Eric Holen

This month has been a little more difficult than normal with balancing finances.  It started with an unexpected $450 bill for Potter to have some surgery.  That followed with almost $160 for an air conditioner repair.  In addition to the unexpected expenses, Yvette and I were trying to set aside money for a short trip to El Paso.

All of these challenges reminded me of one of Yvette’s and my financial “backup plans”

It would have been very easy to have started hitting up a credit card when money started getting tight.  However, that would have hurt all of the work that Yvette and I have put into reducing our debt and not using credit.  Another option would have been to dip into our emergency savings account.  However, we have been reserving that for large unexpected expenses.  The solution, Wal-Mart gift cards.

A couple of years ago, Yvette and I started stocking up on Wal-Mart gift cards during the good times.  It started with one card that we received as a Christmas present.  We didn’t need anything at the time, so we stuck the gift card in a drawer.

Later we figured out that having Wal-Mart gift cards tucked away made a lot of sense.  While it would be better to have the money in a bank account, having the gift cards gave us another option for handling expenses without using credit during tight months.

How does it start?  First, during the good times, purchase a Wal-Mart gift card for $10, $20 or even $50 and then stick it in a drawer.  Repeat the process as needed to build an emergency stash.

Then when times are a little tight, pull out one of the gift cards.  Wal-Mart gift cards never expire.  In addition, they can be used for all of life’s little emergencies.  Need a tire for your vehicle?  Need milk, eggs or bread?  Need some medication?  All of those can be purchased at Wal-Mart.

Whatever situation you are in, make sure you have a “backup plan” for getting your through the month without depending on credit.

The house to the right of us, as we are standing on our porch, is up for sale yet again. This is the fifth time that the house has been up for sale since it was built and sometimes I wonder if we are driving away our neighbors.

Our home was the third built on our block. Sometime later, the beautiful two-story house to our right was built. I know it is beautiful because I would walk through it during the construction. Shortly after construction started, the first “For Sale” sign went up because the original owners (sale 1) walked out on the contract.

After it was built, the sister of one of my fellow firefighters, and her family, bought (sale 2) the home. They were there a couple of years, but we didn’t get to know them that well. We did have one run in with her husband on my birthday with the margarita machine.  We were a little loud in the backyard and got yelled at. They were there a couple of years and then moved on.

Next, a stay at home dad and his wife bought (sale 3) and moved into the home. Again, we didn’t get to know them very well. What we did know is that they were having marital problems given the occasional fights they would have that would spill into the driveway. While I cannot confirm, I believe they got a divorce, which resulted in the house being foreclosed.

Today, a wonderful couple from California, and their son and daughter-in-law, life in house (sale 4). Yvette and I made an effort to acquaint ourselves with the family and say hi whenever we could. They have several dogs who love to bark and play with our dogs through the fence. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, there is a for sale sign in their yard.

So if you are looking for a beautiful two-story house that sits next to some neighbors (us) who will run you off in couple of years, please stop by.

• Weight: 180.8 lbs | Goal: 160.0 lbs
• I lost 3.6 pounds last week. It’s been just over two weeks now, and Yvette and I still enjoy getting up at 4:20 a.m. to go work out.
• I was sick this past Tuesday and had my first sick day in almost 14 months. Luckily, it was a 24-hour bug and I was almost back to normal by Wednesday for a business trip to San Antonio.
• On Tuesday evening, Yvette and I had a scare with Jesse, our middle dog. In the evening, while I was laying sick on the couch, Yvette was calling out to Jesse, but he wouldn’t come. Finally, he crawled out from under our bed, but he wasn’t himself. After a little discussion, we took him to the Emergency Animal Hospital. They were wonderful with Jesse and us. They figured out that due to his weight, and jumping off the couch and bed, that he had strained his back. They gave his some medication for him and strict instructions on how to care for him. After almost a week, Jesse is almost back to his normal self. He still sleeps in a crate at night to prevent him from jumping off our bed. In addition, we have placed him on a diet.
• Yvette and I have just 3 games left and then the Texas Longhorns softball team’s regular schedule will be over. We are hoping for a good showing and the possibility of an NCAA appearance.
• Yvette and I celebrated 12 wonderful years of marriage on Sunday.
• Today, we got an email from our friend Melly about a planned camping trip for the end of May. We are excited and already looking forward to a couple of days at Canyon Lake. This will be our first camping trip of the season.