Over the last few days I’ve spent quite a bit of time moving our budget around, and I can honestly say that I’ve loved doing it; reworking our budget makes me happy.
It makes me happy because in a previous (overspending) time, our budget was just a bunch of numbers to be ignored every month. Now it’s potential on a spreadsheet.
Don’t get me wrong, some months we could spend, spend, spend like there’s no tomorrow, but for the most part, we don’t.
We don’t because we’re so focused on the future, and the potential freedom that our budget can bring us. The mortgage freedom that could be possible sooner, rather than later, if we stay on plan.
At the moment we can’t imagine being mortgage free…..but it’s the carrot that keeps us going.
What’s your carrot? 
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I am in search for a new carrot, since our debt will be obliterated soon. I guess my new carrot will be to build up an emergency fund.
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Laura Reply:
May 25th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
@Niki Unfortunately getting debt free is only the start of financial freedom…but a great start none the less. I also found that obliterating (good word, lol) debt is a great motivator (like Sandy a First Gen American wrote in her post last week) savings not so much (for me anyway)….although it should be. I will say though that having an ef brings me more peace then being debt free?! not sure why?!
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My carrot is being mortgage free. It just opens doors for some much life has to offer. We live on a really strict budget and the hubby gives me a bad time about it often, but we wouldn’t be where we are now if we didn’t do so.
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Laura Reply:
May 25th, 2011 at 5:12 pm
Same here Melyssa, once we have the ‘moving cash’ it’s mortgage freedom all the way!
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Definitely being mortgage free, nothing owing to a bank. Oh, the freedom! It sure makes the small sacrifices much easier. (well, some big ones too ~smile~) The past few weeks, I’ve been decluttering and sending bags and bags to the consignment store. I love going to pick up the $, you know, most of the time I can’t even remember what I took in! Heather
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Laura Reply:
May 26th, 2011 at 6:43 am
@Heather| nothing owing to anybody is such a great motivator! I can’t wait! And it’s the small sacrifices that get us there quicker. Good luck
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I have a bunch of carrots…being mortgage free, financial independence, living off of my savings….
I LOVE my new budget. It has freed me up to do so much more, but to also make sure I’m not sabatoging my true goals by spending too much in one category.
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Laura Reply:
May 26th, 2011 at 6:40 am
@Sharon What a great feeling! I LOVE my budget too…words I never thought I would say!
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Similar to yours, my carrot is my line of credit which I hope to be done with in 2 more years. I really really wish I could make it sooner, who knows – it could happen
Oh, and by the way, my carrot is glazed in butter and brown sugar – yummy!
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I love that my credit score is so good, but I still harbor quite a bit of debt. Mainly student loans (going to college vs paying student loans for the rest of your life is really not a win-win situation…learning the hard way). However, my carrot in life is a bit materialistic. I want to enjoy the finer things in life but on a financial freedom whim. I want to be able to enjoy those luxuries without having to look at my pocket book or budget to see if I can afford them. If I need to do that, then its probably a good sign that I can’t afford them.
I hear alot about being free from mortgage. I don’t think its a bad thing having a mortgage. Granted you will be paying for a long time, but you have bought a home…a foundation to raise your families in them. Where by the other option is to rent – and its not your own.
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