It is one thing to talk the talk.
You see this splashed across headlines: “Couple pays off $67,000 in debt in 18 months”, and you read on to learn it’s a get-rich-quick scheme, or they scrounge their neighbor’s trash to find things to sell for cash. Dig deeper, and you find it’s all just ‘talk’.
Cherie and Brian Lowe walk the walk.
Through hell and high water, thick and thin, brown baggin’ and no-meat months, they slayed their debt dragon of $127,482.30 in just four years.
And they want to share with the world their inspirational story, with practical advice everyone can dig in to, to help dig themselves out.
Slaying the Debt Dragon is a faith-filled, practical account of how Cherie (better known as the Queen of Free) and Brian overcame feelings of doubt and darkness. Now they’re sharing their fairytale, except this story is far from make-believe.
I started reading Slaying the Debt Dragon when I was on a plane headed south to be with my parents after my dad had open-heart surgery. As I read Cherie’s book, I started making notes of tips and quotes that were inspiring, smart, witty, and very-Cherie. And boy, did this resonate with me.
While we don’t have $127k in debt, we do have a mortgage and a car loan, with kids’ activities, outgrown clothes and shoes, and so on. But these money-saving tips can be applied to financial woes both large and small:
Practical:
- Life hacks that whittle away everyday expenses
- Quick ways to start building an emergency fund
- Just saying “No” to 19¢ placemats. “Saying ‘no’ is challenging, but it is the most successful way to pay off debt.”
Inspirational:
- As one who worries about my home isn’t (fill-in-the-blank) enough, this quote spoke volumes to me: “Put off the old eyes of looking at the world with that scarcity lens, and put on your new frugal eyes, realizing there is plenty to enjoy within your home and even to share with others.”
- Don’t feel like you have to jump right in with both feet. Ease into the process; give yourself permission to start slow. Try spending only cash at the grocery store, track it for 30 days and see how you do.
Funny:
- Fred Johnson’s underwear. (You’ll have to read the book!!)
- Grocery Store Ten Commandments
- Inheritances from Yo’ Mama and Yo’ Daddy, and how you are not doomed to repeat their mistakes
Did Cherie and Brian slay their debt by panhandling? Renting out their basement to their parents? Hawking deodorant, Haribo gummy bears and French’s mustard at a flea market that were free after coupons? That’s a whole bag o’ Honey Bunches of nope.
Whether you’re up to your eyeballs in student loans, credit card debt, car loans and mortgages – or if you maybe only have a small amount of debt but you really want to stay on top of it so it doesn’t become your demon and your dragon; I encourage you to borrow or buy the book. Take a chance that you’ll learn something new and inspiring!
How to get it:
- The most frugal way? Visit your local library. If it’s not there, request they get a copy, or a dozen.
- Amazon
- Family Christian
- Barnes & Noble
- Books-a-million
I have another way for one of you to get the book in the most frugal way possible: FREE, yo.
GIVEAWAY
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congrats Sarah R.!
I’ve been provided with a copy of Slaying the Debt Dragon to give away to one lucky Chaos Is Bliss reader!
It’s super easy to enter:
You’ll need to visit this Slaying the Debt Dragon page and scroll to the bottom to take a peek at the free printables, then answer the question asked in the “Comment” entry. Additional entry methods are optional, but increase your chances of winning!
The giveaway is open now, and ends next Tuesday night, Feb. 3rd. Good luck!
I love sharing ways to spend less, so families can do more! My passions are cooking, late night TV and being amused by my witty husband and three kids.
i am unable to access the printable page…but do want to enter drawing for the book…thank you
Thanks for letting me know, should be good to go now!
Same as above. I am unable to access printable page (404) but definitely want to enter the drawing for the book
Thank you!
Steph
You’re officially entered – sorry for the trouble, link works now!
Bummer! That page won’t open. I’m super curious to see those free printables!
Sorry for the trouble Lisa! Think we have it fixed now.
Me too 🙁 But I sure could use a budget page!!
Sorry! Should be working now 🙂
I think the weekly menu planning will be a Very Helpful tool…
The Monthly Budget Form has categories that I always forget to include when I try to budget. Very helpful!
A weekly menu planner is just what I need – thanks!
money expenditure log
Thanks for the chance to win. I’m looking forward to reading this (whether I win a copy or not – still on my reading list! 🙂 ).
Should have read the requirement better – the family budget sheet would be best!
Money Expenditure Log
Oh, the weekly meal planner! I always get distracted while grocery shopping and buy way more snacky foods than I mean to, and having a meal plan would also help with those mid-week “What should we have for dinner” blahs!
I think the Meal Planner would be the best, since I use the others already, lol.
Free printable kids budget envelopes. We are working hard on our debt
And these envelopes would help our children in better understanding what we are doing and being part of the team.
Amy from Canada
Money Expenditure Form.
Meal planning would help us !
Weekly Menu planner. Looks so much better than my notebook paper version..
Yeah, definitely meal planning would help us. It’s just my hubs and I, and what we spend on food is ridiculous. Neither of us want to cook when we get home from a long day at work. I’m gathering recipes for super fast meals and meals that can be made in advance (Sundays) and reheated.
Weekly menu planner
The Monthly Budget form looks great!
Money Expenditure Log will be a great help. Thank you.
I think the meal planner would be great for us. We plan our meals but this seems like a great way to organize it!
I definitely need to start using the meal planning printable. I can’t ever seem to get myself organized and end up eating the same thing every night. Work in progress!
The monthly expenditure log, definitely. Start seeing how much I’m spending.
The weekly menu planner!
Money Expenditure Log and Monthly Budget Worksheet!