Good Internet Advice

Aloha Friday Meme

What is a good tip or some good advice you found on the Internet?

My answer: I've found lots of good advice about being frugal. I'm on a mission to get out of debt. There are many really good places to get frugal advice on the Internet.

If you're interested in frugal tips:

101 Thrifty Articles

The Dollar Stretcher

Frugal Friday Meme



Maisie

The Brick Wall in My Life

Tuesday's in Other Words Meme

This week's writing prompt is:

"....the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They are there to stop the other people.....Brick walls are there for a reason. They give us a chance to show how badly we want something."

- by Dr. Randy Pausch

The big brick wall in my life would be financial problems. My husband and I created a mountain of debt and we're a one income family while I homeschool the kids. These are choices that we made, but the consequences of said choices makes for one great big wall that I find myself dealing with on a daily basis. Every day, I have to make frugal decisions and figure out how to pay the overdue bills.

Our goal is to get over this wall, so that we can be freed up to serve God better. My husband and I feel like we are being tugged towards adoption and full time ministry. However, for now, this big wall of debt keeps us from pursuing those things. I don't see any positive changes happening; that's where faith comes in. God is amazing. He could change it all in the next few weeks. Or, He could stretch it out for 20 more years. I don't understand His reasoning, but He knows what He is doing.

Having this brick wall shows me how bad I want to be on the other side of it. I probably desire things like adoption and full time ministry, because there is no possible way to have it right now. I think that it is normal for people not to realize blessings when they are so easily available. It's the things that we wait and hope for that we really appreciate.

It's a good thing that I didn't write this last night, because I wasn't very hopeful. I cried out to Jesus and listened to uplifting songs which reminded me of how He is strengthening me to get through this difficulty. Today I'm much, much better. I have renewed strength and I'm willing to keep pressing on until I get past this brick wall, even if it takes longer than I could possibly imagine. Perseverance isn't easy, but it's a requirement when you're wanting to live in the will of God.



Maisie

My Life Would be Simpler if.....

My life would be simpler if....

my husband and I could get out of debt. We've been struggling financially for over 15 years. It just seems to go on and on, like a rut that we can't get out of. We've learned about getting out of debt and how to live frugally from Crown Financial and their Money Matters radio show. But, it takes a long time to fix a debt problem.

This debt controls our lives. My husband is spending year after year working and working, while the children are growing up. I do everything that I can so that we don't have to spend money beyond what is absolutely necessary. My kids feel like they are growing up poor. Most of our decisions are made based on the lack of finances. Both my husband and I feel like we are not living how God has willed us to live, because we have to deal with the money issues first.

I really regret that we let this happen to us. We pray about it and we trust God to help us. But we have a problem to deal with - a consequence for the financial choices that we made many years ago.

Oh ... I can't wait until we are debt free. I wonder what God has planned for us. Maybe He will have us work in a church, or work for a Christian ministry, adopt a child, start a ministry, or even move to another state. For now, almost everything is on hold until we get rid of this debt. I'm definitely learning about perseverance.

If you need something and don't have the money for it, please don't charge it. For us, it started with furniture. First we wanted a couch and then a bigger bed. Then, charging became easier for us. We got a car loan and eventually borrowed way too much money to start a business. What a regret that was. God didn't provide the money for the business, because He didn't want us to do it. We borrowed the money anyhow and the business ended up causing more debt than we ever earned from it. Please, wait until you earn the money or until God provides it. Getting a loan or charging on a credit card is not God's provision.

I really hope that I can encourage someone to learn from our mistake. Going into debt causes a lot of problems and I don't want other Christians to have to experience it. Debt is breaking up Christian marriages and keeping people from giving financially to the Lord's work.


Maisie