We only invites 110 people but a lot of then are from out of town so we anticipate only 80 to RSVP. She has been saving for her dream wedding since she started working at 15. We culled our friends for vendors. We have a great photographer( I think I shared the engagement photos), the DJ is doing the reception for 1/4 of his normal rate( look up DJ Elliot , the official Disney DJ), the cake is being done by friends that are just starting their business(Jilly Cakes, if you watch cupcake wars that name should ring a bell). Her mom paid for her dress, I've built all of the big decorations and am paying for all of the table pieces and other decor since in making them all. I'm covering the DJ, honey moon rental car and hotel and some other odds and ends as they pop up.

I would rather do a very small wedding and reception. I have friends having weddings with 3-400 guests. No thanks. I think our 100 or so invites is A-OK. I wanted to invite all of my forum friends but it would put us over! It would be nice for our families to help pay but in this day and age that expectation is not there and is difficult. I believe that you should only so what you can afford and don't rely on mommy and daddy to pay for the wedding.


I pay off my bills with 3/4 of my first paycheck of the month and the rest goes into savings and I use the second paycheck for groceries, gas, and right now, wedding stuff. I put 10% of my salary into my 401k so the check I get is actually after they take out the 401k. Then I put a minimum of $250 into savings. Anything left over at the end of the month goes into savings also. She too has the same financial mindset, is like to start a Roth IRA after the wedding so we can have our savings grow and maybe put a little bit of money into some stocks for the long term.

I try not to spend my money frivolously but every now and then I buy something stupid but it's something I can easily resell. Like my M1 Garand, $625 but I can easily flip it for double. I'm not planning on ever selling it, but if I have to I know it's worth a good amount. I buy everything used or on markdown. My clothes, goodwill and outlet stores. Why pay full price?? Our library, 75% used books unless it's a textbook for a certification I want or a new book that isn't that much cheaper used. Our dog, $75 donation to the shelter. Our cars, $5k combined for both and I do all of the work. My tools, almost all used and found at estate sales, pawn shops, or just really good deals.

The only brand new things I buy are socks, shoes, and boxers.

So I think, by my reasoning I do deserve to get something, slightly new, something finally under 100k miles, heck under 40k miles. With a warranty and not a scratch,sent,ding,rust spot, torn seat bolster, or in need of work.

I see all of my friends getting a car or truck of their dreams. My goal was to graduate college with little to no debt and buy another Delorean once out. I've decided that I never want another Delorean because I'd never take it anywhere out of fear of someone damaging it and the community sucks. I've always wanted a VW beetle but I don't know any people with beetles, it would be a massive undertaking on my part to do what is like but it's still on my list. When I was making my list of top 3 cars I wanted to own when I first for my license when I was 16 the list was 1) Mercedes Diesel 2) VW beetle 3) Jeep Wrangler. So I've wanted one for a while and owning a beetle would be cool but it not that different than what I've owned in the past. A Jeep is so different in what it can do and where it can go. I've been stuck on roads since 16, I would now be able to explore the world off the road and see some cool stuff.

It would be pretty flipping sweet to go off roading in Idaho, where Megan is from, and actually go into the mountains instead of seeing them from a far or explore the real parts of FL that not many get to see. Or I could stay on the Tarmac and look at pictures of things.


But for sanitys sake I'm probably
Just going to wait until after the wedding. Because that's the smart thing to do and the best idea. It gives me more time to save up and establish a cushion. I don't want to jump into this without being certain.


-end rant-