Better On A Budget

Becoming More Self Reliant – 25 Tips and my Journey

February 26, 2012

I recently came across this fantastic (I think) article about becoming more self reliant.  The author shares 25 tips to help get you on the path of self reliance.  In my mind, self reliance equals more freedom…freedom from debt, freedom from commercialism, financial freedom, etc.  If I can live a self-reliant lifestyle, then I can be better prepared for what’s coming my way…at least, that’s how I see it.

So, I’m excited to put the article into action in my own life, and I’ll try to share my “journey” with you all.

The first step is to get out of debt.

You may remember me posting a victory speech about a year ago, announcing that my household was finally debt free (except for the mortgage)!  It was a big moment, and I was SO happy.  However, shortly after, we lost a car and had to purchase a replacement.  Gosh dangit!  So…while we are still credit card debt-free, we can no longer claim the debt free claim.  Since the first step is losing that debt, I’ll be putting together a budgeted plan to pay off that car early.  Our monthly car payment is $208, and our interest rate is 3%.  I’m thinking that we should be able to put $500 a month toward it, but I’m not sure; I’ll have to go over the budget.  I won’t be working over the summer, so money may be a little more tight then, but then again we won’t be paying ten million a month to heat our ultra-thin walled house…so I think it’ll even out. 

In order to make bigger payments, we’ll need to make sacrifices.  Going out to eat less.  Making sure to not let food go to waste.  Conserving energy in and around the house.  I’m ready and willing, so let’s do this!

Are you free of debt?  If not, what are YOU willing to cut out?  Share your awesome ideas with me and we’ll ALL move forward on the path to self reliance.  After you…

Filed under: Goals,Self Reliance,Self Reliance Journey