Thanks for setting up the group! BS2 here as well, but I have a date for when it should be done (April 2013) so I'm thrilled!! I don't set monthly TMMO goals, b/c I've found that I'm kinda on auto-pilot right now. Just a little budget tweaking each month, but otherwise, cruising (which is the peace of mind I was looking for when I signed up for FPU). As my boyfriend puts it (a FPU participant 3 yrs ago)- I've taken a lot of the angst out of monthly bills! :happy:

Well, if you're anything like me, prior to DR's program, you didn't have ANY date in mind! I always thought I had a handle on things (with my own delusional thought process), but I'd pay off some credit and put it right back on. I was on the sinking side of treading water!!!

As I mentioned, my bf did the program 3 years ago and he's still on BS2, but he's not necessarily pursuing with "gazelle intensity". He still enjoys life and participates in his fun activities, but he makes sure he pays for everything in cash- so he knows he can afford it when he does it. I think his pay off date for everything (excluding his mortgage) is 2014, but he also has a good part of BS3 already done (due to poor economy and several rounds of layoffs a few years ago). He'll be the lucky dog that jumps for BS2 to BS4!!

Whenever I find myself discouraged, I just imagine the thrill of paying that last credit card- it's all the motivation I need to keep going!!!! I find myself talking to complete strangers about DR's program (including a credit union employee trying to give me a credit card)- it has been a life-changing experience for me! WE CAN DO IT!!!

First month? Oh my! It's definitely a tough road, and as the FPU instructor said (A LOT), you have to learn to forgive yourself. Most normal people struggle the first few months (it's been about 8 months since I started and I feel like I JUST got the hang of it) so the best thing is to accept that things may not go to plan and then start over again. Sadly, I have an accounting degree and it still took me about 3 months to get the hang of the budget- I understand budgets, but didn't really like the idea of applying it to my life! Hopefully you have some other areas in your budget where you can cover the unexpected bills and then get back on track next month. I'm not as familiar with TMMO as FPU- both DR, just different structures, does TMMO have the lump sum payment planning as part of the budget? For myself, I learned that was where I was falling apart on a regular basis- I could cover all my monthly stuff, but I have several bills that are quarterly or annual. When it came time for those, I would pay for them, but didn't have money to cover my other expenses (and now that I allocate those into monthly amounts, my monthly budget is TIGHT). :grumble:

It's really awesome that you are doing them together- you have more discipline than I do!!! Personally, I had to get the financial part done and am just getting back to focusing on the weight... As for the workouts, the best thing I can offer is that 1) exercise helps to relieve stress, 2) you can either run outside (free) or use a gym membership that is probably already paid for (no additional funds), 3) if you're running, you aren't eating or shopping (or maybe that just applies to me! :laugh: )

After I typed the comment about not eating while running, I realized I don't necessarily follow that rule, but that was when I was training for a marathon- after awhile you have to eat something!

Sounds like TMMO is similar to FPU. Perhaps the difference is that FPU had classes to attend? Is TMMO a group-based program or do you follow a video/book? I got lucky on my credit cards b/c I had a 0% interest offer come in during the program- was able to transfer everything to one card- they charged a 5% transfer fee but better than the 18%+ rates that were coming when my current offers expired. There were some people in my class who were able to pay off 2-3 credit cards just in the 13 weeks (?) of class using the debt snowball! As for the lump sum payment planning, it wouldn't necessarily help with the unexpected doctor bill, but would help with the sewer bill. I have a membership fee that I pay annually (about $120)- instead of randomly coming up with the $120 next January (which is what I've been doing), I'm budgeting and setting aside $10 every month so I'll have the money saved up when the bill comes due. I'm basically tracking those things in a spreadsheet right now, but it gets a little confusing sometimes. If you're doing something similar and have a better idea, please let me know! I tend to over-complicate things and am thinking I may be doing the same with this....

Haha- yes, I had a couple tickets as well ($3) much to my boyfriends chagrin. He "lectured" me a few times with the "you know what DR says about the lottery, don't you?" Sounds like you and I have the same mindset though- I'm willing to spend $3 to dream about winning... DR is right about a lot of things, but I don't see the harm in buying a few tickets if it's not preventing other bills from being paid!

And, I agree, I really thought there would be a number of people pursuing both financial and weight loss goals! Pretty similar concept, just different end results! I was being picked on a few times this weekend, b/c apparently I can be a little intense when I start a new program- I was told that I'm tackling weight loss like I tackled FPU early on (basically becoming temporarily OCD). I'm just hoping I can get some confidence around the healthy eating aspect sooner than later- if so, I can (hopefully) meet my weight loss goal by August- and preferably maintain it!!

Good luck on your workout AND no restaurants! YOU CAN DO IT!

Oh, I TOTALLY "get" bailing on workouts. I normally try to exercise before work for just that reason! If I plan for afternoon, there's a 80% chance I won't make it (or won't do it at the intensity that I should). I bailed yesterday morning after the 1 lb (had the "why am I even trying moments?"). Granted, the fact that it was 5AM did NOTHING to encourage me to work past the self-pity!! Hopefully you'll get a chance to get a GREAT workout in this weekend! I'm hoping to get the bf out for a walk tomorrow afternoon. We normally shoot for a short walk with the dogs and it turns into at least 45 minutes b/c we're enjoying ourselves once we get out there- first steps are always the hardest!!!

I'm glad you enjoyed the video! I was teary eyed watching it- what a amazing gift!!! I would love to be in a position to do something that awesome for people, and one day I (and you) will be! It was actually kind of cute- I sent the video to my bf yesterday morning. He had some minor objections to giving the full emergency fund b/c he believes that's where people truly build the discipline and decide if they want to pursue the program, but he was still inspired. He ended up using some of his tax refund to buy his project team car washes going into the holiday weekend since they've been busting their rears with overtime all week. I was pretty impressed by his generosity. Granted, he may have done it even without the video, but I like to think that it at least further encouraged the generosity!

Yeah, I'm trying not to stay discouraged about the pound, but it stayed today (although, admittedly, I weighed myself on a different scale, but my scale read about the same when I got home). I think I'm just going to eat a few more calories today to see how the weight reacts- I was REALLY good this week and wonder if my body is rebelling (it's used to a constant influx of calories) :blushing: My weight has fluctuated within about a 10 pound range for the past 5-6 years, but this year it stretched to 20- yikes! So, I decided I better buckle down b/c genetics are definitely NOT on my side! Either way, going into Easter, I'm trying not to worry too much- I love to eat and my mom should have some good stuff available- I'll just try to eat less of it than normal...

One of my best friends is up around Philly (Norristown- ?) I've been up to visit, but I normally ride the train and she picks me up from there- don't really know where we go from there! She's actually one of the friends who just joined this week!

Any big plans for the weekend?

Congrats on the great workout! I've been pretty slack on any intense workouts the past few days (did various yard chores yesterday, but nothing with any intensity), and have eaten out several times... Still feel like I'm sticking within my goal range right now so, for now, I'll just be happy!

Weekend plans have basically been catching up with people- spent a few hours with a friend on Friday and seeing my PA friend this afternoon. Otherwise, going to my parents house for lunch. Fairly low key weekend, which has been fabulous!

Hope you have a HAPPY EASTER!