Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 5, 2014

Welcome to Debt Free Stories. What inspired you to get debt free? When my wife and I got married, we both made the decision that our first financial priority would be becoming debt free. Because we wanted to get out of debt as fast as possible, we stopped saving money after we had an emergency fund in place.

Debt Free 241

Debt Free Debt Emergency Fund Finance 241

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 9, 2021

Becoming debt-free became very appealing and the idea of being able to give more, save more, and live more was the direction we wanted to go. We also didn’t feel comfortable with Dave’s suggestion of a $1000 starter emergency fund, which is his step #1. Start college funds for our two girls.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund 2019 Debt Free 130

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 21, 2021

Your first assignment: Take the first step and calculate your debts by using my FREE Family Balance Sheet. Being self-employed, we felt we needed more than Dave’s recommended $1000 starter emergency fund that he outlines in his book, so our first step was to save a bit more for our home and office. We ate an elephant!

Debt 130

Debt Goals Debt Free Pay Off Debt 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 30, 2014

We knew that we would at least partially combine our finances when we were officially married, but when we were making our combined budget before going to the bank and officially combining, we hit a bit of a road block when we realized that we have a huge disparity in our financial goals. Money Tips'

Financial Goals 189

Financial Goals Goals Emergency Fund Finance 189

Penny Pinchin' Mom

DECEMBER 17, 2023

From a personal point of view, I much prefer living debt free. Advantages of Saving Despite Debts Building an Emergency Fund Building an emergency savings fund is the top reason to make saving a priority over paying down debt. You will need to handle them first, even if your emergency fund is nonexistent.

Pay Off Debt 52

Pay Off Debt Debt Emergency Fund Financial Goals 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 19, 2015

Yet, too often we make excuses not to save money, or we feel like our budget is just too tight to save. There are tricks you can use to save more money even IF your budget is very tight. Earmark this money for an emergency fund, a new car fund, a vacation fund, whatever you would like. I got $200 for free!

Money 100

Money 2015 Emergency Fund Bills 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 17, 2018

You can only cut so much from a budget, so to increase our cash flow, we’ll need to earn extra income by growing our small business and growing my blog. However, there are a few things that we will not give up so I will need to include them in our budget. Save a starter Home Emergency Fund. Earn Additional Income.

Financial Goals 113

Financial Goals Goals 2018 Debt 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 1, 2013

Lack of An Emergency Fund . One of the most common disastrous finance mistakes is not having any sort of financial back-up for emergencies. Experts recommend an emergency fund of at least six month’s salary as essential, especially if you are struggling to make ends meet. Not a bad buffer for difficult times!

Emergency Fund 272

Emergency Fund Credit Cards Personal Finance Finance 272

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 11, 2014

Welcome to Debt Free Stories. My daughter and I are gluten free due to celiac and changing to a healthy grain free sugar free way of cooking has become a big passion of mine over the last couple of years. I have enjoyed belly dancing and pilates the last several years, but time and budget reduced from my schedule.

Debt Free 235

Debt Free Debt Mom Goals 235

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 30, 2012

Not Having a Budget I know, you’ve heard it all before but have you taken action on this one yet? A budget provides you with a financial roadmap to get to where you want to be in life. A budget helps you track your finances so you know exactly where you are and whether you’re on track.

Money 235

Money Emergency Fund Debt Financial Goals 235

The Frugal Girl

JANUARY 29, 2024

Multi-pronged answer here: historically it was hard-wired in my DNA as a necessity but also being a good steward of what we’re blessed with & being able to give/help others; having enough for emergency funds was always a high priority as well. This means funds are tight. Don’t even talk to me about retirement!

Arkansas 182

Arkansas Frugal College Kids and Family 182

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 11, 2016

It’s FREE when you sign up here for my weekly newsletter. I’m on this journey to financial wellness with you and every weekend, I pack the newsletter with budgeting inspiration, money-saving tips & ideas, and frugal, yet tasty recipes. Start Saving for your Emergency Fund TODAY! And Read some more.

Emergency Fund 100

Emergency Fund Money Finance Debt 100

Saving Cents With Sense

MAY 26, 2014

Only 32 percent of Americans prepare a monthly budget, according to a Gallup poll taken in June 2013. Creating a short-term budget and long-term financial plan can not only help you get out of debt once and for all, but they can also guide you to economic independence and prosperity. Build a Budget & Emergency Fund.

Emergency Fund 71

Emergency Fund Goals 2008 Debt 71

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 19, 2012

Start an Emergency Fund One of the biggest things you can do to help avoid disasters is to create an emergency fund. This is a reserve of money for emergencies; leave it alone and don’t go dipping into it for general spending. Let’s look at some of these strategies now.

Emergency Fund 222

Emergency Fund Insurance Debt Credit Cards 222

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Living your dream life debt free requires a simply task of going back to Grade 1 math lessons and applying the concepts. Now hold that thought and think about this: living your dream life debt free. . For example, if you are expecting your sales volume to escalate, even if it is really possible, exclude it in preparing your budget.

Debt Free 235

Debt Free Debt Emergency Fund Hobby 235

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

Their 2017 goal is to pay off the remaining balance on their mortgage ($27,900) and be DEBT FREE! Jackie and her husband paid off $147,000 of debt in 10 years and are debt free. Maureen, from The Debt Free Mess Free Life , suggests that you understand what motivates you to act unwisely and spend frivolously (if that is your situation).

Financial Goals 100

Financial Goals Goals Debt Budgeting 100

Penny Pinchin' Mom

MARCH 11, 2024

Whether you are looking to save extra money for your emergency fund and potential unexpected expense, a new kitchen, or your kids’ college tuition—you name it—you will require self-discipline and a plan to reach any financial goal. You can even use a budgeting app if you need a little more support reaching your financial goal.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Saving Credit Cards 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 16, 2014

Traditional investment advice says that you shouldn’t invest in the market until you are financially stable, have an emergency fund and have taken care of other basics, such as insurance of all kinds, debt removal and etc. The better award is to get a stock award free and clear.

Emergency Fund 184

Emergency Fund Debt Money Father 184

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MARCH 14, 2013

Now is the time to watch every penny that you spend, so that you can purchase more in the same budget or even better, put that money in emergency funds. Get them from the library where movies are free if you return them on time. Why not enjoy a free concert instead of the paid one? Saving on Grocery Bills.

Saving Money 222

Saving Money Money Bills Insurance 222

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 22, 2020

As part of his baby steps, he does not advocate contributing to retirement until after you’ve paid off non-mortgage debts and saved 3-6 months of expenses in an emergency fund. Home and auto expenses are two big budget categories and by keeping these expenses low, we were able to put more aside to our debts. Groceries.

Debt 130

Debt Health Insurance Insurance Budgeting 130

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 20, 2017

I love her passion for helping others along their debt free journey. Be sure to check out her website where she is offering a free finance workbook if you subscribe to her newsletter. Krystal & Josh’s Debt Free Story. free except for our mortgage. What inspired you to become debt free? strict budget.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Friends And Family Sale Budgeting 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Charissa. She helps readers gain control of their finances and live well on a budget at her blog Cook with a Shoe . I am a free-lance sign language interpreter, putting my husband through engineering school by paying cash. What inspired you to become debt free? Where are you from?

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free College Finds 100

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

Welcome to Debt Free Stories. Quitting my job is one of the things being debt free has enabled us to do. If you want to become debt free, I’m here to tell you it is TOTALLY worth all the time, effort, and frustration. When we first started we couldn’t have even conceived of becoming completely debt free.

Debt 236

Debt Debt Free Pay Off Debt Financial Goals 236

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

I watched her and her husband’s debt free scream on The Dave Ramsey Show. You can find Angela at her You Tube channel, Our Life…on a Budget , where she vlogs about getting out of debt and staying there! Angela & Jeff’s Debt Free Story. What inspired you to become debt free? Where are you from?

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Budgeting Budget 100

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Shannon. Living on two-incomes, we could have easily paid off our debt quickly, but we had no idea at the time that “debt free” was even a thing. Read more about Shannon’s debt free journey. What inspired you to get debt free? She writes at Growing Slower.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Debt Financial Goals Budgeting 100

Savings Corner

FEBRUARY 2, 2024

And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free. Use this free savings calculator to understand how your money can grow over time.

Calculators 52

Calculators Saving Bank Banking 52

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 1, 2015

When I run the numbers, I realize it’s going to take years before we can scream, ”WE’RE DEBT FREE”, our ultimate goal. Debt Free Stories. I started the Debt Free Stories interview series back in September and it has been really well received. Weekly Meals on a Budget. I am painfully inpatient.

2015 100

2015 Money Debt Home and Garden 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 21, 2015

Today’s debt free story is from Aja. What inspired you to get debt free? Finally, we took the dive by making a budget and starting our debt snowball. The budget is key. For the last two years, I told anyone who would listen about us trying to make our goal of being totally debt free. Where are you from?

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Las Vegas Finance 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 4, 2011

Your City or County May Have Free Money For You. Often times, home buyers may not be aware that free money for a down payment on a house is still available for qualified buyers. This doesn’t mean you will always live with a cash budget, although you certainly could. FMF from Free Money Finance shares his Simple Car Email.

Personal Finance 240

Personal Finance Finance Family Debt 240

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 12, 2011

Money Talks Coaching: Finding Your Emergency Fund – I hear you saying “I know emergency funds are important, but how am I supposed to save money when I can’t even pay my bills?” Today I’m going to talk about getting those emergency funds going. Free Money Wisdom: Get to Know Me, I Dare Ya!

November 188

November 2011 Personal Finance Finance 188

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 15, 2011

Personal Finance Whiz : What Is An Emergency Fund? One of the major components of being financially fit is to have an emergency fund. Living in Financial Excellence: Why Budgets Fail and How to Create a Successful Budget Many people attempt to do a budget and fail miserably. So what did they do?

October 200

October 2011 Finance Personal Finance 200

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 21, 2012

Eric from Narrow Bridge Finance tells us what The True Cost of Something That is Free. We take advantage of anything we can get if it is free or cheap, but do we need to? Danielle from Saving Without A Budget shares 5 Smart Investing Tips for 2012. FMF from Free Money Finance says My First Property Purchase Goes South.

Personal Finance 219

Personal Finance Finance Debt Money 219

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 27, 2015

Today’s Debt Free Story is from Olivia. What inspired you to get debt free? I knew I was going to be a stay at home mom when we had kids and since we were both teachers, we simply could not afford for me to stay home, unless we got rid of something big in our budget. We also look for places where kids eat free now.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Pay Off Debt Finds 100

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 3, 2012

We are very excited about the possibility of being completely debt-free and there are two things that have made it a possibility: (1) We made a very conscious decision 10 years ago to buy a house below our means and (2) we made a risky decision 18 months ago to convert our mortgage to a HELOC. I'm not even sure how much we will need to save.

Financial Goals 127

Financial Goals Goals 2012 Emergency Fund 127

Saving With Shellie

JULY 12, 2011

It’s an idea that stretches far beyond a monthly budget or vacation fund. Start an emergency fund? HOT DEAL: Get a Free One Month Netflix Subscription. I get asked frequently why I write about saving money. I’m sure people ask you why you use coupons. I believe that saving money is important.

Emergency Fund 67

Emergency Fund Goals Saving Saving Money 67

Finally Frugal

JANUARY 17, 2011

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned my 15 (almost 16) year old 'beater' car, which I'm trying to keep running until I'm debt-free. Serious issues, but not in my budget, unfortunately. My emergency fund earns 1.10% interest. Since I take public transportation, I put about 2,500 miles a year on it, if that. Bad, bad, bad.

Emergency Fund 45

Emergency Fund Debt Cars Car 45

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JANUARY 21, 2011

My Super Charged Life shares with us 7 ways a budget can improve our life. Personal Finance by the Book shares with us the nuts and bolts of budgeting and how we can be best equipped to manage our money better. Eric at Narrow Bridge breaks down exactly what we need to do to budget. I must say I agree. Very encouraging post.

January 124

January Emergency Fund Personal Finance Finance 124