good bye for good - RCU cc!!!

So .... I finally did it. I cut it up.

One of the scariest and most liberating things I have done in a while.

(We have been happy customers of RCU for about 15 years now. They have helped us in so many ways over the years. I really have nothing but great things to say about them and would recommend their services to anyone, but ..... a credit card is still a credit card... *sigh*)

I have been holding onto it as a safety net (which is the whole point of the emergency fund), but all it has done is get us into trouble. I think I was afraid to really just live on cash alone. It's a whole new way of life and although we have been doing a really good job of buying with cash, we were still using the card here and there. It's just too easy to spend when you don't have to cough up the money on the spot. It took me a while to do it, but I am so glad it is done. There have been way too many months where that card ends up with a + on it. I am super excited to see the amount on that card start to go down again!!!!!

It's really sad to know I am not even close to the only person out there that has been brainwashed to fear living on just cash. Credit cards bring some kind of false security which in reality does the complete opposite. This whole process is relearning an entire way of thinking and doing things. It's getting rid of bad habits and taking comfort when you learn a new healthy one. And most importantly, it's learning discipline.

Sadly, Americans have learned they can just have what they want when they want it. Few people earn what they want before they buy it and that is getting everyone into a lot of trouble. I'll be honest, I think is the hardest part of this whole process. Selling things we don't need or want anymore is easy. Working more is easy. Coupon clipping and watching for sales is actually kind of fun, but wanting something and having to say NO can be very difficult at times. In return though, we will gain contentment. That is better than any "thing" we have to say NO to!!
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Blessings - Our New Baby

I just realized that I didn't even post with the news of our newest family addition.

Niyah Grace - October, 16 - 8lbs. 3 oz. 20 3/4 inches

These pictures were taken when she was just 2 weeks old.





She is about 8 weeks here.

It's amazing to me how much the LORD continues to bless us.....day after day, year after year.
God is good!!
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February

Wow.... it's been a long time since I was on here. It's about time I update this thing. :)

Well, as you can see, we did not make as much progress the past few months as were making earlier in the year. Part of me feels a little bummed, but the other part of me looks at the overall picture of what we have accomplished in just a little over a year and I could not be happier. We have been paying such big payments on medical debt that I decided to add that amount to our chart as well. When I see the grand total, I just smile. Not only are we that much less in debt today than we were a year ago (which is awesome), but it represents everything we have been through as a family to get to this point. We're doing it!!!!...and we're doing it together!!!

If I could give just one piece of advice to anyone else who is in our shoes, or to anyone who might happen to read this, it would be to NOT GIVE UP!!! Know that you will have set backs and you will struggle some months, but keep going....you will get there!!!
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January

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December

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November

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October

Not the worst month, but not the best either. Still having trouble with the RCUcc. Still making good progress though. I am getting a tad worried about the Discover card. We did a balance transfer to that card back in March with 0% for 1 year. The 0% expires in February. The plan was to have it paid off by January, but I am not sure how that is going to happen right now. At the same time, I am in a state of "I don't care".

I am due in 2 weeks with the new baby and it seems that is about all that is on my mind these days. Pregnancy is very hard on me and I am ready for it to be over. I am looking forward to feeling better again so I can focus more on the bills. Grocery shopping is one place that we have been slacking A LOT. I just can't get to all the different stores to get the best deals that are out there. Getting through just one store is about all I can do. Dan helps as much as he can, but he is also not home a lot either.

We talked a week or so ago and both agreed that once the baby is here, things we get a lot easier. I won't be as tired (or irritable) and I will be able to coupon clip more again and plan out meals better, etc. We both thought we are easily spending an extra $200 - $300 a month just by not planning as good as we could be.

Hopefully, with my next update, I will have a little baby in my arms!!
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