Budgeting, Credit Scores and Responsibility - These Things Can Be Learned

Who me? On a budget? Oh I couldn’t possibly live like that.  That’s what I thought when I was 22 and my dad was coaching me on how to use credit cards responsibly and what exactly a credit report was.   A freshie at college in a town hundreds of miles from my family, the credit card handouts were just another wondrous beautiful element of college life.  Dinner out every night?  Yes, please!  Should I buy that cute dress from Express, it would be brilliant for that frat party on Saturday night.  Done!  Road trip to Atlanta…I’m in!  This independent living thing is pretty groovy, I remember thinking. 

My first bill showed up.  Fifteen dollar payment this month-no problem.  I could definitely make enough money to cover that at my O’Charley’s serving job.  Then two more bills showed up asking for the same.  It made me a little nervous, but then I figured out the concept that even though I was paying the credit card companies fifteen dollars, in a few days I could use ten of that fifteen.  So really, I was only losing about five dollars each every month. 

I kept using my cards.  I kept playing these games.  And my balances grew.  So did my minimum payments. 

I was drowning.

I ran to my daddy.  I don’t know how this happened, I cried!  I had found myself in debt of $950; it could’ve been worse.  But to me at that time, that was a ton of money that I didn’t have!  My kind father sat me down that day with a forgiving hug and explained to me the way credit works, the importance of credit scores and the ins and outs of being financially responsible.  He had no idea that kids like me were being bombarded the moment they stepped onto campus with offers.  Unfortunately it took me a few more years of learning the hard way that when you purchase things with your credit cards they aren’t in fact just magically paid for. 

The great news is that in 2011 I can finally say I understand the value of a dollar.  I “get” that paying for things with cash is so much more rewarding then that initial buzz you get when you buy something you think you want.  I am internalizing “which would I rather have” instead of buying anything I want.  I am buying responsibly.  This mindset even during the season of giving.  I’d love to buy all of my friends the finest of gifts.  Who wouldn’t?!  But I’m finally being smart about money and that will pay off big in my family’s future.

I don’t have all the answers, I actually don't have many; this is still a huge learning process for me.  But I can say that in 2012, I will be able to say I have no credit card debt.  Don’t get me wrong, I will still use my credit cards, but I will have a sound plan on paying them off each month.  In March, I will finally look into getting that free credit score (remember, I’m being smart with money)- I’ve been dodging for the past few years and I will analyze it and make my new “game” watching that score rise higher and higher!  In hindsight, I can’t believe it has taken me this long to figure it all out, but I’m also very happy that I have figured it all out!  So here’s to a solid foundation and a retirement filled with travel, golf and fine dining-paid for with cash, of course!

Creating Holiday Magic - When You Can’t Afford To Buy It

Published December 2, 2011 - Baltimore Sun

This Christmas, less stuff but more memories

Lack of material abundance doesn't have to spoil the holiday

By Leah Speer

Everyone has hopes and dreams for their families. I thought I'd planned everything out perfectly. Up until recently, I thought I'd played by the rules. So how did this middle-class, college-educated, gracious woman go from a comfortable life in a cozy two-story house to a stressful, paycheck-to-paycheck life in an apartment? It didn't seem fair. I know — life isn't always fair. But I fancied that statement more when it didn't apply to my life.

Don't get me wrong, I understand the mechanics of it. My husband and I went from two incomes to one when we went from one child to two in less than two years. Then a sudden job transfer left us scrambling to find a renter for our home in an economy we couldn't possibly sell in. Though we were delighted to be back in the South, we were still two hours away from the other home we rented. We found ourselves struggling to support the difference between what we owe on our mortgages and what our renters were willing to pay. We sold most of what we owned and moved into a two-bedroom apartment.

With December here, I cannot bring myself to believe that I'm not going to be able to provide my two young sons with the most extravagant Christmas imagined. For the second year, they won't be dressed in dapper holiday outfits from The Children's Place, complete with new loafers from Stride Right. They won't be waking up Christmas morning to a train table with Thomas and all of his friends choo-chooing by, next to a battery-powered police car big enough for them both to ride in the grassy backyard we don't have. My family won't be lounging on a leather sectional, sipping cocktails at the bar in the corner of our family room or watching the game on our 73-inch plasma TV. I won't be cooking a feast of turkey, stuffing and sweet potatoes with an array of delectable desserts on the side table smartly lined with holly.

Thankfully, after weeks of soul searching and dutifully tuning in to Oprah's Lifeclass, I've come to the realization that it's OK. I know things will get better. I believe it. We are just going through a tough time, as so many families are. Some worse; some better. What I keep reminding myself is the importance of making sure our boys are happy and feel secure in our home — no matter where it may be right now or how much stuff we have.

I'm now able to see this fanciful Christmas is all in my mind; it's just my expectation of what would make the best holiday season. And that is what is so beautiful: I can still make their experience magical. With a little creativity, I can make our little home a winter wonderland. My boys will buzz with anticipation as we leave cookies and milk out for Santa on Christmas Eve. Christmas morning they will awake to an enchanting site of wrapped gifts piled under the tree.

They don't need to have the most expensive or fastest or biggest toys; they'll only play with half of them anyway! Chocolate from their stocking will stain their brand-new twenty-one dollar button-down, and they'll keep their new shoes on for maybe an hour. My parents can really bond with their grandchildren as they cozy up in our humble living room. Maybe we mix it up this year and have a scrumptious lasagna; hey, fewer dishes to wash means more time to drink wine.

What I am going to remember this holiday season is that it isn't how much money I have or what I buy for them; it's what I do with each moment of each day. You can believe this too. We can turn simple moments into special holiday memories. If we keep a positive outlook and take what we've got and make it good, our children will hold on to the good times. If we can find the happiness and really enjoy these moments, our children will feel it. They will have that special place in their hearts of what Christmas means to them.
Years from now, when we are all in a better place in life, we will be so proud knowing we cowboyed up and delivered a special Christmas — no matter how little we had at the time.

Ultimately, that $40 Rock Star Mickey will be fun for our kiddo for about three days before you are ready to toss the mouse out the window. But memories last forever.

Holiday Recipe Spectacular - Appetizer - Thai Chicken Wonton Cups

If you are looking to impress your guests and satiate taste buds - this is ALWAYS a hit!  It looks so delicate and everyone thinks you put hours into it.  But it’s really a breeze; the hardest part is not ripping the wonton wrappers when placing them in the mini tin.  Original Recipe

Thai Chicken Wonton Cups

28-30 square wonton wrappers

2 tablespoons oil, divided

1/2 cup chopped cashews

1/2 cup pineapple chunks in juice (cut in quarters), or pineapple tidbits (reserve 2 tablespoons juice)

10 oz (1/2 package) ground chicken or turkey

2 teaspoons Fish Sauce (I hardly ever use this)

2 teaspoons Red Curry Paste

1/2 cup minced onion

1/3 cup minced red peppers

1/3 cup minced green peppers

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon lime juice

Hot mango chutney

Optional: chopped cilantro (cilantro should always be required, in my opinion)

Directions

For Cups:

Preheat oven to 375°F. 

Lay wonton wrappers inside mini muffin tins. With slightly dampened fingers gently press wontons down inside of cup and against sides, conforming to pan shape. Bake a few more than needed, just in case some collapse or break. 

Bake 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned. 

Remove wonton cups from tins and cool on wire racks. If not using immediately store cooled cups in air tight containers. Cups will keep crispy for 1 week. 

 For Filling:

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large non-stick skillet, over a high heat. Pat pineapple dry with paper towel, and add to pan with cashews. Cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly browned. Drain and remove to plate, leaving as much oil in pan as possible. 

Add remaining oil to skillet. Add ground meat, Fish Sauce and Curry Paste. Stir fry 2-3 minutes, breaking into small pieces. Cook until paste is dissolved and fragrant. 

Add onions, peppers, ketchup and reserved pineapple juice. Stir fry until meat is cooked through and sauce is thickened. 

Stir in lime juice and reserved nuts with pineapple. Cook 1 minute to combine flavors. Just before serving, fill cups with 1 tablespoon of filling and sprinkle with cilantro.  Have hot mango chutney on the side for guests to spoon on top of their wontons.

Holiday Recipe Spectacular - Beverages - Orange Almond Sparkle

This is THE punch to serve at your holiday party!  I'm a huge fan of almond extract, so I use double what the original recipe calls for.  Adults-only shindig?  Add coconut rum...ooohhh yeah!

Orange Almond Sparkle

•1 6 oz. can frozen lemonade, thawed
•2 c water
•2 T almond extract
•2 2-liter bottles chilled ginger ale
•1/2 gal orange sherbet, softened
Garnishes:
•Orange slices
•Maraschino cherries

Combine lemonade, water & extract. Stir well & keep mixture chilled until ready to serve. Place sherbet by spoonsfuls into punch bowl as needed to keep punch cold. Add lemonade mixture. Slowly add ginger ale. Stir gently. Garnish. Serve immediately. Make 7 1/2 quarts.

Holiday Recipe Spectacular - Dessert - Apple Dumplings

Another one of my childhood faves!  This was probably my most requested dessert when I was growing up.  Love it!  Especially because you got your own individual dumpling, it was all yours!  This recipe goes way back to my great-grandmother in Kentucky.  My mom's mom would make them, then my mom and now I can make them on my very own-cute, right!  It's such an easy recipe, but what an impressive show it would make when you hand each of your guests their very own warm apple dumpling!  It'd look like it took hours to prepare-and just for them!  You're the best hostess ever!!

Mother and Mom's Apple Dumplings
•2 cups peeled, pared and sliced tart apples (or 1 16 oz. can apple slices)
•1 pkg. pie crust mix (for two pies)
•1 cup sugar
•1/2 t cloves
•1 t cinnamon
•1/2 t nutmeg
•1 cup milk
•1/4 c flour
•Cool Whip

Prepare pie crust sticks as directed. Roll out into 8 equal squares. Place two T apple slices on each and fold up each corner. Place in greased baking pan and dot with butter. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. (For fresh apples, bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes). While cooling, prepare cinnamon sauce. Mix sugar, spices and flour together and gradually stir in milk. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Spoon warm sauce over dumplings and top with Cool Whip or fresh whipped cream.

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Penne Pasta Bake

Thanksgiving Eve...Christmas Eve...Or even when all the turkey and leftovers are gone this Sunday, turn to this quick and easy, very satisfying Italian meal.  Add another 1/2 lb of beef if you've got meat lovers in the house.  Serve with salad and garlic bread.  This is another recipe direct from my mom's kitchen, I changed it just a little from her original.  This is also a great dish to make ahead, freeze and then reheat.  A perfect solution to feed your family this holiday season or anytime of the year!  And don't forget the red wine!

Penne Pasta Bake

12 oz. penne pasta

1 lb. ground beef

1/2 onion, chopped

1 T oregano

1 bay leaf

15 oz. tomato sauce

14 oz. canned tomatoes, pureed

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

4 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Directions

Cook pasta according to directions. Drain. Cook meat and onion in large skillet until browned. Drain. Stir in tomato sauce, pureed tomatoes, tomato paste, spices and 1/2 cup water. Cook, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Remove bay leaf.  Layer half pasta, half sauce and half cheese in 13x9"" baking dish. Repeat. Cover and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Buon Appetito!
Leah

Holiday Recipe Spectacular – Appetizer – Honey Brie Spread

My husband and I will admit to eating this as dinner some nights after the boys have gone to bed (just like the original recipe sites).  We were enjoying this delicacy even before we had the kiddos.  We have found this to be a wonderful hors d’ouever to bring to a party if you have the luxury of using their over.  Better yet, have this be on your menu when hosting your own party!

Holiday Recipe Spectacular – Appetizer – Honey Brie Spread

1 (14 oz) round Brie cheese -  we used the triangle

1 (10 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough

1 ½ cups honey

1 ½ cups pecan halves - not used in the pictured version

Directions:

1.	Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Unwrap the wheel of Brie, and crescent rolls. (I cut off the rind).
2.	Unroll the crescent roll dough, and wrap around the Brie. Press seams together to seal in the cheese. Place in a 9x9 inch baking dish. Sprinkle pecan halves over the top, and drizzle honey over the whole thing.
3.	Bake for 30 minutes (ready in my oven in about 20) in the preheated oven, until golden brown and cheese is soft. Serve with apple slices or crackers.

Holiday Recipe Spectacular - Cookies - Colorful Swirl Christmas Sugar Cookies

I love baking!!! Love it, love it, love it.  And the best part about the holidays are being able to have an excuse to make yummy cookies, cakes, and desserts in general.  I got this off Pinterest via http://ouritaliankitchen.blogspot.com/2010/12/colorful-swirl-cookies.html, how adorable are these cookies, I mean, really!?  Practice makes perfect, so try a batch early, say...right after thanksgiving and right before the next round of dieting begins.

2- Cups of Flour, plus 1 tbl Flour
1/2-tsp baking powder
1/4-tsp salt
2/3-cup unsifted powdered sugar
1/4-cup granulated sugar
2.5-sticks unsalted butter - cut into chunks
1-tsp vanilla
 1/2-tsp food coloring of your choice
1 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles

                                                     
In a stand mixer, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugars with paddle on medium until well blended.

Add butter in, gradually and continue mixing. Add in vanilla extract. At this point, your dough will form a ball on the paddle.



Remove all dough and divide into two equal parts.  Return one portion back into the mixer and add the food coloring.  If using liquid food coloring, add a few more tbl of flour so the dough doesn't become too wet.  Mix until color is spread evenly.

Roll each portion of your dough, between two sheets of wax paper until it reaches about 11x9 inches and is 1/4 inch thick. Slide both onto a cookie sheet and chill in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
When firm, remove top sheets of wax paper from both.  Brush the uncolored dough lightly with with water using a pastry brush.  Then flip the colored dough onto the vanilla uncolored dough so they are stacked atop each other and even.  Press the edges lightly with your fingertips to seal them together.  Using a small paring knife, trim the edges to make the dough straight, even lines.

Pour out sprinkles onto a large platter and set aside.  Be sure your dough is still cold, but flexible.  Once it's ready, being rolling the long side of the dough into a swirl, jelly-roll style.  Now, don't get nervous if the outer layer of the uncolored dough tears a bit, it's okay.  Just pinch and pat...and keep rolling.

Now gently lift the log onto the sprinkles and roll away.  Cover the log completely with your sprinkles.  Wrap in plastic twice, and put in the fridge for 3-4 hours or freeze up to two months (SEE YOU CAN PLAN AHEAD!)

Slice your dough in 1/4 or 1/8 inch slices and bake on parchment lined baking sheets at 350 for 15 to 17 minutes.  Let them cool for five minutes.

A lot of work?  Sure!  But how else do you imagine a fun filled Christmas Eve, standing in the kitchen cooking and baking...surrounded by family and great friends.