Quality Time

DH and I have been talking about how we can increase our quality time together.  We are taking a break from classes this semester and feel as though we have a lot of free time.  We’ve squandered much of it (together of course!) playing video games, watching movies, and reading books.  While we’ve enjoyed this time a lot we’re wondering whether or not we might be better served to cancel some of the services (netflix and the like) that distract us from one another and refocusing our efforts on physical time together.

There was a time in our engagement when we had no rental movies, no bookstores, and few video gaming options.  We spent more time together holding hands, making out and… well, physically being together.  At the time it’s what we really wanted.  We’d like to rekindle some of that but notice that our time off now is being filled by other passive interests.  Even though we’re watching a movie or playing a game together, it’s not the same as being completely without media interference.

Cheap Date

 

Here’s a “cheap date” idea:

The day started with a walk to get coffee.  It was a sunny day and it was enjoyable to hold hands and talk about life as we walked calmly to get to our destination.  We’d received a coffee card last month and had coupons so the coffee was completely free!  An alternative would have been to brew a few cups at home and carry them!  Very tasty.  Then we had about a half hour to spare before the next part of the date, so we walked around the parking lot and looked for spare change.  DH found a penny.  I’d found 6 cents the day before- gotta keep your eyes peeled all the time I tell ya! 

We also used this time to stop into a pharmacy and picked out cards for one another that we thought were cute.  We didn’t buy them- just showed them to each other and kissed 🙂 

Finally we rented a movie (we have a movie store pass- no cable!) and went home to watch it.  Alternative would be picking out a cable movie, watching a favorite movie on VHS, or renting from the library (free!) together.

I’m a cheap date- what can I say?

Budgeting 101: Step 2- Taking Charge of Your Money

If you completed the first part of this challenge, Where’s Your Money?, then you are likely ready to proceed to the next step and take charge of your money.  

Defining the areas that most need your attention

Now is the time to define your goals (this can be done on an individual level or with a family) and redirect your funds appropriately.  At the end of 2007 DH and I had a sitdown (we actually had several sitdowns over a number of days) and determined which areas of our life needed our attention most for 2008.  We made individual lists and then compared and narrowed it down to the following goals:

-We want to have security in retirement, and possibly early retirement, and 15% was not going to cut it unless we wanted to work tirelessly for another 40 years

-We want to complete advanced degrees and start taking classes again.  Our employer doesn’t cover the entire cost of education.

-We loved our honeymoon and felt we needed to travel more this year, particularly during winter months to warmer areas.

-We love eating out and wanted to do it more often as a way to spend time together.

-We were tired of weeks passing by without days off together and we were determined to resculpt our schedules so that we could spend time together on a weekly basis. 

How we redirected funds to meet these needs:

-Retirement Security- we maxed out our ROTH IRA contributions and raised our 403B spending from 15% to the maximum contributions of over $1000/month/each allotting nearly 50% of our income to this goal

-Education- continue to pursue advanced degrees so we allotted 5% of our annual income in addition to the money provided at work

-Travel- we hope to take at least 4 trips/year including one big, international trip each year to explore new countries and have allotted about 7% of our budget for this in 2008

-Nutrition- we enjoy eating and so we raised our budget to include roughly 2 meals out monthly instead of one in 2007.  Our total food expenses are about 5% of our budget

-Marriage- we wanted to spend more time together each week so I changed my work schedule and we have both made sacrifices but now we generally have 2 days and 2 nights of uninterrupted time together each week which required me to take a paycut and work longer hours daily but which has satisfied us both very much

What areas of your life need the most attention over the next year?

What are your goals to improve these areas of your life?

How can you redirect your funds to these areas where they are most needed?