Blogging Away Debt Blogging Away Debt follows real people on their journey to debt freedom — with tips on the debt snowball, budgeting, cutting expenses, and staying motivated.

by Emmily Schulze

Since we started paying off our debt, we’ve been talking about the kind of party we’ll have when it’s finally paid off. We also talk a lot about what we will eventually want to spend our money on. I know many things about the way we live probably won’t change, but sometimes a little bit of dreaming about what WILL change helps me get through a “feeling sorry for myself” stage. Keeping a list of all the things we’ll do and buy once we’re debt free helps me, even if its unrealistic, to hold off a few more years on things I’d rather have now.

Here’s my list of things we’ll spend money on AFTER we’re out of debt:

1. Vacations as a couple. We only travel for family, friend, or work obligations or holidays. A little time to ourselves would be so nice.
2. Dental care. We could both use quite a bit of work, but even with insurance it’s expensive.
3. Healthcare. We both avoiding spending money on healthcare as much as possible.
4. Healthier food. I’d love to buy only local/ organic, but it just doesn’t fit into our budget yet.
5. Having clothes tailored/ buying shoes and clothes that are comfortable and fit well. I day dream about flattering, well-fitting clothes and shoes. One day!
6. Just a few home improvements. Even the littlest things are expensive! I don’t want any huge improvements, just a few things here and there that are bound to add up.
7. Charitable giving. We have a few friends in missionary-type roles and I would love to support them financially. It will also feel great to give more to our church as we’re able.
8. Birthday/holiday/wedding/baby gifts. I LOVE giving gifts. Even if it’s just money, I like giving as much as I can. This is challenging on a tight budget, but I’m looking forward to having more freedom in this budget category.

Things that probably won’t change:
1. New cars. We’re both committed to running our cars till they’re done.
2. Buying new clothes. I’m happy to shop at thrift stores and garage sales for clothes. Buying new clothes that are not on sale is just not something I think I’ll ever be ok with.
3. New furniture and housewares. I could be wrong about this, but I’m not into spending a lot on new furniture. 90% of what we have is used, which makes me more comfortable using them myself. There’s nothing worse than being a clutz in a home where expensive things can get damaged, stained, broken, etc. I would rather have inexpensive things that can be replaced easily and not worried about.
4. Jewelry. Adam had to talk me in to getting a wedding ring. I’m just not into flashy things.
5. Luxury items. To reiterate every other point, I’m uncomfortable with things that cost a lot that can be ruined or broken, for instance, sunglasses, handbags, clothes, cars, furniture.
6. Cable. Don’t have it, don’t need it.
7. Cigarettes, expensive alcohol (Adam might disagree with me here- he loves a good bourbon) lottery tickets, other drugs.

What are you looking forward to spending more budget dollars on?

by Adam Dawson

Emily and I have always wanted hospitality to be a value in our marriage.  We both had welcoming households growing up and want to open our home to others regularly. But at times we’ve been less than confident in our ability to host friends and family because of the designer houses people in Austin often have, seemingly chef-prepared party foods, and active social lives outside the home.  We sometimes haven’t felt like we can open our home because it wouldn’t be good enough in one way or another.  Sounds silly, I know, but we’ve both felt it.

This has been an unexpected benefit of trying to live on a new budget. Since we started August, we’ve had a game night with friends, football watching night, family meals together with our siblings, and Emily even had a girls’ night in.  And the surprising part is – well, nobody would say it out loud – but I get the sense that some of our friends actually appreciate the opportunity to have an activity to do on the cheap.  People have seemed to really enjoy coming out to the homestead and playing games, talking with each other, and visiting the goats, without having to spend lots of money.  Our house isn’t perfect, but I think we’ve learned that it’s certainly good enough to open to our loved ones.

This has made me extra thankful for our house lately, and thankful that we’ve been able to live out our values of being a place people are welcome.  It seems like the budget would flow from our values, but in this case, the budget has served to remind us of what’s important to us and I think we’ve had a richer month as a result.