Guarding Your Marriage: A Debt Free Zone

If I could go back in time and change any one thing it would be to stay out of debt. Granted, there were some things that were out of our control in the early days. In one year we needed a new septic tank, a new furnace, and we didn't know that our taxes were not included in our mortgage. This all happened in our first year and a half of marriage.
That is not a good way to start out.

I wish that Dave Ramsey had written Total Money Makeover twenty years earlier.

I wish that we had not indulged in so many lunch buffet meals at The Nittany Lion Inn.

I wish that we hadn't felt like we needed to get everyone expensive Christmas presents. From Sears. Because we had a store credit card.

I wish someone had told me that if I didn't have the cash for something then I didn't need to buy it.

Want to save your marriage? Want to eliminate stress from your home?
Stay out of debt.
Does it really matter if you buy that new gadget?
It doesn't. You don't need it.
I got so careful with my money after reading Dave's book that I questioned the worth of a pack of gum.

If you are in debt then I urge you to read the book and start doing whatever you have to to get that out of your life. It is a storm that will destroy you if you don't kill it first.

Even if you aren't in debt but are still struggling to make ends meet then look carefully at everything you spend money on.
Yes, I even mean gum. Gum isn't a necessity.
Cable isn't a necessity.
Soda isn't a necessity.
Lottery tickets are not a necessity (you're not going to win!)
Concerts are not a necessity.
Going to the movies is not a necessity.
Going out to eat is not a necessity.
Magazine subscriptions are not a necessity.
Going to the PamperedChefTupperwareThirtyOneMaryKayPartyliteJamberryOrigamiOwl party because everyone else is is not a necessity.
The kids coming to your door to sell you their fundraiser-of-the-month are not a necessity.
Pets are not a necessity.

Yes. I said that. Pets are not a necessity. If you can't afford cat litter then don't get a cat. No matter who whines about it.

Learn to say no.

Who cares what other people think? Is it their money? Is it their life?
You need to do what's best for your family. For your marriage.

Your electric bill is a necessity.
Food for your family (at home that you prepare) is a necessity.
Clean clothes are a necessity (note: I said clean, not new and stylish!)
Tithing to your church is a necessity.
Deodorant. Definitely a necessity.

Kidding aside, you get the idea. Take stock of where your money is going and what expenses you can cut. Make it easier on yourselves. It will eliminate a lot of the stress in your marriage.

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