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Our Debt Free Family

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Major Update On Our 2015 Financial Goals, Part 2

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This is part 2 of 2 of our summer update. If you haven’t read part 1, click here to catch up.

In our disappointment, we scrambled to figure out what to do.

Our agent put our house back on the market, and we planned to have an open house that weekend so that we could encourage more lookers.

We had already locked in our rate with our mortgage broker so we only had a couple of weeks to find new buyers if we wanted to close on time and avoid being penalized for the transaction falling through.

And then something unexpected happened —

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Debt Update: June

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<p>It has been a little while since I posted a debt update on the site. As mentioned in my blog post "Is Your Outlook Holding You Back?" we've been able to pay down a significant amount of debt over the past year or so. Most of this has been done by snowballing our debt (to the best of our ability). Here's a debt update with detailed numbers...</p>::Pexels

It has been a little while since I posted a debt update on the site. As mentioned in my blog post “Is Your Outlook Holding You Back?” we’ve been able to pay down a significant amount of debt over the past year or so. Most of this has been done by snowballing our debt (to the best of our ability). Here’s a debt update with detailed numbers…

Debt Update

The major three things that have happened since our last debt update on the blog are…

  1. We paid off my husband’s car! That is $175 per month that we now have available to help pay off other debts.
  2. My N.C. state taxes has been paid off. This will free up about $463 per month.
  3. At the end of July, I’ll have paid off my higher-interest credit card. We’ve been paying $175 per month since April to get this done. So, the last payment in July will free up another $175.

Altogether, these three things will free up around $800 per month to go towards paying off other debts and saving.

On top of paying those three things off, we have decided NOT to pull out a loan for my wisdom tooth extraction. Instead, we’ve decided to save and pay in cash for it. With the additional $800 or so per month (starting in August), we should have the money to pay for that in the early fall.

Other “wins” when it comes to our debt freedom progress have been paying down the amount on my husband’s tool bills. Each of them has been paid down significantly each month. We should see them disappear in less than a year (nearly $600 per month). Now that a few other items are paid off, we should be able to reallocate the funds to get these paid off faster.

Earning Extra Cash

We’ve both been searching for ways to make additional money as we continue snowballing our debt as well. My husband has been picking up quick mechanic jobs within the community for extra cash (i.e. putting in a battery on the weekend, or jumping someone’s car).

I’ve been looking for things around the house to sell and picking up a freelance project from time-to-time. More recently, I discovered an old coal bed warmer we’ve had collecting dust. Online it says these can go for between $250 and $1,000. I’m hoping to visit an antique store and sell that soon. That extra cash will go directly into paying for my wisdom tooth extraction.

All in all, our debt update for June is looking pretty good. I’m happy about it and can’t wait to see how it progresses in the future. Of course, I’ll keep you all updated here.

Readers, do you have any easy side hustles that have really helped you decrease your debt? Let me know in the comment section below!

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A Pathway to Freedom

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The following blog post is part of The Road to Financial Wellness blog tour. The Road to Financial Wellness is a three-month, grassroots campaign promoting financial empowerment on a national level and encourages people to pursue their dream lifestyle. Find out more about local events near you.

What were we going to do?

It hadn’t even been two months since my last day of work, and we saw that our savings we had built up to prepare for me to stay home was starting to disappear.

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How to Stay Debt-Free

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<p>Becoming free of debt is no small task for most people but many have been able to do so. What a lot of people don't talk about is how to stay debt-free after you've paid everything off. It's not as easy as it seems.</p>::Pexels

Becoming free of debt is no small task for most people but many have been able to do so. What a lot of people don’t talk about is how to stay debt-free after you’ve paid everything off. It’s not as easy as it seems.

How to Stay Debt-Free

I’ll be the first one to admit that when I think about having all of my debt paid off I start to think about the things I’ll be able to do, things I’ll be able to buy, etc. If you’re thinking the same way, stop! You won’t ever be able to stay debt-free if you’re constantly thinking about what you’ll spend your next bit of money on. So, how do you stay debt-free?

1. Create a budget and stick to it.

As a part of becoming debt free you probably had to create a budget. The best way to create a budget after becoming debt-free is to set a zero-sum budget (where all your income is spent one way or another at the end of the month). The money not being spent will go into savings (or debt payments if you still have them). Once you’ve set a budget, don’t waiver from it. That will only open a window for debt to get in.

2. Automate your finances.

Once you’ve created a budget, automate the rest. Set your bills to automatically draft from your account so that you won’t encounter late fees or credit score drops. You can also have your savings withdrawn from your paycheck instantly so that even saving money can be effortless. If you have to think about your finances less you’ll be less likely to create more debt.

3. Don’t live outside your means.

This is a huge point on the list of things you need to do to stay debt-free. Most people wrack up debt by living outside their means, buying things they cannot afford. If you continue to do this once you’ve become debt-free you won’t remain without debt for very long.

4. Hold yourself accountable.

Holding yourself accountable is another big deal. You may not realize it but if you have a lackadaisical approach to finance your finances may suffer. If you find yourself having trouble holding yourself accountable for financial decisions, chat with a friend you can trust and have them remind you have why you want to stay debt-free.

Other “Our Debt Free Family” readers also enjoyed: 

5. Cut out temptation.

Another great way to stay out of debt is to cut out temptation. For example, if you have multiple credit cards consider cutting the ones you don’t need/don’t use. This will prohibit you from being able to use them for an unnecessary purchase.

6. Join a debt-free community.

If you’re searching for more support on your debt-free journey, join a debt-free community. The Saving Advice forums is a great place on the internet where many people collaborate on various personal finance topics, including being debt-free. There are a number of other great debt-free communities on the web as well.

7. Keep a reminder of your old debt.

Those trying to stay debt-free have likely already paid off a tremendous amount of debt. Keep a reminder of the absolute agony that was paying off your debt. To do this, some people have framed loan payments, loan amounts, statements, etc. You can also simply keep a reminder somewhere you look often (like a desk drawer).

8. Celebrate sometimes.

Lastly, if you’ve paid off a lot of debt and are living a debt-free lifestyle you deserve to celebrate sometimes. To maintain a debt-free lifestyle you need to allow yourself some wiggle room from time to time, so remember to enjoy yourself!  A bit of comparison shopping or finding a good deal will also make you feel great and reinforce the savings process.

<p>Lastly, if you've paid off a lot of debt and are living a debt-free lifestyle you deserve to celebrate sometimes. To maintain a debt-free lifestyle you need to allow yourself some wiggle room from time to time, so remember to enjoy yourself!  A bit of comparison shopping or finding a good deal will also make you feel great and reinforce the savings process.</p>::Pexels

Are you maintaining a debt-free lifestyle? What’s your secret?

 

Meeting your Biggest Challenges: Facing Financial Dilemmas

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<p>What would you do if an enormous financial dilemma landed at your feet right now? Would you know what to do? A financial crisis can happen at any time, and you’d better be prepared to cope. In the interest of standing up to money disasters with grace, we are pleased to present a few tricks and tips about how to meet your biggest financial challenges.</p>::Pexels

What would you do if an enormous financial dilemma landed at your feet right now? Would you know what to do? A financial crisis can happen at any time, and you’d better be prepared to cope. In the interest of standing up to money disasters with grace, we are pleased to present a few tricks and tips about how to meet your biggest financial challenges.

Biggest money hurdles families face

A recent Gallup report explains that a lack of money is the biggest challenge most families face. These days, and in these uncertain financial times, many American families live beyond their means and carry the debt load to prove it. Granted, there is no instant-fix solution to money woes, but you have to start somewhere, advise money experts at SheKnows magazine.

Build a budget and do not deviate from it. Simplify your lifestyle and learn to do well with less. Pay down debt as soon as you can, mind your monthly bills, and don’t add to your debt load. If bill collectors are dunning you, visit this page to identify their number.

Your new budget applies, whether you are the ‘spender’ or the saver in the family. Money differences can cause trouble, but they don’t have to if you agree to stick to a budget that is beneficial to the whole family. Meeting in the middle and setting realistic expectations is a good way to avoid arguments that add stress to an already dodgy situation.

Avoid overspending

Overspending is another way financial disaster can wreak havoc on your serenity. In a recessive economy, spending too much is asking for trouble, especially if your income is sketchy. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your partner, if you have one, and identify your monthly must-haves vs. luxuries that can wait. Writing this information on paper may make it easier to maintain your new budget.

Parents, you want your kids to avoid the financial dilemmas that plague you, right? Help them be better money managers when you give them a checking account in high school. Open the account with limited funds, and your child will learn the penalties for making overdrafts. This simple lesson in overspending may spare your kid a lot of financial woes when they are older, advises Bank Rate.

What about grown kids who move back home?  Many American families face this financial dilemma today. So-called ‘boomerang’ kids may return to the family nest, but the rules are different now. Adult kids probably shouldn’t expect a free ride, especially if they are able to earn an income and contribute to household expenses. By paying for their own rent, groceries, internet service, car insurance, and other monthly bills, adult kids have a great chance to actually be ‘adult’.

In uncertain financial times, sticking to a budget, living within your means, paying down debt, and supporting adult children can be a challenge. Don’t let money dilemmas daunt you. Face money smartly, and you up your odds of living happily.

Slow Progress is Better Than No Progress

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<p>When it comes to our debt freedom goals we are pretty far off from where we'd thought we would be a few years ago. Of course, life has thrown some unexpected curve balls our way. We moved to Atlanta for a job that didn't quite work out and then the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the entire world. Through it all, we have been able to maintain at least the minimum payments on everything and have avoided taking on new debts altogether. So, slow progress is better than no progress, right?</p>::Pexels

When it comes to our debt freedom goals we are pretty far off from where we’d thought we would be a few years ago. Of course, life has thrown some unexpected curve balls our way. We moved to Atlanta for a job that didn’t quite work out and then the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the entire world. Through it all, we have been able to maintain at least the minimum payments on everything and have avoided taking on new debts altogether. So, slow progress is better than no progress, right?

Our Slow Progress

If you read last month’s debt freedom update, not much has changed. We’ve made a payment on each of our accounts to stay current but there are not any huge changes. In June, we will make a little bit more money, but most of that will be stashed away in savings as we prepare for our firstborn child to arrive at the end of the summer. There are only 10 short weeks before she makes her appearance!

While the slow progress can be a bummer at times when we consider where we wanted to be by now, there are times we sit back and think to ourselves, “Wow, look how far we’ve come.” Just a little over four years ago we were living in a motel. We were trying to pay off rental debts to get into an apartment. Things looked pretty bleak and we were taking on new debt just to improve our lives.

Flash forward to now when the only significant debt we hold is our car and my student loans. We’ve paid off accounts in full, moved four times (once four hours away to a different state). Debt or no debt, we love the lives we are beginning to create for ourselves.

A Few Motivational Thoughts

Sometimes this slow progress can be discouraging. However, slow progress is better than making no progress at all. Or worse, we could be going backward. Thankfully, we are trucking forward. Here are a few reasons even slow progress is a reason to pat yourself on the back.

  1. Slow progress doesn’t mean you are failing. Progress is progress. You are not failing just because you are moving slower than the person to the left or right (or how fast you think you should be going).
  2. It adds up over time. As mentioned above, my husband and I have come a long way. We were essentially homeless living in a motel a little over four years ago. Every financial change we’ve made has been for the better, even if the progress has been slow for us.
  3. Slower progression allows you to adapt to more things. If there’s anything I can attest to it is that we’ve both become adaptable to changes as they come. We have a tight week financially? No problem! I’ll just trim the grocery budget. We’ve learned to roll with the punches.
  4. You become resilient. Slow progress will make you more resilient. You will learn not everything is the end of the world and that, eventually, you’ll reach the goals you have your sights set on.
  5. It teaches you not the give up. Most importantly, slow progress teaches you to keep pushing forward. Things don’t always work out according to plan and that’s okay!

Readers, how do you monitor your debt freedom progress? Share your methods in the comments!

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