Someone asked me to submit my story of debt-freedom lately and to include a photo, this is the one I found – the last photo taken of us as a Family of 4 (we need some recent shots!) but I love this photo.

I remember the entire day around this photo – so much happiness, so much hope and joy. We had all our friends over for one last bonfire/potluck and made an event out of putting our SOLD sign on our Realtors signage of the house. The ink was dry.

The beginning and ending of something all at the same time – a moment that brought us here … and is taking us farther than we ever thought possible.

I love being able to recognize these moments as I look back through photos, to see the gift of our past as it’s directly affecting our future. We should all be so lucky. And I hope we all are.

I took it with me this week while I stopped in a few of my favorite thrift stores and drove around my favorite abandoned roads or warehouses.

Source: goodhousekeeping.com via Jodi

I remember seeing these rolls of what looked like Jeans, cut up, to me and wondered how I could use them. I didn’t know, so I passed them up – but kept checking to see if they hung around. Which they did. Apparently they’re used to make rugs which I didn’t want to do but I finally had an idea for what to use them for.

Looking back at the Pin, I like their fastening structure much better than what I ended up with – but it was bedtime and lighting was rough and I just needed to do something and finish it.

Ever have that? The need to create – but not only start the project?

I needed to accomplish it.

So – let’s get down to business:

You’ll Need:

# Whatever you want to use!
# A scissors

Simple? I chose the rolls of jean strips – a greenish, pattern and blue, 2 different ribbons (polka dot grey and bright green rick-rack) and I picked up a broken zipper from the thrift store too. Texture is very fun and the color was perfect.

Here’s my before:

The curtain rod was there from when we moved in the house. I re-used it.

I started by eye-balling my measurements for each strip … pull, cut. Rinse and repeat.

I was measuring about 1 1/2 arms length for each cut and then hanging each strip over the curtain rod.

I got done and then wondered how the heck I was going to do this. I didn’t consult the Pin I bookmarked. I just went for it – I tried to knot it like you would a shoelace but didn’t like how that made the ribbons hang down. So then I tried this:

And wasn’t loving the scarcity it showed on the curtain rod – but thought it was better than my alternative. I couldn’t leave them dangling there free because a certain 3 year old would think – oh hey! A swing! And pull them all down or try to jump to them and then fall and get hurt.

Those are literal though processes I go through when I bring anything into his room that’s new. How is he going to try and destroy this? Which means I have to know how to counteract that.

So – I had to fasten these to the curtain rod and fiddled with the knot enough to come up with a result where I was ok with the way it hung.

You put your ribbon under and then over your curtain rod:

Fold down and to your left:

Under and over to the right:

And then through your loop and pull.

I trimmed the extra ribbon after all knots were fastened …

Here’s my after:

I’m going to do this in my daughters room too but will try the necktie knot and let you know how it goes

I spent ZERO dollars on this project and I didn’t pull out one tool. I used my muscles; which are huge, for the record, and my hands (not huge).

In our last house (that we owned) we had a 3 season breezeway that was on it’s way to becoming our laundry room/mudroom/kitchen prep room Place of Amazing. We paid our favorite contractor around $1,200 to build a custom cubby situation with shoe storage, a mail sorting desk, pantry shelves and lockers.

It was b-glorious. I loved it. We ended up painting it an orange, yellow and I probably would have repainted it something cleaner (more cohesive to the rest of the room) had we stayed. But oh well! Someone else’s problem now.

Only – now that we’re renting and shlepping 18 million pairs of shoes around and no longer have the room for custom built cabinets (nor the budget as a renter) for a permanent solution to the ongoing suffering of our back entry … well. I did this.

And here’s how:

Welcome to our back entry. A place of many insurance problems, I’m sure.

We were about to hang a liability disclaimer on the back door letting folks know that any fall or mishap was their sole responsibility.

In short: it’s a mess back there. And we trip over eachother and shoes and our CSA crate and I dump stuff there that I don’t know what to do with or for a trip to the garage when the weather turns …

I went on a hunt this morning for a pallet thinking I’d need two but only had room for one in the van – you should have seen my daughters face when I pulled over (in the Lowes parking lot at their dumpster pile) and ruffled through the pallets laying in the rain. I think she was half mesmerized that I was actually doing this and half mortified that I didn’t care who saw me.

We found one and I lugged it to the van for use in our back entry.

Then I just kicked around the shoes and whatever else was laying around to make some room for the pallet.

And simply leaned it against the wall.

Stuck our shoes in the slots, toes first, and was amazed that they all fit on one pallet with room to spare.

A totally free solution!

Now I just need to vacuum …. and hang a new sign ::Welcome to our home::

First – this house is amazing, that should be said. We have more room, kids have their own bedrooms, there’s a basement and a back yard. We’re super happy here.

Problems: the kitchen is so very small. Actual wall space in the house is less than we had in our old apartment (but bonus, we have french doors with amazing glass). There are arches every where and our furniture fits – but not much else.

So – now that we’ve got that covered you get to order me around. Where do I start?

From the front door we have this awesome porch, where we read and the kids color and I work every day from the yellow desk.

From the porch you lead right into the living room, or our bedroom:

And the living room flows right to the dining room and there’s yet another door to our bedroom.

Our bedroom needs help, yes I know.

And the bathroom is connected to the bedroom but also a walkthrough to the kitchen.

Which apparently I’m against photographing? I don’t have any photos of the kitchen. The dining room leads to the stairs and has this awesome window seat.

At the top of the stairs is a landing, a small bathroom and then both kids’ rooms.

Our sons room:

Our daughters kingdom:

Yes, that is her closet. All hers.

And the basement is the basement. The couch from the living room in the photos above is now downstairs along with a few other things from storage – it’s the play room and has a laundry space, Aaron’s closet and a couple misc rooms for storage.

There you have it! Now. What should I do?

So ok. I let it go.

Now we drive past this house every week, a couple times a week and I see it sit there alone. Sign still in the yard, papers posted to the front door. I see the arbor in the back and the garage that was going to be my haven. Beyond the things I was attached to I see a hollow place that wasn’t meant to hold my family. I see how it wouldn’t have been the place we landed longer than any of our other houses. It wasn’t a forever house … not that any of them are for us.

But I see it now – how even though we thought we wanted it so badly (and we did) how a year later we would have been restless for change again.

Now bigger things on our radar … so no looking back. For too long. Here’s the second house we almost bought: wah wah wah.

You’ll have to look past the “clothes” this house is wearing. All finishings were going to be replaced. Carpet – gone. Wall color? Painted. Floors? Re-done. It has “character” and charm and the room sizes were workable. It also had major plumbing issues and electrical problems because of the plumbing. Yay!

Oh the kitchen. I would have loved this kitchen … and gutted it like a butcher on a deadline for delivering a cow as steaks.


This blue/aqua bathroom was right off the kitchen and other than ripping out carpet and painting I had big plans for this little space. Sigh.

And upstairs:

Upstairs had the Full bath and 3 bedrooms – one of which we were going to turn into a playroom.

The “bedrooms” were very small – but we had big ideas.


Playroom:

It had all these built ins and lovely nooks and crannies.

The full bath?

Had possibilities. Look beyond the pink tile. Which was similar to our last (owned) house – and it’s BLUE bathroom. Oh Fifties, you were so confused.

This was my “Hello” …

And it had me.

And now it doesn’t.

Here is the listing on Zillow if you’re interested. They lowered the price right after our deal fell apart … apparently the plumbing/electrical is fixed … and I hope that whoever finds it makes it the home they’ve always wanted.

Who knows where we’ll land next or when we’ll buy another house. We’re not looking but I’m excited for the day I get to …

I’ve been trying to make sure ALL the laundry in our house is done and accounted for today because this afternoon we’re taking our daughter shopping for a few new school clothes before First Grade starts.

We’ve been so excited to get hand-me-downs from an older cousin and don’t actually need very many clothes this year. Some jeans, sweaters or cold weather wear and a play-time dress or two. Socks. Always with the socks.

I don’t usually have a great system (ok, I don’t have a system) for keeping track of their sizes and inventory of their closets.

However since unpacking we’ve found a couple boxes chalk-full of larger-sized clothes for our son and daughter that I had no idea they were still in storage! Now that they have ample closet space in the new rental (um, wow.) I have a much better handle on how to keep track of their growth and needs.

Label it

Label your next sizes (if you have some on hand) in their closet. I’m keeping two spare boxes in each of their closets – one for pants and one for shirts. Now when I notice they’ve grown I can quickly restock their shelves and throw the outgrown garmet in with their laundry. When it’s clean and folded I have a box in our laundry area labeled “Goodwill” that I can store any number of items until I’m ready to drop it off or mark it for an upcoming sale.

Keep track

Take Inventory of your closet or your kids’ closets. Write down their information and any needs to fulfill that way you won’t stand in the middle of the aisle eyeballing the shoes, shirts and pants up to an imaginary spouse, partner or child. (I’ve been there SO many times). I made a free printable to help you get started. You can print and then keep in your wallet for safe keeping. It’ll be at your fingertips when you need it most.

Oragnize Your Closets free printable

Purge

While you’re going through and keeping track of the needs (and labeling) be sure to purge the items you know your kids aren’t wearing. Even if they still fit.

My daughter, at 6, dresses herself every morning so although I only allow her to wear what I buy I’d be pretty stupid to buy items that I know she won’t choose to wear come morning time. So we compromise and both have to agree on garments before we purchase them. I’ve learned my lesson and am no longer fighting her to wear her clothes or wasting money trying to appease her sense of style.

You can donate to a thrift store, church or a family you know who have smaller children – but no matter where it goes you’ll feel more organized just getting rid of it!

One of my many Purge Piles.

What are your tips for staying on top of the constant change in closet inventory in your house?

I’ve been getting some emails about our journey to debt freedom and our living situation.

Click on photo for larger view.

This timeline is the actual progression of things over the last 15 months (I say 15 months because the sale of our home was a few month progression to offer/agreement/closing).

Looking back would I do it all over again?

Yes

However I would do a few things differently. Perhaps instead of finding an interim apartment (originally for 4 months while the house we were building was completed) I’d find something I was comfortable being in long-term. If there’s one thing we’ve proven the past year it’s that Anything Can Happen.

I’d probably save myself a lot of heartache and just not try to buy another house, no matter how ON SALE it is, for a good year. Anything Can Happen, Yes – but we don’t always have to be rushing to the next hitching post.

We could have paid off our car instead of trying to buy the first house that didn’t work out. We stalled and waited and then tried to buy ANOTHER house.

We were knocking out our debt but we could have been here 4 months faster if we just stopped and followed through. Ever since we got married it feels like we’ve been on a fast track to better. Better what? I couldn’t even tell you. I had this image of what life was supposed to be like, unfortunately it mirrored the image of where my parents were at age 50 – successful in their careers, no mortgages or payments … who could easily go on vacation or spend thousands on a purchase with a check … because they worked hard, saved and built their financial security with diligence. Not frivolous risks.

We were poor when I was younger but I never knew it. We didn’t live poorly even though we couldn’t afford things. And really, I didn’t know any different.

I love getting emails from readers who say I’ve inspired them to work hard at their own debt-free plans or just to change one small thing about money in their lives. I love having these conversations: I love money. But not in an idyllic sort of way. I’m enamored with the math of it.

I’m a geek. And it’s just money, after all.

We’re still on a path to building a future and we’re doing well. I’ve had to confront my expectations on this issue so often. Life isn’t a rear view mirror.

We’ve come so far in such a short amount of time (read about it here) that I have this idea that we’ll get to the end EVEN FASTER!

When really – I don’t ever want to get to the end. How boring does that sound? I want to get to a place where I feel like there isn’t an end coming. You know? And that’s not financially. Just in general. I’d like to find a place to be present in my today and willing to cope with my tomorrows.

So! I’m a geeky numbers gal who loves a budget and a savings plan. Compounding interest is by far the most fun thing to play with. Ever.

Seriously – if all you do (and you’re close to 30, + or -) is set aside $200 a month in an account that on average (over a 10 year period) yields 12% (which is not astronomical or a myth) you’ll have over 7 million dollars by retirement age.

The math geek in me jumps around at that equation. COME ON! It’s stupid not to think like that. $200 a month? For most people that’s less than only one of their car payments. Not even a months worth of groceries. Day care? $200 a month isn’t hard to find when you look for it.

Ok, one more thing and then we can move on. And we are moving on!! I have stuff to show you!

I’m not a couponer and have a decent grocery budget – we eat out often, pay for a babysitter weekly (or more) and enjoy dating each other. Our entertainment budget is large. I have no qualms about it. But I make up for it in other areas:

Literally, I don’t shop. I do not go shopping. Groceries it is for me! The occasional pair of shoes for the kids or thrifting for a need (shorts, jeans) but for myself – for the house? I have patience. I don’t impulse buy, and I used to all the time.

I browse the aisle of the side of the road, behind industrial shipping agencies and yes, have dumpster dived behind popular retailers. Craigslist is my favorite “box store” because what can’t you get there?

When I do buy new I price shop first but don’t feel bad when I find out I haven’t gotten the best deal on the item. Gas costs money too. I DIY everything I can and I allow myself to make mistakes and try again. It’s still less costly than quickly filling a “need” which usually ends up to be a “want”.

Your turn:
If you were going to change one thing about your life – financial or not – what would it be?

I’m sitting in this porch this morning, amid laundry and legos and one very (half dressed) happy guy.

Welcome! There’s charm all around this house – french doors with beautiful windows, wood work and hardware.

Yes that is High School Musical 2 on the TV. We like to keep our theatrics PG and Disney in this house.

So, there’s a yard here. Like a real fenced-in yard. With actual grass. Our last place had a “yard” that was the parking lot for all the cars of the tenants. (No grass.)

When it’s not raining or the weather outside doesn’t feel like a steam room (humidity much?) we’ve been enjoying this:

Although I don’t have a full garden this year I do have some hardy herbs that stayed alive through the last 12 months. Mint!

But the real charm of this place? The stuff that was left behind. Seriously. I think I could make a living out of finding the purpose in the forgotten.

First, there’s an entire room of storage with shelves. Like a canning persons dream, if I were a canning person. For now I’m just going to basque in the delight of a room with NO REAL PURPOSE that I can put stuff in.

but then there’s this:

The Workshop? But I see a kitchen island refab and those makeshift shelves on the side?

Have you not seen Pinterest and it’s glory? THE IDEAS!

I might be asking permission to use a few of these things from the landlords. But as renters in a home and learning how to be a permanent fixture in a temporary situation: I finally have ideas on how to make someone else’s house our home.

Cue: Collective twilight zone hazy lighting yet mental clarity.

It’s about time.

We don’t have Internet yet so my conversation with the entire world (this website) is a little quiet.

I am, however, happy to be here in this new rental (a whole house) and this neighborhood. It’s just going to take some time to settle and feel like home.

In the meantime our summer schedule of camps and lessons is still in full swing and my daughter (6 1/2) is the happiest she’s been in a long time. The girl has her own room. She has space to get away and be alone (oh how I know who’s daughter she is).

A few of my How To’s are making the rounds online and I’m so excited!!! Thanks for checking me/them out if you’re new (or if you’re not).

I had this bizarre dream yesterday Wednesday while napping with my kids. It could be chalked up to the fact that I haven’t napped mid day in over a year or that I’m emotionally raw and receptive to all kinds of 4th dimension thinking when my eyes are closed. Or that I was so exhausted I just made up some really fantastically awkward situations for myself in a dream.

As promised by Aaron today:

We’ll get to the news one of these days – and this dream has to do with the current status of this situation called Our Address. Or rather, Our Hunt For An Address. Or rather, How We’re Trying Not To Be Homeless In Nine Days.

I interrupt this broadcast to yell: Grandma? Please look away.

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

So the dream, then.

We’ve been looking at homes to rent these past few days because our lease at our current rental is expiring the end of this month and is already re-rented to a new tenant.

In the mean time – early last month we put an offer on another home. And told NO ONE about it. For a good 6 weeks. Can we keep our mouths shut about being pregnant? Not for a second – but buying a house after the first try earlier this year didn’t work out in epic proportions – we were damn well going to cross every single T and dot ALL the I’s before admitting to trying this again.

Like Mortgage Infertility.

We weren’t having any luck looking for a rental that would be a month to month situation while we figured out the closing date and what not of the home. Our realtor has a rental he showed us and we are forever thankful to him for all the work he’s done for us this year … without getting paid because we have yet to close on a house. Seriously. Ugh. However – there is a real possibility this rental (where ever we end up) could be another permanent-for-the-time-being situation if we didn’t get things ironed out with the house. And the rental he showed us wasn’t something we could see ourselves living in long(short) term.

When the skies opened and we found a house to rent in town. An entire house. It has a dishwasher. It’s almost double what we’re paying in rent now (ugh!) but it’s a whole house and did I mention the dishwasher? And hopefully, it’s temporary. I want my own house. Let’s just be clear there. Renting needs an expiration date in my life.

So, hi?! There’s a dream in here somewhere.

We had yet to see the house, in fact had just heard about it and finally I stopped vomiting and crying constantly about WHAT THE HELL ARE WE GOING TO DO NOW when I laid down with my kids and fell dead to the dream that folded out like this:

In my dream we hadn’t signed a lease yet but were given keys to move things in – only instead of moving things in we became squatters in the house. There was orange carpet and the owners were on vacation so we were just there. For some reason, Aaron was naked. (I said it was awkward) and we were all sleeping when the owners came home to check on things … only to find us just literally hanging out in their house.

Enter the most difficult dream-conversation I’ve ever had to direct with my eyes closed.

Good news is: we did meet the owners and saw the house (no orange carpet) and are signing a lease (month to month for now) tomorrow morning. We’re also moving tomorrow.

However: About our Mortgage Infertility …

So guess what? We were promised by the bank that we were all set – things were a GO! We had a tentative closing date, then a home inspection. And here’s where we take a left turn. Or would this be considered the round-about? Are we lost? We’ve been down this road before.

Still haven’t told any one. Refuse to write about it online or make any proclamations. Why? Why not just tell our families and get the support of our closest friends? Because I want this so bad. Because I want my own kitchen and bedroom and I want a garden and safe place for my children to play.

There were some major issues with the house after the inspection – and the bank (the home was a forclosure) was willing to fix the biggest of the problems but would not give us a time line and of course, we’re counting down the days til we have to be out of the apartment we’re already in.

Last week Aaron took a couple days off work because we were looking at homelessness as a serious option for a good month. Our families are mostly around here but no one has enough room for a family of 4 to live with them for an extended period of time. And house-hopping is just no longer and option for us.

Somewhere in there we told our families who then would not stop asking us questions about the house or what color paint am I thinking for the kitchen …. SERIOUSLY? THAT IS NOT OK. Stop. It.

Painful is what this is – to constantly be reminded that something we want so badly is not available to us.

We had started to tell some friends about this as well – we announced We’re Buying a House! a few weeks ago only to have things fall apart from there.

I’m embarrassed and ashamed. Not because we didn’t keep this quiet longer or because people are going to find out, again, that this isn’t working for us – but for believing so blindly that when we were ready – a house would be too.

Which I suppose begs the question: Are we really ready, then?

This post could also be titled “How we went from taking a loss on our home, to building – and selling that home all the while renting to trying to buy a bungalow – to not buying a bungalow to still renting to wanting to buy a home while renting – to our lease is expiring and we’re going to be homeless … To: We’re still renting. Somewhere new.”

I guess I just needed to write this? Sorry it’s forever wordy. I’m a fragile flower lately – and tonight I’m going on a fabulous date with the love of my life and some of our best friends. Tonight? I have an address … and it turns out, tomorrow I will too.