vs. 
The first picture is one taken of my faithful car, 2004 V6 Kia Optima (complete with sunroof). The following picture is what my family is doing right now as we speak!
Oh yes, Mom, Dad & Sis are on a 7 day cruise to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman & Cozumel. That's JAMAICA, CAYMAN ISLANDS and MEXICO!
I had a difficult decision to make a few months back: Join my family on their cruise (Dad was going to allow me to pay $50 a month until paid back), OR, put those fifty dollars towards paying off the shiny, black beauty pictured above.
As much as I struggled and debated, I decided to strive for debt free over a luxurious trip that I likely would have enjoyed every minute of (while digging into deeper debt.=) I even sought the advice of my facebook fam & received more response than usual on a status update, each alluding to "If you don't go, I WILL!" Well then, I know I did what Dave Ramsey would have told me at least! haha
Friday was a bittersweet day, they left for their port in Galveston, TX and I made my final car payment. It's ironic how the timing worked out that on the SAME DAY these two events would occur. I must say, the feeling of knowing my car is paid off TRUMPS that of driving 9-10 hours to Galveston, TX. (we wont discuss the portion of the trip that follows that long car ride though :)
Besides, when I go on my next cruise, I want to BE at goal weight. I want to feel good at the formal dinners. I want to be confident while enjoying the sandy beaches. I want to be proud when I scrapbook and share my vacation pictures!
In addition, I've earmarked what "would have" been my next monthly payment to purchase a brand new Mountain Bike. Let's just call it an "investment" in my health for paying off my car. It's a way of spicing up my cardio workouts. A way of reaching that "cruise weight," faster. PLUS, that will be a one-time payment rather than a 6 year loan. Going forward, for as long as my car will hang in there with me, I'll be pouring that payment into my savings in attempts of building up what is now virtually NOTHING.
IDEAS FOLKS? Who likes bike riding? Where should I go to get a bike? What should I look for in a bike? What price range should I shoot for? What features are necessary & unnecessary? Any bike riding tips? Any and all responses appreciated...
The only thing I'm certain of is that this year I want to be debt free AND I anticipate participating in the Lenexa Midnight Bike Ride. (haha) I've heard about how fun it is from friends who've rode and this year I'm determined to share in the festivities. I'm not even sure of the distance of the ride, I just know I want to be there!
Verse of the Day:
Deuteronomy 28:12-13 (NKJV)
"The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them."
3 comments:
Sorry dude, I have no bike advice. Last time I was on a bike, my pedal fell off and I flipped over the TOP of the bike and scratched my leg AND my pride. Eric thought my gymnastic skills were hilarious, yet out of place and confusing. Cale just stood there saying, are you ok mommy? Good thing one of them is sweet!!!
But I do want to say that I am sooo proud of you for making the car vs cruise decision. Eric and I have made some poor decisions and if we had half your insight when we started off, we would be in a much different place right now. So, kudos to you!!
thanks Shiloh. :) i must admit, i fell more in the Eric category reading this, I visualized it and it had me laughing rather hysterically at my desk. So glad Cale was there to rescue you! So glad you are okay too. Did you take tumbling classes in pre-school?
Congrats to you!!! You DID make the right decision. God is going to honor your faithfulness and He is so pleased with you!
Justin and I have what we call "mom and dad bikes" back in Minnesota. You sit up right and have a giant seat to place your bottom and a basket (no, not three wheels!), but we rode and rode and rode those things. One morning we put Maddie in the bike trailer and biked 25 miles and loved every minute of it. Ours were under $100 from Target.
I miss them and wish we had space for them here.
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