As most of you know, I love reading blogs. Whenever I’m aware that I’m about to head into a new unknown territory of my life, I search out blogs so I can get some insights before actually getting to that point.

Before Aaron and I got married, I searched out military spouse blogs to what this new life would entail. Before graduating college, I read career blogs (and still do, everyone should I think). When planning my wedding, obviously, I read wedding blogs. Wedding blogs are great for getting ideas and inspiration from.

After graduating from college and getting my first PR job in Los Angeles, I knew it was time to get serious about budgeting and personal finance. I’m not one of those people who think I can do everything fine myself. I generally know when to ask for help and not try to be an “expert.” So I hired a financial planner to help me set up a retirement account and establish financial goals for myself. The great thing about a good financial planner is that they show you the necessary steps to achieve your goals and tell you if you’re realistically going to make it to what you want. My financial planner was big on educating me on how things worked. Not only did I set up a mutual fund, he forced me to learn how they work, how companies make money and how I make money. I learned about paying myself first and the wide variety of savings accounts that are available.

If you are floundering in how to manage your money, I highly recommend hiring a financial planner to have a 3rd party review your situation and get you on the right track. Get a recommendation from a friend you know who manages their money well (not someone who looks life they have lots of nice things), and spend the money to meet with a planner at least once.

Currently, Aaron and I do not utilize a financial planner’s services, but from my past experience, financial blogs, and mint.com, I think a financial planner would be proud of us.

I wanted to highlight two personal finance blogs that I enjoy reading and highly recommend.

Bible Money Matters – http://www.biblemoneymatters.com

Bible Money Matters is a Christian finance blog that uses scripture as its foundation for managing your money. The aim of the blog is to show how faith and finances work together. I really like this blog because it’s focus is not “manage your money well so then you can buy yourself lots of nice things and show off to others” … which is what our society thinks, or worse, just “charge it.” The attitude of this blog, which comes across in the content and views of the various guest authors, is that money is really God’s and you are just the manager of it. So manage it well!

To get a feel of the kind of posts Bible Money Matters has, click HERE, for the “best of” posts.

The Paycheck Chronicles – http://paycheck-chronicles.military.com

 The Paycheck Chronicles is a finance blog on Military.com. If you haven’t guessed already, it’s a blog written for service members and their families. Even though it’s geared for the military, Kate Kashman, Paycheck Chronicles author, still writes great articles that anyone can learn from (ok, yes some posts won’t have anything to do with you if you have no idea how the military affects your finances).

Kate writes about special deals that are available to military, finance tips when chosing what type of accounts to use, money quotes (which I love), and basic budgeting tips that are great for all. It’s worth while to stop by if you’re a civilian, and you should DEFINITELY bookmark it if you’re in the military.

Currently I work at the Fleet & Family Support Center at Naval Base Coronado. There are so many financial programs available to the military, you just have to be aware of what they are, then use them! Also, I know for a fact that the Navy has Financial Educators (similar to a financial planner), that will help you set up a budget or review any financial statements for free (for military). Just call your local family service center and ask about financial counseling.

Happy blog reading!

So I blog, twitter, facebook, Linkedin, flickr … here’s another site to add to my social-media internet website addiction …

www.ClaireWolf.smugmug.com

I’m going to use this site to display any photos that I take, hopefully will keep it up to date , and maybe will try to make some money from this one day. This is just the beginning.

Enjoy!

Lena, my sister-in-law, was married to Mark Comer on September 12, 2009. Lena trusted me enough to actually take her wedding photos. I’m almost finished editing all of them, but I wanted to give her a sneak peek of some of the photos.

Our friend Jon also helped with the photography that day. Thanks Jon.

Enjoy Lena and Mark and congrats once again!

Mark’s first glance at Lena walking down the aisle:

 Here’s another song I just cannot stop listening to by Thrice. It’s about not giving up on your marriage even though tough times are guaranteed.

When other bands or music groups sing about using women, pursuing relationships to meet selfish desires, or just singing about how many girls they can get at the “club” (lol), Thrice sings about the importance of your marriage vows. Yes, it is because they are awesome. Everyone should buy their CD.

Listen to the song HERE.

The Weight

There’s many who’ll tell you they’ll give you their love,
But when they say “give” they mean “take.”
They’ll hang ‘round just like vultures till push comes to shove;
They’ll take flight when the earth starts to shake.

Someone may say that they’ll always be true,
Then slip out the door ‘fore the dawn.
But I won’t leave you hanging on.
Another may stay till they find someone new,
Then before you know they’ll be gone.
But I won’t leave you hanging on;
No, I won’t be that someone.

[chorus]
And come what may, I won’t abandon you or leave you behind
Because love is a loyalty sworn, not a burning for a moment.
And come what may, I will be standing right here by your side;
I won’t run away, though the storm’s getting worse and there’s no end in sight.

Some talk of destiny, others of fate,
But soon they’ll be saying goodbye.
But I won’t leave you high and dry.
Because a ring don’t mean nothing
If you can’t haul the weight,
And some of them won’t even try,
But I won’t leave you high and dry;
I won’t leave you wondering why.

And storms will surely come,
But true love is a choice you must make
And you’re the one that I have set my heart to choose.
As long as I live, I swear I’ll see this through.

Kimdoes this on her blog occasionally … I think it’s fun, so I’m going to do it too! Here’s a quick re-cap of what I’ve been doing this week.

WHAT I’M READING: Just finished reading I Promise, by Gary Smalley. It’s a great book on marriage. Aaron’s reading it now.

WHAT I’M WATCHING: The Biggest Loser started again, so I am really into that. Also The Office of course. As I type this I’m watching a Law & Order marathon. Any time is a good time for Law & Order.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Constantly listening to Thrice’s Beggars (see the previous post). Such an awesome CD, go buy it right now!

WHAT I’M WEARING: I’ve been enjoying wearing high heels again, it’s the best part of getting dressed for work.

WHAT I’M EATING: Went over to my friend Amy and Chuck’s house tonight for tacos. I’ve been trying to eat more healthy lately, don’t really know how successful I’ve been.

WHAT I’M ENJOYING: Enjoyed spending some time with Kim, Evan and Derek today. Also had fun with co-workers at happy hour and trying a new form of exercise this week (yoga).

WHAT I’M SNIFFING: Tonight I was with my church’s high school ministry … I had forgotten what high school boys smelled like.

One of Aaron and my favorite bands, Thrice, came out with a new album recently. It’s AWESOME and AMAZING! It’s the only thing we play at our apartment right now.

Their lyrics are deep  and powerful. I feel good when I listen to their music. The meanings behind their songs are more than skin deep, they can touch you to your core if you understand them with your heart.

One of my new favorite songs is called “In Exile.” It’s about not being content with what Earth has to offer and knowing that you don’t belong here … and longing for something more.

I am an exile – a sojourner; a citizen of some other place.

All I’ve seen is just a glimmer in a shadowy mirror,

But I know one day I’ll see face to face.

 

I am a nomad – a wanderer; I have nowhere to lay my head down.

There’s no point in putting roots too deep when I’m moving on;

I’m not settling for this unsettling town.

 

(chorus)

My heart is filled with songs of forever -

Of a city that endures, where all is made new.

I know I don’t belong here; I’ll never

Call this place my home, I’m just passing through.

 

I am a pilgrim – a voyager. I won’t rest until my lips touch the shore

Of the land that I’ve been longing for as long as I’ve lived,

Where there’ll be no pain or tears anymore.

You can also listen to the song HERE.

Happy Birthday!

I had the pleasure at being at three birthday parties these past few months for little ones turing 1.

They are all cute in their own unique ways and I love every minute that I get to see them. One of my favorite things to watch is their reaction to eating their first bite of cake. These babies have not ever had a sugar load quite like this before. They are always a little confused at first, but quickly get the hang of it after a few bites. It’s fun to see cake all over their face and eventually get it in their hair and clothes.

Enjoy these pictures of my one-year-old friends!

Happy birthday Ben:

Happy birthday Amelia:

Happy birthday Evan:

My sister Brittany just started college AND recently started a blog! I love it when people start blogging

Visit her site and encourage her with comments as she navigates her first year of college.

brittanybee2.wordpress.com

Or today … September 1st.

I’ll be working at the Navy’s Fleet and Family Support Center where I live as a program administrative assistant.

People keep asking me what I’ll be doing. Well, I’ll be assisting on the administrative side of the Navy’s support programs.

Once I get into it, I’ll write another post about what I’ll be doing exactly … I really don’t know all my duties right now. There’s a lot of paperwork involved when you work with the military, so tomorrow I will spend most of my time with HR filling out forms.

I’ll keep you all updated on how the job is going. Just pray that I can wake up on time each morning!