Recently I was corresponding via e-mail with “D” whom I have grown to appreciate and respect for getting out of debt. One particular statement she made in her e-mail really struck me like lightening. She said when I am gazelle intense I am able to love on people like never before. I have the “Freedom to live and the Freedom to give”. I must say those words rang so true and here is why.
The other day I was questioned about the type of lifestyle I have been living for the past few months. The statement was that “being on the TMMO/Dave Ramsey plan was like being in jail” (along with a few other choice words). I haven’t talked about Dave much as of late, but the program is definitely at the forefront of everything I have been working on. Last month I paid off $2,000 worth of debt saved $300, and gave a little too. I understand people don’t really agree with all of Dave’s teachings. But I have really felt the need to expound on what being on Dave’s plan has allowed me to do (outside of my jail cell that is).
1. I was able to GIVE my tenant $150 dollars to paint a room in the house for the new baby, the way she wanted to. Over the last few weeks she had expressed to me how important it was for the baby’s room to be ready when she came. She has been really stressed about bills and her pregnancy that I wanted to do something I knew would put a smile on her face and it did. She has been such a good tenant, keeping up with paying the rent. Never once has she complained to me about not being able to pay and she recently told me there was weeks she wasn’t working, but she for sure kept her rent payment. That took me by shock cuz most people would have neglected the rent and made excuses why not to pay but she didn’t. I am doing as much as I can (even on my lil salary) to help sista girl. She has been so grateful and that is the best feeling ever.
2. I gave my brother about $300 to take a trip to ATL. He is still a little spoiled brat, but now I can actually contribute to the spoiledness and its fun to see the look on his face when I say I am going to give him money.
3. Over the weekend I treated my best friend to dinner (well it was the bar and we ate) but we ran up a drink and food tab of about $40 bucks which I was happy to pay and we had a great time. I have never been able to take us out and pay for it all.
Now all these things don’t really add up to a WHOLE lot. But 6 months ago I was crying broke, I was depressed and really didn’t have 2 pennies to rub together let alone give anybody anything. I was in a total funk, and even when people needed help I couldn’t be there for them. Since being on the Dave plan, I have been able to give like I have never given before. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to help someone and not need them to repay you. I feel good just about every day of my life (except for the braces are a beast). On the surface it looks as though I am suffering, I am sacrificing but definitely not suffering. Now if you ask me about missing out on taking trips here or there, or buying that $150 dollar pair of shoes, yes you win that argument. But the gratification I have gotten from giving and having 100% control over my financial life far exceeds any pair of shoes I could ever buy.
Now I am not out of debt YET, in fact if my math serves me correctly I won’t be debt free until October 2009 (assuming I haven’t mad any extra money). Seems likes a life time of so called jail. But I really can’t imagine how much more I will be able to give and enjoy true wealth once I am debt free. Pre Dave, my life was a total drag, but I have gained full control over my finances and have learned the art of saving and giving. The sacrifices I have made thus far have been worth every dime NOT SPENT.
So when Ms D talks about the FREEDOM to live and Give, she is definitely on point. Each day I am living and giving more and loving on people like never before. To me this is far from bondage, and I have never been freer in all my life. To those who don’t agree with what I have been up to ah well, I can’t win everybody body over. I will ask that when people taken into account the Dave Ramsey plan before you critisize it go into it with an open mind, you will learn a lot about your self, which has way more to do with working on self, than it truly has to do with becoming DEBT FREE.
Thank you and enjoy your weekend folks!!!
More Dave stuff coming soon…
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