Money Makeover

Do you know what else people don't like to talk about? No, not sex, but that would be fun too. Money. Mark and I have avoided talking about money for most of our ten year marriage, neither of us being comfortable with words like budget, savings or interest, and do you know what you get when you give money to two English majors who avoid talking about money? I know, it sounds like a bad joke, and it is. You get a mess, that's what you get. We're English people, people! But I'm tired of the mess, of the money managing me, of being scared to even look at my bank account at the end of the month, of debt, of fear, of that unrelenting heaviness in my chest whenever I think of four future college tuitions, three weddings, missions. I've been stumbling towards this conclusion for awhile, and it's time to take action.

So, I'm taking lead from my sister-in-law, Brooke, my brave, unwavering in her resolve sister-in-law, who single-handily pulled her family from the dark abyss of debt over the last five years using Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover. It wasn't easy and it won't be easy for us. It takes a lot of guts, discipline, sacrifice and a willingness to say "no": to friends who want to go out and eat, to new clothes when your old, tattered ones are still keeping you warm, a new car, and the little luxuries, like organic produce, fancy cheese, and cupcakes in cute take-out boxes.

But I feel empowered already, relieved to be in control and doing something, anything, and proud of my English major, right-brain self for going up against the money monster who's been hiding under my bed for years.