Barron's on Dave Ramsey

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Barron's on Dave Ramsey

-Tag

There's A Crazy Donkey On The Loose!

When I came home from my art class today all of the goats were in the front yard. Those crazy goats have found a way to the "greener pastures" of the front yard! As I ran around waving my arms and screaming at the goats, I forgot to chain up the fence and Colonel, our donkey, pushed his way through, on to freedom! Just in case you did not know, when a horse or a donkey gets loose, they are totally different creatures. They go crazy and will do anything to stay free. Being the only one at home, I did my best to get food to try and tempt Colonel but he was not impressed. I got desperate, I needed Quincey. The attendance clerk at the middle school is in our ward, so when I explained that I needed Quincey because our donkey was running the neighborhood, she just laughed and said, "No problem." "Quincey can do it, I just know she can." As we drove into the neighborhood, Colonel was no where to be found. I had visions of him running up the main road and finding ourselves on the Flower Mound Newspaper front page. Quincey got straight to business. I took the car and drove around the block the opposite way. I did not see him at all. When I arrived home again my plan was to call the police to see if I could get some help. I reached the house and was THRILLED to see Quincey guiding Colonel into the corral with a rope around his neck. She did it! I knew she could! Thank goodness! Quincey earned a day of lounging at home. We watched "Twilight" together and had a great time! Ya, she's a donkey whisperer.

By the way, I didn't post that.

Yesterday my husband wrote me the sweetest tribute and gave it to me in a card. As I got on my blog tonight, I noticed that he posted it on the blog. I am slightly embarrassed by the post, but at the same time, I really loved the things that he wrote. Every bit is true. Seeing it written there makes it seem like some kind of neat accomplishment. My only hope is that maybe someone might be able to use something and set some goals to become debt free. I am completely convinced that ANYONE can do it. It is just a way of thinking. If you let the Lord know what you are working towards and do not give up, eventually you will reach your goal. He is there to pour out blessings and he will.

What "Cubic Zirconium" Means To Me -- by Taggart Barron

I didn’t even know what a “cubic zirconium” was. It sounded like a large, fancy-shaped, expensive diamond, and my fiancé wanted one (gulp). What a relief when I found out it was only the fraction of the cost of a real diamond!

After our marriage, we both worked through college to graduate with no debt. While I worked on my Master’s degree, and after our first child, she transitioned her career to stay-at-home mom. We ran a small business to help pay the bills. She shopped at thrift stores and garage sales for furniture, clothing, books, and toys.

After graduation, it was her idea to buy our first house – not a mansion, but something we could afford. We put together a plan to curb our spending and pay off the mortgage in seven years. Even though more children and two relocations delayed that goal, we never lost sight of getting completely out of debt.

Over the years, we have scrimped. We have never had cable or satellite TV. We have never had a car loan. More than 80% of our children’s clothes have been bought at thrift stores or garage sales. Almost all of our furniture has been purchased at thrift stores or yard sales or made by hand (usually hers), with the exception of a kitchen table made at a handicapped workshop and a mattress for the master bedroom. More than 75% of our Christmas comes from garage sales where she continues to shop all year, searching for deals. We bought the old Nintendo for the kids. We have never paid interest on a credit card. Rather than work outside the home, my wife’s job was to figure out how to save money; we never outsourced the raising of our kids.

Even though we have scrimped, we have spent and continue to spend wisely. We enjoy many fun and memorable family vacations after my wife shops and plans every detail. We go on one-on-one dates every Saturday night. We have always had two cars to drive. Our children have pets, get involved in school activities, and play sports. We have always paid 10% tithing on our gross income to our church. We track every penny in Quicken. We give to family, friends, and charities in need and support politics.

Last August 2008, eleven years after our first mortgage, we sold all our stock right before the recession and paid off our house. We took the kids to the bank with us for a family photo as we processed the last wire transfer. That field trip will be a lesson in their lives, as will the celebration trip to Disneyworld.

Fifteen years after I first encountered a “cubic zirconium”, we have five wonderful children, a nice home on 3.5 beautiful acres, two used cars, a house with used furnishings, a six month emergency fund, a good job for me – and no debt. Recently our family van broke down, and I was tempted to buy something expensive, but she held her ground and we bought another used car with cash.

Even though we might now be able to afford it, my wife still doesn’t want a real diamond. And to tell you the truth, her ring represents more to me than all the diamonds in the world.

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The DURRO!

Over the weekend we got a new family car! Last Saturday night I drove the van into a LARGE "puddle", thinking that it was not deep. Well, it WAS deep and the van stalled. Some men helped to push me out and the van would not start again. We had it towed to our mechanic and he was not positive about it. Our van is a 1996 with 183,000 miles. We wondered if it was time to move on. We have been wanting something that can tow our boat (we have been towing it with our minivan, NOT meant for that!) This was our chance! We bought a bright red Dodge Durango, seats 8, very tough for towing. I really love it. It is fun to drive and has lots of "get up and go! "

I Felt Special

 
 
 
 
Mother's Day was great. The family gave me breakfast in bed. (Always a treat for me =). ) I got a the nicest corsage. Daddy ordered it and said that he wanted five miniature roses, one for each of our children on it. I thought that was sweet. Then he went totally the extra mile and got me a dozen roses! It was a nice day. I did make Sunday dinner, but the family did all the dishes and that was just great! Thank you guys!

I LOVE To See The Temple.....

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Each of my girls painted a temple at art class. Quincey painted the Jordan River Temple (Daddy and I were married there)I love it because if you look closely, it is snowing, just like the day we were married. =) Piper painted the Dallas Temple (different view then the one I did). They both turned out really cool and I have them on our mantle. Good job girls!

Swine Flu Art!

Our kids were out of school for three days thanks to the swine flu! I thought it would be fun to do a little bit of art work. Piper painted a bluebonnet plant that turned out really cool. She painted it over an old painting of hers. I helped her chose what picture to paint from Internet images of bluebonnets and she did the drawing and painting. I really like it. Good job Piperdee! =D

Enjoying The Babies

 

We have 12 kids!

Our goats are MULTIPLYING! We went from 7 goats to 14 in one week. Lillian gave birth to the triplets and a week later Genevieve and Penelope each had twins! The baby goats have been a blast. We invited the whole ward over to come and see the babies and lots of people have taken us up on the offer. After so many babies were born we sold two of our male goats, "Eclipse" and "Rambo" to help thin the herd. After the babies are about 5 months old, we will then decide who to sell next. I think our object is to be able to have fun with the babies and keep the herd from getting too big! We love it!

Ducklings and Monopoly

Piper's kindergarten class hatched ducklings from eggs. They named them "Tiny" and "Waddles". They are mallards and as cute as can be. After the class was done with them, they donated them to the Barron Farm! We have been enjoying them. Quincey brought them into the house to play with them. I expressed some concern that they might poo or pee on the carpet. So she went and got two napkins, laid them on the carpet in hopes that should they need to go, they will waddle over to the napkins and do it proper. Thanks Beauty!

Boston gets his BEAR!

Boston was awarded his Bear rank at the Blue and Gold Pack Meeting! I am so proud of him. He even taught the audience (about 70 people) a Star Wars song and led them in the song all by himself. Our den also put on a skit that turned out really cute. At our den meeting the week before, the boys helped to paint this banner to honor scouts at the Blue and Gold. It was a great night for Boston and everyone who came.

Thanks To Nelly And Lilly For Coming!

We had a wonderful time having you guys here with us! Thanks for coming! We love you.

Saturday Night Date

Daddy was so sweet. He told me that for our date while Nelly was here, he was going to be our Shaffer. He got both of our doors and made us ride in the back. It was fun. He's cute. He took us to a nice Thai food place and then we went to Target to get presents for Nelly's family. We also rented a movie and had ice cream at home. It was really fun.

Nelly Wrestles In A Catfish!

Nelly also got to catch a fish! I think her favorite part was holding it! =)

Fishin For Catfish!

Lilly really wanted to go fishing in the backyard, so Boston got her setup with the pole and bait. In no time she caught a fish!

One BIG Surprise!

Or should I say THREE surprises! When we got home from the rodeo, we found that our sweet goat Lillian had given birth to triplets! Goats normally have one goat, sometimes two, but rarely three! I had hopes that one of our pregnant goats would have a baby while Lilly was here so that she could enjoy it. What a thrill to have these three baby goats. They are beautiful and all little girls! The mother is able to care for all of them and they all look healthy and happy. They are one week old now. Lilly named one, ROSE. Quincey named one JILLIAN (after her cousin). And Nelly and I named the last one MYRTLE!