.......its been almost 2 years since i jotted down my thoughts. but this subject, this time of year always urges me to write....i think because there is someone out there that needs some encouragement.
most know i had a secret addiction to credit cards and 7 years ago it was discovered! for those that dont recall it was $37,000 all on credit cards (that sounds ridiculous to say out loud). money (and debt) are scary words that drive peoples emotions, can make or break relationships, it can bring happiness and can bring even more sadness. we all know it makes the world go round....
i have to say a budget is not the most fun in the world, but a budget has turned our (my) debt into financial freedom. as a matter of fact i said to brooks last night how much i despise our budget. his response, DO YOU REALLY MEAN THAT? and honestly, i dont. it seems like a pain and hard work, but it also gives us the ability to do and provide for our kids and ourselves in a way that debt never could. the budget also keeps me grounded in what we really need and what we really dont need to worry with.
you know by now that my motto REMAINS: collect memories NOT things! "stuff" is momentary happiness....this was a hard, hard lesson to learn, but now it keeps me sane, the less stuff, the less money wasted, the less stuff, the less to clean up!
we sure arent millionaires and my paycheck is that of a 16 year teacher, so we are not rolling in the dough, but a budget and a very conscious husband allows that money to be stretched to things i never could have imagined. when you have limits and you stick to them, bills get paid and there is extra for fun memories, not things.
i still remember 2.10.12, a day where my world came crashing down....it was a hard year, there was resistance, there was resentment, there was lots of arguments, but when i look back, it was meant to be. i know debt, i know living paycheck to paycheck, and i know paying the electric bill and the water bill on a credit card! i lived all of those things for many, many secret years. please know if you are in this place, there is a way out, there is light at the end of the dark, dark tunnel. just keep swimming and keep remembering that you dont needs things, you dont need to eat out, you dont need the latest and greatest _________ whatever, you can make it in life with the bare necessities, a plan, a budget and some faith!
i hope this finds someone today that needs encouragement, that needs a push to keep going....
much love, alysha!
