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You are here: Home / finance / Getting personal

September 17, 2009 · 45 Comments

Getting personal

finance

This post may contain affiliate links. I may earn from qualifying purchases.


Mr. Serious and I have recently made a life change. A life-style change.

Hold.Me. It’s a little scary.

We read The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and we are on board.

We are fortunate that we do not have a lot of debt, but we still want things to change.

Tuesday, after the endoscopy, we sat down and made our October budget. Every penny has to be accounted for. We’ve never done this before.

After the budget was completed and tons of erasures were made (thank goodness we had the foresight to use pencil), we did something drastic:

I can’t believe it, either.

And, we didn’t keep a spare one hiding, either. They are all.chopped.up!

As my sister pointed out, “that’s a lot of credit cards!”

No, we didn’t use them all.

In fact, we never had any outstanding credit card debt. It has always been paid off every month.

But, that’s part of the plan. Not using tomorrow’s money today. Using only what you have. Keeping ourselves accountable.

I promise I won’t be boring my internets with all of the details, but maybe an update here or there won’t hurt, right? I’m sure you all will be wanting to know how my Tar-jay trips will go without my trusty Discover card in hand!


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Comments

  1. amanda says

    September 17, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    U CAN DO IT!!

    Reply
  2. emilysuze says

    September 17, 2009 at 10:13 pm

    Good for you guys! I think it'll be fun to hear how the life change is going.

    Now if only I had the courage to do the same to my own…

    Reply
  3. blueviolet says

    September 17, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    I stopped using credit cards 2 1/2 years ago and have never looked back! It was the best financial move I've ever made in my life.

    Reply
  4. C @ Kid Things says

    September 17, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    At least you guys were smart about it. I have credit card debt coming out my hoo-hoo.

    Reply
  5. Anti-Supermom says

    September 17, 2009 at 10:46 pm

    That is a ton of credit cards, it must have been fun cutting them up (though the shredder would have been a little more fun, ours does that…)

    It's a huge step. We don't have any debt minus our mortage but keeping ourselves responsible for the future is key.

    (not boring us at all BTW)

    Reply
  6. Lani says

    September 17, 2009 at 10:59 pm

    Good for you guys! We should do a budget.. it's just too depressing so we always procrastinate about that:(

    Reply
  7. C and C Mommy says

    September 17, 2009 at 11:40 pm

    We have LOTS of debt, but we are on board…not charging anymore & making plans to pay it off. We own both cars & won't be buying a new one soon–this is a 1st in our 12 years of marriage.

    Our budget was REALLY tight when hubby lost his job, but we have a tiny bit of breathing room now.

    Keep updating us!!! I know so many people who have become debt free…..I hope one day I can say that!!

    Reply
  8. Legally Fabulous says

    September 17, 2009 at 11:53 pm

    Wow! Good for you! I really need to do that. Someday…
    Keep us updated on how it's going!

    Reply
  9. Rachel says

    September 18, 2009 at 6:09 am

    That's really awesome. Might I ask, are you moving to an 'all cash' system? As in no debit card??

    I'm trying to cut back on all expenses… mostly because I'm broke and MUST make a lifestyle change but also because I want to.

    Reply
  10. Lauren says

    September 18, 2009 at 6:27 am

    While I still have a credit card in my wallet it is only used for groceries. Everything else I pay for in cash. It really works to help you stay with in a budget!

    Reply
  11. Megan says

    September 18, 2009 at 7:09 am

    we do cash only to. It is a pain in the cheeks(and not the upper ones) but we do it.

    I will say, we are debt free and it is the most amazing feeling in the world. We are even to the point of being able to put money up and actually save it!

    Good Luck!

    Reply
  12. HEATHER @ runfastermommy! says

    September 18, 2009 at 7:24 am

    I am inspired! We NEED to do this, ughhhh.

    Reply
  13. Rachel says

    September 18, 2009 at 8:46 am

    OMG!!! I almost had a heart attack just looking at that picture… I'm not there yet… I can refrain from using them… but I don't think I am ready to give them up just yet… but good job to the two of you! I def want to hear about the updates!!!

    Reply
  14. Sierra says

    September 18, 2009 at 9:03 am

    Go!!!
    We did a class on financial planning b/f we were married and have been working since on paying off the debt we'd accumulated. I pretty much have every dollar for the coming six months acounted for. It is a little scary at first, but liberating too!

    Reply
  15. Stephanie says

    September 18, 2009 at 9:27 am

    Good for you guys! Dave Ramsey is a genius. We've read his books and then paid off all our debt. No outstanding credit card debt for us! Yay!

    And we're hardcore with savings now. So we've had to make changes. There is more I could cut back on but I'm too fond of Target and Baby Gap right now…

    Reply
  16. Smile Steady says

    September 18, 2009 at 11:05 am

    Good for you! We've been Dave Ramsey-in' it for about 2 months now! It's so exciting once things really get moving… best of luck!

    Reply
  17. Stephanie says

    September 18, 2009 at 11:10 am

    I think I would have cried! lol
    Luckily I am down to VERY little debt, and decided to get rid of all my credit cards too! No Dave Ramsey for me, but I totally agree!
    Best of luck to you guys! Not boring at all to us!! We need motivation too!!

    Reply
  18. melissa says

    September 18, 2009 at 7:20 am

    FAINT!!
    i can't wait to read about this!

    Reply
  19. a H.I.T. says

    September 18, 2009 at 11:27 am

    Congrats! That IS quite a lifestyle change. I can't wait to hear how it comes along. Good luck!!!

    Reply
  20. Emily says

    September 18, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    omg, I broke out in a cold sweat at the mere thought of chopping up my plastic!
    Good luck…I know y'all can do it. If anyone can, it's you and the hubs.
    Keep us posted on how it goes…

    Reply
  21. AVONLadyinSC says

    September 18, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    Brave people 🙂 Good luck with your new adventure. I really need to do the same.

    Reply
  22. Lindsey says

    September 18, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    I need to do the SAME thing! One of my besties just completed her 18 months-to-debt-free plan and she and her hubby are so happy! You go girl!

    Reply
  23. Elaine A. says

    September 18, 2009 at 4:19 pm

    Good for you! More of us need to do this. I can't believe you didn't keep even one. Even though we are not seriously in debt I may need to look into this Dave Ramsey thing…

    Reply
  24. MrsKraft says

    September 18, 2009 at 9:08 pm

    YAY YOU! AND Mr. Serious!!! That's awesome! New hubby and I did the same thing right before we got married, and we got it down from over 20 credit cards to 1, but who can marry a bass guitar player and NOT have a Guitar Center credit card for those emergency Music Man Stingray Double Humbucker basses with the solid rosewood neck? (BTW, how impressive is it that I actually know what all that means, and I only play the piano?!?)

    Reply
  25. FoundProdigalDaughter says

    September 18, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    that's fantastic!!!

    Reply
  26. CanadianMama says

    September 18, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    WOW – that is a lot of credit cards LOL!

    Good for you. Budgets are really hard. When M and I met he was all about budgets and I had never had one. When we got married I agreed to follow his financial rules. They are:
    1) only investments can go on credit.
    2) No loans or car payments – ever!
    3) If you don't have the cash, you don't buy it.
    4) Save at least 30% of your monthly income, try to save 50% (which we do most months).

    It's been hard but it's also been great. With our plan we have a lot of security. It's nice!

    It's not nice when you see your friends buying whatever they want sometimes though!

    Good luck – update lots 🙂

    Reply
  27. Lauren Nicole Gifts says

    September 18, 2009 at 9:50 pm

    GOOD for you!! We are doing the same thing. My husband is retiring from the Army in two years….the last 18 years went really fast and we need to be in better shape before he gets out, especially he wants to become a hermit and live in the mountains!!

    Reply
  28. Kristen says

    September 18, 2009 at 10:37 pm

    Congrats! I know it must seem scary now but I'm sure in the future you will be so happy you did this. I don't have any credit cards yet and I'm not looking forward to having one. Also, thanks for commenting on my blog! I appreciate it : )

    Reply
  29. Midwest Mommy says

    September 18, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    Good luck! I have read this and it is a great program. We did it for about two months but I really was bad at recording things. My old made up system habit was just too hard to break.

    Reply
  30. Emily says

    September 19, 2009 at 10:38 am

    Congrats! I am still not done with the book but have already made some changes! I am still real concerned with the savings account thing…but I am going to do it! Do you think you and Matt could help me with making my budget? The cash pat is what I am concerned with. I am going to order the other book to help me, too!

    Reply
  31. Tyne says

    September 19, 2009 at 4:53 pm

    Good for you! That is a great book and great life change- good for you not having any debt. Do you have your house paid off too? That would be fantastic!

    Reply
  32. Debbie says

    September 19, 2009 at 5:18 pm

    It hurts to see the plastic all cut up like that:)

    Reply
  33. Heather says

    September 19, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    Good for you! My husband and I just started reading Dave Ramsey's book last week and are getting ready to start our new budget in October! It's scary, but hopefully will be helpful.
    Good luck to you!!!

    Reply
  34. Kristen @ ladybug-blessings.com says

    September 19, 2009 at 10:48 pm

    awesome job! I need to read the book!! and my new goal is to pay the cc off every month and only keep one for emergencies and online purchases 🙂 but even then try to use paypal. Or just not buy anything, that would be a better option, right? But awesome job!

    Reply
  35. Marty says

    September 19, 2009 at 10:52 pm

    Awesome! If anyone can do it, it is you and Matt. We haven't done Dave Ramsey, but are trying to follow a budget. It is so hard especially as the unexpected arise….Keep us updated. I just can't go to Target or Gap..if I do, I have blown the budget. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Kristen says

    September 19, 2009 at 11:44 pm

    Good for you guys! That is awesome and I think you will love the freedom actually that living this way gives you! 🙂

    Reply
  37. Hailey says

    September 20, 2009 at 8:17 am

    Great for you!
    I had to do this last year to my target card. it was getting a little out of hand.

    Reply
  38. Llama says

    September 20, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    I must read the book!
    Im so happy for you!

    Reply
  39. Mrs. Fish aka Two Fish says

    September 20, 2009 at 8:48 pm

    Good for you!!! That is so stinking hard to do is limit for today!

    Reply
  40. Cheffie-Mom says

    September 21, 2009 at 12:12 pm

    Good for you!! enJOY your day!!

    Reply
  41. Kat says

    September 21, 2009 at 1:07 pm

    Very smart!
    We have one credit card for emergencies, but we don't have any balance on it. Other than that, no credit cards for us either.

    Reply
  42. Midwest Mommy says

    September 21, 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Are you ok? I have heard about all the flooding and just wanted to check in.

    Reply
  43. Sue says

    September 22, 2009 at 2:04 am

    Good for you! This is going to make a big difference to the amount you end up with down the road.

    =)

    Reply
  44. Amy - AKA - TigerMommie says

    September 22, 2009 at 11:31 am

    Great Job! Good luck!………..

    Reply

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About Krystyn

Krystyn has been blogging since 2005. She is a sarcasm-loving, straight-shooting, jeans and t-shirts wearing, wife and mom of four girls (ages 14, 12, 8 and 6). She blogs about life as a mom and wife and includes funny stories, family travel, fitness, recipes, STEM and more. She currently resides in the Atlanta, Georgia suburbs.
krystyn@reallyareyouserious.com

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Connect with Krystyn

Krystyn has been blogging since 2005. She is a sarcasm-loving, straight-shooting, jeans and t-shirts wearing, wife and mom of four girls (ages 14, 12, 8 and 6). She blogs about life as a mom and wife and includes funny stories, family travel, fitness, recipes, STEM and more. She currently resides in the Atlanta, Georgia suburbs.
krystyn@reallyareyouserious.com

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