As we are talking about budgets, I thought today I would share an encouraging book.  Tackling financial issues can make us feel like we are the only ones struggling, but in reality everyone is right now.  Hearing and sharing stories is one of the best ways that we can all learn.  I encourage you to check out a new eBook, Debt-Free Living in a Debt-Filled World, and read how one young couple decided to turn the statistics around.  They refused to be one of the numbers that let financial issues lead to divorce.  They heard biblical teaching on finances, took it to heart and patterned their lives after what God has to say about handling money.  Whether you’re married, single, have kids, or childless, I’m a firm believer in using your money in a Godly manner.

Michelle and Trevor Thomas tell their story of how God led them out from under a mountain of debt into financial freedom.  In their book, Debt-Free Living in a Debt-Filled World, they tell you how they paid off their debt, built their home without a mortgage and have lived the last 14 years debt-free, raising four children on a teacher’s salary.  That’s pretty impressive!  Whatever your situation may be, the Thomas’ want to encourage you that God has a plan for freedom for you, too.

Once Trevor and Michelle were married and on their honeymoon, they realized they were broke and around $25,000 in dept.  That’s a lot of money for a young couple making small salaries.  Even though Trevor had degrees in mathematics and was even a treasurer at a church for awhile, he admitted that he wasn’t the best at managing his own money and handed the reigns over to Michelle.  They even made the tough decision to move in with their grandparents to save enough money to build a house with cash and start a family.

When building their home, they didn’t take the easy way out.  They did a lot of the work themselves to save thousands of dollars and enlisted the help of family and friends.  They made mistakes along the way (like trying to save money on toilets) and they talk through the mistakes so you can learn from them.

This book takes you through the process of switching up your spending habits as you go along.  You’ll see that digging your way out of debt and living debt-free isn’t necessarily easy, but it is rewarding.  They gave their finances to God trusted that He knew how to use them better than them.

If you’re looking for a book about a debt-free lifestyle with a lighthearted, personal touch, this is the book for you!  You’re going to love going through each stage of life and the financial situations with Michelle and Trevor.