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March and April Debt-Free Progress: Paid in Full

April 11, 2012 in Homemaking with 4 Comments

Have you been following our goal to pay off Josh’s student loan this year?  If not, let me catch you up before I share our latest news…

We started with a goal: Pay off Josh’s student loan by the end of the year.  That was going to require an extra $500 a month that we didn’t have in our monthly budget.  We sold some things.  We picked up some odd jobs.  We didn’t meet our goal in January, but we were further along than if we hadn’t made the goal.

In February, we were blown away by our tax refund and some miscellaneous excess that we found in the budget.  We suddenly found ourselves much closer to our goal than we ever imagined we could be this year.

We kicked into high gear in March and changed our goal timeline: pay off the loan by Josh’s birthday which is in early May.

Now, here we are in April.  Josh’s quarterly incentive at work came in and then I took everything I’ve made from one of my VA jobs and I’m excited to report that I just made the final payment on Josh’s student loan!

Paid in Full.  It’s gone.  And it’s done over 8 months earlier than our initial and impossible looking God-sized goal.  We were able to pay off over $6,000 in 3.5 months.

Let that serve as encouragement to you that it can be done.  No matter how impossible it looks.  Just make the goal and move towards it.  It may not happen that fast, but you never know when God might intervene and blow your mind.  Not only that, God also provided a way for us to also go on vacation at the end of the month after The 2:1 Conference in DC and pay for it all in CASH.

Following our vacation celebration, our next step is to work towards paying off our HELOC.  That’s a bigger goal and will take longer, but we’re committed to making it happen.  Plus, we have an extra $85/mo to snowball towards that goal now that Josh’s student loan is paid off.

Got a debt-free story to tell?  Got a goal to be debt-free?  Share your stories and tips in the comments.

50% off Coupon Code for 31 Days to Clean

April 4, 2012 in Books, Homemaking with 0 Comments

31 Days to Clean

You can get the PDF version of 31 Days to Clean for 50% off right now.  Use the code SPRING to get the discount.  I don’t know the expiration so get your copy quickly before the promotion ends.

I shared before Christmas how 31 Days to Clean can make a great gift.  Summer weddings will be coming before you know it.  Add 31 Days to Clean to some special supplies or recipes for natural cleaners to make a great bridal shower or wedding gift. Help a gal start her home with her heart in the right place!

Goals Update – March 30

March 30, 2012 in 3 in 30, Homemaking with 7 Comments

It’s been an interesting month.  I didn’t think I’d be able to make much progress on my goals, but everything went very well!  Here’s my progress for the week:

  • Stay consistent with my Bible reading.  It’s been a great week.  I’m kind of sad that there’s only one more week left in my study of Ephesians.
  • Prepare for next book club.  Shepherding a Child’s Heart Book Club information is up and we kicked off this week.  Come join us!
  • Pay off Josh’s student loan.  I shared last month that we needed an extra $500/mo in order to pay off his loan this year.  I shared our February progress update earlier this month in which we were unexpectedly able to pay off a large portion of the loan.  I only came up with a small extra amount for March, but we’re now under $1,000 left to pay!  Truly amazing and a miracle from God.  We expect some extra income next month to which we’re praying we can add a little more and pay off the loan in full by the end of April, or at the latest meet our goal of paying it off by Josh’s birthday, May 8.

Still in awe of how God has honored our commitment.  Join me and share your goals!

3in30 Challenge Must Love God

Coupons: Silk, Nature Made, Movies

March 14, 2012 in Homemaking with 0 Comments

I don’t usually share many coupons, but here are a few that I saw come through that my family would use:

I love the Silk Almond milk; I can’t tolerate much dairy or soy since having Jacob .  I take a lot of Vitamin D during the winter to help with my depression.  And, my family is a bunch of movie lovin’ fools.  Enjoy!

Kids in the Kitchen: Gluten-free, Dairy-free Peanut Butter Cookies

March 6, 2012 in Homemaking with 3 Comments

These are our favorite cookies right now.  It only takes a few minutes to whip up a batch and it’s so easy for Jonathan to jump up on his stool to help with these.  Plus, these cookies are gluten-free and dairy-free.  {But definitely not sugar-free!}  I make this whole recipe by hand; just one bowl and a fork.

GF/DF Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (We use Trader Joes because they are DF.)

Follow Jonathan’s instructions…

This is most easily done with your hands; roll small balls and slightly flatten them.  Bake at 350 until slightly browned.  (Takes about 11 minutes in our toaster oven.)  Cool slightly and then…  Eat!

Linking up with Kelli – visit her blog for more ideas to help you get your kids in the kitchen.

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