$1.84? In California? It’s Christmas early!

Today I filled up the tank of my Volvo for a little over $20. Ok, so I started with about a quarter tank already, but STILL. $20 didn’t get me just 5 gallons of gas, but 11. I took the 4 kids on a Costco run today. Our local Costco also sells gas. When I saw that they were selling gas for $1.84 a gallon I got in line (with what seemed like half of the city) to get some cheap gas. I’m in southern California and truly never thought I would see gas below $3 ever again.

If you need to fill up make sure you check out Gas Buddy before you head out. I’ve found prices vary at local gas stations as much as $.30-$.40 a gallon. Within a two minute drive today I drove past 2 other stations offering gas for $2.05 and $1.99 before I got to Costco and paid $1.84.

What do lower gas prices mean for our pocketbooks?

Pay Raises for All!

Ok, maybe not, but that’s what it feels like. Money that we’ve been spending on gas can now go towards our snowball. We are paying HALF as much for gas as we were just six months ago. Paying 50% less for gas is a sizable difference and gives us a lot more wiggle room in our budget. With the economy the way it is I’m glad there is at least some relief right now for those who are struggling.

Cheap Food?

Food prices have risen dramatically over the last couple years, especially in the last twelve months. Most food is delivered by trucks that use diesel. While diesel is more expensive than regular unleaded gasoline prices have still fallen. When diesel prices were increasing grocery stores had to raise food prices to cover the increased shipping and delivery costs. It makes sense that when gas prices go back down that food prices will be lowered. I’ve read that we should see lower prices on grocery shelves within 6 months. Here’s hoping!

What Else?

I’m not an economic expert by any means, so I’m opening this up to you for answers. How are lower gas prices affecting you? How do you think they’ll affect other aspects of the American economy?

Posted in Spend Less | 8 Comments »

10 fingers + 10 toes = 1 neglected blog

It’s been 6 weeks since the newest member of our family joined us. It’s been an exhausting, but absolutely exciting time for us. We are now a family of six, with 4 boys. (Sleep? What’s that?!)

Blessed Beyond Measure

The little guy joined us on September 30th weighing in at 6 lbs 14 ounces and 19.5 inches long. He has blue eyes and brown hair with a hint of red. Time will tell what his hair really looks like because there isn’t a whole lot there right now. He fits right in perfectly in our family and is adored by his three older brothers.

So… What did I miss?

I’m back to blogging again, and have actually missed it. I’ve spent a lot of time on the couch watching TV while I feed the little guy in the late night and early morning hours. While watching the news coverage of the financial crisis I’ve had a lot of time to think about finances. Since I’ve haven’t had free hands much lately I haven’t been actually able to get my thoughts down on the computer. Nor have I been able to visit any of my favorite blogs or check-in with my readers to see how you all are doing. Like other moms, being a mom comes first for me, and I really needed to step back and take a break. I appreciate everyone’s patience with me and I’m excited to share our little blessing with ya’ll.

p.s. If you find any typos in today’s blog or in the future I blame it on my one-handed typing, ok?

Posted in Family & Money | 2 Comments »

Under the 10k Mark- What About You?

Finally got around to updating our debt total. We owe $9,232.83 on the F-150. $49,112.33 has been paid off since March of 2007. It’s nice to owe less than $10,000, it will be even nicer when the number is $0!

How is everyone else doing? September is only a few days away and winter is right around the corner. The year has flown by for me, and I hope that everyone has been able to make some progress this year on paying off their debt.

Posted in Our Debt Payoff Progress | 5 Comments »

Just a note from the west coast…

I just wanted to swing by and say “hello”. My hubby got the the wireless router up tonight and I’m back online. We arrived in Southern California last week. Got the keys and signed the lease to the rental house five days and have been unpacking since. I’m still surrounded by boxes though; when you are 32 weeks pregnant unpacking is a veryyyy slow process.

Some good news- we sold the Mustang!!! woohoo! Now our debt is is down to only the one car loan- the F-150. I’ll have to update the debt total sometime, soon, I hope.

I hope everyone is doing well- I know the economy is struggling right now, I can already see signs of that here in So. Cal just the week that we’ve been here.

Posted in Family & Money | 4 Comments »

This Blog is Going Back to Cali…

Yep, you read right. 7 days and counting we are going back to Cali.

The home inspector, termite inspector and radon guy all descended on our house last week and the buyers seem happy with the results. I’m up to my ears in boxes, packing paper and tape. Moving ourselves with really pay off money wise, but it means a lot of work. I’m just trying to remind myself of the end result.

So….I’m not sure how much writing I’ll get done in the meantime. I’m sure you have noticed that I’ve been pretty quiet lately. But I’ll be back soon. Oh-and before then I’ll install the snazzy header that J. Money made for me.  Don’t worry, I won’t keep you waiting too long, it’s pretty sweet!

In the meantime here’s a little song to keep you entertained. It mentions California and about a million other states we’ll visit next week on our road trip from North Carolina to the West Coast.

Dani California 

Posted in Life | 2 Comments »