Ok so this is my first blog ever.  Let me begin by saying that I am a 25 year old girl, living in central Conncticut.  I am an elementary school teacher and a baby sitter who is still trying to pay off her massive student loans and credit card, while still enjoying the finer things in life and oh- did I mention that I am getting married this summer?? So yeah, the whole paying off debt and saving for a wedding thing isn't going exactly as planned.  While it may not seem like there's a lot on my plate, there is to me.  And for all of you out there who are engaged, in a relationship or have ever been in one, you all must know how useless men can be when it comes to listening or expecially giving advice.  I am a girl who likes to talk about my feelings, my day and just about anything in general.  Yet, 95% of the time when I'm talking to my husband to be about these things it goes in one ear and out the other- unless it's about sports- but I'm not even going there.  So anyways, that's why I created a blog, because I am pretty sure that there are tons of women out there like me, who do love their life, despite their stress whether it be from work or wedding planning or financial woes, and who love their husbands, fiancees, or boyfriends dearly, but we do know deep down that somehow these men in our life will never have the same "listenning ears" as our girlfriends. 

I got engaged last May and was thrilled.  I mean I did know it was coming- just not exactly when.  I dated Mr S. for 7 years and it was getting to the point of either "crap or get off the pot".  But regardless, I was ecstatic when it happened.  Once I came off the newly engaged high, the first thought was oh my god how are we going to pay for this wedding.  We sat down with each of our parents to see what they could do for us.  His parents said they would contribute to certain areas of the wedding and my mom gave us a set amount of money and my dad did the same (they're obviously divorced but we'll save that story for another day).  Yet even with the generous contributions from both families, we will still be paying for a large chunk.  So here we are six months later in the midst of wedding planning which can truly be a job in itself.  Between the planning, dealing with second graders on a daily basis (who tell me the reason why they can't pay attention to me is because they drink two cups of coffee in the morning- hello- decafe anyone?) and babysitting part time I feel maxed out.  But I still went to apply at Ulta the other day-  like I have the energy for another job... but regardless I need the money.  Mr. S is hanging on to my discover card for me so I don't charge anything else (good thing I didn't tell him I spent $74.63 on eyeliner and make up brushes while I was there!)  While some may say that was stupid of me to spend that when you should be paying off debt and saving for your wedding- I feel like looking good and feeling good about yourself is still a priority.  It's funny because sometimes I feel like Carrie Bradshaw when she realized she spent $40,000 on shoes, but somehow I don't think Mr. Big or in my case Mr. S will hand over a check to help me pay off my debts.  I don't think that's the case for most of us girls.  But I do know, that with baby steps, lots of perserverance and the will to occassionally turn down an impulse buy, I'll get through paying off these debts and saving for the most wonderful (expensive) day of my life. For any other bride to be, teacher, baby sitter, or woman in general who has had any simialr experience- you are not alone!

XOXO

WonderGirl