Archive for March, 2007
For anyone out there who has ever forgotten a payment or found themselves with more debt than their income could pay, you know how aggressive some of these creditors can be. When we found ourselves in deep debt, the calls got rude and insulting.
We were blessed to be able to dig our way out of the mess before it got completely out of control. I just wish I had known then the things I know now.
1. Don’t build up debt. There is a difference between credit and debt. Credit is borrowing against money you have (like when you use a credit card to buy something that you have been saving for – the money is in your savings drawing interest while you put the purchase temporarily on your card). Debt is when you borrow money with no means of paying back the purchase (like when you run low on funds at the end of the month so you begin buying things on one of your many credit cards. The new month will not bring enough income to cover the purchases).
2. If you already have debt you can’t pay, call the creditors BEFORE your payments start being late. If you are upfront with a company while your account is in good standing then that company is more inclined to work with you during your problem times.
3. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. If you aren’t going to have the payment at the end of the month, then don’t say you will. Be realistic in your promises. A lie now will only hurt you even more next month.
4. Seek financial counseling. There are people out there who make a living helping others get their finances under control. Some of them charge a fee, but some of them do it as a ministry. Look on line, look through the yellow pages, or call a local church to find someone who can help you find your way to debt freedom.
5. Stop buying now. If you are already in debt over your head then you don’t need to buy anything other than basic (food and a roof over your head) necessities. Cut every other spending that you might want to do. Get out of debt and make it a habit to stay that way.
6. Pay off highest interest loans first. Many systems recommend paying off the loan with the lowest balance. This is a good morale booster, but in the long run you will save more money by paying off the loans that have the highest interest.
7. Do consider a consolidation loan. If you have changed your spending habits and you have some equity in your home then you might look at remortgage to consolidate all the smaller debts into one loan that is a lower interest loan. Don’t borrow more than is needed to payoff the current debts. It can be tempting to get cash back for a spending spree – but it won’t help your situation in the end.
Getting into debt is easy. Credit card companies and other lenders send borrowing opportunities to everyone (even the family dog at times). Getting out of debt requires commitment, consistency, and sacrifice.
A debt free life will be a better one for you and your family now. It will also lay the foundation for a better life for you children.
March 31st, 2007
I finally know the key to getting it all done. It’s amazing just how simple it is – once you know.
It’s been an interesting road getting to this point in my life. I’ve never been much of an organizer, cleaner, or saver. Living for the moment seemed to be my motto for life. In the back of my mind there was a plan, a big picture, but I never seemed to get anywhere near it.
After marriage, it became ultimately clear just how inept I was at keeping a home. There were a few things I could do – laundry, cooking, and sort of cleaning – the same things that had helped me survive four years off at college. As for keeping a house ship shape and in running order, I was completely clueless.
It probably doesn’t help matters that the world is yelling at me that the man needs to do his share. It also doesn’t help that I’m about as stubborn as they come and change is the farthest thing from my mind. It most certainly wasn’t a fix to hear my husband tell me just how much better other people could do it. (Okay, maybe it didn’t SAY is, but you know he was thinking it.).
It’s taken many years of trial and error, lots of prayer, and a massive amount of “dieing to self,” but this morning I found the answer that I had been searching for. I tried it, and was shocked at the ease it works. I’ve gotten dishes washed, the refrigerator cleaned, the gardening done, and most of my work done – and there is still time left in the day.
It would be easy to leave you here and let you discover the key on your own. It wouldn’t be right, though. The key to getting everything thing done is . . . GET STARTED.
Get started on that diet, right now, this minute. Put this article down and go start supper. Take the time, at this very moment, to clean the family room. Whatever hurdle you are facing, you won’t ever get anywhere if you don’t start. And you won’t start if you don’t start right now.
I have to go now; it’s time for me to get started myself.
March 27th, 2007
My husband is gone for three full days. With an almost toddler on the loose, two highly active boys that I homeschool, and a budding writing career that takes up more time each week, many women would be panicked. I was one of them – a few weeks ago.
Yesterday during church, I determined that my husband is a crutch. I look to him to provide the income for our family, to do the yard work, and to give me a break when I’ve had the kids all day. Now that I’m working, I expect him to help out – even though I say I don’t expect it.
I want to walk closer to God. I want to know His will for my life. The only way this is ever going to is if I throw off all the crutches in my life and depend solely on Him. No more excuses, no more whining, no more “buts.”
It never ceases to amaze or delight me how my God knows my needs before I do and answers them while I’m still speaking. When I prayed for a way to walk closer to Him, He had already made the way. Even more amazing is how He has been molding me over the last few months (years even) so that I could be at this place right now – ready to learn and grow in this unique opportunity.
I could ignore it. My husband will be back in the blink of an eye and he won’t know the difference. But I want him to know a difference. I want the world to know.
Starting today – I walk without relying on the world.
March 19th, 2007
