Friday, February 27, 2009

Can I get a Yee-Haw!!!

Can I get a Hellz Yeah!!!
Today is MONUMENTAL in the life of A Belle and her Beau. As of 8:39 a.m. we are officially 100% out of credit card debt!!!! Hallelujah ... I want to shout from the roof-tops! In all honesty it only took us a couple of months to pay off our credit cards once we really became serious about doing so. But it wasn't easy and it wasn't always fun. Saving money and/or paying off debt is much like dieting, at first it completely blows and you are miserable but after a couple of weeks you begin to get used to it and it becomes second-nature, so to speak. For the first month it definitely sucked to write down every single solitary penny I spent (even if it was just 97 cents on a coke) when I was so used to just running a debit card and trashing the receipt. But when the Beau and I totally grasped the concept of Every Penny, On Paper, On Purpose our spending habits have completely changed.

We are not in the clear yet though. We still have student loans and the Beau's car is not paid off. Before I began Financial Peace University I had the mind-set that student loan debt was "not bad debt" and that everyone had a car payment. Well, if I would have just used a little bit of common sense I would have realized that all debt (minus your home) is bad debt and if you owe $20k on a car, in fact you are in $20k in debt. With lots of prayer to be strong and faithful in paying down our debt we hope to have my student loan paid off by the end of this year and the Beau's loan and car paid in the following 2 years. Again, that will come with lots and lots of prayer.

Proverbs 22:7 says,
"The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender."

The bible gives us over 800 scriptures on how God intends us to handle our money ... you can find them here.

xoxo~

65 comments:

Peppermint Bee said...

I love Dave Ramsey! Congratulations that is quite a feat!

Tiffany said...

Congratulations! I bet it's a huge weight off your sholders. I'm just start FPU wish me luck!

Anonymous said...

congrats to yall! that is a huge accomplishment!

Mojito Maven said...

YAYAYAYAYAY congrats chica!! I totally hear you about the debt. Although we don't have credit card debt, we definitely have student loan debt from grad school, but like you w are hoping to finish off the last of it within the next few months. once I get out of student loan debt i will shout from the rooftops with you!

Living for the Little Moments said...

Congratulations!!! It feels great doesn't it?! My husband and I are working really hard to be debt free with the exception of our mortgage too and it not always an easy goal... but we're getting there one step at a time :-)

The wife said...

Congratulations!! We are working on being completely out of debt too and you are right, it's tough--but well worth all the "sacrifice".

it is everlasting said...

Oh that is so incredible! What an amazing accomplishment and I just love the way it gives glory to the Lord! We are getting ready to sell my husband's car which will pay it off and give us enough cash to buy something a little older for running around town. Then we are going to start doing the car payments to ourselves to save the cash for a new one in a few years. Great job!

Nat said...

Congratulations!!! That is awesome!! I am almost out of credit card debt and I cannot wait for that day (only a few more months)! Good job!

The Pink Chick said...

Congratulations! This is so, so wonderful! I hope I can be saying the same thing soon!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! That's awesome for you! I'm lucky that I'm not in debt (except the house), but that's only because my mom always insisted that I not have a credit card. A few months ago the fiance gave me a credit card in my name, but on his credit card account, and said, "This is for emergencies, and since the card is technically in my name, I know you won't use it." And boy he was right. It's good to know I have it for a dire emergency, but I never use it. He has a great philosophy that if you can't pay cash for it (other than a house), then you don't need it. I'm glad he's the financial-savvy one!

Have a great weekend!

Whitney said...

Congratulations! Isn't it the most freeing feeling! I am working on my student loans and car as well and CANNOT WAIT to be able to say I'm completely debt free! As Dave says, "Kick the old hag out of the spare bedroom!"

Sherrie said...

My dh and I are currently attending FPU. We are in week three and we are really enjoying it. We have successfully bugeted before and need to get ourselves back on track again.

Congrats on paying off the CC debt.

d.a.r. said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I think Dave Ramsey is incredible, if nothing for his honest bluntness and his simple and easy to grasp concepts for getting out of debt and building wealth. That is so awesome you guys are out of debt!

Sarah said...

That's great!!!

Piper Jacquelyn said...

Congrats! That's got to be a huge weight off your shoulders...way to go you two! I honestly don't have any debt, but could def. take some of those receipt holding/recording tips to heart - I'm not good about that stuff!

Unknown said...

congrats!! what a relief. I love the feeling of paying something off. keep up the awesome work :)

Jamiedidit said...

Gosh, girl - that was FAST. I'm still working on mine and I took the class a YEAR ago. I think I need to get me some of that 'gazelle intensity."

Lindsey said...

CONGRATS!!! What a great feeling!

Jess said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jess said...

Congratulations, that would be a great feeling! We are still just hoping someone will buy our house, going on 8 months on the market. Yay! for you!

Lucky in Love said...

Congratulations!! That is definitely something to celebrate!

I've definitely got the student loan debt as well. It's overwhelming sometimes!

Unknown said...

Way to go!! It's a great accomplishment for y'all!

USCEmily said...

Yee- HAW! That is awesome!! Kudos to you and your hubby.... I'm working on my credit card debt right now too!
I think they should require freshmen in college to take a course on finance and spend a lot of time talking about credit cards- I was clueless and I am paying for it still (8 years later)!!

Laura said...

Wow, great job. Don't you just love Dave?

morewineplease said...

that's huge!! Congratulations... I feel like hubby and I will be paying student loans FOREVER!

LyndsAU said...

yay :) That's awesome LL!! So proud of yall. I know it's been hard!! I am scared of house debt... and of course I have my student loans!! it's all scary to me :)

Jenny @ Practically Perfect... said...

That is so AWESOME! Congratulations :-)

Rebecca Jo said...

Credit cards are from the devil!!! Good for you!!! I heard credit cards are raising rates to like 30-37% because they too are suffering... isnt that crazy! Glad you got out when you did!!!

Kelly said...

CONGRATS!!! That is definitely worth shouting from the roof-tops!

Elizabeth said...

Congratulations! That is awesome!!

Southern Savvy said...

That is such an accomplishment especially in these tough economic times. Congrats! I'm sure that you've inspired many to do the same.

Girl Meets Beau said...

Yay for you and Beau!! That has to be such a great feeling! I need to learn the "every penny, on paper, on purpose" rule! It is SO east to just swipe and go. But it's definitely worth it. Now you can celebrate this weekend!!

Tara Gibson said...

congrats! i bet thats a huge weight off your shoulders!

Kate said...

That is wonderful! Congratulations! I'd love for my husband and I to be completely out of debt...

Jenni said...

Congratulations! It is a great feeling and is totally life changing.

Rachel said...

Woohooo!

Mrs. Nurse said...

Congratulations! It must feel great to not have those cards hanging over your head :)

Anonymous said...

love the blog!! would you mind shooting me an email with your contact info just had a quick question. many thanks cheers!

PreppyBumpkin said...

Dave Ramsey is sittin' in Tennessee proud as a peacock!!

WAY TO GO!!

So -- how will you be destroying your cards?

LuLu said...

Yipee!! Proud of you honey:) We're about to get on Dave's band wagon with the dvd you gave me!!!

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

Wow,, that is awesome! Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! That is definitely something to be proud of!! My hubby and I LOVE finance so I, of coursed, loved this story! I am sure you already knew that, but honestly, congrats!! Keep it up!

Maybe I can get my hubby to feature your story on his personal finance blog?

Sandra said...

Congratulations to you!! What a great accomplishment for you!!

Kyla @ The Simpsons said...

Congrats girl, I bet that has to be the best feeling!!!

The France Family said...

That is awesome! What a good feeling!!! Cant wait to be able to say that too!

Betsy | Heavens to Betsy said...

congratulations!! what an awesome feeling :)

xo,
MM

Erica said...

Congratulations! That's so huge! Nicely done. Dave would be proud.

Brittney said...

Congrats! The hubs and I are trying to pay off my student loans this year too. Any tips and tricks you'd like to share?

Belle on Heels said...

oh congratulations!! i am really starting to work towards this (although i wish i had someone like your beau to be my partner in this) because i know how difficult this is to do. you two are to be commended :)

Anonymous said...

Hell Yeah!

Congratulations!!

Hopefully we will be following in your footsteps by the end of the year!

warmfuzzies said...

I saw your Dave Ramsey thing and had to comment! We love Dave Ramsey. (my husband and I) Isn't being debt free the best!?

Have a fabulous day!!

Buford Betty said...

Cheeeetah!!!! Woo hoo!!! That is awesome! I'm a little late commenting... but just wanted to say congrats! That's incredible. We're getting there too and we most definitely will be shouting from the rooftops when we do.

Sibi said...

Just stopping by and saw this wonderful post and wanted to congratulate you and your husband on such a wonderful accomplishment!

I absolutely LOVED this post!!!!

So proud for you!!!

I know that you are a tremendous encouragement to many!

Blessings,

Sibi

texaslauren77 said...

I just found your blog via LyndsAU's site. And, reading this post is SO FAMILIAR to me! I have exactly 25 days until I am 100% debt free...I had back surgery a few years back, and that shot my credit card balances through the roof! On top of that, I had never been the best at budgeting, so it was a big old mess. I've been working to pay everything off for the last several years, and it's a huge struggle. But, it's amazing how second nature it becomes when you draw a line in the sand and stick to your budget, and refuse to use a credit card for anything. Anyway, congratulations on your accomplishment...in 25 days, I'll be able to dance around and scream the same thing! ;)

Nishant said...

Congratulations! I bet it's a huge weight off your sholders. I'm just start FPU wish me luck!
Work From Home

Anonymous said...

You’re best! Go!Go!加油
家事服務網頁設計的LALA
外遇/ 徵信/徵信社/室內設計是我家的網站設計有空來晃晃

prashant said...

once I get out of student loan debt i will shout from the rooftops with you!

Work From Home India

crystal.cattle said...

Congrats! I am just starting Dave Rasmey. It is going to take a lot of work, but I know I can do it.

www.cdycattle.blogspot.com

Celebrating Moments by Marcie said...

So refreshing to hear a young person have this as a goal for their future marriage!! For you and your beau to be "here" before you are even married is HUGE!!!!
Love what you say in your profile. I have loved every minute (well almost) taking care of my men :)
(husband and son) I have had several of my own home businesses (and still do and expanding now m son is at college)to be able to be home, where I am happiest!!! I think you might like my blog. MUCH more to come I am just starting :)
PS Dave Ramsey rocks!

Anonymous said...

人家都說男人到大陸都會外遇包二奶
老婆淚眼說擔心他外遇
他了解老婆的擔心,只好用錢去彌補分離的缺憾
漸漸的,老婆的電話愈來愈少…
她說,她是怕自己太依賴
漸漸的,他知道其實是她有了外遇
於是,面對自己外遇的行為,他忽然覺得好過了些…

Anonymous said...

就像許多外遇故事一樣
男人有了外遇想要離婚,但是女人死不放手
所以他藉故發揮、所以她不甘示弱
他總是說這樣不可理喻的女人俗不可耐才讓他想要離婚
她總是說這樣背棄婚姻的男人她絕對不會離婚讓他們好過

記憶中我從沒有過快樂的童年、幸福的家庭
父親在家的時候總是爭執不斷
父親離家的時候母親總是數落不斷

我總是想,為什麼不離婚
這樣的婚姻意義何在?

母親認為離婚就是輸了
但是她不知道,自己身陷在漩渦中無法掙脫...

Anonymous said...

茜茜知道他有了外遇
他變得春風滿面,嘴裡總是哼著歌曲
他開始變得有耐心聽她說話、會買禮物給她、甚至帶她出遊
茜茜知道這是因為他對外遇有愧疚
她沒有揭穿丈夫的外遇,甚至享受這樣的生活
茜茜偷偷的跟姐妹滔說:感謝老公的外遇帶來更美好的夫妻生活!

Anonymous said...

男人有婚外情,就像是證明自己魅力猶存;
然而當女人有了婚外情,卻成為眾人所髮指的目標!
男人有婚外情,多半願意回頭太太還是會原諒他;
然而當女人有了婚外情,卻鮮少丈夫能夠接受!
男女的不平等,在婚外情中,一樣得到驗證!

Anonymous said...

表姐交了一個人人欣羨的男友,
聽說家裡面很有錢,每個人都很為她祝福。
沒想到結婚之後才發現一切都是男方的謊言,
表姐想要離婚,對方卻死不放手!
看到了這情形,讓我想到了婚前徵信的重要性;
雖然很多人認為婚前徵信是一種懷疑的表現,
但是如果不做婚前徵信,又怎能知道對方刻意隱瞞的事實?
現在我有了論及婚嫁的對象,爸媽也很贊成婚前徵信
婚前徵信的結果對方果真的家世清白孝順的新好男人;
帶著滿滿著祝福與喜悅,我總算能安心的當準新娘!

Anonymous said...

明知道他有婚姻,筱蝶還是陷進去了
他告訴筱蝶,不是不願意離婚
只是孩子還小,他不忍心孩子這麼小就面臨父母離婚的難題
他告訴筱蝶,他有多麼愛她
他多想馬上離婚光明正大和她在一起
他告訴筱蝶,她值得更好的人,但是他捨不得放手
只要給他兩年時間,他就會馬上離婚
多麼動聽的話,為了他的承諾,筱蝶甘心傻等
一心等對方離婚、一心想要成為他的太太
然而當兩年的時間過去了
男人還是沒有離婚
他淡淡的對筱蝶說:我配不上妳,所以我要放妳自由!