"If I could, I would" Favorite of the Day

Melie Bianco 'Adele' Faux Leather Clutch
available @ Nordstroms, $58

A penny saved is a penny earned

I have the good fortune of being attached to a change hoarder. After looking at the giant jar of change long enough, we recently started rolling those pennies, nickels, and dimes. I’m happy to report that this little money saving strategy really does pay off. Who knew it could be so profitable.

Time spent rolling a bucket of change: Half an episode of 48 Hours Mystery
Money pocketed: $76
What it will pay for: Wedding bouquet in our “paid with cash, dave style” wedding
How proud Dave would be: Five Stars

It’s that time of year: Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is in full swing. It couldn’t have come at a more perfect time as I have been shopping for the perfect wedding dress that isn’t a total budget- buster. It was quickly decided there simply wasn’t enough time to order through a bridal salon, not to mention I didn’t want anything over the top bridal anyway. Since we are planning the whole Dave Ramsey “cash for everything” wedding, I also wasn’t looking to spend a pretty penny anyway. As a result, I quickly concluded an off-the-rack, department store find was the route for me. After a good deal of searching I ended up at the Nordstrom’s Bridal Suite and I was pleasantly surprised with both the selection and prices.
They had quite the array of choices and they all worked beautifully within my price point. I was easily able to find the perfect dress and I promptly ordered it (sorry...I am not willing to reveal it to the internet world at large quiet yet though) for $440. It was on the high end of my teeny, tiny budget but it was still within my range so I was completely content with the purchase. I was shocked, however, when a week later I saw the very same dress online for $239 as part of the Anniversary Sale. I would like to take this moment to sing the praises of Nordstrom’s most excellent pricing policy.
Sale Adjustment
If an item you have purchased is reduced in price within two weeks of your order date, we will happily adjust the sale price for you. Please note that we can only make one sale adjustment per item and designer goods originally purchased on sale are excluded.
I would like to point out that this is indeed true. They HAPPILY adjusted my price with zero hassle. The entire experience was painless and trouble-free. Kudos to excellent customer Service at Nordstrom’s and their super great pricing policy. It made my day!

Perfect dress for my big day: $440
“Whoa! It’s on sale now” price adjustment: - $201
Real cost to me: $239
High from getting a screaming deal: Deliciously priceless

Floored by how much I love this

New flooring for the dining room has been a project that has been repeatedly pushed off, mostly due to finances. After all, flooring isn’t exactly always a budget friendly expense. It was pushed even farther down on the totem pole when a little thing called wedding planning came into the picture. The problem with this is that, aesthetically speaking, this floor is a total eye sore and has been driving us totally bonkers. Driven to insanity and pushed by the lack of funds to change the situation, it was decided we needed to totally change gears and take a new approach.

It occurred to me that instead of hating this floor day in and day out, and willing it to be different to no avail; we should rather embrace it for what it is. It may be a totally ugly floor, but it is a totally blank slate that can be used and abused without consequences and made into absolutely anything we wish. Hence, we decided to transform our ugly floor into a conversation starter. Now we write, leave notes, scribble, jot down and draw anything we like. When guests visit, it can now serve as a guest book of sorts, allowing them to contribute phrases, comments, or notes as they wish. What was once ugly is still ugly, but it is also now fun, quirky, and most definitely uniquely our own. The words that cover it are filled with love, humor, dreams and inspiration. It doesn’t get any better than that.

We may not have the best of everything but we will certainly make the best of everything we have.

Cost:
Ugly floor – Painfully Free
Sharpie Marker - $1.99
Free mindless entertainment and endless conversation topics: Priceless

Progress

I've been living on the lean as part of a massive debt reduction overhaul. My master plan was to pay off $10k by year end. I am please to report that living the lifestyle of the flat and broke has seriously paid off. I am way ahead of the game and it is only May 1. I am super pumped about how much more I will actually eliminate in the next seven months.

Year to Date Debt Paid down: $8,149.43

and ps...still looking fabulous as ever.

Deal of the Day

Starbucks is celebrating Earth Day with a FREE coffee to those who use their reusable coffee mug.
Thank you Sbux!!!
$2.12 saved

Banana for Bananas

I have been forced to window shop as of late, but I promised to be true to my inner budget babe and I am sticking to the shopping budget I've outlined for myself. Thankfully, that doesn't stop a girl from looking, right?! A few more things I wish I could get at my fav Banana Republic.