Car Payment Free: You should and can do it too!

On Wednesday, January 6, 2016, we paid off our 2010 Toyota Corolla!  I drove to the bank and told Benaiah what we were doing.  He put the cash in the plastic container and I put it in the sucking machine. Lol.  And we are finally free of the slavery that is a car payment.  I drive a 2002 compact SUV and had paid cash for it about a year ago.  We officially have two paid for cars! Whoo hoo!

We first purchased our Corolla impulsively after our only car kept breaking down.  Fabian drove a motorcycle at the time. We had no credit scores and the only debt we had was student loan related.
Like many people, I wanted a nicer and newer car that, let's face it, I didn't need. When our car kept breaking down, it was the excuse I had been wishing for.  Instead of taking $1,000 to fix it, we went and got a car payment. We put $1,000 down and got a ridiculously high interest rate. I did eventually get it refinanced to less than half of the initial interest rate. We financed our car for $15,000.  Paid around $18,000 including interest payments over the course of 4 years.  Our car is now worth around $5,000.  Can you say, "Ouch?!"

 I share these things so that others will think deeply before getting a car payment, and hopefully not make the same mistake.

The average car payment in America in 2015 was $482 for a new car and $437 for a used car. Ours was $350 for a used vehicle.

When a car is bought and driven off the lot, within the first year the car loses 25% of its value.
That's why car dealerships make SO much money.  The consumer purchases a car for $20,000 and by the end of the year and as the next model is out its already worth $15,000.  Yet, the consumer probably still owes close to between $17,000 and $15,000 (depending on the amount of car payment and interest rates). It's like throwing money or in this case $5,000 out of the window just to drive a "newer" nicer car.

Leasing cars is the most expensive way to "own" a car.  Not a good idea in any form. Consumer reports says, "Although leasing has lower monthly payments, once you factor in that you won't own the car at the end, leasing ends up being more expensive than buying with an equivalent loan."  Again throwing money out of the window.
Instead of financing or leasing a car, save cash to purchase a simple car. And/or keep driving that little old thang!  A car is used to get you and passengers from Point A to Point B.  It does not need to be fancy, {especially} if you're broke. Just buy what you need.  Take it from my experience.  I love my 2002 compact SUV! The driver side window doesn't roll down and someone backed into it in an HEB parking lot. However, I prefer driving it compared to our newer/nicer car as it is easy for toting babies around and fits the stroller better! The AC works and it drives. That's what counts.

What could you do with a $350 worth of car payment a month? It's money to pay off other debts.  It's money to save to buy a home. It's money to invest with so we can retire. It's money that we can use however we please because it's ours and not the banks. That's financial peace at its finest. Knowing that we are in control of our money.

When I say, "We're Car Payment FREE!!" I mean it.  We're free.  Our kids are free and will never know the bondage of debt. We do this all for them!

Stewarding God's money, His way, and for His glory that's ultimately what doing this journey is about.

Love,
Leah

"...borrower is slave to the lender." Proverbs 22:7


"Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." 1 Timothy 5:8

"A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children..." Proverbs 13:22
Resources
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2015/03/04/new-car-loan-record-payment/24363041/
https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/the-truth-about-car-payments/
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2011/04/resurgence-of-car-leasing-may-not-be-good-thing/index.htm

12 Books for 2016

One of my goals this year is to read 1 book a month.  The following are my picks for books this year.  I found them from various places.  Some books are from authors/pastors/speakers I've come to respect.  Some books are recommendations from friends. 

Reading helps me to engage in my life more as it has me thinking about how to become a better Jesus follower, wife, mom, and simply an all around better person. 

All of my reads this year are non-fiction.  Don't let me fool you, I love fiction books too. Though in this season of life I have a desire to know Him more.  I have a desire to successfully steward the opportunities I've been given for Him. 

So here goes! 

1. Instructing a Child's Heart by Tedd and Margy Tripp

• I got this book for Christmas from a dear friend of mine. 

2. Strong Mothers, Strong Sons by Dr. Meg Meeker

• I've read this book before and loved it so much.  The subtitle is, "Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men."

3. Undaunted by Christine Caine

• Been meaning to read this book for years. The subtitle is, "Daring to do what God calls you to do." 
• I heard Christine Caine when I lived in Missouri and fell in love with her zeal for the Lord and her teaching style. 

4. The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor

• The subtitle is, "The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work." "When we are positive, our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive at work."
• I listened to a podcast called Entreleadership Podcast, Episode #121.   Shawn Achor was the guest speaker and my mind was blown.  I cannot say enough about it. I'm looking forward to reading this book.

5. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

• It's about average millionaires and how most of them start from nothing, live very frugally, and end up being entirely successful.  It slams the millionaire stereotypes of flashy cars and big houses. 
• I've read some of it, but I'd like to read through the whole thing.

6. The Legacy Journey by Dave Ramsey

• Many of you know, I am a Ramsey fan.  This book is about what the Bible says about money. I got one from the library, but I'd like my own copy so I can highlight and underline all over it. 

7. The Good Fight by Les and Leslie Parrott

• It's a marriage book about how conflict is good in a marriage when it's handled correctly. 

8. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker

• I've never heard of this author. I had a friend, Sharon, post a picture of this book way back.  I screen shot it and forgot about.  Decided to give it a look. 
• The subtitle says, "Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards." 

9. Ever After: Life Lessons Learned in My Castle of Chaos by Vicki Courtney

• This one is kind of random.  Saw it on online as a Bible Study and decided to read the book instead. 
• It's about being a wife and motherhood. Basically my life. It's about my life. 

10. Start by Jon Acuff 

• Fabian has been raving about this book. 
• The subtitle is, "Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work that Matters."

11. Better Than Before by Gretchen Rubin

• The subtitle is, "What I learned About Making and Breaking Habits--to Sleep More, Quit Sugar, Procrastinate Less, and Generally Build a Happier Life."
• I heard her on the Entreleadership podcast, Episode #101.

12. #Stuggles by Craig Groeschel

• I listen to Groeschel's sermon podcasts very frequently.  Love his content.  The subtitle is, "Following Jesus in a Selfie-Centered World." 

Let me know if you decided to read one or more! I'd love to read them with you so we can discuss them. :) 

A Year in Review and What's Next

This is going to be one of those New Year's Resolution posts.  If you're reading, I am assuming you want to. I hope!

This past year was intense and took a lot of faith building.  As a family, we've really worked on the idea of Life Balance as Fabian has had about two jobs for most of the year.

I think this picture is hilarious.

Life balance isn’t about a 50/50 split. It’s about being 100% present.
Life balance isn’t about doing everything for an equal amount of time. It’s about doing the right things at the right time. - Christy Wright

It's about quality not quantity.

2015
Malachi entered our family this year.
Benaiah turned 2.
We had our 4th wedding anniversary.
We moved into a new home in a wonderful neighborhood.
Fabian had the opportunity to be an Interim Youth Pastor to an amazing church in Channelview.
He got promoted at his job and got to be located 15 minutes from home.
I set a personal goal to lose 10 pounds, and lost 12 pounds.
We are 4 days away from paying off our car loan. :)
We paid off 13,976.36 in debt in 2015.

We've had so many good changes this year! My scripture for the year was "Many are the plan's in a [woman's] heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails." As I'm about to write my goals for next year, I'm keeping that scripture in mind.

2016
This year is going to be an exciting whirlwind, I'm sure.  We have lots of changes coming in the next months!

1. I'd like to be intentionally grateful more.  I am a firm believer that we choose to be happy.   By being grateful, it's easier to be happy, joyful, and most of all content.

2. The obvious goal. I'd like to lose 15 pounds.  I don't pretend to be naive to the fact that I'm a curvy girl.  :) I've been that way since Junior High.  I strive for healthy, not small or skinny. I enjoy losing weight slowly. I've taken on Trim Healthy Mama. My mom told me about them and I really really like it! I, in fact, made a chocolate cake this week for my sweet tooth from a recipe in their book. It was delicious. Believe it or not, it was sugar free. I hope to share more about it in the coming months.

Corpus Christi (My home.)

3.  I'd like to read one book a month. I've made my list and will be posting about which books I'll be reading soon. Reading is vitally important.  If you tell me you don't like to read, I'd say you haven't found the right book yet! Reading gets my brain working and thinking.  I've read books this past year that made me a better Jesus follower, wife, and mother.

4. This is a huge goal for us this year as a family. We'd like to pay off $20,000 in debt. That's not all our debt, but it's a large chunk of what's remaining!  Our money is not ours.  Our money is God's.  We want to be good stewards of His money.  That means continuing on this journey. If not 2016, we'll be debt-free in 2017!

5. Blog more this year! Yes, including about finances and budgeting! Finances are such a HUGE part of our lives.  It affects everything we do. I don't feel that money is talked about enough. If it means sharing our past money mistakes in order to detour others from making the same mistakes then I'm going to keep sharing.

 I write this blog to encourage, uplift, and inspire.  I'm hoping you will find it so!

Happy New Year!

Love,
Leah

P.S. This is the evolution of their brotherly relationship.

Be Free of Required Christmas Giving

This year Fabian and I chose to spend A LOT less on Chirstmas this year.

We wanted to pay off our medical bills in December, which we did! (Thanks to our small Christmas budget!) We also want to get closer to paying off our car by January.

I was a bit nervous about talking to my mom about it.  She came to visit in October.  We sat down in my backyard.  I told her I wanted to talk about Christmas. She was unsurprisingly completely fine with not doing a Christmas gift exchange.  Her only comment was, "I can still buy the boys gifts, right?"  Of course I said yes.

This season I cannot help but be so grateful for the people we have around us.  Because we have been so up front with where we are financially, I find that there is no sense of pressure to purchase gifts for each other.  Instead there is a sense of peace and of gratitude that we as friends and family have made it though another year with each other in our lives.

Don't let me fool you.  I had a small Christmas budget and I still went over. Ha! My budget was $100.00.  This included a babysitter for parties, food, gifts for the boys, and a small Christmas Tree. I spent more on the babysitter than anything else.
However, I so enjoyed the time with friends in a kid-free environment.  I love my boys, but I also like having adult conversations without interruptions.

We spent $20 on Benaiah's gifts.  I bought him a train table at a garage sell for $10. I went to Target and purchased some magnet trains to go with it for another $10.
Malachi is opening a gift bag with lots of paper in it. :) I'm sure he'll love it.

We bought that blue train table!
Shhh! Don't tell Benaiah, yet.

Getting into my Christmas wrapping box. 

I am all for giving to friends and family.  If my friends or family have to break their bank to buy me something, it's not worth it! For goodness sake, it's required giving.  Give when you feel you need to not because to have to!

Giving is not just a Christmas thing.  It's a year round thing.  You give because you can.

So don't feel bad for not being able to give every single family member a Christmas present.  Be grateful you get to spend time with them.  If you feel the need to give something, but you don't have money, make something. Rice Krispie treats are the bomb. Just sayin'. ;)

This Christmas I'm looking forward to spending time with my family, eating a delicious pot roast and playing a few card games.

Merry Christmas! 

A Longing Fulfilled

A few months ago, our pastor Steven Owens, did a sermon around the following scripture verse.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

When Fabian and I were dating with the intention of getting married, we both communicated our desire to do ministry at a church. We thought that's where we were headed at the age of 20.

God had other plans.
{Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it's the Lord's purpose that prevails. Pro. 19:21}

For the last 4 years of our marriage, many many things did not go our way.

Here are 4 examples:
1. We worked jobs we did not care for.
2. Fabian was jobless for 4 months.  (He's a hard and diligent worker and worked odd jobs here and there.)
3. We had a baby before I graduated college.
4. We tried to move away from Houston.

When our plans fail, it enables us to consider other options,  And it often changes the trajectory of our lives. 
I can't help but know that through all these obstacles the Lord was paving a way.

One of the most important lessons we've learned these past four years is that ministry is not done at a church.  Ministry is done in the workplace, at schools, and most significantly the home.

The church is for equipping us everyday people so we as the {C}hurch can show unconditional love to those our pastors can't reach.

"Doing ministry" is not about working for a church.  "Doing ministry" is loving your family. It's bringing a friend a meal.  It's supplying funds to ministries trying to help with the refugee crisis.  We get so caught up thinking pastors and people that work for a church do ministry, but it is us.  It's you.

When you show grace to your son, that's ministry.
When you watch a friend's son, that's ministry. 
When you take care of your neighbor's dog, that's ministry. 
When you encourage a friend, that's ministry.
When you buy your co-worker lunch, that's ministry.

Two years ago, we decided to start paying off our debts. Although we were unsure of where God was leading us. We knew one steadfast truth that our Lord does not want us to be slaves to the lender.  My husband got a great job at a Fortune 500 company and I was able to stay home with our boys.
Fabian's hope for working at a church was deferred while our Father taught us valuable lessons.

Valuable lessons about marriage, raising a family, money, and real life in the workplace. The workplace where the temptation is high and grace is hard to find.

But God is still there.

While you're waiting for that longing to be fulfilled, He's still there.  Friend, our Daddy is trying to teach you something.  You may not know what it is now, but He's a good Father. He knows.  Every moment and every set back has purpose. There's a reason for your struggle.  There's a reason you are in the season you are in now.  Hang on.  Keep going.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

This year,  doors started opening for Fabian and I.  We walked through them.  

Here we are.  

We recently had a meeting with our pastor to discuss Fabian's/our future at Willowbrook Church.  Fabian is now the creative director and NextGen Leader at our home church.

God brought us to Willowbrook church for purpose 4 years ago. We are just now seeing a small piece of His grand plan. 

I truly believe He has one for you too. 

Friend, would you pray for us?  Fabian will be still be working his full time job and will be working part time at our church.  Although this is just for a season, we could use the extra thoughts as we figure out how to balance life during this time.  I do have to mention. Fabian is great at turning off the T.V. and putting his devices on the bookshelf in order to show uninterrupted devotion to me and the boys.  Pray that we will continue to rely on the Holy Spirit for His guidance and grace.  Pray for the coming transitions to be smooth. 

We still can't quite wrap our minds around the perfection that is God's timing. 

Thanks for being apart of our journey.

Love,
Leah

Mini Vacay, Conflict, and Thanksgiving

Happy Monday!

This past week was so much fun.  We took a three day trip to San Antonio and had a great time.  I love SA. I tried to move our family there about a year ago, but the Lord had other plans. ;)

Many are the plans in a [woman's] heart, but it's the Lord's plan that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

Our drive there was good.  Car rides with children seem to always take an hour longer!

Thank goodness we had our tablet for Benaiah.  I'm pretty sure he watched Finding Nemo and Toy Story a combined total of 5 times.  Although the first hour into the trip, I did give him books to read.  Do I get good parenting points for the 1st hour???  Lol

I drive a car from 2001.  Needless to say, it  doesn't have the latest and greatest.  We ghetto-rigged the top part of a plastic container, slapped some velcro on it and the tablet cover, and attached it to the back of the drivers seat. It works wonders.  ;)

I have to tell y'all a little secret...  Fabian and I more often than not get into a "creative discussion" every time we have a road trip.  Whether it be about how I am driving or how he's driving or even the restaurant we pick to who gets to choose what music we listen to.  Any other couples understand the dilemma?  So on our way there we made an agreement that we were not going to argue. We even shook hands.. It didn't work.  I'll tell you more in a bit.

We get to San Antonio on Tuesday and go visit our very good friends Tido and Melissa.  They now have a beautiful baby girl, Ava.  We had such a good time with them.  They are always so friendly and inviting.  {Miss y'all!}

That night we get to our hotel. I swear Benaiah loves hotels.  He loves that the front desk ladies love on him.  He loves riding the luggage hauler.  He especially loves the elevator and sleeping in the big boy bed.

Wednesday we went to the San Antonio Zoo.  We get half off tickets for being Houston Zoo members.  That was so much fun! Their petting zoo has chickens. Benaiah was thrilled!  They also have a large Lorikeet exhibit that you can walk in and allow the birds to fly on you. Wish I would have gotten a picture! Two flew on my head... I don't really like birds, but I had to play cool for Benaiah.  He got to let one walk on his arm.  That was his favorite part.

At Augie's Barbed Wire Smokehouse. So good! They had a fully
covered outdoor area to eat in.  Perfect for letting the kids be loud and for making messes. 

Wednesday afternoon we drove to Wimberley to visit my grandparents.  We love them so.  They have a heart and zeal for the Lord. They are leaving behind such an amazing legacy of faith. Benaiah and Malachi played with some antique toy cars and trains from the 60's.

Wednesday night we drove back to San Antonio and visited my grandparents and helped them set up for Thanksgiving at their house. Benaiah's great-grandfather waited on him to come so they could go get some fish for their backyard pond.  Benaiah was obsessed with these fish.  He threw a fit for 10 minutes straight because we wouldn't let him keep holding the bag.  He was being a "Darla".  {The fish killer.}

"Darla"

Wednesday night at the hotel was better. Instead of Malachi keeping me up all night.  It was Benaiah. He just wanted me in his bed instead of Fabian's.  I'm surrounded by a bunch of momma's boys.

Thursday morning arrived.  In my head I had already decided I want to leave around 9 a.m. to go help my grandma set up for Thanksgiving lunch.  {Key word: "In my head."}  It's about 8:30 a.m. I am ready to go.  I've started trying to pack things.  Fabian is leisurely getting ready and watching Paw Patrol with Benaiah.  At 9:00 a.m. I kinda maybe snapped at him, " I wanted to leave at 9 a.m., would you help me?!"  He looks at me like I'm crazy.. We finally leave the hotel around 9:30 a.m. As we're driving to my grandmother's, he has the nerve to ask me to go get coffee at Starbucks.  "Ughhhh!!" I exclaimed.  That was my nail in the coffin, y'all.

He was rather unhappy with me and I gave him the silent treatmeant for like 3 minutes. lol We later hashed it out before getting to my grandmothers.  We discussed that he can't read my mind and I have to communicate what I want.  What a concept?!?! Sometimes I have a plan that I'm trying to get done in my head and I forget to communicate my need for help at the appropriate time.  But I also hadn't slept in two days.. So sue me. We did ruin our agreement though.

Thanksgiving was fun.  I enjoyed getting to see my family. Every year we stand in a circle and pray/say what we're grateful for.  This year I said I was grateful for God's grace that I don't deserve.  He truly is such a loving and faithful God.  I was also grateful for the new addition to our family, Malachi. He has been a blessing of joy.  He teaches me to breathe and smile even when I don't feel like it.

Malachi's great-great grandma!

Oh, and our 2 year old, yeah, he fell into my grandmother's pond reaching for those darn goldfish.  He was fine.  We dryed him off and put some dry clothes on him.

Hope your Thanksgiving was great!
Any funny things happen on your Thanksgiving week?

Love,
Leah

Power Made Perfect

Hey Mama,

A few weeks ago my husband worked 8 days straight with no off days. Needless to say I was about to lose my ever loving mind. Although I am grateful for his job with great benefits and it allows me to stay home, his schedule can be fairly unpredictable month to month. 

By day 6, I was emotionally and physically spent. Malachi is going though a hold-me-all-the-time phase which means nothing gets done.  He also never naps. Benaiah is 2. Enough said. Lol While I was nursing Malachi, he got into Destin butt paste twice in two days. Rubbed it all in his hair, arms, and belly. He also used it as art work on the sliding glass door. If you know anything about Destin paste, it DOES NOT COME OFF.  I spent days with him screaming while I scrubbed him and lathered him in baby oil trying to get it off. He is testing the limits in every way, which is good, yet also hard as a parent. I'm trying to raise good children to become good adults. 

I yelled at him more than I should have.
I lost my temper more easily than I should have.
I was inattentive more than I should have.
I disciplined in anger instead of grace. 

Those lies start to creep up that tell you that you are not a good mom. 
You don't love your children enough.
They are going to turn away and run from you when they're older. 

I was broken this week. 
At church on Sunday, the altar was open. I laid down my pride and I went. My pastor prayed words of life and encouragement while I wept in her arms. She declared truths over me. That I am a good mom. That I speak life into my home. That I would allow the Holy Spirit to wrap me up and guide me on.

The enemy has no power in my home. The power of Jesus Christ and His truths do. I am the daughter of the One True King. That will never be taken from me. 

His grace is sufficient for us, mama. His power is made perfect in weakness. 

When we allow the Holy Spirit to come in and invade our weaknesses, he starts changing things in us that we could have never changed ourselves. That is why, my friend, He can take all the credit, glory, and honor. 

So today, for you, I speak life. I pray that the Holy Spirit would wrap you up. That grace would be extended and that you can dwell in the place of shelter and love. 

Dear sweet Benaiah and Malachi, the only thing that's different in me is the Holy Spirit working because I surrendered and allowed Him to.