What I Did To Get Out Of Debt

The first thing I did was to have a budget; not just a budget in my head, but one that is written down.  I would carry this budget around in my purse and I would look at it everyday to make sure I was on track.  If necessary I would make adjustments.  A budget is your map or prophesy to where you are going.  It gives you power and authority over your finances.  You tell your money where you want it to go.  Without a budget, it is like throwing your money up in the air and wherever it lands is what gets paid or brought.  When we do this any wind can come along and take authority or power over our money.  A budget keeps you focused.

Pick a bill you want to pay off (I usually pick the smallest one first).  Every month you put as much money as you can on this bill.  Your other bills you might have to pay only the minimum balance.  I usually make my budgets according to when I get paid and I'll make them up to 6 months.  This way I can see the bill being paid off.  Once this bill is paid off, I pick another one.

I commit my budget to the LORD.  Proverbs 16:3 states, "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." (KJV)  Budgets are hard to follow especially in the beginning when all you see is debt.  Just remember at the appointed time, it shall speak (come to pass).  I wish it were easier, but to get different results we have to do something different and changing old habits and ways of thinking takes time and hard work.  That is why it is important to team up with GOD!  HE puts the super in your natural abilities.  HE overrides time and makes what looked like impossible, possible.  HE makes a way out of not way.  HE has a million ways of getting you where you need to go, but you need to team up with HIM.  That means you no longer sit on the side lines hoping things will change.  A budget is your first step.  A budget tells GOD, you are ready to be his friend, his partner, someone HE can trust with secrets.  Remember the story of the talents (see Matthew 25:14:30), the ones who did something with what GOD gave them were given more and the one who sat on the side line doing nothing lost the little he had.

Don't forget when you are making your budget, include everything, food, clothing, co-payments, gas, savings, tithes/offerings and entertainment.  GOD has provided for your need, write it down!

ALWAYS PUT MONEY IN A SAVINGS ACCOUNT!!!!  It doesn't matter what the amount is.  Remember you are planting seeds, GOD provides the increase.