In my quest to purge my home these last few weeks, I have found some interesting items.   Broken things that I intended to fix.  Baby items I was keeping for when babies come to visit (yes, I've embraced the idea of borrowing said items when needed).  Every letter of commendation my Poppy received from his consulting business.  Lots of junk.  But, also a few treasures--and some really random things.  Like the receipt for Dave Ramsey's Total Money Make-Over Live Event--that we attended in February 2006.  I decided to keep that, and here's why.

That marked the beginning of our journey toward becoming debt-free and more financially fit.  It's been a journey for sure--not just financially, but for our marriage and in our walks with the Lord.  Chris and I have walked together and worked together to become more obedient Biblically and wise about our money, and to trust the Lord to provide for us and help us.  

We are currently at a point of needing to tweak things a bit again and pull in the reigns.  There are some needs and wants coming in the next few months that require us to rearrange our budget so that we can cut some line items in order to create some savings for the upcoming needs.  

Which brings me back to the starting point of financial fitness--that dirty little word--something known as a budget.  Right now, I have several friends in the same boat.  Actually, I think probably everyone I know is in the same boat.  Don't we all need to make some changes in order to put ourselves in a better position financially?

So if aren't really sure where to start, but you know you need to do something to change your finances, let me give you some basic starting points today.  First, I present to you Dave Ramsey's recommended budget.  Take a gander.