Q&A With Kristen

Greg here, I thought it would be interesting to get into the mind of Kristen a little bit and see what we can find out about her experiences and why we are doing what we are doing. I had a conversation with Kristen a while ago and here are a couple of questions from that conversation and her answers. I feel it is important to sit down with our spouse and talk and this gave us a chance to do it. This is not all of the conversation not by a long shot but I feel that these two questions are important and lets you know what we are up to and some of the challenges that we have. 

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What has been the most challenging for you over the past couple of years?

Probably not buying all the clothes I want.

Or maybe it's the tight grocery budget.

But then there's all the shoes I haven't bought and the projects around the house that we've put on hold.

Then there's the fact that you are gone all the time working, that's hard.

Telling the kids "no, not right now", that's been rough.

All those things have been frustrating but I think the hardest part has been being patient. It takes time to clean up a serious mess. I get a huge rush when we make a payment but then we have to wait 2 weeks or so to make another one. We're doing everything that we can to make progress but during that waiting time I start to feel like we're not making progress. Patiently waiting while we are doing all that we can is difficult. I think that is the hardest part of all!

You mentioned patience has been a challenge. What do you do to help keep you motivated even though you don't feel like you're moving forward? And a follow up question; what tips do you have for those feeling the same way?

Well the sarcastic answer is that I don't really have a choice, now do I?

Although I guess that's not completely true. We're down to our last 2 student loans and while they're big, if we just made the minimum payments it would free up a lot of room in our budget. Those loans would get paid off eventually and right now we'd be able to buy all those things we, okay I, feel like I'm missing out on. 

But that's not an option, is it? We want to be done with this part of our lives so that we can move on to the next stage. Like a bigger home. And college for the kids. And travel. And a car for Greg that was made in this century. We can't do any of those things with this debt hanging over our heads.

We still have a long way to go and it can get discouraging. Here are a few things that have really helped Greg and I stay focused. 

First we make sure and look back at all the progress we've made. We have a thermometer on our back door that we color in to show the amount of money that we have paid off and how much further we have to go. I hadn't filled it in for a couple of months so one night I sat down and ran the numbers. I was blown away! I couldn't believe how much we really were paying off. The payments don't always feel that big and it happens over such an extended period of time so it doesn't feel like much, but seeing the progress we are making really gave us that boost of motivation that sometimes disappears.

Another helpful thing is having that "Why", that reason why we're sacrificing. From the outside looking in we look like crazy people; we don't go out to eat (ever), we rarely buy new clothes (it's ALWAYS consignment stores for us) and we say no to almost every extra (I'm talking to you Target Dollar Spot). Why are we willing to live like this? 

It's because we have 5 wonderful children. They are our why. Everything that we do is to help them and bless their lives. Giving them parents that aren't worried about money and that have a plan is the greatest gift of all. Money problems are the number one cause of divorce in North America, that terrifies Greg and I so if there is something that we can do to put our marriage on a solid foundation, we're all for it.

Even if it means no Cheesecake Factory.
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There are a lot of things that can make us lose our focus on our goals. I agree with Kristen that we need to remember the Why of everything that we do. 

Why do we want to get out of debt? so we can dictate where we want our money to go and not lenders. 

Why do we want to save for retirement? Because we want to retire with dignity and to do meaningful things with ourselves. 

And the most important Why so we can leave a legacy to our children and give them the tools needed to be great stewards of the money God has given them. 

Big Dreams

My definition of wealth isn't a big house or real jewelry or even a luxury car*.

No, none of those will make me feel like I've hit the big time.

Here's what will.

When I go shopping and laundry soap is on my list I'll head straight for the Tide** and I won't even think twice. I'll throw that big ol' economy size jug in my cart and I might even go crazy and get TWO!

Yep, laundry soap does it for me.

It's the unmistakable Tide smell and the fact that our clothes always, always come out clean.

Right now Tide is out of our budget. It's just so expensive. Yes, it does work really great. Consumer Reports consistently rates it as the top laundry detergent, but I can't justify that kind of cost when we're watching every dollar.

It's kinda funny that something silly like laundry soap would be such a motivator but it is, at least for me. I want to be at the point in my financial life when a price difference of $6 won't feel like a make or break decision.

Of course I could also look for Tide on the black market. Seriously. It's a "commonly shoplifted and resold good" (CR, 19). But I'm thinking that might have moral implications, I'm not sure how I'd feel about doing laundry with ill- gotten super powered laundry magic.

*let the record state that I would never say no to any of those things, assuming of course we had the cash for them...

**I know this post read like an ad but I promise, I wasn't paid to say any of these things. I just really love Tide. It's like liquid laundry gold, except it's blue and smells like heaven. I don't know what gold smells like.

Consumer Reports. September 2015.

Some Family's Slideshow!

by Kristen

One of the requests for our family reunion was to put together a video of your family, you know, a "show off the awesome stuff you do" kinda video. I was afraid the people in charge* would stake me out and leave me for the bears so a couple nights before the kids and I left, Greg and I chained ourselves to the computer and dug through digital clutter to find a few gems.

We were mostly successful. Enjoy!!

*my family's actually not that scary... usually

Song Credit: It Passes All My Understanding by Cherie Call

Scratch. Scratch.

I was rounding up the kids, trying to get them in their pajamas and settled in tents. Greg couldn't come to the Young Family Reunion (pesky work) so it was just me, my 5 kids and my nephew. Oh and a ton of aunts and uncles and cousins and grandmas and grandpas to help out so it wasn't like I was totally on my own but you know how bedtime is... you against the world.

Maggie was finally settled in her half of the tent with the sound machine cranked all the way, drowning out all those pesky sounds of nature. As I was walking back from my final herding mission I came across Anna holding a crying Nathan by the hand. She said "he peed his pants and now he's crying because his legs are hurting".

Great. "Thanks Anna". Hugs and kisses for her and then she was off to sleep with her cousins in their hotel deluxe (meaning a trailer, no canvas walls for them). I walked Nathan back to the Miles' tent compound, him screaming all the way. Once we got back I pulled his clothes off and started to wipe him off with baby wipes.

That's when the screaming really started, I was certain the sound machine wasn't going to drown out that much noise so thinking quick I wrapped his naked little body in a blanket and carried him to the nearby water spigot. I said "okay, this is what we're going to do; I'm going to put you down and unwrap you. I need you to rinse off your legs in the nice, cool water. Can you do that?"

"But someone might see me, I'm naked".

"Yes, I know you're naked but look how dark it is, I think you'll be okay". He tentatively stuck one leg in, then the other and then the fun started.

"Oh yeah! I'm sticking my bum in the water! (shake, shake, shake) I can turn around! Oh yeah! (shake, shake, shake) Look at me, I'm playing in water! (continue shaking)".

"Fun's over big guy. Let's go".

I wrapped him up again and took him back, got him dressed and in bed. Meanwhile Grant and my nephew were technically in their sleeping bags but were playing with flashlights. What is it about flashlights? You'd think they discovered the power of light when they're holding a AA powered beam. Shadow puppets. Flashlight tag. Spooky faces. All while there's a toddler sleeping in the next tent over.

Flashlights were confiscated. Prayers were said. Threats were issued. Silence reigned.

I went to get myself ready for bed, as I came back to the tents, Grant popped out of the boy's tent, holding his face with one hand and his glasses with the other. Blood was dripping everywhere.

Son of a... "What happened?"

"I don't know. All of a sudden my nose was bleeding and my glasses were somehow broken."

Right. Bleeding stopped. Glasses mangled beyond (my) repair. Boys back in bed. More threats. More silence.

I crawled into my side of my tent and laid down to read my scriptures. I was beyond exhausted. Maggie was still quiet and the boys were settled down. I was just about to drift off when I heard "scratch... scratch..."

Silence. Then more "scratch... scratch..."

Crap. It's the bear that our over- informative campground host had told us about. It was probably lured in by the copious amounts of blood that had just come out of my son's nose.

More scratching. Then I saw it. A large black shape passing by my tent.

Do I scream bear and wake up everyone? Do I yell for help? What the heck am I supposed to do??!!

The scratching stopped. I didn't see another blob. I started to think it was just my imagination and then it started again.

"Scratch.  Scratch."

I grabbed my flashlight, zipped open my tent and leaped out. Shining my flashlight all around. I didn't see anything. Of course I didn't have my contacts in... but I didn't see any suspicious blobs. I settled back into my air hammock (that's an air mattress that's lost most of it's air, they're uber fancy and only available to exhausted parents that just can't handle the thought of actually turning the pump on).

It was quiet again and I really started to think I could sleep. Should have known better. Just a few minutes later the scratching started again. This time it was to my right and all the kids were to my left so I knew it wasn't one of them. I turned my flashlight on and looked all around my tent.

That's when I saw it. Close to where my head had been. A bug longer than my first finger. Seriously, no exaggeration. It was huge. I didn't scream (kudos to me). I didn't want to smash it because I didn't know if a gallon of venom would come out. I grabbed a nearby diaper (clean, don't worry), scooped up the creature from the deep, unzipped the tent door and threw out the diaper and bug, all in one!

It only took about an hour for my heart to stop racing. And no, I still don't know what the black shape was, it probably was a bear but it was scared off by the sound machine. Man, those things are loud.

The End

by Kristen

I did it. 30 days. Lots of good food.

It wasn't even that hard. Like I didn't feel like I was going to die because I wasn't eating pancakes (oh my word, I love pancakes).

I did slip up and eat some cookies on Day 26 or 27, I don't remember exactly which one. I do remember how bad I felt the next day. My stomach hurt. I felt like I was moving in slow motion. It was awful. One of the rules of Whole30 is that if you slip up, you should start over. The whole point of the Whole30 is to get all of those things that irritate your body, well, out of your body. That way you can really tell how your body reacts to certain things. I didn't start over but technically I should have. Oh well.

So what did I think?

I loved it! Absolutely loved the whole thing. My stomach stopped hurting after every meal. I didn't wake up feeling sluggish. I had more energy (not as much as I was hoping, but still...). I felt more focused. My clothes were looser. I weighed and measured myself at the end and I'd lost several inches and 7 pounds.

There's a reintroduction period that you're supposed to follow that I didn't. Like at all. In my defense there was a holiday (July 24th is a big deal in Utah), a birthday and a family reunion. My father in law put it best, he said "it's like we've all got IV's hooked up to the pantry and the valve is wide open". Yep. Agreed.

Sadly the IV theory didn't work out so great for me. That stomach pain that I had gotten rid of came back with a vengeance. I had heartburn. I was tired. Apparently there is a reason they recommend slowly easing yourself back into your old foods as you discover what works for you. Binging on cookies and birthday cake maybe isn't the way to go.

Will I do it again, this time following ALL the rules? For sure.

I didn't get the boost in energy I was hoping for but that could be partially due to 5 kids and my alarm clock. But I still felt better. I'll take that.

I've been given an incredible body that does amazing things everyday. I don't always love the way that it looks or the way that I feel but I'm trying to be kinder to myself. Right now that means cooling it on the dessert and feeding myself food that makes me happy. I'm going to try and take really good care of my body because it has to last me at least 70 more years! I'm totally planning on being a centenarian.

Sharing is caring

by Kristen

Anna: "You know how people always share (she used air quotes around share) their music with the people that are driving next to them?"

Me: "Kind of them isn't it?"

Anna: "It would be funny if we rolled all of our windows down and turned up our music really loud, you know, to return the favor."

Me: "You mean the classical music we're listening to right now?"

Nathan: "Everyone would say 'ahh, so peaceful'."

Anna: "Or they would say 'what the heck, what are those people listening to?!"

Yes, it's true, we do listen to classical music in the car. Here's why:

• no questionable lyrics that you have to explain to your kids, that can get awkward
• it takes the backseat fighting down a titch, only a small titch but when you're chauffeur to unreasonable short people you take all you can get
• it makes me feel like a super parent, like maybe someday they'll look back and say that all the hours that their mom made them listen to various composers while they were trapped, was what made them become brilliant doctors and compassionate leaders...

A girl can dream.

Lame, just absolutely lame.

True confession time.

I've never been to the ocean, never even seen it in real life. I've told some of you that fun fact and you always laugh and say how deprived I am.

And you're right. But there's more to the story. Now you get to see just how pathetic I really am.

Twelve years ago (actually a little more if you count dating and all that jazz) Greg and I fell in love and got married. All of our extended family was there on a cold April day in Utah. I think there was even snow. There was definitely wind. And no sunshine. Basically a dream outdoor photography situation. Except not.

Sidetracked. Like I was saying, after the cake and the presents and the congratulations we flew off to Disneyland. I had never been and Greg hadn't been since he was little. It sounded like the perfect honeymoon.

It was. Except for the part where we didn't explore any of the amazing things that Southern California has to offer. Like oh, I don't know, THE BEACH! We didn't go to Hollywood, we didn't see a ball game, we didn't even swim in the hotel pool. Let's not even talk about all of the rides we didn't go on because the lines were too long.

So pathetic.

We went to the park. Wandered around. Ate at IHOP (full body shudder) and that was about it.

We didn't have a rental car so we figured that we were stuck on foot. Never mind that hotels have millions of little pamphlets telling you all about the cool things to do in the area and how to get there.

Our honeymoon wasn't all awful (except for the cold Greg caught somewhere and then shared with his new wife), it was pretty great to be finally married to someone I loved more than anyone. That part was awesome.

I'd like to go back in time and tell my 20 year old self "hey dorkus, explore. Ride a city bus. Have fun while you're here because in a just a few years you're going to have a pack of kids and it will take you 20 minutes just to get everyone in the car and you'll have a lot of fun once you get to where ever it is you're going but it's a lot easier to get around right now while you're dealing with people that have mastered fine motor skills. Oh and one more thing, cut up your credit card. Right now, I'm waiting..."

How to be a Millionaire, talk to one!

by Greg

I have found that if you want to reach a goal find someone who has done that goal and do what they do. for instance if you want to take up running talk to someone who runs marathons. If you want to rock climb find someone who is an expert at rock climbing. I really want to do well with my money and to be a good steward of the funds God has entrusted me with. So that is what this video is about. It is someone who is a millionaire and that is where I want to be. It is delving into what a person does to be a millionaire and how they got there.

What is most interesting is Kenney in this video started with exactly nothing. He even worked for $2.60 for a few years to get his business off the ground. I don't know if I would have the patience to keep that up but he had a dream and he could envision what it looked like down the road. So he worked hard got out of his debts he owed started gaining traction and then started opening other locations and also franchising.  That is the power of setting goals and seeing them to fruition.

Another thing I found interesting is when the recession hit he took a 50% pay cut to help with the payroll issues they had. I love how this man is so giving. He helps build his team members and if they are deserving gives them a franchise to run. They also donate to several thousands of dollars to charities in their area. God loveth a cheerful giver and blesses them.

Have a happy Friday!

Halfway there!

It's Day 15 of my Whole 30 and I haven't died.

Which is sort of, but not really surprising because for 15 days I've been eating omelets, roast beef, nuts, mangos, berries, homemade mayonnaise, frozen bananas and my body weight in salads. Plus a bunch of other really good stuff but without any sugar, honey, grains, beans or dairy.

This is the longest I've ever stuck to an eating plan. I've beat my old record by 14 1/2 days. Yes, that is a true statement. Why has this one been so easy?

Well I think it helped that I told all of you guys what I was doing. I didn't want to look like (more of) a loser by failing right away so that kept me going. But really, it hasn't been that hard. Sometimes I'll get a little cranky because I want something off plan, like yesterday when 2 of my friends were talking about waffles and breakfast burritos. I sort of wanted to cry and punch them all at the same time. I took a few deep breaths and was okay.

My family knows what I'm doing and they've been really supportive. Especially my better half. Greg keeps saying that it's not a diet I'm on, it's a reset. I love that. I don't want my kids to think that I'm trying to get skinny, I make sure to always tell them that I'm just trying to figure out how food makes me feel. I think they're understanding what Greg and I are saying.

The first week was pretty brutal. There's a detox period you go through where your body is getting used to going without the sugar and other junk. I think it could have been worse because I'm not a soda or coffee drinker, those would have been hard to quit cold turkey. As it was I alternated between feeling on top of the world and wanting to scream at people for breathing too loud. Pleasant, right? Fortunately I think we're over that hump. People can now breathe around me without fear.

I'm still tired but I have tons of energy. That sounds like it should be an oxymoron but I swear it's true. I'm getting more done, the thought of folding laundry doesn't make me want to cry (at least not out loud), I just feel better.

I'm also getting to that annoying stage where I think everyone should give this a try. Beware if you have a birthday coming up, you might get a copy of the Whole 30 book (only $18 on Amazon (not an ad, just a good deal))!

In summary: Whole 30 might be the best idea I've had all summer. Besides the one where I insist my kids have quiet reading time every afternoon. Translation: 2 hours of quiet.

Giving up but not giving in

so little!

by Kristen

In a fit of desperation I opened my Gospel Library app and looked for my conference talk bookmark (I usually listen to a talk or two while I'm getting ready for the day). So I found my bookmark and started listening.

But I guess I should give you some backstory first. Today has just been one of those days. Actually if I'm honest this week has been one for the record books. I've been walking around mildly ticked off at the world and trying not to lose it. There has been a constant battle between tears and yelling, both of which I try to avoid.

I was losing the battle this morning. The last straw was when my sweet little Maggie wanted to help vacuum.

"I help you". 

Yes, I know. These days are short and I won't have littles helping for much longer. I am all too aware of that. This time goes fast. Someone wiser than me said "our lives passed away like... a dream". I agree. 

But I still wanted to vacuum. 

I was desperate for calm so in a moment of Divine inspiration I turned to my app and started listening where I had left off. It was this talk by Boyd K. Packer. About the marriage relationship and families.

I should have added that I was also irked with my patient and kind husband. Why? I don't know. I think he looked at me wrong or something earth shattering like that.

The next talk in line was by Linda Burton, also about marriages and families. And that was when the tears really started to come. 

Thunderbolts wouldn't have been more dramatic, I get it!!

These days of raising children are hard. I am constantly on duty. I don't get a break and I don't get sick days. 

I am allowed to be overwhelmed sometimes. It's okay to feel that I'm just not enough. And sometimes I think it's even okay to not be thrilled to be around my family (occasionally, not all the time).

Because when this life is over I will know that most of the time I did a really good job and that there were even days when I was above average. I know that even when I don't feel like I'm good enough for this job, that I'm really doing okay. These hard days aren't the sum total of my existence, there just that: days, and usually not even days, most often it's measured in minutes and sometimes hours.

So here's a note to myself for the next time I feel like throwing in the towel and retreating to a cave: hold on. You're going to make it and you're doing a good job. Plus you can't give in, no one else makes cookies like you do, it's your gift!

Jason and Sara's Debt free journey!!

by Greg

Great story about a couple working together to achieve a goal. Interesting that he lost his job and that is how they got started and on the same page. We had that same issue in our family it took me losing my job to make us realize that we were in trouble. It takes a team to get through paying off the debts that you have. Kristen and I really do work together on the budget. we talk about it and have to come to a majority vote to proceed in the plan. What is more important each of us has a vote and say in the budget. it is exciting to see what happened when this couple got on the same page. They really took off on paying down their debt when they did that. It only took them 7 months to nail it just awesome!

I encourage you to take Financial Peace University it is an amazing class and you will learn a ton about finances and how to get out of debt.  

One other part to this is that these people found God. They were "Saved" during their journey of debt freedom. With the lord on your side these struggles become a lot easier. Our heavenly father is just waiting to help us when we need it. He is ready to jump into action and help you along. Remember to involve him in your day to day life you will be amazed at what can happen! He is crazy about you and loves you!

Here is more about their story. Can't wait to show you ours when we are debt free!

Enough is enough, I'm doing it.

via

I've gone back and forth. I've heard the great reviews and I've seen the amazing changes. I'm usually pretty resistant to change, even if that change might make me feel better.

But I think I've reached my breaking point. I mean, it's not normal to wake up after 8 hours of sleep and be exhausted. Not everyone has to take a nap every afternoon just to function. Or if you don't get your nap, you're worthless by 6 o'clock. Is that just me?

So what's the plan? Whole 30. You know where you eat lots of protein, fruits and veggies? You do it for 30 days and then begin to discover how food really makes you feel. I usually scoff at anything structured or regimented but I'm hoping this will be the thing that helps me figure out why I'm so tired.

I was talking to two friends who have done several cycles of Whole 30 and they couldn't say enough good things. It was actually a little shocking. When I asked them what they thought, I was expecting something along the lines of it's okay or that it's a lot of work but no, they were raving about how great they felt and the things that changed even after the cycle was over.

They told me about having more energy and feeling healthier. They've both lost a decent chunk of weight. That's not my main focus but I wouldn't turn it down!

I'm convinced. I spent last week reading the book "Whole 30" and preparing. I made my menu for the next week and I'm actually pretty excited. The food looks good and seems like it's not that far of a departure from what we're usually eating.

Today, Monday June 22, is Day 1. I'm telling you this so that you can keep me on track.

Oh but there is one question I have for you. What do I do about Cookie Day? The kids look forward to it every Friday. It's our thing, every Friday we make and eat cookies. I could probably still make the treats just for them but do I want to? Do I want to do that to myself? My willpower isn't made of steel! Ya know what I mean?!

Happy Friday!! Mathew and Heidi Debt Free Scream

by Kristen

Sometimes I think Greg and I have a ton of student loans and then I hear stories like this couple. $300 thousand. Ya, I didn't stutter. 300K.

They were/ are making serious cash but the amount of debt they had? That's serious too. So many times there are people that think that a student loan debt that large should be treated like a mortgage; pay the minimum and you'll get there eventually. Not these two, Matthew and Heidi, they weren't like that. They decided to get out of debt and move on with their life! No messing around for this couple.

So yes, when I look at our income versus our debt, I can see just how far in the hole we are. When I look at these two and their income versus their debt, I realize that they were in the same hole.

But here's the good news; THEY GOT OUT! They didn't mess around. They didn't try to do it differently. They followed a proven plan and it worked.

That sounds good to me.

Summer Fun: swimming with 5 kids

this was just last year! too little!

by Kristen

I guess that title kinda sounds like a paradox... okay, sometimes it's not fun but most of the time the pool is our favorite summer spot.

But I'm outnumbered. Big time. So here's how we make it work (usually).

Do

• get everyone ready at home; swimsuits, sunscreen. You can do all of that before you leave. I also wait until we get home to have everyone change out of their suits. Well except for Maggie, she gets changed at the pool because those swim diapers are super absorbent. I think she gains 10 pounds every time she swims, no small thing since she just barely topped 20!
• bring a snack, but just a small one. I'm talking a package of graham crackers or a bag of grapes. Oh, and don't forget water (I bring a jug and small plastic cups, it's easier than water bottles for everyone). You could bring money to buy treats at the concession stand but I'm too cheap for that!
• stay halfway packed. I have a bag that always stays loaded with sunscreen, earplugs, goggles, swim pass, stuff like that. The towels and blanket get folded up as soon as they're dry and get put in the back of the suburban.
• make the kids help. Even the littlest carried her towel today. It did take her forever to walk but I'm thinking that's because she's easily distracted. You're not a pack mule, don't act like it.

Don't

• bring tons of toys, one or two is fine, more than that is too much to keep track of 
• stay too long, you can come back the next day, less is more
• think about yourself. No one cares what you look like so just enjoy your time being in the water and playing with your kids. That's the kind of mom that looks the best.
• forget to put on sunscreen. I'm an ace at making sure the kids are covered but I forget about myself. And then the next day I remember. Ouch!
• count on the lifeguards to watch your kids. That's your job, take it seriously.
• forget to have fun. Kids grow up way too fast. Pretty soon they won't want to hang out at the pool with Momma so enjoy this busy season.

I love summer. It's nice to slow down and not have a packed agenda. Enjoy whatever it is you do and STAY SAFE!!!

Who made you the boss of me?

by Kristen

Why should you listen to me?

Well my kids (especially that cute one pictured above) ask that question and the answer to them is that I'm their mom and that's just the way life works.

Obviously that doesn't work for this space and you readers. You deserve more of an answer than "because I said so". You shouldn't ever follow any of my advice if it doesn't ring true to you.

I don't have degrees in finance (although I'm working on it) and I haven't been trained in child psychology or anything else child related (although, hello, I do live in a lab).

The only qualifications that I have are life experience and granted, I'm only 32 so my life experience isn't really that vast but it's also not non- existent (double negative!). I don't have lots of letters after my name and I don't have an overly dramatic story to tell.

But Greg and I are here in the trenches, we're in the middle of student loan debt and raising 5 kids and keeping a marriage strong. We've learned a few things and we want to share. I learn so much from other people's stories so I thought that by creating this space where Greg and I are real and open and honest, that maybe it will help you.

Of course that does open our life and our choices to criticism. But that's okay with us. Greg and I know that what we're doing is right for OUR life and OUR family. We have felt that this is the right thing for us to do and we'll keep doing it as long as we feel we need.

Don't do something that we suggest if it doesn't feel right and don't share if it's not something that you agree with.

But if it does feel right than we're glad we can help and if you do feel like sharing, thank you.

Debt Free Friday: Ryan and Micha

by Greg

Here is some local (if you live in Utah) flavor. This fun couple lives in Logan where she is a basketball coach at Utah State and he works in the HR department, also at Utah State. Go Aggies!!*

This couple is awesome, they started their marriage by combining their finances and quickly realized that they needed to change. They chose to work on this project together, making sacrifices and staying on focus together.

I love that Ryan said "I believe people are eating their problems". That is so true. It's really easy to go out to eat, overspend at the grocery store and just waste money on food. That's an area that is easy to cut back on and a place where you can see quick gains.

We watch these debt free screams because they inspire us. We're working so hard to get out from under this mountain, that sometimes it feels that we'll never see the end. But then we watch real people doing amazing things and being free. That gives us hope and encourages us to keep going. We're going to make it and we can't wait for the day when you can google "Greg and Kristen debt free scream"! That's going to be awesome!!

*I (Greg) graduated from USU with a masters degree in HR, Kristen will start their Family Life Studies program soon, we've convinced our 8 year old boy that he needs to study their landscape architecture program and we're working on the other kids. Basically we're trying to raise a family of Aggies!

This Is Water

by Greg

This video is a classic, absolutely makes you think. 

We go through our lives each day and do our routine. We drive the same way to and from work. We sit in the same seats at church and in the lunch room. We eat the same food, watch the same shows and do the same things every weekend. 

We get frustrated if things do not go our way or if our routine is broken. I get frustrated with the ones I love the most. Sometimes I don't think about others and the things they are going through in life. I forget that it's not all about me. It happens to all of us.

I need to step out of my routines and try new things. I need to serve others more. I need to live the golden rule.  I do not know what others are going through, they could have unimaginable struggles. I need to step outside myself and give people the benefit of the doubt.

I am grateful that we have a lifetime to work on our issues, deficiencies and problems. We get to choose how we react to situations. I am grateful we have a Savior that helps make up the difference. I try to follow his example and be more like Jesus Christ, the one perfect example. Sometimes I'm more successful than others but I keep trying. 

I don't need to set lofty goals, I just need to try a little harder to be a little better and it will work out.

   

Wake up!

I was reading my beloved Wall Street Journal today at lunch (leftover scrambled eggs and potato salad, weird but yum) when I saw this heartbreaking poll.

Like I wanted to cry.

Nest- Egg Numbers: how much surveyed workers 55 and older said they have in savings and investments.

Less than $1000        21%

$1,000- $9,999           11%

$10,000-$24,999        11%

$25,000-$49,999         9%

$50,000-$99,999         9%

$100,000-$249,999    14%

$250,000 or more      25%

Guys. This is so sad. We work our whole lives and we look toward retirement as our reward for a lifetime spent caring for and providing for our families. Then to see that 75% of people have less than $250,000? That's just horrible. And while 250K sounds like a lot of money right now, just try living on it for 30 years. It's not going to go far.

This has to stop. Don't think that you're just magically going to be okay when you retire because you're a good person or because you've worked hard. You are those things and more but it doesn't work that way. You have to be smart and you have to be intentional with your money.

Get out of debt.

Stay out of debt.

Have a plan.

And SAVE something! Let interest be your friend, let it work for you for a change. Once you're out of debt start putting just a little bit aside each month. Before you know it, magical compound interest is going to take over and you won't be one of the 21% with less than $1,000 to your name.

Be smart. That's pretty easy, right?

Oh and if you're one of those who is over 55 and aren't where you want to be, don't give up. As long as you're still breathing there's time to change. You are going to have to be extra diligent but I'm certain you can make it.

Book Review: Founding Mothers- the women who raised our nation

I have a problem. If I sit down to read a great novel than I'm trapped until it's over. I can tune out cries for Mom, requests for homework help, probably a fire alarm and the kids might get cereal for dinner if it's a really good book.

Okay, so I'd probably hear the fire alarm but it would take a minute or two to pull myself back to reality. So the way I still get my reading fix is to find interesting non- fiction, something you've probably noticed if you've been reading this blog for any length of time. I can read a chapter or two of a great non- fiction book and then walk away, I don't feel that same compelling urge to finish the story. But the trick is to find one that isn't textbook boring.  

I've found a few gems along the way. Founding Mothers: the women who raised our nation by Cokie Roberts is funny and informative.

Writing about John and Abigail Adam's frequent letters, she says "John's advice when Abigail wrote describing the British preparations for war? If it got really dangerous, 'fly to the woods with our children.'. Thank you very much. She must have wanted to throttle him."

Or did you know that Benedict Arnold, the Revolutionary War traitor was married to a woman that was just as guilty as he was? His wife, Margaret Shippen Arnold used her correspondence to her friends to pass information to the British about the American's plans. Fascinating.

All through the book it's clear that the women played a vital role in the founding of this great nation. They didn't have the right to vote or to fight or even to own their own property but they did incredible things. They gave birth to children in horrific conditions and often buried them, they raised their children that did survive and ran their husband's farms and businesses on their own and they did all of this while a war was being fought right in their cities and towns. 

At the very end of the book George Washington wrote "Nor would I rob the fairer sex of their share in the glory of a revolution so honorable to human nature, for indeed, I think you ladies are in the number of the best patriots America can boast". 

Well said, George, well said. 

Debt Free Friday: Tim and Katie

I think it is inspiring when young people have their finances in order. What is really impressive is they realized they were in trouble and even though they weren't making a lot of money they were able to set a goal and complete it. I like how they pulled together, got on a written plan and helped each other to stay motivated. I also liked how they thought of it as a great project to work together on. 

Kristen loves projects. I mean really loves projects. I think if she didn't have a project to work on she would be depressed. Working on this debt free project has really been fulfilling and we have drawn so much closer together as a couple because of it. 

One more thought; they are in their twenties and have no debt. Just think of what you could do with the extra money if you didn't have any debt!! Just think what they can give to people who need it. I can't wait to be in a position to give like that, it will be awesome!

Here is a bit more about their story. Definitely worth the watch.