Motherhood Moments

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Some of the best first steps to take include increasing the amount of money you save or use to pay off debts, making fewer non-essential purchases and sticking to a budget. You should also monitor your credit score and credit report on a regular basis, as well as look for ways to boost your income.

Valentines Day 130

Valentines Day Thrifty Credit Cards Las Vegas 130

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 4, 2021

I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill while running on the beach! Through April of 2021, I have found over $6500 for the year!

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April Money Credit Cards Donation 130

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 4, 2021

I have used the extra money to pay off debt, fund family trips, or build up our Christmas savings. Over the years, I have found money through rebates, refunds, online sales, and even the ground. Yep, I found a $20 bill while running on the beach! Through May of 2021, I have found over $6800 for the year!

Money 130

Money May Thrift Stores Donation 130

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

About $52,000 of that $147K was consumer debt (credit cards, a student loan, a car loan, a home improvement loan, etc.) But it wasn’t a decade of nothing but paying off debt. When we first started we couldn’t have even conceived of becoming completely debt free. What inspired you to get debt free?

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Debt Free Debt Free Pay Off Debt 236

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 3, 2016

However, since paying off our debt, I have become a much bigger fan of the baby steps laid out by Dave Ramsey and really see the wisdom in paying off debt in that fashion. What are the top 3 – 5 ways you found money to put towards debt. I initiated paying off the debt.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Pay Off Debt College 100

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 5, 2014

We put any extra money that would come in toward our debt. What are your top 3 – 5 tips for saving money/pinching pennies to put towards paying off your debt. Make paying off debt a priority. If you’re going to get serious about becoming debt free, you have to make that your first priority.

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Debt Free Debt Free Pay Off Debt 241

Family Balance Sheet

MAY 27, 2015

We made sure we could afford the monthly payments on a 15 year mortgage, with the mindset that we would pay more each month. What inspired you to get debt free? There were two things that inspired us to pay off debt. I talk a lot about this in my post “Top 4 Ways to Pay Off Debt” but they include: 1.

Debt Free 100

Debt Free Pay Off Debt Debt Kids and Family 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 26, 2011

Reader Asks About Selling Home to Pay Off Debt – [link] I agree. Paying Debt vs. Saving Money [link] I say pay off debt. Reading: Carnival of Money Stories # 94 Introspective Edition [link] by @ InvestItWisely # Yakezie Get your cup of coffee out. #. Best thing is to learn from them #.

Pay Off Debt 113

Pay Off Debt Green And Frugal Frugal Green Swap 113

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 18, 2019

Happy New Year’s 2019: In January 2019, we were down to one final non-mortgage loan, so we created just one financial goal for the year—-to pay off that last non-mortgage debt by December. … cue the Jefferson Starship song, “Nothing’s going to stop us now”… Fast forward to September.

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Debt 2019 Pay Off Debt Emergency Fund 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 6, 2013

My friend Jackie over at The Debt Myth has created a Pay Off Debt App which I think is very cool. She has lived the journey of being sunken in debt and then freeing herself and now she is trying to help others do the same with her new app. Summer has arrived here and I have to say that I am loving it.

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Fridays Green And Frugal Pay Off Debt Clipping Coupons 145

Birmingham Bargain Mom

JANUARY 12, 2012

This is a great way to earn extra cash towards bills, paying off debt or even special vacations -- selling metal or aluminum cans.

Pay Off Debt 65

Pay Off Debt Printable Coupon Recycle Recycled 65

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Whether you want to pay off debt or save for retirement or get a new TV, you have to be in agreement on the big stuff. Talk about these issues, and determine how your financial situation to look. Set Goals Together. If you want to accomplish anything together as a couple, you need to have shared goals.

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Money Pay Off Debt Finance Debt 252

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 21, 2013

Paying off debt is hard to do. Read John’s post about his stumbles on the way to paying off his debt at The Money Principle. There seem to be a lot of bloggers taking the plunge into self-employment lately! And it’s even harder when mishaps occur.

Fridays 165

Fridays Pay Off Debt Frugal Saving Money 165

Family Balance Sheet

OCTOBER 6, 2014

T – time based, tangible, Instead of writing, “I want to pay off debt” or “I don’t want to live paycheck to paycheck”, refer to your recently completed balance sheet and craft S.M.A.R.T. S – specific. M – measurable. A – achievable and agreed upon. R – realistic.

Financial Goals 113

Financial Goals Finance Goals Organic 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 24, 2012

Pay Off Debt App (sponsored by The Debt Myth ) Lisa K. $20 Here is the list of prizes as well as the winners: iPad (sponsored by Prairie Eco Thrifter and Sustainable Personal Finance ) Nicole D. $25 25 PayPay Gift Card (sponsored by My Broken Coin ) Nikki H. $25 25 Amazon Gift Card (sponsored by Live Real, Now ) Trish F.

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Giveaway Gift Cards Pay Off Debt Gifts 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 2, 2016

In general though, the process of paying off debt has taught me a lot of things, and its a lifestyle I continue to this day. Was there something that you gave up that you will go back to now that you are debt free? Paying off debt and growing savings is a means to an end. Yes, but not yet!

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Debt Debt Free Finds Pay Off Debt 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JUNE 25, 2013

Yes, you might pay off debt and have fewer of those types of obligations. One of my most-hated rules of thumb is the one that tells you to assume that you will only need 75% to 80% of your current income in retirement. This assumption indicates that you will have lower expenses in retirement, but this might not be the case.

Making 201

Making Taxes Pay Off Debt Health Care 201

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 2, 2022

They’re all designed to help you save money, pay off debt, and achieve your financial goals, so please take advantage of them. Join my email community and get access to these summer freebies and more. As an email subscriber, you have access to all of my current free spreadsheets and printables. Share in the comments!

Budgeting 130

Budgeting Budget Home and Garden Kids and Family 130

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 1, 2013

Use the 10 times rule as a starting point, but then add or subtract from it, depending on what you really need, whether you need more coverage to pay off debt, or whether you need less coverage because your life partner works, and won’t need the life insurance pay off to completely support him or her.

Life Insurance 213

Life Insurance Pay Off Debt Debt Property Taxes 213

Nicoles Nickels

APRIL 9, 2014

While good budgetary moves are to save or pay off debt, spending that money on something pleasurable and financially worthwhile for the future can be just as wise. If there’s one thing that people hate doing the most, it’s their taxes. But with tax time comes that welcomed question – “what to do with my tax refund?”

Taxes 69

Taxes Sears Pay Off Debt Kmart 69

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

Keep Your Goals in Mind When your income increases or expenses drastically decrease (like when you pay off debt), keep your goals in mind. Why were you working so hard toward making more money or decreasing your debt? Likely, there was a reason. Maybe you wanted to transition into home ownership.

Debt 189

Debt Pay Off Debt Frugal Dinner 189

freestuff.tv

MAY 18, 2011

Check out this guest post by Angela from Debt Consolidation Care: It needs no mention that budgets and savings play a pivotal role in assisting consumers in paying off debt. Well that’s a pretty dumb question but for most of us, we fail to act on our desires.

Budgeting 130

Budgeting Budget Saving Debt Free 130

Family Balance Sheet

NOVEMBER 19, 2014

Is there anything else you’d like to add that you think would help the readers who want to become debt free? Paying off debt can be done! Thank you, Amanda & Daniel, for being so honest with your debt free story. For more stories like theirs, go to Debt Free Stories.

Debt 245

Debt Debt Free Kids and Family Friends And Family Sale 245

Saving Cents With Sense

JANUARY 1, 2016

I know many of you are in similar situations of needed to save, but wanting to pay off debt, and eventually be able to put money in savings. Through lay offs, new jobs, new schools, illness, and everything else involved with a family, we have had our ups and downs.

Saving Money 40

Saving Money 2016 Money Saving 40

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 25, 2011

Miss T, in her post “ Remember, Slow and Steady Wins the Race ” states “After failing [to get out of debt] a couple times, I came to the realization that I needed a new plan, one that was attainable and manageable for the long term. Paying off debt is great but having no quality of life in the process is not the way to do it.

Thrift Stores 172

Thrift Stores Debt Pay Off Debt Thrifting 172

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

Download your FREE Debt Payoff Goal Tracker. Paying off debt is not fun, in fact, it sucks! We built in some celebrations into our Debt Freedom Plan. We keep ours on the refrigerator and it is so stinkin’ fun to color in the blocks as we make payments. Bonus #6 – Celebrate your wins.

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Debt 2016 Goals Free 100

Family Balance Sheet

SEPTEMBER 29, 2016

We had tried other methods in the past, but found this one suited us best since it forced us to focus on one goal at a time, rather than trying to do it all (pay off debt and contribute to savings and retirement). What are the top 3 – 5 ways you found money to put towards debt.

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Debt Debt Free Pay Off Debt Budgeting 100

For the Mommas

JANUARY 23, 2013

Saving more (52%), spending less (19%) and paying off debt (19%). Paying Off Debt. After taking a look at your holiday shopping credit card bill, you may (unsurprisingly) groan and vow to pay off your debt as quickly as possible. The top 3 financial resolutions?

Monitors 40

Monitors Credit Saving Pay Off Debt 40

Family Balance Sheet

AUGUST 5, 2015

We had become so accustomed to living off both incomes that we really had to re-adjust a few lifestyle choices so we could live off just my husbands income. This ultimately is what put us on the fast track for paying off debt in such a quick amount of time. If married, who initiated the debt free goal?

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Debt Debt Free Finds Kids and Family 100

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 22, 2020

Living a life focused on paying off debt is not always easy. There were months we were able to send a lot of money to our debts and then there were months where we could only make our minimum payments. So my husband set up an antenna and we walked away from cable completely, saving us about $50 a month. We said NO a lot.

Debt 130

Debt Health Insurance Groceries Grocery 130

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 22, 2011

Which comes first: saving for an emergency OR paying off debt? Many personal finance experts believe in building an emergency fund to $1000 to get started and then pay off consumer debt. Once that debt is paid off then start building up you emergency fund to your desired number.

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Emergency Fund Heaters 2007 Credit Cards 127

Family Balance Sheet

FEBRUARY 2, 2017

Instead of writing, “I want to pay off debt” or “I don’t want to live paycheck to paycheck”, commit to “I want to pay off $X of credit card debt in 201X and I will stop using credit cards from this point forward.” ” Pay off Debt. S = Be SPECIFIC. Save for emergencies.

Financial Goals 100

Financial Goals Goals Debt Credit Cards 100

Saving Cents With Sense

DECEMBER 20, 2013

Start the New Year off right by making a commitment to save money and pay off debt. Look for sources of cash that you can tap into and pay down debt. Although gas prices have been lower lately, hovering around $3.20 per gallon nationwide, AAA expects it to increase to $3.50 per gallon during the holidays.

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Christmas DIY Pay Off Debt Holiday 75

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 16, 2015

Was there something that you gave up that you will go back to now that you are debt free? When we were paying off debt we chose not to spend money traveling, but honestly our children were also too little to travel. To pay off our home early. Not really. I don’t really miss anything we gave up.

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Debt Debt Free Home and Garden Finds 100

Family Balance Sheet

APRIL 9, 2021

Paying off debt is not fun. That’s one reason why we included celebrations in our Debt Freedom Plan. Talk about it, pray about it, and stay focused on your WHY. Celebrate with CASH, not credit! Also, update your Family Balance Sheet every month, so you can see the reductions in your loan balances.

Debt 130

Debt Emergency Fund Kids and Family Debt Free 130

Family Balance Sheet

DECEMBER 10, 2014

I only pay for Netflix and Hulu Plus, which is around $18 a month — a far cry from my $90+ satellite TV bill. On the flip side, I ate a lot of cheap food while I was paying off debt, and definitely don’t do that now.

Debt 227

Debt Debt Free Credit Cards Taxes 227

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 8, 2018

I came up with strategies to help us pay for yearly bills, large expenses, and we were able to pay off debts. During that time, I started to budget for everything. Every aspect of our lives was included in our budget. We got back on track with planning our spending and we were able to breathe again.

Budgeting 133

Budgeting Budget Financial Goals Groceries 133