It is frustrating to me how far we are not ahead!! Our EF had to take a break thanks to new tires (yes that is an emergency when you have to get out of town and one is flat) and a night at a hotel while we waited for the tire place to open. Oh well, at least we have it to use and it isn't on our credit cards. We are starting a ministry project that costs us about 500 to begin. That is OK we had that saved for the project and will probably enjoy doing it. What isn't ok is some charges that are on that the money wasn't put away for. We can cover it but I am not happy about it. I will be much happier when the car is paid off. Then there will be alot more play in the budget that we can use for saving for a down payment and building the EF faster. Of course if we haven't been successful in our domestic adoption we will probably opt to keep renting and try to adopt internationally. Expensive but we aren't geting any younger and need to get this done soon. The car has about 5 more payments. I am planning on doing it in 4 at worst. I suppose I should be encouraged as my DH says, 4 years ago we were into big negative numbers on our balance sheet and now they are positive, small but positive. He's right but....