That was a terrible time. We have moved into a new home since then and it is wonderful. We have central air and that has greatly reduced the discomfort of both the baby and myself.

I will only be soothed by the actual major financial windfall I’m asking God for. I intend to believe in it enough to get it. J and I have found that one of our biggest mistakes is to pray for things we don’t actually want – like “just enough to pay our bills and get by.” Why on earth would we want that? But, in the past that is what we have asked God for, and that is exactly what he has been faithful enough to give us.

No more. If we can ask God together and agree on it, for what we really do want, and can have enough faith as a mustard seed that he’s going to give it to us, then we shall have it. Right?

Well, I intend to proceed from there.

Thank you for being so supportive of our quest. That you want it for me makes me believe that I might actually be deserving of it.

Tracee

You are right, it ultimately IS a hopeful article.

The Zero-Based budget says you must allocate every single cent to something – therefore Zero is your desired number. Zero is some pretty amazing progress actually. We have only one loan left and I intend to make enough money from my writing to pay it off, save up that downpayment and be able to pay a mortgage comfortably.

But, it’s NOT an easy way to live. Though I am usually hugely optimistic about the living within our means will get us really ahead instead of pretending to be ahead, it’s not much fun sometimes.

Sometimes I’m just a big whiner and complainer – that’s the truth of it. I’ll still live by the principles, because I believe that’s what will ultimately get us financially ahead. But, sometimes I need to have a whine and a moan.

I am still waiting for my “complaint-free world” bracelet that I ordered from that church about 3 months ago. I had to get the complaining out of my system before I vowed to never complain again.

Tracee

I’ve never read Dave Ramsey’s stuff, but it appears that he has spelled out a particular formula for adherance that may or may not be the most beneficial to all budgets. Fact is, the primary rule is to live within your means and to always (if possible) save a predetermined amount so that your savings is always building. This of course is secondary to the payment of tithing – meaning it is the ultimate priority. I notice that some of your posters comment that the payment of tithing is a oppressive ideology meant to control and benefit others. However, as my loving wife always points out that the first great commandment is to love god, and the second is to love your neighbor as yourself. The ability to worship with others is a great blessing and this can only be brought to pass if people pay tithing – wich is what pays for the organization, buildings, materials and other resources that are very much temporally needed to enjoy fellowship with one another. Plus it is a commandment. This goes without pointing out that the best social scientists, economists, and political scientists in this world show that a public good (as the church is) will always be underprovided if individuals must choose what they believe is their fair portion of their benefit of the public good. Therefore, tithing is a simple budget constrait of a church – they cannot spend more = yet the good is always provided sufficiently if everyone pays their tithing.

Lastly, I think I know where you are with regards to just breaking even at zero each month. With a family, life is very hard. Most all housing prices, and many commodities for that matter, are now based upon a supply and demand market that is completely oriented toward at least two full-time working parents. This makes the struggle for single income earners, or even 1.5 income earners. This is especially true in the housing market. This makes raising a family today an especially difficult task, you either send the kids off to daycare all day = or you have to struggle to make ends meet. Good side is, once that student loan is paid off – you’ll be rolling in the dough.