Day 314

Proverbs 27:17 says it well: “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”
We need one another to be sharp. If you have not read about my accountability partner you can here. Tina was my saving grace when we hit rock bottom. She was able to set me straight! My world changed when she said looks like you have enough money for everything but two things, gas and food. I got mad....that was ridiculous. We made too much money not to be able to pay cash for food and gas.

It is a New Year...a New Decade.

If one of your New Years Resolutions is to become debt free, change your family tree, set yourself free, take control of your finances I believe it is a great idea to have someone to hold you accountable. Maybe it is your spouse, maybe a friend. Find someone in your life who has always been responsible with their finaces. Here is a hint... it is probably not the people who are driving brand new cars and always have the latest and greatest. I bet it is the person in your life who drives a lovely great used car :)

Make this your life changing year and then pay it forward!

Day 310

Happy New Year!

What are your finacial goals this year?

Ours are to save, save, save.

Goal #1....our 6 months savings is 75% funded. Goal: Fund last part of 6 months savings. Our goal is to have a full 6 months of expenses saved.

Goal #2....We are currently saving 5% for retirement...once our 6 months savings is in place our goal is to save 15% of our income for retirement.

Are your finances a train wreck?

If so make it a goal to sit down and figure out where you stand to the penny.

How much debt do you have?

Who do you owe and how much?

Make your monthly budget?

How many months would it take to become debt free?

Start to free your self from the chain from debt in 2010!

Day 298

Take a small break and read the following.

No Money Saving Tip Today, Just a Great Reminder.

Merry Chirstmas, Dara

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt
to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Day 274

Today I am thankful that we found ourselves in a massive amount of debt not to long ago. Because if our story can change just one family tree I would be oh so very grateful. It is because of the cross that I can truly give thanks in all circumstances. NEVER GIVE UP, JUST START! THIS IS THE DAY! Thank you God for using our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Day 267

It is Not IF it is WHEN....

When it rains it pours.

This past Sunday I sat down with a friend to look at her budget. November is the month that everything caught up with her because she has not been living within her means for years.

Her house payment is late, her car insurance is late, a plumbing bill of $2000, a vet bill of $700 and not a penny to her name. And then her NOT IF WHEN momemt hit her hard on Monday morning. She was in a car accident it was not her fault but the other car did not have insurance and remember her car insurance was late. This means now she has no car still no money and still late on everything.

How many of us have or are living paycheck to paycheck drowning in debt?????

Today is the day to start a new way of living. Sit down and make a budget. Start paying off debt so you can fund your emergency fund. Your If Not When moments are NOT as painful with an Emergency Fund

REMEMBER IT IS NOT IF IT IS WHEN.

It scares me to think of what our life would be like today if we were not prepared finacially when my husband was laid off last Feburary. Because life happens to everyone.

Day 77

The Best Job in the World......is being a Mother to my three Amazing Children! Staying home with my kiddos is a dream. Growing up all I ever wanted to do was be a Mom.

So when we found ourselves in a massive amout of debt.....yes $48,000. What motivated me to get out of debt was I did not want our children to make the same mistakes we made. We were asked to give a testimony at church awhile back and when it was my turn to talk I lost it and could barely talk because I was overcome that we have forever changed our family tree.....and if you know me I am not a cryer. We are grateful that we crawled out of debt and will continue to honor God with our finances.

We are teaching our kiddos at young ages to save. My daughter is to young, but if you ask either one of my boys ages 8 and 4 what their long term saving is for they will both tell you a house for their wife. How awesome is that!!!! Our goal for each one of our children is they will graduate from college debt free and start their lives without the burden of debt.

This is why I write this blog. If just one family tree is changed it will be all worth it.

Happy Mother's Day!

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Day 49

How true the below verse is. What a great reminder to above all else seek the Kingdom of God. Whether you are climbing your mountain of debt, find yourself with no job, or are already debt free to always seek God first. As we struggled through our mountain of debt, found ourselves laid off, and praise God employed again, it is seeking God above all else that sustains me day in and out. And on this Resurrection Sunday I am in 'awe' of my God that died on the cross and rose 3 days later.
I choose Christ because I believe when He stayed on that cross my name was on His mind, your name was on His mind. And in those trying times in life I know I can rest in the nail pierced hands....the hands that stayed on the cross for me.

"...your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need." Matthew 6:32-33
Happy Resurrectin Sunday!
and don't forget no coupons in the paper, take this day to praise our AWESOME GOD.

Day 34

Something I just thought of.......I have realized that that I am grateful that we found ourselves in a massive amount of debt just 2.5 years ago. I am grateful that we are now debt free and living like no one else today, so we can live and give like no one else tomorrow. I am grateful that my husband was laid off work. I am grateful that we will leave an inheritance for our children. You want to know why? Because if our story can change just one family tree I would be oh so very grateful. I love sharing our story with others, and right now it comes up frequently with Bryan being laid off from work. We get the "I'm so sorry statements." and "are you okay" all the time. Yes we are just fine! We are debt free, have 6 months saving and know that God will provide. If just one person can see light at the end of the tunnel through us I am oh so very grateful! NEVER GIVE UP, JUST START! THIS IS THE DAY! Thank you God for using our lives.

Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous.

Day 28

Why I love Sunday's.....Well obviously a day of worship and rest and Coupon Day!
The lovely model is holding my debt free way to organize coupons. I'm sure everyone can find a similar container in their kitchen.

Step 1 find container

Step 2 find some envelopes in your office.
The following are the labels for my envelopes

Produce~ Bread~ Biscuits/Cookie Dough~ Frozen~ Frozen Veggies~ Yogart~ Snacks/Bars~ Dry~ Dairy~ Chips/Popcorn/Nuts~ Candy~ Baking~ Cereal~ Beverages~Meat~ Canned~ Lightbulbs/Foil/Batteries~ Laundry~ Scent~ Cleaning~ Dish~ Medicine~ Vitamins~Paper Products~ First-Aid~ Femine Hygine~ Hair Care~ Razors~ Deodorant~ Dental~ Body Wash~ Face Care/Make-Up~ Lotion~ Dining

Step 3 Keep your scissors in your container and save some money!

"Whatever you do, do something. Even if it's something seemingly minuscule. Often, just taking a baby step in the right direction can propel you farther than you ever dreamed possible!" quote from MoneySavingMom

Day 5~ Time to get your Ducks in Row!

Inspiration for you:

Let me tell you what what if feels like when your husband has been laid off, you are debt free and have 6 months living saved. Not too bad! If you know me personally, you know that I have already had my panick attack~but lets just say that the only reason that my "freak out" is over is because we are prepared. I want everyone reading this blog to be in the same position. You can do it!

Tip:

When figuring the amout your family needs for 6 months of living~ don't forget you will have to pay for your own health insurance or pay for Cobra. Let just say our Cobra is $1200 a month.