Monday, January 9, 2017

Baby Step One is DONE!!!

I have been halfway working the Dave Ramsey steps for a while on  a winding journey to becoming debt free. What does that look like? I have not used a credit card since September of 2014. 

Oh my- that seems like such a long time ago.

In the fall of 2016, I decided I needed to do more- so I started reading Dave's books and working on saving $1000 in an emergency fund. Today, it is in there. All $1000 dollars. All my January bills are paid, I have grocery and gas money, and a baby emergency fund.

I finally have some breathing room in my budget.

I finished paying off braces and my Honda- a huge increase in my cash flow for a minute, but in going to the recommended 15 year mortgage, I have a larger payment. Over time I will save a huge amount by cutting off the 8 years- I am focused on that.

The other fly in the ointment was the new furnace/air conditioner. After 30 years, it was way past time, and having a QUIET furnace is kind of amazing. Merry Christmas to me, but I hate that I had to take on the debt. It is "no interest" but I hate it.

On the plus side, my TWO Dave jobs are bringing in much needed income. I am spending less time at home watching TV in the evenings and on the weekends, but I have a goal. A debt free life. The hard work is so worth it.

Additionally, I keep reminding myself that it won't be like this forever.

On to the debt snowball!

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