Operation: Coffee Budget

I have two confessions for you today. 

Confession #1: I am a coffee drinker. 

Phew, glad to get that out in the open. I know, I know, I hide it well. Those that know me in real life are probably shocked, as is anyone who follows me on Instagram, I'm sure. 

{Pictures available for reference in case you didn't pick up on that sarcasm there.}

Just a few months ago, I caught myself saying the words "I don't really drink coffee, either!" As soon as they came out of my mouth, I caught myself calculating the amount of coffee drinks I typically consume in a week. It was right about then that I realized I prooobably should stop saying that now. I've heard it's bad to lie. 

The truth is, I used to not really drink coffee. Until I started working full time, became a blogger, and became a Christian. Because apparently, coffee dates are how you keep your friends once you start working 40 hours a week. And if you want to have Instagram content, you need to consume and document at least 4 caffeinated beverages per week. And a latte in hand is nearly a requirement for fellowshipping. 

{Those comments were only half sarcastic.}

Somewhere between coffee date 143 and the 36th mid-workday Starbucks run, I started really enjoying that flavored latte. And so, I just need to accept it. I am officially a coffee drinker. 

Confession #2: I am a horrible budgeter. 

My budgeting skills basically consist of make sure you've tithed, put 10% in savings, paid all your bills, have no credit card balance, and then, whatevs. 

Not exactly the best plan, eh? It's a good thing I'm single and have no plans to fund a wedding any time soon. 
{ba dum chh}

In all seriousness though, I want to get better at budgeting. I want to start putting more in savings, and spending less on the non-essentials. 

I'm sorry Starbucks, but you fall in that later category. Don't worry though, I'm not getting rid of you completely. After all, how would I keep my friends, and Instagram followers, and relationship with the Lord if I did that? 

{Kidding. Again}

I'm just going to start paying attention to how much I spend on you delicious lattes, and going to limit myself to a finite amount. Curse you, Starbucks Rewards Card that is so easy to reload! The constant reloading ends now. 

Starting today {pay day, what whaat}, I am limiting myself to $30 from each paycheck on coffee drinks. That's $15 a week, or in Starbucks lingo, 3 skinny vanilla machiattos. 

I feel more responsible already. 

Debt Free!!

Finances.

It can be hard to talk about, am I right? How much you make. How much you spend. Where you spend it. How much you give back. 

Talking about money can get pretty personal. 

Recently, my Community Group leader brought up the importance about being open about your finances with other people. Opening yourself up, perhaps humbling yourself, and letting an outside party take a look at your spending habits. 

And with that: accepting the advice that you get back. 

A few weeks ago, I blogged about my decision to start tithing. I wasn't going to bring up finances on the blog, but when God went out of His way to prove His word true, I couldn't help but share. 

When I began tithing, I wasn't just surrendering 10% of my income to the Lord. 

I was surrendering all of my finances. 

What does that mean exactly?

No, I am not giving everything I own back to the church. 

But I am praying significantly over my money. Praying that I would be given discernment on how and where to spend it. 

And when I started praying, I had no idea the dramatic action that God would take. 

He likes to be radical, doesn't he? :)

9. End the year with zero balance on credit card

10. Double my savings

Those are two items on my 2013 Bucket List. If you've been tracking my progress, you might know that these have been two items that I've made minimal progress with. 

Well, this month, God took over. 

He had His ways of showing me what He wanted for my financial situation, and you know what comes along with following His lead? 

Peace.

It's a beautiful thing, really. 

So my bucket list items have changed a bit:

9. End the year with zero balance on credit card

Revision: Maintain zero balance on credit card

10. Double my savings

Revision: Rebuild savings.

Yupp, I'm guessing you used your analyzing skills to figure out that I took a significant chunk of my savings out to pay off my credit card bill. 

Maybe you think I should have done that a while ago, and I would say that you're correct. 

But it's funny, when we think of things on our own, stress gets in the way. 

But how could I drain my savings that much? 

What if I need to dive into that money? 

What about all my hard work building it up?

You know what God told me? 

I will take care of you. 

And BAM. The peace set in. I knew it was the right thing to do. 

So I write to you today with the wonderful news that I am 100% Debt Free today!

I never even considered myself in debt to begin with, but God showed me that He doesn't want His children in debt. 

And He showed me through my mom, who doesn't want her children in debt either :)

Thank you, Mom. I love you. 

And thank you, God. For your peace that only comes from surrendering my life to you. 

"And this same God who takes care of me

will supply all your needs from His glorious riches,

which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever!

Amen."

Philippians 4:19-20