Don't be intimidated by making bread PJ. It's not at all bad and it is cheaper and tastes way better!
Thanks Mongoose! I used to make my own bread in the bread maker all the time, actually. So it's more a matter of "unorganized" or "unmotivated" than intimidated.
I don't know what it is exactly. I moved 3.5 years ago, when I changed from one church to another. Yes, there's a difference in job responsibilities and the rhythm of life between the two places, but there are specifically things around the bathroom and kitchen that have not translated from one house to the other. I used to love to take long hot bubble baths as a form of relaxation in the evening (with a book, and a glass of wine or port), but I don't enjoy hanging out in my current bathroom the same way I used to. And I did a lot more cooking in my old place, which, objectively speaking, was actually much harder to cook in! I have WAY more counter space here. But hardly cook or bake at all. I can't decide if it's just that I got out of the habit during the transition period, or if there's something about the layout that and organization of the kitchen that's inhibiting. If it's the latter, I'd happily work to change things around!
LindseyC, thanks so much for your kind words. I am so often inspired by the amazing progress other folks here are making on their finances; I'm so flattered to hear that I inspired you. Having the debt is absolutely exhausting - it's always there. I feel like I can't make progress toward a better future for myself until I clear it, and in the short term, I can't plan anything fun, like travel, because I *should* be putting the money toward debt. I've made progress before, but never stuck with it long enough to see all the debt go away - something always comes up to throw me back, or I just generally lose motivation and momentum. This time has to be different. So yay! Let's really buckle down this month, get ourselves a step or two further along the road, eh?
Once this card is done, I have another card (lower interest rate) plus my LOC. So I'm a long way away from being done completely. But when this card is taken care of, and I make a bit more progress on the other CC, then I can look into some travel hacking stuff so that I can at least go on trips to stay with friends various places. That will help keep me going while I work on the LOC! My best friend moved to Edmonton a few years ago, another very good friend moved to Santa Cruz around the same time. I've been to see them both, but not for a while. And then more recently another good friend moved to Florida. I'd love to go and see her too. And of course, I'm sure there are mustachians around in all of those places, to connect with!
swick, just a quick note to say congrats on the successful thrift trip! 3 pairs of jeans and 6 tops is an awesome trip, and I'm glad you got something for DH's birthday as well. Sounds like the clerk gave you a really good deal!