So far this year, we have paid...

**homesteadmamma** · 10-30-2006, 03:01 PM

On our debt $11,392.00, all on an income of just under $25K. By the end of the year, it will be almost $15,000 towards debt. Here is how we've done it. These might help to see it can be done, although it takes a lot of hard work, struggles along the way and often a huge amount of tears (I'm the worse when it comes to the struggles and tears).

~for almost a year I had not bought any quilting material. In fact I had stayed out of quilting stores. On Sat. I did spend $113.69 on almost $400 worth of material. The lady was closing her store and gave me 50% off 100% cotton and 70% off flannel. I couldn't pass up that deal. By staying out of the quilting stores I saved a HUGE amount of money. This was a HUGE struggle for me and I fought many tears on this one. I've been using my stash to quilt. Dh made the same sacrifice in not purchasing any new lumber for his woodworking, instead using up his stash.
~the only meat we bought this year has been a couple turkey and a box of chicken every now and then. The remainder of meat we ate was deer meat, given to us by people in our small town. This past week, we were given more deer meat by 2 different people. From the deer meat, we have roasts, deer burger (which I grind up myself), ribs, the occasional steak and chops. We don't eat beef. I use the soup bones to make homemade soup.
~for the most part I ground up my own grain and baked bread, cookies & muffins. The past several weeks I've fallen in this area because of not feeling well.
~during the summer months we ate from our garden. I kept the grocery bill to the absolute minimum I could get away with.
~I cut back on the stockpiling once my stockpile was gone and instead bought mostly loss leaders and we ate around those.
~we didn't go on a long holiday, instead went on a small one. We did stay at a hotel, however we had coupons which we used to cut the cost.
~The biggest struggle (even bigger than the material) was in not working on decorating our home. We've gone close to 3 years now with it half finished and at times it drives me nuts. Just this past couple of weeks we decided to try to get as much as possible done in the kitchen. It isn't completely to my satisfaction, however for us getting rid of the debt is more important.
~We cut back on our trips to the city BIG TIME. Instead of 2-3 a week, we now make one every couple of weeks and often have gone a full 3 weeks without going to the city. When we were in the city, I combined everything we needed to do and although it made the day long, it saved us a huge amount of money.
~we used our a/c 6 days this summer rather than everyday. Instead we installed a fan in our kitchen (given to us) and used fans to keep cool. We were fortunate in that we had a beautiful summer with just the right temperatures. It was hard though not to use the a/c at times though because I don't like heat of any kind.
~when it came to clothing, we bought 2 new things this year. Two new winter parkas for 2 of the kids. Any other clothing item we bought was at the thrift store or was given to us.
~one of the biggest savings we made was not drinking any soda pop. Even dh stopped drinking Pepsi.

These are some of the things we've done over this past year. There have been days when I want to scream and say "forget it all". Yet has I've watched our debt amount creep down, I've been happy we have continued to work at getting this debt paid off. I am very fortunate in that dh thinks the same way I do when it comes to debt.

Our goal is to get the rest paid off in 2007. Because I quit the job I have at the post office at the end of August, our cash crunch has gotten a tad bit crunchier so it's going to be a bit harder in the coming months. We are determined though, as a family to get rid of the debt in 07. It's going to mean finding areas we can cut back on more, finding areas where we can bring in extra income and going without - yet it's going to be well worth it we think.

**Juto** · 10-30-2006, 03:26 PM

That is AWESOME!!! I think that is so great that you and your DH are on the same page. My DH "forgets" when I ask him NOT to spend money at Lowe's or Home Depot for a couple weeks!! That is frustrating for me. We think differently when it comes to watching finances...ugh.

**bumplett** · 10-30-2006, 03:42 PM

wow - just wow --

thank you for sharing!

I hope many others find this inspiring! I sure did!

**Katybird** · 10-30-2006, 04:13 PM

You and your family are so inspirational. I admire all you have done in such a short amount of time.

**Nantahala** · 10-30-2006, 06:26 PM

Awe-inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

**autumnlynn** · 10-30-2006, 06:35 PM

You're doing absolutely great. It'll all be worth it when you're debt free in 2007!!

**emily_hope** · 10-30-2006, 09:14 PM

CJ, I always enjoy reading your posts. I am inspired by you and your family. I know you are struggling through this but oh what a beautiful morning when you finally wake up deBt FREE!

**Scattymum** · 10-31-2006, 04:36 AM

thanks for that post, your posts always make me want to carry on and make me think i can do it! well done!

**TheRootedNomad** · 10-31-2006, 07:03 AM

~The biggest struggle (even bigger than the material) was in not working on decorating our home. We've gone close to 3 years now with it half finished and at times it drives me nuts. Just this past couple of weeks we decided to try to get as much as possible done in the kitchen. It isn't completely to my satisfaction, however for us getting rid of the debt is more important.

I understand this struggle we were in the middle of a 400 extension and large overhaul on our home (doing it ourselves and still making lots of progress) when the lightbulb went off and have pretty much been at a standstill since early this year. (Prior to that we'd been working on it for about 2 years but continuously moving foward) We continue to work on the smaller items that don't cost, BUT I look around at the "half done" while we've been paying off our debt and funding an emergency fund and have to keep looking at the numbers go down to stay focused.

Thank-you for posting!!!!!!!Very motivational and inspiring (going to show it to hubby....I can't get him to give up the soda) and.........

**pammy** · 10-31-2006, 07:36 AM

CJ that is an awesome story!! So dedicated! Thank you so much for sharing, this just inspires me more.

**happymommy** · 10-31-2006, 09:57 AM

CJ your accomplishments are profound. Congratulations on you continued success!

Thanks for sharing, it gives me hope.

**redmaples** · 10-31-2006, 02:54 PM

Thank you for posting your inspiring story. It is such good timing for me to read this now as I've been reading Dave Ramsey & Tightwad Gazette the past week or so (the only one that I bought is TW for $2). We are past the baby steps, but I realize we could cut back a lot more to save more than we are. You've given me some more ideas & reinforced the ones I had to continue on!!
I like how when you set the intent to do something there comes help from so many sources to help keep you on the path. I'm going to print your story (if I can) & keep it nearby!
Do you have frugal friends & family that support your family in all of this?

**homesteadmamma** · 10-31-2006, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by redmaples

Do you have frugal friends & family that support your family in all of this?

No we don't. Most of our friends are up to their eyeballs in debt and my family loves to spend money. Both our families are the same and can't figure out how we paid cash for our home. Trying to talk to them is a lost cause so I don't anymore. Those who bring us deer meat I think feel sorry for us, rofl. We say thank you and count it a blessing.