How we moved forward from making poor money choices to planning our spending.
Illustration by Chelsea Linaeve.
1In California on our honeymoon, we called our credit card to expand our credit limit.
2We kept using it like it was cash in the bank. That credit card debt continued growing.
3We were not on the same page financially.
4Life kept happening, our car brakes went out. So, we got a car loan and bought a used car.
5Turns out that Mini Cooper was a lemon.
6So, we rolled that car loan into another to buy a newer car.
7This car payment (including our student loans, mortgage, credit card, and more) created a limiting lifestyle.
8Because of these choices, we learned we needed to have a plan (budget).
9We attended our first financial class together, and learned the basics of budgeting.
10We then saved up our first $1,000 emergency fund.
11Then, we started paying off our smaller debts to see if budgeting could actually work.
12Even though it was not easy, we realized budgeting does work and it gives you control over your spending.
13This new control allowed us to plan for fun memories.
14While paying off our debt, we planned for a lifetime trip to Switzerland (and paid for the entire trip with cash)
15Today — we continue budgeting every paycheck to plan our spending, and working our way through our debt-free journey.
16As of March 28, 2020, we have paid off $48,000 and are attacking the rest of our debt. All of this has motivated us to help others do the same and live a life that God has intended us to live.
