- Find a budget system that works for you and your life, my sister in law does envelopes with cash, my neighbor puts everything on her credit card and then pays it off, we like Dave Ramsey. At the root of them all is this simple truth: spend less than you earn and know where your money is going.
- Get rid of your car payment. Anyone that knows me even a little bit knows how I lust after a new Suburban but it ain't gonna happen, at least not any time soon. Our cars aren't great but they run and more importantly, thanks to some great people, they're paid for.
- Decide what your priorities are. We are trying to pay off a grundle of student loans and at the same time save some money for those rainy days that always seem to come.
- Settle for less. There are a lot of things that I want. Not a lot of things that I need. So sometimes I just say no and walk away.
- But be willing to pay for quality. My running shoes are not what I'd call a bargain buy, but I use them everyday and it's worth it to shell out a 100 bucks every couple of months because my running makes our family happier.
- Stay out of the store. If I don't see it, I don't know I need it and I don't feel deprived because I can't have it.
- Pay your tithing, your offerings, your donations. I am LDS but giving offerings is not unique to my religion. There is something about giving part of what you earn back to God that changes the way you look at money and makes the money you have left stretch to cover the necessities.
Kristen
Kristen, Jeff and I are doing Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" right now. Like so many things in our life, God affirmed our decision when only two weeks after we started a men's Sunday School class was started to go through Ramsey's "Financial Peace" book.
ReplyDeleteWe have taken on idiotic debt (two cars, a Harley, a nice home)...and we've decided to go after it. At the same time, EVERYTHING is popping up. The truck speedometer needs to be replaced, hail damage on both cars, Emelie's braces, etc...etc...
Every obstacle in the world is popping up and yet I still have hope b/c this IS the right path. We do not want to be a slave to the lender any longer.
And last month we were able to tithe and give more than we've ever been able to give before as the Lord provided monies through my jobs that we weren't expecting.
Keep on keeping on. What a blessing it is!
Anonymous said...Love your blog! What a cute family you have! We have managed to stay out of debt our entire married life! I am very basic and when I do buy something big and fun I have a saying, "I can afford this because I live like I can't."
ReplyDeleteWe like the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. It's a good one. Have a great week! Run far!
Good stuff! I agree on all of these. I think one thing that is helpful is to determine where you and your spouse differ! I am way more frugal than my husband and it has taken us several years to realize we come from different points of view when it comes to spending money. We try to respect each other's opinion more, but it is still hard. Something to work on.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. It's good to hear someone who shares so much of my perspective.
ReplyDeleteWhen we got out of school, and it felt tempting to want to say "We can get this and this because now we have a real career!" But we agreed to make our student loan debt our first priority and we live really frugally. I am a stickler for clearance and Goodwill. I don't pay full price for anything! Plus, I also stick to your "stay out of the store" rule. If I don't see it, then I don't know I don't have it. It doesn't bother me.
Actually, I agree with your whole list. But that would make my comment too long.
Love,Kaydence