18 reasons my teen won't have a smartphone

Ok, so I realize my kid is barely approaching 4 years old, but this blog post by Beard nails my thoughts exactly.  Not only does it speak to my disdain for wasting money, the thought of teens with open, unmonitored internet access SCARES. ME. TO. DEATH.  My other fear is that by the time my kid is 16 and driving and actually may need a phone, basic phones may not be available anymore.
Bottom line: there is NO good reason for a kid to own a smartphone.  Beard says it best.

Check out: Beard and Pigtails- 18 reasons my teen won't have a smartphone

Still alive

While I am still alive, this blog may not be.  I think the birth of a child is enough to kill just about any blog.  Besides that, I'm still couponing, budgeting and attempting to make the most of each dollar that comes through my fingers.  HG is treating me to tickets to the Dave Ramsey event coming to our area, so maybe I'll be re-inspired to blog again after the event.

Until then...

I have a new car.

More importantly: I have a new car and no car payments.  *big cheesy grin*  Finally, after searching for months, and saving even more months, we are the proud owners of a Volvo XC90.  White was the #1 color we wanted, but since it was difficult to find, we had resigned ourselves to silver, black or titanium gray.
We wanted:

• A Volvo XC90
• Smallest engine possible (2.5L, 5 Cyl.)
• Somewhere under 70K miles
• White if we could find it
• Clean used car at a great price

We got a white Volvo XC90 with a 2.5L turbo eng., 5 cyl, 54,000 miles at a great price!  We are very thankful that we were blessed to save up and get a great car that we really, REALLY like.

And now a few pics (with identifying info blocked out because I'm careful like that. :)  )


 

Thanks to all my silent cheerleaders out there!

Saving

Everyone around me seems to be driving a new car.  It's intoxicating and almost more than a "car person" like me can stand.  We aren't even saving for a brand new vehicle, just a newer one with more room and fewer miles.  I think I'm on cars.com a minimum of twice a week.  *sigh*  My savings needs a shot in the arm.  Maybe I start mowing my own lawn again and squeeze the food budget as tight as we can get it.  I'll have to decide how much I'm willing to sacrifice to make this thing start moving.

We're also saving for a wooden swing set for the Little Gazelle.  LG has sold some candy bars, I've sold at work, and we've dumped out the bronze Piggy trying to get to $600.  We're 2/3 of the way!  Saving and waiting has been work for me and the Little Gazelle, but it's Hegazelle I feel for- he gets to assemble.  Yuck.

Inexpensive Hardcover Children's Books for Christmas

Just found this deal over on Common Sense with Money. I've been on the look-out for a way to get some more kids books for cheap this Christmas- I think I just found it!

10 books for about $15 bucks