Financial Planning 101

Murphy’s Law

Over the last few weeks, we have been taking a financial class to help us learn how to: Get out of debt, Stay debt free, and invest in the future. We have learned many great concepts that will help us achieve these goals.

The classes started in April, and soon after we attended our first one, Steve’s car broke ($800). This was just another reason why April sucked. We had made a decision to stop charging on our credit card and this happens. Great!

Murphy’s law: 
When you try to save money something expensive will happen.

 

 

This week we had some extra money come our way. We have already put a nice chunk towards debt this month, so we decided to use the extra money to build a fence that will keep Henry in the backyard this summer. This is a necessity.

Steve got online and estimated the cost of two side fences, and guess what? It worked out to be the same amount of the extra money. Nice!

We headed right out to Home Depot with our list of supplies. We decided to take Henry with us so that he wouldn’t cause trouble for Thomas who was in charge because Jonathon was on a Scout Campout.

This is what we came home to.

 

Thomas did this while we were gone – I guess you could call it an accident, but the point is that we had some extra money, then we spent it, and now it’s probably going to cost us the same amount to fix the window.

Luckily we were able to complete the first step in our financial plan, so we do have an emergence savings account. I just didn’t want to dip into so soon.

Things we learned today, Thomas is not responsible enough to be left in charge; there is always going to be something that requires your extra money; and making money answering questions on the internet is not worth your while. But that’s another story.

BTW: Does anyone know a good window guy?

More Vacation Pictures

With a lengthy post to follow

Who would have thought that this . . . . .

Would turn into this . . . . .

Uncle Paul and Dad got creative with the frosting.

I’m not too old to play in the bounce house, and I was even able to show the girls how to do flips and handsprings without getting hurt – unlike Steve who thought he could too, but was wrong.

Jack had fun playing outside, but even crawling on grass and concrete did not motivate him to walk.

Thomas

Jonathon

The boys

Ten out of twelve grandchildren – maybe one day we will get the other two in the picture.

Steve, his brother Paul and his sister Sandra

James and Jack

Long Month = Long Post

Warning: This is what happens when you don’t write anything for a whole month. This post is more for documenting the events than it is entertaining.

I don’t know if I can remember ever having a month seem as long as April. I guess it could be said that the last month of a pregnancy might be close, but usually the end result is joyful.

It’s a good thing that we were able to go to Vegas because that trip was like the calm before the storm.

We had one week from the time we got home from Vegas until we left for Florida. We decided to ship our clothes instead of checking baggage, because now they charge you per bag. If you don’t have to check bags, then you get to go straight to the gate, so that is an added bonus.

It is always a little overwhelming getting all of us through security and onto the plane. The kids were great. They might drive me crazy all of the other days of the year, but I will put up with it as long as they behave at the airport.

I hate to fly. I get sick on take-off and landing and during turbulence. I can usually keep everything down, but it’s such an icky feeling. Plus there’s always the horrible thought in the back of my mind that planes crash. Luckily we only had one bad upchuck moment, and that was on the way home. Hannah lost it when we flew into Atlanta for a plane change. It’s our fault, we forgot the Dramamine.

We flew into Tampa and so we had to drive for a couple of hours to get to Grandma’s house. It sure was nice to finally get out of the car. Everyone was so excited to finally be there.

The weather was perfect. I would like to never have to go back there in the summertime again. We stayed two nights at Grandma’s and then they put us up in a resort for the next week. The kids got to take turns sleeping over at Grandma’s.

On Friday we decided to leave the kids with grandma and go check into the resort. On the way we got into a fender bender in the rental car. I have to say that I think this put a damper on our entire vacation. We are still sorting out the details, because it’s our word against the other guys, but I’m telling you - He switched lanes into us.

 

On Saturday we headed back to Tampa to watch the Yankees play the Rays. We had great seats right behind the Yankee bullpen, it was fun, but it just wasn’t as exciting as going to a Yankee home game. The traffic was awful and we spent more time driving in the car than we did at the game, but at least they won.

 

Sunday was the day of the Bounce House. Steve’s parents rented one to keep the kids busy for the day. Steve’s mom also decided that we should celebrate everyone’s birthday because we were all there together.

Tuesday found us at The Magic Kingdom in Disneyworld. By this time the camera had run out of batteries, and we didn’t feel like digging up the charger so we don’t have any pictures. It doesn’t matter thought, because I think all of our Disney pictures always look the same.

We wrapped up our visit with a trip to Nana’s, where we all got to go for a golf cart ride and see a baby alligator that lives in one of the golf course ponds. Again, no pictures – I always forget the camera.

While we were there, I found out that my Grandpa up in Bear Lake was very sick. My mom didn’t want to worry us, but the doctors had only given him a few days. So as soon as we got home, I headed up to see him. There were many family members there and it was good to see everyone, even if the reason wasn’t the best.

By the time I got home, I felt like I had been away for the whole month. I was not even sure what day it was. Luckily there was nothing scheduled so I didn’t have to worry about remembering anything.

The rest of the month was long because I was always wondering when I would get that unwelcome phone call about grandpa.

Keith Weston Johnson 1922 - 2010

I got the call on Friday, April 30th.

I always remember Grandpa working - up in the barn or digging irrigation ditches or working on tractors. Even when he stopped working the ranch, he always had a project that he was working on.

I don’t remember him ever getting mad at us, but I do remember that he always let his opinion be known. You always knew if you drove too fast down the road when you came to visit, or if he didn’t like the logo on your shirt.

One day when we went to visit, grandpa asked us if we were renting an apartment and how much we paid. Then he went on  and on about how stupid it was to throw money away by renting. So Steve and I decided that we should look into buying a house. I am glad that I was able to see him when we got back from Florida.

This is his Obituary from the Herald Journal.

LAKETOWN, Utah - Keith Weston Johnson, 88, left this life peacefully at his home April 30, 2010. He was born in Laketown, Utah, on April 18, 1922, to Willis Dewitt and Lydia Ann Weston Johnson. He married Thelma Satterthwaite on Sept. 19, 1942, and was later sealed in the Logan LDS Temple on March 30 1959.

He was a man of varied interests and talents and was a civic leader. He gave generously of his time and means to the community and LDS Church. He served as president of the Rich County School Board and Bear Lake TV.

Keith has one passion in life, his love for livestock and the Big Creek Ranch. He devoted his life to good, hard, honest work. He was taught this ethic at an early age while working side by side with his father Dewitt.

Keith spent his life adding upon what his father started. He now passes that legacy of ranching to his sons.

Keith had a way with animals; his love and gentleness of them was always visible. His pets were his pals and always on his mind right to the end.

Keith loved and cared deeply for his family; they were what mattered most. He will be greatly missed and always remembered in our hearts. We are grateful we had the time we had and for the wealth of love and knowledge we all received.

He is survived by his wife Thelma; children: Joan (Mark) Mckinnon of Laketown, Utah; Dee (Gaye) Johnson of Dry Fork, Wyo.; Bonnie (Dewey) Forsberg of Logan, Utah; Philip (Bobbi) Johnson of Parker, Colo.; Nola (Farrell) Eastman of Millville, Utah; Kimberly (Brent) Roberts of Providence, Utah; Yale (Lisa) Johnson of Laketown, Utah.

Keith was preceded in death by his parents; a baby boy, Gilbert; two brothers and two sisters.

The family will have a private funeral at 11 a.m. Monday, May 3, 2010, at the Big Creek Ranch. Interment will be in the Big Creek Cemetery.

The Keith Johnson family will welcome friends to celebrate his life with them from 4 to 6 p.m. May 3, 2010, at their home.