Financial Friday: Amy's Debt-Free Story

This post is written by Amy, the blogger behind Sweet Home Santa Barbara.
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Finances.

It can be hard to talk about, am I right? How much you make. How much you spend. Where you spend it. How much you give back. 

Talking about money can get pretty personal. 

Recently, someone shared with me the importance about being open about your finances with other people. Opening yourself up, perhaps humbling yourself, and letting an outside party take a look at your spending habits. 

And with that: accepting the advice that you get back. 

A few weeks ago, I blogged about my decision to start tithing. I wasn't going to bring up finances on the blog, but when God went out of His way to prove His word true, I couldn't help but share. 

When I began tithing, I wasn't just surrendering 10% of my income to the Lord. 

I was surrendering all of my finances. 

What does that mean exactly?

No, I am not giving everything I own back to the church. 

But I am praying significantly over my money. Praying that I would be given discernment on how and where to spend it. 

And when I started praying, I had no idea the dramatic action that God would take. 

He likes to be radical, doesn't he? :)

9. End the year with zero balance on credit card

10. Double my savings

Those were two items on my 2013 Bucket List. By March, I had made very minimal progress in both areas. 

Well, once I opened myself up to hearing outside opinions about my financial situation {mainly God's!}, things changed. 

He had His ways of showing me what He wanted for me, and you know what comes along with following His lead? 

Peace.

It's a beautiful thing, really. 

So my bucket list items have changed a bit:

9. End the year with zero balance on credit card

Revision: Maintain zero balance on credit card

10. Double my savings

Revision: Rebuild savings.

Yupp, I'm guessing you used your analyzing skills to figure out that I took a significant chunk of my savings out to pay off my credit card bill. 

Maybe you think I should have done that a while ago, and I would say that you're correct. 

But it's funny, when we think of things on our own, stress gets in the way. 

But how could I drain my savings that much? 

What if I need to dive into that money? 

What about all my hard work building it up?

You know what God told me? 

I will take care of you. 

And BAM. The peace set in. I knew it was the right thing to do. 

So I write to you today with the wonderful news that I am 100% Debt Free today!

I never even considered myself in debt to begin with, but God showed me that He doesn't want His children in debt. 

And He showed me through my mom, who doesn't want her children in debt either :)

I am so thankful for the helpful advice that led me to this decision. 

And I am thankful for God. For His peace that only comes from surrendering my life to you. 

"And this same God who takes care of me

will supply all your needs from His glorious riches,

which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever!

Amen."

Philippians 4:19-20