So once i send back or sell my remaining inventory where do i go from there. I entered MK to try to earn extra money. I had a lot of debt (MK Put me in farther) and even once i get the MK debt gone, i still have the debt i started with. Not only that, my fiance and I are saving up for our upcoming wedding. Then it will be saving for a house. Then hopefully children. And although my fiance makes decent money, we would like the opportunity for me to be a stay at home mom. I just dont see how it is really possible. I currently work full time and make good money and am looking for a part time evening/weekend job. Ive worked two jobs in the past and still can never seem to get ahead. I am just so frustrated right now...is the american dream even still attainable anymore? Geesh!

Justine,
I was in your shoes not too long ago.  One of the books that has really changed my financial status is written by Dave Ramsey.  It's called Total Money Makeover.  Your local library probably has it.  Dave Ramsey also has a talk radio show, but not sure where you would be able to find it locally.  I am also a big fan of Suze Orman, although I think Dave has better ideas about HOW to get out of debt. 

This is the very first year that DH & I have NOT had to put some or all of our tax refund towards debt.  It's an amazing feeling and I remember at one point feeling like I'd never get out. 

Best of luck!

Baroness -- I just wanted to tell you that the advice you gave to Justine was very inspiring to me too.  I even have a $10 gift card from Border's Books that I'm going to use to help me buy Dave Ramsey's book!  How's that for spending a little bit of money in order to learn how to get a better grip on our finances?!

Thank you!   

Great Advice Ladies,  I think I may have to jump on the Dave Ramsey band wagon.  The church I've been visiting is conducting a money management course and the text book used is The Money Answer Book by Dave Ramsey.  I'm going to have to check it out too.

  Kathy  Love the new look for "Spring"

Booted - We also found we spent way too much eating out.  I tried to rationalize it because I was just too darned tired to cook along with all the other work, wife, mom duties but I really didn't have any excuse.

 Now we do things like put the main course in the crock pot in the morning.  By the time we get home all we have to do is cook some sides.  It really has saved money and it is also a lot healthier.

Oh and I almost forgot.  Above and beyond Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover, he also has Financial Peace.  I recommend reading the Total Money Makeover first though.  It completely changed my family's way of thinking on money.  I know I mentioned Suze Orman earlier and one of my favorite books she wrote is called "Young, Fabulous, and Broke".  Believe me guys, DH & I know what's it's like being broke.   He's doing the MD/PhD program at school and I stopped working after MK, we have a house and 2 kids.  I always assumed I had to work until I ran some numbers and did a budget and found that if we tweaked our lifestyle (eating out, drinks with friends, money spent on shopping or entertainment, etc.) we could live off just his stipend money and I could stay home with our girls.  The best part is once you get used to not spending so much money, you really don't miss those luxuries you gave up too much.  That also doesn't mean we don't have fun, we just get creative.  Instead of spending $20+ going to the movies, we have a blockbuster online account where we spend the same $20 only we get all the movies we want every month.  It's not that big of a deal to us to see the movie as soon as it comes out.  If you enjoy going to theater, how about going to the $1 movies instead?  We still have friends over often, instead of going out to dinner, we'll have a bar b que and play some poker.  I bought an annual pass to the zoo so that I have someplace to take the kids for entertainment without having to worry about how much it's going to cost.  It all depends on where your priorities are and for me it's being able to spend time with my kiddos while they are still young enough to enjoy my company.  I often see people spend a fortune on their wedding and although I agree it's a very special day, it's only one day and it can still be very special on a budget.  If you take your bank statement (assuming you use your checkcard for everything, I do) for the last couple of months, you can find places you didn't even realize you were spending so much money.  There's always fat to cut, you just have to find it. 

Sickie and Julie got me onto Dave Ramsey and I am starting the Financial Peace training soon, just finished Total Money Makeover and would recommend it to anyone. If you can't find it at the library, try eBay or half.com - I got mine for $7 + shipping and it's a brand new hardback book. Dave's ideas are great about really helping you assess your current situation and building your way out, I can't wait to get my Financial Peace system (which I got from Dave's eBay outlet for about 1/2 the retail price - I think that would make him proud!).

  <--- no reason for him, he's just SO cute!

Sassy C,

You are too kind but it is the ladies here at Pl that really rock.  I'm always finding good advice here. (especially from you Sassy C  )