Guest post by Jen Leo
Three years ago…
My husband was laid off. I was five months pregnant and we had copious amounts of bills from spending six years of marriage living beyond our means. Gratefully, I was still able to work full-time, but the unemployment compensation was substantially less than what my husband had been making.
It took six months before my husband found another job, and in that amount of time, we learned that we could live on much less than we thought.
Fast forward a year…
My heart’s desire is to stay home with our son, and we’ve learned from those six months that we can make it work with a tighter budget. So I quit my full-time job and took a job as my church’s secretary working only about 12 hours a week.
My husband is still gainfully employed but our budget is tight so I start following blogs like MoneySavingMom.com to learn how to stretch our dollars. More importantly, I read a life-changing book by Dave Ramsey called The Total Money Makeover and decide to focus all of our energy into paying off debt.
This past year…
On a smaller income than we’ve ever had, we have managed to pay off two credit cards, two hospital bills, and one student loan (roughly $3000), plus put aside $1000 in an emergency fund.
After we paid off our final credit card, my husband was let go from his job…again. While this was a considerable blow to us emotionally, and our fervent prayer is for him to find work soon, I know that because of our diligence over the past year we can breathe a little easier on the financial front.
This layoff is going to be much different since I’m no longer working full time and we have a three-year-old at home. I’m not going to lie, I find myself stressing over how we’re going to make it. But I also look at the three years he was employed as a “transition”.
This job allowed us to pay off thousands of dollars of debt and has allowed us to have a small cushion to fall back on in this unexpected time. It’s also freed us up for my husband to find a job he really likes that may make less money than we’re used to because we don’t have this debt hanging over our heads.
I will choose to look at this time as another growing opportunity and another example of how God will bless us if we’re faithful.
Jen Leo shares her life with a wonderful husband, an amazing son, and two dogs. Next to her family, her greatest passions are quilting and finding a great deal!
Thanks for writing! Your story sounds so similar to ours. I’m always inspired and encouraged to hear how others have gotten through it too. Keep up the good work! I hope your husband find a job that he loves and can stay in for many years to come. 🙂
I love this song, reminds me of Gods faithfulness.. He was faithful before and He will be faithful again 🙂
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIkQ7YVys_A
Thank you for being so candid. I wish you well.
I applaud your efforts. You have been truly dedicated, but this is where I have an issue with Dave Ramsey. I find $1,000 emergency fund to be too meager. Yes, better than nothing, but really not enough to then move to all other debt. It doesn’t take long when you are unemployed to go through $1000. So now that you may only have 4 weeks of money in the bank, had you built up your emergency fund to $3000 or $5000, (or the 3-6 months recommended) instead of paying off student loans, you would probably would not have the same stress level you have now. Not knowing how you will feed and house your family is real fear. You can’t eat a student loan. But what is done is done, and you can’t second guess. I mention this only because I think it’s something other readers should consider.
I wish you all the best in your husband’s search for a new job.
To us, $1000 is an enormous amount of money. Definitely not enough to live on for 6 months, but since we have no debt except for our mortgage, this $1,000 combined with unemployment benefits is enough to limp us along for a couple months. I can’t wait to be able to start adding more money to this emergency fund so that it is closer to $5,000, enough money to live on without relying on unemployment for several months. Dave’s theory is that after you have the emergency fund if something happens like an appliance goes out or you need a car repair you don’t fall back into your old habits of credit card use. I don’t think he intended the $1,000 emergency fund to be able to cover an unemployment. But it certainly gave us a lot more than we had the first time around!
Praying for you and your family, Jen! That was a good answer about the 1,000 emergency fund. I think he intends it to put pressure on the process of paying off debt. Meaning that you feel pressured and a sense of urgency to get the debt done and be able to save up the big emergency fund. I’ll be praying for you all!:)
Hi Jen
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your heartfelt story. I too am praying that God blessess you and your family as you seek His will.
I’m so sorry he’s been laid off again. That is rough. I do feel you though on living within a tight budget – possible, but not always fun!! Great to just read your real journey.
HIS blessings.
Inspired by you and am praying for you now~
Prayers for your family! I am encouraged that you are remaining faithful to God even in such hard circumstances!
I picked up a job in the evenings. The extra income helps take the strain off my husband and the kids get quality time with me during the day and with him in the evening. It’s a win-win situation.
Hi Jen –
Loved your story! I too, just recently found Dave Ramsey and LOVE him! Do you happen to have your own blog or twitter? I would love to follow you 🙂
Steph
sorry Steph, I don’t have a blog or twitter. Just Facebook. I leave the blogging to the professionals like monseysavingmom!!! :o)
Your story sounds so similar to ours. I was 5 months pregnant when my husband was wrongfully fired (simply because he was being deployed in a few months…he was reserves not full time) and I was 5 months pregnant. To top it all off I had recently quit my job knowing that I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. We didn’t have as much debt as most americans usually do, but we were terrible at budgeting and we did have my student loans at the time, which seemed impossible to pay off.
Fast forward a few years and we now have a substantial income with much of our debt paid off, 2 beautiful children, I’m still at home, and we also own a home with a rental atatchment bringing in its own money.
Hang in there and hold on to God. If its one thing I’ve learned its that he Loves us and has our best interests at heart. He’ll see you through and will bless you on the end: “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”
Best wishes to both you and your husband at these trying times.
Thanks for sharing this! What a wonderful story. My husband and I weren’t making ends meet either and we found Dave Ramsey and couponing at about the same time. Now as we put money every paycheck into savings for a house we are so grateful all the time for the abundance in our lives. Hooray for debt free living, frugality and perseverance! Good job!
It is so hard to have faith when you are in the midst of a difficult situation. My husband had to leave me in the hospital after the birth of our second child to go to a meeting at work to find out he would be let go in 6 months. We were lucky in that we had 6 months to prepare and he was able to find another position, but it was undoubtedly the worst 6 months of our lives. My husband was hurting because he felt like he had let our family down, I was hurting because my husband was hurting, and we were very sleep deprived due to a colicky baby. All in all, it was horrible. We prayed daily and tried so hard to be faithful but I will readily admit there was a lot of bitterness, resentment, and fear. Now I can say for certain that God had a plan for us, but I did not see it at the time. I applaud anyone that can get thru such a situation with serenity and grace, for that signals a much more faithful person than I. I did learn that the most comforting thing I can say to other people who are struggling is that I will pray for them. I add you, Jen, to my prayers.
I agree, the most comforting thing that can be said, in almost any situation is “I’m praying for you.”
I was not always graceful and positive either and that’s okay. 🙂
You know every family is different. Every situation is different. We should just spend more time encouraging each other, loving each other, and supporting each other.
Sigh. This testimony sounded all too familiar.
Within five months of my husband and I marrying, we both lost our jobs AND found out we were expecting our first child, not to mention the debt we had from our wedding and what we brought into our marriage.
I ended up not ever going back to work, and my husband remained unemployed until a couple of months after our son was born. With no luck in finding work, he was forced to start his own electrical business which was also so hard.
BUT here we are, almost 11 years later, four kids, debt free and still serving an Almighty God!
We learned so much during that time, we serve the great Jehovah Jireh!
Jen, thank you for sharing. There are more of us than you know who need to hear and see what faithfulness looks like. You said you made some money selling quilted purses. So, let us buy some post here or email me at [email protected] or post on my wall at http://www.facebook.com/glutenfreecoupons.com
I do have an etsy shop. I haven’t had much luck with it. But you’re welcome to browse :o)
http://www.etsy.com/shop/livelovequilt?ref=si_shop
Thank you for sharing your story and honesty. We have (and still are) in that up and down roller coaster of income, budget and bills to pay. It’s amazing how God always provides exactly what we need right on time. We are such resourceful human beings. And with children I think it adds that extra pressure of providing. But with God’s provision, I believe we will always be taken care of.
God is faithful. We’ve found the same-my husband has been laid of twice; both times when I’ve been about to have a baby. He is now self-employed and I’m not working but God has provided for us.
Do hope your husband finds something soon. It is really easy to be anxious, I know I was, even after the first experience of God’s provision.
look at that beautiful little boy’s face.. his smile and the sparkle in his eyes show how much he is loved and how much he has benefited from his mom being at home with him, nothing is worth more than that!
speaking from experience and three layoffs for my own hubby… this will pass! your time with your children unfortunately will pass too.. all too quickly! and you cannot get it back whereas a job loss can eventually be regained in more ways than one.
There is only one area in our life where God has openly asked us to challenge Him and see what His response is, and that is in the area of our finances.
“”Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” Malachi 3:10
Following that instruction has been the keystone of my husband and I beginning to break poverty off of our family. The tools that we also use are:
1.) Giving. Jesus said “when”, not “if”.
“But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” Matthew 6:3
2.) Praying. Again, Jesus said “when”, not “if”.
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6
3.) Fasting. Again, Jesus said “when”, not “if”.
“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.” Matthew 6:16
God has proven to us over and over that He really does love to be tested in regards to His financial meeting of our needs. If we do what He has asked us to do, He will do what He has promised to do.
What a great attitude! Like Heather, we are expecting a layoff, pay cut, or furlough- not sure which- within the next 6 months, and I am working on getting prepared emotionally & spiritually as much as financially. Reading your post is encouraging :).
It’s amazing how God works through others to encourage and lift us up – and I’m sure this post is encouraging to many. We have also been through some tough times and we both feel they were a mixed blessing. While it was hard, we got through it. God was faithful!
I’m praying for you and your family as you trust God to provide while you search for employment.
Thank you for sharing your story. I think that somehow God knew I needed this today of all days. We are facing the fact that my husband may either have a large pay cut or loss his job in the next few months. We know that God will provide everything that we need through this and have been working Dave ramsey to pay off as much as we can before this happens. Funny how things don’t seem as bad with just that little emergnecy fund. Thanks again for the encouragment.
Jen,
Thank you for sharing your personal story and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.
What a lovely story of faithfulness! Jen, I hope you have a blog? an etsy shop? Somewhere to sell your bags and other items that you might want to.
My husband and I have weathered some pretty ugly weather financial storms and I can honestly say that looking back all we can say is the Lord is so faithful. We never went hungry, we managed to pay our bills (we don’t know how?) and we prayed constantly for wisdom and reliance.
Thanks for sharing how God showed his mercy to your family.
Thanks for sharing your story! This rings a bell for me because my husband was laid off a week after I found out I was pregnant with our first child. And oh what a journey that was. We both had conviction that I should stay home and leave my job when the baby came and God was faithful all through the way.
Hang in there and make decesions that are best for “your” family. Not the expectations or beliefs of others. If you need Wic, Food Stamps, etc. apply for them. Don’t be ashamed because family, friends, bloggers, etc would not do it. Do what you must for “your ” family. My husband has been unemployed & going to school off and on for a couple years now. When he got out of the Army, the unemployment rates were high and work was not the easiest to find. Thankfully he has a great computer technician job at a realtor’s office. It is only part time since he is still in scholl full time. So his plate is very full, but there is much to be thankful for….. We have more in savings than many I know who work full time & make more than we do. It’s not what comes in that counts, but what goes out & is spent. Remember this season shall pass…..And a joyful and thankful attitude is a treasure…. Mrs.C
Thanks so much for sharing, there was a lot I am able to relate to and it’s so good to hear stories of God’s faithfulness!
Very inspiring Jen!
My sister in law loves to quilt and has offered binding, finishing and quilting services for extra money. Perhaps that is something you could do as well? She eventually was able to invest in a long arm quilt machine and can work from home!
So much encouragement! Thank you! And yes, I have managed to make a little extra money with my quilting, mostly from bags and tablerunners, but every little bit helps! It is my dream to someday by a long-arm quilter, but we have a long way to go in our finances before that happens!
God never gives us more than he knows we can handle. He shows us different ways to look at each situation we are placed in.
Amanda, I am sorry but I am soooo tired of people saying that. It is a total crock. Being forced to deal with a situation is not “handling it”. There is NO reason ever to give a 4 yr old little girl Ostoesarcoma and make her go through what she is having to deal with everyday.
And if that statement were true than little kids who are sick would not die. They die b/c it WAS too much for them to handle. Please remember that before you make that statement again. You are not “handling it” if you are dead.
Alicia, I am so sorry for your pain. I will say a prayer for you and the little girl you mention. My daughter passed away in 1997 at the age of seven. She was born with a catastrophic genetic syndrome, with a prognosis of 6 months to 2 years. I am so thankful for those 7 years with her. Every situation is different, but I do understand your pain.
Alicia, I am also very sorry for the pain you and your little one are facing. No, you’re right. It ISN’T fair. Not at all. And it’s okay to be angry, mad, and sad.
In the Bible, the Book of Job deals with this quite a bit. Job was a faithful, God fearing man. The Lord had blessed him with a wife, children, a home, everything he could need. Then…the Lord called his family home. He took everything from Job. It tested Job’s faith, but he marked himself with ash, grieved outside the city gate (in Biblical times, you marked yourself with ashes to remind yourself of your own mortality – ash to ashes, dust to dust), and railed at God. Job was angry….very angry! He was heartbroken, and just ruined. The Lord used this story to teach us that it is OKAY to be mad at God. It is! As Christians, not one of us is hunky dorky, perky perfect every day. Sometimes, we are sad. Sometimes, we’re heartbroken, or mad. We can’t understand why on Earth or Heaven the Lord would allow what He does. But just remember…it’s OKAY to feel what you are feeling. He understands. He wants us to be honest with Him.
You are in my prayers, and my heart breaks for you. Know that many of us are on our knees thinking of you today, whether that comforts you now or not. God always says, “Be still, and know that I am GOD.” Good thing he is, because with my track record…I’d mess things up for myself pretty darn quick if I was on my own! 🙂
Alicia – I’m so sorry too. I looked up Osteosarcoma and it looks to be an absolutely dreadful disease. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Your anger is totally understandable – I once listened to a friend’s problems and indivertibly said; “I understand” at which point she shouted at me and said “You don’t understand”. I realised then that some phrases we say in support of others are well meaning but total inadequate. I don’t understand your pain, I can’t even imagine it but I really do hope and pray that the little girl’s life gets better. No one should have to go through that.
Thank you.
I know life will be painful and hard, but I have the end in mind. I know I have a place in heaven, and so does everyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus. Our brief time on earth is not the end. Without ever enduring hardships we would not grow. Yes people die, we all will someday. God has a plan for all of us. It is never to harm us. He loves us more than you/I have or ever could love another person. My father was ripped from my life by an aortic dissection when I was 19. It hurts, sometimes I start to think that it is not fair that my dad is not here, my children don’t have a grandpa. My little brother was five and grew up without a dad.
Sometimes I see bitterness start to form, but I need to remind myself that we live in a broken, sinful world. None of us can escape the hardships and trials of this world. However, we can be assured that God has a unique plan for all us. We often get so stuck on the bad things in this world, that we fail to see all the blessings that we truly have.
My heart breaks for this little girl. I am by no means down playing the hurt and suffering all involved have endured. Have hope and know God loves you.
Thanks to all who replied.. It wont allow me to thank each one individually. Says its a duplicate.. The little girl is my niece. She has Osteosarcoma of the face. Youngest case in history. She also fit NONE of the statistics of who gets it. Not a one.. She is a fighter..
I am sorry for what you and your little girl is going through. I just said a prayer for both of you. I will do so again every time I remember. If there’s anything else I can do, please feel free to let me know.
She has had an amazing amount of support… I appreciate your prayers.
Wrapping your niece up tight in a prayer. Praying for comfort and peace for her and all who love her. For wisdom and caring hands for her medical team.
With all due respect, I disagree with that statement. I have tried to find that in my bible but I haven’t had any success (if anybody can point me to the sriptural basis for that, I would be most grateful).
What I have found is God saying, in my weakness He is strong, that I can (and should) cast my burdens upon Him because He cares about me and that He is close to the brokenhearted.
From personal experience, when I was asking Him why my life is so hard, the reply I got was this: “If it was easy, you wouldn’t need Me”.
It comes from 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” NIV I really like the way The Message puts it though, “No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Some interpret this to be only meaning “sinful” temptation, but is it not a temptation to abandon God, rail against him when our days aren’t sunny? I believe this is where Christians get the “more than you can handle” idea. This comforts me in that way, anyways.
Alicia:
May God be with you and your niece and her loved ones, I cannot understand your pain, but I only wish you comfort and strength from Him above to endure this trial. Praying for your niece and all the sick children.
Well you know what they say, when life gives you lemons go make lemonade. Sometimes this is the only option available.
Jen, what an inspiring story of faith. I am saying a prayer right now that your husband finds a job soon.