Hear ye, hear ye, Money Saving Lords and Ladies! It’s Freedom Friday where I bi-weekly share our progress in becoming completely debt free. It’s also your turn to share your story of debt slaying. Whether you’ve paid off every cent you owe, are just getting started, or live somewhere in the in between, we want to hear from you! We’re better together, share your story and make us all stronger.

Nothing’s changed since the last time I shared our numbers of Facebook.

$102,653.96.

The numbers have moved a little since the last time I posted on a Freedom Friday.  It’s due to several factors and I fear we’re losing a little momentum but here’s what’s up.

We had a few unanticipated expenses (Dr.’s visits, prescriptions, hike in gas prices which finally got to our gas budget, extra summer travel, household maintenance, aw, Murphy!) that added up quickly.  *sigh* it happens to us all, right?

And now, we’ve decided to press pause for one month.  We have the opportunity to refinance our mortgage for a point and a half lower interest rate and take 7 years off the term of our loan, all of which if taken to its full term would save us no less than $50K.  I don’t think we’ll take the full term of the loan because once we’re debt free, let’s face it, the mortgage is on the chopping block next.  But regardless, it was an opportunity we just couldn’t pass up and we think that even Dave would approve since we’re less than a year away from our goal of being debt free except the mortgage.

Our best estimates are that we will pause our debt snowball for one month to pay cash for closing costs and some minor updates (primarily elbow grease and a couple of clean up actions) in the house before the walk through appraisal.  I’m definitely excited about using my Hoosier One Cleaning Groupon, too as a part of preparing for the appraisal.  Plus our poor neglected house is getting some TLC which is always a bonus.

Photo credit: The Creative Juices of Ariel

Personally, I’m still doing quite a bit of feet gazing.  I’ll be very honest that we’re in a season of discouragement and while it has absolutely nothing to do with our finances, our health, or our marriage, it bleeds into all of the above.  Can I just say thank you to those of you who have commented, e-mailed, Facebooked, and tweeted your way into my life lately with encouragement, perspective, inspiration, and joy?  You have functioned as a lifeline and the hands and feet of God.  I’m very realistic that this isn’t an easy, quick fix sort of issue we’re dealing with and that it might be a few weeks before I’m even close to feeling “normal” again.  Being discouraged does not come naturally to me and I don’t think that it wears well on me either.  My Twitter profile feels like a sham right now because it claims I’m an “Eternal Optimist” and I feel anything but today.

I had no idea when I began blogging that people would identify with our story and that some Lords and Ladies who I have never laid eyes upon before (might not ever) have become my biggest encouragers and joy bringers.  I appreciate you all so much.  Please keep praying for us.

Now, I need some good news!  Who has paid off a debt recently?  Post a comment with your story.

Related posts:

Freedom Friday: So Close . . . But So Far Away Freedom Friday: I Wanna Be Worthless Freedom Friday: Days Like These Now Available for Pre-Order Slaying the Debt Dragon