When I started this business a little over two years ago, I was 6 months pregnant with my third child and had a little tiny booth space (I always say about the size of a jacuzzi bathtub) that I was stocking with small vintage decorative items. I sold a lot of small mirrors, milk glass, old amateur art, and primitive boxes, frames, etc. Over the past two years, my little booth space has grown into a big booth space with lots of painted furniture, and I’ve added to my business custom furniture painting and this blog (read more about the story of my business start-up here).
My first year in the business I set back $500 of profit into our Disney fund. For my small little space, that was a good amount, but it wasn’t enough to even get us a days worth of park tickets. I kept plugging away though, and when I moved into my larger space in February 2013, my profits increased and I started putting more and more into our fund.
I wanted to share about this trip with you all because you have helped make it happen! But also, I want to talk a little about why we spent almost 3 years saving for this trip rather than just financing it on a credit card. Along with my passion for junk, I have another passion that’s even greater–living a debt-free lifestyle.
via Bills.com
When my husband and I married 10 year ago we were counseled to adopt a debt-free financial philosophy. This was a new idea for both of us, as we grew up in a world where most everything was bought on credit–clothes, furniture, cars, vacations, college, etc. I’m not faulting either of our families, that was just the way the economy of the 80’s worked. As we started learning more about debt-free living though, it seemed to make perfect sense to us. Why shackle ourselves for years to come in payment agreements when we could instead experience the freedom of doing what we want, when we want, with our money?
So we made the commitment 10 years ago to live debt-free, with the only exception being a home mortgage. We had to make some changes then and there to keep our committment, like paying off some remaining student loans, getting rid of a car with payments in exchange for a junker cash car, and getting rid of all credit cards. We made many mistakes early on and also whined a lot about wanting to buy more than what our wallet could purchase. But over time, we trained ourselves to be patient with our wants and be very frugal with our needs.
Ten years, two jobs, one master’s degree, and three kids later, I can see many ways how our decision has already payed off. We live on a one-income ministry salary, which provides for us well, but is not a large income by anyone’s measurements. Because of our avoidance of debt and strategic money management, we have been able to do a lot more with our money than many other people I know who live at our income level.
For full disclosure, we have received help at times along the way, like boxes of hand-me-down clothes for the boys, gifts cards to use on groceries, even checks in the mail. But 95% of that help we didn’t ask for, it just came. I believe God has been faithful to always provide for us, but also I believe that people are more willing to offer help if they know they are giving to someone who is doing their best to manage their money wisely. Nobody likes giving to someone who you know is going to throw their money down the drain.
So back to Disney . . . we knew our income would not support a big family vacation, and we were committed to not finance it on a credit card. So we looked for ways to generate more income, and with great gratitude my business has been able to do that. Both my husband and I have done other odd jobs (mowing lawns, cleaning houses, delivering phone books) throughout the course of our marriage to help cover things we couldn’t afford , and we’re not ashamed of those things. We’ve learned the value of hard work and of saying no at times to things we want, which I think is a lesson most people in my generation need to learn. With our incredible blessings and secure lifestyles, my generation has embraced an attitude of entitlement about the material things in life. We think we “deserve” what we want, so it’s no problem to slide that little piece of plastic or sign that payment agreement if it gets us whatever new thing we think we deserve. I don’t mean to sound harsh, and I include myself in my own critique–but I think it’s a general fact of most of our suburban culture today.
And also I don’t share our story to boast, but rather as a way to inspire. If my family of 5 can live a debt-free lifestyle on our very modest income, under normal circumstances so can most others. It takes educating yourself about basic finances, discipline in your spending, and patience in your saving. But it can be done! And it brings freedom and a lightness to your home.
And if we can take this crazy crew to Disney World debt free,
PS–If you know my kids, please remember this trip is a secret!!
The Financial Peace ministry of Dave Ramsey has taught us most of what we know about debt-free living. f you want more information, visit his website at www.DaveRamsey.com. All information in this post is my own opinion, and is not sponsored by any third parties.
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WOOHOOEY !!! Disney World here you come !!! What a good way to live. My hubby and I are debt free and save for everything too. Everything we do buy is from our hard work and saving and I think it means more than if we were to get it by plastic. You should be sooo proud of yourselves for giving your kids the gift of a wonderful trip. Hubby and I went to Disney Land many years ago and had a blast !!! You are also teaching your kids a valuable life lesson of self control. It’s hard, but oh so important for them not to feel that they are entitled but work for what they have. Good job Melanie 😉
Sheila
Thank you Sheila. We do the best we can, and I do hope my kids are learning how to work hard for what they want. I’m so thankful for the good counsel we got when we were younger. Yay for you and your family as you are debt free too!
We r definitely proud of you both for your disipline of working together to make this happen!!!!
Thank you 🙂 You all have helped us in so many ways.
great post Melanie. We feel exactly the same way about debt-free living! Fun to see your diligence paying off.
Thanks Emily, and thanks for reading the post and taking the time to comment. That’s great for you and Andy, I’m so thankful for good counsel and other people around us who are encouraging in our efforts to be frugal 🙂
The years have been very good to you. You don’t look as if you’ve aged a single day from your wedding photo. Way to go on your financial decisions. Dave Ramsey has some good books, etc. out there that promote this same philosophy.
Oh Julie, you are so kind! What a sweet thing to say to a tired mom of 3 🙂 I think if you look a little closer at the pictures though you’ll find some lines and wrinkles that have appeared over the years. Thanks so much for stopping by!
How wonderful! It will be a trip the children will always remember. What a super mom you are. Ann Marie @ Iris Abbey
You are so sweet Ann Marie and I appreciate you encouraging words. I am quite far form a super mom though, most days I’m thankful just to make it through the day with everyone fed, clothed, and relatively happy. We just try to do the best we can with what we’ve been given, and I trust that over the years wise decisions will produce good outcomes for our family. Thanks so much for reading the post.
Thanks for the post. Love debt free stories. Todd and I paid off that last student loan in December so we are debt free too except for a mortgage. Took 4 long years to do it but soooo worth it.
Yay for you Kaely! I know that is a wonderful feeling. Now that it’s all gone you will never want any more again 🙂
Congratulations on the trip to Disney! What an awesome way to bless your family through your hard work. We have also been blessed through a debt-free life style inspired by Dave Ramsey. I think your trip will be so much sweeter by all the hard work that made it possible. Our only regret is that we didn’t find Dave sooner, but we are sure glad my sister introduced us when she did.
Thanks Jenny 🙂 I so appreciate you reading my post. Glad to have some local partners in our attempt at debt-free living 🙂
I’m glad you found your niche. Your booth looks very interesting.
Thank you Teddee!
Wonderful post, Melanie–such a testimony to God’s goodness. My husband does a lot of financial counseling and Dave Ramsey is one of his favorites. I know you and your family will have a great time at Disney 🙂
Thank you Diana! It was fun to share my heart about our families decisions, and I hope it has been encouraging to others. Glad to hear your husband is a fellow Dave Ramsey fan 🙂