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Ultimate Blog Party 2012

by | Apr 13, 2012 | Uncategorized | 118 comments

Ultimate Blog Party 2012

 

It’s Baaaaaack!!! My favorite time of year is here where I grab a cup of coffee and discover a bunch of new blogs written by wonderful women!

Once again, there are a TON of prizes being offered. I haven’t won anything, yet, but maybe this is my year! {*fingers and toes crossed*}

On my blog I write about finances. I don’t get too fancy, because I’m not that smart. I just pass on infortmation that I have learned.

I also like to participate in monthly challenges that my good friend Christie puts on her blog Bushel and a Peck. This month I’m in the midst of a 30 Days of Spring Cleaning. Haven’t been doing as well as I’d like, but I’m trying.

I have been blogging about our family’s financial journey to being debt free since October 2009. We took Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University class and it rocked our world! In his class he mentions that most people who take FPU and become “gazelle intense” become debt free {not including their mortgage} in 18 to 24 months. I didn’t believe him.

But,  IT’S TRUE!!!

After 18 months we managed to pay off all our consumer debt! In the process we began teaching our children that they should avoid debt like the plague! We are breaking the cycle of relying on credit cards and started living on a cash system.

Thanks so much for stopping by! You can keep up with my progress via RSS, Facebook, and Twitter.

**UPDATE**

Since this is a party I wanted to participate in a GIVEAWAY! (I also wanted to try out Rafflecopter since I’m a programmer and I like stuff like that!)

I’m giving away $10 PayPal Cash! (Who doesn’t like money?!?)



a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

118 Comments

  1. Jenny
    Jenny on April 13, 2012 at 12:22 am

    Congratulations on paying off your debt! We also did Dave Ramsey and are debt free, except for the house. It feels awesome!
    Jenny recently posted..Ultimate Blog PartyMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Sharon
    Sharon on April 13, 2012 at 7:38 am

    HI! I’m stopping by from the UBP! I’ve never taken Dave’s class but we do follow many of his ideas about getting rid of debt and he definitely knows what he’s talking about! I hope you get a chance to stop by my site and see how I save money for my family!
    Sharon recently posted..Taste of Home Magazine Only $3.99/Year SubscriptionMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Ginny Marie
    Ginny Marie on April 13, 2012 at 8:00 am

    I just read Lost and Found: Unexpected Revelations about Food and Money; I think that’s the first book I’ve ever read about finances! I just posted the review on my blog.

    Visiting from UBP12…I hope you can take the time to visit Lemon Drop Pie!
    Ginny Marie recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

    Reply
  5. Deirdre
    Deirdre on April 13, 2012 at 9:21 am

    Anna- I want to know your debt free secrets. My husband and I sat down and created a budget (for the first time ever!) and we feel at least somewhat empowered by that, but haven’t made a debt dent yet…Short of taking any classes, I’m going to study your blog and see what worked for you. Thanks for sharing! And woo-hoo from UBP12!

    Reply
    • Anna
      Anna
      Twitter:
      on April 13, 2012 at 11:47 am

      I’ll tell you whatever you want to know! I know it feels like the debt doesn’t move, but it will! If you have any questions, just ask! Thanks for stopping by!
      Anna recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

      Reply
  7. Dana Valle
    Dana Valle on April 13, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Hi from the #UBP12 ! We too are working hard to become debt free. It is amazing the burdens that are lifted when you don’t have that debt hanging over your head. I am now following you on FB ! 🙂
    Dana Valle recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

    Reply
  8. Alice
    Alice on April 13, 2012 at 11:05 am

    Hi! Stopping by from UBP12! And to commend you for finding a way out of the debt cycle – congrats! Hope you get a chance to visit our blog, too – and to learn that timeshare rentals at RedWeek are the best-kept secret to a budget-friendly family vacation!

    Reply
  9. WeeMasonMan's Mom
    WeeMasonMan's Mom on April 13, 2012 at 1:24 pm

    Here from the UBP but I was already a follower!!

    Huge Dave Ramsey fan – he changed my life in 2008 and now we’re working on babysteps 4 and 5! Woohoo!

    Have a great time UBPing it up!
    WeeMasonMan’s Mom recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

    Reply
  10. Carrie
    Carrie on April 13, 2012 at 1:35 pm

    Congratulations on paying off all your debt!!

    Stopping by from the UBP…

    Reply
  11. Kelley
    Kelley on April 13, 2012 at 3:15 pm

    Okay, now I’m going to make some coffee too! My hubs and I paid off over 20k in cc debt and then rang it all up again to start his business. Once you’ve paid it off though, you know you can do it again! We can’t wait to be debt free!

    Reply
    • Anna
      Anna
      Twitter:
      on April 13, 2012 at 3:36 pm

      You definitely can do it again! One of our rounds of debt was with a business that didn’t make it. Learned a LOT!! Wouldn’t trade that experience for the world!
      Anna recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

      Reply
  12. Salena Lee
    Salena Lee on April 13, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. 🙂 Yes, it’s true… grandmother of 3. I started when I was really young. lol.

    I so need help with finances, I’m glad I found you. 🙂
    Salena Lee recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

    Reply
  13. Megan
    Megan on April 13, 2012 at 3:54 pm

    New follower here from the UBP! I can’t wait to go through your blog. 🙂 Megan
    Megan recently posted..Ultimate Blog PartyMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Aliea
    Aliea on April 13, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    Visiting from the UBP#12 party.. Congrats on being debt free I will be back for tips for sure 🙂

    Reply
  16. Nick - TimeDog
    Nick - TimeDog on April 13, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Hi Anna,
    Just dropping by from the #UBP12 and wanted to say that it’s quite inspirational that you’re on the road to pure debt freedom, and your dedication to help others live debt free. Keep up the awesome work. Looking forward to getting to know you this coming week. 🙂

    Reply
  18. Jen
    Jen on April 13, 2012 at 4:56 pm

    LOVE Dave. He changed our life — or our family tree :).

    Just popping in to say hello from UBP. Have a blessed weekend!!
    Jen recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

    Reply
  19. Jen
    Jen on April 13, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    Oh, and the hardest part about getting rid of debt. Saying no to myself. I hate being told what to do! LOL.
    Jen recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

    Reply
  20. Sheri
    Sheri on April 13, 2012 at 5:09 pm

    Hey, stopping by on the UBP tour, will have to come back and read some of your tips! Have fun and hope to see you around the party!
    Sheri recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party welcome to you!My Profile

    Reply
  21. Trish
    Trish on April 13, 2012 at 6:31 pm

    I am so looking forward to reading your story. I have known that I needed to get my finances under control for a long time and finally decided to go to FPU and am just starting my journey to become debt-free. So glad I found you through the UBP!!

    Reply
  23. Only True North
    Only True North on April 13, 2012 at 6:52 pm

    Hmmm the hardest thing about getting debt-free for us is the fact that we started out ignorant of the Credit card pit and built up a pretty big debt mountain before we learned about the importance of avoiding it like crazy!

    I am so excited to have found you on the UBP site and can’t wait to read more of your blog!

    Jennah

    Reply
    • Anna
      Anna
      Twitter:
      on April 14, 2012 at 11:13 am

      Unfortunately credit cards have been so ingrained in society that we don’t realize the trap until we are in it! Thanks for stopping by!
      Anna recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

      Reply
  24. KD
    KD on April 13, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    My husband and I JUST started FPU! Dave Ramsey is amazing.

    Stopping by from UBP… Can’t wait to read more!

    Reply
  27. grownupforeal
    grownupforeal on April 13, 2012 at 9:43 pm

    Hello. I’m making a party stop and I like what I see. Although I’ve heard a grreat deal about the Dave Ramsey series, I haven’t been able to participate and I’d like to know more so I am going to follow your blog and learn from you. Sound okay?

    Reply
  30. Sue at the Little Shack
    Sue at the Little Shack on April 14, 2012 at 12:32 am

    I am so excited about having found your blog via the UBP! Last fall, my 2 youngest kids and I went on a road trip to Disneyland and while driving along one day listening to the radio, we tuned into a show about getting out of debt. I wanted to remember the hosts name but with all the travelling and excitement of the trip, it was gone. After reading your “about me” I have the name!!! Yay!! I’m following along now and hope to be in a position to yell WE’RE DEBT FREE real soon! Stop by for a visit at the Little Shack on the Hill if you get a chance!
    Sue at the Little Shack recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party!!My Profile

    Reply
    • Anna
      Anna
      Twitter:
      on April 14, 2012 at 11:07 am

      Wow! That is cool that you now know Dave’s name! Listening to him helps with motivation! We download the podcasts because they don’t do his show until 2AM in GA.
      Anna recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

      Reply
  31. Sara
    Sara on April 14, 2012 at 12:38 pm

    Stopping by from UBP!
    I’m really interested to read through more of your site. Sometimes I feel like we’re going to be in debt forever!

    We have a few barriers to getting debt free. It seems like I’ll be in school forever, taking out more student loans. Plus we have to pay for airplane tickets for my husband’s kids multiple times each year which really adds up! Hopefully we’ll get there though. I graduate in a year and can get a real job!
    Sara recently posted..Integrate Cool Applications with WordPress.comMy Profile

    Reply
  32. Melanie
    Melanie on April 14, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    That is AWESOME. I’m currently attempting to avoid debt like the plague, but education makes that difficult.
    Melanie recently posted..Let’s Party, People!My Profile

    Reply
  34. Leah Courtney
    Leah Courtney on April 14, 2012 at 7:17 pm

    I’m stopping by from the UBP. My family is also trying to put some of Dave Ramsey’s principles into practice and become debt free, so I’m interested in poking around your blog a bit for any tips and tidbits. The hardest thing so far has been to moderate the money we spend on extracurricular things for the kids. We homeschool, so I enjoy putting the kids into extra programs, sports, etc; but it all costs money! It’s so hard to balance choosing the best things!

    Reply
  35. Kali
    Kali on April 14, 2012 at 7:32 pm

    Found you Via the Ultimate Blog Party and am now subscribing. My husband and I LOVE the Dave Ramsey series! I’m excited to look around your place here! Have a wonderful weekend! – Kali
    Kali recently posted..Mother’s Day Adoption SeriesMy Profile

    Reply
  36. Jenni & Jody
    Jenni & Jody on April 14, 2012 at 7:54 pm

    Stopping in from UBP. We are also big fans of Dave Ramsey’s FPU, but we’ve had some big life changes and fell back into some old ways. Reading your blog reminded me that we need to get back to it. Thanks, and enjoy your UBP journey this week.

    Reply
  37. Lisa
    Lisa on April 14, 2012 at 10:02 pm

    Can’t wait to start reading through your blog. I’m a huge DR fan and we’ve been working on debt for the last year. I just started blogging about making your home beautiful on a dime. Come by and visit when you get a chance.
    Blessings,
    Lisa

    Reply
  38. ashley picco (mamawee)
    ashley picco (mamawee) on April 14, 2012 at 10:21 pm

    the hardest part of getting rid of debt is not getting further in…..

    Reply
  39. ashley picco (mamawee)
    ashley picco (mamawee) on April 14, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    stopping by from the UBP! Thanks for the giveaway and way to go on making your way to being debt free!

    Reply
  40. Wendy Hagen
    Wendy Hagen on April 14, 2012 at 11:16 pm

    Thanks for stopping by my blog. And yay for debt free!

    Reply
  42. Angel
    Angel on April 15, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    Well I would love to become debt free. The only real debt we have is our mortgage which can be a major stretch for hubby and I when he is the only one working outside the home. I would do cash only if his company didn’t pay him on a credit card. Which sucks because when we take out money we get charged for it. Wait I mean a debit card.. ugh long day I look forward to following and hoping to pick up some money saving tips.
    Angel recently posted..UBP2012 Come party with the blogosphereMy Profile

    Reply
  43. Colleen Kessler
    Colleen Kessler on April 16, 2012 at 12:17 am

    Love this blog idea… have already become a follower. To answer your comment question, I think the hardest thing about becoming debt free is retraining yourself to WAIT to buy anything until you can pay cash. We’re working on it… Stopped by from the UBP… but I’ll be back on my own!
    Raising Lifelong Learners
    Colleen Kessler recently posted..Moments to Remember: Big BugsMy Profile

    Reply
  44. A Maui Blog
    A Maui Blog on April 16, 2012 at 8:59 am

    For me, the best way to be debt-free is to simply spend and live within your means… that’s my golden rule in money matters. stopping by from UBP, am glad to meet you…

    Reply
  46. Jessica
    Jessica on April 16, 2012 at 11:20 am

    We are also huge DR fans. It’s great to be able to pay with cash!
    Jessica recently posted..Blog Party!My Profile

    Reply
  48. Geordon
    Geordon on April 16, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    All consumer debt GONE? Holy cow, that’s impressive!
    I came around thanks to UBP12.
    Geordon recently posted..I can haz a something!My Profile

    Reply
  49. Samantha
    Samantha on April 16, 2012 at 5:04 pm

    Awesome blog and right up my alley. One of my passions is helping people save money by finding freebies and great money saving deals. I’m following you on T and FB and looking forward to learning some new things. Thanks and hi from the UBP12!
    Samantha recently posted..It’s Finally Here!! The #UBP12 !My Profile

    Reply
  50. K Quinn
    K Quinn on April 16, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    Hi! Stopping by from the UBP 2012. It’s true about the debt free. We paid ours off (waaay before Dave Ramsey came on the scene) in about that time doing what we knew how to do. Congratulations. It is soooo freeing.
    K Quinn recently posted..April ShowersMy Profile

    Reply
  51. Val
    Val on April 17, 2012 at 12:37 am

    I really like your site and I now have it bookmarked. What a dream to be debt free. I have a lot of reading and learning to do! Your blog is really an incredible resource AND well written. Thank you!
    Val recently posted..Hungry?My Profile

    Reply
  52. Michelle
    Michelle on April 17, 2012 at 3:39 am

    Congrats you on paying off all the debt. I remember that day too. It was a relief. Then that money could go right into savings. Currently we dont have a mortgage because we are expats in Singapore…so we are LITERALLY completely debt free. But I’m sure we’ll buy a house once we find we are staying in the states.

    Party hopping.
    Michelle recently posted..Review: AIMS, What on Earth?My Profile

    Reply
  53. kathy
    kathy on April 17, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    hello! stopping by from UBP 2012. i’m so glad that we have very little debt (the only one is our mortgage) but everything else is clear. it feels so good to know that there’s nothing really hanging over our heads. congrats on being debt free! 🙂
    kathy recently posted..it’s party time!My Profile

    Reply
  54. Cheryl
    Cheryl on April 18, 2012 at 2:39 am

    Congrats on dedicating your blog to living debt free. It is so important to help find peace in life! We own our homestead and have been living without credit cards for 7 years now, not always easy, but it works for us. Visiting you from the UBP, hope you have the time to visit us back here in Hungary!
    Cheryl recently posted..Rustic Sourdough Bread with Ramson ButterMy Profile

    Reply
  55. Robin
    Robin on April 18, 2012 at 10:06 am

    Hello there! I am stopping by from UBP12 and I love your debt free blog! It’s so important especially in these days! It’s so fun to have material things but sometimes we have to control ourselves! I blog over at http://www.garagesalesrus.blogspot.com/. We are a family of garage salers and we try to teach people how to garage sale and find the material things for cheaper so that they can hopefully have more money in their pockets to do things like pay off their debt! Thanks for sharing your journey! I am a new foll0wer and can’t wait to see what you have next!
    Robin recently posted..The Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

    Reply
  56. Carolynn
    Carolynn on April 18, 2012 at 4:43 pm

    Hello from UK… I love your posts… Debt Free and Spring Cleaning… I will be following you….
    Carolynn recently posted..Ultimate Blog Party 2012My Profile

    Reply
  57. Audrey
    Audrey on April 19, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    Congrats on being consumer debt free! If I could shake my student loan I think I’d feel a lot better about things, but I don’t think that’s something we can kick quite so fast. #UBP12
    Audrey recently posted..Ultimate Blog PartyMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anna
      Anna
      Twitter:
      on April 19, 2012 at 6:52 pm

      Student loans are the worst! I remember feeling so relieved once we paid that off! You’ll get there!

      Reply
  58. Coffee Lovin' Mom
    Coffee Lovin' Mom on April 20, 2012 at 10:11 am

    Hi Anna! My husband is resisting but we are doing the DR program and have one credit card left to pay off! It’s a great feeling to make final payments on things. I hope you are having fun – PArty on!
    Coffee Lovin’ Mom recently posted..Quitting SmokingMy Profile

    Reply
  60. Kathy
    Kathy on April 21, 2012 at 12:23 am

    Way to go! That’s amazing. I’m a big DR fan. My family also follows a lot of what he has to say including no credit cards. Seriously, it makes a huge difference. #UBP12
    Kathy recently posted..Chana Dal SoupMy Profile

    Reply
    • Anna
      Anna
      Twitter:
      on April 21, 2012 at 9:13 pm

      That is awesome! It changes your family tree…that is for sure!

      Reply
    • Anna
      Anna
      Twitter:
      on April 21, 2012 at 9:12 pm

      Woo Hoo! My friend hosted The Great Cloth Diaper Change today, too!

      Reply
  62. Sarah
    Sarah on April 27, 2012 at 11:06 am

    Catching up on UBP12 blogs….

    Dave Ramsey inspired us to get serious about paying off our debt too!!
    Sarah recently posted..Dear EmerzonMy Profile

    Reply
  63. Susan (5 Minutes for Mom)
    Susan (5 Minutes for Mom) on May 6, 2012 at 12:54 am

    How awesome that you got debt-free… that’s amazing!

    Thanks for joining the party…. sorry we’ve been so busy over the last few weeks and just got here now.

    Reply
  64. Tiffany
    Tiffany on October 9, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    New to blog…AND LOVE IT! I just started my own journey to becoming debt free and need all the inspiration and motivation I can get!!
    Tiffany recently posted..Financial {and emotional} Check-upMy Profile

    Reply

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