The following is a guest post from Mandy of Pennies and Blessings.
Falling Prey to Debt
When my soldier husband returned home from Iraq the last time, it was right about the time our economy came to a screeching halt. As is normal for a soldier returning to civilian life after time at war, he received additional pay from the military for a short time while he looked for employment locally. However, the Army paychecks ran out, there was still no job, and my part-time income certainly was not enough to keep us afloat financially.
As a family of five, we had a brand new car and home – with absolutely no significant income, despite our best efforts. Although we knew the financial principles taught by Dave Ramsey and others, at this particular point for us it seemed there was no other option but to rely on credit cards to survive. We used our credit cards to pay the utility bills, to buy our necessities, to keep insurance on our property, vehicles, and even our children. Out of sheer desperation, we eventually turned to food stamps to purchase our groceries each week.
Meant to be a short-term solution, we planned to pay the cards off as soon as Hubby found work again. That’s what we told ourselves at three months… again at six months… and again at a year into these circumstances. When Hubby did find work, the salary, even with unbelievable hours of overtime, would only pay our house payment and van payment each month, which meant we were still using credit cards for our basic expenses.
After being virtually debt-free, we were now swimming, DROWNING, in it! Between the credit cards and personal loans, we were buried in $20,000 of debt – nearly overnight. We were so close to living the life God intended – “owing no man” – and are far from that now.
During that time of unemployment and incredible struggles, I was introduced to the world of blogging, and many money-saving and couponing sites. Quickly I learned how to work the coupon match-ups and store rebates, stockpile for months in advance, and have with very little out-of-pocket cost. This cut our monthly expenses by over 40%.
Freezer cooking has been an amazing discovery as well! Keeping meals stockpiled in our freezer has cut out the temptation to just run out and “grab something quick.” Menu planning now limits my need to run to the store multiple times a week. In fact, I don’t even grocery shop more than 2-3 times a month now, except to buy necessities such as milk, bread, and eggs.
By drastically reducing our expenses this way, it allowed us to focus more of our budget on our debt. Since hubby took an active duty position last September, we have thankfully been able to pay off six credit cards and one personal loan, totaling approximately $10,000. $10,000!! Aside from our house and our cars, we are now at the halfway mark for climbing up out of this pit!
There are others out there just like us. Other families have fallen prey to debt even after the greatest laid plans. As discouraging as it can be, know there are ways out of that pit! Make a new plan. Reach out for help from others who have been there. Work toward new goals. And don’t give up hope!
Mandy is married to her hero and best friend after a miraculous reconciliation, and is learning to embrace the life of an Army wife and mother of three. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Counseling and has worked in a variety of fields – all of which contribute greatly to her writing at Pennies and Blessings and Brokenness into Beauty.
Shelley (Savor The Savings) says
Great article. Very encouraging to others! I stumbled it for you!
.-= Shelley (Savor The Savings)´s last blog ..The Project Tuesday 8-24 =-.
Mandy says
@Shelley (Savor The Savings), Thank you, Shelley!
.-= Mandy´s last blog ..One Day =-.
Phoebe @ GettingFreedom says
What a great story, Mandy! I’m thrilled that you and your family are on the road to debt freedom! You’ll be there before you know it. 🙂
.-= Phoebe @ GettingFreedom´s last blog ..Menu Plan- Week of August 22-28th =-.
Mandy says
@Phoebe @ GettingFreedom, Phoebe, thanks for your kind words! We have been debt free before, which is why I felt led to write this post. Ya know? Sometimes it just cannot be avoided. PTL though we hope to leave it behind for good this time!
KC says
Thank you for the post, Mandy. I can relate to being in debt because my husband’s business that he started 4 years ago, is in a terrible slump and I’m a SAHM. Even though I feel God calling me to stay home with my now school-age kids, I am still looking for a part time job because we can barely make the house payment. We are couponing, cutting, changing insurances, doing what we can, but can’t climb out of the pit yet. I really don’t know what else to do but trust God.
Mandy says
@KC, KC, my heart goes out to you! I so understand where you are right now! Please do trust God – He will give you wisdom and take care of you as long as you put Him first! We were so surprised and blessed by several “miracles” God used to provide for us during the last couple years! Hang in there! I’m saying a prayer for your precious family right now!
Amy @ Finer Things says
Keep plugging, Mandy. You’ll get there! 🙂
Mandy says
@Amy @ Finer Things, Thank you, Amy!
Shelly Brooks says
Mandy,
You have no idea how timely this blog was. I’ll email you sometime soon to share.
Thanks,
Shelly
.-= Shelly Brooks´s last blog ..My Love =-.
Mandy says
@Shelly Brooks, Hope to hear from you soon, Shelly! And I’m glad our story was helpful to you!
Denise@TogetherWeSave says
That is a wonderful story and a prayer for so many of us who have also fallen prey to debt.
Mandy says
@Denise@TogetherWeSave, Thank you, Denise! It was my intention to offer hope to those who are struggling, or have struggled, with debt! These days it is affecting so many of us!
Sarah G says
Thank you for this post. Times really are so difficult right now. We understand. May we keep the faith. It will all work out as long as we do our part and rely on God.
Mandy says
@Sarah G, Exactly, Sarah – keep the faith! 🙂
Jacia says
Great article and thank you for sharing. It renewed hope for me and my family.
Mandy says
@Jacia, I am so glad, Jacia! I pray that we can learn from and encourage each other! 🙂