Building A Debt-Free, Simple, Wonderful Life

I Want A Debt Free Life

2015-10-24T08:35:00.001-05:00

I hate that we have always been in debt. The feelings I have had about debt have changed depending on our situation at the time. In some years it has felt like the debt was water in a sinking boat. We could do what we could to keep it from sinking but it was never going to be fixed. No matter what we do, it is never going to get better.

I have felt at times that debt was just meant to be apart of our lives. That we would always have debt. That it was apart of our story.

We have had a lot of job changes over the years. When you are always starting over with a new career, it is a lot harder to work your way up and your pay suffers.

After looking at our income and what we need to pay the bills, one thing is very clear. If we didn't have the debt we did, we would be living a very different life without needing to change our income.

This was huge to us!

Huge! And it caused us to take a step back and take a look at what brought us to this place. How did we allow ourselves to still be in this situation now that we are heading into our 40s? Why didn't we get this fixed when we were in our 20s?

Well, I don't have a lot of excuses. Our debt is a combination of some bad choices, some misunderstandings and a lack of thinking we could live any other way. As I look back in our married years together I can honestly say that I am glad for the experiences we have had. I am happy with the amount of children we have. I am thankful all of that happened the way it did. I really am.

However, because of the choices we made to get to where we are today, we are in this debt mess. Maybe it was worth it? Maybe this is just the road we needed to take? I don't know.

But now, in 2015, with a new year ahead of us, we need to make some changes. I don't want to be in debt forever. I want to have a debt free life. I don't want to have so many bills. I don't want to pay so much in interest. I hate it.

Before we know it, 2016 will be here and with a new year I want to focus on a new way of being. I want a simple life. I want good things for my family. I want to have good experiences. I want to only buy what we need and very little of what we want. I want to find that perfect balance. I want to declutter and make my house a place free of excess things. I want change.

It is going to be a lot of work to get to where we want to be. It might take years but it will be worth it.

Celebrate Spring at Pier 1

2011-03-20T09:01:00.001-05:00

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Grass is growing! Flowers are blooming and no more winter weather. Spring is here! The first official day of Spring is tomorrow. I can't wait! With the new season upon us you must check out the Pier 1 website. They are having an in-store sale from March 18-20th. You can sign up for it right on the website.

One thing I love to do in warmer weather is bbq and eat outside. I have a bbq but I really must find a table and chair set. I also would like to find something to protect us from the hot sun.

After visiting the Pier 1 site I found this Outdoor Dining Table and some chairs to match. And I love this umbrella! These items would make any yard look great!

These V Shaped Etched Tumblers would be great for a drink! They are on sale for $2.98. Marked down from $6.00. What a deal!

Did you know that a lot of what Pier 1 has for furniture can be used indoors or outdoors? How great is that? Like this Armchair. You really could have this outside or inside.

Pier 1 also has a great selection of Papasan chairs. I love this double one!

Pier 1 Tweetups are coming up so make sure to check those out :)

Enjoy your Spring!

Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter

Bright Beginnings

2011-02-07T19:00:00.001-06:00

This post brought to you by PBM Products. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you have to buy formula for your baby, you want to find the best. You also want to find it at a good price. Did you know you can find Bright Beginnings formula on Diapers.com? Click here to buy on diapers.com.

What you feed your baby is so important. You don't want to just pick a random formula. You want to be sure it is the best. You want to make sure it is a great brand with a good reputation. Bright Beginning is that brand! You can feel good about feeding it to your baby.

You also want to make sure to find a great deal on your formula. Because you can buy Bright Beginnings at Diapers.com, you know that you can find it at a great price. Take a look at what they offer and find the type of formula that works best for you. Bright Beginnings Formulas can be bought in organic, premium, gentle and soy. Something for every baby :)

They have many great offers on Diapers.com such as 30% back on your diapers purchase or 10% off on any purchase on the site. Everyone loves a deal and Diapers.com will give you that..

Please check out Bright Beginnings on Facebook as well.

The Truth About Your Credit Score - Credit Cards - daveramsey.com

2010-06-16T16:52:00.000-05:00

I found this interesting article all about credit scores.

I only hope that one day all our debt is paid off and we really won't even have to think about it anymore.

The Truth About Your Credit Score - Credit Cards - daveramsey.com

Wordless Wednesday, Knott’s Berry Farm

2010-06-16T10:50:00.001-05:00

Oh how I miss this place!

Giving Up Magazines…Well Unless they are free

2010-03-21T16:36:00.001-05:00

Okay one place I know I waste money on is magazines. I buy them and they cost anywhere from $2.00-6.00 or even higher. And then I usually just flip through them quickly and then I am done. I just can’t buy them anymore.

I did just order Rangefinder. It is a magazine for photographers and it is FREE :) I have also found them for $.10-.25 at thrift stores and yard sales. And there is always the library :)

If you know any other free magazines, let me know :)

Paying Off Yucky Credit Card Debt

2010-03-20T11:10:00.001-05:00

So I have a new challenge. Get rid of ALL our credit card debt sometime before Aug 2011. I think we can do it earlier. Why do I say Aug 2011? Because after that time is when we want to buy our first home. We want to be 100% credit card debt free and hopefully have a little down payment.

How will we do this? Well by being a lot smarter with our money. But not buying random crap we don’t need. And just working hard to save when we can.

Are you working on paying off debt too?

Do you use Swag Bucks?

2010-03-19T16:38:00.001-05:00

I have just been getting into Swag Bucks now that I am in the US and can earn by searching. If you don’t use Swag Bucks you should. A fun way to earn lots of cool prizes :) I plan to earn Amazon gift cards to feed my Kindle addiction :)

You earn Swag Bucks by using their search, finding codes on their website, Twitter, Facebook or Blog and by referring people.

If you are interested in joining, here is the link Swag Bucks!