The Road to Debt Freedom

Heather Duffie — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 02:47:09 +0000

Okay, I’m trying this blog thing again. I admit I haven’t been great at it in the past, but I have a new concept … something that is very dear to me … being debt free. I need a place that I can write and process my thoughts during this journey to get out of debt, and if what we go through can help and encourage others, then that’s awesome! I’m not saying I’ll post daily, and I’m not saying that I’ll publish everything I type. Who knows, this may become a diary just for me. Maybe I’ll publish it all when our journey is over. I’m not sure yet. Maybe publishing as I go is more open than I am willing to be right now. Maybe it is not. We’ll see.

But I will tell you how this started. We bought an investment property a few years ago. A month after we bought it, the economy started tanking. Real estate sales in this area of our property were some of the first to drop off like crazy. So we held onto that property for a long time. Too long. So now we are still recovering from that. We are now at a point where we have two stable incomes, so we have a baseline that we have not had for awhile. That is awesome. We can get started and really know what we’re spending and really budget well to make this happen.

At the same time as we were getting our incomes stabilized, I was also asked to do some research for work on two different financial studies. I jumped at the chance to help with the evaluation. The more financial studies I can put in front of me the better, right? Immerse myself with the truth about what God says about money, you know?

One of the studies I am looking at is Crown Financial Studies. Before you can even start the study you read a book called, “Your Money Counts.” I know debt freedom will not happen overnight, but I am trying to apply something practical that will help us every day or week. Based on the first part of this book, here are my first few applications:

1. I will not be using my credit cards anymore. Honestly, I don’t use them much, but it;s the fact that I have known that they were there if I “needed” them. I am giving up my reliance on these plastic cards for emergency car repairs, doctor’s visits, etc. and putting my trust in God to take care of us.

2. I am throwing away all catalogs currently in my house, all catalogs that come in the mail, and canceling all magazine subscriptions. One thing the book said is that people who read catalogs and magazines end up spending more than those who don’t. Makes sense, so all of it’s got to go. Plus, I am saving money immediately since magazine subscriptions cost money anyway. And hey, if I really need a recipe from Cooking Light, there is this little thing called the Internet where I can get it for free. Novel idea, eh?

Those are my two turns on the road to debt freedom this week. I wonder what turns, stops, or detours I will make next week? I don’t know, but I’m excited to be traveling down this road.

Obedience

Heather Duffie — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 14:24:55 +0000

My little sister Alex does everything that I do. A good example of this is yesterday morning at breakfast. If I got up from my chair, she got out of her chair. If I went to Julian and hugged him, she went to Jules and hugged him. If I sang, she sang. If I said “Oh happy day,” she would say it too. Mom and Dad kept pointing it out to me. They would say, “Do you see what she is doing Olivia?” Or, “Do you see the way she does everything you do, especially what we have asked you not to do?” And yeah, I have to admit, I do see that she does that. They want me to pay attention to it since I am setting an example for her. So when I don’t obey (like when I got up from my chair before I was done eating breakfast) and then she doesn’t obey I guess I am not setting a good example. I learned in Kidstuf last month that obedience is trusting those who lead you by doing what they ask. I think that is something I will have to work on all the time, cause it is really hard to do that. But now that I see that Alex is watching me all the time, then I really have to work on that so I can be a good influence and example for her.

Alex, the parking lot, and baking chocolate

Heather Duffie — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 04:13:01 +0000

My little sister Alex has many talents. She can sing very well, and she is great at kissing and hugging me (and even sometimes scratching me – I have the mark on my face to prove it). Well, yesterday we learned about a new talent … she is also incredibly fast. We found this out after going to a doc’s visit for little Julian. He has an ear infection in both ears! We left the doctor and went down the elevator to the car. When the doors opened Alex and I ran out ahead of Mom. She told us to stop, but Alex kept going and ran right through the automatic doors, onto the sidewalk, and stopped just short of the road. But… then she took off again running across the street. Lucky for us it was the weekend and the place was empty. Alex kept going into the parking deck and then decided to play a game of cat and mouse with Mom. Mom was not happy. She had to chase her around cars (some lady tried to help) and then pick Alex up while holding Julian. She definitely got in trouble. Mom was upset. I think she was upset at Alex, but she also said she wanted to make all automatic doors go away.

After all that, we got home and within minutes of being home Alex had snuck into the pantry and was gnawing on a bar of baking chocolate. Mom took it away real fast and Alex started crying like Mom had done something so bad, just like she did when Mom ended her game of cat and mouse.

So now, Mom and Dad have been talking about Alex trying to get attention in some not so good ways. And they decided that she needs some alone time with them. I get a lot of alone time after school and during naps, but she is always with one of us kids. Maybe she needs a little bit of alone time so she doesn’t do so much bad or scary stuff anymore. I hope so, cause it did scare me when she ran out in the road. She may make me mad a lot, and even scratch me, but I want her around me for a long, long time.

-Liv

Bible time

Heather Duffie — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 03:01:42 +0000

Almost every night at my house my mom or dad reads a few stories out of the Bible to me, and sometimes my little sister Alex. Tonight, Mom was getting Jules ready for bed, so Daddy sat on Alex’s bed and read to us. I scooted up real close to him, and he put his arm around me as he read. Then Alex laid down on my lap and I stroked her hair for a few minutes. My favorite part was when she said, “Thank you Liyia,” in her sweet little way. We may fight a lot, but every once in awhile us sisters have a tender moment, and when it happens, it’s hard to let it go. So thank you Alex, for letting me love you.

-Liv

Salmon and more

Heather Duffie — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 01:57:12 +0000

Looks like I am not the only one in my family who likes salmon. My little sister Alex must be taking after me, because she kept eating my mom’s salmon tonight at dinner.

We went to Fuddruckers. I got to choose the restaurant, so I chose there so I could play a video game after I finished eating. Mom got the salmon filet on a wheat bun, and Alex chowed down on it. I got the sliders. They are three small little burgers… just the perfect size for me. I ate two; Alex was supposed to eat the other but she ate Mom’s sandwich instead. Oh, and Fuddruckers is cool because they offer sweet potato fries. It’s slightly a better choice than their regular fries.

The point is, go out on a family night somewhere fun, have some good food, and enjoy being together with your families, just like I had time tonight to hang with my mom, dad, Julian, and of course, my little sister Alex.

Books for Alex

Heather Duffie — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:55:47 +0000

My little sister Alex loves this one set of books that my Mimi bought me when I was younger. They are rhyming books by Colin and Jacqui Hawkins. There are five books in the series: Tog the Dog’s Big Book, Pat the Cat’s Big Book, Mig the Pig’s Big Book, Jen the Hen’s Big Book, and Zug the Bug’s Big Book. They are really big books too, and that makes it even more fun to read them! Mom and I both read them to Alex, and she says the letters, repeats the rhyming words, and practices the beginning sound of each word. It’s great for a 2-year old that is showing an interest in reading. I think Alex wants to read really badly since she sees me reading all the time. Guess I should keep practicing and be a good example for her, huh?

What are some other books you would recommend for a preschooler?

Edamame, rice and soy sauce

Heather Duffie — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:58:34 +0000

I’m Olivia, and I’ve taken over my mom’s blog. Read all about me on the about me page. To start off MY blog, let me tell you about my favorite food.

My favorite meal is edamame, rice, and soy sauce. If I can’t have that, I’ll have anything else I can put soy sauce on. Japanese food, Chinese food, Thai food – I love it all. Oh, and if you add some fish to it, like salmon, I’m really digging it. Mom says I eat one meal every few days, but if she made this every day I would eat a lot more! Last Saturday my little sister Alex was taking a nap when Mom made salmon and edamame for her and me. It was so good – probably one of the best meals Mom has ever made. I loved it! Here’s how I eat my edamame. Don’t worry, Mom makes me use low-sodium soy sauce, and I just pick the beans out of the sauce.

So, what’s your favorite food?

Drive-In

Heather Duffie — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:42:26 +0000

Hi everyone,

One of my friends always asks me where the blogs are whenever he sees me. So I wanted to let you know what I’ve been working on that is keeping me from blogging as much as I would want to.

I have been engrossed in a project at work called Drive-In. This is an event for international church leaders … actually, a free, online event. We have been recording, designing, and writing in order to get ready for the drive-In premiere on january 21, 2009. The site is ready now, well, at least part of it is, so check it out and see where I’ve been the past few months. www.driveinternational.org.

The latest with the kids

Heather Duffie — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:37:25 +0000

Check out the latest pics of Olivia, Alex and Julian.

Food commentary

Heather Duffie — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 18:50:55 +0000

Okay, no matter who you like in our current political campaign, there is fun to be had by all with my next challenge. Welcome to “Political Food Commentary!” The online game show where you and your friends have the chance to sound off on the election, candidates, and their policies by creating menu choices. Play on words and puns are appreciated and expected. We’ll get you started with some. These are courtesy of an email dialogue with my small group (mainly from Walter, Joe and me) about bringing food to our election results party next week. Enjoy them, and then create your own and comment!

McCain-adian Bacon

Special Recipe Salsa (All others Pal-in comparison)

Elephant Ears

Barack of Lamb

And here is a complete menu from our very own Chef Wal-tair (several of these things I don’t even understand, but I’m really innocent ).

Appetizers: only 1/3 portions wil be served, the government gets to redestribute the other 2/3 -start practicing for Feb 09!
——————————————————————————————————————————
Potato Talk Soup – NBC’s recipe – all we can afford after tax increases. Popular in last Depression.
Barney’s Franks – served in sweet and sour sauce. Think about it……
7 layer DIP (Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Frank, ABC, CBS, NBC)

Salad:
——–
Socialist Tossed salad – served with Vinegar only. No off-shore OIL available to go with vinegar, thanks to you know who…..
**HANDOUTS only on this item, of course.**

Main Course: redistributed as applicable
——————————————-
Alaskan King Crab (yeah, I wish!)
McCain-idian Bacon – love that
Biden’s Pork Barrel patties – served half baked, like the Senator himself
FREEDOM FRIES! (yes, they return)
Sarah’s ACORN squash – you betcha!
Hussein HASH Browns – popular on South Side of Chicago

Dessert:
———–
Chocolate fountain – who said trickle down doesn’t work?
Upside down cake – in honor of our favorite issue flip-flopper!
Tax and spend sugar coated cookies – served in liberal portions, of course

Beverages:
———-
Coke (for Obama, ouch)
Coke Zer-O (Still for Obama)
Pepsi One Cola (in honor of The Chosen One.)
Red, white (and blue) Whine (served in honor of Nancy Pelosi, 3rd in line for the Presidency)

Okay, so you’re next! Send your entries! Who knows, the winning entry may even get a reward!