Karen and I have always been free spirits. We love to do things with people, and we are always in for a good party. We just love the experience! For the first 8 years of our marriage we spent money when we had it. We spent money when we didn't have it. We just spent money.
Don't get me wrong, it was always for a good reason, and that good reason could often be just a good time. By the time I had reached my 8th year of marriage we had occurred over 30 thousand dollars in consumer debt (debt other than our house). Let me tell you some of the things we spent our money on:
- Dinner and drinks (not just for us, but for our friends too).
- Medical bills (from our last child).
- Mini-van.
- Credit card bill with purchases on it that I don't even remember.
- Clothes
- And on our worst days we put groceries on the credit card too.
The first 8 years of my marriage were magical. We had two kids, we bought our first house, we went out and got a bigger second house without selling the first, and we did it all through the turmoil of not knowing how to spend our money. Life was fun, but money was difficult. Karen spent money her way and I spent money my way. Our plan was simple, if it was in the bank then we would spend it. If it wasn't in the bank we would charge it.
We had no spending values on money, so when money was an issue in our marriage we did what most couples do. We fought about it until one person caved in on the demands, or we both just spent it anyway.
When I joined the team at Ginghamsburg we were challenged to do something different. We took Financial Peace University, and it changed our lives forever. It changed them because we developed a belief structure on money. We developed spending habits and a plan. We took every extra penny we had and we threw it towards dumping debt. We stripped down our necessities and got serious about what was important. I even got rid of cable during football season!
It wasn't easy, but it also wasn't miserable. It was manageable because we had decided that we would do it together. We were equally yolked in our mission. The mission was simple; to give God control over our finances and to get in alignment with what the Bible says about money. Have you ever been on mission with your spouse? It is fun, rewarding, and miraculous.
In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
We were burdened with debt. We were restless without a plan. When we finally decided to come to Jesus with a plan things became incredibly easy. Our marriage changed, because how we spent our money came into alignment with our faith. The tension of robbing Peter to pay Paul was finally gone.
Today (2.5 years later) we are debt free and just refinanced our home down to a 15 year note. We do a zero balanced budget every month and we won't ever go back. Having a theology on money changed our marriage and our legacy forever.
“You must gain control over your money or the lack of it will forever control you.”
— Dave Ramsey
What are you willing to do to gain control?
*If you are ready to take the first step towards financial freedom please visit Ginghamsburg during the financial series or check out one of these awesome classes.
PREPARING FOR YOUR FINANCIAL FUTURE
These two one-week classes offer advice for all stages of life.
On Your Way (Tuesday, November 12 in Tipp City 202/203, 6:30-8pm)
- Establishing a retirement plan
- Investing 201
- Life insurance planning
- College planning strategies
Almost There (Tuesday, November 19 in Tipp City 202/203, 6:30-8pm)
- Creating a retirement income plan
- Annuity vehicles
- Social Security
- Medicare
- Estate planning
Opportunities also include...
EQUALLY YOKED
Thursday, November 7 & 14 in Tipp City 202/203, 6:30-8pm
Money tops the list of what couples fight about. Don't wait to develop a theology on money. Come to this two-week group that will discuss your theology on money and your commitment to that theology.
GET OUT OF DEBT
Wednesday, November 13 & 20 in Tipp City 117, 6:30-8pm
This two-week class will inspire and give your family the tools to create an aggressive debt plan and a budget to manage it. Come learn the exact day your family will be Debt Free!
(Childcare available for all clesses above.)
FINANCIAL PEACE LEGACY JOURNEY
Monday, November 4 - December 16 in Tipp City 202
Learn how to truly live and leave a legacy for generations to come in this seven-week, biblically-based course. Be led deeper into investing, basic estate planning, purposeful living, safeguarding your legacy and discovering the keys to generational wealth and true generosity. Cost is $96 per kit, one per family, payable by cash or check at class. Register online at daveramsey.com/legacy. (Childcare not available.)
AND...
FREE Financial Counseling available by appointment. Contact 937.669.0811 or cfc@ginghamsburg.org to schedule.
6759 S. Co Rd 25A, Tipp City, OH 45371
