So after we started communicating about money, I got busy on paper… because if I’m going to have to look at a paper with lots of numbers, I’m at least going to make it colorful and throw in a few pie graphs for fun. #NerdAlert
We knew that if we wrote down where our money was going it would be easier to see what we could/should be putting towards our debt to get it paid off as quickly as possible.
I was surprised that by doing this, it gave me more motivation to stay on track and it even made me want to establish some goals to help keep us motivated.
Our first goal that we established was to make a monthly budget and stick to it. I know that sounds like a simple idea, but simple is a nice start for someone who has really never established a budget {well, established a budget with the intention of keeping to it}.
Next we read about Dave Ramsey’s Seven Baby Steps. Since we are just starting out, our “in sight goals” are steps 1-3. Once we make those steps, we’ll look into learning more about steps 4-7.
So that’s where we are today. Our debt snowball is getting smaller and we’re trying to base our decisions on things that will help us reach our goals sooner, rather than later. So far, so good!
Do goals help keep you on track?
Update: We’re now DEBT FREE!!!
atwelladventures.com 
We are also working on our debt snowball! I just began a new job & my checks are being used to punch holes in our debt. Hoping to have it paid off by next May! It’s always nice meeting other Dave Ramsey fans. Folks don’t always understand our way of life. That we try to “live like no one else so we can live like no one else so we can give like no one else!”
Hi! It’s so wonderful that Dave Ramsey has made it to a Pinterest Board! My husband and I are church coordinators in Temecula California, and we have been doing Dave Ramsey for over 3 years now… don’t ever look back, and never stop following those steps… the biggest PLUS for us, besides building wealth and giving, is we met with an ELP for Investments, and HOLY COW… what a huge difference that has made… RUN don’t WALK, and get your investments going as soon as possible! Good luck and may God bless you mightily! Congrats on tying the knot!
Thanks Linda! I’m excited to see others pinning it on pinterest – hopefully it will serve as a good reminder that baby steps make it possible! We just moved to a new area last week so we are actually going to try to find a local FPU to do at the beginning of the new year. It’s exciting to think how we could invest the money once we finish paying off our debt and our budget has taught us alot already! I appreciate your encouragement!
I stumbled across your blog on Pinterest 🙂 My husband and I are utilizing Dave Ramsey’s steps to pay down debt and become financially free or as I like to put it financially fabulous! Good luck to your family… we just instituted (I dragged my feet on this one) a budget and it’s not easy BUT I’m excited about getting rid of more debt! Good luck… It’s encouraging to hear about other young couples who are embracing these simple steps!
Financially fabulous… love it! It does sound fabulous to be debt free:) The budget has been so helpful for us and we’ve learned to talk about money our first few months of marriage. And paying off debt is pretty exciting too! Good luck to yall and keep me posted on your progress!
I love how you worded that – focus on the first three and then learn more about the rest. Thank you!
Thanks Nicole! I get so bogged down in knowing all the details before I start something. Sometimes, you just have to jump right in! We’re learning along the way and are happy we started sooner rather than later!
Thank you for posting the baby steps. Just made it my screensaver. Started the budget dance a few months ago along with on line banking, have opened several accounts. My first step was to build an account so I could drop the fixed bills entire amount at the start of the month. Fixed bills all get paid automatically and that frees up my brain to focus on tracking our spending. Thats done. I was going for the emergency fund of 6 months worth of saving next but now this Baby List has me thinking. Would LOVE to knock down that debt…
Never heard of your plan. Time to do some research and reading. Thank you, God Bless!!
You’re welcome, Josephine! Dave Ramsey’s book is a good motivator – read it if you haven’t! Good luck on your journey!