Speaking of being mindful, we are currently reading Mindfulness, written by this guy, Ven. Henepola Gunaratana. We are having a difficult time getting through it, partly due to reading time limitations and partly due to the content of the book. The meat of the book is about meditation: how to meditate, where to meditate, what to do and not do while meditating. You get the picture. Scott and I have no intention of practicing meditation, but what we do appreciate about the book is the author's approach to viewing the universe and in particular, the human experience. Details to come.
I must admit that a bulk of what we have read is over my head, but Scott has a really great skill of interpretation and is able to explain some of the content to me in ways that are applicable to our relationship with each other and with others around us. So, with that said, I'll leave the details of the book for Scott to explain in another blog.
In other news, we have started our Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University course and absolutely love it! It is so great to be around others just like us (only older) who want to live life debt free. We feel so encouraged after hearing stories of other couples in our class who are actively working to change lifestyle habits they have developed over the years. We also feel fortunate that we are taking this class at a young age so that we can build a solid financial foundation with no debt. We are fired up about our finances and are so pumped to see our official budget set into action in September.
After examining where our money has been going the last few months, we have found that most of our cash goes to eating out (aside from fixed expenses--Scott's mortgage, my rent, utilities, etc.). We really enjoy the quality time and conversations that accompanies eating out; however, we are always in shock when we get our bill--"60 bucks! That's a whole weeks worth of groceries!"
To counteract our eating out habit, we have done two things. First, we have challenged ourselves to not eating out for 30 days. This includes sit-down restaurants and fast food. We had made plans to eat out with Scott's parents before an Indians' game prior to our challenge, so this will be our one and ONLY exception. Scott frequently has to take clients to lunch/dinner, but that is on his company's tab. Our challenge is strictly for financial purposes, so while Scott gets to enjoy Indy's finest restaurants for lunch (on Blue), I'll be enjoying Lean Cuisines and turkey sandwiches. I'm not jealous or anything... :)
Secondly, we have subscribed to a genius website, e-mealz.com. The idea behind the website is to keep people from grabbing fast food or going out to eat simply because they don't have all ingredients at home to make a quick meal. For just 5 dollars a month, you subscribe to a menu of 7 meals. Additionally, the website generates a grocery list, so you know what to buy. Many of the ingredients are used in several of the meals for that week, so you are not wasting and throwing out extras. You can also personalize your menus. For example, Scott and I chose "Walmart for two," and we got a menu specifically designed for two people who buy groceries at Walmart. You can also choose options like "Vegetarian Kroger for a family." The options are endless. Pray I don't burn down the house while attempting to cook.
After examining where our money has been going the last few months, we have found that most of our cash goes to eating out (aside from fixed expenses--Scott's mortgage, my rent, utilities, etc.). We really enjoy the quality time and conversations that accompanies eating out; however, we are always in shock when we get our bill--"60 bucks! That's a whole weeks worth of groceries!"
To counteract our eating out habit, we have done two things. First, we have challenged ourselves to not eating out for 30 days. This includes sit-down restaurants and fast food. We had made plans to eat out with Scott's parents before an Indians' game prior to our challenge, so this will be our one and ONLY exception. Scott frequently has to take clients to lunch/dinner, but that is on his company's tab. Our challenge is strictly for financial purposes, so while Scott gets to enjoy Indy's finest restaurants for lunch (on Blue), I'll be enjoying Lean Cuisines and turkey sandwiches. I'm not jealous or anything... :)
Secondly, we have subscribed to a genius website, e-mealz.com. The idea behind the website is to keep people from grabbing fast food or going out to eat simply because they don't have all ingredients at home to make a quick meal. For just 5 dollars a month, you subscribe to a menu of 7 meals. Additionally, the website generates a grocery list, so you know what to buy. Many of the ingredients are used in several of the meals for that week, so you are not wasting and throwing out extras. You can also personalize your menus. For example, Scott and I chose "Walmart for two," and we got a menu specifically designed for two people who buy groceries at Walmart. You can also choose options like "Vegetarian Kroger for a family." The options are endless. Pray I don't burn down the house while attempting to cook.
In addition to our financial class and new eating challenge, Scott and I are both keeping busy with our personal agendas. I started my Masters of Public Health this past Monday. I am currently going part-time but hope to eventually attend as a full-time student. Many people ask me what I would do with a Masters in Public Health; I am currently deciding between two "majors"--Health and Policy Management and Epidemiology. I'll keep you posted, but I am sure loving my Epidemiology class right now.
Epidemiology is essentially studying why people get sick--on a population level, rather than an individual level. Epidemiologists look at groups of people and study illness and disease trends. All of the course material is really fascinating. In my Wednesday night class, we were discussing mortality rates among women in the United States. If you ask the average woman what the number one cause for death among women is, she will likely answer breast cancer. Clearly, this is because breast cancer is marketed so well. We constantly hear about breast cancer--the risks,the causes-- though advertising by organizations such as the Komen Foundation. Each year, millions and millions of dollars are pumped into marketing the disease, but what many do not know is that much of this marketing is funded by tobacco companies. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. There is a direct correlation between smoking and heart disease, so by exposing breast cancer so aggressively on a national level, tobacco companies are redirecting attention from the true number one killer to another disease. What a clever, yet dangerous marketing ploy! Good stuff...
Epidemiology is essentially studying why people get sick--on a population level, rather than an individual level. Epidemiologists look at groups of people and study illness and disease trends. All of the course material is really fascinating. In my Wednesday night class, we were discussing mortality rates among women in the United States. If you ask the average woman what the number one cause for death among women is, she will likely answer breast cancer. Clearly, this is because breast cancer is marketed so well. We constantly hear about breast cancer--the risks,the causes-- though advertising by organizations such as the Komen Foundation. Each year, millions and millions of dollars are pumped into marketing the disease, but what many do not know is that much of this marketing is funded by tobacco companies. Heart disease is the number one killer of women in the U.S. There is a direct correlation between smoking and heart disease, so by exposing breast cancer so aggressively on a national level, tobacco companies are redirecting attention from the true number one killer to another disease. What a clever, yet dangerous marketing ploy! Good stuff...
Scott recently interviewed to be on the board for Fresh Start of Indiana, an organization designed to support victims of abusive relationships and help them successfully transition out of those relationships. If given the position, he would serve as the board treasurer. Please keep him in your prayers. We are really wanting to involve ourselves with helping the less fortunate, and this would be a great opportunity for him to volunteer his area of expertise, accounting.
Well, that is our last couple of weeks in a nutshell. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend at the downtown library...a lot of studying for me and a lot of work for Scott. Everyone have a great weekend!
Well, that is our last couple of weeks in a nutshell. Looking forward to a relaxing weekend at the downtown library...a lot of studying for me and a lot of work for Scott. Everyone have a great weekend!
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