Comments on: Our Journey Towards Saving 100% Down For Our First Home: Part 1

By: Laura

Laura — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:02:58 +0000

I love Dave Ramsey and I don’t feel that we have been poor with our finances but I love Dave’s enthusiasm

By: Tonya

Tonya — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 21:02:39 +0000

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.

By: JLP

JLP — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:29:59 +0000

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.

By: Tsh

Tsh — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 13:30:47 +0000

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.

By: Claire at Saving Money Plan

Claire at Saving Money Plan — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 21:48:51 +0000

What an amazing story.
We all love reading about this particular part of your money-saving journey – Thanks!

And here’s to Dave Ramsey;)

By: Jenna

Jenna — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 10:35:25 +0000

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 ?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 08:53:47 +0000

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!!!

By: Suzanne Wells

Suzanne Wells — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 07:02:45 +0000

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!

By: Melissa

Melissa — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:32:54 +0000

Crystal-
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. 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.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:40:47 +0000

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.

By: Brendal

Brendal — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:27:51 +0000

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!

By: Alaina @ Three Ladies and a Dad

Alaina @ Three Ladies and a Dad — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:01:31 +0000

I love all of your series!

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:44:51 +0000

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!

By: katie

katie — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:06:33 +0000

Congratulations! Hope you can find a place quickly and take advantage of the 8k tax credit from first time home buyers……good luck!

By: Rebecca at Alice

Rebecca at Alice — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:46:39 +0000

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.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:01:14 +0000

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.

By: Lauren

Lauren — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:23:41 +0000

Oh – don’t stop now. I’m on the edge of my seat just waiting for more!

By: moneyblogger1

moneyblogger1 — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:22:55 +0000

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

By: LaVonne

LaVonne — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 13:16:44 +0000

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.

By: Deven

Deven — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:52:39 +0000

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.