A few days ago I mentioned that I would post a blog about Ben and I's plan to pay off our debt. It's about 3-4 days later...oh well, better late than never!
Honestly, it's not really a new plan. We've been paying off debt the whole time we've been married, whether it's been student loans or credit cards, a medical bill or something else. We've tried different ways, backslid, and did it over again. Honestly though, after all of our employment ups and downs, we're just ready to really get rid of it. It's keeping us from doing things we need/want to do. And I don't mean going on vacation. It's keeping us from donating money to church, from being able to go to church several times a week, to live closer to our jobs, take care of our health, further pursue having a family, and other things that are important to us.
So this past Sunday, after prompting from a good friend, we sat down with another friend who was a financial adviser. It was awesome to have the support and Ben finally felt some relief from our burden. We learned that we are not alone and we're forming a plan of what to do.
On Sunday we committed to not eating out again until we have our credit card debt paid off. For all the distance that we have between places (both of us have 40 minute commutes), and how we'll need food in the midst of other plans, it's a big sacrifice. It means we have to plan ahead and take meals with us. Always packing our lunch (I already do for work) and taking snacks for the car instead of hitting the quicky mart or drive thru.
One of the things we did as "homework" was to look at the last 6 months of expenses on our bank statements, then categorize them. How eye opening! I truly recommend it to anyone, you'll be shocked. Just. Wow.
Another thing is that we're keeping a spending journal where we write down every cent that we spend. It definitely keeps you accountable, even if you spent 50 cents on candy (not that we have!). That's one of the beautiful things about the journal, it keeps you from spending as much as you would have.
What I love the most about our plan to pay off debt is that Ben and I are doing it together. That's priceless! It feels so good to be working as a team now.
Honestly, it's not really a new plan. We've been paying off debt the whole time we've been married, whether it's been student loans or credit cards, a medical bill or something else. We've tried different ways, backslid, and did it over again. Honestly though, after all of our employment ups and downs, we're just ready to really get rid of it. It's keeping us from doing things we need/want to do. And I don't mean going on vacation. It's keeping us from donating money to church, from being able to go to church several times a week, to live closer to our jobs, take care of our health, further pursue having a family, and other things that are important to us.
So this past Sunday, after prompting from a good friend, we sat down with another friend who was a financial adviser. It was awesome to have the support and Ben finally felt some relief from our burden. We learned that we are not alone and we're forming a plan of what to do.
On Sunday we committed to not eating out again until we have our credit card debt paid off. For all the distance that we have between places (both of us have 40 minute commutes), and how we'll need food in the midst of other plans, it's a big sacrifice. It means we have to plan ahead and take meals with us. Always packing our lunch (I already do for work) and taking snacks for the car instead of hitting the quicky mart or drive thru.
One of the things we did as "homework" was to look at the last 6 months of expenses on our bank statements, then categorize them. How eye opening! I truly recommend it to anyone, you'll be shocked. Just. Wow.
Another thing is that we're keeping a spending journal where we write down every cent that we spend. It definitely keeps you accountable, even if you spent 50 cents on candy (not that we have!). That's one of the beautiful things about the journal, it keeps you from spending as much as you would have.
What I love the most about our plan to pay off debt is that Ben and I are doing it together. That's priceless! It feels so good to be working as a team now.
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