Garden of your heart

In pursuit of simple living....

One of the things that my husband and I have been evaluating is the outgo of money!  Today there is much more that goes than stays compared to just a year ago.  With the rising cost of gas, food, and everything else it is not hard to go beyond what is budgeted. 

Almost 2 years ago, we purchased some land.  We were so excited about the possibility of setting up a homestead on this land when we retire in over 24 years.  We were eager, excited, and able to make the payment.  However, what we are realizing was that we were foolish.  Yup....I hate when I am foolish.  I think it is great to own land for retirement....I think it is great to have plans for a homestead, I think it is wonderful to plan ahead, etc.  But here is where we have been foolish:  We own the land outright, but we got a 2nd on our home.  Now if you talk to most financial people they would say that this is a good thing and okay!  Here is where we have been convicted.  We want and believe we need to be DEBT FREE!  We are watching people in our area lose homes one right after another as the economy, job changes, etc have made it where they cannot keep their home.  Now, we are not in that situation....we had good equity in our home, my husband has a good job, etc.  BUT every month we are pouring out this money and only 1/3 is going to the principal!     So, we are placing the land up for sale!  When we are ready to buy again, next time we are going to save and pay cash!  No more paying more for the land through interest than what it is worth. 

What this will also do for us is allow us to apply the payment to our first mortgage.  This way we can get this paid off sooner!  We are also seeing so many around us who are suffering and need help.  When we have too many payments, etc. it makes it harder for us to help others as we desire.  

All of this is to our goal of living more simply!!!!!!  We do not feel we "need" a bunch of stuff....matter of fact, our "wants" are changing too!  We are even going to sell our pool table that is hardly ever used in order to continue this process of paying off, living more simply, etc.  We listen to Dave Ramsey and a lot of what he says is so good!   He mentions that if you are making the goal of being debt free do whatever it takes.  Live like no one else....that means not trying to keep up with anyone else, not trying to model your life after others, not needing all the latest and new gadgets, etc.  Then....we can leave like no one else:  DEBT FREE!     We are many, many years from debt free since it will take a long time to pay off our first mortgage, but we are taking steps closer!   

Simple living....owing no one, helping and loving others, working hard, and living for the Lord!  

Untitled Comment

06:54, Friday, June 27, 2008 .. Posted by LivingSimple

Hi! I totally understand where you are coming from. My dh and I are totally debt free, while we do not own right now that is fixing to change within a month or so, but we will buy outright if at all possible. I do not know who Dave Ramsey is, but sounds like he and I would agree on living simple and not keeping up with everyone else and having all the latest gadents etc..Here is the link to something I wrote awhile back...but I think it maybe goes along the lines you are speaking of.. http://www.homesteadblogger.com/SimpleLiving4Us/36835/

In His Grace-
~Kris

Untitled Comment

03:20, Friday, June 27, 2008 .. Posted by Isabella

We are debt-free except the house. We are on baby step three and I can't wait until we are finished paying off the house. We will save and then buy our dream land. You are doing the right thing. God Bless. I