Monday, January 7, 2008

Financial Peace - Becoming Debt Free!

We first learned about a book called "Financial Peace" by Dave Ramsey in 1999. We worked hard towards the concepts in this book, but soon headed back to the normal American lifestyle of borrowing money to own cars, buying Christmas partially on credit, and making minimum payments on everything we owe (student loans, house, cars, etc.).

But NO MORE! - Our new goals this year are to follow Dave Ramsey's newest ideas from "The Total Money Makeover". So, if you see our vehicles for sale, we are not destitute...just unloading unnecessary payments so that we can become DEBT FREE!

We are following the "Baby Steps"...join us and follow the First Presidency's advice from the "Family Finances Guide" to:

"... prepare for adversity by looking to the condition of your finances. We urge you to be modest in your expenditures; discipline yourselves in your purchases to avoid debt. Pay off debt as quickly as you can, and free yourselves from this bondage. Save a little money regularly to gradually build a financial reserve.

If you have paid your debts and have a financial reserve, even though it be small, you and your family will feel more secure and enjoy greater peace in your hearts."

Provident Living suggests the same concepts that Dave Ramsey teaches:
  • Avoid debt
  • Use a budget
  • Build a reserve
This has been a hard decision for us to make to get rid of vehicles that are newer for older PAID FOR models and to avoid unnecessary spending. We know this is the right thing to do in order to follow our Prophet's counsel.

~~Celeste~~

5 comments:

  1. We are on that same bandwagon and are quite excited about this year's goals regarding unloading our chains of debt. If you ever need a boost or encouragement, give us a call... we'll do the same to you. Our next double date should be a picnic or something inexpensive like that!

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  2. I was just thinking that something that really helps us stay on track and motivated to sticking to our goals is listening to Dave Ramsey in the afternoons on 1310 AM from 1-4 p.m. There is always the option of watching his show on Fox ,too. Just this weekend we were trying to make a decision about our finances and as soon as I said, "What would Dave say?" we knew our answer. :-)

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  3. We are getting his show on Fox Business, but it is only 30 minutes. If I get the kids school work done early enough I try to remember to turn on the radio. Thanks for the reminder!

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  4. That's awesome! I know we are doing a big makeover this year to be debt free too!

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  5. Being debt free is a serious load off one's back, it's good to know there are so many of us who are trying to follow this wise counsel.

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