Make a Payment Rates About Careers Contact Locations Steph is as an Interventional Radiologic Technologist who enjoys free time with her dog, Willow, and her craft beer group, as well as hiking and camping. She’s excited to imagine herself one year from now – on a path to a new financial direction and a healthier mind, body and spirit after Project Money. Costa Rica was amazing! It 100% lives up to its slogan, Pura Vida, which means “pure life.” Everyone we met, from our airport shuttle driver, Christian, to our tour guides on our excursions, was wonderful. I highly recommend going if you have the opportunity. The language barrier was only a minor inconvenience, as most people who live there speak English, at least enough to communicate your needs. I still can’t believe that I will be turning 40 in November. Forty years around the sun, as they say. I don’t feel like I look 40, and I don’t feel 40. Even though this is a milestone party for me, I am keeping Project Money in mind while I am making plans for my party. That being said, I am trying to make this party memorable but on a budget! I have been very fortunate to be invited to my sister and her boyfriend’s property in Costa Rica. It’s a family trip, as my two sisters Katie and Jayme are going, as well as their boyfriends Karl and Ben, my niece Hayden, and Ben’s extended family. Despite doing Project Money, I felt like this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip that all of us would be off together to go. So, I’ve been saving extra money in a separate travel account to pay for this trip. This month is pretty tight financially. Both my car insurance and camper insurance are due within the same month, so with every purchase I make, I really need to keep that in mind. My computer also needed to be replaced. It gave me 14 solid years, so I’d say it did its job, but it sucks that it isn’t working great anymore. That being said, it’s extra important for me to truly stick to my budget with zero wiggle room. The area I spend most my money on monthly, besides Willow, is groceries. Let’s talk saving money. I don’t mean saving money at the grocery store through couponing or using a calculator while shopping. Those are both great ways to help you save money, but what I’m talking about is putting money into a savings account. Saving money has been a challenge for me over the past year or so. I used to be a good saver but somehow, it became more difficult to save as my debt increased. I really struggled to save money, but Project Money has really made me think about how I can do better. Several months ago, I made the decision to invest in buying some items to make a garden at my home. I haven’t had an actual garden since I had my house in Muskego several years ago, so I was starting over again. I ended up buying a raised garden bed from Amazon and purchasing several plants from a local gardener for $1 each and two plants from Menards. All in all, the initial investment in my garden was roughly around $90. As the fall-like temps make their reappearance, I can’t help to think back about summer and how much time and effort I made into making my new seasonal spot feel like home. It was fun doing cost-effective projects from putting in my firepit, making the platform for my little gazebo and shed, and rebuilding my deck. All in all, I am very pleased with the way my campsite turned out, and I am even more excited that I kept Project Money in mind as I went along the way. I spent around $700 total on all the projects at the campground! The one I think I am most proud of is my flower bed. I got Willow this year in the middle of January. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a pup, as it was only seven months after I had to put my Gunner down. She was posted on a Vizsla rescue site stating she needed to be rehomed due to a family needing to relocate. Whether that is true or not, I found out that I am now Willow’s fourth home. After having her for a month, it was clear that she has some significant anxiety issues. Several months ago, I made the decision to invest in buying some items to make a garden at my home. I haven’t had an actual garden since I had my house in Muskego several years ago, so I was starting over again. I ended up buying a raised garden bed from Amazon and purchasing several plants from a local gardener for $1 each and two plants from Menards. All in all, the initial investment in my garden was roughly around $90. 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