As everyone probably knows if you’ve been checking out this site, Brian and I have been extremely busy up until recently. I had the pleasure of a week off for the holidays, and Brian finished the semester and is on winter break. Since Christmas brought us many gifts and much money, we got excited and went on a let’s-buy-stuff-for-the-trip shopping spree, only to be disappointed at our options in the area. Sure, we can shop online, and most of the time prefer it, but it really is frustrating when you have to return items over and over because they just aren’t what you expected (and when you’ll be using them for a year or more straight, they better be perfect, right?). So Friday, we hopped in the car and scurried all the way down to St. Louis for an adventure! (We don’t have many of them since we’re on such a tight budget, so this was quite exciting for us.)

Fridays at the St. Louis Art Museum are FREE so I of course had to take advantage. I love museums and can usually spend hours looking at great artwork. The best part is the inspiration/creative spark that is left with me after going, and with being so busy lately, it felt good to have that feeling again.

After fun-fun in the museum, we made our way to REI, which is not a store we normally have access to. The best thing we have around here is Dick’s and man, that store usually just leaves us dissatisfied and depressed. REI was just what we were looking for. We spent probably 3 hours in that store, investigating, taking notes, and trying items on. It was great. I purchased a very adorable black fleece vest and some quick drying brown denali pants that roll up to capris. Brian purchased some nalgene bottles and a pack cover. It may not sound like much, but we were able to get ideas of other items we might be interested in, and best of all, we were able to try on some great hiking shoes/sandals.

After the hours in the museum and shopping we were starved. We stopped off and grabbed some dinner, then picked up some Starbuck’s to perk us up for the long drive home. I, actually, was the only one who wanted a latte, but when I asked for a gingerbread latte, they thought I said green tea latte. Long story short, we paid the price of the green tea latte and received both the gingerbread and green tea in the end, giving each of us a great treat. Yay for adventures!

The year 2006 has come and gone in a flash.

It seems like it was just yesterday that Brian and I made the decision to pursue the trip, and here we are, already reviewing the year’s funding progress thus far. The big question: 2006, success or failure?

I have worked two jobs, set a tight budget, and paid off my car. I have reached a year end savings of $8100.00 strictly for the trip, set up CD’s and high interest savings accounts, combined cell phone plans, and disconnected cable.

Brian has managed to lock down winter and summer internships with Bunge (thus securing finances for the trip), also set up CD’s and high interest savings accounts, and has stuck to my budget without complaints. He has also managed to turn off all the lights when I tend to leave them on (whoops!). Now, with some additional unexpected help from his family, Brian is currently at a trip savings of $15,000.00!

“Success or failure?” I ask again. With a combined savings of $23,000 it is hard to see the year as anything but a success. It is also hard to convince myself to get another part-time job! But with a year ending so well it would seem silly to stop pursuing my original money goals. I must keep saving. Who knows where 2007 will leave us, or where the adventure will lead us.

Here’s to another year of success!

How many times have you heard these famous words? Once?… twice?… twenty? Well today you hear them again because Brooke has to remind herself to do just that… She’s got to pay for a RTW trip!

Since September, I have been working my butt off with 2 jobs. At first with Denny’s I thought it was just because I wasn’t used to it, and that it would get better in time. Alas, time has passed, and I’m flustered. I don’t know if it is the location, or the town, but I have been disappointed one too many times. C’mon, ‘kids eat free’ night doesn’t mean that your server works for free, too! I understand that our $5.99 extreme slam, 2 eggs, 3 bacon, 3 sausage, hash browns, and 3 pancakes “breaks the bank”, but please get it to-go if you’re not going to tip.

As you can see, one might have the right to be flustered when subjected to such harsh working conditions. So, I decided to put in my notice that Dec. 23rd will be my last day with Denny’s (it was really only a 13 day notice, but hey if I’m quitting, I’m not working Christmas!). Oh, Denny’s, we’ve had such a good time together. You’ve helped pay off my car, and for that I will be forever thankful. But, I must find another way to get the money I need for my trip, and one that won’t leave me insane.

p.s. I pretty much hate people who eat breakfast for dinner now.