There are many changes happening around here. Change can be challenging when you are the type of person who likes to believe that you have it all under control. Change can mean admitting that everyone is not okay and that there might be a better way to do things.
Change can mean that “growth” is taking place and changes are in order to accommodate that growth.
It would appear that the current art project is a reflection of that. The glass jar is now obscured, although we all know that it’s there…buried under several layers now. The house has evolved and will continue to do so, I expect. The roots appear inadequate now as a foundation for the house. They worked for the jar, but need to grow to support the new structure. What’s it all mean? Good question. I’ll leave that up to you.
The biggest change around here has been our new attitude towards money – specifically the purchase of the new window unit. We all agreed that change needed to happen. We would be most uncomfortable living in a home without air-conditioning when the temperature is 95 degrees and it’s June. It’s only going to get hotter. We briefly considered attempting to get a loan of some type to solve our problem. That would be solving one problem and adding to another one.
We are committed to getting out of debt. We managed to not add to our debt and purchase the air-conditioning we needed. Less than a year ago, we would not have had the information we needed to work through this issue in a responsible manner.
Because we started a budget (You Need a Budget) and started using Dave Ramsey’s Snowball Debt Reduction Plan, we are better equipped to make responsible decisions. I recently found another tool, UndebtIt.com, that is also helping. This site calculates our debt accounts, payment amounts and projected payoff date. I love having programs that do the math for me. I do not have a head for numbers.
I can’t say that I’ve enjoyed the brutal process of getting our finances in order. It was hard to face the amount of debt we had versus the income we have. It was a shock to see how long it will take to pay off everything.
But now we know. We know how much money we really have and it’s not the amount on the paycheck. Now, when I am shopping, it’s easier to make the distinction between want and need. There is a goal in place to work towards. Knowing, even when I don’t like the information I have, is better than not knowing and doing nothing to improve the situation.
We have the beginnings of a savings account to handle true emergencies. I know how much we need to pay on each debt monthly to reach our goal. Unexpected things can still happen and throw a metaphorical wrench in our plan, but I’ll be on top of the situation and have a better idea of how to deal with it.
I’ve spent a lot of time reading about debt. I’ve read the advice of experts and personal blogs discussing specific stories and solutions. I don’t normally give advice here – if someone finds something of use or inspiration here that’s great – but I don’t have any great insights or answers (just my stories).
In this case, I’m going to make an exception. If you are struggling financially, in debt, and spending way too much time worrying about money, it’s better to know the facts. It’s better to have a budget and a plan. It’s better to face the facts right now and start the process of fixing the problem. Denial doesn’t help. I have shed many a tear over our finances. I have blamed myself and everyone around me for our problems. I have ignored the situation and pretended that everything was okay. We have paid out money in bank charges and late charges and interest.
Not any more. Now, I know where we stand. There is a goal, a light at the end of the tunnel and hope. It’s easier to make financial decisions when I understand the consequences. We no longer are living a life where it seems like the current situation will never end. Things are going to get better.
Knowing that simple fact makes everything easier to deal with.
Decluttered the last few days:
- a ball cap
- a small shelf
- some old records
- a bank for spare change
- a cookbook
- another ball cap
- some more socks with no mates
- some textbooks
- curtains
- expired medication
FaithAcre Studio | Kelly Barrow 
Yay to Dave Ramsey! We’ve been working our snowball too and it’s amazing how money seems to appear when you grow up and start working a budget. A big part of our debtfree plan was to sell our huge EXPENSIVE house and downsize to a small house we can payoff soon! It’s so worth it once you see that snowball rolling, good luck!
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I needed this today. Thank you!
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Your welcome. I hope some of it was helpful. When I was growing up, nobody in my family talked about money, but they sure loved credit cards. My husband was raised in the construction industry…when you have it you spend it, when you don’t…
We have tons of student loan debt from our two older kids and then a lot of medical from my surgery over a year ago. The payoff date is scary, but at least we know what we’ve got to do now. Good luck!
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