Early tomorrow morning our family is flying to California to visit some special friends of ours.
We're very excited about this trip for many reasons: we're looking forward to a vacation as a family; we can't wait to hang out with some incredible people; and we're anxious to get to introduce our children to what a real beach is.
But this trip is about much more than family, friends, and fun; we're taking this trip in celebration of reaching a huge financial milestone in our family.
If you've been reading my blog for more than a few months, you know that we got this weird idea to pay cash for a house and we set a big goal at the beginning of 2009 to have fully-funded our house fund by the end of the year. We started the year at 33% and it seemed very far-fetched to think we'd actually make our goal.
But God had other plans. He worked some miracles, moved some modern-day "mountains", and by His grace and enabling, I am thrilled to tell you that we are ending 2009 at our 100% goal! We're already seriously pursuing house-hunting and hope to have purchased a home debt-free by the end of April 2010, if not sooner.
Truly, "with God, all things are possible!"
This huge financial milestone did not happen instantaneously. It was not something we just up and decided to we'd aim for a few weeks or months ago. In actuality, our journey towards saving to pay 100% down for our first home began before we were even married!
On Thursday, I'm going to be sharing the nuts and bolts of our story and the struggles, lessons, difficulties, and victories we've encountered along the way. No matter where you are in your financial journey, I hope and pray our story is an inspiration to you to dream big dreams, set audacious goals, work hard, and not give up when the going gets tough. You just never know where it might lead!
Have you written down financial goals for 2010? If not, be sure to check out Simple Mom's post on the subject to nudge you in the right direction.
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YIPPPEEEEE! PTL!
Congratulation! I’m so excited for you guys! It is so amazing what God is able to accomplish. Thanks for being such an inspiration to me and so many others. It can be done!!
Congratulations. You truly are an inspiration to many, many people. That is truly phenomenal. Congratulations again.
How amazing! God is truly wonderful! Congratulations to you and your family.
Congrats to you and your family!!! I read your forum on a daily basis and I have to say that you are an inspiration to me. Thanks for sharing your stories.
) God Bless.
Awesome news! Congratulations. You and your family are truly an inspiration. I look forward to reading about the details of your journey!
So excited for you!
Yay!!!! Big congrats to you guys, and have fun on your trip!
Oh my! I have chills.
Sooo excited for y’all.
Wowsers! This makes me feel even better for doing the Ramsey thing!! My husband will be lose his job in February so my goal is to tighten up. We have no debt except our mortgage. Between unemployment, increasing my hours to full time (I work from home) and cutting some things I believe we can squeek through, I have a great Peace that it really will be allright!!!
Heather
Congratulations! How wonderful!! I love reading your story and I think it is awesome how God is blessing you not only with the end result but also during the journey itself!
Crystal, that is GREAT news! Congratulations!! Being in the real estate law sector, I can tell you that you are picking the BEST time, possibly ever in our lifetime, to be buying a home with CASH. We always knew cash was king, but right now, its the ONLY way
I am so darn happy for you!!!! Congrats (and may you be even more inspiring to all those who follow!)
Wow! Simply amazing!
Been following you for a while. CONGRATS on making your goal! This is so awesome and makes me feel like I can do it too!
That’s awesome Crystal!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Can’t wait to read more and see where 2010 takes you!
God Is AWESOME!!!
Oh and have a GREAT VACATION!!
Hi, Crystal, I just started following your blog yesterday. I just want to tell you that I’m so excited that you’ll be able to put 100% down on your house! That is so wonderful:-).
I am so amazed Crystal!!! I can’t wait to here your full report! This makes me want to do this for my family so bad! We have aquired a few rentals with mortgages and I know we could pay them down quicker. Love your site!
Wonderful. My husband and I owe less than $2000. on ours so it will soon be paid off. God has been so good to us. When it is paid off we plan on putting same amount assid for insurance and taxes and using extra for retirement.
Praise God from whom all blessing flow. thank you for giving honor and glory to the Lord who made this possible for you and your family.
May the Lord guide you with His Word in the coming years in to bright and beautiful ways to use your home for the honor,praise and glory of our Only Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I am so happy for you!!! You have inspired me to save up and pay cash for my next car!!!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations! This is very inspiring!
Congratulations. Praise God! You have to call Dave Ramsey!
CONGRATS!!!! THAT IS SOOOOOOO AWESOME!!!!! I AM SOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!
Congrats! You worked hard for this goal & I am so thankful you brough all of us along for the journey. It’s inspired me to set a couple goals of my own in 2010, something I’ve never done. Please have a safe trip and just have FUN!
I was waiting on this post because I figured with your momentum that you would reach this goal prior to the end of 2009. Congrats! I am sooooo excited for you guys! And I am looking forward to your post on Thursday as well as the upcoming posts on your new home.
Congratulations! I have a question though… How much is the home you’re saving for? Did you save for a $60,000 house or a $300,000 house? Either way is great but one is much more impressive than the other. Just wondering what the whole story is? Thanks, and way to go! Mary
Nice to see God works in someone’s life. All he does is create misery in mine. He was supposed to turn my life around, and instead made it worse.
Call Dave Ramsey and yell “I’m COMPLETELY debt-freeeeeeee!!!”
Congratulations Crystal, we’ve been cheering for you the whole way!
Neil and Jessica
Congratulations, Crystal! That is so exciting! What an inspiration to the rest of us that you were able to do this.
Congrats!!! God is so good. Praying He will lead you to house He has for you. You two are so inspiring. Many blessings to you.
Congratulations, so amazing!
Congrats! Thats amazing you and your family are an inspiration and give me hope that it can be done.
Crystal, I am SO excited for you! Congratulations for attaining such an incredible and difficult goal. You are truly an inspiration to us all, you teach us to dream big. I’m excited about 2010′s big dreams! Thank you so much!
How exciting for you all! You guys must be on top of the world right now!! I have butterflies in my stomach for you! Not only have you saved 100% cash for your home, but you have inspired so many people along the way! What an accomplishment! I’m so anxious to read the full story and see how you went from 75% to 100% in a month…how incredible
Congratulations! That is wonderful and know you are proud of your accomplishments. Thanks for sharing your goals and actually reaching them. Have fun on your vacation.
Congratulation Crystal and Family! That is amazing! I am so happy for all of you! We have already bought our home and no we didn’t pay cash. I wish I had found your blog years ago! We could be saving so much money with no mortgage. You guys really deserve it after your years of hard work. Congrats!
WHOOO HOOOOO!!!!!! Congratulations! I know you and your family have worked very hard for this and have made some sacrifices over the years. Your story is an inspiration to many!
Congratulations! Thanks for being such a wonderful inspiration to so many – don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise.
Oh, how wonderful! I’ve been following for a couple of years now, and I remember showing my husband your goal to pay 100% down. Each month I send him your update and we’re both newly inspired to keep plunging ahead in our financial goals! We’ve enjoyed seeing God move mountains for us, and we definitely rejoice with you now! Whoo hoo!! Enjoy your vacation!
Congrats! That is such great news!!
Way to go Crystal! You have been such an inspiration for me and my family, and I am so excited for you! Congrats.
How delightful! A GREAT testimony, Crystal. We’re so proud of you!
I am so impressed and inspired! Just wanted to say I love your blog!
Congratulations! That is AWESOME.
Praise the Lord! Congratulations on reaching your goal!
Congratulations! You and your family are such an inspiration, and praise to God for all the work He has done in your life!
I knew you could do it! You are such an encouragement to those of us who are not there… yet. Thanks to you and all your resources (like Dave Ramsey and coupons), my husband and I are on the road to becoming debt-free, even though it looks like it might take us five years to get there. Thank you for your humility and your diligence and your encouraging attitude. God bless you and continue to guide you with His wisdom as you look for the best home for you and your growing family.
God is SO good. I’m glad He shined his light on your family. God Bless you in the New Year! Congrats!
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