Thanks Dave Ramsey, We Now Have Nothing!

Thinking about starting the debt-free Dave Ramsey lifestyle? We are too. Join us as we go through the trials of giving up our stuff so we can actually afford stuff- oh and bills. Yes, the bills. 

No smartphones, no cable, homemade this, homemade that. Not how I would have pictured my lifestyle 10 years ago when  I just started college and was set on being a ” career woman.”

The funny thing is I think I get more excited seeing my grocery bill go from $80 to $25 with coupons, then seeing my name published with an article I wrote. It’s interesting how these things happen.

The First Stuff to Give Up- Cable

This morning was different. We took our cable box into Time Warner last night. A couple weeks ago we decided to get rid of Verizon and go with Straight Talk. These decisions are not because we are so strapped for cash, they are because we are trying to pay off debt.

Now we are saving  $360 a year by not having cable.    Which is not going to be easy but it’s not forever and it’s worth it and already I think this is gonna have an amazingly positive impact on my family.

*Update we now use an antenna. We get over 30 channels for free! The Antenna cost us $20 from BJs! 

This morning was weird when I wanted to watch the news while I drank my coffee and Riley reads her books. But instead, I drank my coffee and read books with Riley.

Last night the three of us were hanging out after dinner and it was routine to turn on the tv. Not because there was a show we wanted to watch just to have it on.

Today when I stopped to eat lunch I wanted to put the tv on but not because I wanted to watch something, in particular, I just wanted something to do while I ate.

Last night not having the tv on I felt so much closer to my husband. I think that I was using the tv to relax and kinda be in my own world, but now I feel like I can relax and just be with my husband.

I’m excited to see what’s going to happen without cable.  I’m also excited to know I can still watch all my shows when our budget allows for us to get Hulu or Netflix.

Check out these six amazing things you can do this weekend to save money.

My husband and I paid our own way through college. That included tuition and living. When I went to college my parents moved 12 hours away. If I wanted to go see them I had to pay for it. They weren’t stretching out their arm offering to pay for me to visit.

Not because they didn’t want to- they couldn’t afford too. 

My husband has been listening to Dave Ramsey on his way home from work and we have been putting forth much more effort into disciplining ourselves. Before Dave Ramsey, we got rid of all our credit card debt, now with Dave we are on a brand new path of financial freedom.

We’ve done pretty good I must say so far in the last year especially with me not working, but to get our debt paid off we decided to go without the wants in life.

*Update- we are now debt free and this is the story.

The Next Thing to Give Up- Expensive Phones

We are saving $80 a month with our phone, that’s $960 a year! We were spending $1,680 a year just on our phones with Verizon and they were not even smartphones. I also started using the Total Wireless phone and plan from Walmart- if you prepay by connecting your debit card info it’s only $32 a month!

Give Up Frivolous Grocery Shopping- Plan Smart

Couponing. I can not begin to tell you how much we are saving on our grocery bill. I can’t believe how I walked into Walmart today and glanced at some of their prices and felt like it was so much compared to Tops sales matched with coupons.

I actually went to Aldi the other day and spent more money there than with my coupons.  I make a menu for the week and only use what is in our cupboards or what is on sale.

Then I stick to my budget for my groceries each week. When that grocery money is gone, we look to the cupboards! I have started looking at pre-packaged foods and asking myself is this something I can make at home? So many things you can make at home and it’s cheaper and healthier!

The process will be different for you, and for your friend, or brother. Each one of us sees and feels things differently. What is the same for us all?

The amazing feeling of being financially free. Knowing you can afford something but understanding it’s not a need.

You can do this. Believe, work your butt off and never ever ever give up. 

What tips do you have to share to pay off debt??