Become debt free

This is Coby & myself jumping for JOY after we became DEBT FREE!

So almost 2 years ago Coby & I took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University through his work. It changed our lives. I know I always seem to write about something involving Dave Ramsey, but he has become a huge part of our lives & decision making. I believe in his financial way of living like I believe in my religion ... I want to share it! I look at his plan almost like a religion, because just like religion sometimes people are ready for it & sometimes they aren't.

We paid off a little over $41,000 in 20 months. I can't believe we had that much debt to be honest. It was school loans, cars, kitchen remodel, a TV & a credit card. Dave Ramsey's class got us on track & quickly out of debt. We paid off around $18,000 in 6 months alone.

Getting started was hard I will admit. I didn't even want to take the class because "I didn't need no stinking budget!" Well like Dave says, if your plan is working why are you in debt? Try his & if you don't see progress go back to how you were living before.

We started off making ourselves sick when we realized what we were making a month & what we had to show for it ... absolutely nothing! So we got started on the budget & month after month it got better & better. Soon we were paying off our debt left & right. We found money around the house, I sold stuff on eBay, we had a garage sale, we sold a car, we found a bank account with over $1,500 in it we had no idea about, we stopped going out to eat, stopped buying everything we saw at Costco & moved in with my parents to save while we built our house. I remember going to the place we got our TV to pay our last payment & we were so excited ... the girl had no idea how cool it was for us to be done!

So for anyone out there who is thinking they need help with their finances ... go read his book, take his class online or in person or go to his website. If I was certified to teach the class I would do it all year because I know how great it is! Times are tough & his plan is the best thing out there!

Go here to look for a class in your area.

Go here to get a budget

Go here to take the class online

woot woot for my debt free sista!

My sister-in-law & her hubby took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class & became DEBT FREE in May. Kami was so cute & would call me when she paid something off, found some money (which seems to happen a lot when you are pinching pennies & stretching) or had a really good class. They are in a great spot now ... saving for a house ... yeah Dave Ramsey.

They entered a contest to win $1,000 from Zion's Bank for an emergency fund & ta-da they won! Pretty cool since it is statewide! Yeah Kami & Brent!

"Financial Peace University is not easy, but it really works if you follow what you learn." Brent & Kami Jefferson

New Year ~ New Way!

If one of your goals is to save money, pay off debts or simply become honest in your finances you need to find a Financial Peace University class in your area. If you live by me there is one starting February 21st in Washington, Utah. Sign-up & live better in 2008!

Yeah Becky

Becky signed up for Financial Peace University & I am so happy for her! 13 weeks starts to get old, but if you stick with it you won't regret it! I have a standing offer to all my family members ... I will pay for the class if you will take it. Please someone take me up on the offer!

Get out of debt!

I just learned that a Financial Peace University Class is being held every Thursday @ 7:00 pm @ Zions Bank starting THIS Thursday!

If you are in debt & have no savings or plan you NEED to sign-up for this class right now. Coby & I took the class a year ago (read our story here) & a year later we are in a totally different spot ... so much better! We had school loans, car loans & house remodeling debt that we paid off fast. We finish our 6 months of savings next month that will keep us living for 6-8 months in our new house without working (if something drastic happens & we both are out jobs).

So bite the bullet & sign-up for this class ~ it really will change your life! Even if you are already debt free you should look it up ... it changes the way you shop & save. I loved it!

I am cheap

The other night Jordan & I were talking about taxes & she reminded me of when we did our taxes last year & found out how much money we had made for the year. It was sickening to know we hadn’t saved any of it. So when we took our finance class we really felt lame. We learned how much money we were spending every month on “things” after the bills were paid.

The money that was being used for frivolous things (in our case) is now going heavily towards savings. Honestly, we put ½ of what we make away each month. The funny part is I feel like the extra money is not for spending – so when something comes up – like an emergency trip up north I have to tell myself spending the money is worth it.

Amazingly enough getting our finances in order has made me super cheap rather than wanting to buy more things. Before when I wanted something I would buy it because I wasn’t tracking my purchases. Now that I have every penny budgeted with a place to go, I HATE to spend money. I rarely go shopping & I don’t really miss it. Very weird for a girl who was a shopper!

Envelope system wallet

I need help finding a nice wallet that holds my budgeting envelopes. I don't like the paper ones that I got as part of my finance class. Anyone know of any organized wallets?

We're DEBT FREE!

We paid the last of our debt off 2 days ago & last night we jumped for joy! School loans, car, house remodel, jumbo TV debt & credit cards all gone! We paid off a little over $41,000 in 20 months. You may not be impressed if you have no debt or have paid off much more that that, but it is a great accomplishment for us!

Dave Ramsey's class got us on track & quickly out of debt. We paid off around $18,000 in the last 6 months since his class began. Before his class we just tried to pay off our debt & did pretty well without any sort of plan. But we made a huge leap forward once we followed his plan! We are calling in to his radio show this afternoon to scream 'WE'RE DEBT FREE!"

Snapshots of America’s Finances

Wall Street Journal: Nearly 70% of all consumers live from paycheck to paycheck.

Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Expenditure Survey: This year more
people will file for bankruptcy than will graduate from college.

Psychology Today: A new report finds that conflict over money is still the leading
cause of divorce today.

The Oprah Winfrey Show: 78 million Americans have no savings, and Oprah’s
own on-line survey reported that 70% of the respondents had no savings.

NBC News: Only 3% of US citizens are saving in any type of IRA.

Money AH HA moment...

Last night at our money class Dave Ramsey said something that hit me. When we do our budget every dollar needs a place. Before when we have tried to budget we only budget parts of our income, leaving the rest to fly away.

I am so excited to do our budget for September - creating a place for every single dollar & sticking to it!

Mr. & Mrs. Moneybags ...

Coby & I started our Financial Peace University class last night. We are learning how to start saving our money for real & get rid of debt for life. The first class was great - kind of like an infomercial but very good information. We are excited to start saving like adults rather than saving in our bank account like we do now. So far so good - plus his company is paying its employees to attend this 13 week class. Thanks Enliven!