Like I said in my previous post I'm done with school and Ross and I were so excited about being able to spend more time together. Summer is our time to be with each other more because our schedules line up more. But, we've found we're not getting that this summer, sadly and gladly. Gladly because we are doing Dave Ramsey. Last summer I found from Melissa's blog the Grocery Game. Ross and I have loved it! We buy tons of groceries for $50 a week and eat whatever we want. The key is to use coupons and combine them with sales and get it when it's cheap and you don't need it. Best thing that ever happened to our grocery budget!!! But, back on track. They have a forum where every one talks about more ways to save. While on there I kept hearing about Dave Ramsey and his book Total Money Makeover. Everyone on there kept talking about how they were paying off all their debt and never borrowing again. They were talking about how they were living financially free and not living paycheck to paycheck. I wanted to know more, it seems like that was Ross and I's life, paycheck to paycheck. We just figured it was because we were young. But, there were people I was talking to that were our age, no debt, and living financially free. So, I told Ross about Dave Ramsey and told him I wanted to read the book. Needless to say here we are doing Dave Ramsey. Ross has devoured both his books in less than 48 hours. We are working our butts off to pay off all our debt. Which isn't that much and should be done by the time I start school, probably way earlier. The crazy thing is we finished reading Total Money Makeover and felt stupid because the advice is sooo easy!! So, Ross is working at Leith and working for Wake Forest Awards and Engraving (the business the couple I nanny for own). I'm working as a nanny for Liam still and picking up as many shifts as I can at the Twisted Fork. We're not doing anything we don't need that takes money because everything is going towards debt, yes we are crazy! But, we are doing it!!! One loan down and 2 to go. We can't wait to be debt free and be able to give like never before. We've decided that we'll be here in Youngsville until we pay off the house in seven years. At least that's that goal! Now that we've read Dave's book we've promised each other never to go into debt again because God says "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender." (Prov 22:7)! It's freeing to think of not having half my income go to pay people. Here's his steps, and where we are. I'll post periodically to show where were at. But, our goal is to have step 2 done by Aug 20th, 2009!! Even though we don't see each other much, this is bringing us together more and strengthening us so much!!
Dave's Steps..
1) Save a $1000 emergency fund (or take savings down to $1000) -DONE-
2) Pay off all debt (from smallest to largest, except the house) -1 down, 2 to go-
3) Save 3-6 months of an emergency fund
4) Invest 15% of your gross income into Roth IRAs or 401ks
5) College Funding for kids
6) Pay off home early
7) Build wealth and GIVE GIVE GIVE!!
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6 months ago
