Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

This Christmas we did not spend as much money as we did last year and our family was just as happy or maybe even happier than last year. That just goes to show that Christmas is not about receiving gifts, but being with family and the people you love. Our family gathered at my mom and we enjoyed the entire day. We must remember, Jesus is the reason for the season. We must enjoy life with our love ones while we have the chance, because tomorrow is not promised to any of us.

Have a Happy New Year and be safe. See ya next month.

~The Canty's~

The Big Question

Did yal win?! Answer, we're still in it. We want to thank our families and friends for all the support we've received throughout this year. I'm am so proud of both of the men in my life. We've learned a lot of new things and ways to save money and how to go about enjoying life without spending so much money. This has been a life lesson for all of us and we hope we can help some others along the way.

Again, we thank you all for your support. See you in January for the BIG announcement.

~The Canty's~

Happy Birthday

While everyone is doing their Christmas shopping, I'm preparing for birthday celebrations. Yes, that's correct, this month is a very busy month for me because I have at least four birthday's this month. So, I save throughout the year, because I don't have to buy any gifts, but at the end of the year everything is back to back. Oh well, Happy Birthday to my mom, son, husband and stepdaughter.

~The Canty's~

Thankful for Family

We are thankful to have our families nearby, so we don't have to do any traveling for the holidays. Staying saved us money and all we had to do was go to my mother's for dinner and visit Mitchell's family in Bainbridge. We pray that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

~The Canty's~

With having the yard sale we were able to go to the Florida Classic in Orlando to watch FAMU and BCU play football. Instead of staying in a hotel we stayed at a resort for half the price and enjoyed quality time with our family. We were able to save money on the room, food and gas. During the course of this challenge we've learned to get some of the things we want without spending so much money. Last year we reserved two rooms, but this year we got a resort, (one apartment) and we bought groceries during our stay and cooked our food, oppose to going out for breakfast, lunch and dinner for two days. We all should be looking for ways to cut back on our expenses and it's working for us, so don't knock it until you try it. Whine, whine, whine, NOT!!!!!!!!

The End

We are at the end of the year and bills still appear to be the same. So what, one bill is decreasing, while another is increasing. Well, that's the typical family, but some people want to make it appear to be so easy to reduce debt and increase your savings. It was hard to save money and pay off bills before the recession, if it was easy we all would be free of debt and have money saved. We feel as though we have been at a disadvantage during this year. Yes, one would think combining our finances would mean paying off bills faster, but it also meant adding on debt as well. Most of the time starting a business mean you payout before you earn. Well, at any rate we've done what we thought to be right, so we have no regrets.

`The Canty's~

Ida's Impact,

Hurricane season is upon us and we still need to get our roof fixed, not to mention some other needed repairs. We have been blessed during the raining months, but now we have to deal with our first hurricane which seem to be heading our way. We have gotten several quotes on repairing the roof and we know if we get it done now we will be out of the running for the $10,000.

After careful consideration we've decided to continue on as we are, because if Ida is really bad, we could possibly be without a home. If that happens then we would possibly have to move in with my mom until our finances get better.

Trick Or Treat

We got our treats today before dark. We held our Boo Bargain Bash and it was a hit. Originally we wanted to do a community wide yard sale, but we didn't have any families interested in it. We thought about not having the yard sale, but at the last minute we decided that we could do it without everyone else, so we did. Even though it was a cloudy day and it was FSU homecoming and we could have gone to the game, we are so happy that we stayed home and did our yard sale to make some money to go towards Christmas shopping.

Happy Halloween and Merry Christmas!

~The Canty's~

Couping with a lose,

It's always difficult when anyone lose a family member. Mitchell and I both have suffered the lose of a uncle in the past month. It has made us think more about saving money oppose to enjoying our lives together. We work hard and we want to have some of the finer things in life, but at what cost. Do we work hard and save our monies not know if we will be here to enjoy the fruit of our labor. Or will someone else be enjoying if for us. We are on our way back from Orlando from my uncle Donnell's funeral and when we get home we will be sitting down to re-think our savings v. enjoying life strategy. I'm sure there must be some common ground so we can enjoy life and leave something for our children. But no matter what we all should enjoy our families while we are alive.

Wedding Bells,

We are heard wedding bells again this weekend. I (Angela) coordinated a wedding this weekend for a friend of mine, Alesa Parrish and David Payne, now Mr. and Mrs. David and Alesa Payne. It was a beautiful setting and it brought back so many memories for Mitchell and I. We pray there first year of marriage will be as joyous as ours. Alesa and David, congratulation and may your love last forever.