Here we are. It’s been 1 month, 1 week since we paid our final debt to Sallie Mae. It’s been 1 month, 6 days since we told you that we were officially debt free {let me just say that ~ 18 hours was TORTURE with us knowing but not wanting to say anything until we posted the video}. It’s 8 days less than a month since we did our debt free scream at Financial Peace Plaza, Dave Ramsey studios. And in case you were wondering . . .
- I still balance the checkbook every morning.
- I don’t check the Sallie Mae account over and over and over again. Funny, I don’t miss that.
- I’m still shopping at ALDI.
- I’m still clipping and more importantly using coupons. I had a major haul of over $40 in coupons at Target a couple of weeks ago.
- We have added ~$15 to our weekly grocery budget. I bought fresh cilantro, ice cream, and a few other extras this week. It was glorious. Not to eat together though because gross.
- I’m still making laundry detergent. Which reminds me . . .
- We have given away A LOT more money than we ever have before.
- Our Baby Emergency Fund of $1000 has begun to grow into a 3-6 months of expenses emergency fund. As fun as it was to watch our debt numbers dwindle, it’s more fun to watch our savings increase.
- The King of Free still hasn’t eaten at a restaurant in over 2 years, 4 months {although the brackets are dwindling the choices and probably in the next 2 weeks, he will}.
- Last night, I splurged and got myself a McAlister’s Iced Tea and the girls cookies there. I drank 4 cups. My bladder was feeling it later. But I feel like I got my money’s worth.
- We were featured on the Dave Ramsey blog, the Family Circle Blog, WTHR Channel 13, in this month’s All You Magazine, and will be in the Daily Journal next week.
And best of all, we’re gearing up for a GREAT time at our Debt Free Party next Saturday, May 12th from 3-5 PM at Stones Crossing Church! We’d love for you to be there. Please take time to RSVP. We’ll be doing Give Aways both online and in person to help celebrate. Plus there will be free food, live music, a craft for the kiddos, and general revelry. And we just want to express our gratitude to you and share our joy.
