Joy in the Journey

 

 

 

If I were to say that this getting-out-of-debt journey has been easy, I'd be lying.

 

If I were to say that living frugally was fun all the time, I would be fibbing you.

 

If I were to tell you that I regretted taking this debt free journey, I would be telling a falsehood.

 

Though the journey has not always been easy and some weeks felt like all we were eating were leftovers and clean-out-the-fridge soup, it has been one I do not regret taking. For those of you that have been following our journey to becoming debt free, thank you for staying the course with us. For those of you that are just joining us, welcome!! We are on the road to be being totally free of debt and the journey is finally starting to wind down. Though we aren't there yet, we are just beginning to see the destination.

 

Back in October of 2013, my husband and I made a choice. A choice to live within our means. A choice to put off instant gratification and save for future satisfaction. A choice to get rid of debt and learn the models necessary to try our best to stay out of debt.

 

In August of 2014, I hit a roadblock. I was done wearing Goodwill clothes, eating leftovers, and saying no to fun activities all in the name of getting out of debt. So, I came up with a visual model in order for me and my husband to daily, weekly, monthly see the progress towards our goal. Here is where we were when we began keeping track in August of last year:

 

 

We had been doing so well and I was so excited to see from a visual standpoint just how far we had come! I was also excited to have a goal to work toward- a trip to Australia- a place both Dave and I have wanted to go for a long time!

 

Through hard work and God's unending grace and blessings, I was shocked when I compared our chart in February of this year from just 6 months prior! Here is where we are today:

 

 

 

So, as you can see, we have made incredible progress! There are still mountains to climb, terrain to traverse, and obstacles to overcome, but we can do it! And so can you! Keep clipping those coupons, counting the pennies, and cutting up the credit cards! It will all pay off in the end!