What a challenge! Dave Ramsey, a financial counselor has put us to the test. The question is “can we succeed”? Debt is bad – that is the point.We are on a mission to become debt free. In our culture it is not taught to defend against the constant onslaught of credit card offers, refinancing offers, home equity and the like. I certainly bought into the whole thing back in college. It started with a yellow credit card application from Citibank on my dorm desk in 1986. It gave me instant access to $2,000 which started me on an undisciplined binge lasting until, well – lately.
I have heard people like Larry Burkett and others on the radio counseling about proper financial living, but frankly, it always sounded unrealistic and boring. No more.
Thanks to Dave Ramsey, who’s “in your face” style is what I needed. I could not recommend anyone more highly. He has shown us how all our debts can be erased with some laser focused attention for the next seven years. It is seriously possible to have everything paid off – including our home – in seven years. For those of you who know me- that sounds like a big leap. You may wonder if we can even have normal life at the same time. The short answer in no. My “normal life” has always consisted in getting stuff, stuff and more stuff. For us it is monumental to be debt free by the time our oldest graduates from high school.
Can we do it? It is a big mountain. I think so and I’m determined.
My short sighted view of finances has gotten the best of me over time and has made me a slave. Proverbs 22:7 says it all – “the borrower is SLAVE to the lender”. I really feel like a whipping boy to our mortgage company and I’ve had enough.
My slavery to the lenders has choked off my ability to tithe properly, give to caused that we believe in and made many of the little things in life a struggle.
Maybe some of you are in the same rut. Drop me a note if you can relate.
