The American Dream isn't for Us :)

Okay, if you follow me on facebook you have seen my post about the "Big Changes coming to this Buchholz family." In those changes Dan and I have found that the so called "American Dream," isn't so much a dream, it's a nightmare. We are happy and healthy and couldn't be more blessed, that's not to say that we don't have our issues, or stresses. The fact of the matter is we both have student loans, I have a car payment, and we have a house payment, all of which we are paying for every month when I would rather be putting that money into our nice savings account :) That's just it, the American Dream is about living and paying your bankers month after month, does that sound like a dream to you? We are going to let you in on our lives as things get scary, and big changes are made, cars will be sold to downgrade (no monthly payments), we will have to give up things that we think we "need." No more keeping up with the Joneses for us! For those of you who want to follow along or even do it with us, beware this isn't going to be easy. I sit here typing this and look out the window at my cute little SUV and really wonder how I am going to feel about selling my car and driving something that is for the point of getting me from point A to point B, without looking cute?!? Maybe all of us need to take a look around and wonder does all the stuff we have really make us happy or is it to impress others? I have read article after article about families that are now living on less and are happier than ever, I'm not saying this is going to be fun, as a matter of fact I think it's going to be very hard and we are going to be looking life right in the face, and we will probably fail from time to time, but in the end I think we are going to be happy, and the goal is to be able to pay cash for our dream home, vacation whenever we want (with cash), and have a strong financial backing without asking the bank for money, college loans paid off, and maybe even pay off the house in half the time then we thought. Big goals yes! Is it possible? Anything you set your mind to is possible! Will it be easy, heck no! Will people probably think we are crazy when we pass up a night out? Of, course they will, but the end picture is what matters.






You all are probably wondering how the heck we are going to do this. To be honest we have student loan debt, that is actually pretty much all of our debt. We don't want to look up 20 years from now sitting at the kitchen table and say, "our student loan payment is due next week," or on the other hand look up in 20 years with a few kids in the other room wondering how we are going to make that student loan payment. We're taking the bull by the horns if you will. We are attending our first Financial Peace University course next Monday and will continue through December. I have started reading Dave Ramsey's, Total Money Makeover, which he is the one who came up with the course. We will be taking it at our church. Anyone can sign up, if I haven't scared you away already :) It's going to be a leap of faith but we are really looking forward to it. Here is just a quick fact from the class, which amazed me, "On average, of families who have taken the course pay off $5,300 in debt and save $2,700 in just 90 days." This just boggled my mind I have to admit. Here is a story that just clicked with us being we are the same age and about in the same spots in life:




We were a young couple who were just starting out married about 6 months had $15,000 in car debt, $20,000 in student loans, and purchased our first home. Man did we wish we had read this book before buying the house (especially since I found out I was pregnant soon after that) Since we have started the plan we have paid off both cars, almost have my student loans paid off, and will have my husbands done in the next 12 months. Living debt free has allowed me to work only 1 day a week so I can be home with our son. My co workers always comment that my husband must make SO MUCH MONEY since I only work 1 day a week. That's when I have the opportunity to tell them about you Dave! We gave our family the book for Christmas, and it has changed all of their lives. Thank you Dave, we will be leading FPU this year at our church. We will still be in our 20's when we are debt free.





We may not have a kid on the way but we sure do have plans to have kids and being that I am on my way back to school next week, it sure would be nice to take a big bite out of our student loans before we take on the life of kids.





With all this being said, sorry it hasn't been more exciting about what we have been doing, but this is a much needed break to the "life" we live now. Please pray for us as this is going to be a great adventure but non with out an obstacle!





I will update as progress is made, this might turn in to a tell all blog! :)





Love,


Dan, Hollie, Tyson, and Hershie