Week 1 Run...A Success!!!

I have made it...a whole week of running (and walking) completed! Let me tell you it was not easy! If you know me, then you know how much I LOVE to sleep. Especially during the summer time. I am a night owl and will stay up until midnight or later and then sleep until 9:00 (ok, maybe 9:30 or 10:00). But I set my alarm every day-for a little after 8:00, not anything crazy-and actually got up!! Towards the end of the week I would wake up before my alarm went off and would not be able to go back to sleep...I had to get up and get moving!!!! Some days it felt like I was only running up hill and others felt like I was coasting. For the most part I have stayed injury free...just a little bit sore in the knee area. I feel like I owe my no injury to the fact that I have eased into running- I really like the schedule I printed off Runner's World. I have been running for 1 minute and walking for 2 10xs. Next week I switch it up and I'm sure those 2 minutes are going to drag by and that 1 minute will fly, but I'm excited about it!! I thought about taking a before run and after run picture...that will be my goal next week if you promise not to laugh :)

Money, Money, Money, Money...Moooonnneeeyyy!!

Money...what everyone needs more of right?! As teachers, we get all of our summer pay checks somewhere around the end of June, and then don't get paid again until the beginning of August. Sounds a little odd I know, but really if you budget well it all works out. I have spent about an hour today playing around with our budget on paper and getting some more envelopes together. If you don't know anything about the envelope system click here. I highly recommend it!! We do waaaaay better with our money when we follow it! Here's the deal about the envelope system...when it's gone- IT'S GONE!!!

Today, we even took it a step further when my husband and I took our debit cards out of our wallet and locked them up in the 'ole lock box! Sounds a little rash I know, but I HATE PLASTIC WITH A PASSION! I know without a doubt I spend 200% more when I am paying with my debit vs. if I have cash in my wallet.

We are also cracking down on our debt and will be credit card debt free in the next couple of months! YIPEE!! I have preached and preached to my boys that credit cards are not good, and to not fall into the debt trap when they get older. I am agreeing more and more with my dad about if you can't pay cash, don't buy it! I'm pretty excited about our plastic free wallets...I'll let you know how it goes :)

So, what money tips do you have??? Any great ways to keep your bank account padded??

Shopping Update :)

Yesterday we went to Ikea in Cincinnati...WOOHOO!! Love that store, my only complaint was that we needed more time :) Love the pillows that I got and my print (even if no one else does!).

After church and lunch, I left the boys at home and went shoe shopping. So excited about running in my Saucony shoes. And pretty excited about the Nike flips too!! They were an impulse buy, but I did get them for $6!!!

So You Want to Be A Runner...

In high school, I had a brief love affair with running...shorter distances preferably, but I would try to hang with the milers +. I liked the way I felt after a run, loved pushing myself, and of course the great effects it has on the legs :) After high school, I fell out of love with running and fell in love with- well, doing nothing! I have picked it up again here and there, but nothing serious. I think I am finally ready to rekindle the flame!!

I clicked here to search for a beginner friendly runner's schedule, found one, printed it, and slapped it right up on my fridge (where all important things go :). I start on Monday...now all I have to get are some fab running shoes! Any suggestions??