Debby over at Nanny’s Place tagged me in a fun meme that requires sharing a bit of link love with your fellow bloggers. While I don’t usually participate in too many memes because there are so many floating around out there, I like this one’s ability to make me think a bit more as well as share additional details about my life. Debby’s list consists of the following 11 questions that I’ve answered here:

1. When did you start blogging and why?  I began blogging in 2010 as a way to stay accountable with my spending and saving habits. I was awash in credit card debt, and I needed a serious intervention. Luckily, I’ve created some sound habits from which to build a strong financial future for myself.  
2. What was the last thing that you bought that you wish you didn’t?  3 boxes of Girl Scout cookies–while I love supporting their causes, I hate the lack of willpower I have around them and the subsequent sugar highs I afford myself after indulging a bit too much!
3. What is your most precious childhood memory?  There’s a host of them, so I suppose I’m cheating here. One that stands out in particular is spending the summer before 7th grade living at my grandparent’s house after my grandmother had heart surgery. I was her helper, and I relished being able to spend so much time with her/them.
4. What is your favorite color and why?   Again, I’m cheating because there are too many! I love Earth tones the most because they’re calming and grounding.
5. What was your best date with your significant other?   Hmmm…we tend to not really go out on official “dates,” but we do travel together. Our trips to Greece & Mexico last fall were definitely highlights!
6. What do you consider your biggest achievement in life?   Buying my own home, hands-down. Considering my terrible financial past, it’s really a miracle that I was able to make such significant changes for the better.
7. Are you a loner or would you rather be in a crowd?   I’m a serious social butterfly, so definitely in a crowd!
8. What was the best meal you’ve ever had?   Fresh pasta carbonara in Italy, with a glass of local Chianti. That, my friends, was utter bliss from start to finish.
9. If you were granted 3 wishes from a genie, what would you ask for?   OK, now I’m seriously cheating because one wish would be for the completion of my dream list. And while I’m at it, I’d request the 2nd wish to be the fulfillment of my bucket list.  Third, I’d wish for more time with my grandparents who have passed away.
10. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?   Antarctica, baby! (and then Kilimanjaro). Actually, I’m in the process of signing up for the 2015 Antarctica Marathon, so I suppose this will become a reality!
11. Who is your best friend? My grandmother (the one I mention in #3 whose house I stayed at). She’s my rock and I’d be lost without her. She’s also the one I’m taking to Ireland this spring, which is one of my 2012 goals.

So now that I’ve answered Debby’s list of questions, it’s your turn!  

Here are the rules for the meme: 

1. Post these rules
2. Answer the 11 new questions for the person who tagged you and link back to their blog
3. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag
4. Tag 11 people and link them to your post
5. Let them know you tagged them

My list of 11 questions:

1. When did you start blogging and why? 
2. What are you top 3 dream travel destinations?
3. How do you make financial decisions?
4. What’s your dream job?
5. What other blogs do you enjoy reading?
6. What are some of your hobbies?
7. How do you unwind at the end of a long day?
8. What are your biggest life goals/bucket list items?
9. How do you stay motivated with your finances (spending/saving)
10. What’s your favorite movie?
11. Who inspires you?

And now for those I’m tagging:

• Midlife Mom’s Musings
• My 1/2 Dozen Daily
• From Shopping to Saving
• Girl with the Red Balloon
• Upendilife
• Minting Nickels
• Newlyweds on a Budget
• In-Debt, Fat, Short with Bad Teeth  (who also is amazing and nominated me for the Liebster Award a while back!)
• TeacHer Finance 
• Homeowner by 30