Financial Review

It's the end of 2009 and time for our financial review. We began our journey 2 years ago with some dear friends. They introduced us to Crown Financial Ministries and the book "Your Money Counts". We had no idea what God's view on finances looked like.

My sweet prince grew up thinking that a good financial planner was someone who could transfer money from one low interest credit card to another. I on the other hand grew up with the thought that if you worked hard you would eventually make enough money to be happy. Usually at some point after the children were out of the house. There was no planning for the future or saving. Neither view looked at God for anything. So needless to say, wow, were we surprised to learn about what the Lord had in store for us.

We made the commitment then that debt was not going to rule our lives and we would in no way take on anymore debt . This included cell phone contracts, 90 day same as cash opportunities, credit cards with points etc, etc.

We knew the why behind our finances. We knew God had a plan for us. We knew we wanted to be able to bless others and to provide for our family. But we soon realized we were struggling with "how" to accomplish these tasks.

So in May of '09 we began the Dave Ramsey plan. We diligently put money into our envelopes and counted our pennies and were quickly at each others throats!! We just couldn't maintain such a strict budget and be happy. It seemed we were taking one step forward and two steps back. So we have now adapted a plan that works for us. Cash is not our friend, we've learned. Sorry Mr. Ramsey, it is just spent faster that way. We do however have a weekly budget and have given each other allowances. We also maintain a very strict communication policy on spending. Although we don't have cash stashed away for the known events in our lives we are able to sit down each month and allot enough for the "oops I forgot, or I didn't think of that" fund. And yes, our savings is growing too. We have blended the two philosophies into something that works for us.

So now it is Dec. '09 we began our journey approximately $15,000 in debt and I am happy to announce we will be debt free by March of 2010!!!!

So if anyone asks that is my birthday wish. I would like nothing more than to celebrate my 30th birthday without debt. And a rather large sum of money added to our daily income. WHOO HOO!!!

So stick with us, and I'll be happy to report each of our milestones as they occur. And watch our mountain come crumbling down.