The BUDGET won!!!!! :) We actually did so well, I think I should forget delivering mail and go into travel planning. LOL

I can't believe it is almost August already!!! Time really seems to be flying by with this competition, so far the summer has been pretty fair to us financially. We have had some minor bumps in the road, but we have been able to get through them without tapping into our savings, having overdraft fees or using our credit cards!!!

Most recently (last week actually) our oldest daughter Emily's fast-pitch softball team made it to the State finals in Key Largo. She was so excited when she made the "All-Star" team at the end of the season and even more so when they won Sectionals which was held here in Tallahassee this year. So, we couldn't not let her go to state. She plays softball at our local recreation department, not for a travel team - - we know enough to know that we simply can't afford that. It goes without saying that although we were happy they made it...it sort of felt like we were on top of a roller coaster fixing to go downhill fast! The excitement for my husband and I was quickly replaced with "How in the world are we going to do this financially?"

Everything just happened to work out for us :)

Remember last week when I blogged about my work car being broken? Well, it needed to be in the shop a little longer than I anticipated, so I was off and had to use some of my annual leave on that anyway...so work was already taken care of.

Then through fundrasiers and sponsors, the girls team was able to raise a pretty good amount to cover some of the cost.

Gran is originally from Miami, so we were able to stay with friends and family for a large part of the trip....It was great being able to save money, visit with friends and spend time with our family. We both have been working so hard lately that we haven't had any amount of time away from home/work to just reconnect with our children.

Luckily, the girls just had b-days!! Which meant they all still had their birthday money/gift cards. (no, we did not use their money! That would just be mean) However..they had saved their money just for the trip and were able to buy their own souveniers. I think they really learned a lot from that.

Another bonus ** they knew how much they had to spend and didn't ask us for EVERYTHING** They were more awares of prices than ever before, and actually still had some money when they got home!!

During the last leg of the trip, the place we stayed had a small kitchen. We also got a hugh discount on the room since we were with the softball tournament.

Instead of going and eating out with the team each night...we went to Publix bought some groceries and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner at our room. Afterall, we would have had to buy the same groceries at home, and what we didn't use we were able to bring back home with us. Yes, it was not as exciting doing that, but we knew that was the only way we could make this trip happen. When you have a family of 5, its hard to even go to a fast food restaurant and not pay a fortune.

I even used coupons down there!! I was very proud of myself for that. I saved quite a bit in coupons/sales for those few days. The last night we did splurge and go out to dinner with the team. Aside from that, we cut corners in everyway possible!

So, although I was terrified to begin with..it all worked out and we are still on budget!!! I even noticed a lot of differences with myself on this trip. I thought twice before I purchased anything, didn't buy any clothes for the trip, did not pay to do any "touristy" things....and we all still had a great time!! Imagine that!! Oh, and her team came in 2nd in the whole state..those girls did a great job!!

But now that August is just around the corner, its time to get back into gear and get ready for all the mini-challenges that are going to come our way!!

And as always, click here to "like" our WeLiveFIT! Knowles Family page. We will keep the page updated with important dates and information regarding the competition.