The Why

Kb and I are on a mission to pay off our debt. We've been working at it for awhile, and we've come a long way. A really long way. The Grand Canyon of debt has diminished into an Indiana-sized pothole.

And yet, sometimes those potholes feel pretty big.

Sometimes, all this penny pinching and budget following makes me weary. And I just know that a little retail therapy would solve all my problems.

Only, it wouldn't.

Throughout this process, we are bound to lose a little steam, but when I feel tempted to splurge here or buy something extra there, I have to remind myself of the "why."

Dave Ramsey talks about it frequently. When you embark upon a goal of paying off debt, you must have a "why." There must be an overriding reason why you want to take on the great task. The "why" keeps you committed, keeps you going when you hit a snag. Because you will hit a snag.

Kb and I have several "whys."

All of our debt is student loans. One of Kb's loans was co-signed by his aunt and uncle. Kb and I were just dating then, and it was such a blessing that they were willing to co-sign that loan. I know that people have strong opinions about co-signing, and I totally understand and even agree that it is not necessarily wise. Nonetheless, this loan meant Kb could finish school. I was appreciative of the risk that his relatives took, but it was a monkey on my back. I felt like we owed them. It was a wonderful feeling to pay that loan off and get rid of it.

The rest of the "whys" have to do with our future and our dreams.

We want to buy a house. Not just any house, but a house with enough land for my horses and enough space for kids. With our meager incomes, it would be difficult to take on a mortgage when we also have Grand Canyon sized loan payments. Once we have paid off all of the loans, we will also be able to save up an extra large down payment.

We want to go on vacation. Kb wants his satellite tv, and I want more horses.

We want to give much.

Overall, we want to feel free. We believe that living debt free is Biblical. We can better serve God when we are not preoccupied by finances and paying debtors. 

So when I want to go to Target "just to look around" or when I go down the ice cream aisle at the grocery store or when I see friends buying houses and new cars, I have to remember that it's simply not worth it. We are sacrificing now so that in the future, we can pursue our dreams and wisely give, save, and spend the money that God has entrusted to us.