We first read the book “Total Money Makeover” in December of 2004. We started the class “Financial Peace University” at the United Methodist Church here in Seguin in February. It’s been a wonderful class and the group is a lot of fun. It’s almost the end and I think we’re finally getting to know each other some.

Since last December, we have had an $11,000 change of position. $10,000 in debt paid off and $1,000 of our emergency fund in savings. It felt so good to close those credit card accounts and have some savings. If this is just a touch of what “Financial Peace” feels like, I can’t wait until we are REALLY there!

When our tax money came in, we paid of my stupid Creative Memories credit card (stupid tax, big time) and the rest of the van. We now have two debts left: A Randolph Brooks Credit card and then my student loans.

It just seems so stupid that we have this debt to begin with. We made close to $100,000 a year when I was working and now that we’re on ONE income we get out of debt? I think of all of the stupid tax we’ve paid and it makes me sad. If we had used my income wisely, we could have not only had no consumer debt, but I think we could have had the house paid off by now and be so much closer to building that house in Marion that we want. Better late than never, I suppose.

I also can’t believe we have three kids and had NO life insurance or wills. The life insurance is set up and the next step is to get those wills and living wills in place. So much to do yet!

If you think you have to live in debt, let me tell you – YOU DON’T! You don’t have to have a car payment (or two) for the rest of your life, you don’t have to worry about a major problem happening and wonder how you are going to pay for it. If WE can have financial peace, YOU CAN, TOO! It doesn’t take a huge income, just some dedication.

In order to save time, I created the Allocated Spending Plan, Monthly Cash Flow Plan & Lump Sum Payment Planning forms in Microsoft Excel (2000). It saves a lot of time because you don’t have to keep erasing and redoing your math when you change a category. Excel does the math for you.
If you would like to download it, go here:

Excel Forms

If you click on the link it will open it in your browser if you have Excel installed. To save it to your hard drive, right click on the above link and select “Save Target As…”