I couldn’t decide what I wanted to do for my first post so I just decided to explain how I came to the “blogging” world. I have become a huge fan of Crystal Paine, of moneysavingmom.com, and have been regularly reading her blogs. I am impressed by how well she has her life together at such a younger age and how she simplifies everything. (Yet still makes it seem like you aren’t missing out on anything.!) I saw one of her postings on Dave Ramsey, author of Total Money Makeover, and since then, things have been very different. I was inspired by the book to stop and ask myself, “Where will I be in 10 years if I keep up this lifestyle?” Basically, by lifestyle, I mean living like a normal American. Just because you can pay your bills each month, doesn’t mean you are doing well! Living a life of using credit cards tends to allow you to buy so many more things than you really need. Money that could be spent paying ahead on vehicle loans, retirement, college savings or the mortgage!
So I had my husband, Rich, read the book, as well, and I am happy to say that as of August 1st, we are a “no credit card” family that uses only cash/debit for purchases. We’ve put together a great budget and are starting Dave Ramsey’s “debt snowball.” (Wanna know what that means? Read the book!) 🙂 I guess a good goal is to have all credit cards and vehicles paid for, 6 months living expenses saved, retirement and college savings set up and our mortgage paid for in about 7 years or less. They say the grass is a lot better to walk through when it’s paid for! 🙂
Over the last few weeks of reading the book and getting our budget in place, we have been actually having…gulp…fun! How can budgeting be fun? It is when you share in it together and talk about how different things could be… The things that are possible when you are debt free…And all the ways to creatively cut back on expenses. When you dig down deep, it’s amazing the silly things we spend money on.
So here’s to new beginnings. And to new bloggings!