I came home from the #ILM tweetup tonight (more on that Monday) to find out that the bank had accepted our offer to payoff one of our cars and that my dear sweet hubby had already gone to the bank, got the check cut, and overnighted it to Chase. As of tomorrow, we will have a PAID OFF car!

We haven’t had a paid off car since the hubby drove a $500 Datsun and I drove my mom’s old Mustang.

Let the switcharoo begin!

The hubby and I recorded another episode of Rebound yesterday about a huge blessing that has happened in our lives, and although I’m thrilled that we get to share the story, I’m starting to realize that as we reach a wider audience, we open ourselves up more and more to judgement from others. The thought almost made me freeze up yesterday as being judged by others is a pretty scary place for me on a personal level. Surprisingly, all of this didn’t hit me until we posted this episode, and it’s probably because the story is so special to me.

When I told the hubby about my concern of others’ judging me, his response was, “And what if they do? They don’t have to live our lives or pay our bills.” And he’s right.

When you start on the path to your extraordinary, towards the one thing you really want or really believe in, you’ll encounter all sorts of emotions and reactions from others about what it is that you do. Sometimes, it will feel personal. You have to be willing to accept it all – the good, the bad, and the scary – to move forward. Otherwise, you’ll never live the life you dream of living.

So, I’ve decided that I’ll just get over it instead of allowing  this fear to stop me in my tracks. I’m too passionate about this little podcast to let anything get in my way.

What fears threaten your ability to achieve more? How do you overcome them?

Image Credit: Pink Sherbet Photography

I’ve mentioned Into the Wild before. Into the Wild is the true story of Chris McCandless, a guy who gives up his entire life savings after graduation to escape into the Alaskan wilderness. His story is a tragic one, but that’s not why I’m drawn to it. Chris had a disdain for American materialism and opted instead for a nomadic life, an idyllic life in some regards.

As a person that had always had a negative relationship with money, this sort of life was appealing to me after a selfish life of spending more than I earn. Sure, that might sound extreme but really, why not? How many of us have dreamed of escaping the hamster wheel of work, bills, debt, and more work?

When the hubby and I started on Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover, it was a long while before we started to see any progress. But once we saw progress, something changed. Money started working for us instead of the other way around. And when money starts working for you, you no longer feel a slave to it.

We still have a long way to go. Everything could change tomorrow. But for now, I’m taking comfort in the fact that my relationship with money is changing, and therefore my whole life is changing.

I’m excited about the road ahead.

How about you? Are you working Dave Ramsey’s program? How is it changing you?

If you’re a Rebound listener, then you know that the hubby and I have been working Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps intensely for a few months now and I’m excited to say that we have funded our baby emergency fund, thus completing Baby Step 1!

We are now knee deep into Baby Step 2, paying off lots of debt and snowballing it until it’s gone.

We skipped recording the podcast last weekend, choosing instead to get a jumpstart on the baby steps, but we’ll be back on the mics this weekend. We’ll be talking about disconnecting, letting go of old ways and embracing change.

Then the following week, you’ll get to hear this incredible story about how the hubby and I were blessed with a second chance at this whole money thing and propelled to Baby Step 2 so quickly. It’s a crazy story and a testament to the power of putting God first in your life, your finances, and your marriage.

You don’t want to miss it.

The one thing I know for sure (thank you Oprah) is that setting goals personally and financially can impact your life in tremendously positive ways. You wouldn’t drive cross-country without a map, right? So why go through life without one?

In last week’s episode of Rebound, the hubs and I talked about setting financial goals and provided this worksheet to help you get started on your own financial goals.

We’re 4 hours in and almost finished and all I can say is, 2010 is going to be an awesome year.

Are you setting your 2010 goals? How’s it going for you?

My December 2009 intentions are:

Work

• Record 4 Rebound episodes
• Create and stick to morning routine

Life

• Eat whole foods/foods that are grown
• Complete a will and trust

Craft

• Finish Sharon’s gift

Spirituality

• Meditate & pray each morning

101 Things

• Quit coffee
• Write in cursive for an entire week

And a new series coming this Spring…

I was offered an amazing opportunity recently to work alongside a small farmer during the upcoming growing season to learn more about sustainable gardening. To say I’m super-excited is an understatement. I’m a very lucky gal, so I’ll be sharing the things I learn with you along the way. This spring, look for gardening and harvest tips on the blog. The series is yet to be named, so if you have a good idea for a name, share it in the comments!

I met with him just the other day since he picked his last harvest of peppers and he offered to share some with me.  The photo above shows fresh Anaheim & Carmen peppers on my countertop and a mix of hot peppers in the dehydrator.

Yum!

In this episode, we talk about holiday gifts that really matter, gift-giving in a materialistic culture, and ideas for gifts that don’t break the bank.

Listen to Episode 12 now.

In this episode, we discuss the importance of finding positive influences to help you get through your financial struggles, how we found ours, and the difference positivity has made in our lives.

Listen to Episode 11 now.

In this episode, we discuss the three steps to getting gazelle intense, Spence tries to crack a few jokes, and we make the 10 episodes/10 minutes connection.  There’s only one thing to do. Run baby run!

Listen to Episode 10 now.

Mentioned in this episode:
Dave Ramsey’s Monthly Cash Flow Worksheet
Life. Money. Hope.
The Rebound Listener Group on Vimeo

Listen to our debt-free living podcast online.