Dave Ramsey and Tesla

I believe in the thought that if you work really hard, put Jesus first and material things last, it is okay, to want things, and to dream big. I also believe that being an open book is OKAY. I tell too much about myself and my life, but hey, that is what this blog is for. I do not regret any of it.

 For the longest time, I refused to allow myself to want. I felt that it wasn't a pleasing trait, and I was in a way, going against everything Jesus taught.

I have learned over time that, it is okay to dream wild dreams, to plan large plans and to want a good life. Just as long as your foundation is solid and built on Christ like principals.

So, where am I going with this?

For the past year and a half, my husband and I have been doing the Dave Ramsey method for our finances. One day, we ordered to set, sat down at our computers and created an excel spreadsheet. Every month, we pull out cash for groceries and food, gas and "fun money". This helps to keep up accountable and to not use our debit cards so freely. It was tough in the beginning, but the rewards of this system have been mind-blowing! We are able to save money, build our $1000 emergency fund in savings and still have some left over for fun.

In the beginning, we laid out all of our budgets, from debts to income. With us, this is very tricky. My husband has been in school for the past 5 years, so my job has been the only source of income. Saving money, or even having any let over at every pay period was tough. But we make it.

We have a plan to pay off all debts in 3 years: student loans, personal loans from needing additional income while Colby has been in school, cars and credit cards. We will stick with the Dave Ramsey method and "snowball" our debt. Smallest debts first, then lead up to the larger one. If you have not ever licensed to any of Dave Ramsey shows/podcasts, please do so today, learn how to manage your money, and become millionaires in no time.

One day, Colby and I were road tripping and listening to one of Daves podcasts. During the "millionaire hour", people from all over would call in and explain how they paid off their debts, how much money they bring in every year and how much they are worth. It is staggering the amount of people who only are making $80k-$100k that are now debt free, and millionaires, all due to Daves system.

This really sparked our interest. So, we have a plan, and we have stuck to it so far and come January, when Colby graduates and finally starts working, we will still continue to live like we are on one income, and use all of his earnings to pay off our debts. We are doing now, what no one wants to do, so that later, we can live like everyone wants to, debt free.

Lets now move on to my next adventure. Tesla. For years, I would see people at charging stations, literally charing their car, and think, "Who are these weird people, with electric cars that I am sure cost an arm and a leg, and why would they want a car that only functions off a battery!" And for years, I have always dreamed to be able to afford one.

Last year, Elon Musk and Tesla, released their newest addition to the Tesla family. The Tesla Model 3, an affordable, state of the art, electric vehicle. The Model 3 starts at $35k! With Tesla offering an all electric, beautiful vehicle, at a rate that common people like myself can finally afford, how could I not be excited. As of late, I have researched and planned the process of one: paying down my car to trade in and two: saving up to reserve and make a downpayment.

Thankfully, I live by the gospels principals and Dave Ramseys. I won't move forward on my dream until it makes sense financially. It is an amazing feeling every month to slowly be able to put money aside to make my dream a possibility. Any extra money left over, or that I do not use to gas, etc., gets to go to my dream of not only owning an electric vehicle, but to no longer have to wait at a gas pump, no more oil changes, no more tune ups and the biggest deal to me, is no more CO2 emissions.

What Tesla offers is green energy and less damage to the environment that gas and oil produce over time. If little old me can help just by switching vehicles, sign me up!

If you are interested in learning about Dave Ramsey, click here: Dave Ramsey

If you are invested in learning about Tesla, and the moves the company is making to sustainable energy, click here: Tesla

THE WIZARDING WORLD OF HARRY POTTER

I did it. I finally did it. And it was epic. What you ask? I finally visited, the one and only Harry Potter World at Universal Studios, Orlando.
My work set a goal, we met the goal. The award was..Disney and Universal Studios
 (I work for the best company in the world)
No I did not read the book, YES I watched all movies at least 10 times each.

After one year of anticipation, we finally made it! I was so excited walking into Universal Studios that I could barely enjoy any of the amazing rides we did to kill time before we headed into Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley.

If you are planning a trip to Universal Studios Florida, please know that in order to visit both parks (Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley) you will need to purchase two separate tickets as they are in two areas.

As we wandered through Universal Studios, I kept seeing signs for Diagon Alley. But did not see, Diagon Alley. The buildings started to look more Harry Potter-ish so I knew we were close.

After seeing the Knight Bus, I really started to feel like we were in the right spot.

After taking a couple of pictures in the general area, I had to find an employee to ask how to get to Diagon Alley, as there was no sign or point of entry. The employee informed me that I would have to ride a train to get to the park and left it at that. I felt confused and did not want to miss out on both parks. I luckily turned around and took the below picture.

I walked a couple of steps and saw this tunnel, and let me tell you. I am sure my face was a like a five year old on Christmas morning. I felt like I was discovering a new species. I had found it. Luckily. I love how it was so inconspicuous and you had to take this small tunnel to actually get into the park. You would not ever know it was there unless you walked through.

This was the sight I saw. Music from the movie playing, children running with wands, chattering and over all joy.

Of course I had to make my first stop to get my wand.

You have two options for wand choices. Interactive, or not. 

I chose the interactive one for a whopping $55. Totally. Worth. It.

In front of all shops are coins on the ground, these help you to know you are in front of an interactive shops/area. Some shops make it rain, some make fire come out of the building, colors change, figures move. The ultimate experience for die hard Harry Potter fans/kids.

After trying out my wand, my next quest was for Butterbeer. 

The drink itself is non alcoholic and tastes like cream soda with a creamy froth top. So good.

The money exchange is a must for the experience. There is a $20 minimum to trade regular US dollars for Wizard dollars. You can use the money at both parks and it is viewed just like cash.

The bathrooms are everything you would expect. I was very tempted to stand on top of the toilet and take a picture. I did feel like I was completely immersed in the world!

Diagon Alley park does host the ride, Escape from Gringotts. Lots of drops, losts of interaction. I was very impressed. The wait in the line was worth it as there is so much to see.

Leak Cauldron, everyone. The freaking, Leaky Cauldron. We did not eat here as we had a time spot saved for Three Broomsticks in the other park, Hogsmeade. You do not have to make reservations for either restaurant.

Right outside of Diagon Alley is the entrance to Kings Cross Station. The wait was two hours, but since we had a "fast pass", we were able to get on in about 30 minutes.

The train ride from Diagon Alley to Hogsmeade lasts about 5 minutes and is interactive. The screen seen below plays the scene when the Dementors attack the train looking for Harry.

Yes, this is Hogsmeade. And I didn't think it could get any better!

I wish I would have taken more photos but was losing power at this point. I was able to pick up some Chocolate Frogs from the candy shop. Again, another wicked cool experience.

The castle hosts the second ride The Wizarding World of Harry Potter offers, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The caste is a maze that wraps around for what seems like miles once you are inside. Again, if we did not have our fast pass tickets, it would of been another two hour wait. The inside of the castle is extremely detailed and matches everything from the movie. The ride was also exciting, with small drops and interactions from the characters in the movie.

The park does close at 7pm (odd I know). As soon as we rode the final ride, we headed over to Three Broomsticks for dinner. The inside was just like the movie. I was skeptical at first of what the food would be like. It was DELICIOUS. I got the pot pie.

Our tickets cost around $260 for both parks. We did have to sit through a timeshare pitch that morning to get this good of a deal. You can find those deals anywhere on a google search.

All in all, both parks were a dream. Universal went above and beyond on getting every detail right. Down to the cobble streets, smells and food. If you ever get the chance to visit Florida and Universal Studios, please go by Harry Potter World.