Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
Hello my friends! Happy New Year!
2015 was a phenomenal year for us. We saw God do things in our lives and hearts that we never anticipated and we made some major changes. But many things remained the same. We’re still debt free (woohoo). We’re still living on less than what we make. We’re still meal planning, budgeting, communicating about our dreams for our money, making our own laundry detergent, buying used appliances, DIYing, and trying to teach our kids about money.
Here on Queen of Free, I am SO excited about January 2016. We are going to have SO much fun. Be sure you read all the way to the end because I have a few BIG announcements. 🙂
This month, I want you to watch out for 3 series:
31 Debt Free Missions
Each day, I’ll give you an assignment that will require an hour or less of your time to help you save money and put what you save toward paying off debt. They may require sacrifice but I know you’re up to the task!
31 Ways to Kick Debt in the Teeth
I’m rebooting a series from a couple of years ago to daily dole out my best tips to get your heart and soul under control when it comes to eliminating debt and being awesome. Let’s face it. We all know that it’s not really about the money (if you think it’s about the money, you’ll never have enough no matter how much you make). You have to refine your behaviors and reframe your mindset. Let’s work together to kick that debt square in the jaw. You can do this. I want to remind you who you are.
How to Pay Off All Your Debt
During the last eight years, I’ve encountered the stories of people all over the U.S. and even the world who have shared their particular debt slaying stories with me. I’m going to share what I’ve learned from them and some unique strategies for you to pay off all of your debt. You’re going to love these 15 stories!
We’ll also be featuring some other great promotions and fun this month:
The Debt Free Devotional
Originally titled Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free, the Debt Free Devotional will be re-released January 7th. Get wisdom straight from God’s word. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, this little eBook is for you. Set up in a 30 day format, you’ll get a daily dose of Scripture and words of encouragement from me. PLUS, this month for a short period of time, it will be absolutely FREE. So stay tuned.
Original Posts to Help You Save More Money!
Tips to help you stick to the Restaurant Challenge, a New Year Grocery Shopping Stock Up List, a NEW ALDI $50 Meal Plan for Freezer Meals (yaasss), 16 Resources to Help You Get Organized in 2016, Keeping the Romance Alive When You’re Paying Off Debt, and more.
An Interview with Focus on the Family
Last but not least, I’m so excited to announce that Brian and I were recently in Colorado and will be guests on the Focus on the Family Daily Broadcast January 5 and 6th. You won’t want to miss these daily broadcasts. You can listen live (check for your local radio station) or download the podcast once it becomes available.
Periscopes, Give Aways, & Book Google Hangouts
I’ll also be all over the place on social media. I’ll be hanging out on Instagram sharing my ups and downs the 31 Day #NoRestaurantsChallenge. Every weekday morning at 9 AM, you’ll find me on Periscope sharing a concrete idea or two and answering your questions about how to tackle your debt and save money. And twice this month, I’ll host a Google Hangout where I’ll answer questions about Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. Speaking of the book, we’ll also be giving away a few copies and some other goodies in January. I also have a couple of live speaking engagements coming up, along with my WTHR regular segment, Sunday mornings at 7:45 AM.
So, What Should You Do?
- Snag a copy of the book Slaying the Debt Dragon, wherever books are sold or check it out from the library. If you’ve been on the fence about buying it, I know they’re anticipating the Focus on the Family interview placing it in high demand, so get it before it sells out.
- SUBSCRIBE! I can’t stress to you enough that the easiest way to get this content is to sign up for it to be delivered straight to your inbox. Each day’s update comes in the evening usually around 8 PM unless my life goes haywire (happens from time to time for the best of us!).
- Follow me on Pinterest. This might be the best way to access my content from over the years. I’d encourage especially to check out the new board Slaying the Debt Dragon which is going to be hopping with all sorts of fabulous ideas. And my group board Creative Ways to Pay Off Debt has some of the best ideas the internet has to offer. Finally, the board A Vibrant Faith is where some of my favorite faith based authors hang out, sharing wisdom from God and encouragement to fuel your journey.
- COMMENT. Listen. You guys are a quiet bunch. I get that and I respect it. But, now is the time to speak up and share your wisdom. What has worked? What has failed? What are you trying new? I want to hear from you. Don’t be shy. You have much to offer! 🙂
- Consider having us speak to your church, group, or conference. Holy cow, the speaking calendar is starting to fill. We would love to share what we have learned when it comes to paying off debt with your group, church, or conference. Reach out and we’ll talk about rates and availability. But don’t delay and let someone snag your spot!
- Pay attention. I’ll do my best to keep you in the loop for Give Aways and freebies but keep a sharp eye peeled because as you can see I’ll be the mayor of Crazy Town.
I think I might pass out. This is going to be SO fun. Let’s work together to make January 2016 simply AWESOME.
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free on Kindle.
This post contains an affiliate link. That means when you get a great deal or maybe even something for free, you also help our family pay off our mortgage early. And for that, we royally thank you!
Perrin Music says
I love all your posts. Your book pays for itself in one batch of laundry detergent! I’ve made nearly every lifestyle change you have in your book and I do not feel deprived one bit but I feel so much happier with our financial control now. Thanks for responding to the Lords calling to share your wisdom with everyone. Happy new year from Florida!
Queen of Free says
You are so kind! I wish I was warm and toasty in FL. 🙂
Jessica Claxton says
I am new to your blog, and I am SO glad I found it! I hopped over to you from your post on LWSL. This is the year, Cherie! I have 12K to slay and I am so inspired. Thanks for all your great content!
Queen of Free says
You got this Jessica!
Samantha VintageGal Castillo says
Hi! I’m new to your site and I LOVE all of your advise. You are down to earth, creative and easy to understand.
I love budgets, but I also love shopping. I haven’t met anyone that has the same personality as me when it comes to finance.
How can you be the responsible one that sticks to a budget when you have a shopping addiction? That’s my problem. My husband loves to nag about lack of money but will not get within 100 feet of budgeting! So frustrating. We have $47k in debt (not including our house) that I would love to pay off. So much of me wants to save and pay down debt and then the other part takes over when I’m shopping or when the kids want to go here and there. I’ll use credit to fund these adventures until I get declined due to maxing out my limits.
Help!
Queen of Free says
I’ll own that I’m the shopper in our marriage too. It is NOT easy. But I do know that it’s possible on the other side of $127K of debt.
Part of the best way to hedge the temptation is to stay out of the stores. But here’s a post I wrote last year that might help http://www.queenoffree.net/2015/04/how-to-battle-the-temptation-to-overspend/
Set some solid limits for yourself this year and then celebrate when you stay in bounds.