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My New Financial Plan {and What's for Dinner: September 22 - September 28}

Looking for dinner inspiration? Here's what I've planned for dinner at our house this week!

Collection of US Dollar Bills | Photo by Sharon McCutcheon via Unsplash

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When I went to bed last night, I had it in my head that I'd skip sharing our weekly menu plan. I don't have anything too exciting planned for dinner this week. With Stephen off on another business trip and me at a work event on Friday, I kept things simple.

And I didn't think "simple" was share-worthy.

But I changed my mind about not writing when I considered everything else going on in my world... specifically, in my financial world.

Financial Goals


You may remember that two of my goals for 2019 were financial goals. I wanted to pay off the hospital bill we received after our son was born. And I wanted to pay off one of my remaining student loans. To do this, I've been careful about my spending so I can chip away at the debt.

(I'm pleased to say I paid off the hospital bill in August and am on track to pay off that student loan by December!)

Now I'm looking ahead at other ways I can put myself in a better financial position. I want to pay down a little more of my other debt each month while also putting a little more in savings.

Debt-Snowball Method


For example, that monthly hospital bill payment? I'm still making it and am following the debt-snowball method of paying down my debt. I've reallocated the hospital bill payment toward other debt. In other words, I use the money that I would've sent to the hospital to help pay off one of my credit cards faster.

As a rule, I don't carry a lot of credit debt. I got into a bit of credit debt trouble when I was in graduate school. I had to work extremely hard to dig myself out of the hole and to raise my credit score. I only have one credit card that has a balance I'm still paying down. Then I have a card that I pay off completely every month so I don't have to deal with interest charges.

I had convinced myself that having a zero balance on my credit cards was the best way for me to operate. That it was better for me to rely on my bank card. But then I thought things through a little more and decided it was time to make a change.

New Financial Plan


I converted my points-based rewards card to one that offers cash rewards instead. Cash back in the bank is far more valuable to me than points I can redeem for a hotel stay or some silly gadget I don't need. Since I'll earn cash back every time I use this card, it will now be my primary form of payment wherever possible. No more reaching for my debit card.

My plan is to pay off the credit card each week to keep the balance manageable. Why not pay off the whole balance each month rather than make weekly payments? Because I know that making huge payments all at once would cause me a lot of anxiety... and I don't need a reason for more anxiety!

What do you guys think of my plan? How have you changed your behavior to put yourself in a better financial position?

A Week of Dinners: September 22 - September 28


And now... if you've made it this far in my post, here is what I've planned for dinner at our house this week.

Sunday: Rotisserie Chicken Ramen

Monday: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Toasted Baguette Slices

Tuesday: Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers with Rice

Wednesday: Stephen's Choice

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Hot Dogs and French Fries

Saturday: Breakfast for Dinner - Pancakes and Sausage


Need Help Menu Planning?



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One year ago: And That's Okay (Quick-and-Easy Pesto Recipe)
Two years ago: A Month of Dinners: Menu Plan for September
Three years ago: Family-Favorite Potato Salad {and Some Thoughts about My Mom}
Four years ago: How To: Make and Freeze Homemade Baby Food {Carrot Purée}
Five years ago: Maxim's 22 - Easton, PA
Six years ago: Mariam's Restaurant - Allentown, PA
Seven years ago: Paper Bag Parmesan Popcorn
Eight years ago: Giada, Meatballs, Buitoni, and the New York City Wine & Food Festival
Nine years ago: Whole Wheat Penne with Sausage and Broccolini
Ten years ago: Grab Some Friends and Wait in Line at Shake Shack
Eleven years ago: New Salt and Pepper Mills

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