Climbing Out One Family’s Adventure in Becoming Debt-free

Like many high school English teachers, mine seemed to take great delight in not only assigning reports on morbid books about the Jewish Holocaust, but in calling on a few of us to stand up and read the reports aloud to the entire class.

There was something about knowing you might be hung out there in front of everyone that changed how you wrote that report and certainly made darned sure you read the book no matter how hard it was to get through. Years later when writing a report for a different teacher altogether I still felt that sense of potential public critique that ensured I followed through on assignments.

This week we finish a thirteen-week class from Dave Ramsey called Financial Peace University. It is the classroom, group version of his book, The Total Money Makeover, coupled with a sixty to ninety minute video from Ramsey about a different financial topic each week. …continue reading

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. …continue reading

There is a moment in the Polar Express, after a movieful of skepticism, when The Boy holds a bell from Santa’s sleigh in his hand, gives it a shake and finally hears its jingle. It is the wonder immediately following the birth of belief. Whether it’s the spirit of Santa Claus, true love, or a working written budget, there is magic in the moment where one believes.

This week marks the end of our second month on a written budget. Budget committee meetings are getting easier. Communication between The Wife and me is better than ever. I am starting to look back on how we lived the first ten years of our married financial life with regret and awe.

Even the day The Wife came home from the grocery store with …continue reading

Best friend, Jon, once asked me if the detention I got was worth it after a particularly good quip that exploded laughter from my seventh grade English class. I wasn’t always that successful. Like the time I pulled the chair out from under Christy T. in the sixth grade and she fell on her bottom. Off to the Principal’s office for that one.

Nonetheless, whether appropriate or not, I’ve always been comfortable speaking up in a classroom setting.

This past Sunday The Wife and I started Dave Ramsey’s thirteen-week Financial Peace University class at a local church. We debated about attending, feeling as though we were motivated and making progress on our own without spending another $100 on a class plus the commitment every Sunday night and potential …continue reading