Good Morning! Well, yesterday I PAID OFF MY ANN TAYLOR CARD!! ($301.55) yeahhhh!! I paid it off with some of the paycheck I received back from substitute teaching. The "old me" would have sent in a minimum or just above the minimum payment. However, I am DETERMINED to reach my goal by my goal date! However, I do have a confession....I paid $30 cash towards my Kohl's bill, but CHARGED $95.38 on two pairs of shoes!! I was so disappointed in myself for not walking away. However, one pair was black, the other white....low soled, and I had been previously looking for these and never did find just a "casual" white or black pair that weren't running shoes or some kind of athletic shoe. I guess I could have just ended this note with the "paid off Ann Taylor credit card" part, but that wouldn't be fair to myself or those of you who are following my JOURNEY towards "DEBT FREE." This is about the journey....good and bad....two steps forward, one step back as they say. No, I am not proud of it, but I am hoping to get better at "walking away" from buying stuff as time goes on. Yet, though I want to be DEBT FREE, I know I will never stop buying all together. However, I want to keep it under control and not have credit card balances. SO, yes, the Kohl's charge was a disappointment to myself; I am glad to have the white and black pair of sneakers; I am VERY EXCITED that one credit card it paid off. Hopefully that excitement can keep me going to WALK AWAY from any extra charges the next time I go to make a payment on my Kohl's or Victoria Secret Cards. I will defininetly keep you all posted. Also, because I don't want to embarrass myself on my blog, maybe that "accountability" factor will be enough to keep me on the right path! Just updated my budget for today, so I am heading for the grocery store so that I am not rushing out when the kids get off the bus. I want all groceries bought, put away and the house picked up, so we can start our weekend in a calm, peaceful manner!

DEUTERONOMY 17:1 "DO NOT SACRIFICE TO THE LORD YOUR GOD AN OX OR A SHEEP THAT HAS ANY DEFECT OR FLAW IN IT, FOR THAT WOULD BE DETESTABLE TO HIM."
Footnote taken from Life Application Study Bible: "The fact that this command was included probably indicates that some Israelites were sacrificing imperfect or deformed animals to God. Then, as now, it is difficult and expensive to offer God our best (THE FIRST PART OF WHAT WE EARN). It is always tempting to shortchange God because we think we won't get caught. BUT OUR GIVING SHOWS OUR REAL PRIORITIES. When we give God the leftovers, it is obvious that He is not at the center of our lives. GIVE GOD THE HONOR OF HAVING FIRST CLAIM ON YOUR MONEY, TIME, AND TALENTS."


THE LOVE DARE....DAY 4 (Taken from THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick
PSALM 139:17-18 "HOW PRECIOUS ALSO ARE YOUR THOUGHTS TO ME....HOW VAST IS THE SUM OF THEM! IF I SHOULD COUNT THEM, THEY WOULD OUTNUMBER THE SAND."

*Contact your spouse sometime during the business of the day. Have no agenda other than asking how he or she is doing and if there is anything you could do for them." (Now, my hubby does not like to be interrupted by phone calls during his business day, so I sent him an online funny card.....)


HOME BLESSING:
Wipe down front windows of home and windows in kitchen.



God Bless! Everyone have a wonderful weekend!

DEBT FREE JOURNEY

Good Morning! Since I was rushed yesterday, I just finished taking 15' (instead of 5') to update my budget. HAVE YOU ALL LOOKED AT YOUR BUDGETS TODAY....DO IT NOW!! So far, even though we are still OVER for February, it is MUCH BETTER than JANUARY and I seem to be reigning it in. I am aiming to do even better in March! It is amazing that at the end of each day, even if I PHYSICALLY have spent NO MONEY that with our automatic bill pay, there is ALWAYS a some kind of total, even if it is just $1 under each day of my budget. Sometimes I feel like we are spending money by just breathing! Oh well, that is why it is SO IMPORTANT to BUDGET....whether you are making $25,000 a year, $250,000 a year or $2,000,000.00 a year! We can ALL BE BETTER STEWARDS with our financial blessings no matter where we fall on the pay scale! And remember, from dust we were brought into this world, and to dust we will leave. WE WILL TAKE NOTHING WITH US. WE ARE ALL EQUAL ON OUR LAST DAY! SOOO, how did your character reflect your life here on earth??

ECCLESIASTES 2:11, 17 "THEN I LOOKED ON ALL THE WORKS THAT MY HANDS HAD DONE AND ON THE LABOR IN WHICH I HAD TOILED;.....AND INDEED ALL WAS VANITY AND GRASPING FOR THE WIND. THERE WAS NO PROFIT UNDER THE SUN....THEREFORE, I HATED LIFE BECAUSE THE WORK THAT WAS DONE UNDER THE SUN WAS DISTRESSING TO ME, FOR ALL IS VANITY AND GRASPING FOR THE WIND."

FOOTNOTE Taken from LIFE PRINCIPLES BIBLE: "Long before the phrase was invented, Solomon climbed the world's ladder of success, only to find it leaning against the wrong wall. ONLY WHEN WE WALK THROUGH LIFE WITH GOD DO WE FIND ULTIMATE MEANING. How many throughout history have conquered vast territories, built great works, written brilliant prose, earned immense riches, won worldwide fame....ONLY TO END UP HATING LIFE? WITHOUT GOD, LIFE CAN'T HELP BUT DISSAPOINT!"


WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT GAGGING ON FINANCIAL INDEBTEDNESS
(Also taken from Life Principles Bible)

"THE BIBLE LEAVES NO DOUBT ABOUT GOD'S OPINION REGARDING DEBT. The following two verses speak CLEARLY on this subject, a painful one for millions:

ROMANS 13:8 "OWE NO ONE ANYTHING EXCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR HE WHO LOVES ANOTHER HAS FULFILLED THE LAW."

PROVERBS 22:7 "THE RICH RULES OVER THE POOR, AND THE BORROWER IS SERVANT TO THE LENDER"

"As a nation, the United States has ignored these truths. One in five families in this country sits on the brink of bankruptcy. MILLIONS of people are no more than 60 days away from becoming homeless or in dire financial need. We have bought into a buy-now and pay-later philosophy that has been sold to us for decades by advertisers who tempt us to believe we must have their product in order to feel good about ourselves and to project an image of worth."

"WE HAVE SWALLOWED A LIE, AND WE ARE GAGGING ON IT!"

"A debt, like a mortgage on a house to live in makes sense, but GOD DOES NOT WANT HIS PEOPLE TO BE IN UNNECESSARY FINANCIAL DEBT. The ONLY thing we are to owe others is our LOVE, which we are to give FREELY and in tangible forms. THE PRICE FOR INDEBTEDNESS CAN BE HIGH INDEED."

"Listen to the heart's cry of a widow who said to the prophet Elisha, 'Your servant, my husband, is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.'" (2 Kings 4:1)

"The deceased husband of this woman, a prophet associated with Elisha, APPARENTLY HAD LEFT HIS FAMILY IN DEBT.The woman appeared to have only one way to repay what her husband owed: Sell her children into slavery."

"We may protest, 'HOW HORRIBLE! HOW COULD A PARENT SELL HER CHILDREN TO WORK OFF A DEBT?' AND YET, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT WE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE DOING IN STRAPPING OUR CHILDREN WITH A HUGE NATIONAL DEBT. In just a few decades we have gone from being the world's largest creditor nation to debtor status ----and OUR CHILDREN WILL BE FORECED TO PAY FOR OUR FOOLISHNESS!"

"WE ARE TO BE GIVERS - NOT BORROWERS!"

GOD BLESS!

DEBT FREE JOURNEY


**Home Blessing Today: Clean out a closet on the main floor of your home! Bake cookies for kids when they get off the bus!


I CAN BE DEBT FREE



AUGUST 2012 OR SOONER!


THEN WE MOVE ON TO THE "OTHER STUFF" LIKE BASEMENT, MORTGAGE, BOAT.....

Good Afternoon! I taught high school today, so it's been crazy. Running out the door to carpool kids to all kinds of sports fields and probably won't be back on computer tonight. REMEMBER....ALL THAT YOU HAVE, IS ALL THAT YOU NEED!! DO NOT SPEND ANY UNNECESSARY MONEY TODAY!! Do you have leftovers that you could eat for dinner? Have a BLESSED DAY! I will be back to type in the morning. My budget will now take me 15 minutes or longer tomorrow morning since I didn't tend to it today.................

GOD BLESS!

DEBT FREE JOURNEY

So, today my neighbor asked me why I keep on with this everyday, when no one seems to be following or reading.....Well, you know why I keep perservering? Because this is for ME...MY JOURNEY...this is between ME AND GOD! If no one else wants to join me, that is OK, although all are welcome. However, with many or alone, I WILL TAKE THIS JOURNEY because I am committed to the promise that I made myself and to God...to honor Him and be a better steward of all that He has blessed me with. I don't want to be selfish or self-centered. I know that He wishes for me to enjoy life, but I have to learn SELF-CONTROL when it comes to our finances! I want to be able to hold my head high. I want my Lord to say to me one day, "Job well done, my good and faithful servant!" Not to mention, how much better off my family is, knowing that I am practicing biblical, sound financial guidelines! Besides, I don't want to be a hypocrite...teaching my kids one thing and doing another. SOOOOOOOO, I will continue on this journey, until that day (which I hope is August, 2012, OR SOONER), when I can say for real that I AM DEBT FREE FROM ALL CREDIT CARD DEBT!"

PSALM 31:6 "I HATE THOSE WHO CLING TO WORTHLESS IDOLS; I TRUST IN THE LORD."
Footnote taken from Life Application Study Bible: "Why did David suddenly bring up the subject of idol worship? He wanted to contrast his total devotion to God with the diluted worship offered by many Israelites. Pagan religious rituals were never completely banished from Israel and Judah, despite the efforts of David and a few other kings. Obviously, a person who clung to idols could not commit his spirit into God's hands. WHEN WE PUT TODAY'S IDOLS (WEALTH, MATERIAL POSSESSIONS, SUCCESS) FIRST IN OUR LIVES, WE CANNOT EXPECT GOD'S SPIRIT TO GUID US. GOD IS OUR HIGHEST AUTHORITY ADN REQUIRES OUR FIRST ALLEGIANCE."



LOVE DARE - DAY 3 - Taken from THE LOVE DARE by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

"LOVE IS NOT SELFISH"...."BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER IN BROTHERLY LOVE; GIVE PREFERENCE TO ONE ANOTHER IN HONOR." ROMANS 12:10


"Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become more important to you. It's hard to care for something you are not investing in. Along with restraining from negative comments, BUY YOUR SPOUSE SOMETHING THAT SAYS, 'I WAS THINKING OF YOU TODAY.'

This doesn't have to be an expensive item. I bough my hubby a set of socks from Walmart (because our sock bin truly is horrible, and he is always complaining about how we need to pair them up or throw them out!) I also wrapped a ribbon around a big bag of twizzlers - his favorite candy! Little, but a sweet gesture..........get the point??

Did you update your budgets today? It should have only taken you 5 ' if you did this yesterday. It is a priceless tool for helping you to become DEBT FREE!

TODAY I WILL NOT SPEND ANY MONEY. ...ALL THAT I HAVE IS ALL THAT I NEED....

God Bless!

DEBT FREE JOURNEY

Good Morning! I AM DEBT FREE....I CAN BE DEBT FREE...POSITIVE THINKING!! AUGUST, 2012 IS NOT THAT FAR OFF COMPARED TO A LIFETIME OF BONDAGE IF I DIDN'T STOP THE LEAKS AND CHANGE MY SPENDING HABITS NOW!!

Proverbs 23: 4,5 "DO NOT WEAR YOURSELF OUT TO GET RICH; HAVE THE WISDOM TO SHOW RESTRAINT. CAST BUT A GLANCE AT RICHES, AND THEY ARE GONE, FOR THEY WILL SURELY SPROUT WINGS AND FLY OFF TO THE SKY LIKE AN EAGLE."

Footnote taken from Life Application Study Bible: "We have all heard of people who have won millions of dollars and then LOST IT ALL! Even the average person can spend an inheritance - or a paycheck - with lightening speed and have little to show for it. DON'T SPEND YOUR TIME CHASING FLEETING EARTHLY TREASURES. INSTEAD, STORE UP TREASURES IN HEAVEN, FOR SUCH TREASURES WILL NEVER BE LOST!"

I read a Proverb a day, corresponding to whatever day it is in the month. Since today is 2/23, I just so happened to read this morning's Proverb and it was PERFECT to blog here. Thank you, Jesus!

I just finished closing out January's Budget.....it is so embarrassing and shameful to admit that we were thousands off! There are a couple of reasons for that: #1 - we paid American Express TWICE, once at the very beginning of the month, and once at the end. Oh well, the balance needs to get paid off anyway, so even though we had to transfer from savings, at least it went to a good cause! Another is that we just didn't really LOOK at the budget in January. It doesn't make any sense to make a budget and then just throw it in a drawer somewhere. That is why - on February 13, 2009 - I decided to BECOME DEBT FREE AND BLOG ABOUT MY JOURNEY!I am so glad I did that. The biggest part of becoming DEBT FREE is DECIDING to do it....As they say at Nike............JUST DO IT! We can decide to keep digging ourselves into a hole, or we can DECIDE to change. It is OUR decision! No one else can do it for us...not a therapy group, not a doctor, not medication.....WE JUST HAVE TO DECIDE THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! And I KNOW WE CAN DO THIS! AT LEAST I AM DOING THIS......I INVITE ANYONE TO COME ALONG AND DO THIS WITH ME...............DEBT FREE!!!!!!!!!!!

I am happy to say, that since I have been looking at my budget daily each morning, February, though we are still coming in over budget, is looking A LOT better than January did! I wonder if I can come in even for March?? It's a goal!!


THE LOVE DARE: DAY 2 (Each day of the Love Dare may not be consecutive days, but we all get busy, so it is probably better that we have a few days in between each activity anyway!haha)

EPHESIANS 4:32 "BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, TENDER-HEARTED, FORGIVING EACH OTHER, JUST AS GOD IN CHRIST ALSO HAS FORGIVEN YOU."

**Taken from The Love Dare Book "In addition to saying nothing negative to your spouse again today, DO AT LEAST ONE UNEXPECTED GESTURE AS AN ACT OF KINDNESS"**


MENU FOR THIS WEEK:

MON: Chicken Coq Au Vin, caesar salad, hot rolls

TUE: Beef Burgundy over wide egg noodles, peaches, french bread

WED: Leftover night

THUR: Potato Cheddar Soup

FRI: Tacos

SAT: Snow Crab Clusters (Publix Sale); corn-on-the-cob; coleslaw

SUN: Good Ole American hot dogs on the grill (have the chili and saurkraut ready)!




HOME BLESSING:
Vacuum your basement

GOOD MORNING! I AM DEBT FREE...(shhh...not really yet, just thinking positively. If we dont BELIEVE that we can ever be debt free, then it won't happen!)....

Getting ready to wake the family up for church, but wanted to quickly write in here before it got crazy. I hope no one is having trouble leaving comments. I am new to this and don't know if I set everything up correctly. I have also been trying to get a "reader count" on this site to see exactly how many are clicking on and reading, but I don't think I set that up right either! If anyone as any help for me.....my email is phil4132009@hotmail.com, if you have having trouble commenting on this site. Thank you so much!

My prayer for today before closing:


MORE THAN A HOUSE
Taken from House Blessings by June Cotner

"IT'S A PLACE TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY,
AND A PLACE TO LAUGH WITH FRIENDS.
IT'S A PLACE TO PUT YOUR FEET UP,
AND REST AT THE WORK DAY'S END.
WITH SPACE TO STORE YOUR TREASURES,
AND SPACE TO MAKE YOUR OWN,
IT'S A PLACE TO PLAY,
IT'S A PLACE TO LOVE,
IT'S THE PLACE THAT Y OU CALL HOME."

GOD BLESS!
DEBT FREE JOURNEY

Good Morning! Don't usually have time to write too much during the weekends with hubby and all kids home. We have a full day packed with sports (imagine that)...so just wanted to say "HI!" - Keep you goal in mind - WHATEVER YOU DO.........DO NOT CHARGE TODAY! If you have to make a purchase....PAY CASH!! PAY CASH, PAY CASH, PAY CASH..........DO NOT CHARGE ANYTHING! You have shelter, food, clothing....all that you have is all that you need! Have a GREAT SATURDAY!

DEBT FREE JOURNEY