How Millennials are saving money these days

I still have a ways to go before I become debt free, but I love when I hear of new ways people are learning to save a buck or two or three.
My sister recently told me about an application you can download to your browser to search for coupons.
Enter Honey.

Honey is a Chrome extension that searches the entire Internet for any and all available coupons and will automatically apply the best ones to your cart during checkout.
Apparently, Honey was created by a Dad with three little ones who wanted to save some dough on pizza (pun intended) but didn't want to search for coupon codes. It searches for coupons overtime you shop online, which proved helpful this year when Christmas shopping.
Here's how it works:
Honey pops up at checkout and asks if you want to check for some savings. Click yes. DUH.
It tests for the best possible coupon codes that currently exist. In the end, saving you both money and time. BOOM.
Read more about Honey here and download it for yourself!

Do you have any other tips or tricks to saving money online?
Hope your 2017 is off to a wonderful beginning:)

5 Ways to Make Your Book-Buying Habit Easier on Your Wallet

I like to read books. A lot.  So much so, I like to keep  running list each year of all the books I have read. My goal is get to 80, maybe even 100 by the end of the year. #ihaveaproblem

While I love to read, it can easily get very expensive making regular trips to Barnes and Noble for my latest fix.
So here's a round-up of 5 smart ways I try to penny pinch when it comes to my voracious appetite for books.
Half.com
This is a newer find for me, and it distantly related to eBay. On this site you can sell items (books, textbooks, music, games, and music!) for a fixed price instead of the auction system eBay is known for.

Shop Thrift Stores & Garage Sales

So this one takes more focus and energy, but scouring local re-sale shops or garage sales you might be surprised what literary treasures you can find. That is basically how I supplied my love of Nancy Drew mystery books in junior high.

Make friends with the Library

Okay.for.real. I loved going to the library something fierce as a little girl, but now I love it even more as an adult. I easily make at least 1-2 trips a week to return titles and pick up new ones. Some of the librarians even know me on a first-name basis. 

Oh and thank the good Lord for the renewal system in public libraries!

Before I ever buy a book now, I tend to try and read it the first time through the library.

Bookbub

I like this website because it is based on your personal interests and taste. Sign up for an account and then set what interests you, which tells Bookbub what you like to read. The site then alerts you to big discounts on e-books (and free too!) and you are able to read them on any device.

Book Swap with Friends

I have been to purse and clothing swap parties...who's to say ya can't do it with books?! Clear your bookshelf of titles you already devoured and score some new finds from your friends. Throw in a bottle of wine, some appetizers, and you've got yourself a party!

Any other book-buying tips you might add?
Happy reading! :)

5 Money Saving Apps for Daily Living

March was not a great budget month. I paid all my bills and saved what I needed but I did a little more fudging of numbers than I knew I should have. Definitely not something I want to keep repeating.
I want to stay focused and committed to the game plan of getting out of debt. And after my dose of March Madness, was looking for some ways to stay focused.  Over the last week I have been researching different money saving apps to that help not break the bank or monthly budget.

Here are some new ones + one or two personal favorites:
GasBuddy Talked about this app earlier this year and I'm still hooked!
Driving an old white boat (aka 99 Lincoln Continental) I want to make this car last long as possible. And finding cheap gas is always at the top of the list in car maintenance. For me, this is an app worth the time and use!

Checkout 51 I was reading about this one over the weekend. Checkout 51 is kinda like a digital coupon book with grocery savings upwards of $5.
After you pay, take of picture of the receipt and scan into the app. Then you are credited for the total amount of savings. The app updates itself every Thursday and payouts are available after reaching $20 balance.
I typically like shopping at Aldi because the prices are already pretty good, but this could be good for the occasional trip to other big name grocery stores.

EveryDollar
An oldie for me, but a goodie. Kinda similar to the money motioning app Mint, this app lets you plan and see where dollar of the monthly budget is going. You can add, delete, or tweak things pretty easily. Oh also its free!
Doesn't have some of the other perks of Mint, but overall user friendly and I like how it is connected to message of Dave Ramsey (whom is helping me get out of debt slowly but surely:)

Groupon
This isn't really news to probably a lot of people but I know people who use it regularly for things like travel, date nights, etc. I knew of a couple who got a rocking deal on their honeymoon to Europe through Groupon.
Whether for a local date night or something more luxurious like a spa day, using Groupon for those planned special somethings can help stretch the dollar a bit more.

ShopSavvy
ShopSavvy allows you to scan barcodes of all types of products and compare prices of where to find the best deal for all types of things.
If you are committed and enjoy using particular products or food items, this could help you price compare and find the best local deal to near you.



Anything else you would add? Do you have any particular money saving apps that you really enjoy?

Happy savings!

3 Ways to Jumpstart your Debt Snowball

I find it humorous to be writing about the debt snowball today considering in the last week we in the mitten state were dumped with snow and yesterday freezing rain. Spring, please come soon and fast! #iwantmyshorts
I am working hard to kick my school loans to the curb, and while there have been some hiccups along the way, I am making progress. By the end of summer, the plan is to have knocked down another $6,000 and staring to make a dent in the 3 big ones left.
The whole concept of the debt snowball is a primary principle of Mr. Dave Ramsey. All extra money goes into paying down the smallest debt, and then when that debt is paid it rolls over into the next highest debt; therefore creating a snowball effect.
When I first got started with following Dave's plan, it was hard to get traction in making a dent with debt. And now with life changes and income cuts, it makes me a little nervous wondering how everything will play out. But there have been several things that have and continue to be helpful as I plug along making progress in my debt snowball.

1. Sell stuff! I purged through a lot appliances, furniture, and clothes. Yes, I even hit up a pawn store with my brother. That was an interesting adventure to say the least... If you are able, pull together a yard sale, hit up Craigslist, or even look on Facebook for online garage sale groups in your local community! 

2. Any extra money, throw at the snowball! I have been pretty good about this, most of the time ;) If I do any speaking or am able to earn some extra money, I throw it at my snowball. Of course it isn't always regular extra income, but it happens I want to make sure it goes where I need it most.

3. Start a side hustle! I am really considering this one right now. This blog has a lot of good idea's I am looking at for extra ways to earn some money. This will take more research and careful planning, but good to know its out there as an option.

Do you use the debt snowball model? If you have debt, what helps you kick it to the curb?

Easy Ways to Cut Down on Gas!

The constant up and down of gas prices for a time were one of the most frustrating factors when I started to live life on a budget. But since then, I have managed to learn a few, simple tricks to help make my dollars stretch longer when it comes to fill the ol' car.

1. Search around for cheap gas with GasBuddy Type in your zip code or city and find the cheapest gasoline prices around. Also comes in a phone app. 
2. Properly Inflated Tires This trick is a new one to me. Did you know when your tires are not inflated properly or out of alignment, you actually make the engine work harder? I know right?! #themoreyouknow Only recently I have learned the right way to fill my tires and check the air pressure, but when my mechanic told me this info, it about blew my socks off!
3. Strategically Plan out Errands  This one can be tricky and perhaps more time consuming. Plan out the shortest route for errands and work to get them down in the shortest driving route possible. This can take a little time, but if you need to really pinch pennies, it can help even make a small difference.
4. Pay for Gas in Cash (whenever possible) I have noticed for a good, long while that cash prices for gasoline are significantly cheaper (at least where I live) than credit card prices. A good 10 cents is enough of a reason to continue to stick with paying for gas with cash...not to mention the whole accountability thing too ;)

Did I leave something out? What would you add? How do you look for new ways to cut down on gasoline? 

Easy Ways to Kick-off Your 2016 Budget!

One regret of my life is that I had to learn the hard way when it came to budgeting, saving money, and learning how to be responsible with money. Never again will I ever take out a loan to travel to Europe! #alwaysabadidea
While it will take awhile still to become debt free, having these tools in my tool box has really changed my perspective on how I look at money and plan to use it.
Maybe you're a penny pincher or maybe you're Suzy Spender, but here are a few easy ways to help you get re-focused and committed to having a strong financial game plan this new year!

1. Create and Stick to a Budget Well duh. Yes starting with the most obvious because sometimes its easy to miss the obvious things. I know for a-good-long-while I lived paycheck to paycheck and hated saving.
But telling your money where to go and then making it happen is a huge game changer! Once the cash out of my gas envelope is gone its gone. There re lots of tools to help keep and track your budget. Some folks use Excel. 
I really like the FREE app Dave Ramsey and his team put together called EveryDollar. It allows you to track, name every single dollar, and create a budget. I was surprised how user friendly it is and the phone app is a really handy way to always have an accurate idea of where my money is going.

2. Look for Big Ways to Save on Groceries I have always like going grocery shopping, but now that I am working to become debt free and I look at it with such a different perspective. If you have an Aldi's near you, check it out! SO worth it! Cheaper prices all around and they are offering a growing number of organic or gluten-free products!
Look for creative ways to stretch that dollar! Maybe try baking homemade bread or your family or consider using eco friendly re-usable cleaning cloths to save on things like cleaning supplies or Clorox wipes. This podcast episode and this one have been really helpful for me too! Oh and this one too ;)

3. Stay Motivate by Learning Constantly Okay so you you want to be financially responsible or maybe finally become debt free? Well how are you going to stay motivated while walking through Target or when the desire for ordering in Chinese kicks in?
Have podcasts, books, and blog you enjoy that you can come back for extra support and that kick in the pants when you need it. Here are some of my current favorites:

• Enjoying Life on a Budget Podcast
• The Dave Ramsey Show...which you can download the app and listen to 3 hours of extra motivation every single day!
• Be More With Less blog
• Frugaling blog
• Money Saving Mom blog
• I Am That Lady blog

4. Have a Way to Stay Accountable

Who is going to help hold you accountable?

Your spouse or friend? Or maybe someone in Facebook group? One I find helpful is called Budget Dorks on Facebook.

Whomever it is, make sure you have someone who can help hold you accountable...because let's face it, it can be really easy to buy our own BS.

How do you stay committed to your budget? What works best for you staying focused on being financially responsible? Are you working to become debt free?

Money Mistakes I've Made in my Twenties...

...I wish I had avoided.
Sometimes being an adult is not all its cracked up to be. One of the hardest lessons I have learned in my twenties are seeing all the money mistakes I have made. Here's to the thirties being a time of greater financial prudence and wisdom!

Within a few months, we will have paid off my car loan and then its onto the dreaded school loans. Why I took out so many stupid loans to study theology I'll never know. I have said time and again on this space that Dave Ramsey  has radically been changing how Jim and I look at and handle money. So with that being said, here are my best worst money mistakes:
1. Not living on a budget I am embarrassed to say even for a time after I got married, we totally had no concept of a budget. Did you know 70% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck?! Yup we were those clowns. We ate out when we wanted and bought for ourselves whenever we felt entitled. Since last May, we have been living on a budget, and go figure now we stick to it and are able to be financial big kids. 
2. Taking out school loans to go to Europe (or just loans in general!) Yup you read that right. Before I graduated college I took out a several thousand dollar loan to go to Medjugorje and Ireland; because naturally I DESERVED treating myself to a European adventure after 4 years of college. Pathetic I know that now. Here's the things with loans. It is borrowing money you currently do not have and then it ends up costing way more due to interest. Loans are not your friend. I promise.
3. Relying on credit cards One of the biggest lies American culture tells us is that we NEED a credit card. If you don't have a credit card you may as well be living in the 1800's. My problem with using them was rationalizing I would only use it in an emergency. But then emergencies also slid into a shopping trip to Old Navy or binging on books at Barnes and Noble. Sure I had ZERO lack of self control either but I relied on this piece of plastic in ways that started to control my life. Not.healthy. Its been a little over a year since we've started this financial journey and the amount of reasons as to why I don't miss my old friend Visa continues to grow. 
4. Disregarding the future While I am so grateful we are changing now, I can look back and see how much I did not plan for the future well in terms of finances. Having no financial plan as you grow up will eventually catch up with you; I know that's the case for us. My high school and college years, were about working so I could spend my money as fast as it deposited into my checking account. Don't just sit around assuming money will magically show up to pay your bills or that someone will help out. Taking ownership and responsibility for your financial future is a lesson I am glad to learn now, so someday I can teach it to our kids.
What about y'all!?! What money mistakes have you made over the years and had to learn from? What's the best piece of advice you would give to young college student on how to wisely handle money?

5 Things You Pay For...but Maybe Shouldn't

As I get learn and get more into saving money and simple living, I am starting to see different things we spend money on that maybe we don't really actually need. Everybody in life will have different priorities and that's okay. But I guess I am starting to become aware of where we spend money on things perhaps we actually don't need to pay for.

1. Cable/Gym memberships
Growing up we had cable, but I only ever found myself to watch a small handful of channels (mainly old movies). When Jim and I got married, I was amazed how crazy expensive it was to have cable, especially if we don't even watch half of it. Netflix has done just fine for us, although they need a MUCH better selection of old movies and musicals.

Gym memberships were the same thing. Our town had a Planet Fitness and at $10 a month seemed reasonable. The only problem with that is you actually have to use the membership. We never did, so once we began following Dave Ramsey's principles, the gym membership was the first thing to go. It was crazy because to even cancel the darn thing was expensive too!? Our apartment complex has a decent work-out room, pool, and I enjoy running outside; all things that don't take extra money from our budget.

2. Internet Router
This one we just learned about. Our Comcast prices aren't great but are not awful either. But we only recently realized that renting our router from the company was costing us an $10 on our monthly bill. Umm heck.no. While its not a crazy huge amount, I am still all for saving where we can.

Double check with your internet provider and see how much they charge you to rent your router. See if you can purchase your own and save some dough.

3. Books/Movies
I LOVE books. Since the new year, I have read almost 30 books. To me, books are like dear, old friends and each one holds special memories attached to it. But over the years, I have seen how much money I have wasted by purchasing brand new books from local bookstores. Since we got married, we live really close to our local library. Now instead of always buying books, I have a running list of books on my phone that I want to check out from the library. This has worked out SO well!

Some of the librarians even know me on a first name basis and they've ordered several books from my request/constant badgering. Same thing with movies! You can rent movies and TV shows from the library for a week at a time for free. I find myself going to the library at least twice a week to either pick a new load of books or return them.
Go make friends with your local librarians! If you're a book lover like me, its a great tool to use!


4. Bread
I certainly do not claim to be Suzy Homemaker, but I am slowly getting into making our own version of different things so we don't have to buy them. Bread is one of them. This recipe for bread is the bomb dot com. Really! If you're a lover of carbs, check out this book.


5. Cleaning Supplies
I am still slowly easing my way into this one. Reading more on natural living and simplicity has increased my interest in doing things ourselves. My two favorite blogs for inspiration and lots on information on this topic are here and here. On the horizon, I want to make more homemade cleaning supplies and take a crack at making laundry detergent.

What are some creative ways you try to stretch your dollar? Are there things in your life you pay for that maybe you don't need to? Do share! I am always on the look-out for new ideas :)

5 Quick Tips for Cash-Based Grocery Shopping

The first time and I went grocery shopping was the week we got home from our honeymoon. This was well before we were living on budget and before we got to know our friend Dave. We just went up and down the aisles happily tossing in whatever we wanted. When we got to the check-out counter we spent around $300. For two people. We happily charged the bill because we were happily in love newlyweds blah blah blah blah.

Fast forward almost three years later. We are no longer using credit cards, will pay off my car by fall, and then its onto my school loans. One of the greatest lessons I have learned in getting our financial act together is the importance of using cash. All the time. Especially at the grocery store.

So what's the big deal with shopping with cash? I learned through Financial Peace University that studies have been done that show when you actually make purchases with cash it activates pain receptors in your brain. Bottom line? Your brain actually feels something when you use cash...somehow it hurts more. Crazy, right?!

We strictly now use only cash, NO debit cards even (we don't even carry them on us!). If we don't have enough cash, it doesn't get bagged and waits for a later grocery trip. Here's a couple things that have really helped us stay focused and using only cash for grocery shopping:

1. Bring only the amount of cash for groceries into the store
I only bring my wallet with my when I grocery shop. In it, is one white envelope labeled "groceries." I have that amount of cash to purchase groceries enough to last us about two weeks. In not bringing any other cash with me I am not tempted to move money around. Not to mention it is a good reminder of sticking to the budget.

2. If you don't have enough cash, don't bag it!!!
I know it sounds simple, but actually this can be a hard one and especially was at the beginning. As the groceries are being rang up I am holding the cash in my hands to remind me of what I can spend. Under no circumstances do I get it unless there is the money. I have gotten pretty comfortable at asking the cashier to take things off merely because we don't have money for it.

3. Find the best grocery store to get the most from your cash
There is a Kroger right by us, so I usually get our produce and certain brands we like from there. But about a year ago, I discovered Aldi. Oh how do I love this place! It is a grocery store with significantly lower prices than your average grocery store. A few things that makes it stand out besides the prices are you have to bring your own bags and pay a quarter for a cart and get it back when you return it. Since shopping at Aldi, it has really helped our grocery budget a lot! I actually get thrilled to pieces when I come home and show Jim the bill, and how much I was able to get. Look and see if an Aldi is near you today.

4. Meal Plan & Grocery List in Advance
Throughout the week I am adding items we need as they come up, and finalizing the meal plan. Going grocery shopping with a focused, itemized list is another way I stay focused with our cash budget.

5. Meal Plan Around Deals
This one I am still working on but from the research I've done it helps save money too. Before grocery shopping, look to see what is on sale and then build a meal plan around that. It takes more time, but can make a difference at the checkout counter.

Now when I come home from grocery shopping I typically do a little happy dance, proud of the saving skills we're learning and using.

   

So what are your tips and tricks for grocery shopping? Do you stick to a cash budget?

Happy shopping:)

5 Ways Dave Ramsey is Ruining Me

I have always described myself as a spender and not a saver. Money seemed to go out my account as quick as it entered. When I got married, my husband and I basically just lived from paycheck to paycheck. If we felt like eating out, we did. If I felt like I deserved to go shopping, I did. We were not very responsible and it was starting to catch up with us.

I had heard a lot about Dave Ramsey from my good friend Mary when she and her husband paid of $80,000 in about two years. So last May, after reading this book and showing it to my husband, we decided to jump off the cliff and finally start to get our financial act together. June 2014 was our first month of radical change. Since then, we have paid off and no longer use credit cards, paid first two debts, and now use strictly use cash. Its amazing how much our relationship with money has changed. It is by no means perfect, but definitely a positive change for our family. So with that lovely little back story, here are the five ways following Dave Ramsey's money plan is changing my life.

1. This is God's money!
That concept can sound very odd in our materialistic culture today, but it really is true. One of the great things we both love about Dave Ramsey are the Biblical principles and mindset he has towards money. The money we make from our jobs does not belong to us to throw around whilly nilly. The money we earn is to take care of our own family, but also to bless others with who do not have as much as we do.

2. Learning to save for something I want makes me appreciate it more
My Mom always told me growing up that I would appreciate something more when I have saved and worked hard to get it. Paying with cash and not relying on credit cards, I have been amazed how much this is true!! With only a certain monthly amount for chump change, I have really learned to plan and prioritize certain purchases I want to make. For example, in the last few months I have begun to run and am training for a half marathon. Not owning a good pair of running shoes, I knew I would have to save for them. The day I went to Running Fit and paid for my shoes in cash felt SO GOOD. My Mom was right after all! I totally appreciated my new running shoes a lot more seeing the effort I put into saving so I could make the purchase without breaking the bank. This has been one of the greatest lessons I have learned so far.

3.  Having a budget makes you talk with your spouse about money
Before all of this, the only time Jim and I ever talked about money was when we had to figure out how to pay the bills. I HATED those conversations, it involved stress, anxiety, and sometimes raised voices. At the time we didn't have a budget, and we certainly never talked about how to handle money or was accountable to how we spent it. Now that we have a working budget, we have a budget meeting at least twice a month. Its amazing what happens when you start being accountable to yourself for where your money goes.

4. You tell your money where to go
One of the songs Dave always sings is you tell your money where to go, plan out every last dollar and where it goes before a new month starts. The problem with I used to handle money is I was constantly telling my money to go down the drain. I would make time and save for the things I wanted without any thought to how the bills later that month would get paid...not the brightest idea! In planning out where your money goes each month, you're less likely to get off track...as long as you stick to the budget!

5. I can now actually see a light at the end of the debt tunnel
Before starting this plan, I honestly thought I would be paying off my school debt forever AND that was a normal thing, to have debt. I always thought it was normal for Americans  to have credit card and school debt. With planning and strong follow-through, I see an actual time frame when we realistically will see ourselves debt free. That is exciting and definitely the encouragement I need when it sucks or I would rather give up....or if I wander into Target with no chump change money left to spend.
We won't have to be in debt forever as long as we both stick to it.


So yeah, thanks Dave for ruining my life...and teaching me how grow up financially. I wish I had done it sooner!


 What about y'all? What is your relationship with money like? Any tips or tricks that help you stick to a budget?

6 reasons I don't miss Visa.

Have you met my friend, Visa?  I am quite sure you have. 

That sleek, handy, shiny little plastic card...the pure magic of running him/her through the machine with ease and simplicity that makes me feel as glamorous as a lipstick model. 

I am excited to take home my new purchase and am giddy with excitement...until the bill comes in the mail.

That's right friends.  I am talking about 'that little friend'; perhaps yours goes by another name of Discover, MasterCard, or American Express.  In May, I paid off my credit card for the last time. 
Jim and I starting the journey to work to become debt free.  Sure we are only a month into our game plan, but I am totally shocked how once you have a plan for dealing with money, the real peace there is about knowing our financial status.

So without further ado, I give you a sampling of reasons I am thrilled to have terminated this relationship...

1.  No more surprises once a month when the statement comes in the mail

2.  When I am not spending frivolously on meaningless BS, go figure I find we have enough money for bills, loan payments, and groceries...aka the things we need to take care of.  What a concept?!

3.  Sure I can still go shopping or get my eyebrows waxed or get a new lipstick, but now I plan.ahead.  Okay so for the month of June, I used up all my chump change at a garage sale and a trip to Home Goods within the first week, but that was my choice.  Once monthly chump change runs out, I wait till the next month.  Giving myself a limit allows me to prioritize my wants vs. needs, and really think about things before making a purchase.

4.  I am learning self-control.  Not that I am this ego-tastic person, but lets face it; our culture is a fan of instant gratification: I like it.  I want it. I need it.  I must have it immediately.  If we're honest with ourselves, I'd imagine we all struggle with this from time to time.  Money or a desire for 'more stuff' shouldn't control me...but properly handling and remembering its not our money, but God's?  Now that's a storyline I am starting to get into.

Ever read this Berenstein Bears book growing up? point.made.

5.  I have heard before the things married couples fight most about and divorce are either money or sex.  One thing since getting rid of my former bff is less stress in general over money.  Instead of worrying now how we'll pay my monthly loan payments, we are always checking and reminding each other to save receipts from our purchases using cash.

I am all for less stress and more peace, harmony, and holding hands singing "Kumbaya"....well maybe not that last one.

 

6.  The longer we wait to get our financial act together, the harder it will be.  And for us getting rid of our credit cards and saying sayonara to debt has got to happen; and the time is now.  I certainly don't want to wait until things could get really bad like having to declare bankruptcy or something...

 

That's me, but what about you!

Do you use credit cards?  If so, how do manage them and keep them under control?

The time has come...to kick debt out!

I've always considered myself more of a spender.  My parents encouraged me the importance of saving so much from each paycheck and such, but it never really stuck with me.  I remember even as a teen Mom teaching me the envelope system  to set aside my cash for all expenses and save the rest (she was doing things the Dave Ramsey way before it was popular;).
When a paycheck came, it seemed like the money was gone as quickly as it was deposited into the bank.

Fast forward a few years to college.  Even though I worked 2 jobs through college and my parents helped me, I still didn't have enough money.  $34,000 dollars plus a well loved Visa card made it difficult to transition to being financially stable after graduation...oh did I forgot to mention I actually took out a loan to go to Europe?!  Clearly I was doing just fine handling my money the way I was.

Then of course, a few years later I met my husband.
We dated, fell in love, and got hitched. 
Thankfully he had no school debt when we married.

After we got back from our honeymoon, the reality of being financially stable as our own little family hit me. and freaked me out. way.out.  I will honestly say up until know we were living paycheck to paycheck.  And that sucked.a lot.

Sure we were paying our bills, but we both were spending irresponsibly and neither one of us were sticking faithfully to a budget with gazelle like intensity .  I would harp on Jim saying we need to put money into savings so we can afford a house someday...but how can we save for a house when we have a total of $38,800 dollars in debt looming over us and we're not really doing much with it?

Last fall I signed up to take Financial Peace University at our church.  After two sessions, I felt overwhelmed and frustrated trying to do it on my own while Jim was crazily working through grad school.  So I put it aside and said we would come back to it when we both could commit.

Well that time has now come folks.

Two months ago I had the courage to pick up and read The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.  Honestly, I think I had been secretly avoiding it since fall 2012.  What I read was mind-blowing!  I finished the book in over a week.

I went crazy with my highlighter & dog-eared half of it.  I would excitedly tell Jim all this stuff I was realizing for the first time in my life.  My friend Mary and her husband are really into Dave Ramsey and they paid of all their debt last July; her experience and reading this book with great furry gave me the motivation to take the jump.

Two weeks ago I paid off my credit card for the last time.  It be gone.  I'm a little embarrassed to say we have made our first official budget since getting married.  Our budget kicks off in June.  We went online and purchased some Dave Ramsey tools to help us figure out what the heck we're doing.  Of course this is all still new and we're learning, but after adding in all our debts (my car, Jim's credit card, my college loans) it looks like we could be debt free in summer/fall 2016. 

I am excited, nervous, and scared to death all at the same time.  Jim is really excited and likes using the online tools. I'm really thankful for that because when I get all crazy-overwhelmed-emotional about this stuff, its good to have him help ground me down to earth.

I already am anticipating there will be times I want to throw my Dave Ramsey book across the room, yell, curse, and will likely want to throw a hissy fit because saying no to my instant gratification doesn't feel good.  But you know what feels worse?  The worrying and uncertainty about money.
If we don't get our act together now, how can we provide and set a good example financially to our kids someday?



Its the right time to do this...to start living like no one else so later we can live like no one else.