by Beks
We are interested in a house that needs some immediate work. We are negotiating the price but, worst case scenario, we will have to finance $30K. We are looking at creative solutions but for now, we are applying for a small bank loan so we can get an offer in before someone snatches this ugly house. *Thanks God for a contractor hubby who knows ‘good bones but ugly as sin’ from ‘bad bones but gorgeous’*
This ain’t a Buyer’s market folks.
The bank asked us to upload the slew of usual information. Paystubs, W-2’s, retirement accounts, etc. I carefully stacked everything together…then started crying. Clarification. Sobbing.
In 2014, we were in a bad spot. We hadn’t paid our mortgage in months. We were in an incredible amount of debt. We had no future…or that’s what it felt like. 2014 was our rock bottom. In complete desperation, we made a change.
This was the first time since then that I looked at every single corner of our finances and added up our net worth. It was very positive. No debt. Fully funded emergency fund. On track retirement. Cash for a house. Great job. Friends, the future’s so bright…I gotta wear shades. All the fighting through it. All the struggle. Worth every single ounce for this moment. It’s so easy to believe that you are too far gone. You’re too old. Too young. Too in debt. It’s just not true. Make the change. Your future self will be filled with so much gratitude, they’ll cry. I want to hug the 2014 me who said, ‘THAT’S IT! I CAN’T DO THIS!!’ and actually did something about it.
As I stared down at the stack of beautiful paperwork with tear-filled eyes, I said, ‘Well done 2014 Beks. Well freaking done’
Start now. Be done with debt. This moment is worth it. 
Beks is a full-time government employee who enjoys blogging late into the night after her four kids have gone to sleep. She’s been married to Chris, her college sweetheart, for 15 years. In 2017, after 3 long years working the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps, they paid off more than $70K and became debt free. When she’s not working or blogging, she’s exploring the great outdoors.
What a nice reward for all your hard work, suffering and diligence! Congratulations!
More people would be apt to do what you did if they could see the other side like you just did.
Congrats!! And thanks for the encouragement. I’m going to take that as a pep talk for everything, not just debt 🙂
It applies to so many things!!!
This blog post is really helpful. Thanks for sharing!