My Dumbest Money Decision

"I've learned that mistakes can often be as good a teacher as success."
Jack Welch

Have you ever just wanted to slap yourself upside your head? I have, on more than one occasion to be honest, but I won't get into all of that detail.

This post is about my dumbest money decision.

I worked for 15 years before I became a mother. For 10 of those years, I socked away 10% of my income into my company's 401k. The company, at the time, offered a 5% match and profit sharing, so when I left in 2003 I had a sizable chunk in my account.

So where does 'dumb' enter into this story...

After I left my job to work at my husband's business, I handed a Certified Financial Planner my 401K money to handle the transfer to an IRA. I let this person distribute this money without researching the fund allocation, fees or the funds' performances for myself.

Had I done so, I would have noticed the high fees and sales charges for the actively managed funds he was recommending.

To be clear, I don't consider my dumbest money decision to be using a financial planner. I do consider my dumbest money decision to be that I didn't understand and research what exactly he was doing. I just blindly handed over my money. I trust this person and we use him for our business accounting. He was upfront about the funds we would be going to and we just nodded and said, "okay".

Over the years as I have become more interested in handling our investments, I realize how costly this money decision was for us. Had I simply taken some time to research our options and understand the difference between actively managed funds and index funds, I think I would have saved us a lot of money. I have since opened up a new IRA at an index fund company and I'm in the process of transferring the actively managed accounts over to the index funds. And I feel very confident with this decision, but I did a lot of reading to get to that point.

I could have the best financial planner in the world, but nobody is going to be as interested in our retirement planning as I am. Hiring a CFP to handle your finances might be the best decision for you, but you really need to understand what they are doing. Before you agree to anything, do the research, understand what they are recommending, ask the questions, and look at all of your options. Be an active participant in your financial planning, not a bystander.

What has been your dumbest money decision? Did you learn a lesson from it? Let us know in the comments.

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This post is linked to:

• Frugal Friday at Life as MOM
• Fanastic Frugal Friday at Frugality is Free
  
  
  

Great Holiday Gift Idea for The 'Hard to Buy For' Person On Your List

Are there people on your holiday shopping list that are really hard to buy for? This great deal hit my inbox today and I am definitely going to take advantage of it and get a head start on my holiday shopping.

Get a FREE Photo Calendar from Vistaprint. The perfect gift for family and friends for the holidays! Customize with icons, text, photos and themed designs for a unique calendar. Add up to 13 of your favorite photos for FREE and receive in as few as 3 days! The product is FREE, you just pay shipping and processing. That is a great deal for a personalized photo calendar.

Photo calendars are a great way to capture year round photos to share with family and friends.

In addition to a variety of great designs, these calendars come with some great features and upgrade options:

• Choose from a variety of themed designs for the perfect look
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• Upload up to 13 of your favorite photos for FREE
• Select your starting month and year
• Order today and receive in as few as 3 Days

My family made one of these last year for my grandparents and they loved it. Order your FREE photo calendar today.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links.

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There Is Something Delightful About A Brand New Blank Calendar

I bought my new 2011 calendar.

Much to the dismay of my husband, I am still a paper & pen person when it comes to my calendar. I prefer a spiral monthly/weekly calendar. I like to look at one month at a time for planning. I use the weekly section for my daily to-do lists. I love to make lists and I love to cross accomplished tasks off my list.

My husband has set me up on a Gmail account and I have promised him that I will input events into the calendar, so that we have a master family calendar. So basically, I am keeping two calendars. But I just can't give up my paper and pen.

Because this fresh, blank page is wide open for events and opportunities...


...and it will eventually look like this.


A jam-packed month with pre-school activities, birthday parties, appointments and my daughter's doodles. I just love a brand new calendar.

Are you still a paper and pen person like me or is your calendar completely digital? Let us know in the comments.

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Cream of Roasted Tomato Soup

I was able to purchase another 19 lb box of organic Roma tomatoes for $6 from our CSA. I made more Roasted Roma Tomato Sauce, but I also decided on a very chilly day that soup was going to be on the dinner menu that evening.


Cream of Roasted Tomato Soup

• 4 lbs Roma tomatoes
• 1/4 C fresh Basil leaves
• 2 Tbsp fresh Oregano
• 1 medium onion, quartered
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• olive oil
• 24 oz homemade chicken stock or store bought
• 1/2 Cup heavy cream

1. Slice the tomatoes in half lengthwise. Place flat on a rimmed baking sheet.
2. Add the basil, oregano, onion, garlic, salt, pepper to the baking sheet.
3. Coat the tomatoes generously with olive oil.

4. Roast for 45 minutes at 400 degree.
5. Carefully remove from the oven, because the tomatoes get juicy. Allow the tomatoes to cool slightly. With a pair of tongs, remove the skins. Remove as much of the skins as you can, but it is okay if some remain.
   
   
6. Once completely cool, blend the tomatoes, herbs and oil from the trays in the food processor. This will definitely take several batches to do. Place each batch in one big bowl to combine.
7. Heat the chicken stock in a large soup pot. Add the tomato sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 30 minutes.
8. Slowly add the cream, stirring the entire time to prevent curdling.
9. Bring back to a simmer.
10. Ready to serve.
11. If desired, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Serve Cream of Roasted Tomato Soup with a fresh garden salad, a grilled cheese sandwich or your favorite homemade bread.

Print the recipe for Cream of Roasted Tomato Soup.

Come join Soup-a-Palooza at TidyMom and Dine and Dish sponsored by Bush’s Beans, Hip Hostess, Pillsbury and Westminster Crackers

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Get Your Finances On The Calendar

I have read that people spend more time planning a one week vacation than they do planning their retirement which could last 20+ years. Maybe retirement is not on your radar yet, but what about eliminating your consumer debt or contributing to your emergency fund. Maybe you just want to pay your bills on time this month to avoid the late fees.

Make it easy for yourself and simply set aside some time every week and devote it to your finances. And please don’t tell me you “don’t have time”. There are 168 hours in a week, do yourself and your balance sheet a favor and FIND some time.

This is a two step process:

1. A weekly commitment

Schedule an hour or two once a week to manage your home office and tackle your to-do list. Whether you are able to set aside the same day and time every week or you have to fit it in around your family’s busy schedule, mark the time on your calendar.

This time could be devoted, but not limited to:

• Tracking and reviewing your spending
• Paying bills
• Reconciling and managing accounts
• Researching big purchases
• Sourcing vendors for a home-improvement project
• Preparing your family balance sheet
• Organizing your financial records
• Any other personal finance projects that might be on your to-do list

2. A family meeting

Set aside time to communicate with your spouse or significant other. This could be weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. That is for you to decide

This meeting could be devoted, but not limited to:

• Reviewing household spending
• Reviewing your family balance sheet
• Planning big purchases and holiday spending
• Planning home improvement projects
• Creating financial goals and reviewing outcomes

We have worked hard for our paychecks, now let’s work hard to maximize them. I’m going to take my own advice and set aside time each week to work in my home office.

My husband and I have a meeting scheduled for Wednesday night and I have already let him know that I have an agenda written out.

How consistent are you with setting aside time to devote to your personal finances? Let us know your schedule in the comments.


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This post is linked to:

• Frugal Friday at Life as MOM

Four Delicious Ways to Cook with Fall Squash

Fall squash is one of all-time my favorite ingredients to cook with.

Butternut squash is my favorite fall squash. It is packed with Vitamin A, beta carotene and is a source of fiber. It can be used as a substitute in any recipe that calls for pumpkin. Acorn squash is my husband's favorite fall squash and it is just as delicious, but has a slightly different taste.

How to Roast Butternut Squash

One of our most favorite fall dishes is Cranberry Walnut Acorn Squash Bowls.



Pasta with Fall Squash and Leeks is a hearty dish perfect for a fall evening.


Butternut squash and Cranberry Muffins


What is your favorite way to eat fall squash?

Thanks for reading FamilyBalanceSheet. If you would like to receive FREE updates of FBS through your RSS Feed, please click here to sign up. Or Subscribe by Email.

This post is linked to:

• $5 Dinner Challenge
• Tempt my Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace
• Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
• Works for Me Wednesday at We are That Family
• Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
• Vegetarian Foodie Fridays at Breastfeeding Moms Unite
• Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday at La Bella Vita
• Fight Back Friday at Food Renegade

Odd$ and End$ - The 'I've Been Published' Edition

Well sort of...my local newspaper asked readers to submit recipes for a new column. I submitted my favorite fall dessert recipe, Apple Gingerbread Cake with Homemade Whipped Cream. It was accepted and published.

Personal Finance around the Web:

• Carnival of Money Stories at Free Money Finance


• Have you checked out Frugal Focus? You will find a network of over 30 frugal bloggers all on one site.


• Becoming Debt Free Is About Passion and Intensity at Well Heeled Blog

Food Around the Web:

• From custard to bread to chili and pasta, check this week's edition of Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam for many pumpkin recipes

Have a great weekend.

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Is Clutter Interfering with Your Road to Financial Freedom?

Do you have a place that is designated as your home office? A place where you pay your bills, manage your accounts, and research purchasing and investing decisions.

What does it look like? I’m not talking about the decor, I am talking about the organization of it.

I have a corner in our basement for my home office. I snapped this photo one day when I almost snapped after a pile of papers fell to the floor.

In my own defense, I was working on a project for our business, but lately my desk stays like this even after my project is finished. There were piles that needed to be sorted and papers spilling out of my inbox.

It’s not that I don’t have a system. I organized my filing cabinet months ago and it has stayed that way. I throw junk mail away immediately, but for some reason papers have piled up on my desk. Maybe I am saving too much or maybe I’m just not filing in a timely manner, probably a little of both.

I have cleaned off my desk before, but the clutter monster came back.

Does clutter interfere with our Road to Financial Freedom? Could this clutter be holding me back from really accomplishing the tasks on my to-do list?

Clutter interferes with my priorities. I am almost paralyzed by it at times. When I should be knocking things off my to-do list, I sit staring at the piles or simply moving them from one corner to another in an effort to clean off my desk.

With a clean desk, an empty inbox and an organized filing cabinet, I plan on attacking that to-do list.


Is a clean desk a guarantee that you will find financial freedom? No, but maybe it is a good start.

What does your home office/work space look like? Has it been taken over by clutter? Take some time and wipe it clean and see how much better you feel and how much more motivated you become.


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Vegetable Lasagna with Eggplant, Zucchini and Carrots

One of the meals that I miss the most in the summer, when I refuse to turn on my oven, is lasagna. I make it many ways, but a lasagna loaded with vegetables is my favorite way to eat it.

Vegetable Lasagna with Eggplant, Zucchini and Carrots

• 1 large eggplant, cut crosswise into ¼ inch thick slices
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium red onion, or any other onion in your refrigerator, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Cup shredded carrots
• ¾ tsp black pepper, divided
• ½ tsp chopped fresh oregano
• 32 oz Roasted Red Plum Tomato Sauce or your favorite homemade or store bought sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 15 oz part-skim ricotta
• 2 cups shredded zucchini, about 2 small to medium size zukes
• 1 package ‘no boiling required’ lasagna noodles
• 2 Cups shredded part-skim mozzarella

1. Place eggplant slices on a clean dish towel. Sprinkle lightly with salt. Set aside for about 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, dry off slices.

2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, garlic and saute for about 2 minutes. Stir often.

3. Add 1/2 tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper, oregano, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.

4. In a separate bowl, combine the parsley, ricotta, shredded zucchini, ½ tsp pepper.

5. Prepare a 13 X 9 baking dish with cooking spray. Spread ½ Cup tomato mixture in bottom of pan.

6. Place 4 lasagna noodles on top of tomato mixture, overlapping the noodles.

7. Arrange half of the eggplant slices on top of noodles.



8. Spread half of the cheese/zuke mixture on top of eggplant.



9. Place 4 more lasagna noodles on top of cheese.

10. Spread 1 cup of tomato mixture on top of lasagna noodles.

11. Repeat steps 7, 8, 9 and 10, using the balance of the eggplant, cheese and tomato mixture.

12. Evenly spread the mozzarella on top.



13. Spray foil with cooking spray and cover the pan.

14. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

15. Remove the foil and bake another 25 minutes or until brown and bubbly.

16. Let the lasagna sit for about 10 minutes before digging in.


I am trying something new this week. Click on the link for a printable copy: Vegetable Lasagna with Eggplant, Zucchini and Carrots.

What's your favorite way to eat lasagna? Let us know in the comments.

Thanks for reading FamilyBalanceSheet.

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This post is linked to:

• $5 Dinner Challenge
• Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
• Foodie Friday at Designs by Gollum
• Vegetarian Foodie Friday at Breastfeeding Moms Unite
• Grow. Eat. Save. at $5 Dinners
• Ultimate Recipe Swap at Life as MOM
  
  
  

Changing My Mindset From One of a First Use Consumer to One of Thrift

I'm not one for too many gadgets, but I found that I loved my salad spinner. We eat lots of salads and I liked how it spun the greens dry and I found my salads stayed fresh longer.

So I was very disappointed a few weeks ago when my salad spinner fell to the floor and shattered. I have had it for some time and it wasn't cheap. I paid about $30 for it when I bought it at a home party several years ago. I didn't want to spend $30 again and I'm embarrassed to say that I even spent $30 in the first place.

Unfortunately, my first thought was, "I'll pick one up the next time I'm at Target. I'm sure I can get one there for about $20, far cheaper than $30".

But last Wednesday as I was heading towards the library for Toddler story time, I passed a thrift store. There was a big sign that read "50% off Today" in front of the store. Over the summer, I saw tons of salad spinners at yards sales, so I figured there was a good chance of finding one in the thrift store. I guess it is an item that people buy, but never use. Well I use it and I wanted another one.

I have shopped at this store before, but it has been awhile since I chose thrift over new.

Bingo! There were 4 different ones to choose from and I chose one that was ticketed at $1.99, so I would get it for .99 with the 50% off sale.

As I was walking to my car, it occurred to me that the thrift store should have been my first thought, not Target. I need to re-train my brain that when I need something, I should check the thrift stores first.

Will I ever get over my Target compulsion? Hopefully, because .99 is a lot more better than $20.

What is your mindset? Is it one of a first use consumer or one of thrift?

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This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Life as Mom.

Roasted Red Plum Tomato Sauce ~ Great Freezer Recipe

What does a girl do with 19 pounds of organic plum tomatoes that she bought for $6?

Make sauce!

Two weeks ago, at the picnic/potluck that our CSA hosts annually, they offered boxes of organic plum tomatoes for $6. I couldn't pass it up and next year I will buy two boxes.

Roasted Red Plum Tomato Sauce

1. I sliced the tomatoes in half lengthwise and laid them flat, filling a rimmed baking sheet. I only have 2 baking sheets and I had to do this in two batches.

You don't need 19 lbs of tomatoes to make this sauce, just enough to fill a tray or two.

2. On each sheet I added:

• 1/4 C fresh oregano leaves
• 1/4 C fresh basil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp cracked pepper
• 2-3 garlic cloves

3. Coat the tomatoes generously with olive oil.


4. Roast two trays at a time at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Shift the trays. Move the top tray to the bottom and bottom tray to top. Roast another 30 minutes.

5. Carefully remove from the oven, because the tomatoes get juicy. Allow the tomatoes to cool slightly. With a pair of tongs, you should be able to remove the skins. Get as much as you can, but it is okay if some skins remain.

6. Once completely cool, blend the tomatoes, herbs and oil from the trays in the food processor. This will definitely take several batches to do. Place each batch in a big bowl to combine.

7. Stir the blended tomato sauce well. You might need to add additional salt and pepper to your taste.

8. You can use immediately or freeze in containers. I was able to make between 7-8 quarts from that 19 lb. box.

Did you make tomato sauce this season?

Thanks for reading FamilyBalanceSheet. If you would like to receive FREE updates of FBS through your RSS Feed, please click here to sign up. Or Subscribe by Email.

This post is linked to:

• $5 Dinner Challenge
• Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed with Grace
• Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
• Real Food Wednesday at Kelly the Kitchen Kop
• Frugal Friday at Life as MOM