June 25 - Checking in...

Just checking in to update our blog and our balances. We have survived the move to Oregon and have just noticed that we have paid off $40,304.73 of our debt in 22 months. We are tracking to be fully paid off on Jan 1, 2011. We really wanted to be paid by Aug 2010 - but hey..what's 4 months in comparison to a wealthy life!

This stuff is hard...if you are looking at this and it seems easy...it's because you are looking at the compressed time...every day is a choice...every day is a choice to live like no one else...so later we can LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE!

Stay safe..we'll check in soon!

We just keep on going...

We have drawn the line in the sand. We will be debt free on Feb 28, 2011. No exceptions. If we have to sell blood, an organ or a car in January 2011...we are sufficiently done with this debt thing. Is anybody else feel like that? You can be gazelle intense for just so long...and then you have to take a break and just live a little...go to McDonald's...breath....and then you get back at it!

I think Melissa and I are just done with this. We have a solid game plan. We are fired up. We will succeed. Hope you are all finding success too!

Tax Day...and whoosh..it's gone

In reflecting on tax day yesterday, I have to ask myself "Where does the money go?". I mean..we pay this money every paycheck, and where does it end up? The states are all broke, no services and yet Congress keeps writing the programs and spending the checks. Where does it stop? Election time.

I don't know how many of you are invovled in the new Tea Party movement, but it seems like a good idea...something has to change.

We are changing our lives...and I don't want the rewards to go to the Goverment. Whew!

Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich

"Bang bang, we're beautiful and dirty rich" Man, how I want to sing that song over and over! For now, we'll have to leave it with Lady Gaga!

I can't believe we have been walking out of this for 19months. I know to some that may seem fast...but when you are in it...it seems like eternity!

We are still over 1/2 way done. I am grateful

And..we are back!

Wow! I can't believe it has been pre-Christmas since our last post. There has been a lot going on..but, we are ready to jump back in the saddle and get this darn millstone removed from our neck.

Just to catch up: We accepted a promotion and transfer from Northern California to the Pacific Northwest of Oregon in December. I have spent Jan and Feb on the road telecommuting while the family got ready for the move. Then, in Mid-Feb we found renter's for our home we love in Northern California- thanks Jolyn for your awesome advice- and off we went.

Along the way, we put our debt snow-ball on hold...but an amazing thing happened...we managed to save about $10,000. So, we have a nice emergency fund in place for any emergency's or visit from our good friend Murphy!

I will be re-vamping our site, posting frequently and trying to build a following...but thank you to those of you that didn't bail on us! Our debt is lowering...and we invite you to continue the journey as we get ready for another move: Out of debt...because "We're not living here"

Take care...I look forward to hearing from you! Jeff

The reason for the season

With such a focus this year on budget and getting our selves out debt..we are very proud to say that no credit cards were harmed during our shopping for Christmas and that all funds have been payed in cash. Now, just to be totally honest, we charged a couple of PayPal things on credit cards just because (and I know Dave Ramsey says that debit cards have the same protection as cc's) sometimes you just get that feeling...

But, more importantly this year..we are so thankful for what God has done for our family...growing us..stretching us..and blessing us. We have received the wonderful gift of His Son Christ Jesus and we pray that, for all of you, you will know the peace that comes through that relationship and appreciate the true reason for the season!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

The new numbers are in!

WE have reached the 25's woohoo! Down, baby, Down!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner

We would love to hear what cost savings ideas people have around guests, parties, etc. Anyone having a pot-luck? Anyone having peanut butter and jelly in-lieu of a big meal? Do share?

What the heck is happening to this real estate market??

I am sure I am not alone in this..but I was amazed to see that we our $58k upside down in our house. Now, we are blessed and able to afford the payments that we signed up for 6 years ago. And, that is awesome. But, the house we signed up for at $318k 6 years ago is not worth about $260k at best.

Now, before you say "you haven't lost anything until you sell..I totally agree with that statement. But, what have you lost in the here and now? Well, you have lost any flexibility to accept a better job in another location. You have lost equity (and while that moves around a bit..you are still in the negative) and, some may say, you lose a sense of pride as the value decreases.

All this ranting is to say one more thing...credit in the hands of the irresponsible is a REALLY BAD thing! Lenders and borrowers alike that straddle the American econoomy with the sub-prime mortage industry are directly responsible for where we are today. Those of us that pay our payments monthly and struggle to make a life for ourselves, bare the burden for those that just threw up their hands and walked away from a committment they never should have been in.

OK..I will end my ranting. I encourage all of you to speak up when you see friends and family using credit badly. Call them into accountability...until their is a ground-swell, it will continue. I can't wait to see the fall-out from the "cash for clunkers" programs. But, don't worry Dave Ramsey fans...there will be some awesome "beater" deals on really nice repo's!

;)

New Totals for the end of October

Another $1100 bites the dust! What a great way to start off November! Happy Monday everyone.