pete @ Intelligent Speculator writes Passive Income Targets – March 2013 – We look at passive income targets and the progress towards them.

Tushar @ Start Investing Money writes Should You Look Into Unusual Investments? – When you think about investments you probably think of stocks, shares, mutual funds and various other investments of a similar ilk. However you have more options than this, including some rather unusual investment opportunities you may wish to consider.

Lance @ Money Life and More writes Moving Soon? How and Where to Get Free Boxes to Save Money – In addition to learning how to move I’ve also learned how to save money while moving. One of the biggest costs can be packing materials (moving boxes, wrapping paper, bubble wrap, etc.) and I’m going to share with you how I managed to get these items for free!

JP @ My Family Finances writes Kid Friendly Healthy Eating Tips – The key to this is to find a method that woks for your entire family, this includes your youngest child, all the way to grandma.

Mike @ Personal Finance Journey writes Is There Such Thing as Saving Money While Shopping? – Ever considered saving money when shopping? Did you know its even possible to spend AND save? Easy smart shopping tips that work.

SBB @ Simple Budget Blog writes Your Next Days Off: Budgeting for Vacations – Got some vacation days to spend? For a successful and fun time off, stress-free, use these steps on budgeting for vacations.

Steven @ MyDividendStocks writes Why would a Company not pay Stock Dividends – Dividends are an important part of the equation when you want to assess a company as an investment. Dividends that are paid out at regular intervals are a sure sign of the good health of a company. Therefore, companies pay out dividend not just to share their profits with their shareholders, but also to signal that their finances are in good health.

BARBARA FRIEDBERG @ Barbara Friedberg Personal Finance writes How to Talk About Money with the Family-The M Word – Deal with family money issues. Learn how in the M Word.

Don @ MoneySmartGuides writes Financial Lessons Learned From The Bachelor – I watch The Bachelor. Every Monday night, my girlfriend duct tapes me to the couch and uses toothpicks to pry my eyes open to watch this season as Sean tries to find true love from 25 women contestants.

Buck Inspire @ Buck Inspire writes Stop Your Services Mr. Telephone Man! – When moving to a new home, you of course need to setup utilities in your new place. But do you always remember to shut everything off in the old? Don’t pay for services you won’t be using anymore!

Roger the Amateur Financier @ The Amateur Financier writes My Bucket List (So Far…) – I’ve been thinking a great deal lately about bucket lists, that is, lists of things that people want to do before they die.

Gary @ Gajizmo writes How To Save Money – Saving money isn’t easy. There is really only so much you can cut from your budget, but knowing how to save money and finding creative ways to meet your financial goals can make all the difference between a fully-funded retirement and living on just social security and government subsidies. Here are some in-depth methods of reviewing your spending and finding savings, including everyday tips that will transform your lifestyle and develop healthier habits.

Thomas @ Journey Scout writes Travel the world on a Budget – A little bit of financial acumen can go a long way in earning your trip around the world, here’s how

RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE

SFB @ Simple Finance Blog writes Annuities: What Every Investor Should Know – Here is a simplified overview of annuities. We will look at three basic types of annuities that are the foundation of the concept.

Lazy Man @ Lazy Man and Money writes Skylight Insurance Is Costing Me Money – Surprise! – I just got off the phone with my insurance agent. In getting my new home insured they did their standard procedure of looking at everything from the outside. That review noted that we had three skylights. Skylights raise the price of insurance… apparently

REAL ESTATE AND PROPERTY

Ross @ Wallet Hub writes Reverse Mortgages Guide – Reverse mortgages have certainly earned a mixed reputation over the past few years, so it makes sense to familiarize yourself with the latest information before deciding whether one would be beneficial, detrimental, or simply not worth the effort considering your specific financial situation.

Wayne @ Young Family Finance writes The Important Facts About Home Equity Loans – Buying a home is a financial investment can lead to extra money in a few years in the form of a home equity loan.

RETIREMENT AND TAXATION

John S @ Frugal Rules writes 4 Simple Ways to Make Filing Taxes Easier Every Year – Very few people enjoy doing and filing their taxes. However, with a few simple steps you can make the process easier every year and hopefully save you money year over year.

FMF @ Free Money Finance writes Retirement Test Run – Money Magazine suggests that people determine their expected retirement income, then, before they quit working, live on that income for a year. If everything “works”, then you’re good to go. But if not, if you simply can’t make it on what you will earn post-career, you still have options. Once you get off the career track, it may be difficult to get back on, hence the reason for a test before you get off.

Michael Kitces @ Nerd’s Eye View writes Will The New 3.8% Medicare Surtax Reinvigorate Non-Deductible IRA Contributions? – Non-deductible IRAs have been relatively unpopular for years… but with the new 3.8% Medicare surtax on investment income, is it time to reconsider their use once again?

Super Saver @ My Wealth Builder writes Child Related Tax Breaks – Since we do not have a mortgage, our child is one of the biggest tax breaks we have.

Sam @ Simplefinancialfreedom writes How to Avoid a Tax Audit – Preparing and filing for your taxes is far from an easy exercise.

Liana @ Card Hub writes Common Tax Scams & Tips for Avoiding Fraud – With Tax Day fast approaching, we’re all aware that our personal finances will be under the microscope for the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, not everyone parsing our private information will have the requisite authority to do so, as the history of tax fraud is just as long as that of taxes.

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Pulling My Husband to the Other Side is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

In January, I decided to take control of the finances. I did things like enroll in online banking, set up a budget, and make a plan to start adding some money to our savings account. That’s right, I said OUR, meaning I have a husband. This adds some challenges in MY plan. We are coming up on our 4th wedding anniversary this month.

Finances have never been a huge focus in our marriage, but they are taking a new direction for us.

In the Past

We just lived paycheck to paycheck and paid our bills. We would barely have any left over, and our parents helped us a lot. We always paid our bills first, and then made other purchases based on the money we had left. Grocery shopping was stressful because we had to get as much food as we could for the small amount we had to spend. Saving money seemed impossible. We didn’t have much left over for necessities, so the thought of extra didn’t exist in our minds.

My husband came from a previous marriage where he didn’t take any part in the finances. He thought the bills were being taken care of, but there were some unpaid and some half paid. He would go to the register at a store and the bank card would be declined at times. He hated it and would be so embarrassed. They were in a dreaded cash advance cycle often.

When the divorce was over, he was left with negative $800.00 in the bank. He worked hard to climb out of it, and so the way we were living was a big step up.

Money Routine

Todd and I would sit down and go through the bills and paycheck. He vowed to be a part of finances now, since all that he had previously went through. We would write out all the checks for bills. Many times we didn’t have gas or grocery money left. I can say from the beginning of our marriage until now, our bills have always been paid on time.

However, we did still have our share of non-sufficient funds from overspending or forgetting to write something down.

Getting My Husband To Follow A Budget

The Change

I started writing for Khaleef and helping him out with his sites in December. I started reading a lot of articles and they really motivated me to get it together. We needed a plan and we needed to take control. Since I was the one reading the articles, I was the one motivated and excited about the changes I wanted to make in our spending and saving.

My husband thought I lost my mind, and didn’t really understand why I wanted this so bad or where the urge to save money came from. He just went with it.

At first, he was reluctant. I showed him the budget I had set up and the first thing he looks for is to see how much spending money I have set aside for entertainment. He saw that I had a very small amount set aside for the both of us. I also had cut down on eating out, which was something that sounded difficult. I told him we would try it and see how it goes.

After the first month of seeing how we were able to stock a few hundred away in the savings account, he seemed more on board. We had plumbing issues, and we had money to cover the costs. I think that was when he saw this is something we needed.

The Slow Conversion

The next thing you know, I am getting phone calls from Sam’s Club to see if he should pick up some other items that weren’t on our list. He texted me pictures of some shoes he wanted from Khol’s asking me which ones he should buy because the prices were different. He is content knowing we have a cushion, but isn’t in a big hurry to go spend like we used to.

I think I am winning him over. Our tax return really helped us build a great cushion, and so did paying off a student loan and our car. He told me he wants to put the extra money toward paying off the other student loan and other vehicle.

We feel we have to enjoy some of our money because we can’t take it with us, when our time on Earth is done. There are still times where we find ourselves reverting back to old habits of spending. I find myself sometimes letting an expense go just to avoid a fight. I feel that a few dollars isn’t worth a big rift in my marriage. But my hope is that as time goes by, we will both be on board completely and sitting with a nice nest egg.

Have you ever dealt with getting your spouse on board with new financial plans?

photo credit: freedigitalphotos.net

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

My First Trip to a Running Store is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

I started running back in October, and I knew that shoes were important.  They are the most important piece of running equipment you could have.   I bought some cute shoes from Khols that I could do my workouts and running in. I felt that I was set as far as shoes were concerned.

I never had any pain while running in them, or any other time I wore them. They were more like my shoes for all occasions.

Making the Commitment

I had been watching many Youtube videos of different runners, and they all said that you have to buy your running shoes at a special store and be fitted for them.  I was told they would be expensive, but worth every penny.  I wasn’t willing to make an expense like this until I knew I was going to stick with running.

You see, I’ve been known to get bored very easily after doing a certain activity for a long period of time. For example, Taebo was something I did and got bored after a month.  I walked for a little while, and soon that was boring.  I bought a Wii Fit and did Biggest Loser Workouts often.  That was old news after two months.

I wasn’t going to go buy special shoes, and then find out that running was a short term thing.

It’s Time

Five months of running, and the love and passion I have for it convinced me that it was time to take the big leap. I was going to go to a running store and get fitted for shoes.  It just so happens there is a running store in my town called Extra Mile Fitness Company. My husband went with me and was kind enough to put up with the experience even though running gives him no thrill.

He even offered to take pictures of me during my fitting.

I walked in and they were pretty busy. I had to wait maybe 20 minutes, which was fine with me because I was able to drool over all the awesome runner’s swag. I walked around and found a must have headband. I’ve had the hardest time finding a headband that actually held my hair back.  A little while later, they were ready to help me.

My Fitting Experience

A lady who must have been one of the head people there helped me. She was full of knowledge, and I had no doubt that she would be able to help me.  I sat down and had to roll my pant legs up above my calf. She had me stand in my socks, and I walked about 10 feet away and 10 feet back toward her.  She told me I had great arches and my wear is pretty even across the foot. Then she looked at my old shoes and could see that it was worn pretty evenly.

She didn’t ask me what color I wanted or brand. The one thing about running shoes that fit well is that color and style doesn’t matter when they fit your feet well.  She went to the back room and brought out two pair of shoes.  She said I have a foot for Brooks and Mizunos.

The first pair I tried were Mizuno Wave Rider 16s, and they were bright aqua with hot pink accents.  I thought they were really cute.  I walked 3 feet in them, and immediately realized how much better new running shoes would be.  They slipped a little on the back of my heels. The lady helping me showed me a different way to lace them, and it prevented the slipping. Lacing is something I’d never even think of.

The second pair I tried were the Brooks. They were silver and hot pink, and also very cute.  I tried them on and walked a few feet and knew right away that I liked the Mizunos better. They had more support than the Brooks, and I really liked that.  The lady told me a little bit about each shoe and asked me if I felt anything in the arches bothering me, which is something that is common with some people with those shoes.

I said the Mizunos were my match.

I felt like I was walking on a cushy, but supportive cloud. I realized what I had been missing all these runs.  I wasn’t done yet. I got to try them out on a really nice treadmill, while they videotaped my feet. They were looking to see if they kept my feet straight. I started running, and took it up to 5 mph.  They were amazing.

I wanted to keep running, and was kind of disappointed when it was only a minute of running.

The Cost

I picked out a pair of socks that had special reinforcement over certain areas of the foot where blisters are common, grabbed a black headband, and was on my way. I had no clue up to this point how much the shoes were. And honestly, at that point, I didn’t even care.

I would have paid $300.00 for those shoes.  Since it was my first time there, I got 15% of my shoes and the total was $97.00. I was thrilled, since I had planned on around $150.00.

The Verdict

I have gone on a few runs with the new shoes, and I have to say they are still amazing! I have gotten faster, and I am wondering how much difference the shoe made for my speed work.  I didn’t realize how bad my other shoes were until I got to run in these.  I totally understand why everyone says to go get fitted for running shoes.

I will NEVER get my running shoes any other way! I wouldn’t care what they looked like either because of how good I know they can feel. I plan to only where these shoes for my runs, and not for anything else.

If you are running or even walking, please do your feet a favor: Go get fitted at a running store!

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

How To Track Your Food And Exercise In A Calorie Counter App is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

Most of you know that I make weight loss videos on YouTube. Recently, a lot of people have made videos talking about confusion regarding tracking their food and exercise in various software. Seeing that I just wrote about figuring out my recommended daily calorie intake for weight loss, I thought this would be a great time to address the subject.

The problem comes when the person is exercising and they aren’t sure whether to enter it into the calorie counter app or not. Actually, the real problem is figuring out whether they are trying to eat a certain number of calories regardless of exercise or inclusive of it.

Normally, the software will give the person a certain number of calories to aim for during the day and as they eat and enter their food, the program will tell them how many calories they have left to eat. Here is an example from my calorie calculator app:

As you can see in the picture above, I still had to eat another 1,300 calories (actually a little more since my “calorie budget” is a little higher than what’s in the app) for that day.

Keep in mind that the goal is that by the end of the day, you will have taken in enough calories to meet your goals (maintenance, bulking, or losing weight). So it’s not just about eating a certain amount of calories, but it’s really about the balance between the amount of calories that you’ve burned versus the amount that you eat.

So if your goal is to eat 300 calories less than you burn for the day, then you need to either figure out how many calories you burn on average or figure out how much you burn day-to-day.

There are two ways to handle tracking both your exercise as well as your eating in various software, so that this goal remains clear.

Accounting For Exercise In Your Calorie Counter App

1) Include Exercise Into Your Average Daily Caloric Needs

First, you can figure out how many calories you burn in a day INCLUDING your normal exercise. For me, that number is 2,820. Then you establish how large of a deficit you want…I’m shooting for 500 calories as stated above. So as long as I follow my normal exercise routine, I just eat 2,320 calories and ONLY ENTER MY FOOD into the app.

This way, you don’t have to worry about doing any math or getting confused between calories eaten and net calories (or any other terms). Just put your limit in the app and log your meals!

If you notice, you don’t have to think about adding in your workouts, looking for net calories, or wondering if your app is actually telling you to eat more or not.

2) Enter All Meals And Workouts As Individual Events

Second, you can enter everything in as it happens. This means that you should enter in every meal and every workout as you eat/do it. All of the calorie tracking programs that I have seen will tell you how many calories you have left to eat for the day in order to achieve the deficit (assuming weight loss in your goal) that you want.

For instance, for each day my goal is to eat 500 less calories than I burn. My calorie calculator estimates that I burn 1,928 calories each day just by breathing and doing my normal daily functions, so my goal would be to eat 1,428 if I never did any exercise.

However, if I know that I do an intense workout that burns 1,000 calories, I will have burned 2,928 calories for the day – that will put me at a 1,500 calorie deficit. So in order to meet my goal of having a 500 calorie deficit, I need to eat an additional 1,000 calories that day.

Basically, I set up the calorie counter app as if I am not going to work out; then whatever calories I burn through exercise, I need to eat that amount so that my caloric deficit isn’t larger than my goal.

What’s Easier?

To me, the first option is much easier because you already incorporate your exercise into your daily numbers. In this case, all you have to do is track what you eat and hit that one number.

In the 2nd method, you always have to check to see how many calories each workout burns and then increase your eating to offset the extra burn. This leaves room for confusion (plus it adds more work).

For me, I want to make this process as quick and painless as possible, so I have no problems continuing to do it even when I get to a more comfortable weight.

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Switching Gears and Some Great Reads 3.10.13 is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

Hey Everybody! I hope your week was great. I had an amazing week full of some new changes. As most of you know, I have been irritated with my scale lately.  It has not been moving.  I felt like I had lost motivation, and was stuck in a rut.  I believe that if you start feeling like this in any facet of life, then you need to change it up.

This week brought some new welcome changes to my life.

The Change

I tried relying on a number on the scale to push me onward. I had my eyes set on a number in hopes that it would motivate me. Well, the number wasn’t doing it’s job.  So, I had to come up with something different. You all know that the number on a scale is one thing out of our control. We can put in the work and effort, but in the end the scale will tell you what it wants to.

I came up with some things that I personally could control. I decided to make a checklist for each day. I would focus on doing those things instead of thinking about a number. With these changes, I felt it would be good for me to take a few weeks without getting on the scale.

I weigh myself daily to help me stay on track, but since I’m not focusing on that I put the scale away.

Steps

1.) Drink a gallon of water a day.

This is a lot of water, and I know that would be too much for some people.  I choose to drink a gallon, and will probably drink more in the warm weather. It takes a little conscious effort, but if I keep my water bottle by me and fill it 4 times I get it in.

Water plays a huge roll in weight loss and this is something I can control.

2.) Make good food choices.

I control what I put in my mouth.  It was getting to the point that I was justifying, just a bite of this or that. I wasn’t tracking the bites, and they add up.  I am going to focus on making the best choices I can. I will be eating more vegetables and focusing on getting protein in.

Again, something I can control.

3.) Get some form of exercise in.

I am training for a 10K right now, so running 3 days a week is already happening.  I am planning to do High Intensity Interval Training on some of my off days, and I will be active with my children. My goal is really to move every day in some capacity.

Doing more than I was doing will make a huge difference in the journey.

4.) Think about one thing you can do now that you couldn’t do before.

Reflecting on how far I have come is important. We tend to look at what we have left, and dwell on that. I see 15 lbs left to lose as a huge chore, and it overshadows the 86 lbs that I have worked hard to get rid of.

I am doing so many things that I never dreamed of.  This will be an important part to reaching my goal.

Feelings So Far

I am a few days into this new routine. My focus has changed completely and I can already feel the results.  I know my scale will move April 1st, because I am putting in the work and effort.  I feel energized and have found that fire I was looking for.

At the end of the month, if the scale doesn’t move, at least I can say I gave it my all and did everything I could.

Below is my video explaining it in more detail.

Here are some of my faves for the week! Enjoy!!

Jefferson from See Debt Run suggests some things to do while your home is being shown. <—- I thought this was something most people don’t think about!

Work Save Live has some great tips on how to come up with ideas to blog about. <— I am always trying to think of new topics!

Amanda from Frugal Confessions gives you 5 frugal activities to do this spring! <—Frugal and Spring..both make me smile!

Shannyn from Frugal Beautiful has 7 indicators that may mean you are sabatoging your financial success. <—Too many great points not to share!

The Financial Blogger wants to know when the last time you changed your routine was.<– I am always changing mine, wish sometimes I had a routine

Giveaways:

Mom’s Plans is hosting a giveaway for Tropical Traditions giving someone a gallon of coconut oil! ($120.00) value

Money Smart Guides is giving away  an ebook and money!

Eyes on the Dollar is c0-hosting a $500.00 Spring giveaway!

Fat Guy,Skinny Wallet was included in the following carnivals:

SnowMageddon – Financial Carnival For Young Adults! | Brick By Brick Investing
Carnival Of Retirement – March 11 2013 – Freeat33
The Money Mail Carnival – 17th Edition | The Money Mail

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.

Julie’s Changes Along the Long Journey is a post from: Fat Guy Skinny Wallet. If you enjoy it, please subscribe to the Feed.

Goals are set and sometimes tend to go by the wayside. I went for a run the other day, and was thinking about my weight loss journey. I was thinking about the goals I had set in the beginning and what I wanted most out of my journey.

It was then that I realized just how much all of that has changed along the way. I thought I would share this aspect of my own experience with you as I do some of my own reflecting.

Attempts in the Past

I have been trying to lose weight since I was in middle school. I have tried so many strategies and spent thousands of dollars on programs and gimmicks. You might be wondering what made me sign up for these things. My goal was to look better and I wanted buy cute clothes.

This is motivation for many people to lose weight. But in my own opinion, that may help you stay motivated, but it will NOT be enough to keep you going on the journey for life if that is your sole purpose for losing weight.

My First Real Motivator

When my first daughter Tessa was born I made the decision to head out on my final journey to lose weight. My reason at this point was to live longer and be the best me I could be, so that I could watch my daughter grow up. Motherhood taught me so much about myself. As any of you who are parents know, you get to that point where you realize it’s not about you anymore. I was going to do this for her.

As I went on in the journey, I realized somewhere along the line that if I wanted to stay successful, I ultimately have to do it for myself. My girls can be my motivation, but I have to keep myself first so I can be the best me. If I am doing it for someone else, the chances of me getting off track eventually are inevitable.

You have to want it for yourself.

Food Changes

My food started out as anything I wanted as long as in my calorie range. I would eat fast food often as long as I counted the calories. I have come to learn that there are so many more things that affect your body other than just calories. I am conscious of my fiber, sodium, calories, and whether it’s whole or not.

Over time I went from one mindset to an entirely different mindset.

Now I want to put the best foods in my body. I was the kind of girl who went to fast food restaurants daily and multiple times a day. I can say I have been fast food free for 9 months and I also gave up soda. I don’t miss either one at all because my tastes and cravings have changed.

Physical Activity Changes

I started working out to lose weight. I wanted to focus on burning calories and losing weight. Now I work out to feel good, be healthy, and do what I love. My calorie burn is honestly the last thing on my mind when I work out. I want to just enjoy and get the most out of what I am doing.

I have fitness goals now. I have become a runner, and have many goals set for my running. I LOVE running, and the satisfaction if gives me. I didn’t care about goals at the beginning.

What I Ultimately Want from My Journey

My old goals seem so trivial compared to what I really want now. It has become my focus, and most important mission to teach my daughters how to be active, how to eat a balanced diet, in moderation, and how to feel beautiful. The most important thing to me in this whole journey now is to teach my girls how to feel beautiful and confident, and respect their bodies for what they can do.

In my new life that I have now since losing weight, I can teach them all of these things. I couldn’t have taught them that before because I didn’t believe it or feel it. I wasn’t living the example. I have a two year old who loves steel cut oats, broccoli, tuna, eggs, lettuce, and cookies of course , in moderation. She points to the birth mark on her shoulder and says pretty. She feels beautiful.

Message of Encouragement

It is hard sometimes becausethe journey is long; I am 2 years in and almost at my goal weight. But I have learned so much that I wouldn’t have learned had it been an overnight change. I have experienced many changes throughout the past couple years.

We have to embrace the journey, no matter how long or hard, and take each day for what it is. We need to be the best we can be, forgiving ourselves, and moving on to what is in store for us.

© 2013, fatguyskinnywallet.com. All rights reserved.