Money Talks

Image by Kayak The Rockies via Flickr

It's funny how your perspective on things change after you go through trials and hardships. When Greg & I first got married 14 years ago we lived paycheck to paycheck and relied on credit cards and loans to help get through really lean times. If we had a major appliance to purchase, like a refrigerator, washer/dryer, etc there was no way we could pay for it outright so we would buy things like that from one of those rent-to-own places...and pay a fortune in interest.

Because of that lifestyle we were not prepared for when Greg lost his job eight years ago and we fell into financial ruins. Through the last seven years we chose to get rid of everything, live with relatives and pay back our debts instead of declaring bankruptcy and we were able to purchase our first home last August.

I have learned so much through this whole process. When I look back I can't believe some of the really stupid choices/decisions I made. Now if I want something...a big-ticket item (like, my convertible I'm saving for!) then I know I just have to put a little money away every month and the money will be there before I know it. There's nothing like walking into a business with a bunch of cash and saying "I've got cash, let's talk!" You can get some great deals because, money DOES talk!

Molehills and mountains

I can't begin this post without first giving praise to my Heavenly Father and thanking Him for the air I breathe, the food I eat and the life I live each and every day. I continue to be amazed at how much He takes care of us and provides in so many ways. I have truly felt His loving arms wrapped securely around me carrying me from one trial to the next lately. When things seem the darkest I look back and see where I've come from and realize that there is light at the end of this tunnel and I am getting closer to the light.

The latest blessing is our finances. After climbing our way out of debt - a seven-year climb mind you, we purchased our new home back in August 2008. We were scared to death obviously because of our history. Everything was falling into place though and we kept trudging forward. We made it through the holidays just great, bills paid, took a couple of trips, everything was still okay.

Then in January we hit a molehill and for the next couple of months it grew into a mountain. Fortunately we had some money in reserve and we were able to take care of this situation, but now we had no more reserve money. What would we do now? Even though I'm not normally a worrier...this last month I had to fight the urge to dwell on this fact...WHAT IF?? Everytime "WHAT IF??" starts entering my head I try so hard to say instead "Okay Lord, I'm giving this to you, YOU are in control and YOU said not to worry because YOU will take care of me and I trust in you!"

Here's the amazing, awesome part! We came into some money - I can't go into the details because my husband is a private person and would prefer I not share that on here - but it is truly a miracle that we received this large amount of money!! It was completely unexpected!

Now this weekend I get to go car shopping and pay for my new (used) car with CASH! I am so excited. We were looking on Craigslist and online at used car lots last night. My dream car has always been a convertible Mazda Miata but with 6 kids of course that was a little out of reality - but not now!

Image via Wikipedia

I told Greg I wanted to see if we could find one for less than $3000. He looked at me like I was crazy. Hmph! I found one for $3950....I emailed it to my husband....he's a smooth talker...hmmm, let's see if I get my Miata?

To be continued.....