Dave Ramsey Month…and then some.
It is important to remember that I am typing this to you while I sip on some refreshing orange juice and eat a cinnamon apple cruller. So I decided long ago that this month would be a “Dave Ramsey” month, meaning I would be more strict about using only cash and the envelope system. After finishing almost both pay cycles, it is time for a review and a lesson from the big guy too. I get paid every two weeks and that is when I do my budget. 1st week paycheck always gives me more wiggle room because 2nd paycheck always goes to rent and tuition. Both times I ran out of money, felt discouraged and hopeless. But I do not see that as a failure, more as me seeing where I can tighten up my budget and try again. Today (3 days away from my next paycheck) I have a little over a dollar to get me through the week. I woke up this morning to bring Jody to the airport. I log in to see where my bank account is and find out that I am -300 today, due to a deposit unexpectedly taking too long to clear. No big worries, I just need to wait for the deposit to go through. It has already been a tough week / time for me. So we hop in Jodys car and start driving to the airport. I notice as we leave that his gas light is already on and I ask him after passing a few stations if he plans to fill up. He joyfully tells me the car still has 30 more miles left in the tank. This means I need to get gas asap, with no debit card. Frustrated that I need to find a gas station (that is open at this hour) and give the $6 I was saving for breakfast and lunch towards gas. Yesterday I had pb&j for breakfast and pb&j w/ crackers for lunch, I was looking forward to today’s $6 feast. So on the ride to the airport, my discouragement (the part of me most attacked due to my weakness in it) escalates. I want to yell at Jody for giving me rent late and putting me in this position. I am mad that I cannot be satisfied with what I have, I reflect on all the things currently wrong with my bike and I let myself take a beating, all while trying not to show it because who wants to be a dick to their roommate as he heads out for a quasi mission trip experience. Anyway, we get to the airport and Jody lays a $10 bill on the dash (without me saying anything to him) and tells me its for gas money. I then listen to John Eldridge explain in Wild at Heart how God loves to stack things up against Him and pull through, He is a risk taker. He lets Jesus die, then shows up. Think of David vs Goliath. Just how I felt, then he shows up and tells me to have faith, because he loves me, which is what I needed to hear. So no pb&j for me today, I have been taken care of for this day.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:22 am
Nice post! Thanks for letting us in on this.
March 3rd, 2009 at 8:47 pm
That’s an awesome testimony Casey! Although God does usually like to toy with us a little bit (probably to see us dance baby dance!). You know any time you want a home cooked meal, I’m just a 3 hour drive away
I’ll even throw in chocolate chip cookies, just cause I like you ;P
March 4th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
i looked at the length and i think i’ll just ask you about this later on…
March 4th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
ok.
maybe not.
maybe i can’t help but read cause i think you’re worth it.
plus, it’s just me and i like length.
i’m happy to hear that your recognizing God’s hand and lessons in all of this.
i had forgotten about that part in Wild at Heart and it’s a great thing to remember. we’re all facing some sort of goliath and God WILL come through in a miraculous way that show’s how stinkin awesome and glorious He is.
thanks for the reminder, friend.
i like you.
March 25th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
Ugh. I can REALLY really relate. I was doing alright for quite a few months with the money balancing act I had going on, but now….I’ve lost my job! So, each time I use any money, I am crying a little inside. I have no emergency fund and I have rent in a few days. I have only slightly enough to pay my rent for April and then I need to wait for unemployment monies to get groceries. Ya, that all seems dramatic, but honest….I am and was right there in the same boat next to you struggling to be good with the money that God graces me with.
So…here’s a virtual *HUG* Just know that I’m here if you want to vent about having gas money or whatnot.
July 22nd, 2009 at 3:16 pm
i want more of casey decker’s thoughts and shtuff here.
where am i gonna waste my time if you’re not updating EVER!??!
July 23rd, 2009 at 10:45 am
Ok, the next big decision… I predict that in October / November I will have $5k for a car (including the $2k I plan to get for my bike). Do I…
a) Buy a $3k car & spend $2k on debt. Also means I can sell my bike sooner which = more chance someone will buy it for more before cold winter months.
b) Spend $5k on a car. It would be emotionally rewarding (there are $5k cars I would consider a joy to own) and have the comfort that it would run a little better.
July 27th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
i think option A sounds like the better long-term decision and option B sounds like sex before marriage.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:03 am
hm… so whats the big car decision? I like how Lissie bluntly put it
November 9th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I am pretty content with the 94 Pathfinder. This is a surprising realization for me since I have always wanted / liked nice things and really enjoyed driving. So I am still saving money and just enjoying this blessing until God shows me my next move. Thanks for checking up on it