About You #11


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Hello My Name Is Beowulf

It’s been a long time since we’ve done one of these posts, so let’s review. We talk a lot here. In fact, we do like 99% of the talking . And technically, I guess it’s “writing” and not “talking.” Then again, you probably hear us in your head with whatever voices you’ve imagined for us while you read our site. Joanna probably sounds like Julia Roberts, I probably sound like Michael Cera. Whatever. Point being, we love to hear more about you out there on your computer machines. It helps remind us where you’re at in life, what makes you tick, and how cool (almost) all of you are.

But really quick before we jump into the Q&A’s, here are a few other ways we love to stay in touch and hear from more of you. Follow Joanna on Instagram (lots o’ Sally, NYC, and me running away from shots), like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. And we’re kicking off a super secret email list where a few times a month, we’ll show up in your email inbox with budgeting tips, knock-knock jokes, and other stuff you won’t read here. So if you’re into that sorta thing, join our secret email list.

And now… the questions. *cue “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” sound FX and lights*

  1. A friend wants a TV show to binge-watch. What’s your recommendation?
  2. What song/audio/sounds you got on repeat?
  3. What financial achievement from 2014 are you most proud of?
  4. Choose one to play for the rest of your life: Oregon Trail or Sim City.
  5. Why are you here (OFB.com)?

We’re going to talk a little bit more and tell you our answers, and then we’ll shut up. Promise.

Johnny

  1. Breaking Bad. House of Cards. Reading Rainbow. In that order.
  2. A little The Head and the Heart, but mostly the StartUp podcast. So good.
  3. Saving 50% of our net income. And not blowing it on LEGOs.
  4. Oregon Trail always makes me feel guilty. Being unknowingly frugal at an early age, I would play and buy the bare minimum amount of supplies, force my family to eat sparingly, hunt buffalo all day and night, and would always choose to just float my wagon and family across the river instead of paying some river expert to get us across safely. And by safely I mean killing half my family. I’ll do without the guilt trips and get my god complex on with Sim City.
  5. I’m here, at 1 am, because I didn’t get started on this post earlier tonight. Because football. But I’m mostly here because I dig talking money stuff.

Joanna

  1. Johnny and I both love New Girl. It’s the only sitcom we’ve ever both loved. We have seen every single episode of this show, and we still can’t get enough.
  2. Oh, music. I used to listen to listen to you. No time no mo. My favorite audio book this last year was What Alice Forgot. And men, this is strictly chick lit, so I don’t recommend it to you.
  3. Going into FAO Schwarz over the holidays and not buying Sally a single item in the store. She wanted it ALL.
  4. For some reason, members of my wagon party dying of diphtheria is way less stressful than a tornado destroying one of my neighborhoods, so I’m gonna say Oregon Trail.
  5. In case you didn’t know, OFB kinda started out as Johnny’s hobby that I was reluctantly helping with. But I really love writing and reading on this site and interacting with so many cool peeps. This is all your fault… just remember that.

This concludes all Johnny/Joanna talking. Now talk to us!

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87 Comments

  • Reply TT January 13, 2015 at 7:22 am

    1. Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee – light, quick, and funny.
    2. Not much of an audiophile these days. Current audio-book: the Camel Club.
    3. Paying off our non-mortgage debt.
    4. Sim City – had a hack code when I was younger for essentially unlimited money! Made it so much more fun.
    5. Sally!

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 9:01 am

      Haha, you and I are the same. The unlimited money code is what I lived and died by when I played Sim City. I didn’t have the patience otherwise. Johnny sees this as a cardinal sin, so I’m glad I’m not the only one.

  • Reply Sara January 13, 2015 at 7:26 am

    A friend wants a TV show to binge-watch. What’s your recommendation?
    The Mindy Project, Parenthood, or True Detective (all depending on the person!)

    What song/audio/sounds you got on repeat?
    Uptown Funk. I can’t stop listening to it!

    What financial achievement from 2014 are you most proud of?
    I know this is really weird, but taking out a student loan. It’s for the 1 year master’s I just finished abroad. I was lucky enough to have a lot of grants and scholarships for my undergrad, and my parents took care of what was left. I also bought my car second-hand. While I certainly am thankful and count my blessings, I’ve been struggling to build my credit because of it. So, the smaller student loan (well, its still about $20k but much less than most!) coming at a time when I can actually pay it off more quickly will definitely help the future.

    Choose one to play for the rest of your life: Oregon Trail or Sim City.
    Oregon Trail all the way. Sim City just never appealed to me. Maybe the design aspect?

    Why are you here (OFB.com)?
    I came here to learn about budgeting from people my own age (I’m sure David Ramsey is great but he’s generally talking to people in a different stage of life and it’s harder for me to relate). Also– photos of Sally. She’s just so freaking cute with her little chin dimple and all.

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 9:19 am

      Just started watching Mindy Project and we’re both thoroughly entertained! Not all debt has to be bad debt, and it sounds like you’ve figured that out with your student loan, so kudos on that.

      And thanks for taking a chance on us weirdos.

  • Reply Taylor Lee January 13, 2015 at 7:53 am

    1. House of Lies, Arrested Development, Archer, Twin Peaks
    2. Kimbra’s Vows album
    3. Saving enough for a condo down payment
    4. Oregon Trail, no question about it
    5. Because I like reading about how a family in NYC make it work, budget-wise

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:35 pm

      Awesome on the condo down payment. It’s still TBD whether we can make it work budget-wise in this crazy place called NYC, but we’re gonna give it the best we’ve got!

  • Reply Suzanne January 13, 2015 at 9:02 am

    1. Rules of Engagement or The Wire (diverse!!)
    2. Anything 80’s! Current song would have to be Uptown Funk though!
    3. Actually saving money and clearing my credit card!
    4. I’m from Ireland so I don’t know what they mean, sorry 🙂
    5. Love love love the blog! It’s just that good! Great to hear everyone’s perspective on things and love being inspired to carry on trying to be an amazeballs saver!!

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:40 pm

      Johnny and I had TOTALLY different upbringings, but we both played those games! They’re an American childhood staple for our generation. I keep hearing great things about The Wire… Johnny and I need to get on that!

  • Reply Jenna Kaye January 13, 2015 at 9:16 am

    1. I rarely watch any adult tv, our tv is almost always tuned to disney jr…no recommendation.
    2. Need You Now – Plumb. Heard it a week ago for the first time and can’t stop listening.
    3. Sold our house in Feb and moved (our family of 4) in with my parents to save money while finding a new home, which took 8 months. Found a wonderful home for a great price!
    4. Never played either, that I remember. So boring.
    5. Love hearing your perspective on all things personal finance. So inspiring.

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:42 pm

      Oh man.. that’s gonna be our house someday soon, I’m sure. Already Curious George is on more than it should be. And congrats on the new home! How exciting!

  • Reply Christina January 13, 2015 at 9:31 am

    1. I’ve binge watched True Detective, Dexter, and How I Met Your Mother. All are great but I felt like True Detective and Dexter – the episodes end on such cliffhangers sometimes. HIMYM was more to catch up before the final season as its my husband’s favorite 🙂

    2. I heard this song by The Wind and The Wave on a show on E! and I downloaded their whole album and am obsessed.

    3. My husband and I got married this year and we paid for it all ourselves. We both had credit card debt beforehand, and while we didn’t make progress paying it off at all during the past year, we did manage to keep it from going up. 2015 is the year of repayment!

    4. This is tough! Oregon Trail! All the memories! Honestly, though, I have to say Sim City. I used to have one family that I used the money hack for – and I bought every single thing I wanted and decorated the house to the nines – and then I had another family that I had work for it for the “real game experience”. Best of both worlds!

    5. I forget how I stumbled across you guys – but I think your PF blog is one of the best out there. Lots of other ones are so technical in nature – you guys share your real lives and weave personal finance into it. Its so much more relatable than reading the same old dry, informational post about interest rates or whatever. Also, love the humor you guys sprinkle throughout!

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:46 pm

      The next time Johnny and I have a long weekend or time off (might not be until April!), we’ll have to binge on True Detective… seems to be a major favorite for everyone we talk to! I’m dying laughing at your Sims comment. I would do the exact same thing! I felt I could justify my money hacking that way haha. Amazing.

  • Reply Shay Hass January 13, 2015 at 9:50 am

    A friend wants a TV show to binge-watch. What’s your recommendation? Walking Dead and The Profit.
    What song/audio/sounds you got on repeat? Anything my kids are listening to, probably Meghan Trainer and Ariana Grande.
    What financial achievement from 2014 are you most proud of? Actually taking a real vacation! First one with our kids. Oldest is 14. Went to San Francisco and spent 8 days traveling back down to LA. Only have ever taken long weekend trips. The joys of being a small business owner.
    Choose one to play for the rest of your life: Oregon Trail or Sim City.haven’t really played either, but am aware of both. Probably Oregon Trail because I like 1800’s history.
    Why are you here (OFB.com)? Love all three almost 4! of you.

    • Reply TT January 13, 2015 at 5:08 pm

      +1 for The Profit. Love that show.

      • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:48 pm

        We’ve added it to our “must-watch” list!

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:48 pm

      Oh man, that is an achievement! Way to go. That sounds like a super cool trip. We have failed at that one for a few years, but it’s on my to-do list for next year!

  • Reply Running with Racheal January 13, 2015 at 10:13 am

    1. Newsroom, Parenthood, Gilmore Girls.
    2. This American Life and more recently Serial.
    3. Um, not taking out a new loan? I know, lame sauce.
    4. Oregon Trail.
    5. See number 3. 🙂

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:50 pm

      I feel ya… If I didn’t have to share my TV with Johnny, I would have shows like Parenthood and Gilmore Girls on at all times!

  • Reply Mrs SSC January 13, 2015 at 10:49 am

    1) Haven – I love Sci-fi, and my guilty pleasure would be Hart of Dixie.
    2) I’m a NPR girl in the car. I’m years behind in music, but I tend to listen to Damien Rice on repeat – annoys the crap out of Mr SSC
    3) Finally got the husband on board with savings and the concept of retiring early.
    4) Sim City, hands down.
    5) I love hearing other peoples finance stories and issues, especially those with babies/toddlers – since they tend to play a wildcard in budgetting

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:52 pm

      Guilty pleasure shows are the best. I have too many to count. And Johnny wooed me with Damien Rice music when we were dating… I’d play one of his songs on the piano, and we’d sing it together… good times!

  • Reply elaina January 13, 2015 at 11:39 am

    1. How I Met Your Mother. Breaking Bad. Hoarders (It makes you feel good about yourself; also makes you stop binge watching anything and instead clean out a closet. Or shower.)

    2. Lately music is all about Ed Sheeran. And I’m constantly pondering the podcast thing, I just can’t get aboard.

    3. Hitting my savings goals so I can begin the debt repayment journey but yet have a cushion incase my job decides to relocate this year.

    4. Oregon Trail. I loved seeing who of my family/friends was the strongest. Because a computer game can totally tell.

    5. I’m here because I have so much to learn and you have taught me using a vocabulary I can understand with examples that I can relate to my own life.

    • Reply Joanna January 13, 2015 at 11:54 pm

      Too true. I love watching shows that make me feel good about myself! And your Oregon Trail comment cracked me up… I remember doing that, too!

  • Reply Zoë January 13, 2015 at 11:51 am

    1 – A friend wants a TV show to binge-watch. What’s your recommendation? Friends, obviously. But then again, there might not be anybody who hasn’t seen it at this point. I also recommend Luther, Sherlock, Broadchurch and Doctor Who. I’m a Brit living in Atlanta, so I need to get my British TV fix.

    2 – What song/audio/sounds you got on repeat? At almost 40 yrs old, it’s hard for me to say this, but Blank Space by Taylor Swift. That young lady has totally mastered the art of the perfect pop song.

    3 – What financial achievement from 2014 are you most proud of? This is a holdover from 2013, but living on one income and not going broke during a period of unexpected unemployment for me after our move to Atlanta. I now have a job, and it’s been surprisingly hard to readjust to a dual income. I maybe got a little spend crazy when we had extra money again. 2015 is our year to reign it back in.

    4 – Choose one to play for the rest of your life: Oregon Trail or Sim City. I’m not a gamer, and have never played either one. Computers just weren’t a thing when I was growing up in England. That makes me sound really old, but we were just a little behind the curve when it came to computer games in the UK.

    5 – Why are you here (OFB.com)? For real world inspiration on how to manage money and to live vicariously through you now you are in NYC. I always wanted to live there. Also, babies.

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 12:02 am

      Multiple friends have recommended Sherlock to me… I need to get on that STAT! And seriously, I want to have this baby just so I can listen to Taylor Swift’s new album while running haha.

      I felt the same way when Johnny was laid off in 2013 and then got a new job. We’d been on a spending freeze for a few months, and I wanted to just buy, buy, buy! So totally understand that feeling! Here’s to 2015!

  • Reply Lindsey January 13, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    1. Gilmore Girls
    2. Meghan Trainor- Close You Eyes
    3. Getting Home Budget (recommended by OFB) and then using it!
    4. Oregon Trail
    5. Being amused by your writing while leaning about $$$ 🙂

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 12:05 am

      Glad you like HomeBudget! It works for us, so I’m happy other people are having it work for them, too. Man, I just want a long weekend to sit in my pajamas, eat chocolate, crochet, and watch all of Gilmore Girls. Is that really so much to ask?!

  • Reply Sarah January 13, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    1. My favorite TV show has always been House. In fact, I was just watching a couple re-runs of it last night. So I’d definitely have to recommend this one.
    2. My sister-in-law was playing T-Swift’s latest CD in her car last weekend and now it’s stuck in my head. :/ Shake it off, boo, shake it off.
    3. This sounds so bad….but surviving. My husband and I made a sudden move and then he spent almost two months without any income. Being at the beginning of our savings journey made all of that really hard, and I’m just proud of us for powering through and getting back to where we started by the end of the year.
    4. #oregontrailforlyyyfe
    5. Because I love you guys! And also because my husband and I are really similar. Young couple trying to pay off our debt and sometimes breaking Dave Ramsey’s rules by using a credit card and paying the balance off every month. O:)

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 12:09 am

      House is a good one. We were obsessed with that show as newlyweds.

      I resisted it for as long as I could, but I think Taylor has us all hooked. And way to go for getting through that tough move last year. Those moments are the ones that ultimately make you stronger as a couple and financially. They’re not fun in the moment, but definitely strengthening in the long run!

      It makes us happy to have like-minded couples on here, too!

  • Reply Katie B. January 13, 2015 at 12:39 pm

    1. Gilmore Girls! Mostly because I just got done binge watching it and could totally do it over again… right now…

    2. Veggie Tales. Not by choice, obviously. If I had my choice, we’d be jammin’ to the new Blake Shelton CD I got for Christmas but have not listened to yet.

    3. My husband is in grad school and when we had our daughter, we had to take out a student loan to help cover expenses. Last semester, we took out less than half of what we had the previous two years. We did have to use some of the money last semester, but we do not think we will need it this semester and we may even be able to take out $0 in loans for this coming school year (his last)!

    4. Sim City. I do not want to die of dysentery every again.

    5. I love reading your blog because we are similar stages of life and have similar goals. I really appreciate the real-world, real-life advice! I do our family’s finances (my husband does help, but it is just not his strength!) and I know very little, so I am always looking for the best ways to use our money! Love the site!!!

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 12:12 am

      Sally hasn’t yet discovered Veggie Tales music, but I bet she’d be a big, big fan… oh the things we do for our children! And awesome job on powering through your husband’s schooling and minimizing your need for loans. Very cool.

      It’s a big motivation to us to have other young families like us reading and having the same goals we have. We’re glad you’re here!

      • Reply Katie B. January 14, 2015 at 10:56 am

        My mother bought a Silly Songs with Larry CD for our daughter. I worked Christian retail for a while and learned a lot of the songs through our kids’ department. So, I happily popped in the CD on the way to daycare one day and seriously… we have listened to it EVERY DAY since. Before we even get in the car, she’s saying “Veggie Tales! Veggie Tales!”! Maleah’s favorite song right now is “Monkey” – pull it up on YouTube for Sally! It is seriously catchy! Before Veggie Tales, though, we were hooked on “Taylor Fift”. 🙂

  • Reply Lizzy K. January 13, 2015 at 12:40 pm

    1) Lost. Watching it on DVD was the only way I could watch it because the suspense was too much. Waiting a week would have made me crazy.
    2) Taylor Swift…guilty pleasure. Her lyrics are written so well; it’s like poetry.
    3) Um…nothing comes to mind. Sad.
    4) Oregon Trail all day long! FORD THE RIVER!
    5) I like your realistic approach to finances. It makes sense and is encouraging. Thank you!

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 12:14 am

      Oh man… to this day, I’ve never watched a more suspenseful show than Lost. I think I started biting my nails again when we watched that show. All these Oregon Trail references are wanting me to play right this second… I need to ford the river RIGHT NOW!

  • Reply Ry January 13, 2015 at 1:02 pm

    1. I’m with Zoe on the Sherlock. Love that show, the hiatuses may be the death of me, though. (Interestingly, we seem to like several of the same shows and live in the same city, although I’m not British, I just like their TV)
    2. I can’t stop listening to Alana Henderson, she showed up in a Spotify playlist and she only has like four songs on her single (Wax and Wane) and I listen to it over and over. Also, Welcome to Nightvale every couple weeks, and also there was a radio play of one of my favorite books, Good Omens, that came out around Christmas and I’ve listened to several times through now because it’s only free until 1/22 and then I’d have to buy it.
    3. I’m most proud that we got out of my parents basement! I’ve lived there for eight years with my daughter while going back to school (and working). Mostly because of the new better paid position at work thanks to my degree. A little bit because my long-time boyfriend moved in with us, but I did the math and could still have afforded a place of my own, I just get to live in a NICER place thanks to his contribution (clearly, learning to think in terms of OUR money rather than my money/your money is a goal for the year ahead).
    4. Sim City. I like when Godzilla attacks although that rarely happens. Wait, we’re talking original Sim City, right? Not the fancy later editions?
    5. I’ve been following for a few months now, because it keeps me motivated reading about other people’s budgeting and financial goals, and it gives me good ideas, and as some one else said it’s really helpful to hear it from people at a more similar stage in life as me than some of the other sources I enjoy.

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 12:19 am

      I need to look into Alana Henderson… I’m a total girl singer junkie at heart, and her music sounds like it’s right up my alley.

      Awesome 2014 accomplishment… there isn’t a better feeling than being in your own space again!

  • Reply Raia January 13, 2015 at 1:08 pm

    1) Feeling nostalgic for the shows I watched during my formative years, so I’d suggest Gilmore Girls or My So-Called Life
    2) Wailin’ Jennys
    3) We were able to pay for the entire year of preshcool for my daughter up front and finish our basement with only a small loan.
    4) I guess Oregon Trail, but I’d rather not play either.
    5) To learn how others manage their budget and inspire me to make tweeks to my own. And this year, how to pay off a loan quickly!

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 12:22 am

      My So-Called Life! I watched it for the first time a few years ago, and I couldn’t get enough.

      Way to go on paying for preschool up front! We’re looking into preschools right now, and I’m trying to wrap my brain around what it’s gonna do to our budget!

  • Reply Terri January 13, 2015 at 1:21 pm

    1) The Bachelor/Bachelorette. I love reality TV!
    2) Taylor Swift, she’s just so great! Plus, she’s my age so- totally age appropriate, right?
    3) Proud that we put my husband through his Bachelor’s degree without any student debt!
    4) What are Sim City & Oregon Trail?
    5) Your personalities intrigue me, I love Sally posts (she’s a doll), and I like your take on budgeting!

  • Reply Melody January 13, 2015 at 1:37 pm

    1. Grey’s Anatomy. No shame.
    2. Pentatonix!
    3. Beginning to budget. Finally putting my foot down and not letting my debt get any higher. I’ve got at least a couple years to go before it’s paid off.
    4. Oregon Trail, I suppose, because I liked shooting the squirrels. But if it were an option, I’d say the Sims instead, because I like to turn off their free will and create the perfect lives. It’s a good outlet.
    5. I looked for personal finance blogs to help keep me motivated, and this one seemed the most accessible and entertaining. Thanks!

    • Reply Johnny January 14, 2015 at 12:15 am

      3. You’ll have one less year of payoff after 2015! Make it happen.
      4. Without the hunting side-game in Oregon Trail, it was just a bunch of people slowly starving to death and drowning. I loved hunting.

  • Reply Nicole January 13, 2015 at 2:09 pm

    A friend wants a TV show to binge-watch. What’s your recommendation?
    GAME OF THRONES. Omg, that show. Also, The Mindy Project, Orange is the New Black, Scandal…
    What song/audio/sounds you got on repeat?
    Shake It Off… My almost 3 yr old is obsessed. Also just started Serial.
    What financial achievement from 2014 are you most proud of?
    Buying our second, probably forever, home.
    Choose one to play for the rest of your life: Oregon Trail or Sim City.
    Oregon Trail, mostly bc I only vaguely remember what Sim City was all about.
    Why are you here (OFB.com)?
    Personal finance is oddly exciting to me, and you guys write with such personality. We are probably about the same age and in similar points of life as well, so I can relate you both easily.

    • Reply Johnny January 14, 2015 at 12:13 am

      2. Sally is a big fan, too. Of “Shake it Off” that is. She hasn’t really taken to Serial yet. 🙂
      3. Mannnn, so jealous! I mean, we’re happy doing what we’re doing, but super envious that you think you’ve found “it.” Congrats.

  • Reply Caity January 13, 2015 at 2:30 pm

    1. Breaking Bad, Gilmore Girls, Parks and Rec, Friends, Call the Midwife (maybe not to binge watch, but it’s good)
    2. I found a “Classical Music for Sleep” playlist on Spotify that I listen to almost every night as I go to sleep. However, last night as I was just starting to doze off, some loud inappropriate rap song came on in the middle of my playlist and it really scared me.
    3.Paying off both our car loans and my students loans! (some were cancelled because of teacher loan forgiveness!!)
    4.Oregon Trail for sure.
    5.I get really excited about budgeting, and my husband doesn’t get as giddy and excited about it as me… so I come here!

    • Reply Johnny January 14, 2015 at 12:11 am

      2. Hahah. I used to listen to the Gladiator score to study because if I accidentally started drifting asleep the loud war parts would scare the crap out of my dozing.
      3. Congrats! You did work in 2014!

  • Reply Emory L. January 13, 2015 at 2:55 pm

    1. My husband and I are obsessed with Big Bang Theory. We bought all of the seasons and watched them together. And now that we have caught up we feel like we have lost our friends. It was a big part of our evening. I also highly recommend both Sister Wives and 90 Day Fiance. I have no reasoning for this other than pure fascination.

    2. T-Swift. And sometimes the How To Train Your Dragon 2 soundtrack.

    3. Applying for our first credit card. We debated for a long time and decided to take the plunge.

    4. I am an Oregon Trail lover. Plus, I have never actually made it to my destination, but one day I will. It’s happening.

    5. I like silently picking peoples financially-minded brains and the topics you cover are things I like to read and learn from.

    • Reply Johnny January 14, 2015 at 12:07 am

      1. We’ve watched most of Sister Wives for the fascination factor. Not proud of it, but it feels to get it off my chest.
      3. Glad to hear it’s something you debated. Those types of decisions shouldn’t come easy. And you’ll be better off and use it more responsibly as a result.

  • Reply EcoCatLady January 13, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    1. Northern Exposure, The Wonder Years, Star Trek the Next Generation or The Dick Van Dyke Show (can’t help it, I’m old-school)
    2. “Farewell” by Bob Dylan – Did I mention I’m old school?
    3. Not sure this is really a “financial” achievement, but I drove under 700 miles in 2014 – which really kept the gas bill down!
    4. Oregon Trail – had to go look up Sim City – and the thought of it kinda gave me a knot in my stomach… wait, is Oregon Trail a computer game too? I’m thinking the real Oregon trail here…
    5. I’m here ’cause I like your perspective – which is different from my own – plus you make me laugh.

    • Reply Johnny January 14, 2015 at 12:05 am

      2. Old school and into the deeep cuts. Thumbs up.
      3. That’s awesome. We’re hoping to join your club in 2015, granted it’s probably a lot easier for us in NYC than CO.

  • Reply S.L. January 13, 2015 at 5:00 pm

    1. White Collar, Suits, Parenthood.
    2. I’ve always been a whatever is on the radio person.
    3. Staying on a strict budget and saving approximately 65% of my income.
    4.Oregon Trail, because those memories of sharing a big arm chair and playing with my sister.
    5. I have a slight obsession with budgeting, and I enjoy blog reading, so this seems like a good fit. Also you guys are hysterical and your daughter is adorable 🙂

    • Reply Johnny January 14, 2015 at 12:00 am

      1. All I know about Parenthood is every time I walked in on Joanna watching it she was crying. So there’s that.
      3. NIIICE!

  • Reply Jessica January 13, 2015 at 5:19 pm

    1. pretty little liars. guilty pleasure. I may be way too old to still be watching this show, but I got hooked during my maternity leave with my first daughter. once you start you cant stop!
    2. old brand new cds. once again, I am probably way too old to still be listening to hipster emo.
    3. saving most of my tax return money! still have about 2k of it left and about to get this years!! woot!
    4. can it be the sims? cause I definitely spent way too many nights playing that when I was younger. this post is becoming nostalgic.
    5. I enjoy you guys’ honest and refreshing viewpoints on budgeting, and I feel your blog has different information than the 2348932 other budgeting blogs you can find on pinterest. also, I am due april 7.. hey Joanna ready for the third trimester?? 🙂

    • Reply Johnny January 13, 2015 at 11:57 pm

      4. High five on The Sims. Joanna and I spent one of our first few dates diving deep into our Sims strategies. We should have known we were in trouble then.
      5. Joanna says, “As long as this baby doesn’t last longer than 40 weeks, let’s bring it, girl!”

  • Reply Anne January 13, 2015 at 6:13 pm

    1. House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, Newsroom, HIMYM, Modern Family.
    2. Taylor Swift. Deep down I’m 12, and I don’t care who knows it.
    3. Not blowing our wedding budget!
    4. Oregon Trail. Sim City wishes it was as cool as Roller Coaster Tycoon 😉
    5. Waiting for LeVar Burton to show up. In the meantime I like the balanced perspective and humor you two bring to things as a couple, plus those adorable Sally pics aren’t too shabby.

    • Reply Johnny January 13, 2015 at 11:53 pm

      3. Congrats again on the wedding AND the budget! Sounds like a great 2014.
      5. Hahaha. I’m telling you, the day he stops by and/or retweets us, I’ll pull the plug. There really won’t be anything else to achieve at that point.

  • Reply mindy @ just a one girl revolution. January 13, 2015 at 9:25 pm

    1. Because I just finished the series finale of Gilmore Girls, I’ll go with that (I’ve watched the series all the way though many times; Netflix just made it that much easier!)
    2. T-Swift’s new album, and “Uptown Funk”
    3. Having an emergency fund ready to use when I had some big/unexpected expenses come up at the end of the year (you know, like car repairs after I hit an ottoman on the expressway…). Next step: rebuild said emergency fund!
    4. Oregon Trail!
    5. Great, relatable financial advice!

    • Reply Johnny January 13, 2015 at 11:47 pm

      3. WHAT?! I guess I need be more careful for stray ottomans on the road. So lame that happened. But awesome job having that E-fund all ready to go.

  • Reply Angie January 13, 2015 at 9:26 pm

    1. New Girl! How have we not talked about this?? Klane hasn’t watched it but I LOVE IT. It’s one of the only shows that consistently makes me legitimately laugh out loud.
    2. Taylor Swift. Don’t judge me. Okay, judge me. I can’t stop.
    3. Being able to pay for seriously expensive medical bills without ruining our other savings goals (well except the travel budget. I think we tapped the travel budget.)
    4. Sim city. But actually roller coaster tycoon.
    5. Because I like you guys. Plus also I think you’re pretty smart and you’re teaching me stuff.

    • Reply Johnny January 13, 2015 at 11:44 pm

      1. Tell Klane it’s Johnny-approved. Not that that means anything, but there are more than our share of bro-jokes to make it well worth the 23 minutes.
      2. I’d judge you, but then I’d have to judge 3,000 billionty other humans who have listened to her new album — including someone who’s name ends in “ohnny.”

  • Reply catherine January 13, 2015 at 9:47 pm

    A friend wants a TV show to binge-watch. What’s your recommendation?: Depends on the friend. Girly-girl friend who doesn’t want to use brain? SATC or Gilmore Girls, Nostalgic friend? Boy meets world. Intellectual friend? The Newsroom.
    What song/audio/sounds you got on repeat? We listen to satellite radio, so it varies.
    What financial achievement from 2014 are you most proud of? Paying off 20k worth of principal debt and increasing my income.
    Choose one to play for the rest of your life: Oregon Trail or Sim City. Oregon Trail 100%
    Why are you here (OFB.com)? Wanted to see new site design (LOVE it :))…and I’m procrastinating.

    • Reply Johnny January 13, 2015 at 11:39 pm

      Your nostalgic friend is in for the ride of their life — Boy Meets World is the bomb.com!

  • Reply Tarynkay January 14, 2015 at 12:56 am

    1) Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So old! So good!

    2) Janelle Monae. And a lot of Pentatonix and Gregory Porter to keep my three year old happy.

    3) Saving all of my babysitting money instead of blowing it on almond croissants and cute boots.

    4) Oregon Trail, but I never played SimCity. We had SimEarth, in which you were in charge of an entire planet. My little brother used to see how quickly he could destroy the world.

    5) Why am I here? I think it boils down to me still needing someone to tell me to go to bed. I mean, this is ridiculous.

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 11:02 pm

      Buffy! Before I started working from home, Buffy provided me with hours and hours of entertainment at my first job out of college. I will forever be indebted to that show for saving me from a boredom-induced death.

      You and Johnny both on the the going to bed thing! I have to force him to go to bed every. single. night. If there were a Night Owls Anonymous, I’d sign him up.

  • Reply Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank January 14, 2015 at 6:56 am

    1. How to get away with murder
    2. Battle Scars by Guy Sebastian
    3. Paying off my student loan
    4. Sim City
    5. I just appreciate your posts.

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 11:03 pm

      Well done on paying off your student loan. That is quite the 2014 accomplishment!

  • Reply Katie January 14, 2015 at 9:54 am

    1. Homeland, Luther, House of Lies, House of Cards & Parenthood.
    2. I, too, love The Head and The Heart (so great live!), Bleachers, The National, Ray Lamontagne, Jose Gonzalez, City and Colour.
    3. Used our savings reserved for a down-payment and bought our first home- in our favorite school district, for our 9 year old!
    4. Sim City.
    5. Learn how to spend and save better… much better, than we have in the past!

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 11:04 pm

      You just named all of Johnny’s favorite musicians, not even kidding. Very cool on the first home! I can’t imagine the day when we’re settled enough to actually put our savings toward a down payment, but boy do I look forward to it!

  • Reply Brian January 14, 2015 at 10:10 am

    1. Sopranos, The Wire, Sons of Anarchy and All of Hell’s Kitchen (I just love watching that man lose his head)
    2.I’ve been listening to a lot of Pretty Lights Music – The Hot Sh*t mixes recently… great groves. Pretty much the entire trance channel (and some of the vocal trance channel) on di.fm
    3. Finally opened up a Dependent Care FSA
    4. I love both games so much… I guess I would pick Sim City (especially Sim City 2000). Fun Fact… archive.org now has Oregon Trail online and my wife has been playing that pretty much non-stop.
    5.I ask myself that question almost daily…

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 11:08 pm

      Very cool on the Dependent Care FSA… I MIGHT have had to look up what it was. We’re looking to put Sally in some part-time care before long, so it’s good to know those exist!

      WHY did you tell me that Oregon Trail is online? I can never go to that site. Ever. Okay, going right now.

  • Reply Jen January 14, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Hello my name is Jen. 🙂
    1. Psych. Funny, lighthearted awesomeness that I can’t get enough of.
    2. Currently, the soundtrack for the Musical Spamalot, because my husband and I are in the local community theater’s version of it this month.
    3. Getting married without going into debt, and paying off all of our private debt in six months.
    4. Oregon Trail, mostly because I feel I can actually WIN it.
    5. To keep me financially motivated!

    • Reply Joanna January 14, 2015 at 11:10 pm

      Hi Jen! Wow, what a year for you guys! A debt-free wedding and paying off your private debt? Very awesome. And congrats on getting married!

  • Reply Jill January 15, 2015 at 1:20 am

    1) Oy. I haven’t watched any shows in aaages. If you want to watch a shortish series that is already done (cancelled too soon in the second season) but was pretty quirky/endearing – Pushing Daisies

    2) A few gooders: Joshua Hyslop “Living & Dying”, The Royal Foundry “All We Have”, Vance Joy “Mess is Mine”, Walk the Moon “Shut up and Dance”

    3) Keeping afloat during my second maternity leave to occur during my husband’s schooling and his new not-yet-successful job hunting… And by “afloat” I mean not going further into debt. Super excited to get back to debt-free (aside from mortgage) soon, and then chase that mortgage-free dream.

    4) Sim City. I rocked at that game (definitely utilizing the money cheat!!). Oregon Trail stressed me out to the max. Plus I have an unhealthy addiction to anything that resembles a management game… too many hours of my childhood went to Roller Coaster Tycoon, Lemonade Tycoon, Sim Tower, Sim City, Sim Zoo, The Sims….

    5) I’m here because we’re really trying to keep our financial goals in mind while we slog through the tough stuff and hopefully we’ll really gain some good ground when we start having more income again… I love your humour and easily applicable tips.

    • Reply Joanna January 15, 2015 at 10:37 pm

      I feel about music the way you do about TV shows… I never listen to anything anymore! I’ll have to look up your recommendations the next time I’m on Spotify. Keeping afloat is 1000x times better than drowning, and it will make your transition to more income in the near future that much more enjoyable. Well done, and here’s to being more than afloat in 2015!

  • Reply Lisa January 16, 2015 at 2:04 pm

    1. If it’s a girly girl: Pretty Little Liars. Anyone else Friday Night Lights
    2. I have podcasts playing all day long at work. Really loved Serial and been listening to Too Beautiful To Live for about 5 years now. It’s just too guys talking about their day and life in general but for some reason so much fun.
    3. Paying off all store credit cards before we had our little one in May. Paying off all our doctor bills by the end of the year.
    4. Sim City. There is just so much more you can do!
    5. We want a house, we want another baby, we want to be debt free. Both of you have helped me significantly in understanding budgeting and how to get started so thank you. Also love the HomeBudget app!

    • Reply Joanna January 19, 2015 at 8:59 am

      Crazy how having a kid helps to financially motivate us, right? It sounds like you guys are on a great path, so good work. I’ll have to look into the Too Beautiful to Live podcast… it sounds like it’d be right up my alley!

  • Reply Amber January 16, 2015 at 3:32 pm

    Hello!

    1. A friend wants a TV show to binge-watch. What’s your recommendation?
    – 99% of the time when this happens we watch Friends. We have probably seen the whole series through 5 times now.

    2. What song/audio/sounds you got on repeat?
    – Queens of the Stone Age radio on Pandora. It’s got Black Keys, Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, QOTSA (obviously), and many more tunes that are good for passing the boring work day.

    3. What financial achievement from 2014 are you most proud of?
    – The fact that I found your blog (and a couple others) and decided to actually take control of my debt and pay that crap off. Not to say I wasn’t paying it before…but I wouldn’t have been able to make myself pay off 2 car loans in 10 months without the push from personal finance blogs. Thanks, by the way. 🙂

    4. Choose one to play for the rest of your life: Oregon Trail or Sim City.
    – Sim City, only because I haven’t ever played Oregon Trail. I’m terrible at Sim City, though. That’d be a pretty terrible rest of my life.

    5. Why are you here (OFB.com)?
    – I stumbled upon the site initially while killing time at work. I’m a financial program coordinator for a non-profit organization. I occasionally (almost every single day) have some time to kill. I figured I would look up some money type success stories…and there you were.

    Amber

    • Reply Joanna January 19, 2015 at 9:03 am

      Well, we’re glad you’re here! Way to go on paying down those car loans so quickly! Very cool. And agreed… Friends never gets old. It will forever be an oldie but goodie.

  • Reply kirsten January 17, 2015 at 10:23 am

    A friend wants a TV show to binge-watch. What’s your recommendation? Peaky Blinders on Netflix. I love me some Cillian Murphy.
    What song/audio/sounds you got on repeat? “Desperation” by 1st Vows – really good!
    What financial achievement from 2014 are you most proud of? My husband and I bought our first home! We live in an expensive area (Fairfield Cty, CT) so it took longer to save a down payment than I would have liked but I’m glad we’re finally in!
    Choose one to play for the rest of your life: Oregon Trail or Sim City. Sim City!
    Why are you here (OFB.com)? I have always been a budgeter, but now that I am a home owner I’m trying to cut costs wherever I can to put extra money toward our mortgage to pay it off as early as possible. You guys provide great tips in budgeting! 🙂

    • Reply Joanna January 19, 2015 at 9:05 am

      Yay! Homeownership is definitely something to get excited about! I’ll live through all of you who have taken the plunge until Johnny and I actually go for it, too. I’ve never heard of Peaky Blinders… I’ll have to look it up!

  • Reply John January 17, 2015 at 2:29 pm

    1.) Firefly, The Dresden Files, and Arrested Development.
    2.) 2002 Believe, 2002 Across an Ocean of Dreams. 2 new age albums that will put you in a very chilled out mellow place.
    3.) 2014 was my final push to retire my debt, I am debt free as of yesterday (house and everything as Dave would say) . $140K in 6 years, 3 months on about $65K income.
    4.) Sim City…but the old old one. I wonder if that even runs on Windows?
    5.) Saw your story Dave vs. Suze. I watch both, too. I followed Dave’s advice, but kept the credit cards and FICO score. I know, I know. I have no idea why I still have those stupid things.

    • Reply Joanna January 19, 2015 at 9:08 am

      Whoa!! Super congrats to you! That is quite the achievement. Very, very, very cool. We kept the credit cards, too! Ain’t no shame in that, especially after what you’ve accomplished!

  • Reply John January 19, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    Thank you, it has been a long journey and with just a few days under my belt as debt free it really hasn’t sunk in yet. Question for you…have you and your readers run across the show “We Owe What?” on the Living Well Network? You can watch the full episodes online at

    http://livewellnetwork.com/We-Owe-What/8432944

    Its not Dave Ramsey or Suze Orman, but they are relevant for folks like us. My biggest beef with the show is they don’t dig into the numbers. The more current episodes are better than the older ones.

    • Reply Joanna January 22, 2015 at 10:22 pm

      No, we haven’t heard of that show, but it looks like it would be right up our alley! We’ll have to check it out this weekend. We love seeing real-world money situations and how other people are handling them. Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply CG February 9, 2015 at 3:33 am

    1.) The Mindy Project, Modern Family, Family Guy, How I Met Your Mother, Scrubs (I love anything that can make me laugh but not have to pay attention to for more than half an hour at a time.)
    2.) Shake It Off by Taylor Swift. I realize that, at almost 40, I’m not her target demographic, but that song gets me off the couch to dance around the house every time.
    3.) Moving to another country without going into debt.
    4.) I’ve never played Sim City but I’m a huge fan of The Sims so I’m going to go with that.
    5.) Found you while Googling articles on people who budget but still use their credit cards. We’re of the idea that credit is good when used responsibly but so many people refuse to see any positives in them. I wanted experiences from people who can handle using them and still keep to a regular budget, in the same way as the cash only budgeters do.

    • Reply Joanna February 9, 2015 at 11:16 am

      Agreed… The perfect TV show is one that makes me laugh but doesn’t take much time. We’re currently hooked on Parks and Rec.

      No shame in loving Taylor… I swear it’s on repeat in our house most nights because we all love to dance to it.

      • Reply CG February 9, 2015 at 4:38 pm

        Completely forgot about Parks and Rec! Just recently started catching a few episodes and I’m definitely thinking about starting at the beginning of the series.

        • Reply Joanna February 11, 2015 at 10:58 am

          It’s my go-to show for decompressing and getting some stress off my chest! I don’t know about you, but I need a good laugh every night once the day is done!

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