We want out of prison...

For quite some time we have discussed the idea of being debt free, so that we could have a more flexible schedule and travel more. After watching the DVD series titled "Entreprenerial Bootcamp For Christian Families", our discussions on this topic of have increased. We do not want to be a slave to the lender and we want to owe no man nothing. This really escalated yesterday afternoon. And we have resolved to live frugal until we are out of debt. And what debt are we referring to? Our schooling at Andersoville Seminary, our kia optima, and our home mortgage; for a grand total nearing $100,000. We would also like to downsize a little and live in a wooded area with more privacy, fewer neighbors; a place that we can maybe have some goats and chickens. We have talked about possibly purchasing the land on Woodberry Lane from my parents (which we considered purchasing when we went looking for our first home), and building a "quaint" home there in the woods. Using the abilities of our talented family and friends. And who knows, further down the road, my parents may move onto the land as well... and that would be great. These are all just ideas right now. But one thing is certain: we want to be debt free as soon as possible. We are going to start looking at our debt as prison bars! Because that's exactly what they are.

We've resolved to live frugal:

• Put as much money as possible toward our existing debt.
• Pay off in this order: school, car, and house.
• Declutter our home and sell the things that we don't need (ebay and yard sales).
• Limit our traveling for a couple years. This will be tough for us as there are many opportunities that arise during the warmer months to travel for outreaches. We do plan on going to CT for Laura's wedding; to DC for the Cherry Blossom Parade (and we will sleep in the car); and to Asheville for the Belechere Festival. Eat as cheaply as possible. No bootcamps!
• Limit the amount of money we spend on our evangelism resources (ie - gospel tracts and books). We have thousands of gospel tracts that need to be passed out. They are just sitting in boxes in the spare room and the utility closet, and scattered throughout the house. Haha. We are determined to pass every single one of those out before we purchase any more!
• Stay local - there are plenty of opportunities right here in Goldsboro for us to proclaim the gospel: Herman Park, Center Street Jam, Downtown, and we can always go to Wal-Mart. May we travel only twice a month to some place that is not Goldsboro (ex: Raleigh, Greenville, Fayetteville, Wilmington, or Front Street). This will save on gas, time, and money that we normally spend at expensive restaurants. This will be a big challenge to us!
• Stop paying $40 (plus gas) to work out at the gym, when we can work out for free at our house, the cliffs of the neuse state park, the church steps in Seven Springs - especially since the weather is getting warmer.
• Start purchasing salt treated wood and storing it at Tony's parents house
• Do side jobs when they become available (computer setup, website design, and business cards).
• Don't pay for the booth at the pickle festival this year; we can walk around for free.