We're so excited for summer!!!!

Suze Orman's Money Book for the Young Fabulous & Broke

My sister Danielle got this audiobook a long time ago, and after she did she told me she'd gotten it for me. Well, of course, I rolled my eyes and thought, "Lame. I don't need that." Well, I finally got around to listening to it years later. I've gotta say that I thought it was really relevant and full of great information. It was nice to have it as an audiobook so I could listen to it when I took my kids on their morning walk, but I wish I had a copy in print so I could highlight and make notes in it. Here is the description of the book from Amazon:

"If you are tired of struggling to make ends meet but don't know a 401(k) from Special K, this book is for you. Aimed specifically at "Generation Broke"--those in their twenties and thirties who are working yet buried in credit card debt and student loans--this user-friendly guide offers a clear introduction to practical investing and money management techniques that can turn even a dismal financial situation around. Bestselling author Suze Orman has a knack for taking the fear out of money matters, and in The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous &: Broke, she shows readers how to set priorities and achieve goals, whether it is to buy a house or save for retirement or pay for a child's education. She also offers inspiration to readers to face their financial problems and get started on a solution. After all, there is good news: young people still have the time to correct problems so that they will never be broke again. Readers who find terms such as diversification and IRA rollover scary--or worse, unimportant--will learn much from this book.

In these pages, Orman clearly and succinctly explains what a FICO score is and why it's so important, offers the lowdown on stocks and mutual funds, provides career advice, and offers lots of tips on dealing with student loan debt, saving money even when times are tight, debt consolidation strategies, and the safest way for newlyweds to merge their finances. She also offers information on credit cards, including why canceling cards is not a good idea, when it makes sense to use them, and the best strategies for paying them off. It may not be the only money book you'll ever need, but it's an excellent place to start. --Shawn Carkonen"

I'd always known about Mutual Funds and IRA's and stocks and things like that, but I'd never really understood them. Suze breaks down the mountain of information and gives you a very organized and easy to follow guide to help you get started. While her book is (obviously) geared toward the young, it gives helpful information for people from their 20's to people who are getting ready for retirement. If you're looking for some information to help you fine tune your finances this is a great book to pick up!

You can get the paperback from Overstock.com for $8.79 here. 

Recipe Box: Baked Chicken Fajitas Recipe

Tad has dubbed this meal his favorite! He must of told me 10 times how much he loved it. It's fairly simple and definitely easy to make. I even found a can of diced tomatoes that had diced green chili's already added to it. It reheats really well too. I will say that it is very heavily seasoned, which Tad loves, it gives it a little more of a real mexican food style. While I did like this recipe a lot, I wouldn't rank it in my favorites just because I like my food with a little less seasoning, but since Tad loves it so much it has gone into our regular rotation. I found it on Six Sisters' Stuff and here is what they had to say:

I love Mexican food! This recipe was easy, healthy and tasted great!

Who knew "baked" could taste so good?!

The best part was being able to throw everything into one pan and toss it in the oven! I even made mine in the morning and kept it in the fridge then put it in the oven around dinner time.

Baked Chicken Fajitas Recipe:

(Recipe from Eatin' on the Cheap)

(Serves 4-6)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
1 medium onion, sliced
1 large bell pepper, seeded and sliced
2 T vegetable oil
2 t. chili powder
2 t. cumin
1/2 t. garlic powder
1/2 t. dried oregano
1/4 t. salt
12 flour tortillas, warmed to serve

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease a 13×9 baking dish. Mix together chicken, tomatoes, chilies, peppers, and onions in the dish.

In a small bowl combine the oil and spices. Drizzle the spice mixture over the chicken and toss to coat.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.

Serve with warmed tortillas and enjoy!

I hope you give this great recipe a shot, it's a good simple dish to add to your recipe box.

10 of Wes & Scarli's Favorite Things to Do

Do you find yourself constantly trying to find something for your kids to do? I know I have that problem! Well here is a list of some of Wes and Scarlett's favorite things:


Going to college basketball games with Dad
We're lucky because Tad can watch the games from his office so Wes has a space to be crazy. Wes LOVES it when the mascot comes out and greets the crowd.


Having Picnics
What could be more fun than making a nice meal and sharing it with your friends?


Playing in the sand with daddy
(because mommy hates the feel of sand in her toes)
We have a volleyball sand court a block from our house and they love it when we pack up some buckets and shovels and let them get dirty.


Playing Superheros
You would think that Scarlett would want to be a princess or something, but no, she wants to be batman! Or Captain America, or Wolverine, or Darth Vadar. Half of our masks have come from yard sales, and the other half from Walmart, but they love them all equally.


Watching Videos on Mommy's Computer
They like to watch just about anything if it's on my computer, but the ones they like best are the videos of them playing. They can literally sit there for hours watching themselves.


Going to the park
I've started taking them for a long walk 3 or 4 times a week, and to make it a little more fun for them we stop at a park half way. If we go around lunch time I pack food.

Riding their bikes
Wes has a Lightning McQueen bike with training wheels that he has mastered.
And Scarlett borrows a trike someone left in here at the apartment. But both are happy. Scarlett reminds me of the opening sequence to Bobby's World when she rides around.


Swimming
Grandma Cinda has a great indoor pool that we've been to many times. It might just be their favorite thing.
The kids wear Puddle Jumpers, and I've gotta tell you that if you have toddlers and you've never used these then check them out! They are cheap, awesome, and there's no threat of the kids getting top heavy and tipping forward in the water.


Painting
I got some great robot cut outs from Michaels for Wes's birthday last year and they love it when I give them one and some washable paint. Plus Scarlett looks good in a green mustache.


Training for the Rodeo

Wes will be roping steer


And Scarlett will do tricks on horse back.

I bet you had no idea my kids were so talented?! So tell me, what do your kids like to do?