Okay folks. I’ve brought you along thus far in our debt free journey so in total transparency, we have fallen off the debt free wagon.
Some of this was intentional, some unintentional. We did take a break this Summer. We rewarded our hard work of paying off $30,000 in 6 months with a bathroom remodel. It mostly started off as a “pay as we go” project but I’m sitting here adding up the numbers shaking my dang head staring at about $4,000 we owe between the plumbers and a Home Depot card. We did pay as we went up until this month when the plumbing bill was about $700 more than we had planned.
But…I also bought a bike…and I didn’t like that one so I bought another one…then Craig bought his bike…then we needed helmets…then we got some more medical bills in the mail…and then on and on down the rabbit whole we went. We had a fun and luxurious Summer but as you read in my last blog post SUMMER IS OVER. The Friedmans are hopping back ON the debt free bandwagon.
What’s slowing us down? PAYMENTS. These medical bills are massively cramping our style – paying about $400 – $500 a month just to stay out of collections between 3 different hospitals. They’ve gotta go.
This Home Depot card is next up on the chopping block – I know it’s 24 months interest free financing but I HATE saying we have credit card debt.
I’m sitting here, dreaming about next Summer when we can buy our electric mountain bikes and it just isn’t going to happen when we’ve got all this debt staring back at us.
Back to meal planning.
Back to budgeting.
Back to intentionality.
Back to streaming Dave Ramsey 24/7
Back to picking up extra shifts.
Back to the basics friends! The good news is, if we pay off as much debt as we did in the first year of Dave Ramsey, we will own our vehicles free and clear for the first time in our marriage by this time next year. We could be consumer debt free in one year guys! I can’t wait to set and crush our goals and get creative!
Thanks for reading guys! Have a great day! Cheers to being smart with our money!
- Friedman Family Update – March 2023
- ONE MORE MONTH!
- PROUD MINI VAN OWNER!
- Gannon Update – Genetics 🧬
- Friedman Fam Update – January 2023
Your headed in the right direction by acknowledging the debt and facing it. You got this! Plus your bathroom looks great and its a good investment in your home.
IT happens. You have wrapped your head around it and you have a plan! Yea you! Snowball that pile down to nothin’ 🙂
Take care and big hugs! 🙂
You can do this! Yes,you fell off the wagon but you saw it quickly so you can fix it. Falling off will happen but being aware and taking steps to remedy it are what counts.
Yes, using the card is easy as you are now seeing, when the bills arrive reality kicks in. At least you are meeting this head on and with your previous success, you will make your goal. This is how money management is learned and you are so fortunate you can work extra shifts! Thanks for your honesty and revealing info most people never divulge. You’ll get this straightened out for sure.
Home remodeling advice from Erin Napier of HGTVs Home Town is order all materials and have them all delivered and estimates for all work (and materials paid for and money for all work) before the work is started. Also plan for overages for whatever crops up. As long as you learn from your mistakes it is all considered a win. Keep up the good work.
I know you are very proud about being able to pay all of the bills but is there not anything to help with Cannon. I would think there should be something out there for him and the family. God Bless. Stay safe and healthy.
Thanks for sharing your “Off the Wagon”. Debt free is the way to be!