Staying Out of Debt

No, the Yockeyites are not in debt. They're just simply trying to stay away from it. Far, far away from it. I'm taking a real-world math class, a required class at my college, which is to say that we're going to learn mind-boggling things such as budgeting. It doesn't seem difficult in principle, until I looked at what we were spending while trying to complete a homework assignment and found expenses on the example that we are not spending, and things in our spending list that we didn't know what to label. I rather imagine that my teacher will scratch his head at our, what, $100 in "Misc. Spending"... when really that's where we put things like organ shoes, concert clothes, a new backpack, and a trumpet mute.


I know what you're thinking... "With all those expenses PLUS the both of you going to college, how on earth are you not in debt already?"


The answer? There are a couple... #1: Hellooooo federal grants. We both were awarded and we both have our tuition covered. #2: A lot of our expenses are covered by loving family members. Such as the clinic bills from when I got pneumonia a week and a half before our wedding. #3: I believe in blessings. There's a reason we're able to not be in debt, especially with being in school... I just don't know what it is yet.


I can still read your mind- "You're a jerk for making me feel poor. Shut up and stop bragging."


I'm not trying to brag! My original point is about staying out of debt, and you interrupted me with your question! So in our church, our church leaders have said that we need to stay as far away from debt as possible, especially in today's society. School loans and debts are excepted, along with a modest home mortgage, and perhaps a small car.


Your mind interrupts me again- "How is this possible?"


Well, they're not going to tell us to stay away from debt if it wasn't possible. In my mind, the answer is clear: Don't purchase things you do not need. Yes, that new sports car is ridiculously awesome but if you can't afford it, then it's not worth it. Yes, those jeans are designer and make your behind look so fabulous you can't sit still, but my $40 jeans will last me at least a year, probably longer. What's that? My jeans aren't as cool as your jeans? That's ok! I don't need the world staring at me to know that I'm a beautiful, confident person. Husband and I live without cable TV and a phone landline. We only go out to eat because we have gift money left over from the wedding. We try to plan ahead for meals. We've already started our food storage- it's meager, but there.


There goes your mind again- "You'll end up in debt eventually."


Yes, we probably will. I can't rule out that possibility without being totally naive. The idea is that if you have to get into debt, get out of it as fast as possible. Cut corners where you can- lay off on purchasing ice cream and accessories until you can pay it off. It will all be worth it in the end. And while we're blessed with having enough money to stay out of debt now, we're trying to save as much as we can for anything that might come up.


Now, if you're in debt or have student loans or something, I'm not bashing you. I'm just spewing thoughts. I certainly don't think I'm an expert on these things- I just think that the idea of not spending a ton of money on things is doable. Think about it...


http://lds.org/ensign/1997/09/understanding-interest-on-debt?lang=eng&query=debt

http://lds.org/ensign/1996/08/escaping-the-debt-trap?lang=eng&query=debt

PS- I'm not trying to convert you to my side of the religion fence. I'm just trying to share the wisdom that is in these articles. My next post won't be quite as heavy... I'm only in this because of math. Blech...