30 Apr
My New 7-Step Program
I have meetings. I have a sponser. I have sponsees.
Husband (the Dad) and I have monthly budget meetings every week. Sometimes twice a week! It sounds like a lot, but it has been great! We talk more now than ever. Yes, it is about money, but sometimes, most times, it leads to other things. For months (maybe years) husband has been saying that we should talk more. Turn off the tv and go outside and talk more. Who knew it would take a budget to get us talking?! There is more love, security, and understanding than ever before.
My sponser is Dave Ramsey. Granted, I don’t meet with him in person, but I listen to his podcasts as often as possible. I realized that it was only a couple times a week and that was not enough. So I plugged my ear pods directly into my computer this morning and am listening as I write this. A little tricky, but it’s getting in. Husband listens every day to and from work. He gets the good message reinforced daily and it keeps him on track and motivated. I tend to get soft. I know it. So, I need more from my sponser. I need to find more times to listen to the right message so the wrong messages won’t sneak in.
My sponsees are dear friends. We have always looked up to them. They were married first. Had children first. Travel well. Boldly move for better opportunities. Husband would consider what said friend would do when trying to figure out how to handle kids or me. Now, it’s our turn to return the favor. We discovered Dave Ramsey and the Total Money Makeover first. We got on the plan first. We are taking FPU. We sent them the book and it was read in a day! Now we talk all the time and money is not taboo. It is so great to be able to share with them what we are learning in FPU. It helps me to reinforce what I need to do when I talk it out with my friend. They, too, are having better communication about money than ever. We have grand plans for being debt-free and it is exciting and encouraging.
Hi, I’m The Wife and I have debt.
Posted by Sandi on 05/01/09 at 12:00 pm
I have your website RSS (correct term?) on my iGoogle home page and look forward to the Husband blogs, they are always entertaining and honest. Thank you Wife for sharing your daily dose of reality with us. God is good, DR shares & cares and because of that “We have Plan”.
Posted by Tutu on 05/02/09 at 12:19 pm
WOW! Your Posting blew me right out of the water! Being in a 12 step program myself for many years, I’ve learned to appreciate that the true value, the real gift comes with sharing with others who are ready to “get it”. I applaud you for your willingness to share with your dear friends – it’s scary sometimes; you don’t want to scare them off. The hardest, toughest times of our lives, once we face them, become our greatest assets.
I clearly remember the first painful talks my husband and I had about the dreaded money issue – ARG – give me gum surgery instead, please!!!! Of course, it turned out fine and led, as you so well described, to opening many more doors of communication.
Love your postings – both yours and the DAD – keep it up, you guys!
Posted by Brandon on 05/11/09 at 5:28 am
I love that you’re doing this. I also am part of a 12 step program and know that having someone to be accountable to and someone to objectively look at your situation and advise is crucial. I enjoy having control over my finances. I love the principles that DR speaks about and lives. It really shows us how to put principles before personality when it comes to currency.