we use to live under the dark cloud of financial debt.
we were so strapped that i ate, drank, and dreamt about money we didn't have.
i desired money, and therefor worshiped it.
you can read the story of how God lead us out of financial and emotional debt here, here, here, and here.
the goal now is to stay out of debt.
one tool i highly recommend for managing household finances is quicken. quicken allows you to link up to your bank, download statements, create and manage a budget, categorize spending, pay bills, and much more.
i know many people who manage their finances by using the envelope system.
with the envelope system, designated envelopes are filled with $ for the month.
once $ is spent it is G. O. N. E.
those who use the envelope system commit to not grabbing the debit/credit card and swiping. little by little (in our case) they see savings (with a vehicle hobbling around on its last leg we really need to see savings).
we've decided to use the envelope system.
i made these zippered pouches (envelopes) to hold our budgeted $.
after being in debt ourselves we see the value of teaching our children to live in freedom in all areas, and especially in the area of finances.
my next project is to sew three pouches/envelopes for each of my children.
i hope having their own envelope system will inspire them to save and spend wisely, and to give generously.
praying for financial freedom for you and your families,
13 comments:
ahhh! those zippered pouches are the BEST! how did you get the labels looking so cute?
i want some too. having something that cute might encourage me to stick to that system ;)
we need to see savings too. actually we just need to get out of debt!
great idea to pass it on to your kiddos! seriously. you guys are rad parents!
ok. i just read up on your freedom from debt story and..... wow.
i am living the beginning of your story.
we have debt. not from living extravagantly, just simply from living. from the everyday expenses as well as having gone through a few months last year where we didn't get paid- AT ALL! (hubby being self employed is HARD sometimes)
Anyways we are still trying to "catch up".
and i know the emotional side of debt too.
after reading your story i long even more for freedom.
and i know that it is there for us too :)
as always thanks for sharing your beautiful heart denise.
i truly thank God for you!
praying for your continued freedom from debt. love you friend!
Those are so adorable. :) We are working to get out of debt as well, and teaching our children to give, save, and spend. Their money buckets made from old formula cans aren't nearly that cute though. Ha!
I simply love this idea. Love it. You are always inspiring. Even the title of your blog always inspires me. And look how cute your envelopes are! Love them.
That is such a great idea. AND it's cute?! Ahh.
Just read the four part series about your Financial Freedom...we are in that same boat! Very inspiring to hear that God got you guys though it. Thanks for being so open and honest about your journeys!
thank you, thank you, thank you for posting this with all the links to your freedom story...what an amazing testimony to the greatness of God...the zippered pouches are just too cute...makes me want to try and sew today and come up with my own but I want your labels!
Thanks so much for your story. I myself am trying to dig out of debt and the bondage to it. I was doing so good for some time and then I get pulled back into the spending. Reading your post has been such an encouragement to press on. Right now at the place Im at in my life I thank God Its just me and not a family that has to bear the hardships if my folly. Im praying that God not only changes my financial ways, but my mind and thoughts as well. I enjoy so much reading your blog and thank you for your truth in sharing your story.
And I do love the very cute pouches!
Being debt free is a wonderful feeling. It took us 3 years. Since it has allowed us the freedom to give more. A friend of mine (who is also a small business owner) said to me 'the more business I'm blessed with, the more I can give back to Him'. How true is that! A reminder that what we have been given are not ours to keep. Blessings give us the opportunity to be faithful in our giving.
We just started the envelope system in June. We literally use envelopes but this is SO MUCH CUTER. Love it! I need to make some. Then I won't feel so silly fumbling through envelopes. Now I need to read your freedom from debt story.
You make me happy!! Thank you for linking these up. They seriously are still on my list of things I want to do. Thank you friend.
I love this idea! I just might steal it. Following from Tasha's link up at Creation Corner. :)
http://kristensjunkdrawer.blogspot.com/
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