Goodbye $1000

It feels good. Stephanie and I went to the bank and deposited all the money from our debt jar. It was awesome, actually, to have an additional $1000 in our bank account. For a SPLIT second I thought, "Man, that's awesome. Maybe I should just keep it in there." But then I looked at the debt amount and felt sick. So I clicked the "Pay Now" button and there we go. It's $1000 I will never see again.

That's the depressing part. We had $1000 and now we don't. We used a good amount of our wedding money and didn't buy a few things we wanted in order to save that money. I mowed my parent's grass a few times and Stephanie did some babysitting. I liked having that money sitting in the jar. However, I like not having debt more.

I can't believe we paid $1000, what a blessing! Stephanie and I said a short prayer after we made the payment. It was really all God's doing in allowing us to make the payment that quickly. If it was up to us we would have taken that cash and gone on a cool trip or bought some dumb trinket. We are so utterly thankful that God is so very good to us. It's not just that He provided this money, but that He blessed us with all the support of so many people.

Honestly, it sucks seeing the debt amount and the interest that has been added up. I hate it. I hate debt. I hate how much bondage it gives. I also hate how so many people have bought into the "good debt" mentality. Good debt? That's like saying there is good bondage or slavery. Debt is not from God. Like I have said before, if we would just learn to save and be frugal, we would be able to avoid every kind of debt except maybe the house loan. Even then, people purchase houses without really knowing or thinking about what they are getting into (more on this later).

With all of that said, if you are in debt, what are you waiting for? Today is the day to begin paying down that garbage and move on with your life! Why waste another dollar on paying the minimum when, if you really tried, you could have it all paid and out of your life. Will Stephanie and I be able to pay off the other $40,800 in 16 months like we are shooting for? Probably not. But what if we do it in 3 years? That means we paid it off 22 years early! That's amazing. We will be able to use that money for so many other good things. Stop playing around with your debt and get going on it!

I know, giving up Starbucks and eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch would be a very difficult thing to do. It's not supposed to be easy, though. It's the hard parts of life that change a person, not the times when everything is perfect. Put yourself in the hard times and cause yourself to change. If you are a husband, show your wife how much you love her and are committed to your family by stepping up and leading her in this. I'm so thankful I'm doing this now. I can't imagine saying, "Dang, I wish I didn't sacrifice and pay off that debt so quickly". It won't happen. However, I KNOW that I would regret putting it off and not stepping up to the challenge.

For all you ladies out there, be an encouragement to your husband if you are in debt. Ask him to step up and begin paying this off. I can't tell you what a blessing it is to have Stephanie by my side through all of this. Watching her sacrifice her wants and desires for the good of our family is one of the biggest blessings in my life. Be that blessing to your husband!

If you are single and in a lot of debt.Well, get to it! Bringing a bunch of debt into a marriage is really crappy and can cause a lot of strain on your relationship. Sacrifice now so that you can give your wife or husband all the wonderful things you want to.

Now Stephanie and I are gonna go open a credit card account to celebrate!!

Just kidding :)

- Brian