Well, it's officially been forever since I last blogged! I thought I would hop on over my lunch break and write about what's consumed most of my free time lately--running.
In early November, I finally decided to start training for a half marathon. I started running after I graduated in May 2010 and fell absolutely in love with it. The activity reminds me quite a bit of speech, in that the more you put in, the more you get out of it. I feel so healthy and actually look forward to my training runs during the week and long run on the weekends. I don't run to cancel out something I ate (well, usually anyhow!); I run because I love it.
The training process, however, has not been easy. I've had injuries in my feet, hamstring, both of my knees, and yes, even my butt (the dreaded "pain in the butt"!). My most recent injury (in the knee/hamstring) is finally getting better, which is a relief, considering the half marathon is in just two weeks! I'm definitely ready to run it, and I'm looking forward to the feeling of accomplishment afterward. But, after the fact, I'll be ready to rest and *finally* heal.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
The Envelope System
Kevin and I have *finally* merged all of our finances! After living as a single lady for three years, it is nice to have a joint income for once.
During our marriage counseling sessions at church, our pastor asked how we view money. It was a really great question (not one many people think about, unfortunately) and made us think critically about how we want to manage our money. We decided to view money as a tool, rather than something to get rid of as quickly as possible. Not knowing we both already read it, our pastor recommended that we pick up one of Dave Ramsey's books. You might call it cheesy, but his book is amazing and has changed our lives. Needless to say, we have been following his recommendations religiously.
For example, our personal spending money is allocated into envelopes each month. Kevin and I each get an envelope with a decided-upon-amount, and we can each use that for whatever that month--coffee drinks, eating out for lunch, clothes, video games, etc. Once the money is gone, you are done for the month. The theory is that seeing your money in the envelopes makes you spend less, and that has definitely held true so far. I have always lived by a written budget, but this system helps me stick to it so much more.
We are followers! :) I would highly, highly recommend Dave Ramsey's books to anyone.
During our marriage counseling sessions at church, our pastor asked how we view money. It was a really great question (not one many people think about, unfortunately) and made us think critically about how we want to manage our money. We decided to view money as a tool, rather than something to get rid of as quickly as possible. Not knowing we both already read it, our pastor recommended that we pick up one of Dave Ramsey's books. You might call it cheesy, but his book is amazing and has changed our lives. Needless to say, we have been following his recommendations religiously.
For example, our personal spending money is allocated into envelopes each month. Kevin and I each get an envelope with a decided-upon-amount, and we can each use that for whatever that month--coffee drinks, eating out for lunch, clothes, video games, etc. Once the money is gone, you are done for the month. The theory is that seeing your money in the envelopes makes you spend less, and that has definitely held true so far. I have always lived by a written budget, but this system helps me stick to it so much more.
We are followers! :) I would highly, highly recommend Dave Ramsey's books to anyone.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Semi-Extreme Couponing
One of my colleagues shared this website with me last week, and it has seriously revolutionized my life:
http://www.krazycouponlady.com/
Ever watch "Extreme Couponers" on TLC and think to yourself, "I don't have enough time to devote to something like that!"? Yeah, I used to as well. This website is like a cheat sheet for extreme couponers, and we have nabbed some amazing deals already. For example, did you know that Walgreen's, CVS and Target allow you to "stack" in-store coupons and manufacturer's coupons? Yeah, I didn't, either, until last week. If you find the item on clearance, you can often nab it for free or earn in-store credit if the coupons create an overage.
Below are just a few of our deals last week:
"Fall" Glade candles on sale at Target for $1.25 each. I had a $1.50 in-store coupon and $1 manufacturer's coupon for two Glade candles. With the coupons, I got them both for free!
Yesterday at Walgreen's
Brach's candy corn on sale for 2 bags for $3. I bought them for a pumpkin carving party and earned $1 "Register Reward" at Walgreen's. Their canned tomato sauce was on sale for 3 for $1, so I separated out the transactions (Brach's, then the tomato sauce), and got all three cans of tomato sauce for free with my register reward!
I only spend an hour (maybe two) each Sunday coordinating the deals and scoping out Krazy Coupon Lady. We have already saved a ton of money! Don't worry, we haven't created a "stockpile"...yet. :)
http://www.krazycouponlady.com/
Ever watch "Extreme Couponers" on TLC and think to yourself, "I don't have enough time to devote to something like that!"? Yeah, I used to as well. This website is like a cheat sheet for extreme couponers, and we have nabbed some amazing deals already. For example, did you know that Walgreen's, CVS and Target allow you to "stack" in-store coupons and manufacturer's coupons? Yeah, I didn't, either, until last week. If you find the item on clearance, you can often nab it for free or earn in-store credit if the coupons create an overage.
Below are just a few of our deals last week:
"Fall" Glade candles on sale at Target for $1.25 each. I had a $1.50 in-store coupon and $1 manufacturer's coupon for two Glade candles. With the coupons, I got them both for free!
Yesterday at Walgreen's
Brach's candy corn on sale for 2 bags for $3. I bought them for a pumpkin carving party and earned $1 "Register Reward" at Walgreen's. Their canned tomato sauce was on sale for 3 for $1, so I separated out the transactions (Brach's, then the tomato sauce), and got all three cans of tomato sauce for free with my register reward!
I only spend an hour (maybe two) each Sunday coordinating the deals and scoping out Krazy Coupon Lady. We have already saved a ton of money! Don't worry, we haven't created a "stockpile"...yet. :)
Sunday, October 23, 2011
It's getting crafty in the Freudenburg household.
During the wedding planning process, I became absolutely obsessed with crafting. What's funny is that I never knew I enjoyed crafts so much, at least as an adult. Growing up, my Mom always had us doing a craft of some sort, whether bird houses, ceramics or painting classes. When I started using Etsy for wedding decorations, I started wondering: Could I do that--for a fraction of the cost? In many cases, the answer was yes!
I'm hoping to use my new-found love for crafting to decorate our apartment and future home. While we were on our honeymoon in Montreal, I couldn't get over the beautiful Fall leaves and wanted to encapsulate them for us to remember. I picked up a few of the most beautiful leaves at Mont Royal and just finished this craft project:
I absolutely love how they turned out! I love DIY blogs and thought I'd share my trick. You will need:
-Fall leaves - Free!
-Three frames (always 50% off at Hobby Lobby) - $6 each for $18 total
-Mod Podge (with 40% Hobby Lobby Coupon) - $3
-Sponge applicators - $.99
-Linen paper - $.33 each for $.99 total
-Total: Approx. $23 and the best honeymoon souvenir ever!
I'm hoping to use my new-found love for crafting to decorate our apartment and future home. While we were on our honeymoon in Montreal, I couldn't get over the beautiful Fall leaves and wanted to encapsulate them for us to remember. I picked up a few of the most beautiful leaves at Mont Royal and just finished this craft project:
I absolutely love how they turned out! I love DIY blogs and thought I'd share my trick. You will need:
-Fall leaves - Free!
-Three frames (always 50% off at Hobby Lobby) - $6 each for $18 total
-Mod Podge (with 40% Hobby Lobby Coupon) - $3
-Sponge applicators - $.99
-Linen paper - $.33 each for $.99 total
-Total: Approx. $23 and the best honeymoon souvenir ever!
Sunday, September 25, 2011
We're Married!
I started this blog when I moved to Austin, Texas ten months ago, as an homage to my life as an 'engaged, recent graduate taking on Texas'. Well, sadly, between being engaged and beginning life as a Texan, my grandiose plans to begin blogging on a regular basis failed. Very quickly.
My husband, Kevin, and I got married one week ago, on September 17, 2011. The wedding went off without a hitch (aside from getting hitched!), and now that I have significantly more time on my hands, I want to use this blog as a means for keeping our families updated on our day-to-day events. So, attempt two is the Freudenburg blog: the life of newlyweds and their (very) furry canine.
Kevin and I just got back from our honeymoon in Montreal, which was absolutely amazing! If asked whether I would recommend Montreal as a honeymoon destination, it would definitely depend on the person. Kevin and I are people who would get desperately bored lying around all day eating and drinking. That said, we are super excited to get home and put together our lives in our tiny, 500 square foot apartment. I think that's a good sign. :)
More to come! I plan to blog our honeymoon very shortly.
My husband, Kevin, and I got married one week ago, on September 17, 2011. The wedding went off without a hitch (aside from getting hitched!), and now that I have significantly more time on my hands, I want to use this blog as a means for keeping our families updated on our day-to-day events. So, attempt two is the Freudenburg blog: the life of newlyweds and their (very) furry canine.
Kevin and I just got back from our honeymoon in Montreal, which was absolutely amazing! If asked whether I would recommend Montreal as a honeymoon destination, it would definitely depend on the person. Kevin and I are people who would get desperately bored lying around all day eating and drinking. That said, we are super excited to get home and put together our lives in our tiny, 500 square foot apartment. I think that's a good sign. :)
More to come! I plan to blog our honeymoon very shortly.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
A one-month Texan
*waves* I'm still here!
I don't actually know who reads this (if anybody), but I find writing oddly rejuvenating. So, I plan to continue writing. I'm hoping for a joint Christine-Kevin blog post-September.
In a few words: I love my life here. The decision to move was terrifying, but I can't imagine the contrary: staying in Omaha. If I'd stayed, I wouldn't know how amazing I would (eventually) feel about my job and life in Austin. Some risks are worth taking, and in this case, I know that adage applies to my life/job in the short- and long-term.
So...what are my first impressions of Austin? Where do I even begin?
Austin is an incredibly green/liberal/eclectic city, despite being the seat of a very conservative state government. Although Texans tend to drive more, and typically in very large vehicles, Austin is arranged in a way that encourages biking/walking/generally being active. My apartment is literally across the street from the 'Greenbelt', which is a nature reserve in Austin. If you know me, you know that I absolutely love nature and being outside. Perfecto!
Austin is also very famous for its food trucks. I freakin' love that. Good food for less moolah always gets my thumbs up. Last year, Austin hosted a weekend event, where all local food trucks relocated to one area. The event was bombarded, with 200+ people in line for each food truck. Hilarious, right? Many of the trucks are multi-million dollar operations. Genius. Something tells me a food truck isn't hard to pay off.
Austin is very affordable. For example, gas hasn't surpassed $3 per gallon, and the gas station closest to my apartment hasn't surpassed $2.90 per gallon. My apartment is also minutes from downtown; less than 5 minutes from work; and located in the most popular zip code, but I pay the same as my apartment in Omaha. Nebraskans tend to be reticent about relocating, for fear that living costs will be substantially higher. At least in Austin, it hasn't been an adjustment...at all. I save more per month than I did in Omaha. Again, some risks are worth taking!
My list could go on and on, and I'm sure I'll add to it with time. I miss my friends and family in Nebraska. A lot. That's a given. I don't like to think of my move as, literally, 'moving away' from them, though. Instead, I'm adding great people to my life, and the glass is definitely half full.
I don't actually know who reads this (if anybody), but I find writing oddly rejuvenating. So, I plan to continue writing. I'm hoping for a joint Christine-Kevin blog post-September.
In a few words: I love my life here. The decision to move was terrifying, but I can't imagine the contrary: staying in Omaha. If I'd stayed, I wouldn't know how amazing I would (eventually) feel about my job and life in Austin. Some risks are worth taking, and in this case, I know that adage applies to my life/job in the short- and long-term.
So...what are my first impressions of Austin? Where do I even begin?
Austin is an incredibly green/liberal/eclectic city, despite being the seat of a very conservative state government. Although Texans tend to drive more, and typically in very large vehicles, Austin is arranged in a way that encourages biking/walking/generally being active. My apartment is literally across the street from the 'Greenbelt', which is a nature reserve in Austin. If you know me, you know that I absolutely love nature and being outside. Perfecto!
Austin is also very famous for its food trucks. I freakin' love that. Good food for less moolah always gets my thumbs up. Last year, Austin hosted a weekend event, where all local food trucks relocated to one area. The event was bombarded, with 200+ people in line for each food truck. Hilarious, right? Many of the trucks are multi-million dollar operations. Genius. Something tells me a food truck isn't hard to pay off.
Austin is very affordable. For example, gas hasn't surpassed $3 per gallon, and the gas station closest to my apartment hasn't surpassed $2.90 per gallon. My apartment is also minutes from downtown; less than 5 minutes from work; and located in the most popular zip code, but I pay the same as my apartment in Omaha. Nebraskans tend to be reticent about relocating, for fear that living costs will be substantially higher. At least in Austin, it hasn't been an adjustment...at all. I save more per month than I did in Omaha. Again, some risks are worth taking!
My list could go on and on, and I'm sure I'll add to it with time. I miss my friends and family in Nebraska. A lot. That's a given. I don't like to think of my move as, literally, 'moving away' from them, though. Instead, I'm adding great people to my life, and the glass is definitely half full.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Move
We're here!
After getting back from Houston, Kevin, my Dad and I moved me out of 68124 and into 78746 within 48 hours. Here's the run-down: got back from Houston at 5:30pm on December 28th; packed up apartment from 5:30pm onward; picked up U-Haul at 11am on December 29th; cleaned and moved out of apartment by 4pm.
We immediately left for Austin at 4pm, and stopped at a hotel for (only) four hours in Wichita, KS. Kevin, Sadie, the rig and I pulled up to my apartment in Austin at 5pm on December 30th. For perspective, we had to be there by 6pm, or would need to wait until January 2nd. Yep, we planned the trip well...perhaps a bit too well for comfort.
My sister, brother-in-law and nephew helped me move in on December 31st. After they left, Kevin and I went to the famous Chuy's restaurant, and had delicious Tex-Mex on our first full, rested evening in Austin. Um, possibly not too restful, though. Instead of going out, we decided to rent a Redbox. We both fell asleep on the couch at 9:30pm, though, and missed the countdown altogether. Ah, well, sometimes our bodies know best.
We're now getting things sorted away in the apartment, and generally enjoying our time here. I start my job tomorrow, and absolutely cannot wait.
Cheers to a new city, a new year and a new job!
After getting back from Houston, Kevin, my Dad and I moved me out of 68124 and into 78746 within 48 hours. Here's the run-down: got back from Houston at 5:30pm on December 28th; packed up apartment from 5:30pm onward; picked up U-Haul at 11am on December 29th; cleaned and moved out of apartment by 4pm.
We immediately left for Austin at 4pm, and stopped at a hotel for (only) four hours in Wichita, KS. Kevin, Sadie, the rig and I pulled up to my apartment in Austin at 5pm on December 30th. For perspective, we had to be there by 6pm, or would need to wait until January 2nd. Yep, we planned the trip well...perhaps a bit too well for comfort.
My sister, brother-in-law and nephew helped me move in on December 31st. After they left, Kevin and I went to the famous Chuy's restaurant, and had delicious Tex-Mex on our first full, rested evening in Austin. Um, possibly not too restful, though. Instead of going out, we decided to rent a Redbox. We both fell asleep on the couch at 9:30pm, though, and missed the countdown altogether. Ah, well, sometimes our bodies know best.
We're now getting things sorted away in the apartment, and generally enjoying our time here. I start my job tomorrow, and absolutely cannot wait.
Cheers to a new city, a new year and a new job!
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