If you've followed my blog for a time, you've probably read that Hubs got a new job in December. He's a mail carrier with our local post office. You've probably also read that due to a new contract negotiated between the United States Postal Service and the Union in January, hubs had to reapply and reinterview for his own job, which came with a new title and a $6/hr pay cut. This is nothing new for us. This salary range isn't uncharted territory. It's ocean we hoped not to sail again, but never the less, here we are. And this time we decided the be in control of our situation instead of our situation be in control of us. In November of 2011, Aaron and I went through Financial Peace University. We'd had lots of friends do it all with great success and we loved that it was a biblically based program. We completed the classes and jumped in with about 10% effort, eventually just setting aside all the major principles we learned and going back to debt filled, stress filled, managed by our money living. Money has ALWAYS been a source of conflict in our relationship. Fast forward to current. We were able to pay off all our debt with exception of student loans with our tax return. That has helped considerably, but, we still had TONS of money falling through cracks- mainly fast food, Walmart, and Target cracks. We knew with this big pay change looming we needed to do something. So, we pulled out our trusty Financial Peace stuff and started over. Why yes, that would be my debit card frozen in a block of ice. I figured this was the best and fastest way to stop all that "slipping through the cracks" I was talking about. It's amazing the sense of loss I've experienced knowing my card isn't in my wallet. Am I better for it? Yes. Is our budget better for it? Yes. Do I dislike it? Yes. BUT. God didn't call me to do easy things. He called me to do the right things. And being a good steward of the money he blesses us with is one of those things. This is a little bit of "good stewardship insurance".
On top of going to a cash based budget, Aaron and I have worked out a few things that would create a more faith based open handed lifestyle. We've been so blessed over the years to have people that have given to us, financially and otherwise, without blinking and we want to be able to repay them and also to pass that blessing on. Yeah, sure, I could find a million things to do with that money, but more food or new clothes would never come close to the blessing we could give to someone else with it. Yeah, sure, we need that money so our budget isn't so tight. But God is faithful. Then, if that wasn't enough, we agreed that we were going to be "fast food free" for the month of May. I know for some people this isn't a big deal, but the convenience of fast food is a weakness of mine. And so is planning ahead. So, along with saving some $$$ I'm also exercising my plan ahead and pack some lunches muscle. So, here we are, at the beginning of our cash based, faith filled, open handed lifestyle! I'm excited to see how God grows us through this!
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HEY, I'M JESSICA!
Christian. Wife. Mommy. Daughter. Pastor. Friend. Saved.Redeemed. Beloved.
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