I think we all have our guilty pleasures. For me, I like to buy music … for my husband, it’s lunch at Subway every day. When making our budget each month, I like to allow for those things.

One of the easiest ways to do this is to purchase a gift card. For example, I know how much music I can afford to buy each month. I’ve set my limit at $10. On the first of each month, I buy a $10 iTunes gift card. When it’s gone, it’s gone and I don’t have anything else to spend until the following month.

If your kids are constantly hounding you at the store for toys and treats, consider getting them a gift card at the beginning of the month as well. Not only will it be a quick math lesson, but it will also help them learn the value of money and budgeting. (Allow them to carry over their balance on the gift card from one month to the next! It could be a great savings lesson.)

* This post is part of a weekly segment on KSBJ Christian Radio. For more on segments featuring Stephanie Click, the Texas Money Mom, click here.

I love television … I actually should be picked up by a network as a television anaylist. The DVR and “Instant Viewing” are the best things to ever come about in my book. So, with that said, I thought I would write about the 10 shows that I love.

In no particular order:

(1) Designing Women: Oh how I love the Sugarbaker Sisters. I’m thrilled that you can now buy some of the early seasons on DVD. Even though these were shot in the early 80s, they still put me in stitches.

(2) Desperate Housewives: I’ve been with the women of Wisteria Lane from the first episode. I’ve written before about how I can see elements of myself in each of the main characters. I truly love this show.

(3) Toddlers and Tiaras/Little Miss Perfect: I’m the biggest pageant buff on the planet. It’s a miracle from above that Piper has only been in one pageant. I guess that proves that even I can offer up restraint when it comes to protecting my children from my crazy ways!

(4) Grey’s Anatomy: I’m a Grey’s newbie. I’ll admit that I always wondered what the fuss was about. Now, thanks to Netflix, I know why everyone’s been crazy for this show. I’m up to the present season and can’t wait to watch all of it before the series comes back in September.

(5) Little People, Big World: My co-workers always make fun of me for watching this show, but I love it. The values that Amy tries to instill in her family are respectable. I hope they make it and don’t fall into Reality TV divorce court.

(6) Jon and Kate Plus 8: If I had a dollar for everytime that my husband has rolled his eyes at Kate, I’d surely be a millionaire. Let’s face it, we’re watching (or watched) because the kids are so darn cute.

(7) Design Star: HGTV is my middle name. I’m sad to say that we are on the particular cable package that we are because it offered HGTV in HD. It’s true. The colors pop and it just makes the whole project come to life. Now, if one of those designers would just get over to my place!

(8) Brothers and Sisters: I’ve been a Calista Flockhart fan since Ally McBeal. Brothers and Sisters is another of those shows that I was able to watch and get caught up to present day with Netflix. It’s a great drama and in a lot of ways reminds me of my husband’s family … minus the drama and gay brother.

(9) So You Think You Can Dance: My dancer days are probably over (ahem … two kids/mommy body). But, that doesn’t mean that I don’t appreciate good choreography and want to stay current with the latest trends. There are some awesome kids that come through this program, not to mention some incredible soundtracks.

(10) Glee: Oh how Glee makes my heart happy. I own every soundtrack … I rearrange my life to watch every episode. Oh, if only high school had allowed me to sing up and down the halls with a hottie like Finn. What a wonderful world

Although I don’t formally practice all of the principles of Dave Ramsey, I do believe in his concepts. One of those is spending every penny before the month starts. Of course, you can’t do that if you don’t have a budget.

Last year, I bought a Bill Organizer from a fall fundraiser that my son’s school sponsored. I thought I had it all figured out until I actively started using this portfolio. Seeing who we were paying, when and how much – written down every month – really opened my eyes to what was going out on a recurring basis.

For families, summer often brings different expenses. During the month of May, I took the opportunity to look at how things would change and what adjustments I could make to pad our emergency fund. Since the accident, I’m so glad that I did … it really saved us from scrambling around!

Last night, I looked at the budget again setting things up for the fall. The kids will return to daycare, extracurricular activities begin again, and things will change again. It’s nice to have things lined out so that I can be prepared in advance.

More than anything, though, it gives me a chance to see what expenses can be cut out. Now that I’ve been doing this (pretty intensely) for over a year, there isn’t much left to cut. But, for example, it gave me a chance to look at the couple of goodies that we still enjoy … Netflix, for example. We’re on the 1 disc at a time plan. Although we don’t use the disc service much, the kids use the Instant Streaming to the Wii everyday. It costs around $10/month, but because these movies are available to us at any time – it’s kept us from buying a lot of DVDs to entertain the kids. We use it all the time, so I chose to keep it.

If you are interested in really seeing where your money is going, I recommend starting with the web-based program “Mint.com“. You enter your account information and it tracks your spending. By using the category feature, it allows you to be very in-depth with your transactions. I used the program for a month and then printed a report to see if my written budget matched what I was actually spending. It can be eye opening, trust me!

Any tips that you’d like to share are welcome. The best learning when it comes to budgeting, I think, comes from those that are doing it too! Leave a comment … let’s learn from each other!

Do you ever have those times when your life starts to sprinkle …

… and then it picks up a little more …

… … and then the bottom completely drops out ….?

That’s where I am right now.

I can’t pinpoint when the sprinkles started. I tend to deal with those fairly well. The light rain for me comes when finances begin to get involved. I’m extremely cautious with money. If I’m ever stressed out, it would be a safe bet that it has to do with money. I love to live by a monthly budget and when things don’t fall into that plan – I begin the silent freak-out.

Things were already tight this month. We had a week of paying full daycare for both kids (double yikes) and a car trip to Kentucky which cost 5.5 tanks of gas. Those two things, above and beyond our other expenses, have made June one of those months when the belt is tightened.

Then, on Monday, the bottom dropped out and I’m pretty sure I even heard some thunder. It happened around 11:45 AM as we were traveling through Memphis. At the split of an interstate, a semi came into the right lane cutting off traffic. There was a pileup in which we were the last car. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

I haven’t been involved in an accident since I was 16, so this was a new adventure for me. The first thing I did was grab my iPhone and open up my Progressive Insurance app. It had my insurance information and the information for filing a claim. Hallelujah for Progressive being so easy to deal with …

But, of course, all the way home I wondered where this $500 deductible was going to come from. Thankfully, we have a low deductible … but USING it wasn’t in my list of things to do this month.

Now, on top of all this, I’ve hurt my back. Actually, I hurt it early last week scrubbing the toilet. (Leave it to me to pull a muscle cleaning … that’s how I roll.)  It was getting a little better, but I think the wreck didn’t help. Now, it’s really bad. Any normal year, I would pack up and head to the doctor … but this year I decided to take part in an HSA insurance program. Since it’s a savings plan, I have to foot all medical costs upfront.

Medical Costs + Already Stressed Out + Car Deductible = Wake me up July 1.

Avery wearing a shirt that I ordered before our trip to Disney in 2007.

You can’t step one foot on Disney property without being bombarded with merchandise … and most of it will be wearables. My kids typically don’t ask for a lot of wearables, but some of that may be because Mickey brings so many on the first night!

The secret is pre-buying. My partner-in-crime is Disney Shopping. When they have a sale, I buy and put it away for the trip. You can typically get t-shirts on sale for $5.99 during a good sale. PJ Pals (pajama sets) will also be less than $10. It’s a great way to give your kids something new without spending a bloody fortune!

(Right now, Disney Shopping is doing their twice a year sale. It’s an awesome time to stock up!)

Another great place to shop is Disney Outlet. This site gets what doesn’t sell out on Disney Shopping. It’s like Goodwill – there is something different every time you visit. Occasionally, you luck out and find a treasure!

Don’t forget to buy t-shirts even if you are going in a cooler month. Layer with a Wal-Mart, Target, or Old Navy plain, long-sleeved tee underneath and you still have a great bargain!

My kids have always gone to daycare … I mean, they practically went from the hospital nursery to the daycare nursery. For them, it’s been a constant in their life.

I can only remember one time where we seriously contimplated me staying home and that was when we moved to Texas. But for the lifestyle that we enjoy and want to lead, both parents working is the only option. And, truthfully, I have always believed that working makes me a better mom. I’m much more appreciative of our hours as a family in the morning and at night. I believe that I would take that time for granted more often with babies on my hip 24/7.

Our decisions are not everyone’s … and that’s fine. Each family has to decide what is best for them as parents, for them as a family, and for their child. But, for our kids, we have found that the lessons they learned in daycare have made the transition to elementary school so much smoother.

I have parents ask me quite often “How do I pick a center?” I wanted to take a moment and tell you the top 5 things that I would consider:

1. In our case, we have found “You get what you pay for.” That’s not always true. But in our experience, it really has been that way. Although the prices for daycare are daunting (especially with more than one child), remember that you don’t want to skimp on who is responsible for your child all day.

2. Ask about “bumping”. This was a new term to me until I did a short stint in the daycare world. “Bumping” is terminology for moving your child to another class temporarily while teachers take a break or if the number of kids in a class goes over the state maximum. My kids had been in a center for 2 years before I found out that this was a common occurrence. I, personally, only wanted my kids to be with the teacher that I knew. In an emergency, ok … no problem. But, I did not want my kids bumped because the center didn’t plan for adequate staff.

3. We didn’t run into this until we entered the after school world, but ask about the plan for after school care. Is it strictly a childcare service? Will there be a time to complete homework? Is there a curriculum for the after school children?

4. Know the teacher. Know their name and be friendly with them. If they feel comfortable with you, they will feel led to share more and communicate more. The same goes for the rest of the staff. We have had great relationships with the vast majority of our teachers. It works in the favor of your child and in the favor of the teacher.

5. I strongly recommend, if at all possible, choosing a center with cameras in each class. We have had that for the last 3 years. I log in constantly (as do my inlaws). There is a huge level of accountability for the teachers that way. Every thing is on film. Not only is it a safety net for me, it’s a safety net for them. Once I thought I saw something strange with my daughter on the camera. I called the center immediately and asked them to check. It turned out to be a weird shadow and we were able to get the mix up cleared on the spot. It was so nice for me to have that piece of mind. Transversely, my kids  know that I watch those cameras several times during the day. They know that I can see them chatting or not doing their work or being unruly. It keeps them in line too.

Although it’s not for everyone, daycare is a great option for many. If you ask the right questions, stay involved, and do your homework on the center – it can be great for your child.

If you have additional questions, feel free to email me personally {stephanie (at) stephanieclick (dot) com}. And, if your kids are in daycare, use the comments section to share your advice for other parents!

Many people don’t have access to a large Sunday newSpaper because of where they live geographically. Then, there are those who do buy a well-stocked Sunday edition, but hate to buy multiples just for the few coupons that they will use.

There is an alternative. Buy your coupons online.

There are several sources that you can choose from, but I use The Coupon Clippers. The coupons that they offer are a fair price and they ship quickly. Since most sales are only for 1 week – that’s very important to me.

The site is very easy to search and it even tells you how many coupons of each item are available! Now that’s convenience … But, my favorite part is that they are active on Facebook and Twitter. I love that they use these mediums to tell customers when coupons are restocked, to remind us of shipping deadlines, and to help spread the word on great nationwide sales.

Every coupon clipping site is different, try several and see what works for you. The main thing is not to pass up a great sale because you are missing the coupons that you need!

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 1 Samuel 1:27

Dear Avery,

I can not ever remember a time when I didn’t want to be a mom. Like so many little girls, I was rarely found without a baby doll on my hip. I had dozens of them … all named and each with their own pretend personality. I prepared myself as a child for the day that you would arrive.

And so it came, June 9, 2003 … the day that I’d waited my whole life for. The birth of a baby to be all mine. Would you be a boy or a girl? Only the ultrasound technician knew – you were a gift from God and our big surprise.

You entered this world so peacefully and easily. I’m not the least bit surprised when I look back now … that’s exactly how you are. Calm, well-behaved, and controlled - even 7 years later.

Little boy, your personality is so much like mine. I can look at you and read you from cover to cover without you uttering a word. I feel your pains and your joys. We have a special bond and friendship because of that, and although it makes me carry your weight a little heavier than I might otherwise, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I love every little thing about you. Your smile can light up an entire room. I love that when you tell a story, you are so engaged that you can block out the entire world around you. I adore that you pick out the harmony parts to songs on the radio and don’t understand why other’s can’t do that too. I smile when I think about the fact that when you really LOVE something … you love it forever. (How many times have we watched the movie “Cars”? Or listened to the song “Fireflies”?) You love with your whole heart … nothing less.

Most of all, I thank you that even at the age of 7, you are already the glue of our family. It’s you, sweet little boy, that invented “Click Family Game Night”. And even when your dad and I would rather just watch you and Piper play, you are the one that insists that we can only play a 4 player game or it doesn’t count as “Family Game Night”. And, in the end, I’m always glad that you did.

You, Avery, are my joy and light. And, although I shutter at the mere thought of you being 7, I can not wait to see where you go in the future. The world is yours and I’m behind you wherever it takes you.

Happy Birthday, Punky … you’re the sweetest child I’ve ever known.

I love you,
Mommy

One of our favorite things to do at Disney World is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. This is a highlight for not only the kids, but also for us as parents. Located in Downtown Disney and in Cinderella Castle, little girls (and boys … but more on that in a minute) are transformed by Fairy Godmothers in Training. We’ve done this twice and plan to take part again this year. If you want to see Disney Magic in action – this is a must do.

Girls can pick three hairstyles: Fairytale Princess, Disney Diva, or Pop Princess. We’ve done Fairytale Princess each time. If you have an older girl/tween, they may like Disney Diva or Pop Princess since they involve colored hair extensions and some more “hip” selections.

First, you’ll need to pick a package: Coach, Crown or Castle.

• Coach Package includes hairstyle and make-up. Cost starts at $49.95
• Crown Package includes hairstyle, make-up and nails. Cost starts at $54.95.
• Castle Package includes hairstyle, make-up, nails, photos and costume. Cost starts at $189.95.

We’ve always done the Coach package. It’s plenty of pampering for my daughter. Since the only difference between the Coach and Crown is the nails, we paint hers beforehand. She’s never noticed the difference!

Now, to make the Coach package get the same “bang” as the Castle package, we bring our own costume. We’ve done Cinderella and Snow White. One costume I got at Target and the other I bought on DisneyShopping the week after Halloween when it was on clearance. I hide the costume in our suitcase, then the morning that we go to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, I lay out the costume and tell Piper that the Princesses brought it during the night and left it especially for her!

I’ve paid about $25 for the costumes that I’ve purchased. In the parks, these same costumes will cost between $65-80.

The morning of our BBB appointment, I wash Piper’s hair (they prefer clean hair with no products), throw on the dress and head out.

The BBB has two locations at Disney World: Downtown Disney and in Cinderella Castle. We’ve done both locations. I prefer the castle location only because it’s cool to be made into a princess inside of a castle. There is no difference other than that – both locations are equally as grand.

Girls may pick the colors of make-up that are used. (They are all in good taste!)

Finished Product - Coach Package with a costume brought from home.

Each package also includes this cool rhinestone barette

The day of your BBB visit is an awesome time to do a character meal!

The first year that we did BBB with Piper, there wasn’t a package available for boys. I took Piper to do her thing, and Don took Avery to ride the thrill rides that Piper wasn’t tall enough to ride. Can you tell how this story ends? Yes, we had one very sad little boy. In fact, we visited the Princesses later in the day and Belle asked Avery what was wrong. He replied “All I wanted was a little glitter.” (That statement still mortifies Don …)

Low and behold if the next year the “Cool Dude” package wasn’t introduced at the BBB. Thank heavens. For the price of $7.50, Fairy Godmothers in Training will transform your average looking little boy into the coolest dude you’ve ever seen! Colorful hair gel, Disney confetti, and a painted Mickey stencil on their head … it is super cute and super cheap!

The finished product

Be prepared to find Disney confetti everywhere for the next 3 months

Mickey Stencil painted on the back of Avery's head

Important Things to Know:

1. Parents and grandparents are allowed to accompany guests back to watch the transformation. Bring a camera and a video camera. Both are allowed.
2. No tips are accepted.
3. Photopass Photographers are on site. Take advantage of it. They get some great shots.
4. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is for girls and boys aged 3 years and older.
5. Reservations are accepted 180 days out by calling (407) WDW-STYLE

Both Downtown Disney and the Magic Kingdom have locations with Photopass Photographers and studio backdrops that you can visit to afterward. Ask for directions and head that way. We’ve taken advantage of both places and have had great luck.

If you go the Photopass route (which I recommend), there is a BBB watermark that you can add onto photos free of charge should you wish to do that. If you get more than 3 great photos during your “transformation”, you’ll pay for the entire Photopass CD for the price of printing those 3 prints on Disney property.

First Day of School

The last day of school, as a mom, is always so bittersweet. It’s like a child’s birthday – the end of another milestone. This year was the first time that both of my kids were in school. Avery was in 1st grade and Piper in Kindergarten.

Each child had their sets of challenges and successes. Overall, the year ended on a great note. Avery received several awards at the end of the year and was accepted into the Challenge program. (Our district’s equalivant of a Gifted/Talented program.) Piper is reading like a champ and has completely exceeded all of our expectations.

Over the past few days, I’ve thought so much about this year. Mostly it’s been “where has the time gone?” But, more than that, I have loved looking at the pictures I took on the first day of school compared to the last day of school.

I love how confident the kids look on the last day. I’m so proud of them … they’ve come a long way!