Here's a pic of my new sink and granite counters.... I absolutely love how everything turned out! We got them installed yesterday and tonight the realtor is coming over to start the process of listing our house (again). Wish us luck!!

Ok, we tried selling our house last year with no luck. We want to try it again beginning April 1. We decided to get rid of our laminate countertops and get granite installed. The cost will be $3800. Cross your fingers and toes that this will make the difference and that our house will sell this time around. We are doing the demo in the kitchen this weekend and should have the install done within 10 days, ready for our April 1 listing date. And... if the house doesn't sell, then I get to enjoy brand new granite countertops!

Spring fever must be hitting me right now. I am in the mood to clean out my house and straighten up my life. For the past week, I've organized my closets, cabinets, and junk drawers. I have found a whole year's supply of contacts that I now remembered ordering and stashing so that I didn't have to go back to the eye doctor for another year. I totally forgot about these and I was going to place an order within the next month or so! I found 2 full size brand new containers of DH's favorite hair gel. I've donated bags of stuff to Goodwill. I've thrown away so much clutter that has literally just sat in our house for the past 5 years. It feels great! I highly recommend everyone to find a drawer or closet and get at it! I did an area each night for a week and it was painless.

A 2011 financial goal was to reach the $20,000 mark in our E-fund. I deposited a $100 credit card reward check today bringing the balance up to.... drum roll.... $20,049.28!!!!!!!! Now, let's cross our fingers that we won't see any kind of emergencies for a while so that I can enjoy seeing that awesome number. Wahoo!!!

Other random updates:
I gave my sister a blank check for her birthday payable to her power company. She's the one that is in a huge financial mess. The bill was for $210.55. I asked her how much of the bill was for late fees and penalties and she didn't even know the answer to that... it's quite sad. But, oh well, it's nice to be able to help her when I can (I only give her money for holidays instead of buying her nonsense so as to not try to enable her family's bad money habits). She did tell me that she went and applied for food stamps and other family aid which is about time in my opinion.

My co-worker is making great progress on her financial situation. She made it through Christmas without having to charge a dime. There are still a few debts that she has left to pay off but I see her getting to the finish line within the next year or two.