Budgeting! I know I know, it's not fun BUT (as Dave Ramsey would say)...If you live like no one else, LATER you can live like no one else. Think about that.
Last Christmas my parents bought me Dave Ramsey's Starter kit: a couple of books, an audio series and the envelope system. It honestly changed my life. Since then I have worked my way through the baby steps and last week was able to complete baby Step 3! I can't even describe how this feels - living debt free with a fully funded emergency fund! I have worked my butt off this last year, said NO to a lot of things. It wasn't easy, but nothing worth having ever is, right?
One of my life goals is to be able to retire comfortably and be financially free. I want to encourage you to start planning for your future now - because there is no better time, and it's never too early, or late for that matter.
Having a written based budget is one of the first steps towards financial freedom. You need to tell all of your money where to go every month with a ZERO-BASED BUDGET: Income minus all expenses equals zero.
So, write down your income on one side of the paper and on the other ALL of your expenses. Any "extra" should be assigned to something - emergency fund, paying off debt, retirement, college fund, etc. There should be ZERO left over each month.
Review your budget before the beginning of every month and change it as needed. Now get started!
Wednesday nights are busy in our house: online classes, volleyball and work. So a recipe like this is perfect. It is quick, easy, healthy AND has pasta...Who doesn't love pasta? I have been cooking this meal for awhile now and it is always a hit, and is great leftover. I made sautéed mushrooms as a side also. Enjoy!
Shrimp Scampi Linguine
Ingredients:
• 9 oz whole wheat linguine
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 lb medium shrimp, peeled
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 tsp red-pepper flakes
• 1 pt cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 c dry white wine
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 c packed baby spinach leaves
• 1/4 c finely chopped parsley
• 1/2 c grated Parmesan
Directions:
1.Prepare pasta per package directions.
2.Heat oil in large frying pan over medium heat while pasta cooks. Add shrimp, garlic, and red-pepper flakes and cook until shrimp start to turn pink, about 2 minutes.
3.Add tomatoes, wine, lemon juice, and salt. Cook until tomatoes start to soften, about 1 minute. Add spinach and parsley and cook until spinach wilts, about 1 minute.
4.Drain pasta and add to pan. Toss to coat and serve sprinkled with cheese.
*Based on recipe from Prevention
