When we walked into this house, we both instantly fell in love with it. It was everything we were looking for — and so much more! Best of all? It was in our price range.
While we both were a little antsy to go ahead and put a contract on it, we wanted to research out everything more thoroughly, think it through, pray about it some more, sleep on it overnight and bring both of our dads to investigate it again with us to make sure we weren’t missing anything which we needed to be aware of.
There were already quite a few showings scheduled, so we felt it was best to not piddle around. We scheduled a time to come back and look at the house the next day with our dads and then we went home to pray and think.
Once home, we researched flood plains, tax appraisals, register of deeds documents, homes in the area which had recently sold and how much they sold for and we spent a long time praying for wisdom. We wanted to be 100% sure God was leading us to put a contract on this home. We really didn’t want to practically clean out our entire bank account for something which was not His will for us!
And the more we researched and prayed, the more the lights turned green. Based upon the prices of comparable houses in the area which had recently sold and based upon what we felt the home was worth, we decided upon what we wanted to offer.
The next day, we went back to look at the home praying that if there was any reason we weren’t supposed to put an offer on the house, God would make it very clear to us. Well, in going through the house with a fine-toothed comb again, we only came to like it even more. And our dads really liked it as well and felt the offer we had decided upon was fair.
So, with great excitement, we signed the contract. And within a few hours, the sellers accepted!
We had a hard time believing it was really and truly for real. After talking, dreaming, working and praying towards the goal of paying cash for a house, it felt rather surreal that it had actually happened.
A few weeks later, we drove Old Blue Van into town and signed our names on the dotted line to become home owners. We were chuckling while driving there about how crazy it was to be driving a clunker to pay cash for a home. We felt a little out of place when we drove up to a parking lot full of shiny almost-new cars.
But, in a way, it seemed so fitting. Being content with a clunker instead of upgrading to a newer car was just one of the many reasons we were in a position to pay cash for a house.
After signing the contract and getting the keys, Jesse and I headed over to our new home. It is hard to describe the feelings which washed over us when we pulled up into the driveway. To see our dreams come to fruition. To see the sleepless nights and long days of working and saving pay off. To see the realization of years of scrimping.
It was far from a fleeting momentary giddiness; it was a deep fulfilling feeling in the bottom of our souls. By the grace of God, we had paid cash for our first home.
And we knew beyond any shadow of a doubt that God is good. We stepped out in faith and obedience at the beginning of our marriage to follow His leading to be counter-cultural and follow the Biblical principle of “owing no man anything” (see Romans 13:8). It has been far from easy and there have been many times when we’ve wanted to give up and give in. But as we’ve stayed faithful and obedient — even when the going got very tough — He has blessed that obedience and faithfulness far beyond our wildest imaginations.
Without God’s blessing and provision, we would never have been position to pay cash for a home. But He has seen fit to bless us with a spacious home that meets and exceeds all of our expectations. And it’s a testament to His goodness and graciousness to bless His children with good gifts. It is our heart’s desire that we be wise stewards of this home He has entrusted to us.
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
- Saving 100% Down for A Home: Part 5
- 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
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What a blessing!! I have been a long time reader of your blog. From the beginning, I have always thought our lives have been very similar. We are near the same age and my husband is also an attorney. We had our first child in his last year of law school. I just HAVE to know this please answer….. How did you save money to pay your student loans off before college in high school? It must have been what? Undergrad 20K? Law school 30-40? Please tell me your secret!! That’s the one think that I hate to have. Also our ONLY debt and would love to know how you paid such a large amount of money off, before law school. Again, congrats on your new home!!
@Kerri, I have an article in the works on “How to Go to College Without Going Into Debt” which will share the principles we used, as well as many others we know. I think if more young people realized how possible it is to get an undergrad (and even masters or doctorate degree!) without debt, they’d be able to put themselves in a much better position financially!
I would love to read that one! I have just started back to school and really don’t want to go into debt.
Congratulations! You guys must be so thrilled! What a wonderful example of how hardwork and prayer can make great things happen!
Congratulations to you and your family. That is really quite a fantastic accomplishment. From your pictures, it looks lovely!
I know we have never met, but I feel like you are one of my best friends after following your blog for over a year now. Your story is so inspiring! Without a house payment, I don’t imagine it will take too long for you to replace Old Blue. Your kitchen is beautiful and I can’t wait for the baking day photos from it. Thanks to your example (both of frugality and faith!) my family is debt free except the mortgage. And we have a plan to pay it off in 6 years. I look forward to Baby Step 7 of giving more than any of the other steps. But you can’t skip any along the way to get there right? That is why they are called baby steps.
Along with many others, I have been following you since your Biblical Womanhood days (even had all the e-books, though the computer ate them). Your various websites and efforts have been a blessing to me, and an encouragement. I am so pleased to how Heavenly Father has blessed you and your family for your efforts to be obedient. What a beautiful home! You are a wonderful example of what a follower of Christ should look like and act like. Thank you!
Congratulations!! You are an inspiration to many.
Congratulations!
Okay, this brought tears to my eyes, the kind that are joyful and yet come from the deep place in my soul and attest to the truth of what happened by following God’s plan, not man’s. This is such a wonderful testimony. I couldn’t wait to see the kitchen pictures and it was beyond what I imagined. Congrats Sister!
I’m so proud of you & your family!!! God has richly blessed your faithfulness and trust in Him.
Crystal, I am beyond thrilled for you and Jesse!!!! It has been so exciting to follow along as you took this journey. You have worked hard and God has blessed abundantly!! Your home looks absolutely lovely. Thanks for letting us share in your joy!
And like the others, having never met, I feel as if we are friends
I’ve been following along since the days when there were only three of you.
My heart was overflowing as your dream started to become a reality. The pictures of your home are amazing…it truly does look like a dream home but any house that you are in with your family is home. It’s really about Him and the family that lives there
I’m so happy for you!
I applaud you and your husband! Thank you for being a visible example for us on the internet. For showing us that this is not because of you, but because of God. I’m sure you might get hate mail or people that really question your lifestyle, but press on, sister! May your home be a light in your neighborhood and may Christ be glorified.
I am so happy for you! Thank you for sharing…I have only started following your blog for about 2 months and it has been a huge blessing! Thanks to you and Life as Mom my husband and I have read Dave Ramsey’s book and have started on our journey to financial freedom. oh….and I must agree with you…..God is good!!!!
Congratulations! What a blessing to own a home knowing your hard work and dedication have paid off.
Hearty Congratulations Crystal
Very happy for you and your family. Enjoy your new home!
WOW amazing! Im so happy for you guys. My husband and I started Dave Ramsey’s program June 2009 and have since paid off $34,200. Once we send the last check (hopefully the end of this month) we will be debt free. I cant tell you what a blessing this is to hear right now. My husband was just laid of (due to his office closing) and we have two kiddos (5months and 3 years) and live in California (not the best place to find a job). When I read your post a peace came over me, reminding me that He is bigger then all things, and that we will be fine as long as we continue to look to Him! Thank you so much, God is great! Enjoy your blessing, you guys deserve it!
@Laura, What a wonderful reminder of how important it is to be debt free for times like you are experiencing. I hope your husband finds a new job very soon and you’re right…God is in control. He wants good things for us and is the giver of all good things! Blessings to you and your family.
Wow! Congratulations! I love your kitchen, it’s beautiful!
Thanks for your wonderful testimony, God is so good!
Congrats on your new home! Thanks for the inspiration to live below our means and to remember that we don’t need all the material things we see around us!
Wow, nice house!
Crystal, we are so happy for you! It has been a joy to follow along on your journey. Your home is just beautiful! You are such an inspiration!
I’m so excited for you Crystal! Thank you so much for all you do to encourage all of us towards frugal living – we have friends who just finished paying off their home and my husband and I were just discussing what that kind of freedom must feel like. Thanks for the inspiration!
I love it!!! I can’t wait to see more!
I am so happy and excited for you! Congratulations on finding and paying cash for such a wonderful home! I pray you will all make many happy memories there.
Beautiful kitchen! It looks so big! I hope you will show us the rest of the house, and the outside!
Congratulations on your new home! I know God will bless it richly for your faithfullness!!
Praise God! So happy for you!!
Crystal,
I am just so, SO excited and happy for you and your family. I have been following your blogs for over 3 years now, and I have seen how hard you and your husband have worked and saved to be able to make this dream come true. God is truly good, and I am so happy to see He has blessed you in such a wonderful way!! Congratulations!
Congratulations Crystal, yes your hard work had finally paid off! I think it is wonderful the way you sought counsel from both of your fathers! What a gracious example of submission to authority and to the Lord’s leading.
Through all of this I can think of one statement and that is. “When we honor the Lord He honors us.”
I have been following your blog for about a year now, but have never posted any comments before. I draw so much strength from your website and hope that one I day I can do the same as you have done! Congratulations on seeing your dream come true and prayers be answered. Thanks for being an inspiration to so many of us!
I just wanted to say YOU AND YOUR Husband are AMAZING!!! What an insperation you both are. WOW comes to mind!
LOVE IT! Great story, and I’ve been following along every step of the way. It’s such a lovely kitchen, can’t wait to see more pics!
By you paying cash, does that mean you had no closing costs? Or perhaps less than what it would have been?
@Kacie, You still have to pay “closing costs” when you purchase a home but they are just a minimal amount of money conpared to having a mortgage.
Crystal,
Congratulations! God is so good and what an encouragement as I’m also dreaming of someday becoming a debt free homeowner! I’ve been following your blog for a little over a year, and it feels as if you’re one of my neighbors! Enjoy your lovely home!
Absolutely perfect. You and your family have inspired me and my husband to believe that we can work towards being debt free. It is for sure not easy, but it will be so worth it, as you have shown us. Thanks for being so willing to share your story.
I have been following your blog since you were pregnant with Silas and was impressed mostly by your wonderful attitude of NOT “keeping up with the jones” and having the faith and confidence not to need expensive things to fit in or be happy. You are providing a wonderful example for your children and think of the opportunities they will have since you are living debt free and saving for their future. I love your blog and freezer cooking and homeschool articles the best! House is gorgeous!
Congratulations to you and your family! What an inspiration you are!!
Wow. Those pictures are GORGEOUS! Please share photos of more of your home!
You inspire me. My husband and I are working hard to pay off our debt (and are teaching our five year old why we should have never taken on debt in the first place!), and we hope to pay cash for a home some day.
God has truly blessed your efforts and sacrifice. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing your journey with the world.
Congrats! That is awesome! I am just pleased as punch that our mortgage is under $100K. We are in So Cal, and the market here is terrible. I really want to pay it off, and we have the money, but with one in college and one to graduate next year, we will wait and pay a little to the principal each month. That is our only debt. So I am proud that we are not using ‘fake money’ as many out here do. Enjoy your new abode! I know you will.
Crystal- Your blog is so encouraging to me. Your practical examples for living a Godly life are such a blessing and I’m so excited for you and your family as you settle into a new home! Thanks for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing your wonderful testimony!
Congrats! Being a new homeowner is such a fun time!!! Enjoy it because you guys deserve it! Thank you for being such a great role model!
This is the very first I read your blog and am so amazed at what you have accomplised through your faith, what a testimony and example of God’s great love and work in your life. I will start reading your blog and greatly appreciate your testimony to others.
Congrats Crystal. I love the principles in which you live your life by, and it’s obvious that both you and Jesse are experiencing God’s favor in your life right now.
An incredible story/testimony that you have shared today. It’s been interesting and inspiring to follow this story through your previous posts.
Congratulations! You have been so inspirational to me and my husband and I want to thank you! Your home looks beautiful!
Crystal, What a lovely home! And to be worry-free of any mortgage!
We purchased our home with cash. We tithe and support 3 missionaries. We are completely debt-free. It is very different from most people I know who scrape by and load up on other expenses. We just returned from a 24 day trip through the west. We were able to do it because we don’t have a house payment or car payment. You will ultimately have a better life by refusing debt.
Amazing and inspiring! Congratulations! I’d love to see more pictures!
Congratulations! You have a beautiful house.
Congratulations to you and your family on this Blessing from God and for the strength and courage it took to walk under God’s obedience. “no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 May you all continue to bask in all the Blessings God has in store for you!
Congrats! How very gazelle of you:) May it be a blessed home.
Very cool! Congrats!
So happy for you all. Reading about this brought tears to my eyes. I’m so excited to see how God did all this for you. Of course, you said no to many, many things and delayed your gratification. My parents, brought me up watching Mr. Jim Sammons, “Financial Freedom” videos:) What fun times and I’m glad they taught us to be frugal! Can’t say I’m Anywhere close to buying a home with cash (I’m an older single and out of a job right now; been a public school substitute the last four years) but I’m glad God has allowed me to live on a shoestring too:) Maybe someday I too will have your story.
Lord bless,
Michelle
Congrats on your new home! GOD IS GOOD!!
Your testimony of this experience has inspired my husband and I to save and do without things we really don’t need, so we can save for the farmette we have always wanted.
Thank you so much for your strong testimony! God Bless you and your family!
Congratulations!
You are truly an inspiring role model. Please keep up the good work.
I love your website because your relationship with the Lord is so evident in every little detail of your life! This is just another credit to Him! and I am so excited for you guys.
Amazing. Simply amazing! Congratulations!
Congratulations and many blessings! The bible says obedience is better than sacrifice. You and your husband are living testamonies to how obedience to God is a blessing. I pray that God continues to allow you to share his goodness with others and influence us.
Congrats! God is so good. Enjoy your new home!
That is great….and God is AWESOME! Congrats to you guys!
Congratulations! This is such an inspiring story! My husband and I have been married 6 years and have paid cash for everything besides our house. Your story makes me wish that we would have done that too. While we are definitely living within our means, it’s crazy to think how much money we have spent on interest!!!! Good job!
Thanks so much Crystal! I’ve been following your blog for a few years now, and I literally just teared up reading this post! You are such an inspiration I Praise God for all the amazing blessings he has given us and especially for your motivation.
I’m sooooo happy for you!! To think everything you’ve been through with trying to stay out of debt and saving.
) Truly our God is good. Nahum 1:7
I love your story- it is a joy to see how God works isn’t it? We too are debt-free. By no means are we rich but we have always lived well below our means. Our philosophy has always been “God really owns all of it- we are only stewards and caretakers of what He has entrusted to us.” It helps keep it all in perspective as we live in contentment with what we have and love to bless others when God shows us where and how. May Christ richly bless you as go from here!
Wow! What a dream come true for you! Granted, we can only see pictures of the kitchen, but WOW! AND THANKS! We are looking to updgrade out condo’s kitchen and that’s the color of the cabinets I want. And I like the color contrast of the dark cabinets and the light countertop and tile floor. I may just have to copy that!!! DH also wants to redo all the flooring in the house as well…..oh brother!
Congratulations. You deserve it after all the hard work your family has done. You are a great example to all of us (especially the long time subscribers like me). Thanks for being an uplifting part of my day, when I sit to read your blogs. Crystal, enjoy that new kitchen of yours, as it truly is the heart of the home.
Such an inspiration! Thank you! thank you!
My soon-to-be husband and I live and spend foolishly and now I see what being fun and frugal can do. (well im a little frugal, HES is the one with the shopping problem.)
Congrats!!! What a huge accomplishment this is! You’re home looks lovely!! You’re an amazing woman and an inspiration to everyone here! Enjoy your new home because you guys deserve it!!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing, we just started the Ramsey plan in the fall. What an inspiration. It is so true that it is life changing when you get God’s perspective on His money. Celebrating with you and your family. I am also going to email a link to this post to several of my friend who are just getting started also.
Your story is so inspirational; thanks for sharing your journey. Congratulations on your new home!
Job well done!
That kitchen is absolutely gorgeous! Can’t wait to see more pictures. Congratulations!
I LOVE hearing such inspirational stories like this! Congrats and enjoy!
Last year we became REALLY committed to becoming debt free. A few months ago we made our last payment. No more farm, house, car, credit card, etc payments! We told some friends of ours that we were completely debt free (and have some savings too) and now we have about $40,000 worth of work we want to do to the home–their first question was “so you’re going to go get a $40,000 loan?”…..um NO! Good grief we didn’t work so hard to get to this point to turn around and get back in debt.. Nope, we’ll save up some more and do one project at a time.
I am so happy for you and your family! You are truly an inspiration to everyone!! The house looks gorgeous!! You have just shown everyone that paying for a house with cash is possible and can really happen! God has truly blessed you and your family, congratulations! You are truly a testament to obedience and faith in God.
Congrats to you! The pictures are beautiful-I’m so glad this long journey has “paid off” for you. You are truly an inspiration.
Congratulations Crystal! What an inspiring story! God is so good all the time!
Congratulations! Very exciting stuff!
Congratulations!
TOTALLY INSPIRATIONAL!! I hope the Today Show or someone picks this up! This is what AMERICA needs to hear. Thank you, than you, thank you!
We have met and I have followed you since your Biblical Womanhood days. I thought you would reveal to us about how much the home cost.
It is a lovely home and you and your family certainly deserve it ! God does provide for those of us who provide for others in their times of need.
My saying when folks tell me I got really lucky was no I didn’t “God likes me because I am always nice (even when I don’t want to be) and I give even when I feel I can not to others who need it more.
Bless you all. Hope to see more photos and a hint at what a home like that cost these days.
just wonderful. so beautiful. it made me cry when i read this post also. i’m so happy for you and your family
Amazing! It’s so neat to see the fulfillment of all your prayers and disciplined hard work. I just feel like crying to think how wonderful you must feel!
That is no small feat!!!!! congratulations!!!!
So happy for you all – congratulations!
I remember that giddy feeling of first entering our new house as homeowners. Love the kitchen – looks like a nice place.
Brings me back to read your post.
God is AMAZING! What a great feeling to be debt free! My husband and I are currently working on becoming debt free! It is such a great feeling to pay things off!
Crystal and family, Congratulations! It’s breathtaking! Thanks be to God!
Congrats! You’re right, the kitchen is beautiful! Did you paint or was is already painted that color? I love it!
Congrats! What an amazing accomplishment for a young family to achieve! Once again, thank you for the inspiration and the reminder to Live Like No One Else so that later you can Live Like No One Else!
This is awesome! What an inspiration. I think people just are so conditioned to think that you HAVE to be in debt for 30+ years in order to own a home. We USED to think that too but refinanced to 15 years and are working hard to pay the house off in half that time. I think we can do so much more for the Kingdom when we aren’t chained to a house payment and other forms of debt. I look forward to the day when I have true financial freedom. I am raising my kids to know that they do not have to be slaves to the world’s idea of prosperity. Thank you for your awesome example!
Congratulations. You are an inspiration to us all. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Congrats to you and your family! What an accomplishment! I am so happy for you.
This brought tears to my eyes. What a great story. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!
How exciting for you, and what an awesome testimony of God’s faithfulness to honor His children when they follow His ways! Congratulations!
Congrats! What a wonderful accomplishment and a beautiful house. You are so very blessed!
I just love this! So happy for your family!
reading the story i felt god in my soul and boy does that feel good
Congrats it is stunning
Congrads on the new house.Love what it looks like.
Congrats to your family. Hard work always pays off in the long run. Thanks for all you do for all your followers.
That is awesome
I’m very impressed and hope that since I’ve started working on saving money that we may be able to do that as well one day.
Congrats! It is wonderful that all of your hard work has paid off. May your days in this home be filled with happiness and love.
Dear Crystal, congratulations, we are so happy for your family! And what an awesome way to share what God has done in your life! If it is not too personal, would you mind me asking how much you saved up for your first house? My beloved and I have been working hard and have everything paid but the house—but the house needs work, the cars are old and need work, and sometimes we need a little encouragement—”So and so saved HOW MUCH money in 3 years?!?!?!? (If it is too personal, I won’t be offended if you don’t answer, and I apologize!)
Kelly
PS We actually made the mistake of adding to our debt by taking a second on our house and buying rental properties. When we bought our first house I was terrified to be $100,000 in debt (back in ’94) Now I have almost $1,ooo,ooo in mortgage debt, and its amazing how much power I let those little dollar signs have over us! We have decided to sell them, and get our life back—the only advantage to taking the second mortgage for us is that we actually bought something that APPRECIATES
What a great inspiration you are in a world driven by those living outside of their means in order to “appear” a certain way. Thank you for being authentic and vulnerable and sharing with us all your journey as a family. I hope my hubby and I will own a home one day and it would be wonderful to own it free and clear right away.
I am so excited for you all! And I love how you are giving God the glory, even though you did some serious hard work yourselves. Well done! I am enjoying your satisfaction vicariously. Keep us up to date on how you are enjoying it all! I love these personal posts and the encouragement they bring to so many.
I just wanted to say congratulations! It brought tears to my eyes. I know the joy of being a homeowner is exciting on its own but to do it debt free is beyond exceptional. We are not even near the good situation that you are in but you give me hope that things will get better. Please don’t misunderstand – I am very fortunate, I have a great loving husband, wonderful children and we are making it work but you have really inspired me to hope and pray for more. Good Luck and thank you! KELLY
Congratulations! God is so good!
What an awesome testimony! May your years in this home be filled with joy, laughter, sweet memories and the constant reminder of God’s blessing on your financial faithfulness. You guys rock!!
P.S. The kitchen is lovely. When do we get to see the rest?
Thanks for sharing your journey. You are an inspiration and encouragment. Congratulations on your accomplishment. Post some more pictures of your new home!
I know I’m only one of many saying this, but congratulations! God IS good. Enjoy your new home.
Congratulations! I so wish I would have had the mind set that you guys have years ago. Enjoy it!
AMAZING! Congratulations! What a fantastic story. You are an encouragement to many and an example of how God provides all our needs and all we have to do is trust and follow him!
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WOW that is SUCH a blessing and so awesome that you were so obedient to God. I know God can never steer you wrong and it is wonderful to see a family who still prays and believes in God. I am so happy for your family! Enjoy your new beautiful home!
That’s amazing!!!! We are working on getting our house paid off so we can be completely debt free!!!!!
Praise the Lord!
Congratulations!!
It’s a another on-going “Acts” at this times.
Congratulations and what an incredible testimony you have to share about God’s incredible blessings! Thanks for some pictures!!! It truly is a beautiful home with Jesus Christ as the Cornerstone.
A belated congratulations, Crystal! Thanks for sharing the pictures. I can’t fully describe how much I am in awe of your accomplishment!
CONGRATULATIONS to you and your sweet family. You are such and inspiration to so many and especially young families. I have sent so many people to your website( standing in line at the grocery store, friends , family etc) I am hopeful that more people will start trying to live similar to your family putting GOD and faith before every thing else, Thank you for all your hard work and Congratulations again. Oh yes, we all want to see more pictures!!!
Congratulations! It looks beautiful!
We, too, are looking to pay cash for a house. I thank God for your post today because we were looking at houses and your idea of looking up the assessed tax value may have just saved us THOUSANDS! God is so good!
Congratulations! What a powerful story of patience and obedience. Your blog has always been inspiring in so many ways. Thank you so much for sharing. I hope you and your family enjoy your home for many years to come.
Just wanted to add that I LOVE the kitchen. I love how the sink/dishwasher are on a whole separate counter than the place where you cook your food. Brilliant! I’ve never seen it completely separated like that!
Congratulations for your new home.:-) Reading your post really inspired me to talk to GOD of my plans and my heart’s desires, and have faith in HIM knowing that He will lead me to a very good decision. I admire you and your husband for all your efforts in saving money and just trusting in GOD. Thanks!! You are an inspiration to everyone.:-)
What a beautiful new home & what a blessing! I read the post that you unfortunately chose to delete because of people taking it wrong. I just wanted to let you know that I think you had every right to publish that. It just showed the sacrifices that you made in order to be able to pay cash for a new home. We do some of those things, but not near all and not near to the extent that you’ve done. That’s just a personal choice. I’ve chosen to eat out when I know we could save more by eating at home. That is my choice. All those things that you did were your choice. We have the freedom of speech and you should be able to talk about your choices and decisions without readers freaking out. Just my opinion, now. I love this blog and thank you very much for all the work you do and how you’ve set an example of was is *possible* if we were all willing to make those same sacrifices.
@onemotherslove, I didn’t get to read it – only the post after she said she deleted it due to comments. I sure wish I was able to just for the simple fact that I would love to know all and every way possible to see how to be as frugal as I can be. I am a very strong willed person and I would love the challenge if only I knew what more I can do that I’m not already. It’s great to see it work for others and then be able to practice. I’m just shaking my head that others would make comments negatively against someone with such a fantastic goal and heart after God to the point where it is felt to delete it all. Maybe someone could share this with me as to inspire me and possibly get me to think a little more intently.
@Michelle, I agree. I wash shocked that people would put hateful things. I was debt-free (execpt for mortage), then started a business. Unfortunately, I am now loaded with debt and am climbing back out.
I don’t go the austerity route myself, but find myself motivated and uplifted by this blog. It would be nice if she could repost it with the comments off, if nothing else.
I have been waiting for this post! Thank you so much. I was really, really hoping you would post pictures of it and I am so glad you did. What an an exciting and inspirational day!!
Thank you for your story. I cried as I saw the confirmation of God’s promises in your life. I am believing for a miracle in our lives also, and your story was a comfort and encouragement to just hold on to what Gods has promised. Thank you so much.
YOU GO GIRL!!!! My husband and I are in the middle of our debt snowball, and I LIVE to hear stories like yours! I need need need to be inspired as we pull ourselves out of the massive debt that we created! Thank you for sharing with us!
I just want you to know that I read the response that you had to put on your emails about this being a burden to some people. Unfortunately, doing what God wants you to do and following His will for your lide will make some people unhappy. I am very excited for you and your family, and I want you to know that you have helped me with saving money on my groceries and getting great coupons and savings. Thank you so much for what you do, and for glorifying God through all of it!
“If the Lord is for us, then who can be against us?”
I had skimmed your article when it came across my email yesterday, and after today’s post, of course I went back and re-read it carefully looking for the part that would have been burdensome or offensive. Uh, couldn’t find it. Looked again. Couldn’t find it. We are to be “in this world but not be of it” and you have certainly shown that when we take a stand to follow Christ and live by Godly principles then we will face some sort of opposition. What an encouragement your story is! “I can do all things through Christ”… remember the story of the talents? This is the modern-day version. Congratulations, and thank you for sharing.
That is SO awesome!!! You give us all inspiration! Congratulations and I hope your new home brings you many wonderful memories and even more blessings! God bless!
THANK you for sharing your life with us! Reading this post also brought tears to my eyes and I have shared the story with so many people and they are all so amazed! My husband and I started Financial Peace in March 2010 and are still working on baby step 1, but the debts are beginning to decrease and it feels so good! Thanks for sharing your tips on saving money. I don’t know what would have been offensive and remember what Dave says, “Live like no one else so you can live like no one else!” You guys got it and should be proud of your hard work! Our God is an awesome God!
congrats! The house is just beautiful! God is sooo good!
Congratulations!!!! God is good!
Congratulations, honey!!
“We were chuckling while driving there about how crazy it was to be driving a clunker to pay cash for a home.”
Congrats on the new house! And at least you didn’t lock the keys in the car like my husband did when we drove our clunker to our house signing. : )
totally inspiring. Many congrats and blessings to you!
WOW!!!!! This blows my mind- NO debt, NO mortgage…That house is really, truly YOUR home….What an accomplishment!!!!!!!
Crystal:
I just wanted to say, Congratulations! Enjoy the home that God has blessed you with and know that you are such an inspiration to so many.
Congratulations on your purchase. I have been showing your site to my sons, grades 8 and 7 for encouragement. I have a little put aside for their education, but they are going to have to finance most of it themselves. I have been wondering if I should cancel their RRSP’s and pay off my house. I guess you would be saying yes.
I’m so super excited for your family – God is so good and has truly blessed your lives. I have a quesstion in my pursuit: As you were saving for your 100% down on your home, where did this money sit? In a shoebox? in a savings acct? in a money market account? was it accessible for the exact time you needed it? was it making money for you as well? I just got lost at this point and can’t seem to figure this step out. Thank you so much for all the encouragement you have given me. I love love love Dave Ramsey as well. I also drive a 1998 explorer and hope to for at least another 2 years while becoming debt free. I actually only have student loan left so I’m getting pretty excited as I can start to see the light a little better. Thanks for the answer to the question in advance and being an inspiration. Love your blog!
Congratulations! This is so inspirational.
Enjoy your beautiful new home.
God bless!
Congratulations Crystal! I am so happy for you and Jesse. You sure earned it!
Stunning! Congrats!
So happy for you that you got a very nice place. I love your blog so much how God’s glorify in many ways!! We are also trying to buy our second home with cash, too so it will take a while, but we are pretty excited what the Lord has for us, too:) My hubby is working full time and going school. I also have one son to take care of which is not easy sometimes, but God has been abundantley blessing and providing us faithfully. So nice to see His grace in your life. Congrats on being a home owner!!!!
Congratulations! That is amazing!!
Congratulations!! You are inspiring me to try to do the same. I am not sure we can do the whole no debt route yet due to recent happenings, but it is my new goal to to save all the money for a house. We currently own and are VERY close to selling and downsizing so we can save monthly.
My question to you is what are you saving for now, now that you are in a house without a mortgage payment? Are you just putting the money in savings or do you have a new goal?
I’m going to be posting our new list of goals the beginning of August. Stay tuned!
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