Our Progress: Month 3

Photo by Micky

Read Our Progress: A Summary
Read Our Progress: Month 1
Read Our Progress: Month 2

March was another month of gaining great momentum. We finalized the decision to postpone the trip to Colorado by taking the money we had been saving for that and putting it towards our debt. We are just a few months away from owning our van–a few years ahead of schedule.
We continued to increase our giving. I would not be surprised if we have already given more during the first three months of 2008 than we did during all of 2007. We started seeing the effects of changing the w-4’s. There’s a few extra dollars coming in each month now.
We have not made a single credit card purchase in the last four months. Before, we had at least few purchases or at least one big one per month. But simply by redefining our “needs” we have not lacked anything by using money that we already have.
I have been working on selling my bike on craigslist. That was a pretty foolish purchase…all on credit, and I’m kicking myself for it. But it won’t be feasible to use it as transportation any more. Not only does Christina hate the idea of me riding to work along side big trucks, but I will be working late nights at my part time job right after my day job. I hope to get some money from the sale, which is better than nothing. It makes for an expensive clothes rack.
I spent some of March applying at a few locations for part time work. I got the news that Wegmans would hire me. I actually start tonight as a cashier. We are thankful for the job. We’ve been talking about it a lot as a family, and yesterday I saw hope shine through in my wife as she saw it might be very possible we will be debt free before Christmas of this year. We have a lot of people praying for us and rooting us on. My kindergarten class at church just learned the lesson “When things get you down, remember God’s Big Plan.” That came at the perfect time, when we’re all dealing with being sad about less family time. But God has a Big Plan and we can take joy in that.

Our total payment towards debt during March was $3300, bringing the outstanding debt down to $16,627.

Everybody else out there working towards the same goal, keep up the good work! Let us know how you’re doing on your progress.