My Spice

You Are Garlic

Of all the spice types, you are the most universally loved. You get long with pretty much everyone, and you leave a lasting impression. You adapt yourself well to situations. You can fit in or stand out, depending on what you're called on to do.

What Spice Are You?

Finance Fridays

Last time I spoke of debt. I would now like to talk about savings. A good savings account will give you about 3% return in interest. This meets the average inflation rate. In order to understand the importance of interest rates we must first discuss present and future values of money. Gone are the days when one could hide their money under the mattress and consider it their savings account. If you do this your money depreciates over time. The spending power of $1 today is greater than the spending power of $1 in the future - unless you invest it. For example, you have $100 that you invest in a mutual fund that makes 10% in one year. At the end of that year you have $110. This can quickly add up. If you had not invested the $100 then at the end of one year you would have the purchasing power of $100 minus inflation. For a better and more in-depth explanation of the time value of money click here.

It is important that your savings accounts earn money, otherwise you are practically throwing away your money. Even savings accounts that you take money out of regularly should be making interest. You should also have several types of savings accounts. Your first savings account is your emergency fund. It is suggested in this emergency fund you have the equivalent of 3-6 months of rent and bills saved in this account. This account should be easily accessible, a regular savings account at your bank should do. Once you have this account established you can venture out into other savings accounts. You can have accounts for you and your spouse's retirements, your children's college/mission funds, your vacation money, etc. Depending on the time frame, risk, and return you desire out of these accounts there are multiple choices. Everything from CDs to Roth IRAs.

I will go into a deeper discussion of those later. For now I must go attend to my son. Hope you enjoyed this discussion.

Weddings, Twilight, and Frontier City!

This week has really flown by on me which is why I have been a total slacker. Last Friday one of my best friends and former roommates got married. Shawnee and James Scifres were sealed for time and all eternity in the Oklahoma City Temple. I was so excited for her and so grateful that she invited me to everything. She looked absolutely gorgeous and James is one lucky guy (and from the little I know of James - Shawnee is one lucky girl).

Nichole, Shawnee, Karri, and I

After the reception and later that night a group of us went to the midnight release party of Breaking Dawn - the fourth book in the Twilight series. Here's everyone who came:

Me, Jesse (who humored two old married women and took them to the midnight release party), and Whitney

Karri, Christine, and Me!
Brandielle and her sister WendyCassie!!!

I had a blast but, unfortunately I was too tired to start the book right away... I guess that just comes with the territory of being a mother. It was by far my most favorite book out of the series and I LOVED it. I won't say anything more for those of you who are fans and haven't read the fourth book yet. Now I just need to get the first 3 books...hahaha.

On Monday, my brother, Dallin, took Carlin and I, and his girlfriend Lezlee, to Frontier City on his military discount. All four of us got in for a grand total of $2. Sweet! We had great fun riding every roller coaster in the park and stuffing ourselves with greasy hamburgers and overpriced funnel cakes. Later that evening, Carlin and I realized we just aren't getting any younger...sigh...but we at least enjoyed ourselves even if we weren't up to doing all the rides a second time.

Dallin and Lezlee