In December of '07 Rachel and I found out that we were pregnant. It was at this time that we decided to really see if we could live on my income. We also wanted to look into ways to start saving for our childrens' futures (college and the like) so we decided to take the step of seeking a financial "life coach."
Our first meeting was in early 2008. At this time we were confronted with the question of what is your budget. To this we answered that we did not need one because we had our expenses covered and we just wanted to look into saving for our future. The next question was how much debt do you have, we answered all we have is our car and our house. They asked how much we owed on the car and how much we owed on the house. We told them and the gentlemen responded with "you can be fully debt free in 5 years", to which I began to laugh right there in his face. I told him I didn't believe him...as if the laugh did not already convey that.
He then asked what are we were willing to sacrifice to make it happen, to which I replied that I (we) were willing to do what ever it would take to be debt free and live on just my income as soon as the baby is born. Well as most everybody knows, we lost our baby very early, however we did not lose the desire to follow the debt free committment to a close. So in February we attacked, we began sacrificing (which in the long run really was not as much as I thought that it would be) and as of this morning we are debt free with the exception of the house.
This for me has been a huge process, you see financial freedom was never really something that was taught in my house growing up and when I was out on my own I was really pretty naive as far as the whole paying bills thing and credit card thing went. When Rachel and I got married I carried a huge burden into the marriage, my debt. I carried in the lies that she would never accept me because I was so stupid with money and I carried in the lie that since she was not working I would never be able to keep paying off my debt and take care of Rachel. This is when God showed me how much He truly provides for those who love Him. For me the freedom of now having 2 vehicles completely paid off and being in great position for Rachel to take on the role of mother in just a few short months is a truth that I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around.
The one truth that I cannot let go of is that Satan no longer has control over the finances in my household. As the man that God has created me to be I know that He has blessed our family and we would not be where we are without His provision. Thank you God for your provisions and blessings in our life to this point, and thank you that you will be there in the future.
Our first meeting was in early 2008. At this time we were confronted with the question of what is your budget. To this we answered that we did not need one because we had our expenses covered and we just wanted to look into saving for our future. The next question was how much debt do you have, we answered all we have is our car and our house. They asked how much we owed on the car and how much we owed on the house. We told them and the gentlemen responded with "you can be fully debt free in 5 years", to which I began to laugh right there in his face. I told him I didn't believe him...as if the laugh did not already convey that.
He then asked what are we were willing to sacrifice to make it happen, to which I replied that I (we) were willing to do what ever it would take to be debt free and live on just my income as soon as the baby is born. Well as most everybody knows, we lost our baby very early, however we did not lose the desire to follow the debt free committment to a close. So in February we attacked, we began sacrificing (which in the long run really was not as much as I thought that it would be) and as of this morning we are debt free with the exception of the house.
This for me has been a huge process, you see financial freedom was never really something that was taught in my house growing up and when I was out on my own I was really pretty naive as far as the whole paying bills thing and credit card thing went. When Rachel and I got married I carried a huge burden into the marriage, my debt. I carried in the lies that she would never accept me because I was so stupid with money and I carried in the lie that since she was not working I would never be able to keep paying off my debt and take care of Rachel. This is when God showed me how much He truly provides for those who love Him. For me the freedom of now having 2 vehicles completely paid off and being in great position for Rachel to take on the role of mother in just a few short months is a truth that I still have a hard time wrapping my mind around.
The one truth that I cannot let go of is that Satan no longer has control over the finances in my household. As the man that God has created me to be I know that He has blessed our family and we would not be where we are without His provision. Thank you God for your provisions and blessings in our life to this point, and thank you that you will be there in the future.
4 comments:
That is awesome guys! You all are way ahead of us, and we started six months earlier than you did, then again our debts were/are more too. Still that is awesome and I am so happy for you!
Courtney
Wow - way to go you guys! Your diligence is pretty inspiring!
I am so excited for you guys! It is such a great feeling to be debt-free. Way to go!
what an awesome testament of God faithfulness and your faithfulness. it is so cool to see how God has already blessed your sacrifices and it will be exciting to see what that continued blessing will look like in the years and decades to come!
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