Day 214 or You Can't Un-See That

I have had my eyes opened (or burned, depending on your perspective)! Two things have changed the way I see things PERMANENTLY and will forever change the way I do things.

First off, I watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. I don't know if any of you saw the show but basically, Oliver is trying to repeat in the United States what he did for British schools by exposing what our children eat in schools (and in their homes). I highly recommend the show but don't expect to eat for several hours thereafter. One of the things he showed was how they make frozen chicken nuggets. Oh My Goodness! I had no idea but it was horrid! I can't un-see that!

I am not a cook and I have picky eaters. Not the greatest combination for healthy eating. So I admit it. We have eaten many a frozen nugget. While I knew processed food wasn't great, I was so naive. I will never make them for my kids again. Hell to the NO! Never. I don't know if you are enjoying a snack with your blogging so I will spare you the details but it was absolutely disgusting!!!

Secondly, many of you may be like me and have credit card debt. (Yes. I know. It's impossible to believe that someone so together as I may have debt. But oops! There's the pin. The bubble has burst!) Anyways, in my surprisingly debt-filled world, my husband and I have gotten serious about getting out from under this beast So I have been paying attention to our bills. And those you who receive monthly love letters from those handsome fellows over at Chase and Bank of America may have noticed the same thing. There is this new box that tells you how long it will take you to get out of debt if you just pay the minimum payment each month and compares it to how much you need to pay each month to be debt-free in three years. Again, Oh My Goodness. I can't un-see that.

Now don't get me wrong. I always tried to pay more than the minimum but this showed how a difference of $65.00 a month could save me 28 years (yes -- 28!) and over $13,000. It makes me look at going to the movies differently. It makes me reconsider buying a new DVD each week. Sometimes it is easy to think that you are never going to be out of debt and then it is easier to redirect your funds into more immediate gratifications. But three years is not that long. And the difference each month is doable. I can do this!!!!

So, like I said, I have seen it and I can't pretend that I didn't. But in truth, I don't want to. Because these are things that make my life better. And in the end that's why I started this crazy journey.