Back seven years ago when we were first married, we had this crazy idea that we wanted to pay 100% cash for our first home. It wasn’t yet a goal; it was more of a far-off dream, something we never really thought would be possible, but was a cool idea to consider.
We got married right before Jesse’s last semester of undergrad so before we could even consider saving for a house, Jesse had to make it through undergrad and
law school. With both of our parents’ encouragement, we had worked hard during high school and saved carefully so when we married, we had enough money to pay cash for undergrad and law school, and a little bit left over in case of an emergency.
Prior to getting married, we had crunched a bunch of numbers, written out numerous rough drafts of possible budgets, and decided we’d do something counter-cultural: we’d commit to stay out of debt through law school. We had the money to pay for school set aside in our bank account, so we would use that to pay for school and live off of whatever we could earn while Jesse was in school.
Knowing that Jesse wouldn’t be able to work much while in law school and planning for me to be a stay-at-home mom as soon as children came along (whenever God saw fit to bless us with children–we’d left that in His hands!), committing to stay out of debt seemed like a fairly audacious goal. And it turned out to be a whole lot harder than we could have envisioned.
I came from a family where a strong work ethic was instilled in us from the time we were little. My parents didn’t believe in hand-outs; we all had to pull our own weight as part of the family. As soon as we were old enough to earn money, we were expected to buy our own clothes and pay for our own expenses. My parents were generous to us and paid us for extra jobs we did around the house, but laziness was not tolerated in their home.
I so appreciate this about my parents as this was one of the biggest things which helped me survive those grueling years of law school. If I’d have grown up with an entitlement mentality, I’d have never survived.
As I’ve shared here before, many months when Jesse was in law school, we had no idea how we were going to pay our bills. Most of the time, the numbers never worked out on paper. But we committed never to tell anyone about our needs, give 10% of our little income to our church, and trust that God would provide.
I remember numerous times when Jesse and I would be on our knees literally begging God to please provide as we had no idea how we would pay for our rent or electricity, or even food. God always provided–sometimes at the last moment and through the most unexpected means. He was continuously faithful and our trust in Him grew by leaps and bounds during those first few years of marriage.
We pinched our pennies, worked as many different side jobs and at-home jobs as we could scrape together or scrounge up, and learned to pray like never before. And by God’s grace, we made it through law school without any debt. We had very little money to our name, but Jesse had his law license!
Almost immediately after graduation, we discovered just how much freedom there was in being debt-free. We didn’t have any chains of school loans to drag around with us for the next ten or fifteen years making our monthly expenses quite low, so we didn’t have to worry about landing a high-paying job.
All that hard work and short-term sacrifice was beginning to pay off!
During the last year of law school, we’d discovered this guy named Dave Ramsey. Jesse started listening to his radio show and kept coming to me all pumped about what he was learning. I really wasn’t too excited. After all, I stubbornly thought, weren’t we pretty smart when it came to finances? Did we really need some guru with a radio show to tell us what to do?
Little could I have guessed at that time how much this “guru” would end up influencing our lives and changing the way we thought about money. But first, I had to humble myself and be willing to listen…
…To be continued
Other posts in this series
- Our Journey Towards Saving 100% Down For Our First Home: Part 1
- Saving 100% Down for A Home: Part 2
- Saving 100% Down for a Home: Part 3
- Saving 100% Down for a Home: Part 4
- House-Hunting: It's Hard Work!
- House-Hunting: A Realtor is Priceless
- House-Hunting: Patience Pays Off!
- House-Hunting: Could this be THE house?
- A Dream Come True: Paying Cash for Our First Home
{ 82 comments }
I am so excited to read all this. My husband I just got married in June and have resolved to be debt free as well. We are fans of Dave Ramsey as well and working our way through the steps. We are also hoping to save enough for a house to pay cash or mostly cash anyway. It’s very encouraging to read your story. Keep up the great work!
I’m truly inspired. I have had the same dream since I was a little girl, but was always told that to buy a home outright was financially impossible and not at all savvy. I can’t wait to hear how you have been able to get from a dream to reality!
In 2010, I hope to get myself out of debt (thankfully, I seem to have less debt than my friends) and begin modeling good financial habits for my young daughter. I know your story will be a true inspiration to me as I put my plans & goals together for the future.
I’m on the edge of my seat…literally…keep it coming!
Wow! This is just amazing.
Crystal, how did you manage to save for law school in high school? You guys were so young! I marvel at your maturity in finances at such a tender age.
Thanks for sharing, and being an encouragement to us all!
We an awesome testimony! I wish we had been so smart as newly weds!! We made a lot of stupid mistakes but only have one more debt to pay off- thanks to Dave Ramsey and our faithful Lord! Looking forward to read part 2.
I can’t wait to read the rest of this. We are big fans of Dave Ramsey also. We’re digging our way out of $85,000 of debt right now. Your blog has helped us to cut our grocery budget down by $100 a month. We’re committed to paying off our debt and then saving for 25% of our first home. It will take us at least 5 years, but in the long run will be well worth it.
I think I am more impressed that you did law school debt-free than anything else! Good job!
It is so encouraging and inspiring to read your story Crystal!! My husband and I were married in November, and are currently renting. We have determined to pay at least half if not 100% down on a house someday! I am looking forward to your tips and budget advice.
Again, you are so inspirational! Can’t wait to read more!
It is awesome you learned this so early and did not have to learn many hard lessons. Way to go!
P.S. That 25% will be towards a 15 year fixed rate mortgage with a payment of no more than 25% of our take home pay. Yay for Dave Ramsey! =)
AAAHH!! I can’t wait to read the rest!! =)
We are HUGE Dave Ramsey fans!! We just took the Financial Peace University class offered at our church and it was eye-opening to say the least! We started off debt free for the first few years of our marriage, but didn’t really know any better and being on a VERY low missionary’s income along with unexpected medical bills and such we got into some debt (nothing compared to the national average, but way too much for our means!). Our income/expenses just don’t match up on paper, but God is so incredible faithful and has always provided so much more than we even ask or want!!
Now after taking Dave’s class we’re committed to getting out of our debt (we calculate that we’ll be done except the house by June!!). We’ve had to make some hard decisions like selling a car and buying a much cheaper one with cash, me getting a part-time job when all I really wanted to do was stay home with our 2 boys, hubby getting an additional job taking him to between 55 and 60 hrs/week, and sticking to a budget, but it’s totally worth finally feeling like we can breathe again!
Once the debt is gone we’re going to work like mad to pay off the house ASAP!!!
Anyway, I just love your blog and have learned so much about couponing and saving money wherever I can and now I love it even more! Thanks for sharing your story!! =)
Love reading your story, Crystal. Your parents raised you right!
Thank you for sharing… can’t wait to hear the rest. My husband and I are learning a lot about the Lord in our current financial situation. We grew up with different attitudes toward money and I know the Lord is changing his ideas about money and my ideas about ideas. Your post was a good reminder that the Lord will continue to provide as I (we) continue to learn. Happy New Year!
Very inspirational story. What about your series of Making money at home that you started a while ago? Are you going to continiue it?
Thanks for sharing your story! I’m looking forward to reading the rest of it.
I just found you through Southern Savers. This is an inspiring story so far and I look forward to reading the rest of it. We are also in the Dave Ramsey program and are working on getting out of the debt that we (stupidly) got into even before we were married.
Crystal – you two are such an inspiration. Congratulations, and can’t wait to hear more.
I love reading these posts the most! We are Dave Ramsey fans as well but started on the other side (with debt). God has always provided for us too and one of his tools was me finding your posts back in November and now being clicked in to this whole network of money saving moms!
Hey Crystal! You’re always such an encouragement! Thanks for sharing your story… We have also become big Dave Ramsey fans. We started out about 18 mos ago with $6,000 in debt–we thought that wasn’t “bad”. For most Americans, it wouldn’t be, but we were determined to live debt-free! Now here we are, 18 mos later, not only debt-free (except for the house), but with $24,000 in the bank!! Now our main “problem” is figuring out the best ways to invest it, etc. This is not to brag at all, but to say that God is good!! And also, if we can do it–anyone can! …Oh, and I wish we had saved up to pay cash for our first house. Too lat now, but hopefully we can pay it off in the next 5 years.
Thanks so much for sharing your story–it is incredibly encouraging and inspiring. For the first time, I am really thinking that this is something that maybe we could do too. Thanks!
How wonderful! God is good! My husband is a medical resident and we resolved to be debt free through medical school and did it! 4 years! We are still in the battle with now 2 small children, and I just resigned from my part-time job (I worked full time until our first son was born and went part-time). We have put our finances in our “God box,” (huge Francine Rivers fan) and trust for His provisions especially while my husband finished his training! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Crystal,
Thanks for sharing this, and just wondering if you are planning on continuing this:
Becoming a Work-At-Home Mom: Learning Through Failure
But maybe I missed the Part 4?
Take care and have a blessed New Year!
Thank you for sharing your story Crystal. I can’t wait to read the rest.
Both my husband and I graduated from college debt-free. My parents were not financially able to contribute to my college, but God blessed me with a full scholarship. My husband’s parents were more than able to pay his way. But my husband started working full-time in high school and pretty much saved all his earnings and any monetary gifts from his parents and grandparents. He also became a Resident Advisor once in college, which provided him with free room and board, free meal plan and a small stipend. We feel very fortunate to not have Sallie Mae taking residence in our spare bedroom – to borrow a phrase from Dave Ramsey!
You are really an inspiration – GOD BLESS YOU and your family!!!! I can’t wait to read part 2 and I am going to check out DAVE Ramsey. Happy new year and thanks for all the money saving tips you share with us in 2009 looking forward to more of the same for 2010.
You’ve got my interest. I’ve never listened to Ramsey as I know plenty about finances, so I’ll have to read more and see what you learned from him.
Congrats on reaching your 100% goal!
SOO wonderful! I was telling my husband about you last night at dinner. We too have gone and read Dave Ramesy and are also debt free (all expect our house) we are expecting our 2nd and he has already been paid cash for. We are praying for me to stay home so that i can homeschool and raise our children, but i carry the insurance and make double my husband.. BUT I know God can work all things out.. so we are praying! thank you for your encouragement and i love to read about this.. our next home will be cash like yours:) thank you thank you for being a Outspoken woman of the Lord!
jessica
That is AMAZING that you were able to save that much (I’m guessing at least $100k if not more?) for Jesse’s undergrad and law school in advance of him attending.
Did Jesse have a decent job before starting school? It’s just hard for me to wrap my mind around how yall were able to scrape together such a massive amount of money pre-degree.
I think you’re totally right about avoiding the entitlement attitude.
You’re such an inspiration!
I am so impressed. And it sounds like you already were doing much of what Dave Ramsey already says (I just finished reading his total money makeover). My husband graduated from law school this year and I WISH we could say we were debt-free…but we are inspired by your saving 100% for your house and though we may not reach that amount, I really think we are starting to turn a corner with our finances and perspectives and hopefully can pay off our student loans as quick as we can and move forward in our finance debt-free from then on. Very inspiring (though I have to admit I am a bit envious!
though you both worked SO hard to do it the way you did, seriously, so much sacrifice and hard work–you both deserve all the blessings you’ve received for your diligence for year!)
I love your story and my husband has always lived like this, although I have not. Tough to be so different in that way in a marriage. This year, 2010, I have committed to join him in this quest to live debt free, be accountable for every cent, and to work together towards this goal. I love your story!
Way to go! I would have loved to have had the same start in married life that you had.
We both started desperately in debt which multiplied when we married. We have been fighting an uphill battle, but we keep fighting! Thanks for the heads up on Dave Ramsey. I’m a fan of Crown Financial Ministries, but will look for Mr. Ramsey as well.
I am also very excited to see this. My husband and I have set our goal to have all our credit cards paid off so that all we own will be our mortgage. Baby Steps! I also enjoy reading the site http://www.josephsangl.com he also has great web tools you can download to help with financial freedom. Thanks for sharing!
Congratulations, Crystal. I have been reading your blog for about a year now, and I am so excited to see you reach this big goal!
I am excited to read the rest of your story. my husband and I didn’t take this route, but we are striving to go this way now. We won’t be able to pay cash for a house, but we are hoping to do it with our next car!
Thanks so much for sharing, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your story and look forward to the continuation! I have been a big fan of your blog and you have truly been an inspiration to me!
I can’t wait for your story to unfold, I’m so excited! We’ve been doing the Dave Ramsey thing for the past 6 mos. or so, and unfortunately read his book 3 yrs. into our marriage, but are grateful to have started when we did. Our goal is to be debt free by the end of 2010 and I’m so glad to have couponing and everything to make it that much more possible, thanks to people like you who provide example along with your helpful blog. I got emotional when I read that you achieved your goal. The Lord will provide, that’s becoming more and more obvious to us. Way to go!
Crystal, your story is very inspiring to me and from a very different perspective: in two years, our only son will be going to college. Even though we have saved a lot during his lifetime and are typically very frugal, it looks as if school is going to be very pricey (we are not eligible for many loans and scholarships). However, reading your blog has inspired me to do all we can to get him through school debt-free. He just doesn’t need to start out his life with that chain around his neck!
you’re killing me…i’ve been waiting ALL day to read your story and got a to be continued – ha! can’t wait to read the rest.
I just adore your blog!! You inspire me every single day, and I thank you for all of your hard work and effort that you put into it!!
Your story is always very inspiring to hear, but is also a reminder of how much it helps to have a plan so early on that you stick to, and to have a partner early on that shares that plan. Two people working together for a common goal tend to tackle things much more quickly than one person with an unknown future plan (common to many at 18). I love that it worked for you, though.
I am so incredibly encouraged your story. My husband are a long way off from being as financially fit as you two are, but we are not giving up home. We, too, recently found Dave Ramsey and we are taking baby steps to turn our lives around. I KNOW there is absolutely no way we are going to be able to do this with God being a part of it. I just love reading how God brought you through and that there is hope for me, too!
I hate when I make errors…I meant “encouraged BY your story”, “my husband AND I” and “HOPE” not home.
Oops…
Congratulations to both of you!! What an incredible journey. I do have a question/comment, however. You mentioned how you were committed to not expressing your needs to anyone. I hope you were not encouraging people to not ask for help if truly needed. God provides through the blessings of giving people as well. Wouldn’t you agree? I mean, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Crystal,
I have been reading your site for about a year now and I now check it every day! I never make comments, but really wanted to this time. I am so happy for you and your husband. I am more impressed with how you praise and acknowledge God for your success in meeting your goals. Yes, you did your part, but boy, so did He- and you write about it publically for all to hear and to be encouraged! I am a mom of 4 doing my best to do it right and honor God with my money, time, kids, marriage and life. You help me do that- thanks Crystal. I’d love to personally know you- you are an inspiration to me and so many others! Congrats on the house money. Way to do it right! Thanks : )
I’m a new reader to your site–but what a day to find it! What a great start to an awesome story! Can’t wait to read the rest! Staying faithful to God and watching Him provide all sorts of various needs is so encouraging to the body of Christ! Looking forward to many more money saving deals, too!
Wow…I wish we had been raised that way! 2009 brought us to Baby Step #3 finally…after being married 8 years! I have surgery in 5 weeks, and it’s nice to know we’ll be able to pay the hospital in cash with what the insurance doesn’t cover!
We still have 90% of this house to pay off, but with Dave’s help we’ll get it done in a few years!
I was instilled the same great work ethic as a child and plan on passing it down. I did not learn the wise finance knowledge though, and discovered Dave 4 years ago in Jan., wow where has the time gone? VERY close to being debt free except the house in a few more months, just discovered couponing and I am LOVING it, puts my old coupon cutting ways to shame. Oh the knowledge I can pass on to my girls=)
Wow! What an inspiring testimony! I really wish my husband would be more supportive of my efforts to stay out of debt. That is an on going battle. You are so blessed!
I’m a new reader to your blog (I found your blog yesterday!) and when I read that you and your husband were getting ready to put 100% down on your home I thought, they must be following the Dave Ramsey plan! My husband and I started our Total Money Makeover a few months ago and it’s been going great. Your story is very inspiring! Congratulations!
Are you planning to tell us how much you saved? I just wondered how much in comparison to home prices everywhere. What a time to buy a house for 100% down! It is a perfect market for it. How wonderful for your family!!!
Thanks for sharing your amazing story. I am so happy for you and your sweet family. I can’t wait to read Part 2!
I love this blog and think you are great! I want to make a comment about having a mortgage, though. A mortgage can be a good thing, especially if you live somewhere where rent is high. We bought our house five years ago. It was a really great deal (fixer upper in a great neighborhood, interest rates were good, etc.) and our mortgage payment ended up being cheaper than our rent. Where we live, a small apartment rents for $500-$800, and our mortgage is around $600. Fast forward to now, when I’m home with the kids and we don’t have much money (we live on around $35,000 a year – though people are shocked to learn that since we have a great life thanks to being frugal!). Thank goodness we bought our house when we did! Now we have $50,000 or so equity in our house, where as if we would have kept renting we would have nothing. It’s nice to know we can always sell our house and have a nice chunk of change in our pocket. And that’s not including the tax credits we get. The problem comes when people buy houses outside of their means. If you can find a modest home in a good neighborhood, it can be a really really smart financial decision. We are in “debt”, but you have to live somewhere, so why not use the money as an investment instead of just giving it to a landlord? I really think in some cases, depending on where you live, buying is the right choice.
I was wondering what others were saying before saying anything..I think the biggest thing is I am like many others who are impressed that Jesse was able to pay for college and law school.Many people pay cash for a house but that comes after paying off school loans.How neat that you started out debt free at a real young age and still debt free while young.Looks like when you are my age you’ll still be debt free!
So happy for you. God is amazing! What a blessing!
Dave Ramsey’s the best!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I just found your website and I have enjoyed many of the deals. My friend just posted our “Dave Ramsey” story on her blog: comehaveapeace.blogspot.com
First, congrats on your accomplishment! We bought our first house in October and were thrilled to put 20% down. I can’t even imagine the incredible discipline to pay 100%.
I haven’t actually commented before, but I check your blog everyday. I just wanted to tell you what a blessing and source of encouragement it has been to me to read about how God has worked in your life! Thanks so much for sharing!
WOW! I am so excited you are sharing this. We have 9 children so far and our oldest one is courting a girl. I am going to give them both a copy of this series of posts as it is so inspiring. They are both going to college and are trying to do it debt free. She wants to be a stay at home mom. They plan on getting married after college so they are both living at home so not to have that expense during college. With her degree she can work from home.
I am also going to give a copy to several moms at our church with teens and would like as well to send a copy out to our homeschool community. I would post your site as to where they can learn more of your info. I have shared your site so many times when people ask me about saving money.
Thank you so much for all your work you put into this site. You bless so many.
Congratulations! How exciting to start looking for a house and what a time to be doing it. May the Lord bless you with an awesome house.
Not law school, but I paid my way through school as well on what I made at Burger King. Everyone around me complained about the expense, the burden of student loans, how long it was going to take to pay for the education they were getting. But all I did is start saving from the time I got my first job at sixteen and work and study during college.
We didn’t make buying a home with cash our goal, but our current goal includes paying it off in a few years.
That is so inspiring because I am in debt upto my eyeballs!!!
Sounds great so far, can’t wait for part two.
Just out of curiosity, how much are homes where you are looking? I know homes cost different amounts in different parts of the country probably from bt 50k-500k for a starter home. Give us some idea of what 100% down on a home means to you? How many bedrooms, how much property, amenities, town house, single family house, trailer? We need more details please! It gives us something more concrete of a goal to focus on also! Thanks!
I am amazed! Congrats to you and your entire family. We just had triplets in 2009; and we are ending the year with not adding more debt, current on everything, and owing ZERO to credit cards (first time since I was 18 and now 31)! 2010 will be such a good adventure for us. By the way, we began Dave’s plan in September 2006. Oh, I cannot wait to finish reading your story. The suspense is there.
Don’t forget the first time home buyer credit of up to $8,000.00.Check irs.gov for the cut off date.I am very glad for you!God Bless.
Great job! I am currently saving for a duplex, not paid in full sadly. Right now I am debt free but I will have the mortgage to pay for when I get the house, but that’s why I’m planing to rent out half the house.
Its great what you did so far and can’t wait to read the rest!
- Matt
Oh – don’t stop now. I’m on the edge of my seat just waiting for more!
We are living the opposite of you and it’s horribly hard. Neither one of us received much financial training in our homes growing up. I have now learned many lessons and so has my dh. But it will be a very long time before we can even hope to be debt free. The one thing I am doing though is teaching our children about the blessing of paying tithing and not accumulating any more debt. Many people complain about their credit card debt. We have none of that thankfully! We have business debt and a home mortgage. I am constantly reminded by people like you that how we train our children is VITAL! Your parents were so wise to teach you these basics that our parents left to the wind.
I’m so glad you’re sharing this story. It is such an audacious goal to be debt-free and save for your first home – I’m excited to learn more about your experience.
Congratulations! Hope you can find a place quickly and take advantage of the 8k tax credit from first time home buyers……good luck!
You have a very inspiring story and I love your website. However, I am wondering exactly HOW you could save enough for ungrad AND law school while in high school. I also was a big saver at a young age but no jobs you can get at that age provided anywhere near enough to finish college debt free!
I love all of your series!
I really cannot wait to hear more about your savings adventure! This is my first real attempt at living more frugally and you are such an inspiration! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us! I will be reading your blog from now on. I’m glad I found you!
Crystal, thank you for sharing. My husband and I are in a big financial hole right now, and Dave Ramsey’s name keeps coming up, most recently here in your post. We’re taking that as a sign we should check out what he’s got to say. I hope it’s not too little, too late for our present situation, but even so, I think it may help us going forward.
Crystal-
I just want you and Jesse and the kids to know what an inspiration you have been to our family, even if you don’t know it. I make comments daily about Money Saving Mom you are a household name here. Thank You.
I have been following your blog for at least two years now…my husband and I are followers of Dave Ramsey. I think I stumbled upon your blog by searching something about living on a tight budget. I found your site and it totally inspired me and our family. We are a debt free family living in Northern Indiana…actually the home of the Irish…if you are a fan.
Crystal, you are such an inspiration. I just love coming here and reading your successes. Best wishes to you and your family for 2010 – stay safe and healthy!
Wow, that is an amazing goal!! My husband and I found Dave Ramsey a couple of years back. We were way in over our heads at that time and just couldn’t breath. We have since paid down over $60,000 in debt and are $4500 from being DEBT FREE except the house. I am so proud of you guys…no matter how many people call you crazy, no matter how many people think your goal is crazy, just stop and look at the mess this country is in and remember YOU are not the one who is crazy!!! Keep us that gazel intensity!!!
Crystal,
This is an exceptional story. If you don’t mind how did you ever decide you had 100% for a down payment? Based on about what cost in a home ( I mean since homes start at $25K in some parts of the country and go upwards of millions and millions) What brackets made 100% down payment for an average family ?
What an amazing story.
We all love reading about this particular part of your money-saving journey – Thanks!
And here’s to Dave Ramsey;)
I’m so glad you’re going in to such detail here, Crystal. The stories you tell about your upbringing and early marriage days always give me the shivers.
I think the part I love most about this post was your not growing up with a sense of entitlement. That is HUGE in this era. Your parents are to be called blessed by you guys. We so want this for our kids.
WOW. It took a lot of discpline for you both. It has paid off. I can’t wait to read the rest of the story. I wish we would have done this when we were justr starting out. God bless you both.
Don’t know much about Dave Ramsey but my hubby and I have been married for 10 years and the only debt we have is our house bought 5 years ago. We both have a college degree that we paid for plus 4 kids and I stay home with them so of course only one income. Wonder if we are doing what this Dave guy says without even knowing it?! Can’t wait to read part 2 of your story to find out if you actually paid 100% down.
I love Dave Ramsey and I don’t feel that we have been poor with our finances but I love Dave’s enthusiasm
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