I have been asked how I stay on track with my budget. I daily listen to Dave Ramsey and I can't wait to do Our Debt Free Scream. He asks everyone that tells their debt free story what is their secret? I think about it a lot, what will we say and I think I've got our secret. It takes a lot of work, and I have narrowed it down to the 4 C's-Coupons, Contentment, Consistent, and Commitment.
COUPONS- I use coupons any chance that I get. Using coupons enables us to build up a stockpile of items we use regularly. Coupons range from fifty cents off, to a product being free. Combine coupons with items when they are on sale, and with a points card and voila, the coupon face value has increased. We have used coupons regularly for the past 8 years, since my first maternity leave. (view my other blogs on coupon usage)
CONTENTMENT- This is the hardest one for me. I can't lie, I get envious when people go on vacations, drive nice cars and have nice cars. I am only human. However, at the end of the moment I am truly content with our life. This C could get mushy and messy, I will keep it short. Honestly every day Morgan and I say how happy we are with each other, our 2 girls and our home. I feel being content with what we have keeps us on track. We don't run out on the whim and book vacations or get a new car on lease, even though all that know me know just how much I hate my car! I will also add, that we have a list of things that we want to do as soon as we are debt free. This also helps us remain content, knowing this isn't forever.
CONSISTENT-Our budget and monthly plan is consistent. We re-visit it often, and are creatures of habit. We phone in for our credit card balance every Friday and pay it off for the week. On the last day of every month we put every penny over our emergency fund on our mortgage as extra payment. It didn't take long of doing this to see that consistency pays off, and each month a few extra dollars is added to our principal. Also by doing this for us on the last day of the month allows a fresh slate for the next monthly budget.
COMMITMENT- Being Frugal is a huge commitment. There are little jokes from those around us about how cheap we are but we are focused on the big picture. We have a goal together, that we have written down and talk about together. Knowing that we are on the same page with our goals, enables us to remain committed. When we have a few slip ups, we know that we have to do a bit more then next month to stay on track. February was frivolous for me, a bit of extra shopping, oops. Keeping our eye on the prize helps us stay focused, and Our 4 C's help maintain that.
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