Almost a year ago, Justin and I enrolled in Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. We weren't drowning in debt, desperate for a way out, I was more curious to what kind of information I could learn. Since it was being offered with full reimbursement through my employer, I told Justin I was going to enroll whether he went with me or not. He committed to it with me and if you asked him today, I'm sure he'd agree with me in that it may have been the best decision we made in 2009.
I don't think that I'll ever be able to put a price on the life-long lessons and advice that Dave has to offer. Like I said before, we weren't drowning in debt. We had one car loan and student loan payments each month, as well as a mortgage. The motivation alone that you receive from FPU is worth the time commitment it takes to really get a grasp of your finances and change from you working for your money, to your money working for you. In just a few short months we were able to pay off our car loan and are now in the process of tackling the remainder of the student loan. We are on track to have it paid off before the end of 2010!
It's not easy passing up shopping sprees with your snowball money. Not at all. But just the thought that someday (luckily for us that day will be here very soon) we won't have "snowball money" to pay off our next debt is so motivating. Budgeting gets easier every month, savings grows and debt disappears. It really is true that like Dave says, "If you live like no one else, someday you can LIVE like no one else!" I'm so thankful to have found this resource so early on in my adult life. Though there will be challenges along the way, I'm so looking forward to our financial future together.
One thing to note is that I could not in a million years done this successfully without the support of my husband. This has definitely been a team effort and I highly recommend working together with your spouse.
Here's to the journey to a happy, financially-stress-free retirement...someday. : )
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Starting up my next hill...
Mountains and Valleys
This post from www.incourage.me was shared with me by a great friend. No matter what challenges you are faced with, this may help you put a perspective on what God might be doing in your life. Take a glance.
This post from www.incourage.me was shared with me by a great friend. No matter what challenges you are faced with, this may help you put a perspective on what God might be doing in your life. Take a glance.
Healed but not erased...
05.18.2010
Today could have been the happiest day of my life. God thought otherwise. Today was the day I could have become a mother. God had other plans.
So much has happened, changed really, in me over the past 9 months. From the most unbelievable excitement to seeing the "yes" on the test, to the overwhelming physical pain and emotional sadness that is to lose your "baby". All of that seems so small now in comparison to the complete change of mind that God has instilled in me about what it means to be a parent. Though He has healed me, it will never be erased.
I've been waiting for this day to come. In the beginning, it was for obvious reasons. Right after the loss, it was angrily anticipating the day that God took from me. Slowly, I started seeing glimpses of Him in the whole situation, pursuing my heart and my thoughts on what this really was about. Just a few short weeks ago, my anticipation turned to gratefulness and praise.
God is good. He always has been, always will be. That does not mean that by following Him, your life will always be "good". On the surface, many things are so bad. Horrible even. But God (who is good) can show love and goodness in the midst of the darkness. He has shown me. And I am thankful and grateful that I know Him and He knows me. And on this day, May 18, 2010, that will forever hold a bittersweet place in my heart, I will sing praises to Him. I trust and have faith that God has a plan for me. In the aspect of becoming a mother, I can only hope and pray that someday that would be part of that plan. I will not stop hoping, but I will also not stop loving and praising my God.
"Let my cry come right into Your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from Your Word. Give my request Your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of Your promise. Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, You've taught me the truth about life! And let Your promises ring from my tongue; every order You've given is right." - Psalm 119:169-172 The Message
Today could have been the happiest day of my life. God thought otherwise. Today was the day I could have become a mother. God had other plans.
So much has happened, changed really, in me over the past 9 months. From the most unbelievable excitement to seeing the "yes" on the test, to the overwhelming physical pain and emotional sadness that is to lose your "baby". All of that seems so small now in comparison to the complete change of mind that God has instilled in me about what it means to be a parent. Though He has healed me, it will never be erased.
I've been waiting for this day to come. In the beginning, it was for obvious reasons. Right after the loss, it was angrily anticipating the day that God took from me. Slowly, I started seeing glimpses of Him in the whole situation, pursuing my heart and my thoughts on what this really was about. Just a few short weeks ago, my anticipation turned to gratefulness and praise.
God is good. He always has been, always will be. That does not mean that by following Him, your life will always be "good". On the surface, many things are so bad. Horrible even. But God (who is good) can show love and goodness in the midst of the darkness. He has shown me. And I am thankful and grateful that I know Him and He knows me. And on this day, May 18, 2010, that will forever hold a bittersweet place in my heart, I will sing praises to Him. I trust and have faith that God has a plan for me. In the aspect of becoming a mother, I can only hope and pray that someday that would be part of that plan. I will not stop hoping, but I will also not stop loving and praising my God.
"Let my cry come right into Your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from Your Word. Give my request Your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of Your promise. Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, You've taught me the truth about life! And let Your promises ring from my tongue; every order You've given is right." - Psalm 119:169-172 The Message
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