Our Debt Story // Update Vol. 2: We Are Debt Free!!!

First, I've gotta say, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow!"

Second, I'm gonna link some previous posts I've shared about our money story:

The Big Bad "D" Word: Debt

Ways We Save $!

Our Debt Story // Update Vol. 1

Honestly, I can't believe it!  We are officially debt free as of August 8, 2019!  You know, it kinda scares me - I don't know if I'm afraid that we'll fall back into it {which we promised each other we would never add any new debt (other than a house) into our marriage} or it's just the devil trying to steal my joy, but I got to get myself in check here.  We are debt free & it is all thanks to our gracious Lord providing & I should be dancing on the rooftops over it.  We have worked so hard {4 yard sales in less than 3 years, working jobs that have been downright hard, & choosing to say "no" to many things}, & even though my tough perfectionist mentality always said inwardly {& often outwardly} we could always be doing more, we are surprised we got here as fast as we did.  Praise God!!!

We used the debt snowball method {you can find more about that in the 1st link above}, & the small little old snowball that just wasn't much at all at first kept rolling & picking up more snow & growing... sometimes fast & downhill & other times slow & uphill.  Working together as a couple over it has strengthened us & showed us in a very tangible way how we are stronger together.  What Dan felt was years & years from reach on his own, we were able to accomplish in about a month before we celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary this September.

To those of you still on the debt free journey, keep on keeping on.  By the grace of God, you can make it!  Dan & I are living proof.

Let me know in the comments if you have any money / debt related questions.  We'd love to hear from you!   

Our Debt Story // Update Vol. 1

So, way back in October {2017}, I shared some raw-ness over here about our debt.  It was technically just my Mr.'s debt, but then I said, "I do," & it became {like so many things beautiful & not-so-much} ours.  {I'd like to quickly say to my man... Most things are beautiful, my love!}

Here we are, a little over 7 months later {& a little over a year & a half into our marriage}, & I wanted to share a little money matters update with you guys.

We are officially out of credit card debt!!!

Praise God for that!!!  Can I get an amen? 😄

Now, in our debt snowballing we've got one thing more to go, &, of course, it's our biggest {&, yes, it's the formidable student loans}, but I know with God + each other we can do all things!  We didn't realize that while we pay one lump sum monthly, the loan was actually divided up into three separate parts {& one of those parts had a higher interest rate than the rest + was the smallest amount owed, so we were able to {again, thank You, Jesus} snowball it & pay that one off}.  It actually feels so much more manageable to me to know that we have two more chunks to go, instead of one big enormous sum.  Another thing we learned by calling the loan company was that if we set up automatic monthly payments they lower the interest rate a bit.  So, we're definitely taking them up on that one!

Ways We've Been Saving to Pay Off Debt...

• selling stuff we no longer use/want on eBay
• we took stuff that wouldn't be worth it to sell on eBay & had a yard sale {& I think we are going to have one more soon}
• cheaper/free date nights
• saying no to things we don't have to have right now

We definitely haven't been perfect on all these things, but we've been trying, & I'm grateful at how far we've come + can't wait to get to the finish line & be debt-free!

Thank You, heavenly Father, for Your provision!

Ways We Save $!

• Nix cable, magazine/box subscriptions, etc.  We even got rid of Netflix recently, 'cause we just didn't need it.
• Eat in!  This doesn't mean we never go out - in fact it's one of Dan's favorite things to do - but eating out is typically way more expensive than eating in.  So, more often than not, I make dinner for us at home. {Bonus: It can be a whole lot healthier that way, too!}
• Gather all your unwanted/don't-need-stuff & have a yard sale.  We did this recently, & even though we didn't have any big ticket items, we ended up earning a little over $150!
• Sell stuff on eBay.  If it's likely to earn much more on eBay than at a yard sale, we put it online + pray for a bidding war to break out! 😉
• Shop smarter with the free Flipp app that lets you check multiple stores' weekly ads + view coupons, etc.
• Check out books, DVDs, & CDs at the local library instead of buying.
• Sign-up for Ebates & earn $ back on purchases from lots of stores you're likely already shopping at!  It feels a little like getting paid for shopping, 'cause it basically kinda is.

Random Free Things That Make Me Happy!

▲ public libraries + a library card, of course {I've always been a library fan, way before I started my 1st paying gig at one shelving books & such.  Nowadays, public libraries offer so much more than just books... movies, music, classes, events, & sometimes even free state park & local museum passes.  Check out your library & see what it has to offer.}

▲ the Revive Our Hearts podcasts {You can find literally over 15 years worth here.  The Biblical teachings + real world applications tailored to a woman's heart have always majorly blessed my soul.}

▲ free fonts {DaFont & Font Squirrel are 2 of my favorite sites to find free fonts to add to my collection + use in projects.  This one & this one are a couple of my current faves.}

▲ adorable hot tea printable gift packaging {This sweet little printable packaging from Oh Happy Day is perfect for the tea lover in your life + it works great for Valentine's Day, too!}

▲ 2018 printable calendars {It's not too late to find a snazzy calendar for this year!  Click here to browse 20 free printable ones + choose the one you like best!}

▲ desktop + phone wallpapers {Click here for some beauties from Thorn + Sparrow.  This one is my current favorite.}

▲ My Panera Card {Sign-up is free & earning rewards is simple.  Right now, you can redeem one free bagel a day for the month of January!}

The Big Bad "D" Word: Debt

I am one of the thrifty.  You may well laugh at us & our frugal means.  Coupon clipping & waiting until movies have been out long enough that they move 'em to I what I affectionately dub "the cheap theater" {I hope your town has one}, checking out books {& DVDs!} from the local library instead of buying, & the like.  But, laugh all you will, I never had one iota of debt.  That is, until I got married & inherited my husbands'.  Student loans & personal loans & credit cards had all snowballed into a pretty fierce & ultra-scary snow monster!  My husband's debt was a tough thing for this debt-less girl to handle.  Of course, I knew while dating that this snow monster existed in my then-boyfriend's life, & my entire relationship was bathed - no, drenched - in prayer, & I felt God say yes.  {In the end, all us imperfect ones {ahem, everybody}, we all bring baggage into marriage (monetary, emotional, & otherwise).  Thank You, Jesus, for being able to carry our loads & free us up to love {again, imperfectly, & through Your power}!}

Now that we're fighting this bad debt dude together, it's definitely proven true Ecclesiastes 4:9 {in so many areas of marriage/relationships, in fact}! {FYI, this verse is an even dearer example.  Jesus + Dan + Laura = mighty power in Him!}  What has really been a tremendous help to us is implementing the Debt Snowball Calculator from the faith-based organization Crown Financial Ministries.  It's a free resource that lets you plug-in your current debt + interest rates + what you currently pay {& if you have any extra moola each month to add in} & it calculates perfectly how long it will take to pay off  + how much you need to pay each month to get to that amazing place of debt freedom.  It includes printable charts of exactly what you should be paying every month to reach your goal in said amount of time.  We've been loving being able to pay above & beyond {Thank You, Jesus!} what it says some months & seeing the numbers on those loans & cards shrink down drastically!  God is so good!

In the debt boat with us?  I hope this tool will help you, too!  Not in debt?  First off, congrats!  Secondly, there are even more helpful calculators & tools at Crown.org.  Give 'em a visit!